A line forms through the parking lot of Harry's Motorsports on Main Street in Presque Isle as people wait to meet Todd Palin on Sunday.
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PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Steve Turner couldn't meet Todd Palin's Sarah, but he made sure that Palin met his.
“Hey, I've got a Sarah, too,” Turner called to the husband of Alaska Gov. and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin during Todd Palin's stop in town at noon Sunday. “How about a picture with my Sarah?”
“Sure,” Todd Palin said, smiling, as 2½-year-old Sarah Turner was hauled into the picture by her dad.
Palin's brief stop at Harry's Motor Sports on Main Street echoed his other stops at Dysart's Restaurant and truck stop in Hermon on Sunday and Moosehead Trading Post in Palmyra on Saturday — no big speeches, no press interviews, just Alaska's “First dude” impressing people with his considerable affability and low-key charm as he posed for pictures and signed autographs.
“He's not a politician, which is refreshing,” Turner said. “You can tell that he's not been in this game too long. He was not rehearsed, just very accessible and accommodating.”
“He's very friendly, down-to-earth, and he's very well put together,” said Simone Levesque, 58, of Caribou. “A little hunky, yeah, handsome. He's the No. 1 dude in Alaska. I didn't want to call him that, but he thought it was cool.”
Political observers believe GOP presidential candidate John McCain and Sarah Palin have a chance to win the state's electoral vote from Maine's 2nd Congressional District. Todd Palin's visit to central and northern Maine was designed to take advantage of that possibility.
A retinue of Secret Service agents, local politicians and candidates and handlers accompanied Palin or met him briefly in his swing through Maine, the first by anyone affiliated with the Democratic or Republican presidential tickets.
“It gets a crowd and it gets media attention,” said John Frary, who accompanied Palin on Sunday as the GOP candidate opposing incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud in the 2nd District. “It gives the faithful that spark of enthusiasm that is helpful.
“I told him to give her a message from me,” Frary added. “I told him to tell her that if she ever gets a hankering for someone older, a little fatter and more decrepit, she should look me up. He promised he would, but he did not look too sincere.”
Frary and Palin did not talk politics during their brief time together, Frary said.
“That's not his function,” Frary said. “The First dude? His function is surrogate, the man who stands behind the woman. Considering the avalanche of abuse she generates, she needs a little support.”
Susan Collins, 34, of Mapleton and Jaime Tardif, 30, of Castle Hill hoped Palin's visit would generate good things for Aroostook County. Collins said she is no relation to the senator of the same name.
Turner predicted the visit would do good for the McCain-Palin campaign.
“There are a lot of values voters up this way, and his presence here might be worth one delegate [to the Electoral College]. That could be big in a race that is this close at this point,” Turner said. “And what better guy to have up here than a guy that hunts moose [and] drives snowmobile equipment?”
Earlier Sunday, Palin, surrounded by his Secret Service detail, campaign staff and local Republican politicians, moved from table to table at Dysart’s Restaurant and truck stop and in Hermon to greet breakfast diners.
One of the diners, Brittany Ginn, forgot to ask him the question she’d most like his wife to answer: What will you do for the troops?
The fact that Ginn of Winterport wasn’t thinking about national politics when Palin stopped by Dysart’s for breakfast and some handshaking is understandable.
Ginn was getting married Sunday afternoon to Marine Lance Cpl. William Shibles. The bride and her four attendants gathered for breakfast at the popular eatery before heading to a Bangor event center where the wedding was to be held.
“I wanted to ask him, ‘What will your wife and [John] McCain do for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan?’” Ginn said. “Depending on the answer, I might change how I’m going to vote.”
Ginn’s husband-to-be has completed a tour in Iraq and is headed for Afghanistan. The wedding date had to be changed from Oct. 5 to Sunday because Shibles’ training schedule wouldn’t allow him to take leave time earlier in the month.
“I’m going to vote for Barack [Obama],” she said. “I’ve watched every single debate. I don’t like McCain, and I don’t like his plan for the troops. I don’t like Biden, either. If Sarah were running instead of McCain, if they were to switch, it would be perfect.”
Ed Bilecki and Becky Bunter, both of Hampden, are McCain-Palin supporters. They came for breakfast with their three children knowing Todd Palin was going to stop by.
“I think they are more on our level,” Bilecki said of the Republican ticket. “They have the average person’s moral values.”
On Saturday afternoon, Todd Palin received an enthusiastic welcome to the Pine Tree State at the Moosehead Trading Post in Palmyra.
He apparently prefers the “First dude” moniker, as many of the women in the estimated crowd of 500 that filled the trading post’s parking lot in anticipation of pallin’ around with Palin were wearing pink sweat shirts emblazoned with the phrase “Maine’s 2nd District welcomes Alaska’s 1st dude.”
Palin wasn’t on hand to give a formal political speech, but he did say a few words about his wife and McCain before wading into the crowd to shake hands and sign autographs.
“It’s great to be in Maine,” Palin told the cheering crowd in Palmyra. “It reminds me a lot of Alaska, but you’ve got more colors in your leaves than we do.”
He said that when it came to getting results, his wife and McCain “can point to their record, unlike others who can’t point to their record.”
Palin received another loud cheer when he reminded the gathering that the McCain-Palin ticket had received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association.
“Sarah and I are very active outdoors hunting, and it’s a great endorsement,” he said.
Reacting to the crowd’s support, Palin added: “Just from the looks of you, you guys are excited about this race.”
The crowd was an even mix of men and women and included youngsters in strollers and seniors in wheelchairs. Parked cars stretched for more than a mile along Oxbow Road in front of the trading post as people of all ages took advantage of the beautiful fall day and the free hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, apples and cold drinks at the event.
Free food aside, most of those who attended the rally said they were compelled to show up because of their belief in the McCain-Palin message.
“He spent five and one-half years in a prison camp in Hanoi,” Korean War Army veteran Bob Lucas of Dexter said of McCain. “He deserves this. I don’t have to say any more.”
Christine Mathies of Hartland said she supported McCain because “I think he’s somebody [who] will protect our country. I just believe he’s the right man for the job. Keeping our country strong is important to me. Keeping it strong and not socialistic.”
There also was a small group of protesters at the rally, including Katrina Bisheimer of Bucksport, who was ordered off the property by sheriff’s deputies when she attempted to walk through the crowd carrying a sign reading “Women and Polar Bears against Palin” and “Freedom for Women and Polar Bears.”
“Another view should be allowed to be expressed,” she said as a deputy led her to the perimeter of the property.
Palin’s appearance in Maine came just a few hours after the Alaska Legislature released a report on his wife’s activities involving attempts to fire state trooper Michael Wooton, who had been involved in a messy divorce with Palin’s sister. The report found that Palin abused the powers of her office by pressuring those working for her to fire her former brother-in-law.
When Maine Republican Party spokeswoman Jennifer Webber was asked if Todd Palin would respond to the investigative report, she referred reporters to a statement issued by the campaign claiming that “the governor acted within her proper and lawful authority” and that the inquiry was led by supporters of Barack Obama and that the Palins were “completely justified” in their concerns about trooper Wooton.
“I’m not surprised that he won’t talk to the press,” observed Doug Hufnagel of Belfast. “It seems to be a family trait, fending off the press.”
In response to Palin’s visit, Obama’s campaign office in Maine released a statement from Brent Mullis of Corinna, a member of Maine Farmers for Obama.
“The hardworking men and women who protect our community, work our land and teach our children are bearing the brunt of eight years of failed Bush-McCain economic policies,” he said. “They deserve a president who will stand up for them. Barack Obama is a steady leader who will get our economy back on track and put hardworking Americans first. He will make real change happen for Maine families at this critical time.”
Judy Harrison and Walter Griffin of the BDN staff contributed to this report.
On 10/13/08 at 2:46 AM,
Johninphilippines wrote:
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In the accompanying photo...here we go again, Judy Harrison..."candi-date". Explain that to me, pleezze? L/Cpl. Shibles...the very best to you and Gin. Come back, too, Bill. Gin will be waiting for you. Mr. Palin voiced his pleasure at hunting as he and his wife, apparently, are avid hunters. Invite them to Maine, sometime, for Moose hunting...that is, if Plum Creek's development does not take up most of the counties before they are done...then they can hunt on Marsh Island.
On 10/13/08 at 7:43 AM,
dregsfan wrote:
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I am so not surprised that demonstrators were not allowed to be heard.If it were Michelle Obama and a McCain supporter showed up with a sign,they'd be allowed to stay.Democrats support the constitution and true freedom,not Palin who should go back to Alaska and shut up.Vote choice and Obama!
On 10/13/08 at 8:17 AM,
mamaw2 wrote:
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I find it very refreshing to know that the McCain-Palin campaign went somewhere besides Portland or Bangor. Todd Palin used this opportunity well as he saw Maine residents doing the things they always do. Way to go,First Dude.
On 10/13/08 at 8:22 AM,
FrankfromBrewer wrote:
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First Dude? Where did that come from. More like second something or rather.
On 10/13/08 at 8:24 AM,
mainbad wrote:
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dregsfan: Yeah Right! On private property, it is the owners right to allow whoever they please to be there. That is afforded in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Come on, I find it extremely hard to believe that Democrats would allow people on the other side to be present at one of their rallies. Furthermore, I can't for the life of me, imagine a Republican protester actually showing up at a democratic rally. What I saw Saturday was pure hate speech exhibited by the protesters. You knowwhat? It's their right to express that. I served in the military to protect that right; And to this day I would fight to the death and to protect that right.
On 10/13/08 at 9:03 AM,
NorthernGal wrote:
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ginn, you must have blinders on, or not listening, McCain * Palin have expressed plan for the troops, and, Sarah and Todd Palin recently sent their son overseas. What you REALLY should be concerned about, is what will happen and where your your husband will go it NO-Bama is elected, then you should worry.
On 10/13/08 at 9:43 AM,
ckc1996 wrote:
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dregsfan,
What rock have yuo been hiding under?
Ever heard of Obama's truth squads in the mid-west or of newspapers being threatened with lawsuits for using his middle name?
Other Obama supporters have threatened critics with criminal prosecution. The St. Louis County Circuit Attorney and St. Louis City Circuit Attorney warned people that they would bring criminal libel prosecutions against anyone who made statements against Obama that were "false."
Beware of the coming Obama thugocracy.
On 10/13/08 at 10:34 AM,
1stn8ion wrote:
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frank the phrase "First Dude" came about because Palin's supporters know that if they should win the election poor John McCain will become a non-entity in his own administration that republican base will refer to her. She will be the next Cheney only it won't be behind closed doors.
On 10/13/08 at 11:50 AM,
rmgsar wrote:
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It is ashame how misinform a lot of you are. The Democrats support socialism not democracy, they want to control your health care, education, even your finances. They think they are better are our lives than we are just take a look at our current administration in the governors office. Tax and spend and who pays the taxes yes that right the people who work. It's time people realize Plum Creek will supply jobs for that area, its one thing to preserve some land and its another thing to not permitt progress.
On 10/13/08 at 3:41 PM,
PokeyBo wrote:
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It is interesting to read how presumably otherwise sensible fellow Mainiacs fawned over Todd Palin during his recent visit. There is also a fair amount of unexplored irony… Apparently no one wanted to ask Alaska’s (& potentially the USA’s) “First Dude” any meaningful questions.
Had I the opportunity, I would have likely asked him about his ties to the Alaskan Independence Party (AIP), which he joined in the early 90’s. The AIP’s founder, Joe Vogler, was an advocate of Alaskan succession from the United States by whatever means necessary, and is on record as stating "I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions” and "The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government. And I won't be buried under their damn flag.”
In 1993, Vogler was scheduled to present his case for Alaskan secession - to denounce United States "tyranny" before the entire world and to demand Alaska's freedom - before the United Nations General Assembly, courtesy of the government of Iran, who agreed to sponsor his speech (undoubtedly gleefully intending to embarrass the U.S. government). He was killed, supposedly by a fellow secessionist in a plastic explosives deal gone bad (“Can you say ‘Domestic Terrorist,’ boys & girls?”) Of course, not everyone believed the story of his death as reported by his killer. Leaders of the AIP – and many more mainstream Alaskans – have long speculated that Vogler was killed by agents of the U.S. government.
In addition to Todd Palin’s AIP membership, Sara Palin has attended at least one AIP convention, and since her elevation as Governor, has taped messages of support and good will for presentation at AIP conferences (available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvPNXYrIyI ) . Though the AIP has mellowed somewhat since Vogler’s death, it still advocates a position most Americans have assumed was pretty well settled by the Civil War…succession from the USA.
So amongst the many ironies are:
· - The GOP’s flogging patriotism and “Real Americanism” while selecting as its VP candidate an individual seemingly well disposed to a party that has spread sedition;
· - the Right’s efforts to ridicule Obama’s expressed willingness to hold diplomatic discussions with Iran (a position held by radicals such as General Petraeus and former SOS Kissinger) while the GOP VP candidate is supportive of a radical political group which once received support from the government of Iran; and
· - the McCain campaign’s efforts to portray Obama as “paling around” with a one-time radical opponent of the Vietnam War (now an aging professor), while Sara Palin is essentially “sleeping with the enemy”…or at least a seditionist.
Many of us who are natives of Aroostook County have joked that The County would be better off as part of Canada, faced with various asinine decisions by State government (forcing the closure of our schools, as a recent example). But as far as I know, none of us have formed a political party promoting sedition.
Bo Yerxa
On 10/13/08 at 4:01 PM,
PokeyBo wrote:
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It is interesting to read how presumably otherwise sensible fellow Mainiacs fawned over Todd Palin during his recent visit. There is also a fair amount of unexplored irony… Apparently no one wanted to ask Alaska’s (& potentially the USA’s) “First Dude” any meaningful questions.
Had I the opportunity, I would have likely asked him about his ties to the Alaskan Independence Party (AIP), which he joined in the early 90’s. The AIP’s founder, Joe Vogler, was an advocate of Alaskan succession from the United States by whatever means necessary, and is on record as stating "I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions” and "The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government. And I won't be buried under their damn flag.”
In 1993, Vogler was scheduled to present his case for Alaskan secession - to denounce United States "tyranny" before the entire world and to demand Alaska's freedom - before the United Nations General Assembly, courtesy of the government of Iran, who agreed to sponsor his speech (undoubtedly gleefully intending to embarrass the U.S. government). He was killed, supposedly by a fellow secessionist in a plastic explosives deal gone bad (“Can you say ‘Domestic Terrorist,’ boys & girls?”) Of course, not everyone believed the story of his death as reported by his killer. Leaders of the AIP – and many more mainstream Alaskans – have long speculated that Vogler was killed by agents of the U.S. government.
In addition to Todd Palin’s AIP membership, Sara Palin has attended at least one AIP convention, and since her elevation as Governor, has taped messages of support and good will for presentation at AIP conferences (available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvPNXYrIyI ) . Though the AIP has mellowed somewhat since Vogler’s death, it still advocates a position most Americans have assumed was pretty well settled by the Civil War…succession from the USA.
So amongst the many ironies are:
· - The GOP’s flogging patriotism and “Real Americanism” while selecting as its VP candidate an individual seemingly well disposed to a party that has spread sedition;
· - the Right’s efforts to ridicule Obama’s expressed willingness to hold diplomatic discussions with Iran (a position held by radicals such as General Petraeus and former SOS Kissinger) while the GOP VP candidate is supportive of a radical political group which once received support from the government of Iran; and
· - the McCain campaign’s efforts to portray Obama as “paling around” with a one-time radical opponent of the Vietnam War (now an aging professor), while Sara Palin is essentially “sleeping with the enemy”…or at least a seditionist.
Many of us who are natives of Aroostook County have joked that The County would be better off as part of Canada, faced with various asinine decisions by State government (forcing the closure of our schools, as a recent example). But as far as I know, none of us have formed a political party promoting sedition.
Bo Yerxa
On 10/13/08 at 4:45 PM,
PUMAman wrote:
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As the article notes, the protester wanted to wade into the crowd. Perhaps to "get in people's faces" as The One has instructed. That is why she was removed. She didn't want to merely "protest" by showing her sign to those interested enough to look. She wanted a fight. Officers then have a duty to step in to keep the peace.
By the way,Todd seems like a good guy who would make a good neighbor. On the other hand, Michelle Obama seems like a crabby apple who would sue you as soon as look at you. Anyway, that's the way I read it.
On 10/13/08 at 9:18 PM,
dirigodad wrote:
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So, PokeyBo, Mr. Vogler (who apparently never committed a terrorist act) is a "domestic terrorist" in your book, while Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dorhn are "one-time radical opponents of the Vietnam War" and now Ayers is an aging professor?
Newsflash - Ayers and Dorhn actually participated in terrorist activities on US soil, bombing the Pentagon and the home of a judge. Tell me, how does one get their logic twisted into the pretzel you managed to squeeze yourself into? You and the rest of the moonbats are pathetic.
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