Idaho Tea Partier To Protest Sarah Palin!

Talking Points Memo ^ | May 20, 2010 | Rachel Slajda

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Out in Idaho, one tea party Republican has had enough of Sarah Palin.

Lucas Baumbach, who's running for the state senate, is angry that Palin is butting in to the Republican race to unseat U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick (D). What's worse, she's endorsing the other guy.

"I think she should let Idahoans pick for themselves instead of shoving a candidate down our throats," he told TPMDC in an interview today.

Baumbach supports Raul Labrador, a conservative state representative who openly supports repealing the 17th Amendment. But Palin is stumping for Vaughn Ward, who was the Nevada state director for John McCain's presidential campaign, by headlining a fund-raiser tomorrow night.

So, as the Idaho Reporter originally reported, Baumbach is organizing an anti-Palin protest outside the rally He said he expects about 200 people, many of them from the local tea party.

"I'm a big fan of Palin's in the past, but I have to question whether the money's going to her head," Baumbach said, or whether she's just doing "what McCain tells her."

Baumbach takes issue with Palin for endorsing candidates like Carly Fiorina in California, accusing her of following McCain's line instead of listening to what tea parties have to say.

And it's even worse, he says, for her to impose herself on Idaho.

"She has a lot more star power here" than in California, he said. "I think it's just abusive."

A spokesman for Ward said it's nothing but "sour grapes."

"I just find it interesting that people who have been extremely supportive of Sarah and would have been very excited had she come here for Raul would have done exactly the opposite," said the spokesman, Mike Tracy.

Ward's name recently graced TPMDC's pages when he said he'd favor repealing the 17th Amendment and had to immediately backtrack. It may have been a move by Ward, the NRCC's pick for the seat, to scoop up some ultra-conservative votes from Labrador -- who openly supports repealing the amendment. (Repealing the amendment would take electing senators out of the hands of the public and give it to the state legislatures.)

Additional reporting by Evan McMorris-Santoro

Late update: Don't expect to see Labrador, the guy Baumbach supports and Ward's opponent, at the anti-Palin rally. Labrador released a statement calling for conservatives to stop attacking Palin.

"Sarah Palin's visit to Idaho on behalf of the beleaguered Vaughn Ward Congressional Campaign has prompted many comments by conservatives," wrote his campaign. "We are disappointed with her coming into this Primary Race - as Ward clearly is the damaged candidate - but we urge conservatives to STOP the attacks on Gov. Palin."

[proud_yank]

You have a problem with capitalism?

No.

Seems to me there are plenty of people who are willing to pay to hear her speak.

Good for them. They can spend their money on magic beans and dragon eggs for all I care.

Oh, and btw, her view on anything that is popular?

This is precisely my problem with her. When being a moderate and 'reaching across the aisle' were popular, she fell right in line when she ran for governor. She campaigned and governed as a moderate, not a conservative. Her taxes on the oil and gas industry were destructive, to the point that Alaska has some of the industry's highest tax rates. Many people even compare it to places like Norway. Energy development here decreased as a result, but, our state-run kids health care was expanded. Thank goodness for that.

The policies of her adminstration greatly decreased the chances of developing north slope (Arctic) gas, and drilling permits for Cook Inlet gas were denied. The state is now bracing for shortages.

Please note, tax hikes are exactly that. They are not 'fighting corruption' as she somehow loves to claim. Furthermore, those wheels were already turning before she became governor and involved a couple contract firms, not the Alaskan oil industry as a whole.

The tax hikes her administration levied on cruise ships curbed tourism to lots of small coastal towns dependent on it for income, when it was already hit hard by a rough economy. Those nagging conservative, capitalist, free-market principles hard at work.

Fast forward to now, when socialism, liberalism and democrats aren't the most popular thing going. Gone are the days of bipartisanship and 'reaching across the aisle' that were the flavor when she ran for governor. Now the world gets to see outspoken, staunch right-wing, capitalist Palin. She is bringing in millions of dollars preaching conservative values that we certainly didn't see when she was governor.

I wish that she held the same conservative, free-market values when she was gov. that she preaches now. Her administration did more damage to the Alaskan economy over her short term as gov. than environmentalists and their lawyers were able to do over 30 years.

[rintense]

I find it very suspicious that of all the posters on FR, in the two years since Palin has been in the spotlight, you're the only one to level these accusations, outside of the typical liberal bloggers in Alaska.

[rintense]

Her administration did more damage to the Alaskan economy over her short term as gov. than environmentalists and their lawyers were able to do over 30 years.

I want to see proof. Please provide links proving your assertion.

[proud_yank]

I find it very suspicious that of all the posters on FR, in the two years since Palin has been in the spotlight, you're the only one to level these accusations,

I don't mean to be rude and I mean that sincerely, but I don't know where you've been. Since Palin came into the spotlight there have been a number of us here who disagreed with her policies and did not care for her. I find many Palin fans here had a tendency of getting rather emotional over any dissent, disagreement or dislike of her and it was reflected in their responses. Many tended to keep quiet as a result. That seems to have changed over the past six months or so, or at least what I've noticed.

Regarding Alaskan FReepers, statistically, there simply are not many of us, though a good percentage of us here disagreed with many of her policies as gov. I'm not on here a ton, but was not excited when she was being sought as a VP candidate which was reflected in my posts.

outside of the typical liberal bloggers in Alaska.

LOL There are plenty of staunch conservatives here who do not care for her, and that may be the reason why her incumbent is looking at changing the ACES tax codes ;-) (He's got some competetion for his job, and with any luck will be seeking employment elsewhere.)

Good article, and some good links posted within.

Parnell orders review of Palin Admin Oil Taxes

[rintense]

Thank you for posting the links. And while I understand you view (on that thread), I also agree with the other freepers and Alaskans regarding the royalty/tax credit.

Can you provide a link regarding the cruise lines?

[rintense]

BTW, I hardly think her admin did more damage than environmentalist could have done in 30 years. If it were for the damn eco movement and libs, Alaska would be providing tons of energy to the US.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

And what about her record of rooting out corruption in her own party in Alaska? I’m sure the Alaska Repubics weren’t unhappy to see her resign.

On the other hand, what you described could help explain her enthusiastic support for McCain, in spite of people in his presidential campaign trying to destroy her. On the other hand, she appears to have made a good endorsement here, contrary to my initial assessment based on his McCain association.

I’d like to see those links, too.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Thanks, proud_yank

[rintense]

I'm not messin' with a Caribou killer! LOL.

I'm sincerely curious about all this. Of course, naturally suspicious when assertions like these are made, too. Having been through the Palin floggings from the left, I fear I've become a bit knee jerk, myself, at times. I meant no harm toward proud_yank. Just trying to figure out what's on the up and up.

[proud_yank]

Regarding Alaskan economic issues, please keep in mind that ~85% of state revenues are based on oil production. I am not familiar with the details of individual state's economies but would guess that AK differs from most.

Good links within. Post #10 is a good outline of the tax burden, and worth noting that 47% was the state take (ilel before fed) Thackney is also a friend of mine, and a good source of info on energy issues. Post #12 is in regards to the dubious claims that the AK state constitution outlines a state-run business.

BP, ConocoPhillips Reduce 2010 Spending Plans in Alaska

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From the article below: State of Alaska’s tax changes blamed; Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin says facility wouldn’t have qualified under 2006 PPT

From 2006 to 2007 the tax codes were changed three times, and ACES, the big one (which was put in place retroactively) was the one that did the most damage.

Conoco: ULSD facility won’t be built

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This is from Dec 2007, ACES was enacted in the summer of 2007 IIRC.

Conoco backs of $1 billion Alaskan spending

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This is pertainent to the economic conditions of AK, and the link I posted above. Alberta, Canada reduced taxes and royalties and the economy improved. The same ideas/principles are being discussed here now.

Royalty cuts have spurred interest in spending more in Alberta's oilpatch: Liepert

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Cruise taxes. I think Parnell scrapped the hike back to its original rate earlier this year or late last year.

25% Reduction - Cruise Lines to Cut Alaska Passenger Lists by 100,000

[proud_yank]

LOL I *almost* pinged you for my ‘alternate Palin View’, but figured you’d find it anyway!

Eska & I are good friends, and always have friendly disagreements on Palin.

I heard it hit 80 in Tok, what is it doing at your place? Still got snow in the mountains around my valley, hitting upper 50’s and low 60’s during the day and some nights are cold. Two weeks ago had mid-teens on the slope, and blizzard winds. I head back up north tomorrow, but need a break since I’ve run myself ragged.

Got drawn for brown bear on Kodiak next year, can’t wait, and been out for black bears over the last week. Time for a bear-b-que!

Had the boat out a ton, & the rivers are good but level changing quite a bit. Still want to run from your place to Dawson, but it might be next summer with all I have going on this year.

Sorry I didn’t get back to you last month, I had to go to CA for a few days. Did you wind up getting the weatherby? Let me know if you guys head down my way.

[rintense]

Black bear? You’d love it in Northern Michigan! They’re everywhere! Had a friend spot a mama and cubs at her cabin. Then there’s those damn stubborn Elk.

[proud_yank]

BTW, I hardly think her admin did more damage than environmentalist could have done in 30 years.

I meant that rhetorically, to really quantify it would be quite an undertaking. However, there was a very visible cut-back in work and development as a result of the tax hikes.

[proud_yank]

And what about her record of rooting out corruption in her own party in Alaska? I’m sure the Alaska Repubics weren’t unhappy to see her resign.

A lot of that was in motion with Murkowski before she ran for governor. She was in the right place at the right time.

I don't think McCain would have chosen her as a running mate if she was *that* far to his right.

A lot of links in post #131 if you're interested.

[Eska]

Had to be 85 today, need rain. Got 300 lb taters in and 10K carrot seed in; working on cleaning up logs with flapper wheels, refinish soon enough.

Got a 338 BAR safari on its way from Arizona if everything works right. Picked up another Stagg, piston one this time.

Boy got home from school, I've been baiting the barrel behind house and kid wanted to kill another bear with bow. No bear, but had a wolf come in, must have a den back there. Nx night he took fox pro and wolf came back in but not close enough.

Been shooting that 30-378 weatherby, pretty close. You'll be happy with a weatherby.

I'm still getting you an Obama shirt; everybody here knows you're his biggest fan.

[proud_yank]

LOL I want the commemorative obama plate for my bathroom as a plunger rest. A t-shirt would make great rags to wash my eeevil pick-up!

I may use my 338 on my Kodiak trip next year, but thinking about adding a 375H&H to add to the collection. Don’t know why, I’ve always wanted one. Up to 200 yds the energy is better, but farther out the 338 is better. I’ve never fired a weatherby, but heard the larger ones will rattle fillings out of your teeth.

I had a 5’ black bear come into my stand but passed. The way he was acting, I figured a bigger bear was nearby. After 30 min I saw a bigger one through the willows, but he never came out and gave me the shot. Heard another one at a new stand scratching trees and stomping, but he never came out. June should be better, they haven’t been too active down here since its been so cool, and I only saw one fresh plug. Saw some very large & fresh grizzly tracks on Hunter Creek, off Knik River, right where we ran the boat on a sand-bar!

It sounds like they’re changing that caribou hunt this year, I think it will start Aug 29. Don’t know if I’ll be able to make it, I want to go for moose in Sept. May try for sheep in Aug, but will have to see. Either that, or I’ll just take it easy and fish silvers. We’ll see...

Good luck cleaning logs, you’ve got your work cut out but its better than hand-peeling them I guess. I’m getting ready to build my shop next month (read: prepping site to have one built!), and can’t wait for it to be in. I might put a Toyo stove in, instead of running gas from the house. Thoughts? I’m going to have a wood stove too, but want something to keep a baseline temp of about 40 deg in the winter.

If theres a den nearby, sounds like its time to lay some leg-holds & snares.

[Eska]

Remember with a 375 mag, you need a heavier duty scope, not regular nikon or I hear leupold. I’ve seen a few 375’s on Ak list of late too and a few nice wins, browns, and weaths for nice prices.