The Alaska Angle

An Alaska native writes:

On Palin generally, I tend to agree with your analysis. Most Alaskans like her, but there's a lot about Alaska that the rest of the country either doesn't know or doesn't care about. Her likability stems in part from the unique political-social culture in Alaska. I've known some die-hard republicans and some ultra-liberal democrats, but what connects everyone is a strong undercurrent of libertarianism. It's very much a "let me be" kind of place, and I think you see that in Palin's political positions.

The state tends to look very Republican, but in many ways it's more centrist--albeit a sort of bizzaro centrist--than people realize. You see this in our governors more than the congressional delegation (which embodies the desire to hold firmly onto whatever little power the state can get). Alaskans like people who support gun rights but smoke pot, are anti-abortion but gay-friendly, are pro-drilling and pro-environment. So Palin strikes me as a good fit for Alaska, but I'm not sure she's a good fit for the national Republican party.