‘First Dude’ is Alaska’s Yoko Ono

Shuffling through the Alaska Legislative Council’s report on its investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin and the Troopergate scandal, I suddenly realized a notion that had been nagging the back of my brain the past few weeks.

Todd Palin is Alaska’s Yoko Ono.

Perhaps the ego of the man who refers to himself as the state’s “First Dude” is too fragile to accept and appreciate having a strong, talented, intelligent and independent wife who is enjoying great political success. Maybe he’s bored. Perhaps he’s just a well-meaning galoot who didn’t know he was overstepping his boundaries.

Fact is, I think this entire Troopergate fiasco is a Denali-size mountain created from a modest molehill. While I agree Governor Palin, her staff and family should not spend the public’s time and resources in any attempt to satisfy a personal family issue, I also have no sympathy for Michael Wooten, an Alaska State Trooper who can poach a moose, consume alcohol in his patrol vehicle and use a Taser on a child, and continue to serve and protect.

What’s sparked my interest more in this whole hullabaloo is the level of access and involvement Todd Palin apparently has had in the day-to-day workings of state government. Attending official meetings, being copied in on e-mails detailing state business and apparently acting the big man on campus simply because he’s the governor’s husband is inappropriate and does much to undermine Sarah Palin’s authority and leadership.

The Troopergate report released Friday says the governor “knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda. … She has the authority and power to require Mr. Palin to cease contacting subordinates, but she failed to act.”

I agree it’s fair to point this out that, as the top dog in state government, she bears responsibility for what happens on her watch. That Todd Palin would put the governor (and his wife) in this position is also telling. Either he’s too dense to realize his meddling in state business isn’t appropriate or he doesn’t care.

It’s one thing to live vicariously through one’s spouse, but another altogether to assume authority one doesn’t have.

It’s the Yoko Ono Effect.

The report relates Todd Palin contacted state employees and “that in almost every contact with subordinate employees, Mr. Palin’s comments were couched in terms of his desire to see Trooper Wooten fired for reasons that had nothing to do with fear. … Mr. Palin even sought to obtain information about Trooper Wooten that was confidential by law.”

I consider Yoko Ono’s influence in breaking up The Beatles one of the most heinous rock and roll crimes of all time. While it’s unlikely Todd Palin’s influence and dabbling with employees and offices of state government will break up the governor’s office, we hope he learns from his own actions. There’s still time and opportunity to bow out of the public meddling he was not elected to do and let Sarah Palin’s charisma and fortitude continue to progress our state — and hopefully our country — to greatness.

It can happen, as long as Todd Palin doesn’t realize any aspirations to be America’s Yoko Ono.

Greg Johnson is managing editor for the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. Contact him at greg.johnson @frontiersman.com or 352-2268.