You can come home again

In the wake of the presidential campaign and election, has Alaska’s reputation suffered, or has our state gained positive notoriety beyond its natural wonders?

Certainly, with media from all over the nation and many international outlets turning over one rock after another in search of the “real” Sarah Palin, some of Alaska’s blemishes were exposed.

For one, now anybody who can read a newspaper, scan the Internet or watch television knows about Wasilla. The city has been portrayed either as a quaint, picturesque town that epitomizes Alaska to a city with a sprawling lack of cohesion, box stores and traffic that has spawned insulting bumper stickers.

Then you have Governor Palin who carried the image of Wasilla, the Mat-Su Valley and the state on her shoulders.

Sure, she made some blunders along the way that put our blue jeans-, Carhartt-wearing image to the test as some scrutinized her wardrobe shopping habits. When it counted, Palin was a champion for her hometown and Alaska with her fresh look and energy. She drew thousands to her campaign stops, consistently out-drawing her running mate, Sen. John McCain.

She helped put a face to the state that showed what Alaskans cling to — a sense of independence that all Americans would like to have in their hearts.

With that damage or benefit done, the next question is: can Sarah come home again?

What will her gubernatorial approval rating be after her national campaign that may have divided Alaskans, particularly those Democrats who saw her popularity numbers as governor and knew what side of the bread had the butter?

While she certainly can come home again, it’s unlikely to be politics as usual.

After calling for U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens to resign following his recent conviction, Stevens seems heading back to Washington, D.C.

As speculation over her 2012 political plans spreads, there may also be an opportunity for Palin to take her national image to the Senate where she can continue to build her base. It’s unlikely she could make that move as soon as 2012, unless Barak Obama’s avowed need for change turns sour and he gets ousted after one term. Then she could run a campaign on “I told you so.”

More likely is a long-term scenario. At a relatively young age of 52, with several years of Senate experience and national exposure, Palin could be a formidable opponent in 2016.

A few years in the Senate would also give her time to improve her bearings regarding international affairs, display her willingness to reach across the aisle when necessary on issues such as education, and fight the good fight on oil exploration while touting the development of alternative energy that can make the nation less dependent on foreign resources.

She could lead junkets for some of her Alaska-ignorant colleagues to the Bush and show them what a lack of infrastructure looks like.

Palin’s potential now could be realized by remaining on the national stage. There are many things Gov. Sarah Palin could do to improve Alaska and the Valley from Juneau. But long-term, Sen. Sarah Palin could do more for many more people, and President Palin could build off those credentials. And Alaska could ride those coattails to a better state.

That’s a lot of wondering, but if this last presidential election has taught us anything, the road from Alaska to the White House is a lot shorter than we once thought. And one doesn’t anymore have to be white or male to end up well-dressed on Pennsylvania Avenue.