After a six-week whirlwind introduction to fame, fortune, and a closet full of new clothes, Alaska’s governor is reaching her crossroads. Election 2008 is 11 days away, and despite a staunch following from the Red Republican Base, the ultimate Presidential outcome might not rest in Sarah Palin’s favor.

This creeping reality is causing Palin’s office staff back here in Anchorage a bit of worry, and even more confusion to We Her People. At the time of Sarah Palin’s departure, only  superficial whispers of scandal were reaching media outlets. Real action had yet to occur when John McCain’s campaign whisked Palin et al across the country for their role in his “Straight Talk” election effort. In August, the governor’s approval rating was enviable; almost 80%, and I, like most Alaskans, didn’t think she was doing too bad a job. She was able play nice with the Legislature, related well to the rest of us, and gave Big Oil a noogie when they tried to mess with her. But with Palin’s new-found moxie, we are beginning to ponder what Alaska’s government will look like, should the Queen of Smarts return to rule once more.

While the Governor was away morphing into a political rock star, Alaska did some changing of its own. As Palin stood on her stump wowing crowds from Real America, a bunch of Real Alaskans became a bit fired up at some of her antics. Vindication over Troopergate? Did she get a different version than the one we read? Bashing the Democrats, over and over? Strange talk, since one of Palin’s strongest platforms during her race for Governor was the pledge to (more or less successfully, by the way) work hand in hand with liberal members of the Legislature.

Speculation is flying about a potential Palin “Welcome Home” rally. Will there be standing room only, or will it be a cold day in you-know-where before members of Alaska’s governing bodies gather anywhere for her benefit? Palin has always embraced   drama in her everyday activities; controversy for her is like rocket fuel, and crowds love it when she fires up all engines. But will this work in Alaska, especially given the current oopsies of clothing allowances, per diem payments, and depositions?

When and if Sarah Palin reappears as governor, it is still unclear whether she will click her heels smartly across the airport tarmac and demand a return to “business as usual”; driving her own car from Wasilla every morning as she works diligently for issues that matter to Alaskans, cooking her own dinner, wearing her own outfits. The Alaska Legislature knows there won’t be anything “usual” about their business, however. This group of scrappy, dedicated men and women have become pretty self-sufficient during the Governor’s absence, and their assertiveness might bring our Sarah to pause. Perhaps a long look in the mirror might be a wise thing for Ms. Palin before she returns, if she returns. She might find a stranger looking back. A stranger to Alaska.
 

Erin K. Kirkland, a freelance writer and one of our MomBloggers, lives in Anchorage, Alaska. Check back for more on this series on her insider take on this historic election year.