Posted on 08/31/2008 8:14:33 AM PDT by AuntB
The Palin family of Longview was bursting its buttons Friday. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Sen. John McCain’s surprise choice as his vice presidential running mate, is married to the nephew of Ted Palin, a well-known retired Longview businessman.
“Honest to God, I’m so proud of her. She’s the most likeable person,” said Ted Palin, 79, speaking almost breathlessly by cell phone Friday morning.
He said neither her nor most other members of the close-knit Palin family knew before this morning that McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, had tapped the Alaska governor.
“In the morning I always turn on Fox News. I said, ‘My God! There’s Sarah!’ I couldn’t believe it. I thought (former Massachusetts governor Mitt) Romney was the guy. They have kept this a tremendous secret. Even her dad found out on Fox this morning,” Palin said.
Palin’s brother, Jim Palin of Wasilla, Alaska, is the father of Todd Palin, who is married to the Sarah Palin. Alaska’s first couple has five children, the youngest of whom was born in April with Down syndrome.
Ted Palin said he and his wife, Ruby, hope to see their famous relative in Fairbanks, Alaska, in September. They will attend a Sept. 11 farewell picnic for the governor’s son Tracker, whose Stryker brigade is due to deploy to Iraq the next day. It’s now uncertain whether Sarah Palin will be able to attend because of the need to campaign.
“I know it would break her heart” if she can’t attend, Ted Palin said.
Palin formerly ran the Lakeside Industries asphalt plant in Longview. He said today’s announcement coincided with the governor’s 20th wedding anniversary, this week’s anniversary of women’s suffrage and John McCain’s 72nd birthday, also Friday.
Several times, Palin said Sarah Palin is a “nice” and “gracious” person who, however, “won’t be pushed around. When she goes up against (Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe) Biden, she won’t be pushed around. She is a strong lady.”
Palin said he thought Sarah Palin’s speech following McCain’s announcement Friday “knocked it out of the ballpark. It was wonderful -- very, very powerful.”
Sarah Palin visited Ted and Ruby in Longview “many years ago” but attended a family party in Vancouver as recently as last year.
Although Sarah Palin’s name has been bandied about as a potential vice presidential candidate for several months, “I dismissed it. I knew Sarah was committed to the people of Alaska,” said Palin, reporting that the governor’s favorite dish is moose or caribou stew. “She is a true Alaskan.”
On the other hand, “she is a committed to all Americans. When you’re asked, you just can’t turn it down.”
A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, Palin was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, population 6,500, until she became governor two years ago. She has often dueled with her own party and has distanced herself from two senior Republican office-holders, Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young. Both are under federal corruption investigations.
Asked how Sarah Palin would cope with her lack of national experience if she ever became president, Ted Palin said, “I think that she is the kind of gal that has the right stuff who would surround herself with the most brilliant people. Up in Alaska, it didn’t matter: Democrat, Republican, independent. She gets the best people on her cabinet.”
Will the Longview Palins campaign for their relative?
“Being down here, I can’t do much. But I will do anything she wants me to do,” Ted Palin said. “If she wants me to stand on a street corner, I will do it. She is a dynamite choice, and she has already made our family proud.”
I'll bet everything I own she'll be there. McCain might even be there.
I really like that ole “gun totin’, hockey playin’” woman!
She’s wonderful. I just feel sorry for the kids having to move to DC. A great place to visit, but what a cesspool compared to the beauty of Alaska.
Thanks AuntB! Sounds like one strong woman commenting on another. Wait till America finds out who she is!
She’ll win with over 40+ states.
Hey Scheifer, you knumbskull, its not like she is a single mother, she has a husband and whole network of family to help. And, your Marxist candidate has NO executive experience, and has no accommplishments, a complete empty suit.
People are talking about slogans for Ms. Palin.
One word is sufficient. “SARAH”. I had a couple of remarkable grgrandmothers named Sarah.
The Hebrew word sarah indicates a woman of high rank, and is sometimes translated as “princess” or goddess, or “high holy one”.
The girl’s name Sarah \s(a)-rah\ is pronounced SARE-ah. It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is “princess”. Biblical: originally called Sarai, Sarah shared an adventurous nomadic life with her husband Abraham. She is described as being exceptionally beautiful even into her older years.
NO thank you. Please let’s not go there — I don’t want any princesses, goddesses, or high holy ones.
Ah, come on, You’re over reaching on that one. It’s a good solid name, that’s all.
Agreed.
McCain might even be there.
Highly doubtful. It would be portrayed as grandstanding.
I suspect the party will be closed to the press, but it will be announced in a press release, and a few photos might "leak".
-ccm
B! I do believe John McCain has found true gold among the muck! God does answer prayer! Bless us all!
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