We generally try to avoid politics here at ECB (except for Jeremy), but when the spouse of a major political figure is involved in an obscure sport, that's right in our wheelhouse.
Snowmobile racing at the Winter X Games. Not the same thing as Iron Dog.
Turns out, that's not what Todd Palin does. He races in the Tesoro Iron Dog, the longest snowmobile race in the world. That doesn't mean they do 50 laps of a Snowcross course, it means that they race on the Iditarod trail. The race runs from Wasilla to Nome to Fairbanks. That's quite a course. The Iditarod sled dog race only runs to Nome. The snowmobile race adds an entire other leg.
The Iron Dog reminds me of the Paris Dakar Rally, only on snowmobiles instead of motorcycles and snow instead of sand. Anyone who finishes this race, much less wins it (as Todd Palin did in 2007) certainly has my respect. It's not likely to influence my decision on whether or not to vote for his wife's running mate, though.
18 Responses:
For the record, he's won that thing four times.
maybe if he would spend more time parenting he wouldn't be a grandpa
That's why we generally avoid politics. It just brings out the assholes on both sides.
Well said, Brien. One has to respect the accomplishment of an individual who can win a 2,000 mile cross country bush race four times. This country is more than big cities, it is also wide open spaces and outdoors living for many of us. City types need to realize there is a great big world outside of their metro areas, and country folk need to understand there are unique issues in the cities. I've been to Alaska, rode snowmobile on the Iron Dog route, and I've been to many big cities. Gov. Plain is for sure going to have a better grasp on the outdoors issues than anyone before her, but likewise she will be challenged at the big city issues. Maybe more important is her intelligence and ability to do the "right" thing, not just the "popular" thing. There is a difference.....
Only Jeremy writes about politics? Have you read J-Red's stuff? Hello, Audacity of Hope with the O for Orioles?
It reminds me of the Baja 1000 and it is not likely to change my vote either. I will still be voting for the McCain/Palin ticket come November.....
Uhhh...this definitely is an interesting article and worth mentioning on a sports blog...but anyone whose vote would actually be swayed by something like this...definitely doesn't even deserve a vote in the first place. I mean, seriously...
Brien made that Audacity of Hope thing, not me.
Hmm...so I'm thinking that an ice breaker needs to happen cuz I can feel tension over the web...
Are ya'll doing fantasy football or pickems?
We have a fantasy team as a blog, in a YardBarker competition. Otherwise we're doing the against the spread pickoff against each other again this year.
Oh, sorry J-Red. Well, that's even funnier then that Brien said y'all try to avoid politics.
Ben, I really don't see how either this post or the Orioles/Obama thing is really political.
I guess it's not. I'm just trying to cause trouble.
so, i'm supposed to be impressed that the guy can operate a piece of machinery?
Great.. the country is really in trouble.
Now I can't Afford the snowmobile and cannot get financing. Thanks to all Republicians
Great - kudos and congrats for a 4 time win - but HOW does that qualify him to be in the position he'd be in as 'second spouse' of this country?? Especially when he has a history of advocating 'independence of Alaska'? (Whatever that means. Is that like the native Hawaiians who want to secede from the U.S.)
What I CAN foresee, if McCain/Palin ticket wins is a HUGE scandal with BP, the Canadian oil conglomerate Palin is 'on leave' from. It's obvious that McCain chose Palin as a ticket in to plunder Alaska.
I do agree with earlier comment about 'maybe he wouldn't be in a position to be becoming a grandpa'...and for those who say that's not a fair comment, the Palins, etc. are the ones 'claimin' to have such strong 'family values.' (Another phrase I'm weary of.) With Dad off racing 4x a year, or working away from home for 6 months (before going 'on leave') and Mom commuting to Juneau, who's WITH the kids on a daily basis? I'm pro women's rights - but who's going to care for THE BABY? I'm not saying a woman can't have a career and a family, but I was a single, working mom. I can't imagine going into a position with such extreme demands with a baby, much less a baby with special needs. Sounds like screwed up priorities to me.
WELL SAID ALL BUT DID YOU KNOW THE HISTORY AND CULTURE BEHIND "1,O49" MILE DOG SLED RACE FROM ANCHORAGE TO NOME BEGAN BACK IN 1925 TO GET DEPTHIRIA VACCINE TO THE CITY AND THES MEN DID THAT "BACK IN THE DAY" TO SAVE LIVES SO FROM THEN ON DOG SLED RACING HAS IT'S PLACE IN THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF ALASKA. SO EVERY YEAR IN MARCH TO CELEBRSTE THAT AND COMENSTRUATE THE END OF WINTER THEY HAVE THE LARGEST IDATROD RACE OK SO ITS USING DOG SLEDS AND MAY I MENTION THAT 2 WOMEN HAVE HELD THE CHAMPION TITLES TO THAT RACE ONE LAST NAME BUTCHER MANAGES IT IN 11 DAYS NOT SHABBY WELL DO YOU KNOW THE OTHER ,,,,,, ENJOY
"STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU AND I AM WONDERING WHAT IT IS I SHOULD DO CLOWNS TO THE LEFT OF ME JOKERS TO THE RIGHT HERE I AM STUCK IN THE MIDDLE .........................
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