There’s been much hoopla around the blogosphere in recent days about Barack Obama’s questionable associations with domestic terrorist William Ayers. Seems that there is bad judgment there at best.
But what about Sarah Palin’s associations with the Alaska Independence Party? Is her various levels of association with them not just as bad judgment?
The AIP’s website states as their goals a vote on one of the following options:
1) Remain a Territory.
2) Become a separate and Independent Nation.
3) Accept Commonwealth status.
4) Become a State.
These goals were laid out by party founded Joe Vogler, who once these said such provocative statements:
I’m an Alaskan, not an American. I’ve got no use for America or her damned institutions.
There were some reports earlier that Palin was once a member of the party, but this turned out to not be true. Palin has always been a Republican since 1982. However, there is one who can claim past membership: Todd Palin. The First Gentleman was a member of the party from 1995-2002. He then apparently become an Indpendent (go Todd!) until recently, when he registered as a Republican.
Then there are conflicting statements about Palin’s exact level of involvement with the party. Some say she attended the 1994 and 2000 AIP conventions, though Palin says she never has. Undisputed is her video address to the 2008 AIP convention, apparently in her capacity as Governor.
Now, obviously, there is absolutely not a shred of evidence that she holds the secessionist views of the AIP. But as with any other unknown association, it brings up more questions than answers, yes? Wife to a former AIP member, and reportedly an attendant at two of their conventions? Hmm…
What is it with the relative political newbies and their questionable associations? I don’t see any history of possible radical associations in the histories of John McCain or Joe Biden. Must be something about Gen X. Says this Gen Yer.