Thanks so much, Bev. And thanks Amanda and Tony. It’s been great hosting the salon and getting the opportunity to discuss your wonderful book! Best of luck to you with your continued success at Alaska Dispatch, and with whatever book we can expect next!

We seem to be on the same page so far. I was one of those people who kept saying “she will run” and everyone else had every good reason why she wouldn’t. She just wanted money, she was lazy, etc. I never really agreed completely with either statement. The thing that her “new life” does not give her is a sense of competition. I think that’s her driver. I think she loves the thrill of it, the personal testing, the faith in the outcome, the adrenaline rush… You can’t get that on a book tour, or lounging by the pool in Arizona.

I wouldn’t be entirely shocked if she got back in as “the reluctant leader” who swooped in to save the good ol’ boys (and girl) in the GOP from themselves.

For both of you – Alaska politics really is like a big incestuous soap opera. Was there one particular character or plot line in this drama that really captured you, or that you especially enjoyed researching and writing about? You’ve alluded to a couple, but if you had to pick your own favorite chapter or plot line, or character, what would it be?

I agree totally. I was glad you pointed that out in the book. The inability to understand what was important and what wasn’t, the inability to let small things go, and to not take everything personally. It always amused me when she referred to herself as having thick skin. I don’t think that’s something that someone can will themselves to change. I think it’s just a part of who she is.

I agree. But it has been nice that she’s not quite so in our faces all the time. You said before that you wouldn’t put it past her to throw her hat back in the ring. Given the current Republican lineup, and its lack of a clear leader, would you care to elaborate on your statement?

Yes, Ted was very gracious, but behind the scenes felt a bit slighted. His staff, and loyal constituents were incensed and took it as a personal slight. It was quite the drama in the governor’s office.

I’m super glad that Sarah Palin has pointed out the big problem with cronyism. ;)

I think it could be an interesting story… but complicated. I’ll explain some time. :)

I’m curious about one thread of connection in this web. What do you think about Ted Stevens’ opinion of Palin and vice versa. Do you remember the 50th Anniversary Statehood book debacle? There was a huge kerfuffle about Ted Stevens being slighted and virtually non-existent in the book, and Palin wildly denying that it was done on purpose.

She did, as you pointed out, say that he should resign as Senator when he was convicted of those 7 felonies, but as far as I know Ted remained almost mum. Any insight?

I think you did a good job with that. And it would be hard not to include her, simply because she changed so many things and was in so many ways a product of her predecessors – the pendulum swinging back against Murkowski.

I’ve not seen it in a public way, but knowing how intensely it exists behind the scenes makes me wonder (as it did in hindsight with Palin) if there is more involved in decision making and policy than we know.

My theory is that she has been consistent and predictable in one thing – her opportunism. From the mayoral election, to governor, to VP nominee, she has always been and done just what was necessary to take the next step. In some ways she is politically brilliant. I think she expected Alaskans to understand that she was doing what she needed to do to take that step, and didn’t really think about her own intellectual inconsistency.

To ask a very basic question, what made you decide to write the book in the first place? Did your conception of what it would be change as you went? Were you planning on focusing on the “Big 3″ personalities you did, or did that change? I’d be interested to hear what made you do it. It’s such a big undertaking and such a time commitment.

Do you think that Parnell’s strong evangelical Christianity is on the radar for most Alaskans? Palin’s really wasn’t when she was governor, and only seemed to emerge after the 2008 race.

I’m sure there was some of both, but I think it was mostly Palin that changed. I remember watching her speech at the Republican convention and thinking to myself, “Doesn’t she know we can hear her?” It was like thinking that you knew someone and then seeing them in another setting being a completely different person. Like a friend who threw you under the bus when the popular kids took her in.

I think that Joe Miller’s victory in the primary shows that non-Tea Party Republicans, even incumbents who are fairly popular can be vulnerable. Lisa was able to pull off a miracle and win the write-in, even with a name like Murkowski… but if it happened to Don Young, or if it happened to Begich, or in an open seat it might be a different story. I’m not sure Lisa Murkowski could have done it without the tremendous support she received from Native Corporations.

What do you think?

Thanks, Amanda. One of the things I most enjoyed about writing Blind Allegiance was one of the very things you covered so well in Crude Awakening – what it was that people saw in Sarah Palin, and why she was able to capture the imagination of her fans the way she did. It wasn’t just the hard right-wing Christian Republicans that voted for her. I have staunch Democratic friends who voted for her too. People had a hard time understanding that if they weren’t here at the time.

I certainly have my favorites, and those I think could really be beneficial for the state (Bill Wielechowski/Scott McAdams)… And I believe there are a handful of politicians from both sides of the aisle who would certainly fare better on the national stage in terms of preparedness, and political chops, than Palin. There was some talk a while back of Tony Knowles dipping his toes in the big pond, but I really can’t think of someone I’d put my money on right now.

Yes, I’m a huge fan of Steve Haycox. He’s quite brilliant and perceptive. And Jack Roderick too. Good calls.

Speaking of our former governor, do you think that Palin’s unbelievable political career will make it more or less likely we’ll see another Alaskan in national politics? In some ways she really did break our “ice ceiling” but it hasn’t turned out like we would have hoped. Any thoughts?