Governor Palin received many emails from people asking her to support Huck or Romney (very few for McCain, if any) and there is some discussion from her on which candidates she was considering, her choice at the time based mostly on energy issues and how that candidate would treat Alaska, as one would expect. She got numerous emails urging her to accept a VP offer, and even a few urging her to run for President herself.
There was not much discussion of the Democrat side, but there was this about Obama.
August 4, 2008 -
Palin:
He gave a great speech this morn in Michigan – mentioned Alaska. Stole our Energy Rebate $1000 check idea, stole our TC-Alaska gasline talking points, etc. So…. we need to take advantage of this a write a statement saying he’s right on. (Glad he’s flipflopping on OCS, too.)
Joe- could you help crank this quick statement out as our “reaction” to some of Obama’s good points this morning?
Rosanne Hughes:
Was just listening to it, Governor. Was surprised to hear him on OCS.
Palin:
I know!
Ivy Frye:
he’s working straight out of the sp playbook. His new ad talks about “new energy” for america.
Joe Balash:
I’ve been monitoring the ‘net to see what he says today (TC folks have been working on his campaign people and were hoping/expecting him to say something positive about the Legislature’s action). I’m on it.
Palin:
He did say “yay” to our gasline. Pretty cool. Wrong candidate.
Joe:
So far, here’s the only quote I have been able to find: From Obama’s “New Energy for America” plan, at
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/factsheet_energy_speech_O80308.pdf“Prioritize the Construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline. As president, Obama will work with the Canadian government, state of Alaska, oil and gas producers, and other stakeholders to facilitate construction of the pipeline. While this pipeline was proposed in 1976, and Congress authorized up to $18 billion in loan guarantees for this project in 2004, there has been no progress in building this critical energy infrastructure under the Bush Administration. The planned pipeline would have a daily capacity of 4 billion cubic feet of natural gas, or almost 7 percent of current U.S. consumption. Not only is this pipeline critical to our energy security, it will create thousands of new jobs.”
This isn’t much to respond to, but I will keep scouring the net.
Palin:
Let’s just quickly put something out based on what I heard in his speech this morn, Rush and others have replayed. Just say we’re glad he agress with what we’ve accomplished with AGIA. He knows we need nat gas pipeline, he wants to work on it.
The press release:
TweetGovernor Sarah Palin today responded to the energy plan put forward by the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, Illinois Senator Barack Obama. “I am pleased to see Senator Obama -acknowledge the huge potential Alaska’s natural gas reserves represent in terms of dean energy and sound jobs,” Governor Palin said. “The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing,and able to supply the energy our nation needs.”
In a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, “Over the next five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for oil and gas production. And we should also tap more of our substantial natural gas reserves and work with the Canadian government to finally build the Alaska natural gas pipeline, delivering clean natural gas and creating good jobs in the process.”
Governor Palin also acknowledged the Senator’s proposal to offer $1,000 rebates to those struggling with the high cost of energy.
“We in Alaska feel that crunch and are taking steps to address it right here at home,II Governor Palin said. “This is a tool that must be on the table to buy us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see Senator Obcima get on board.”
The Governor did question the means to pay for Obama’s proposed rebate – a windfall profits tax on oil companies. In Alaska, the state’s resource valuation system, ACES, providesstrong incentives for companies to re-invest their profits in new production.
“Windfall profits taxes alone prevent additional investment in domestic production. Without new supplies from American reserves, our dependency and addiction to foreign sources of oil will continue,” Governor Palin said.