President Obama’s Welcome Party. Who Will Be There, and Who Will Not?
Today, President Barack Obama will visit the only one of the 50 states he has not visited before. On a refueling stop between the U.S. and Asia, the president will take the opportunity to meet with some of the troops at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Here is his schedule:
Private meeting with service members, 1:10 p.m. Address to service members at Hangar 1, 1:30 p.m. The Hangar 1 event will be covered live by local media. The White House extended invitations to key elected officials, but several Republicans are passing. Democratic Sen. Mark Begich will be there. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski will be in Kotzebue and Republican Rep. Don Young didn’t come back to Alaska for the Veterans Day recess. Republican Gov. Sean Parnell will skip the visit and instead deliver a “major” speech on deferred maintenance at the Associated General Contractors annual conference in Anchorage, a long-standing commitment, his spokeswoman said. A city spokeswomen said Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan will attend.
That’s right. The governor of our state is too busy to meet the President of the United States when he comes to Alaska for the first time. Darn. If it weren’t for that “major” speech… Wonder what that’s all about?
According to the agenda of the Associated General Contractors of Alaska Annual Conference, the conference runs from Wednesday, November 11 at 8am through lunch on Saturday afternoon, and concludes with a dinner/dance Saturday night. That’s three and a half days.
And the “major” speech that the governor apparently could not reschedule to welcome the President of the United States to Alaska? That’s the “Excellence in Safety Awards Luncheon” at the Captain Cook Hotel. It’s sandwiched (pardon the pun) between the “Go From Profit Mystery to Profit Mastery” presentation, and a Department of Transportation Q&A session.
According to Mapquest, the Captain Cook Hotel is 2.24 miles from Elmendorf Air Force Base and for travel planning purposes, you can expect the trip to take 6 minutes.
What a shame that he’s had this “long standing commitment” for a “major” hour and a half luncheon for local contractors in the middle of a three and a half day conference that was unable to be rescheduled. What terrible luck. The governor must be really disappointed. How frustrating and embarrassing that the President will arrive without the benefit of a greeting from the governor when he’s stuck with no possibility of escape just 2.24 miles away.
Because, if it was just the fact that he’s a Republican governor who can’t be bothered meeting with the President on behalf of ALL of the residents of the state of Alaska, it would be pretty embarrassing indeed. And it would highlight a few things about this new governor including; his decision-making ability, his sense of diplomacy, his understanding of priorities, his common sense, and his belief that we are really that stupid. Coming from the governor’s office, that sounds kind of familiar actually.
Even Mayor Dan Sullivan, after initially rejecting his tickets was shamed into accepting them, and will presumably be attending today. It will be interesting to see when all is said and done, who is there and who is not. I guess it will become obvious if we’re going to have to start apologizing for our governor – AGAIN.
That is so lame.
Excellent analysis AKM – There has been so little coverage of this trip by the MSM – what is the chance of getting it on HuffPo? It would highlight Obama’s trip, but also reinforce Palin’s legacy as a crappy governor who’s quitting fobbed off another crappy governor to the residents.
Palin and Parnell- two Peas In a Pod?
Looks like your current Guv. is the same douchebag that your previous Guv. was. Did SP leave it in the closet on her way out??
Parnell really is a rude little f-er isn’t he?
My god, even as lame as my governor, Mitch “the war will cost a few million” Daniels is, at least he’d show up to greet the President of the United States.
A call to Alaskans! This is unfathomable to me, and it’s time to call and email the Gov’s office with your opinion on this decision. This reflects on our state on a whole and I’m tired of being “so called” represented by politicians with little or no grace & honor. This is not who we are up here!
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Martha Unalaska Yard Sign Says:
November 12th, 2009 at 10:39 AM
A call to Alaskans! This is unfathomable to me, and it’s time to call and email the Gov’s office with your opinion on this decision. This reflects on our state on a whole and I’m tired of being “so called” represented by politicians with little or no grace & honor. This is not who we are up here!
———
Please don’t let us in CA be tarred and feathered by that lying, failed, stripped-of-her-crown-and-more ex-Miss CA, either.
That there Guv is a numskull, indeed! And I’ll betcha Ms. Peepants sent a message to the little wimp, daring him to show up to greet the President. Parnell is such a poor excuse for leadership…and I hope Alaskans are preparing to make a definite change in that office, using NY23 as a prime example.
At least we can be sure that OUR President is not the kind of person to take such an insult personally, or to take it out on the citizens of Alaska because their Governor is such a total tool. I sincerely hope the crowd outside the gates is warm, welcoming and rowdy Let President Obama know that not everybody in Alaska is an idiot!
I cannot believe Parnell is behaving the way he is with regard to President Obama’s first visit to Alaska. I have been waiting and watching him and have firmly decided he will not get my vote come election time. He truly appears to be following in Palin’s footsteps in many instances. Sad, sad…I had better hopes for him.
That is definite rudeness! What happened to common decency, diplomacy, and all the other good traits that should be associated with OUR representatives? I realize that Parnell was foisted upon you by your previous governor through her actions, but I had hoped that he had a bit more class than she. I was wrong.
I am hoping that PRESIDENT Obama receives a rousing greeting from all the mudpups up there. I capitalized his name since our local news anchor called him Mr. Obama and I am getting rather fed up with this lack of respect for the Office of the President and for supposedly non-biased news reporters to use whatever form of address they wish to recognize the President of the United States of America.
Okay, off my soap box, and back to reality. Have fun at the welcoming rally everyone! I look forward to pictures and a report.
I rather like the comment by ‘Bystander’..however..might the spelling be changed..like in..’peas’? Yeah..I can see one sittin’ and one..well ya know. How much better for the ..People of Alaska..to stand in a long blue line..and wave to the plane..whilst arriving, and departing..and allow those with bitter-lil minds n hearts..go about their sorry lives and plans…let the Real People..of Alaska..stand proud..and protective..of what makes Alaska..Most Worthy.
You know I forgot our Mudpuppy secret weapon! Shannyn has a Press pass to go on base! One smile from our favorite Girl from Homer and the President and Mrs, Obama won’t even miss Governor Doofus. Yay, Shannyn!
WOW .. if Sarah could give a speech, fly from Dallas to Spokane to Anchorage then drive to Wasilla IN LABOR … you’d think the present GOV could drive to meet the President, no?
You know, bush was intensely unpopular, yet he was never snubbed … I always put it down to the fact that, no matter what, the OFFICE of the President should be respected, if not the man.
Snubbing President Obama reeks of disrespect, for the Office AND the President.
Whatever Parnell feels about President Obama, Parnell is a representative of the Alaskan people and it is his duty to be there. That is disgraceful behaviour.
Send an email to Governor Parnell:
http://gov.state.ak.us/govmail.php
I don’t think it matters whether you are a resident or not – this is the “United States” and Alaska’s governor is not acting very united with anything outside his office. Send an email – takes 2 minutes!
Goodness, we will all be watching Alaska come the election when Parnell is up for renewal. If he is elected, the lower 48 will begin to lose hope for change in Alaska. Sure hope everyone remembers this disrespectful twit’s behavior. There seem to be so many intelligent, rational people in Alaska if the blogs are any indication, that surely you all can get this poor excuse for governor voted out of office. Good luck.
How unamerican is that? Not driving a few miles to greet the President of the United States is pretty petty. pitiful, IMO.
I just sent an email off to our Governor indicating he was being very disrespectful to President Obama in not welcoming him to Alaska! I would suggest others do the same.
Thank you Jodie Clarke! Ditto on everything.
Here is Senator Lisa Murkowski’s email contact page:
http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EMailLisa
I don’t know the details of why she isn’t there, but I am not pleased that our prominent Republicans are not attending this meeting. Not pleased at all!
I sent an email too … not a resident of Alaska, but I did live in Anchorage for a while years ago.
What the Gov did, was classless. Hope Alaska voters don’t forget it..
Parnell is weak and petty…..
He will garner no respect because he is too petty to give respect.
Only the strong of character can offer respect to an opponent without feeling as if they are weaker for it.
Fear is at the core of weak, petty persons. They only fight their battles on petty issues because they’re secretly afraid that can’t handle the larger battles.
What are you afraid of, Mr. Parnell?
You know what … I would send an email to Gov. Parnell’s office (even though I am not from AK) but I think I’d rather my President meet Shannyn. You go girl! And whoever posted above that one smile from her …. yep. Now if only Brian had a press pass so he could wave his antlers for me.
I’ve sent an email to Parnell telling him that I was embarrassed for him and for our state because of his behavior.
http://gov.state.ak.us/govmail.php
Martha – thanks for the link – I’ve also sent an email and mentioned that I was a former Alaskan and thoroughly disgusted with him. I ended my letter with this comment: Shades of Palin!
Wonder if I’ll get a nasty response over that!
I sent an email to Parnell. I told him he should be ashamed of himself.
What a peck erhead!
That’s too bad, it is so very much a snub. It is unfortunate that he wouldn’t make the effort (change the dinner/speech around) for a one-in-a-chance to see the President passing through. This also embarrasses Alaskans – Parnell’s mistake makes them appear unaware, indifferent. Especially after all the stimulus funds that surely must be making a difference now.
I sent this, will let you know if I get a reply—11th hour as it is for this event.
Dear Governor Parnell,
As a registered voter in Anchorage and a citizen of the United States, I find it appalling that you won’t be available to greet President Obama when he visits Alaska. This is the first visit to Alaska by the current president and commander-in-chief. Not only are your actions showing disrespect to President Obama, the OFFICE of President of the United States of America, and the residents of Alaska, but you are also snubbing our servicemen and women many of whom will be meeting their new CiC for the first time. On top of all that, not showing to meet the President makes you appear petty and sets a poor example for our youth as far as how leaders should behave.
Please consider rearranging your schedule and representing your constituents by greeting President Obama this afternoon.
–
Sincerely,
**************
Anchorage, AK
A Governor unwilling to meet with the POTUS………..
UNBELIEVABLE!……UNHEARD OF!
I don’t know what else to say, it leaves one speechless, really!
Here’s the thing. When Bush was President, Dems participated in government, cooperated with Republicans, and if they didn’t were called un-patriotic.
Sean Parnell is un-patriotic. Call him out to his face please.
Someone please show up at that awards speech of his and call him out for it. I would fly up there and do it myself if I could.
Ditto to Archivist1000 #14 at 10:53.
and
BigSlick #30 at 12:19
Ask the Dixie Chicks what it costs to be disrespectful to the POTUS.
Parnell not meeting the President of the United States??? That, seriously, sounds un-American to me.
Message to Parnell, grow up and be a Governor (not a partisan politician).
Great comments here today. Perhaps we should print them out and fax them to the Governor’s office, since I doubt he takes the time to read them here.
While governor, Palin flew to DC to see (or to compete for attention with) President Obama. There’s a good chance she would be at the base today if she hadn’t QUIT.
Should you not have Twitter or not have checked it, here is last message from AKM:
Mudflats standing aroun in Hangar 1 waiting for the President’s speech!
about 1 hour ago from mobile web
I wonder when she says ‘in Hangar 1′ whether she in on base to see and hear.
How childish these republicans are.
They really really remind me of small kids that throw temper tantrums when they do not get their own way, cover their eyes and pretend they can’t see what is in front of them, make up lies to cover their own stupid actions.
I hope Pres. Obama mentions that he would have liked to have met Gov.Parnell.
It’s pathetic. How hard would it have been to switch speaking times. Like it’s never done, lol. Good grief. I say, oh well, it’s Parnell’s loss and it doesn’t reflect well on him. He’s playing a foolish game. This was not a wise move in my opinion and I hope he gets media bashing from it. He’s gone and made an embarrassing situation for himself. He’s also shown he less caliber a man than the President who invited him to attend.
What kind of a governor turns down an invitation from the President when he visits their state? A small and petty party kissing governor. I think it’s safe to say he is not representing ALL of Alaska, like he’s supposed to. Nope. This is a snub and slap in the face to the President. Stupid, stupid undiplomatic petty move.
I’m not really surprised, it’s something Scarah would have done also, too, she probably mean girl suggested or demanded he do it. She probably can’t stand President Obama in her state.
Twitter, 11 minutes ago:
“The President is in the house! Talking to troops. Speech coming soon!”
I wouldn’t even acknowledge Parnell or Murkowski in any way shape or form.If they want to be seen as unpatriotic so be it.
An incredibly moving story about the Obama’s visit to Arlington yesterday. Sorry Governor Parnell couldn’t find time to meet this man.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/11/12/2009-11-12_my_solemn_surprise_meeting_with_the_president_at_my_friends_resting_place.html
CNN is livestreaming President Obama’s Alawska visit on http://www.cnn.com/live
curiouser said: “While governor, Palin flew to DC to see (or to compete for attention with) President Obama. There’s a good chance she would be at the base today if she hadn’t QUIT.”
I think she’d loathe to welcome the President, she lost the election to him. She’d hate every moment. She lost the election and she’s at war with him to ‘take back America’ anyway she can. Campaigning to bring him down. Then she can say, see we really did win, we prevailed, we the American people did it without a title.
It’s all bigger than an election, position or title, she thinks you don’t need them to win and she doesn’t, if she can travel around the country being the star who stirs up civil disobedience and mayhem to get the dems out of power. And, she gets to make bucks having all this hatefest fun, who could ask for more.
I simply can not stand her. She is so diabolical. I wish to heck Levi would take her out just because it’s the right thing to do.
Pres. Obama is live on CNN right now. He gave a shout out to Sen. Begich.
http://www.cnn.com/live/
He’s giving a bunch of good news and pledging promises. Parnell is a fool for missing this.
http://www.cnn.com/live/
Anchorage’s KTUU stream:
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=11479424
It’s a beautiful day in Anchorage from what I’ve just heard on KTUU. The sun just popped in Juneau, literally as the CNN coverage ended. There is nothing more amazing than flying into an Alaskan airport on a sunny day. Welcome, President Obama!
President Obama still shaking hands, taking pictures, signing autographs as per KTUU. They say he’s not looking anxious to leave, just as the crowd is determined to make the most of it! Senator Begich still there.
Live streaming on KTUU until Air Force One leaves.
Again, KTUU reporter says “President in no way in a hurry to leave”.
Ooops, Pres went out the door and plane leaves soon…
I think Parnell’s snubbing of the President of the United States may be racist. We should keep this in mind if Parnell claims (during his upcoming campaign) that he will be fair to indigenous Alaskans.
If Bush was landing at Elmendorf, Parnell would be first in line to meet him.
Headline: Governor Parnell snubs troops!
The Republican party does not realize they are losing the hearts and minds of our armed forces, there second most reliable voting block behind evangelicals.
And there for art thou is my short career stint in live blogging!
The President also gave a shout out to the Lt. Gov., who did show up! Not a peep about the no show doofuses! What a class act from our President!. Great speech. Even if all our military don’t agree with our President, they at least respect him, for he so obviously respects them!
Parnell will try to smile his way to reelection.
But who will he represent? Who did he represent today? Our troops? Our President?
Today Parnell represented contractors. I’ve been ripped off by contractors almost as often as often as by plumbers. Perhaps Parnell represents rip off. After all, he’s a Republican.
Meede, thanks for the CNN link. I was able to watch all of it.
You are welcome Irishgirl.
You enjoyed the excitement in real time along with everyone else. A treat instead of waiting for uploads!
Republican governors have been programmed/instructed to pretend that President Obama doesnt exist. In FL last week, perma-tan Charlie Crist said he had no knowledge of the Presidents visit to Jacksonville. FOIA requests show his office was INFORMED by the Presidents office of his schedule. OOPS!
Charlie also said he was for the stimulus before he said he is now against it and the pic of him hugging Obama is pure hate ammunition for the righties here.
what is it with AK politicians and contractors? is he getting a re-model out of this, or what?
Good points Deist, lol.
Send the gov an email to show your displeasure…
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/govmail.php
Sorry to say it, but for the most part Alaskans are truly and absolutely pathetic – with a few notable exceptions!
Email sent to Parnell……told him how totally rude he was!
In Parnell’s defense contractors are very important, just as Ted Stevens.
What an embarrassment,no sense of diplomacy, and he wants to call himself a statesman? He’s trailer trash.
I sent an email to Gov. Parnell earlier today. I wrote “shame on you” for not greeting the leader of our country and that the people of Alaska deserve to have a mature adults representing them.
It is a pretty sad state of affairs when the Chief Executive of the State won’t show up to welcome the President of the United States. Shame on him. I don’t care what excuse he came up with…it was lame at best. Is there any backlash in the local press up there for this blatant snub??
Do you think Parnell would have showed up if the head of state from Japan….or Mexico….or Canada…had visited? Hell, yeah! Groveling, kissing ass, and grinning like a beaver for his photo op with a foreign dignitary.
Hey, Parnell….you’re an unpatriotic disgrace to Alaskans and Americans!
PO….classy as usual in the face of the petty GOP. Best wishes on your Asian trip, Mr. President!!
i am disgusted by the republicans’ disrespect for our elected president. gw was treated better by the dems and he stole his office…just disgusted. don’t fret akm it is not limited to alaskan repubs
Thanks for the link to Parnell. I have also sent him my disappointment at his lack of manners and I hope many others do the same. Carry On Pups!
@ rocket
“Sorry to say it, but for the most part Alaskans are truly and absolutely pathetic – with a few notable exceptions!”
it is my duty as a noteable exceptionary Alaskan to point out that I do not think you know the majority of Alaskans. Gov. Parnell, just like Palin the twit, does not represent the every day Alaskan. There are thousands more than a “few noteable exceptions”. Also, the use of the word pathetic is immediately dissonant and rude. I guess this means you aren’t ever planning to visit Alaska?
I join the many other Alaskans who are ashamed and embarrassed that our Governor snubbed our President — while two miles away!!
By his actions, it is clear that he supports divisive, partisan politics, a la Palin. I guess we’re seeing his true colors….
Parnell has totally lost my respect over this shameful no show. What a disappointment.
I am quite sure that the President missed dumba** Parnell as much as he missed bimbo Palin. Their absence was a god-send for the President.
Well, compared to recent Alaska gubernatorial appearances at military bases… at least this time the gov didn’t play games with the event planners, demand to be included on the program at the last minute after ignoring the original invitation, nor did he attend in a miniskirt.
Unfortunately, this is progress.
Another strike for Lisa. Sad. Along with yesterday’s standing up with the tea baggers I believe she is beyond strike three. We are disappointed.
Oh gak! Thank god the twit wasn’t there as Gov or even as twit – I can only imagine that her attire would have been, well, stupid. I am not the fashion police, and rarely comment on someone’s dressing habits but Palin has had me gagging at well attended events. You just can’t acquire class – it has to have something to stick to!
Hurray for Senator Begich – thank you for representing me and Alaska.
And yet another douche for a governor. That’s three in a row!
(This is what happens when you’re travelling, you miss all the best posts on Mudflats.) I am appalled at Governor Parnell’s snubbing of President Obama. That was just plain rude. I’m betting his mother raised him with better manners. Sometimes, dammit, it isn’t about politics, it’s about governance. If you can’t suck it up and put your political differences aside for a couple of hours the first (and for all we know) the only time the president of the United States comes to call, what chance do you have of getting things done in a job where pragmatism is what get things done?
I’m writing him a letter telling him so and I urge all Alaska voters to do the same.
I’m just wondering why Map Quest is looping people around the 6th instead of shooting over on 4th…could have shaved off another minute there.