Over 1,400 at "No to Palin" Rally in Anchorage

by Ted Land
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska--Alaska women reached across political boundaries to reject Sarah Palin Saturday afternoon.

But they were joined by a group who support the governor.

Both sides gathered at a rally in Midtown right outside the Loussac Library, which is usually a pretty quiet place. The crowd of demonstrators cheering and chanting at the rally numbered more than a thousand at its peak.

What started as a gathering of eight women over coffee last week turned into a massive demonstration.

"We would've been happy with 10, we would've been happy with 100, but we're clearly happy with the number of people that are here today," said rally organizer Llona Bessenyey.

Sondra Tompkins has consistently voted Republican but says she cannot bring herself to support McCain if he's bringing Palin with him.

"She's so unbelievably inexperienced and she's a heartbeat away from the presidency," said Tompkins.

Across the street, Evelyn Aslou was part of a group defending McCain and Palin.

"I identify with her as a mom," Aslou said. "Of course McCain, what else can you say, he is a war hero."

In the midst of the crowd was radio host Eddie Burke who earlier this week faced controversy for giving out the personal phone numbers of the rally organizers on his show. A few angry listeners called and threatened the organizers.

"I probably got a little over the top by calling them maggots and I would say that I regret that," Burke said.

KBYR Station Manager Justin McDonald says radio host Eddie Burke will be punished for giving out phone numbers because it is a violation of station policy. McDonald says although the press release containing the phone numbers did not indicate they were personal lines, he is still unhappy about what happened.

Despite earlier events this week, there were no issues of threats at the rally, but rather substantive political discussions. There were disagreements and some name-calling, but for the most part it was peaceful.

People were debating subjects such as abortion, national security, and health care. Some talked about Palin's values and how they relate to them.

But those who organized the rally made one thing clear: Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women.

Contact Ted Land at tland@ktuu.com