'First Dude' Todd Palin Illustrates Alaska's Blend of Private and Public

The Washington Post:

ANCHORAGE -- Todd Palin grew up as the archetypal Alaskan -- salmon fisherman, champion snowmobiler, North Slope oil worker. But since his wife became governor 20 months ago, his portfolio has broadened: househusband, babysitter, senior adviser, legislative liaison, and -- when the occasion warrants -- enforcer and protector.

He has supervised renovations to the governor's mansion and hopscotched by plane back and forth to Juneau to juggle duties as father and "First Dude," as he has come to be known. And to a degree that has surprised many state government observers, Todd Palin also has become involved in policy, sitting in on his wife's meetings, traveling on state business and weighing in on some legislative issues.

Read the whole story: The Washington Post

Comments

[mysterygirl18]

09:20 PM on 09/22/2008

Todd and Sarah Palin are an insult too everyone, everyone in general. Come on people, especially democrats, aren't you tired of this? aren't you tired of hearing how bad you are because your a democrat and that Saint Sarah is the "embodiement of the American dream." Come on we are all better than these two...we all deserve much better...

Even if you don't like Obama...think Biden...both of them combined can give us something Mccain and Palin can't even come close too- Hope...

check out: http://www.myspace.com/wakeupnowpeople

[confusedintexas]

02:49 PM on 09/22/2008

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a
position in a prestigious law firm to work for the
betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to
raise a family, your family's values don't represent
America 's.
* If your husband is nicknamed 'First
Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no
college education, who didn't register to vote until age
25 and once was a member of a group that ad vocated the
secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely
admirable.

[XME]

02:09 PM on 09/22/2008

There's something about this Palin that bugs me almost as much as the other one.

[jeffp26]

01:31 PM on 09/22/2008

Todd Palin graduated from high school, yet he is brilliant compared with Bush, who graduated Yale. What am I missing?

[robotfog]

01:43 PM on 09/22/2008

don't send your kids to Yale.

[Bitsko]

01:08 PM on 09/22/2008

I get the criticism of Mr. Palin, but when Hillary Clint0n did the same thing she was considered by my fellow liberals to be a fine example of a "working partner." Whats the diff?

[robotfog]

01:44 PM on 09/22/2008

I never appreciated it when Mrs. Clinton did it either.

[Bitsko]

05:40 PM on 09/22/2008

I have no problem with spouses getting involved. Look at the good work Eleanor Roosevelt did as first lady and after.

[RockRepublican]

12:28 PM on 09/22/2008

I am missing something...when Roslyn Carter and Hillary Clinton got involved in affairs of state the Conservative (rightly) went nuts. We elect the officer, not their spouse. Somehow Mr. Palin's expertise and knowledges is utterly essential to running Alaska. Did they elect a duo here? Where is the outrage. Isn't the Governor capable of running the state alone?

[Jingo]

12:20 PM on 09/22/2008

Sarah and Todd sound like such a great political team. I wonder if any studios are interested in filming such an interesting life story. If so, I'd like to pitch the titles "Mr. Mom Goes to Washington" or "Dumb and Dumbererer." Points on the domestic gross sales would be appreciated.

[pumpkin]

11:37 AM on 09/22/2008

I love how he claims that Bristol is "low maintenance". I guess she's pretty low maintenance now, since she's probably confined to the house. Soon, she (and her baby) will be high maintenance. I hope Todd's ready for the role of grandpa as father.

And everyone says he's an average, involved dad. Well, guess what? He doesn't need to be an "average, involved dad." He need to act like an "average involved MOM". And what bullshit that he was in a meeting to watch over the baby. Why didn't he watch over the baby in the next room?

If I never hear the phrase "first dude" again, it will be too soon. It's not folksy, it just tells me what a dork Sarah Palin really is.

[robotfog]

01:45 PM on 09/22/2008

I translated the phrase into "first boob" when I read it.

[liberation4life]

11:25 AM on 09/22/2008

What a creep!

[GerryT]

11:22 AM on 09/22/2008

"The 2008 version of the "Beverly Hillbillies". (In HDTV)

Come 'n listen to my story 'bout a family named Palin
And a cute politician, got the GOP a wailin"
Then one day, she was shootin' at some food (moose)
And up through the ground come some troublin news
McCain, that is, short and old, more of the SAME - Bush term number three

Well, the first thing you know, old McSame"s under a glare
The smart folks said, Sarah, you don"t want to go there
Said, Wash DC, is the place you ought not be
People loaded up the WEB with facts and hyperbole
Newzz, that is, camera crews, MSM stars.

Well, now it's time to say goodbye to Sarah and all her kin
They would like to thank you folks for kindly droppin' in
You're all invited back again to her locality
To have a heapin' helpin' of the Palin hospitality
Hillbilly, that is, set a spell, take your shoes off
Ya"ll don"t stay too long now, YA HEAR!!!!!

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/CalypsoSV/Obama/gop-hillbillies.jpg

[Vere15]

11:11 AM on 09/22/2008

Incredible - remember all the concern about Bill hanging around the White House - If we can't have Hill, or Bill, please God let it be Jill and not Todd

[TGCNY]

11:00 AM on 09/22/2008

That why big Oil always have there Grasp on the Rethuglican party First Cheney Now PAlins husband who is on some so called leave due to his wifes campaigning yea right

[Biracial1]

10:54 AM on 09/22/2008

And to think he is getting a free pass for being a member of the AIP.

[EvilPoet]

10:45 AM on 09/22/2008

Like they say - there's no accounting for tastes. Todd Palin? DOUBLE UGH BARF. The Palin family creeps me out almost as much as McCain's smarmy smile.

[Sparty1]

10:34 AM on 09/22/2008

They truly need to keep that foolishness right where it belongs....Alaska. I mean what are they going to have the shotgun wedding of her knocked up 17 yr old daughter at the Rose Garden in the WH?

[CaptainStormfield]

11:42 AM on 09/22/2008

I ceased to be amazed at the Religious Party a long time ago.