Troopergate, Babygate, Secessiongate...how many more gates are there?

***UPDATE: Add to the list of gates: "Vetting-gate"***
McCain is blasting the media today (9-3-2008) calling this a "faux" scandal. I think that makes it the latest in the list of gates! Congratulations to the McCain Campaign for creating a new category. I think that they must be coordinating this with the Guinness Book of World Records. This category was first recognized by the Brits. Thanks to our brothers and sisters from across the pond for playing along.
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Ever hear the phrase, "waiting for the other shoe to drop?"

I don't know about you, but I am beginning to think that Sarah Palin has a closet of shoes bigger than Imelda Marcos that are all waiting to drop.

I started hearing about "troopergate" the week before Palin was selected by John McCain for the VEEP slot on his campaign. Next came "babygate" with rumors of faked pregnancy and unwed teen pregnancy, then "secessiongate" started rolling out with rumors of Sarah Palin and her husband having reportedly been members in the mid-ninties of a political organization which is advocating the secession of Alaska from the United States.

All this revelation in a time span of less than a week. That is truly impressive and has brought not only mountains of media attention but over Ten Million dollars of campaign contributions to the McCain coffers.

McCain claims to be a maverick and says that he had met a partner and a soul-mate when he met Sarah Palin. One of those things that makes you say "Hmmmm?" A maverick of innovation is one thing, but maybe this is going a bit too far?

No claim of authenticity of this photo is implied
and is included for illustrative purposes only.

Alaskan Independence Party

Sarah Palin's ties to Alaskan Independence Party - Los Angeles Times

We Love Sarah! - Alaskan Independence Party

"I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."
Joe Vogler (copied from the AIP website)

Ms. Clark -- a self-employed gold miner who wants Alaska to become an independent nation -- says that the McCain campaign pushback that Palin was never part of the AIP is "hooey."

"This is like a cat covering up crap in its litter box," she says. (Political Punch)

Bill Kristol tells this true story that he heard from a McCain staffer:

A nervous young McCain staffer took it upon himself
to explain to Palin the facts of life in a national campaign,
the intense scrutiny she'd be under from the media,
the viciousness of the assault that she'd be facing, etc.:

Palin: "Thanks for the warning. By the way,
do you know what they say the difference is
between a hockey mom and a Pit Bull?"

McCain aide: "No, Governor."

Palin: "A hockey mom wears lipstick."

(New York Times)

What this says about Senator John McCain (Time)

“It’s a risk,” said Dan Schnur, a former McCain aide who now directs the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California. “No matter how great the candidate, it’s a significant risk to put someone on the ticket” who hasn’t been publicly scrutinized.

“They obviously felt it was worth the risk to rev up the base and potentially reach out to Clinton supporters,” Mr. Schnur said. (New York Times)

Where Sarah Palin began her executive career.

Vetted or Not Vetted? Christian Science Monitor

I confirm that I am a private citizen and in no way officially connected to the Barack Obama campaign other than personally being in support of the Obama candidacy.

Buzz it up