Todd Palin 'a rock star' in Eagle
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published October 21, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
Updated October 21, 2008 at 7:17 p.m.
Judy DeHaas © The Rocky
Todd Palin, husband of Republican vice-presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, visits the Village Inn in Glenwood Springs today.
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11:44 a.m., EAGLE
Bob Olenik had a special gift for Todd Palin when he stopped the Eagle Diner this morning – a hat and T-shirt with the restaurant’s name on it.
“I told him to have his wife wear them the next time she talks to the press,” said Olenik, one of two owners of the diner.
That may be unlikely, but Olenik said Todd Palin’s visit here was great for the diner anyway.
“It’s a pretty nice thing to happen here. It’s nice he’s going to small towns, and he got to shake a lot of hands,” Olenik said after the crowd of more than 50 people had cleared out. “Not a lot of politicians could come through here in jeans and fit in.”
After visiting with people at the diner, Palin stopped by the Eagle County Republican Party headquarters, where he thanked volunteers for their help.
Ingrid Hinshaw, an endurance athlete from Edwards, told Palin she was there on behalf of all the area’s endurance athletes.
“We think he’s a rock star,” Hinshaw said. “For him to do the things he does, it’s pretty cool.”
9:38 a.m., GLENWOOD SPRINGS
They talked snowmobiling and fishing holes, hiking and Alaska.
But most of all, the people having breakfast at the Village Inn when Todd Palin walked in this morning wanted to talk about his wife, Gov. Sarah Palin, and the upcoming election.
"We're all praying for you," Gwen Porter of Glenwood Springs told the "first dude" of Alaska, as he's known, after posing together for a photograph.
"Tell your wife she's doing great," another man told him.
The Republican vice presidential nominee, joined by Todd Palin and three of their children, held rallies in Colorado Springs, Lakewood and Grand Junction on Monday.
But Todd Palin stayed behind as the campaign moved on to Nevada today.
A commercial fisherman and four-time winner of the Iron Dog snowmobile race, he's appealing to fellow sportsmen and women to support his wife and Sen. John McCain.
After this morning's stop in Glenwood Springs, he'll swing by a cafe in Eagle and the Bass Pro Shop in Denver.
Outside the Village Inn, five supporters of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Joe Biden — who is campaigning in Colorado today — waved Obama/Biden signs.
Rosie Lewis of Golden, who happened to be having breakfast with friends on her way home from camping, walked outside the restaurant to greet them.
Lewis, who was wearing an Obama button, said she wanted to stick around to hear what Palin had to say.
"I know he's good on a dogsled, but I don't know if he can speak," she said.
Palin walked into the restaurant around 8 a.m. dressed in Levis and wearing a black jacket with the Iron Dog race logo.
He shook hands and signed a few autographs before pausing to thank the crowd of about 60 people and give a few brief remarks.
"As you know, John and Sarah are the only guys who can point to a record of reform," he said before sitting down for a quick breakfast in a corner booth.
Fern Mattivi, 68, of nearby New Castle, asked Palin to sign a book she bought on her last trip to his home state, "Alaska: A Scenic Wonderland."
Mattivi is planning to move to Alaska soon, and she said she's a huge fan of the Palins, watching them on TV at every opportunity.
"When you see these people, you just can connect with them," said Mattivi, who also attended the rally Monday night in Grand Junction. "And he's so good looking and she's so pretty ... I hope to get to know them better."
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October 21, 2008
9:55 a.m.
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Squatch writes:
That Village Inn up in Glenwood serves some pretty good food the one here in Longmont Blows.
October 21, 2008
10:05 a.m.
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BookerTee1970 writes:
Todd Palin: The Traitor.
My wife and I frequent that Village Inn often during our winter outings; the skillets and pancakes will never taste the same.
October 21, 2008
10:14 a.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
BookerTee1970,
It's not the pancakes, it's the bitter taste you have in your mouth. Mind explaining to me why Todd Palin is a "traitor" or is that just the word of the day while you foam at the mouth trying to think of a reply?
October 21, 2008
10:22 a.m.
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NeilT writes:
LingLing,
You might want to check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnEO4e...
October 21, 2008
10:29 a.m.
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BookerTee1970 writes:
Ling,
If I have a bad taste in my mouth, it's from hearing and reading all the bull Todd Palin spews. Wanting to succeed from the greatest country in history and joining the Alaskan Independence Party makes him a traitor in my eyes.
October 21, 2008
10:31 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
BookerTee1970- Did you know that both Obama and Biden voted in favor of Hawaii seceeding from the US?
October 21, 2008
10:34 a.m.
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Billy writes:
Maybe they both should be watching what their teenage daughter is doing in her spare time. She doesn't seem to be listening to her mothers' values for certain.
October 21, 2008
10:42 a.m.
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BookerTee1970 writes:
Dani,
Obama and Biden voted in favor of the Akaka Bill, which if you actually read and understand the premise of the bill, isn't a secessionist bill. It's a bill proposed to give Native Hawaiian's the same rights, establishment of Tribes, and recognition...etc that American Indians recieve in the United States. The Akaka Bill does not promote succeeding from the United States, unlike the group Todd Palin supports.
October 21, 2008
10:52 a.m.
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ArvadaMiner writes:
The word you all are looking for is "secede". Of course we all want to "succeed", don't we?
The Alaskan Independence Party does not necessarily want to secede from the US (though some members probably do). They just don't think the vote that made Alaska a state was done properly. The main premise of this party is that they want the government to stay out of their lives. There was even once a governor in Alaska from the AIP, and he did not make any attempts to have Alaska secede from the US.
It's a joke to call the Palins secessionists, just like it's a joke to call Obama a terrorist.
October 21, 2008
10:55 a.m.
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ArvadaMiner writes:
One other point - if Todd Palin's association with the AIP is a concern, then I would argue that Obama's associations with Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright are also concerns.
October 21, 2008
11:06 a.m.
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GO_BUCKEYES writes:
14 more days and this guy, along w/ his wife, will cease to exist to mainstream media. I for one, can't wait.
October 21, 2008
11:08 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
ArvadaMiner- Wow, one little spell check problem and I'm all of the sudden bad...
BookerTee- I've read the bill, and if you read it and then read the statements from Sen. Akaka on the bill, it would allow Hawaii to SECEDE from the Union.
Wow, Todd Palin supported a group some what 10 years ago? Thats like saying someone is bad because they were pulled over 20 years ago for driving drunk and serving their time...oh wait thats been done before.
October 21, 2008
11:10 a.m.
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IRUNMAN writes:
Where is Danirobi's response?
Interesting how he/she can say whatever but when the facts come out, not a peep.
A true Republican.
October 21, 2008
11:14 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?...
Sen. Akaka on National Public Radio that the sovereignty granted Native Hawaiians in the [Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act] bill could eventually lead to secession. 'That could be,' he said. 'As far as what's going to happen at the other end, I'm leaving it up to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.'"
October 21, 2008
11:15 a.m.
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fastnloose writes:
Obamanation wins the election,you'll see a lot of states wishing they could secede.
October 21, 2008
11:16 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
IRUNMAN- Sorry I think you have that wrong, Democrats cut and run...
October 21, 2008
11:17 a.m.
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BookerTee1970 writes:
Feel free to argue those points Arvada. We can also talk about Palin's witch doctor and McCain's rendezvous with Keating. Both candidates have skeletons in their closets.
October 21, 2008
11:20 a.m.
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BookerTee1970 writes:
"Wow, Todd Palin supported a group some what 10 years ago? Thats like saying someone is bad because they were pulled over 20 years ago for driving drunk and serving their time...oh wait thats been done before."
I'm glad you said that Dani! Ayers' most violent offenses occured when Obama was 8 years old. His connection with the man comes from serving on the same board a few years ago- decades after Ayers' committed the crimes.
October 21, 2008
11:24 a.m.
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BookerTee1970 writes:
I hate to "cut and run like a Democrat", but I have to get going to work (I know, its a shocker to you Republicans that Democrats work also). Take care everyone.
October 21, 2008
11:31 a.m.
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righty_left writes:
I'm not impressed. Now, if he had gone to Denny's for some Moons over My Hammy....then he would have proved something.
October 21, 2008
11:45 a.m.
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glycerine831 writes:
2 more weeks! 2 more weeks! We soon will be saying: Todd Who? Obama as our next President? YOU BETCHA!
October 21, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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FamilyGuy writes:
I think his proper nickname would be second dude. First dude would be if the President was a lady. The VP is Palin's spot on the ticket. I guess with McCain being so sick and old, everyone just assumes she is the presidential canidate.
October 21, 2008
11:48 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
The Obama/Ayers connection goes deeper than that BookerTee! The fact that Obama first said "he was just a guy that lived on my street" yeah right. Ayers helped launch Obama's career. Ayers on 9-11 said that "they (weather underground) didn't do enough".
And yes, like a good little Republican, I have to get to work and earn some money, because if Obama is elected I won't have any money....
October 21, 2008
11:58 a.m.
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Brunowolfe writes:
He "drew a crowd"? How big a crowd? How many came just to see him? Jesus, don't these "reporters" take basic journalism classes in college?
Todd Palin is almost as vapid as his wife. The Village Inn is the perfect place for him to campaign...LOL. Next stop "Bass Pro Shops"?...LMFAO.....
Arvada, the AIP's website says their goal is:
"The Alaskan Independence Party's goal is the vote we were entitled to in 1958, one choice from among the following four alternatives:
1) Remain a Territory.
2) Become a separate and Independent Nation.
3) Accept Commonwealth status.
4) Become a State."
Obviously, #4 isn't what they want, or else why go to this trouble. So, clearly, to obtain their platform of less govt, they want to secede from statehood from the USA. And sice both Palins were members of the group, and Sarah gave one of the keynote speechs at their organization, they both must believe in it?
October 21, 2008
12:13 p.m.
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dilligaf writes:
fastnloose writes:
Obamanation wins the election,you'll see a lot of states wishing they could secede.
Just looked at the electoral map. Looks like most of these states are in the south. So who cares they have wanted that for along time. Why heck they even have their own flag. And maybe we can get you and your con buddies to move there.
October 21, 2008
1:09 p.m.
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aRe writes:
If Todd Palin had his way we'd have to rip a star right off the flag.
October 21, 2008
1:18 p.m.
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JluvDC writes:
I have real issues with Todd Palin. I think its disturbing that he was a registered member of a group that wants to secede from the Union and I think its very disturbing how much access he has to government meetings and such even though he holds no political office. I think he holds extreme influence over his wife and that "troopergate" scandal really reveals how much. I'm really surprised that hasn't been addressed more, but then maybe Obama/Biden don't want to go the super negative attack route that the McCain/Palin campaign have decided on.
October 21, 2008
3:02 p.m.
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EastVail writes:
Is Mr. Palin running for office? Or somehow relevant?
October 21, 2008
3:21 p.m.
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CO_bro_overseas writes:
As with Sarah Palin, I do not understand why there is so much hype over her guy Todd. That's great he's an avid outdoorsmen, but how will that help Washington? And Sarah can shoot a moose, but again, how's that good for American society? Why does that even impress people, especially Coloradans? I really want to hear what these people stand for and what they want to accomplish as politicians. So Mr. McCain, please allow Sarah and Todd to talk about their objectives for the USA.
October 21, 2008
3:22 p.m.
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JluvDC writes:
EastVail, given that his wife allows him complete access to her office, includes him on government emails and allows him to attend official meetings....yeah its kinda relevant.
October 21, 2008
4:43 p.m.
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pete10000ft writes:
What a piece of work. It'll be great when they finally lose.
BTW: anyone else notice how weathered Governor Gidget looked in the Springs? Truly beaten down by telling all those lies.....especially the one where she says she's qualified for the job.
October 21, 2008
7:24 p.m.
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Uno writes:
All these liberals have this election already over, remind me of 2000 and 2004. But they never learn, well, yeah, that's one reason why they are liberals.
October 22, 2008
8:07 a.m.
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AngelontheSidelines writes:
Wise words Uno,
Dems have the greatest ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.