Over the last 10 years, I've attended events that make up a fairly long list - and I don't think I can come up with one of them that I was there in support for.
I'm not a protester, and I don't go to spy on the other side. It's a mix of informative and, as you mentioned in this post, "friendly and welcom[ing]." I was living in Boston in 2000, so there were lots of opportunities to hit up rallies for Al Gore and Ralph Nader, and I'm glad that I went to all of them.
On the other hand, to the best of my knowledge, you didn't happen to be mayor of Boston at the time. Nor, as far as I can tell, were you wearing buttons to support those candidates.
Also, it's entirely conceivable, unlike Ms. Palin's, that your presence went undetected by the media.
NYC Educator,
I wasn't defending Palin or even commenting on her - that should've been evidenced by my comment not referring to her in any way.
I wrote a brief comment about attending events because I think it's an interesting issue. I probably should attend more on both sides, and I'd encourage others to do the same.
I don't remember ever wearing any buttons - I don't really like piercing my clothes. At the 2000 Gore rally I mentioned, though I was buttonless, I did help some members of the Communications Workers of America carry signs. They aren't my union, it isn't my platform and it wasn't my candidate, but I didn't mind helping them get their messages out.
Relax, baby.
[David Bernstein, August 31, 2008 at 8:51am] Trackbacks
Palin and Buchanan, II ("Timeline"): July 17, 1999: AP reports on Pat Buchanan visit to Wasilla, AK. The reporter notes that "among those sporting Buchanan buttons were Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin and state Sen. Jerry Ward, R-Anchorage."
July 26, 1999, letter to the editor of the Anchorage Daily News by Sarah Palin:
As mayor of Wasilla, I am proud to welcome all presidential candidates to our city. This is true regardless of their party, or the latest odds of their winning. When presidential candidates visit our community, I am always happy to meet them. I'll even put on their button when handed one as a polite gesture of respect.
Though no reporter interviewed me for the Associated Press article on the recent visit by a presidential candidate (Metro, July 17), the article may have left your readers with the perception that I am endorsing this candidate, as opposed to welcoming his visit to Wasilla. As mayor, I will welcome all the candidates in Wasilla.
August 7, 1999: AP reports on Steve Forbes' campaign in Alaska. "Joining the Fairbanks Republican on the leadership committee will be Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin, and former state GOP chairman Pete Hallgren, who will serve as co-chairs."
This information is all available on Lexis. Anyone who continues to push the "Sarah Palin supported Pat Buchanan in 2000" line is either willfully ignorant or lying. And there is no evidence thus far except a recollection from Pat Buchanan, contradicted by his sister and campaign manager (as discussed on politico) that she supported him in 1996.
So, if Ms. Palin is to be believed, we're left with the assumption that she will wear the button of any politician who hands her one as a "polite gesture of respect," regardless of what reprehensible positions that politician may espouse.
That's certainly a novel position. Maybe Barnum was right after all.
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