Chapter Two: The Fortress is Breached

Please read yesterday's post "My liberal oasis is visited by one of Sarah Palin's minions (Well "ex-minion")".

We had agreed on a meeting around "sixish" and they arrived sometime around 6:15 or so. Punctuality is one of my bugaboos.

When I opened my door I saw Jody, her husband Curtis, and their two children. They looked like they could have all stepped right out of a political advertisement. Attractive and well dressed the whole family was camera ready. (Darn I knew I forgot something!)

Jody introduced me to her husband and children before we went upstairs to the kitchen to begin our conversation.

After bringing out some toys for the children to play with I addressed my first questions to Mr. Curtis Smith.

My first question was to ask if he is still has contact with Sarah Palin. The answer was a simple yes. (Uh oh.) Though Curtis now works for Shell oil, here in Alaska, he has kept in contact with the Governor and still remains on friendly terms.

I then had to ask if that meant a phone from him to the governor concerning a certain pain in the ass local blogger, but Curtis assured me that as an ex-journalist (Curtis worked in broadcasting before signing on to the Governor's staff) he knew how to respect confidentiality and he was here on his wife's behalf, not the Governor's.

I then told Curtis that I had some questions for him for my own peace of mind, but anything that he wanted off the record would remain so. As it turned out the entire conversation was to be off the record.

So what I can share is that Curtis and Jody met in high school, that he started off on a career in broadcasting working for both KIMO and KTUU before going to work for the Governor, and that now he works for Shell oil. He was well spoken, candid, and clearly his wife's biggest supporter.

At one point during the conversation I asked Curtis if he was sure that he wanted his wife to provide an interview to such an ardent liberal blogger and he looked at her and said that it was what she wanted and he supported her decision. Good answer.

With that I turned my full attention to the candidate.

I started off asking Jody if she viewed this run for the school board as a stepping stone toward higher office in the future, aka Sarah Palin. She immediately shook her head no, and talked extensively about her commitment to education and her years of experience in the classroom, which she is by no means ready to abandon.

Had she always harbored desires to enter politics? No, she said, her only previous experience in politics was running for President of the student body when she was attending school in Soldotna. (By the way, her opponent in that race? None other then her husband, Curtis Smith.)

I asked Jody if she believed that there were things about being on the school board that she may find her self unprepared for, and how would she deal with what could be a steep learning curve. She quickly answered, that she had little doubt there were things she would have to learn, but that she would approach that like she does everything else. She would quickly access the available information and then make an informed decision.

I felt it incumbent on me to ask her how she felt about "No Child Left Behind". Before she even had a chance to answer the look on her face betrayed her opinion. She was totally against it and felt that it lacked vision and a fundamental understanding of how children learn. (On that she is definitely in lockstep with Senator Mark Begich who wants to rid Alaska of NCLB as soon as possible)

I then asked Jody about her desire, as stated on her website, to teach our children 21st century skills. She informed me that today, with technology moving so swiftly, we could not adequately conceive of the challengers that lay ahead for the students of tomorrow. She believes that a solid foundation in technical reading and writing and the ability to read non-linear text and recognize visual images will serve these future students well. And those are the skills she would like to see implemented more effectively in our Anchorage classrooms.

As the hour grew late and her two adorable children began to become bored with the "grown up talk" I asked one more question. I glanced over at her husband and smiled before asking her how she felt about Governor Palin rejecting the stimulus money that could have been used to help special needs children in the classroom. Jody did not hesitate before saying that she was very, very disappointed in the Governor. (Her husband to his credit stayed mum on the subject.)

As we wrapped things up I shook Curtis's hand, wished Jody luck, and waved at them as they departed my liberal oasis.

My take on the meeting?

Well as far as Curtis goes, I think in some ways watching him play with his children, glance adoringly at his wife, and demonstrate such support for her political aspirations, goes a long way toward answering my question about why a liberal woman would love a man with such a differing point of view. The fact is that there are many traits which make up an individuals personality. Curtis had a good sense of humor, a gentle demeanor, and an impressive intellect. I have to imagine that those positive traits do much to minimize any political differences the two may have.

Now as for candidate Jody Smith. Well I think impressive is probably not a strong enough word. She is the consummate professional, a woman of real vision, and somebody who is definitely ready for the challenges facing our school system in the coming years.

My advice, to all who want it, is to vote Jody Smith for seat E on the Anchorage School Board this April 7th.

If you want to donate to her campaign, or simply learn more about her, then click this link and you will be taken to her website for more information.

P.S. As I read back over this post a few things occurred to me that I felt needed addressing.

Many of us have long wondered what hold Sarah Palin has over the people who work with her, especially the men. With my tongue somewhat in my cheek I have suggested that she essentially flirts with them and seduces them into supporting her.

In the case of Mr. Smith, that ploy would have failed miserably.

I have seen Sarah Palin up close (someday soon I hope to be able to blog about that encounter), and of course I have spoken to Jody numerous times face to face, and I have to say that the Governor does not hold a candle to Jody. It is outside of the realm of possibilities that Sarah's flirtatious mannerisms had any affect whatsoever on Mr. Smith's desire to work for her.

Which then leads me to my next observation.

While researching just who Curtis Smith was before speaking to him face to face I stumbled across two YouTube videos of a speech he gave in 2007, which can be seen here and here. During the speech he comes across as a very likable, humble man who feels very honored to be asked to speak before the assembled audience.

In many ways he seems in sharp contrast to the bullying dismissive attitude displayed by Meg Stapleton and Bill McAllister. I could not help but wonder how different things may have been if Palin had retained the service of Curtis Smith during the "Troopergate" scandal, or the Vice Presidential run, or even the multiple ethics charges she is facing now.

I just have a hard time believing that the guy in my kitchen a few days ago would have handled these things as clumsily as they were handled by the people currently advising our governor.

And believe me I am not giving the guy a free pass or anything. If he had been a jerk I would have no problem calling him on it, despite my support for his wife. But in fact the guy was very reasonable and even suggested that I "beat him up a little' if necessary to help keep my liberal cred. But of course I can't do that because for me it is ethical behavior first, and political positions second.

If you are in Alaska, remember to vote on Tuesday April 7, regardless of WHO you support. (But please DO check out Jody's website okay?)