'First Dude' Todd Palin Illustrates Alaska's Blend of Private and Public

Crabtownboy · Sep 22, 2008

By Alec MacGillis and Karl Vick
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, September 22, 2008; Page A01

ANCHORAGE -- Todd Palin grew up as the archetypal Alaskan -- salmon fisherman, champion snowmobiler, North Slope oil worker. But since his wife became governor 20 months ago, his portfolio has broadened: househusband, babysitter, senior adviser, legislative liaison, and -- when the occasion warrants -- enforcer and protector.

He has supervised renovations to the governor's mansion and hopscotched by plane back and forth to Juneau to juggle duties as father and "First Dude," as he has come to be known. And to a degree that has surprised many state government observers, Todd Palin also has become involved in policy, sitting in on his wife's meetings, traveling on state business and weighing in on some legislative issues.

John Harris, the Republican speaker of the Alaska House, said he had never been called by the spouse of a governor before the two calls he got from Todd Palin. One was to argue for moving the state capital to Anchorage. The other was to ask Harris to "keep an eye" on a key aide who had an affair with the wife of one of Todd's best friends.

Political hands in both parties say the Palins are often referred to as a team -- "Sarah and Todd" -- and one Democratic lawmaker said Todd Palin has become her "de facto chief of staff."
Click to expand...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/21/AR2008092102546.html?hpid=topnews

North Carolina Tentmaker · Sep 22, 2008

Wow, this is quite a guy. I wonder how I would do if I was married to a governor. I think most men would have trouble dealing with that, but not Todd. This guy is a superstar on his own, being married to the future VP is just a bonus.

More from Crabtown's link:

Todd Palin, 44, the ruggedly handsome four-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race, was already an Alaska star before his wife's election in 2006. Along with his family duties, he held two jobs, working occasional 85-hour weeks as an oil production operator for BP and, for a month each summer, as a commercial salmon fisherman in Bristol Bay. He belongs to the steelworkers union, an alliance that may partly explain his wife's strong labor support. His Yup'ik ancestry, which traces back to his maternal grandmother, gave Sarah Palin special standing with Native Alaskans.

Those who know Todd Palin say he understands the steely determination that has defined his wife's rapid climb to political prominence; he shows the same quality in the Iron Dog races, maintaining his focus at 110 mph over days of competition as Sarah and the children wait at the finish line. Once, recalled racing partner Scott Davis, Todd Palin rode the final 500 miles of a race with a broken arm. "He wouldn't let me take him to the doctor," Davis said. "It said a lot about his character, not giving up."

"He's not political. He's Sarah-oriented, and believes she can do anything -- more than she does," the Republican said.
Click to expand...

'First Dude' Todd Palin Illustrates Alaska's Blend of Private and Public

Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
Site Supporter

North Carolina Tentmaker New Member

Useful Searches

'First Dude' Todd Palin Illustrates Alaska's Blend of Private and Public

Crabtownboy Well-Known Member Site Supporter

North Carolina Tentmaker New Member

Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
Site Supporter