After taking the weekend off from political news, I woke up with a mild case of writer’s block. I’m rarely this indecisive. Then I looked at TPM and low hanging fruit either hit me in the head or landed in my lap: former Wasilla mayor, half-term Alaska governor, and Veep candidate Sarah Palin is running for Congress.
It’s a special election to fill the seat held by irascible and cantankerous Don Young for 49 years. Young died with his Congressional boots on 3 weeks ago at the age of 88. Ambitious Alaska pols have been scrambling to run in the June 11th open primary, which will be followed by a general election on August 16th.
The primary will be a test of Alaska’s new ranked choice voting system as the top four candidates will advance. I’m unfamiliar with the details, so get thee to the Anchorage Daily News for an explainer. Here’s some music to play while you read:
I know that’s NOT the original but why listen to Johnny Horton when you can listen to Dwight Yoakam? Besides, the extra track gave you time to digest the election system details, which are likely to cause problems. Just ask NYC voters about the electoral system that coughed up a hairball in Mayor Eric Adams.
Back to Sarah Palin. She has 100% name recognition, which is both a blessing and a curse. Quitting the governorship halfway through her term did not endear her to Alaskans. It gave her the reputation she deserves: that of a flake. And I’m not talking about the former Arizona senator.
The Impeached Insult Comedian not only encouraged Palin to run, he quickly endorsed her:
Calling her a “wonderful patriot” and “tough and smart,” Trump said the former governor had been “a champion for Alaska values, Alaska energy, Alaska jobs, and the great people of Alaska.”
Referring to her time on the 2008 Republican ticket alongside the late Sen. John McCain — a longtime foil of the former president — Trump said, “Sarah lifted the McCain presidential campaign out of the dumps despite the fact she had to endure some very evil, stupid, and jealous people within the campaign itself. They were out to destroy her, but she didn’t let that happen.”
Come on down, Steve Schmidt who has yet to Tweet about this unwelcome comeback. Is he consulting with Woody Harrelson who played him in Game Change?
Despite the glowing words, Trump’s motive is revenge against Senator Lisa Murkowski who voted to convict in the second impeachment trial. He’s out to mobilize the MAGA moron masses in Murkowski’s race in the November unspecial election.
Never bet against Lisa Murkowski: she was reelected in 2010 on a write-in vote after losing the Republican primary to a teabagger.
I should thank Sarah Palin for this gift to satire, but the real winner is my countrywoman Tina Fey who will surely return to her old SNL stomping grounds to play the half baked Alaskan. Remember the interview sketch?
Pure comedy gold. The Real Palin never said she could “see Russia from her porch” but she could have. Word salad is always on Sarah Palin’s menu.
It’s unclear if Palin can win the election, but if she does, she can join the “own the libs” caucus and hang out with Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Paul Gosar, and young Maddie Cawthorn.
It’s also unclear if Palin will be invited to one of those cocaine orgies that young Maddie recently denounced before being denounced by KMac. KMac and Sarah Palin deserve one another. Stay tuned.
The last word goes to my favorite Sarah Palin moment: