Gov. Palin and Ted Nugent on Fairbanks talk show

Gov. Sarah Palin spent an hour in Fairbanks Friday discussing Second Amendment rights and other issues with conservative talk radio host Michael Dukes. They were joined by rocker, sportsman and gun rights advocate Ted Nugent, who called in to the program and praised the governor lavishly, saying at one point that she was his hero.

The three discussed gun rights and personal responsibility issues, and then the conversation turned to the topic of her resignation:

"So that I could get out there and fight without the shackles, for our state and for our country, to fight for what is right, and to support the people who have more freedom than I do evidently to be able to cast those votes and administer the policies and the laws that we need to protect our Constitution," Palin said. "Now perhaps my decision was unpopular to some because it’s unconventional; it’s not politics as usual. ... I’m not cut out to want to waste time or waste resources. I’m going to be freer now to fight for what’s right."

She also said it’s "odd" that she is held to different standards for her resignation, and she brought up former Juneau Sen. Kim Elton’s departure from the Legislature mid-session to take an Obama administration appointment.

"No, they don’t say boo," she said. "Kim Elton left his constituents to go to D.C. You know why? It’s accepted to go on to move into another political position, evidently, but how about just being free to do what is right for your state and for your country? Evidently that isn’t as acceptable."

Gov. Palin also fielded calls from listeners on a number of topics, including wildlife management, state soverignty, her resignation again, the latest "ethics" complaint which was filed today, and Saul Alinsky's book Rules for Radicals, a "how to" manual for implementing many of the tactics which are being used against her:

"I chose not to play their game," Palin explained.

She wanted instead to free herself of the constraints of the governor's job so that she could again "get out there and fight," she said.

Listen to audio of the program here.

- JP

Gov. Palin will sign gun rights legislation today

 Gov. Sarah Palin will sign several pieces of Second Amendment-related legislation in Fairbanks. She will also be a guest on Michael Dukes' talk show on Fairbanks radio station KFAR, where gun rights and second amendment issues are a regular Friday topic of discussion. the segment is scheduled for 4:00 PM Alaska time, and the governor's office says that gun rights advocate and avid hunter Ted Nugent is expected to call in to join the discussion.

Audio from the the program will be streamed here and here. According to the Fairbanks News-Miner:

"She’s had a standing invitation to my show," Dukes said when asked if Palin responded to a request by him. "It’s always good to talk to Sarah."

She first appeared on the show in 2002 while campaigning for the Republican nomination as lieutenant governor and has returned several times. Dukes said callers light up all lines when Palin is a guest.

State Rep. John Coghill said that gun rights are taken very seriously in the Interior:

"It’s an issue you have to be continually alert to. I’m glad [Palin] has taken it as an issue. It’s a national issue, and certainly in the Interior of Alaska, it is near and dear to us."

The North Pole legislator said he suspects that callers will want to discuss more than only firearms issues with the governor:

"The big news of the week is her leaving office," he said. "It will be interesting for her to have a dialogue with some of the people in Fairbanks."

A listing of the bills Gov. Palin is expected to sign is here.

- JP