Democrats not worried on Palin pick

August 30, 2008

Less than 24 hours after the Democratic convention Republicans have successfully stolen the show (KTUU-TV)

by Angela Blanchard
Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- On Thursday night Democrats and supporters of Barack Obama for president were fired up as the Democratic National Convention came to a close.

But less than 24 hours later Republicans stole the show both nationally and in Alaska.

History supports the idea that a vice presidential candidate can generally carry his or her home state.

So does the Obama campaign in Alaska worry that a Sarah Palin vice presidential candidate will snuff out their enthusiasm?

Not so, say the campaign's state organizers.

More than 500 Alaskans watched Barack Obama's acceptance speech downtown Thursday night, hoping if ever there was a year for democrats in Alaska, this was it.

"It's time for a change. I'm tired of the old guys, it's time for somebody new," said Obama supporter Earl Smith.

But just as quickly, another "somebody new" entered the ring. Some say Palin has all but ruined Obama's prospects in the Last Frontier.

"Obama might as well pack up and go home. I think it's, well, ostensibly over," said Ivan Moore of Ivan Moore Research.

But the Democratic candidate's campaign disagrees.

"The same political analysts counted Sen. Obama out in Iowa and counted him out for the nomination. And the only poll that really matters and the only opinion that really matters is the voters on election day in November," said Jeff Giertz with the Obama campaign in Alaska.

Hotly-contested races for the U.S. House and Senate also will take place here in November.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell and Rep. Don Young are still neck and neck for the nomination. Sen. Ted Stevens is running the political race of his life against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, leaving some to wonder whether momentum from Palin for vice president will influence those races.

"I don't see that Sarah Palin being picked for vice president necessarily helps or hurts Stevens or Young," said Moore.

But what about impact on the Democrats?

"One of the things, frankly, that could have the biggest impact, was they were looking at Obama to be the driving force for turnout as far as democrats were concerned," said Moore.

Candidates say they rely on no one to do their work for them.

"Begich is going to continue to campaign on the issues, talk about what matters for Alaska's families and just charge ahead for November," said Begich campaign Press Secretary Julie Hasquet.

"We're doing this based on the communication we have with individual Alaskans. And we're going to go about this campaign one vote at a time, that's how I proceeded before," said Democratic U.S. House candidate Ethan Berkowitz.

Obama's campaign will keep its office open in Anchorage.

Contact Angela Blanchard at ablanchard@ktuu.com

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