Governor of Alaska Snubs Obama

Wonder if he knows about the 'treaty'...

[link to www.politico.com]

Alaska GOP Gov. Sean Parnell did not greet Barack Obama on Thursday when the president traveled to Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage to speak to service members.


Parnell spokeswoman Sharon Leighow told POLITICO that the governor did not have any meetings scheduled with the president during Obama’s brief stay and explain that “the governor had a speaking engagement today that he committed to two months ago and was not able to make it to base in time before they locked it down.”


During Obama’s remarks to the assembled troops, the president recognized the state’s Democratic Sen. Mark Begich and Parnell’s lieutenant governor, a Republican, but did not offer any words for governor.


“We want to thank your local and state leaders,” Obama said, “Lieutenant Governor Craig Campbell and all the people of Anchorage and Alaska for their incredible support.”


Parnell assumed the governorship in July after former GOP Gov. Sarah Palin decided to step down with more than a year left in her term. The office makes Parnell the favorite to win a full term in next year’s election.


Democrats in the state were quick to jump on Parnell for his decision not to alter his schedule in order to greet the president.


“We are talking about the President of the United States coming to Alaska,” said Alaska Democratic Party Chair Patti Higgins in a statement. “Governor Parnell could have met with the President and talked about key Alaska projects like the gas pipeline, but he decided to put partisanship over civility disrespect over diplomacy.”