THE PLANK OCTOBER 6, 2008
-
Read Later
READ LATERAvailable only to subscribers. SUBSCRIBE TODAY
-
Listen
ARTICLE AUDIO
- Font Size
On a recent reporting trip to Alaska, TNR senior editor Noam Scheiber came across a piece of paper from an old Wasilla city budget, on the back of which Palin doodled and brainstormed her potential mayoral campaign themes ("time for a change," "you would be my boss!") and qualifications ("life-long alaskan," "NRA supporter," "taxpayer!"). Read the fine print on this 1996 document; it's a fascinating glimpse into how she thought she could best present herself to the Wasilla electorate.
--Amanda Silverman
Update from Noam Scheiber: There seems to be a lot of interest in this document, so I thought I'd say a bit more about its provenance. I stumbled across it at the home of Laura Chase, a former colleague of Palin's on the Wasilla city council who later managed her first race for mayor. (Chase makes a few appearances in my Palin profile this week.)
Toward the end of our interview, Chase brought out a box of odds and ends she'd saved from that campaign and emptied it onto her kitchen table. Buried in the pile of material were various pictures, mailings, correspondences, newspaper clippings--and this page of doodling. Chase didn't remember a ton about it, but did tell me it had been written on the back of a budget document, which (she seemed to think) had been distributed at a Wasilla city council meeting.
I've been in touch with Chase to see if she remembers anything else about it and will report back when I hear from her.
Second Update: See this new item for the full doodle backstory, along with more (previously unseen!) Palin chicken scratch.
10 comments
SP + AK = Heart 4-Ever!
- adaglas
October 6, 2008 at 1:02pm
I love how her name is written in BIG BOLD LETTERS.
- guyminuslife
October 6, 2008 at 1:08pm
Oh no... that's how I write my 7's!
- dylanposer
October 6, 2008 at 1:11pm
Born in Idaho but a lifelong Alaskan....?
- jks973
October 6, 2008 at 1:31pm
Dylanposer, that's ok. At least you don't spell your name S-A-R-A-H P-A-L-I-N. If you write in big bubble letters, though, that could be something to be concerned about.
And yes, I love how she writes in caps, "TAXPAYER!" as if that is something that makes her stand out among other candidates for political office. She doesn't cheat on her taxes, folks!
- rozenson
October 6, 2008 at 1:56pm
Seems that during all those boring budget meetings in Wasilla, Mayor Sarah Palin was already daydreaming
- Anonymous
October 6, 2008 at 2:39pm
I'll have to go read Noam's article, but first I see one fun little note on that doodle:
"Use existing facilities (our comprehensive plan call for a new state of the art City Hall! There i no need for a multi-million dollar facility for government in our small town..."
Huh, but incurring debt obligations for a hockey rink...?
- MJMCKAY
October 6, 2008 at 9:37pm
It looks like she started writing "no pay increases" but stopped before the "y" in pay, scored "pa" out and wrote "tax."
- ndmackenzie
October 7, 2008 at 12:25pm
Only thing missing is "I dont know your name but you seemed cool and i hope we have some classes together next year. Have a great summer!!!! Love ya, Sarah"
- jmlack
October 7, 2008 at 12:31pm
Apparently, she DOES cheat on her taxes:
http://www.electoral-vote.com/
- 3mjesus
October 7, 2008 at 10:55pm