Homer, Alaska - News - If Palin and Parnell win, Colberg would step in 09/03/08

Story last updated at 7:08 PM on Wednesday, September 3, 2008

If Palin and Parnell win, Colberg would step in

By Charles L. Westmoreland
Morris News Service Alaska

Gov. Sarah Palin once said there was too much work to be done in Alaska to even accept an offer for the vice presidency.

But on Friday she was singing a new tune and hopped on the first plane out of Anchorage as Sen. John McCain's running mate in the upcoming presidential election.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who is next in line to be governor of Alaska, also is hoping his challenge to the state's sole congressman, fellow Republican Don Young, will succeed. Parnell is awaiting the final count from the Republican primary, and if he beats Young, he will face the Democratic nominee in November.

If McCain wins and Palin becomes vice president and Parnell is elected to Congress Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg will become the interim governor of Alaska. Colberg would become the lieutenant governor should Parnell get into Congress Jan. 3 and then acting governor Jan. 20 should Palin become vice president.

Within 90 days after Palin vacates the seat a special election would be held to elect a new governor.

Parnell has been taking Palin's place at previously scheduled functions.

Palin would move from the role of chief executive to understudy just as Parnell has been to her.

Dr. David Noon, University of Alaska Southeast professor of American History, said selecting Palin as a running mate could help solidify McCain's standing among some voters while easing concerns about his age.

"McCain, if elected, will be the oldest president to take the oath of office," Noon said. "Now, 72 isn't ancient, but it does raise some concern. The selection of Palin undercuts that."

McCain's decision to go with the young and influential up-and-comer has drawn high praise among Republicans. However, there is another, more remote, scenario that could also take Palin out of the governor's office, even if she loses in November. A recent investigation involving Palin's firing of former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan in July could make her a target.

Monegan has accused members of the Palin administration of harassing, and eventually firing, him for not taking action against state trooper Mike Wooten, Palin's former brother-in-law.

Palin said there was a loose cannon within her office acting without her consent.

Frank Bailey, Palin's director of boards and commissions, made nearly two dozen phone calls to the Public Safety Department urging Wooten be fired on the governor's behalf. Palin has since suspended Bailey while the investigation continues.

Noon said the investigation will likely have little impact on the presidential outcome.

"Alaska politics have become synonymous with corruption," he said. "It's hard to say at this point how much of a problem this will be. ... Republicans in Alaska have raised the bar as far as corruption is concerned, and since she isn't alleged to have had her home remodeled, it doesn't appear as bad."

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