Stunned Valley reacts to Palin’s bombshell

MAT-SU — Gov. Sarah Palin’s surprise announcement Friday that she will resign from office was met with surprise and disappointment by many Valley residents.

Politics is usually far from the lake and playground, but Palin’s bombshell created a buzz in Wasilla at Newcomb and Wonderland parks.

“I’m shocked,” Connie Vereide said. “I absolutely supported her and I would support her again.”

Vereide said she and her husband often talked about how Palin was portrayed in the media, and she understands how that public scrutiny and mounting ethics complaints would wear on a person over time.

“Why won’t they just leave her alone?” Vereide asked. “From that angle, I can see why she stepped down.”

Nicci Slack said she voted for Palin in 2006 and was disappointed with Friday’s announcement. If Palin seeks office again, Slack would be in her camp.

“Yes, I support her,” she said. “I think she was doing a good job. It’s a shame.”

In Palmer, Homer residents John Browning and Warren Beachy were stocking up at Carrs for a weekend camping trip when they learned Palin would leave office. Both expressed shock and said they were saddened by the news.

“If they had a vote for her for president this year, I’d vote for her,” Browning said.

Beachy said he wishes Palin would finish her term, which runs through 2010, but also hopes she isn’t stepping down from politics altogether.

“It depends on what she does, I guess,” he said. “I’m disappointed she’s leaving as governor, but if it’s for something bigger and better, then I’m all for it.”

As a mother of a special needs child, Dawn Huddleston relates to the governor and her policies. Palin’s son Trig has Down syndrome.

“She stood for family values and connected with the needs of Alaskans,” Huddleston said. “I’m quite disappointed.”

While many in Palin’s hometown of Wasilla and neighboring Palmer said they remain Palin supporters, some said the governor needs to be specific about why she is resigning.

“Why give up now?” asked Beverly Lacasse, who works at Schuck’s Auto Supply in Palmer. “If she wants to be president, 2012’s a long ways away. She’s a good governor, so why is she quitting if she’s running (for political office again)? I’d like to know why.”

If another run at the White House is on Palin’s agenda, Lacasse questioned Palin’s political stamina.

“If she can’t handle being governor, how can she handle being president?” she asked. “All of us women go through tough stuff.”

Enjoying her 13-year-old grandson’s birthday at Wonderland Park, Henrietta Provost was also a bit more critical of Palin.

“She did an excellent job at first, but as soon as she was nominated for vice-president she didn’t do as good of a job,” Huddleston said. “She seemed to be more concentrated on the national stuff.”

Still, Huddleston could not blame Palin for stepping down, especially because of the intense spotlight placed on her family.

“The family should never be brought in. That’s just wrong,” Huddleston said.

Kari Coon and Trisha Vargason had just heard the news while sitting on their beach towels. Both are Palin supporters, and both would vote for her again.

“I’m surprised, but I guess that was a move she had to make,” Coon said.

“Some more information about why she is leaving would be nice,” Vargason added.

“I’m sure she had good reason,” Coon responded. “We don’t know everything that is going on.”

Back at Schuck’s Auto Supply, clerk Hajra Ahmed was “bummed out” Palin wouldn’t be representing Alaska anymore because “she’s the hottest governor.”

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252; or Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.