The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Hey, Who’s the Man?

Posted on | September 3, 2010 | 122 Comments

WASILLA, Alaska — No, not me. As much as I’d like you to think I’m The Man, I’m not The Man. I’m talking about this guy:

In case you don’t recognize the boy sitting on his father’s lap, perhaps my latest American Spectator article will help:

Rumor is that the Palins are out of town and hope of an interview seems doomed to disappointment. Then my cell phone rings. “This is Todd Palin,” says the man on the phone. We chat briefly about the recent GOP primary victory of Joe Miller. I explain that I’ve driven 50 miles from Anchorage to Wasilla just to get a sense of the town where Sarah began her political career as a city council member and mayor. Todd then tells me that although his wife is out town, he’s still in Wasilla and …
Half an hour later, I drive down an unpaved road past a large Miller-for-Senate campaign sign and turn into a driveway marked with multiple “No Trespassing” signs, past which no wise person would go uninvited. Here, nestled among birch trees on the shore of scenic Lake Lucille, is the home of the woman whom liberals love most to hate — and Todd, the man who got the nickname “First Dude” during his wife’s term as Alaska’s governor.
Todd opens the front door and his youngest son, two-year-old Trig, scampers across the living room to greet the guest with a “high five.” Rambunctiously energetic, Trig is the focus of his father’s attention — Todd bounces the toddler on his knee, reads him a book, and fixes him a bottle . . .

Please read the whole thing. The First Dude is nothing short of pure awesome. It’s past midnight here in Wasilla and I’m too tired right now to explain how all this happened. I’ll get some sleep and update in the morning.

UPDATE: Linked at If You Seek Peace, by Sissy Willis at Liberty Pundits and by Da Tech Guy, who asks:

The big question. Is Todd Palin or Trig now a member of the Axis of Fedora?

Alas, no, the First Dude turned down the opportunity to wear the fedora. However, he did offer to take a couple of photos of me, for example:

Those “impotent, limp and gutless” reporters couldn’t handle Todd’s Iron Dog racer. At one point during our conversation, we were talking about the Iron Dog (specifically the absurd “ethics” charge based on Sarah wearing a coat with a sponsor’s logo) and I asked, “Is that the kind of sport that you kind of age out of?” Todd grinned and said, “You trying to tell me something?” 

Faux pas? Well, I explained that snow machine racing struck me as similar to motocross racing, where the average champion is in his early 20s. Todd said he has routinely competed against riders half his age.

It’s still only 6:40 a.m. here in Alaska. Seems like there was something I’ve forgotten to say.

Hmmm. Obviously, I need more sleep. Maybe I’ll think of it in an update later.

UPDATE II: Linked by Red at Ruby Slippers and now a Memeorandum thread. BTW, I notice Dan Riehl is doing a workout on Murkowski campaign director John Bitney, one of those disgruntled “former associate” types who finds it convenient to blame the Palins for his troubles.

UPDATE III: Linked by Bob Belevedere at Camp of the Saints, the Underground Conservative, and Cassy Fiano.

And be careful, Dave Weigel — you wouldn’t want to be “limp, impotent and gutless.”

Sometimes the best stories are the ones you can’t report. Sometimes if you’ll just talk to people — put down the notebook, turn off the recorder — instead of interviewing them, you can get a much better idea of who they really are.

Something else: Try to have some regard for the humanity of your sources. It’s worth noting that, at least at this point, the Palins are private citizens and are not obligated to speak to the press at all. So if Todd Palin is kind enough to invite me out to the house — when he could just as easily have spent those two hours doing something he enjoyed — should I repay his hospitality by playing “gotcha”?

C’mon, Dave: Remember how you felt when all that JouroList stuff was hitting the fan? That’s how the Palins have felt every single day for the past two years.

Category: Alaska, Sarah Palin

Comments

122 Responses to “Hey, Who’s the Man?”

  1. Thomas L. Knapp
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:32 am

    Now that’s the kind of exclusive that justifies the tip jar thumping!

    To think I knew you back when. From Feral Confederate Chihuahua to Feral Confederate Katie Couric in on only two years!

  2. Thomas L. Knapp
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 5:32 am

    Now that’s the kind of exclusive that justifies the tip jar thumping!

    To think I knew you back when. From Feral Confederate Chihuahua to Feral Confederate Katie Couric in on only two years!

  3. smitty
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:36 am

    If he’s The Man, then you’re The Journeyman, and I’m the distant, aspiring apprentice.

    Rock on, dude!

  4. smitty
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 5:36 am

    If he’s The Man, then you’re The Journeyman, and I’m the distant, aspiring apprentice.

    Rock on, dude!

  5. goddessoftheclassroom
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 10:17 am

    There was a book out in the 80s called “Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche.” Todd Palin is not a quiche eater.

  6. goddessoftheclassroom
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 6:17 am

    There was a book out in the 80s called “Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche.” Todd Palin is not a quiche eater.

  7. Mrs. The Other McCain
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 10:56 am

    I knew you would find a way to meet the Palins, Good work Stac! (you are My V-8!!) lol

  8. Mrs. The Other McCain
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 6:56 am

    I knew you would find a way to meet the Palins, Good work Stac! (you are My V-8!!) lol

  9. Speaking truth to power is scary, isn’t it, Howard Kurtz? | Liberty Pundits Blog
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:00 am

    […] “The First Dude is nothing short of pure awesome” writes Wasilla gold prospector Stacy McCain. While legacy media PDS sufferers were obsessing over the “sad and moldering strangeness” beneath the “skin of Sarah Palin’s life,” the gumshoe reporter known among peers as the “conservative Hunter S. Thompson for today” was doing what real reporters do. Throwing caution to the wind earlier in the week, McCain had bought a one-way ticket to Anchorage to cover the Murkowski Follies for his blog, for an American Spectator article and — ultimately — for truth, justice and the American way. Yesterday he struck gold: Rumor is that the Palins are out of town and hope of an interview seems doomed to disappointment. Then my cell phone rings. “This is Todd Palin,” says the man on the phone. We chat briefly about the recent GOP primary victory of Joe Miller. I explain that I’ve driven 50 miles from Anchorage to Wasilla just to get a sense of the town where Sarah began her political career as a city council member and mayor. Todd then tells me that although his wife is out town, he’s still in Wasilla and … […]

  10. Robert Stacy McCain Scores big time: « Da Techguy's Blog
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:18 am

    […] January is that actually being there makes a huge difference because when opportunity knocks (or in this case rings)you are near the door to answer: Getting an interview with Sarah Palin is difficult. Getting an […]

  11. datechguy
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 12:23 pm

    You’ve actually made me jealous of my own hat.

  12. datechguy
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:23 am

    You’ve actually made me jealous of my own hat.

  13. section9
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 12:34 pm

    Damn. Just damn.

    So, when is that hot sit down interview with Shannyn Moore.

    I know that’s why you went there.

  14. section9
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:34 am

    Damn. Just damn.

    So, when is that hot sit down interview with Shannyn Moore.

    I know that’s why you went there.

  15. It’s First Dude, Man! « Si Vis Pacem
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:36 am

    […] It’s First Dude, Man! 2010/09/03 by Ran / Si Vis Pacem Stacy McCain gets an invitation to hang with Wassila’s First Dude and Trig. […]

  16. Dave C
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 12:37 pm

    Nice score there.

  17. Dave C
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:37 am

    Nice score there.

  18. Ran
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 12:38 pm

    Cheers!

  19. Ran
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:38 am

    Cheers!

  20. El Cerdo Ignatius
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 12:51 pm

    Stacy, great work! Congrats! Oh, and I hope you find a way to make it home. Eventually.

  21. El Cerdo Ignatius
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:51 am

    Stacy, great work! Congrats! Oh, and I hope you find a way to make it home. Eventually.

  22. Red
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 12:52 pm

    High Five Stacy!! How cool was that? Total repost coming in 3, 2…

  23. Red
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:52 am

    High Five Stacy!! How cool was that? Total repost coming in 3, 2…

  24. Joe
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 12:55 pm

    Very nice. Great work. Well that justifies, alone, your flight to Alaska.

    BTW, I know that book that Todd is reading to Trig. I have read it to my kids a lot (although they have all moved beyond it now due to age). I could think of a few under bridge dwellers here I could lend it to (appropriate reading levels and all).

  25. Joe
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:55 am

    Very nice. Great work. Well that justifies, alone, your flight to Alaska.

    BTW, I know that book that Todd is reading to Trig. I have read it to my kids a lot (although they have all moved beyond it now due to age). I could think of a few under bridge dwellers here I could lend it to (appropriate reading levels and all).

  26. Garym
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 12:59 pm

    Nice Work!

  27. Garym
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:59 am

    Nice Work!

  28. Nathan Cossey
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 1:00 pm

    Heh heh We have that book for my Nephew as well.

  29. Nathan Cossey
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:00 am

    Heh heh We have that book for my Nephew as well.

  30. T.L. Davis
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 1:06 pm

    Lost in the pools of liberal venom, is probably an inspiring tale of modern parenthood that could shine a light for others, but I guess the libs know best. Way to go Stacy.

  31. T.L. Davis
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:06 am

    Lost in the pools of liberal venom, is probably an inspiring tale of modern parenthood that could shine a light for others, but I guess the libs know best. Way to go Stacy.

  32. Pat
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 1:22 pm

    I’ll be damned.

    Wow. 😯

  33. Pat
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:22 am

    I’ll be damned.

    Wow. 😯

  34. Joe
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 1:34 pm

    Did you do a shot of the hat and any of the Palins?

  35. Joe
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:34 am

    Did you do a shot of the hat and any of the Palins?

  36. Robert Stacy McCain meets Todd Palin | Political Byline
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:41 am

    […] Stacy McCain meets Todd Palin By Patrick, on September 3rd, 2010 Say what you want about Robert Stacy McCain, but when the man scores a exclusive, he scores an exclusive…..: Todd Palin and Son […]

  37. JeffS
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 1:45 pm

    Excellent, Stacy!

  38. JeffS
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:45 am

    Excellent, Stacy!

  39. Kentucky Colonel
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 1:51 pm

    I bet all the networks will be anxious to talk to you. /s

  40. Kentucky Colonel
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:51 am

    I bet all the networks will be anxious to talk to you. /s

  41. waylay
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 2:09 pm

    What an insightful and detailed interview. What an inspiring account of modern parenthood.

    Sorry to say this but the only thing that is anything original or valuable in the Spectator article is the pic of Trig with his dad.

    Many have portrayed that race as the byproduct of a personal feud between Palin and Murkowski, but Todd disavows any such animosity, noting that the two women were often allies in the past.

    Too bad, Todd doesn’t have the balls to say what he really thinks on record. Neither do you, by mentioning this politically correct fact (while we understand your obligation not to report the off the rec remarks).

    And the 2012 Sarah speculation…

    Professionally, I’m obliged to mention speculation about Sarah’s plans for 2012, but Todd says his wife is currently focused on the upcoming mid-term congressional elections, now less than nine weeks away. And after November? I wasn’t taking notes and my memory is notoriously dodgy, so it’s possible that Todd’s answer was, “We’ll see.”

    Or maybe he didn’t say that. A good reporter never burns his sources.

    It made me smile. It still is…I’m just smiling and smiling. Little tearlets of mirth are dipping down on the edges of my beedy eyes. The old goat (RS McCain) has a sense of humor, doesn’t he?

    Actually, I don’t think McCain really cares one way or the other.

    In a way, that’s a good thing because Todd Palin isn’t censoring himself to get Sarah elected, what’s in his head drops out of his mouth.

    It does look like Stacy is making fun of the whole commercial appeal to the more emotional and skim the surface, promise to give everyone what they want. It’s a blatant people are stupid appeal, throwing the squeaky toy at the dog so you can finish eating without being bothered. Could work…

    The thing about dogs and people is that a lot of the fun is in the throwing and the chase. The dog keeps bringing back the toy to be thrown again, or wants another one. The poster keeps replying to the poster that won’t listen, and it doesn’t matter what is said as long as another post keeps coming back…and the politician gets bothered by people who want something…if there’s a space, another steps in with their request and advice on how to do things…

    No matter how many peanuts i give to the bluejays, they come back for more.

    Well, got to throw that squeaky toy again, today it is a long red squeaky fuzzy dog, instead of the squeaky fuzzy hedgehog.

  42. waylay
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 10:09 am

    What an insightful and detailed interview. What an inspiring account of modern parenthood.

    Sorry to say this but the only thing that is anything original or valuable in the Spectator article is the pic of Trig with his dad.

    Many have portrayed that race as the byproduct of a personal feud between Palin and Murkowski, but Todd disavows any such animosity, noting that the two women were often allies in the past.

    Too bad, Todd doesn’t have the balls to say what he really thinks on record. Neither do you, by mentioning this politically correct fact (while we understand your obligation not to report the off the rec remarks).

    And the 2012 Sarah speculation…

    Professionally, I’m obliged to mention speculation about Sarah’s plans for 2012, but Todd says his wife is currently focused on the upcoming mid-term congressional elections, now less than nine weeks away. And after November? I wasn’t taking notes and my memory is notoriously dodgy, so it’s possible that Todd’s answer was, “We’ll see.”

    Or maybe he didn’t say that. A good reporter never burns his sources.

    It made me smile. It still is…I’m just smiling and smiling. Little tearlets of mirth are dipping down on the edges of my beedy eyes. The old goat (RS McCain) has a sense of humor, doesn’t he?

    Actually, I don’t think McCain really cares one way or the other.

    In a way, that’s a good thing because Todd Palin isn’t censoring himself to get Sarah elected, what’s in his head drops out of his mouth.

    It does look like Stacy is making fun of the whole commercial appeal to the more emotional and skim the surface, promise to give everyone what they want. It’s a blatant people are stupid appeal, throwing the squeaky toy at the dog so you can finish eating without being bothered. Could work…

    The thing about dogs and people is that a lot of the fun is in the throwing and the chase. The dog keeps bringing back the toy to be thrown again, or wants another one. The poster keeps replying to the poster that won’t listen, and it doesn’t matter what is said as long as another post keeps coming back…and the politician gets bothered by people who want something…if there’s a space, another steps in with their request and advice on how to do things…

    No matter how many peanuts i give to the bluejays, they come back for more.

    Well, got to throw that squeaky toy again, today it is a long red squeaky fuzzy dog, instead of the squeaky fuzzy hedgehog.

  43. Red
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 2:20 pm

    “How freaking cool is this? Better than watching the tired old msm, for followers of the conservative blog, The Other McCain , hitting the tip jar has its advantages. Our roving reporter Robert Stacy McCain had the good fortune of connecting with Todd Palin while in Wasilla…

    Stace, some folks are bitter, others laud you 🙂

  44. Red
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 2:20 pm

    Okay my link didn’t work. Let’s try this again.

  45. Red
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 10:20 am

    “How freaking cool is this? Better than watching the tired old msm, for followers of the conservative blog, The Other McCain , hitting the tip jar has its advantages. Our roving reporter Robert Stacy McCain had the good fortune of connecting with Todd Palin while in Wasilla…

    Stace, some folks are bitter, others laud you 🙂

  46. Red
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 10:20 am

    Okay my link didn’t work. Let’s try this again.

  47. ThomasD
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 2:26 pm

    Well played McCain. But a minor bit of info, distances are a little bigger out west.

    Telling a westerner you ‘traveled fifty miles’ is about like telling your typical easterner that you ‘just ran out for beer and cigarettes,’ ie. it is not going to impress, just remind them that you aren’t from around here.

  48. ThomasD
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 10:26 am

    Well played McCain. But a minor bit of info, distances are a little bigger out west.

    Telling a westerner you ‘traveled fifty miles’ is about like telling your typical easterner that you ‘just ran out for beer and cigarettes,’ ie. it is not going to impress, just remind them that you aren’t from around here.

  49. Joe
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 3:03 pm

    “Little tearlets of mirth are dipping down on the edges of my beedy eyes.”

    Well that is revealing.

  50. Joe
    September 3rd, 2010 @ 11:03 am

    “Little tearlets of mirth are dipping down on the edges of my beedy eyes.”

    Well that is revealing.

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