I’ll admit she did not answer that artfully, but remember, Couric and CBS culled several hours of interview down to minutes....her worst minutes.
As I have heard her explain other places, it wasn’t a question of “being close” to Russia, but being commander in chief of the Alaska NG, a unit unique in that it’s responsible for our new missile defense. That’s a big deal, and it’s Russia who has the missiles that would be shot down over Alaska.
Anyway, name another state in the USA which has two foreign nations as neighbors, and not other American states adjoining it. Due to geography, an Alaskan governor is obviously going to be more involved in “foreign affairs” than any other governor. Fishery treaties, navigation rights, boundaries of oil drilling fields...this all winds up on an Alaskan governor’s desk. The same cannot be said about the governor of any other US state.
Well put and right on the money.
My experience in Alaska is that it is a tough place. Todd knows.
I always enjoyed getting out of there after I made my money because I didn’t have what it took to live up there: guts, determination, ambition, drive and passion.
Worked at Dutch Harbor in the windswept loneliness of the Aleutians. Logged on cold, rainy Prince of Wales Island (Southeast). Surveyed beautiful Yakutat Bay. Dredged the treacherous Gulf of Alaska for sea floor bottom samples. Loaded and rode in seaplanes flying in poor visibility in the islands of the southeast out of Ketchikan. Interviewed for flying jobs in Bethel (near Dillingham) and Juneau. traveled the inside passage many times. And lived in Fairbanks as a child.
A tough place. It’s citizens are uniquely rough. I can only imagine the administrative stuff that winds up on Govenor Palin’s desk!
Govenor Palin brings unimaginable softness, beauty, courage and grit to her job which is unlike what anyone else in Congress has.
Sarah’s graciousness, kindness and warmth is like the Aurora Borealis and heavenly sent, too.
She’s been schooled in the real world.