Palin Endorses Independent-Democratic Ticket for Alaska Governor Against GOP Successor

National Journal ^ | 10/23/2014 | KARYN BRUGGEMAN

[SeekAndFind]

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spent the early part of the 2014 midterms traveling the country endorsing conservative candidates in Republican primary races, hoping to leave her mark on the future of the GOP.

But on Wednesday, Palin rebuked her Republican successor in her home state, endorsing independent gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker, who is running on a "unity ticket" with Democratic running mate Byron Mallott, instead. Palin's endorsement goes against her former lieutenant governor, Gov. Sean Parnell, who assumed office in 2009 when Palin abruptly resigned and is embroiled in a highly contested race for reelection to a second full term.

Palin offered the endorsement at a campaign reception in her Wasilla home, according to press release issued by Walker.

Parnell's 2013 restructuring of the state's oil and gas taxes dismantled a prior, Palin-championed program that she considered to be one of the greatest achievements of her tenure. That difference of opinion is at the heart of Palin's conflict with Parnell, which resulted in the two campaigning on opposite sides of a ballot measure in this year's primary.

Parnell dismantled Palin's oil-tax increase, called ACES (short for Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share), by signing a repeal of some oil taxes in 2013 that was intended to curb the state's production decline. But many fear the measure will severely diminish the revenue brought in by the state, where oil and gas taxes have accounted for as much as 90 percent of government funds.

Palin backed an initiative to repeal the new law, SB 21, when it appeared on the August primary ballot, which put her at odds with Parnell. (Palin accused Parnell of being "suckered" by "crony capitalists" at the time.) The referendum narrowly failed, garnering 47 percent of the vote as the state's Republican U.S. Senate primary attracted conservative voters

[Responsibility2nd]

 

What's an anti-purist?

A liberal.

Yes, but a liberal with an (R) after their name.

So thats OK.

/s

[Resettozero]

So. Are you going to vote for a liberal just because they have an (R) after their name? Purist understand the 80/20 rule. We do. We know that politics is a compromise and short of Ted Cruz - NOBODY is perfect (lol)

But back to the GOP-e. They are following a 20/80 rule. That is they are right some 20% of the time. And losing ground all the time.

You wanna tell me I should vote for Cochran, Boehner or whoever Rove tells me to?

HELL NO!

(PSST: One of us may have had a noticable reading comprehension lapse.)

[Impy]

What in the f? Is this April Fools day? Palin endorses the ex-RINO who’s ILLEGALLY running with the DEMOCRAT on a “unity” ticket? She’s gone round the bend if this true.

To heck with every deranged fool who is still so in love with her that he/she feels the need to defend this indefensible move.

GO PARNELL GO!!!!! The fake Independents Walker (AK Governor) and Orman (KS Senate) need to lose so the democrats don’t try this dishonest garbage again.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Time for Palin, Trump, and others to form Liberty Party. The GOP has lost its way —like the Tories in UK. We need a REAL Conservative Party! IF The GOP blows it this time—they must go the way of the Dodo bird.

[Norm Lenhart]

YES!!! YES!!! LET THE BUTTHURT FLOW THROUGH YOU!!!

[Resettozero]

...most people know better.

That's my problem: not hangin' out with most people. I need to hang with your most people more and not my neighbors who think it was a hoot and admire the whole lot of Palins for stickin' up for each other when few others will.

[Norm Lenhart]

Count me in the Pro ass kick line too. But then I was raised a lumberjack in a hick town ;)

[bigdaddy45]

There’s a downside to that. RIght now, American oil production is at record highs, and prices are dropping. If Alaska ramps up drilling, it would glut the market even more, and further drive down prices. This is actually bad, as it would hurt domestic production. Best to hold that oil in reserve until we need it.

[Norm Lenhart]

Not till prices return to a non inflated level. The higher they go, the more Saudi funds terror.

[dfwgator]

There’s a downside to that. RIght now, American oil production is at record highs, and prices are dropping. If Alaska ramps up drilling, it would glut the market even more,

Then we tell the Arabs to "F Off, We'll drill for our own oil, thank you very much."

[antidisestablishment]

I thought about using Antidisestablishmentarianism for a handle, but it was just too long.

Pneumonoultramicro-scopicsilicovolcanoconiosis now claims the title for longest English word, but I certainly cannot agree that any hyphenated word be considered. Everyone knows hyphenation is antithetical to all true Americans!

[Impy]

So you support the candidate of the Alaska democrats too?

[bigdaddy45]

Thats not exactly how things work. As oil prices drop, its not profitable to get it out of the ground. Especially in North Dakota. Saudi oil is way cheaper to extract. What happens when it costs $50 to get a barrel of oil out of the ground, and its only selling for $40? The oil companies stop drilling. What’s your solution then? Nationalize the oil companies?

[DJ MacWoW]

Parnell gutted some of it. Under ACES oil companies couldn't just sit on land leases, they had to drill. What Parnell did is good for the oil companies but Alaskans? Not so much.

But many fear the measure will severely diminish the revenue brought in by the state, where oil and gas taxes have accounted for as much as 90 percent of government funds.

[Robert DeLong]

I guess I am considered an anti-purist, as I vote what is best for my country. Which means I will always vote for the lesser of two evils. Primarily because I do not want the largest evil to garner power. Thanks to the purists we have had to endure 2 evil administrations led by Obama.

If this Parnell really is supporting crony capitalism then I am in full support of Sarah's position. If the person she is endorsing supports gay marriage, socialism etc. then I will be the first to say that she is dead wrong to endorse him. Since I do not live in Alaska I am not familiar with either of these candidates.

[Norm Lenhart]

I support the most conservative. I trust Palin enough to follow her lead on this one. Consider it a ‘lesser evil’ ;) The GOP can go straight to hell. Shudda run a conservative. Then there’d be no need for this.

[dfwgator]

Actually it is one of the things I would consider nationalizing as it is a matter of National Security.

How much of our blood and treasure has it cost to ensure oil flows from that god-forsaken part of the world?

[roofgoat]

how dare she!

(sarc)

[bigdaddy45]

Yeah, because nationalizing oil companies ALWAYS works so well. Let Obama and his cronies take care of it. Everything will work out just fine.

[Resettozero]

Dadjimit! Who put a hyphen in it! No telling how long now I’ve been mispronouncing that.

That miner’s lung disease was my favorite word to show up idjuts in Jr. High. Impressed ZERO girls, though.