Secessionist Palin Story: McCain Camp Pushes Back

Last night, ABC's Jake Tapper reported that officials of a fringe Alaska party once counted Sarah Palin as a member:

Officials of the Alaskan Independence Party say that Palin was once so independent, she was once a member of their party, which, since the 1970s, has been pushing for a legal vote for Alaskans to decide whether or not residents of the 49th state can secede from the United States.

And while McCain's motto -- as seen in a new TV ad -- is "Country First," the AIP's motto is the exact opposite -- "Alaska First -- Alaska Always."

John McCain's campaign reports of her membership in AIP "smears," blaming them on Barack Obama's campaign and Daily Kos. They also sent around Palin's voter registration document, showing her to have been a registered Republican since 1982.

However, TPMmuckraker reports that Palin's husband's affiliation with the group can't be disputed:

This afternoon, the director of Division of Elections in Alaska, Gail Fenumiai, told TPMmuckraker that Todd Palin registered in October 1995 to the Alaska Independence Party, a radical group that advocates for Alaskan secession from the United States.

Besides a short period of a few months in 2000 when he changed his registration to undeclared, Todd Palin remained a registered member of AIP until July 2002 when he registered again as an undeclared voter.

And today, ABC reports that Sarah Palin did attend the 1994 Alaska Independence Party convention:

As part of their pushback against the charges of Lynette and Dexter Clark of the AIP, the McCain campaign says that Palin did not even attend the AIP convention in Wasilla in 1994.

But another former AIP official -- Mark Chryson, chairman of the AIP from 1995 to 2002 -- tells ABC News that "Palin was at the convention in 1994. She was there."

And AIP's Lynette Clark still insists that the governor was a member. "This is like a cat covering up crap in its litter box," she said.

Comments

[keepemhonest]

McCain says Palin is his soul mate ... hmmm ....

[Gotcha54]

What is this "Country First" crap that the Rep are touting. Is Bush a part of that Country First squad? I'll tell you I'm an American in his 50's and I want change so bad so that I can see some home for my children and their futures. And in that change I'm hoping - yes I do have "HOPE" - and I believe that Obama/Biden are the people to provide that change.

The Rep using this chest thumping "Country First" is absurd. I'm in the middle class and I don't know anyone that doesn't love this country and the only thing the Rep party has provided is the diminishing of my middle class and have made the rich now the super rich. This gap must be closed!

[ebethgay]

The polar bear is not becoming extinct. You can still see them on the AIP logo.

[MaybeMilo]

"This is like a cat covering up crap in its litter box"

Poetry.

[Venom5809]

It is hilarious, one of the best lines ever.

[AllenD]

It fits just about everything the Republicans are doing this week.

[lincheryl]

This is better than watching Stewart and Colbert. She and her husband should have a show like "Earl"

[RobtBrock]

I would like some decendents of William Tecumseh Sherman to pay Todd a visit real soon.

[majorteddy]

That's not change you can believe in! And it's not very Patriotic.

[mady]

So what if she and her husband wanted to secede, we all saw her wearing a flag pin.

Case closed.

[SurrealPumpkin]

how could anyone miss that flag pin?

[daintyg]

She is MaCain's Pain

[lthuedk 1]

Take our democracy back!

http://www.light-to-dark.com/war_on_democracy.html

Obama/Biden '08

[RebelCPA]

Abraham Lincoln will be doing flips in his grave if this Anti-American Successionist is elected as our next VP.

[CaliTLC]

Don't tell me. Let me guess. McCan't already KNEW about Gov. Palin's membership in this organization and selected her anyway. Okey dokey.
Obama-Biden 2008-2016

[MYQUEEN7]

There is a video out there of Sarah Palin giving the keynote address to the Alaskan Independence Party. In the video, she is seated and appears to be giving a web address to the group. So, it didn't appear like she was actually there, but she sure was offering and welcoming their blessings and good will.

[Chillinout]

Here is is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvPNXYrIyI

[NHGranite]

I don't see no stinking flag pin

[Tommygun264]

Today it was reported that when McSame met Palin that first and only time before he picked her for VP, she was giving interviews praising Ron Paul.

[LAB10]

Mac really does have a sense of humor after all! Lieberman looks pretty good right about now---doesn't he! LOL!!!

[mitch4822]

I believe she is going to step down...pre­tty soon. Some organizations are prediting this.

[Grunty1]

I hope so. It would make Mc'Cain look weaker than he already is.

[Venom5809]

I keep waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out of the bushes and tell us we are being punked.

[YesWeCanada]

The surge in Sarah Palin coverage is working and just getting started. hehe

[Dave01]

Don't forget - McCain was a POW!

[Moxo]

If he now admits to having had constant thoughts while a POW of devouring huge chunks of roasted moose, blood dripping down his chin ,then, and only then, will I understand his reasoning for picking her.