The Chicago Tribune reported in an Associated Press story today that the Alaska state Republican Party convention “that could have unified a troubled party has descended into infighting.”
Horrors!
The lieutenant governor, of all the nerve, has decided to try and unseat the 28-year congressman. Oh, by the way, that congressman is the subject of a federal investigation.
The governor has called for changes in the state’s party leadership. The governor – of all people!
Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, the un-unifier, outrageously said, “The days of unquestioning loyalty are gone.”
If that wasn’t bad enough, he added, “It’s time for principled leadership.”
Then, to make things even worse, the governor walked with the lieutenant governor as he went to file his candidacy papers at the elections office and she endorsed him. So much for protocol.
The trouble-making governor, Sarah Palin, poured gasoline on the fire:
“When something’s right, it’s right,” she said. “There’s no time like the present to state your case and speak candidly about what you believe it. And I believe in his candidacy.”
Healthy family spat or the end of the world as we know it?
Evidently Alaska Republicans have had a bit of a problem in the last few years when it comes to corruption, and the party has suffered as a result. Sound familiar?
We’ve noted Governor Sarah Palin on these pages before. At the Alaska GOP convention Palin encouraged the rank and file to make changes atop the party.
“I think we need to call on all of you assembled delegates to rise and, literally even, stand with me if you desire change in our party’s leadership,” Palin said, and about half of the crowd in the ballroom did, to sustained applause and cheering.
Half isn’t bad.
Evidently, the disagreements within the Alaska GOP have the governor and party chairman not on speaking terms.
One state representative had the guts to be quoted by the AP saying that “fresh leadership would be good.”
Fortunately, the tainted old guard had a defender, too, and words familiar to Illinois reformers were heard:
“Divisive!”
“Distracting!”
“Demoralizing!”
And absolutely the best quote of the day – the reformers were said to have showed “a base level of immaturity; it’s not the hallmark of a healthy debate.”
One delegate who supported the call for change countered:
“It’s not divisive and you’re not starting trouble when you’re doing something right.” That’s all that’s happening here. Let’s get the right thing done, get the right leadership.”
The Illinois GOP Convention will be held later this year on June 6th. D-Day.
