First interview with the unflappable First Dude
Okay, so I watched it. So sue me; I couldn’t resist.
And I am here to declare that, in the Todd Palin interview with Greta Van Susteren on Fox, it has been conclusively determined that Todd Palin, First Dude of Alaska, is every bit as attractive as his wife. And that’s mighty attactive.
It’s not often that Presidential politics offers us such an opportunity. Maybe for the guys, yes (I seem to recall a lot of heavy breathing over the Bush twins). But for us ladies the pickings have been rather slim in this regard—despite the fact that, with Bill Clinton’s election, many women reported dreaming about sexually charged encounters with the new and somewhat hunky President (read Dreams of Bill for the details).
Now that has all been remedied. Todd Palin is not just somewhat hunky, he’s exceedingly hunky. In this way, as in so many others, the Palin family is relentlessly equal opportunity despite its conservatism: cheesecake for the men (Sarah), beefcake for the women (Todd).
Todd (I can call him Todd; he said he preferred it to “Mr. Palin,” “First Dude,” or “First Gentleman”) also seems to be an extraordinarily nice guy, almost preternaturally calm. Okay, maybe he comes across as a mite dull, but I forgive him. And I’ll bet he’s a lot more funny in real life; there were a few flashes of a somewhat wicked (as we say in New England) sense of humor even during the Van Susteren interview. It may sound like an oxymoron, but in many respects he reminds me of a masculine Laura Bush—a very masculine Laura Bush, that is.
Todd seems to take the couple’s current media scrutiny in stride. He clearly has no trouble with his wife’s achievements, although his bio indicates he lacks a college degree himself. No envy there, though; he’s a success in his own right: in the oil fields as a production supervisor and then operator, on his boat as a commercial fisherman, on his snow machine as a champion racer, in the air as a pilot.
Of Sarah, he says that even early on “I knew she was destined for higher things.” He thought she’d become some sort of professional, but not necessarily a politician because—and this is a surprise—she was shy.
By now you all must know what Todd Palin looks like. So I’m offering something different; a photo of the couple around the time they got married in 1988:
Oh, why not—here’s a recent one, too. I was looking for Todd on the oil rig or in the snow machine or the airplane, but no dice. So I settled for one that shows his Laura Bush side. Like fine wine, Todd ages well:
Guy looks like Mal Reynolds of Firefly. Without the beard.
Considering the fact that Sarah took on Gibson, who is a nasty piece of work when combined with Gibson’s editors, and Todd took on Greta, who is far less confrontation and more fair (Fox news fair), I have to say that Sarah has got some ba…. uh guts, yes.
It may sound like an oxymoron, but in many respects he reminds me of a masculine Laura Bush–a very masculine Laura Bush, that is.
He’s comfortable with playing second fiddle and support. This is the same loyalty showed by feudal vassals to their lord. Your authority in matters comes from the feudal lord, not from yourself. There’s a certain amount of humility and certainty that goes with that kind of relationship. And it does not decrease any of the vassal’s masculinity or honor to say so.
There have been concerns over choosing a woman because of her lack of strength. Of her inability to achieve the loyalty of her military officers, male officers, and various political allies.
Britain didn’t get to choose their Queens. Royal blood chose it for them. In that sense, they were lucky. Nor did their voters have to choose Marguerite Thatcher. The Prime Minister is automatically chosen by the winning party, not by popular vote or popularly supported electors.
America truly is paving the way for human progress, eh Neo?
When Todd said “she allowed me to attend this race”.
And when Todd put the kids into security lockdown…
All were signs that Sarah and Todd Palin understand operational security in addition to the duties and responsibilities of the husband vis a vis the wife in this “Sarah Palin Governor and VP” thing.
Neo, did you see that picture of Todd holding his hand under his outer coat, against his heart?
Things like that, the little details, speak greater than all of Obama’s proclamations, don’t you think.
Not my type, sorry Neo.
Although, I agree, compared to recent crop of TV faces, he – like his wife – come through as real people.
I want credit for having liked Sarah Palin before I saw a picture of her.
I’ve wondered if some of the rage the self proclaimed feminist have expressed about Palin isn’t a bit of jealousy. After all, she has Todd and they have, if anyone, a Barry clone.
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He seems as happy as she does. I think that’s cool.
So, when are you going to move the apple?
Also on Greta last night, I thought it was funny when Sarah was “complaining” how Todd wouldn’t do the traditional “First Lady” chores like picking out curtains and centerpieces. He does do the other traditional First Spouse stuff, do, like hosting the First Ladies luncheons for former governors’ wives.
I was also impressed at how he got the kids to do his bidding when he had to get them ready for Ohio.
I think he’s THE modern American male most women are probably looking for. Sarah Palin is one lucky woman.
All were signs that Sarah and Todd Palin understand operational security in addition to the duties and responsibilities of the husband vis a vis the wife in this “Sarah Palin Governor and VP” thing.
Hum, looks our dude who right here very smart guy , he don’t know what politics and the players who all have all privilege to get all things sorted out for them before their lips opened, isn’t funny?
Let remember JFK shoot dead surrounded by operational security.
Donald Regain Shoot and survived also were surrounded by operational security
Who is next?
He seems like a down-to-earth, happy-in his-own-skin grown-up–in contrast to someone I won’t name.
Greetings:
My favorite Todd Palin-ism was when he said that if he had had a crystal ball he probably would have asked more questions when Sarah joined the PTA.
As I watched the interview, it crossed my mind that if someone wanted to cast the TV roles of a smart, scrappy woman politician and her oh so normal husband, they would pick these two people. Is there karma involved here? Was this just destined to be?
Whatever, it’s utterly fascinating.
So, when are you going to move the apple?
Perhaps she will when the Left becomes sane.
I like Todd too. I think most guys would agree he is the kind of guy you would enjoy sitting down and having a beer with. I have to say that I need to jump on Assistant Village Idiot’s bandwagon. I liked her even before I saw her. to tell you the truth she is not my type – so in no way, shape, or form am I influenced by her looks. She’s cute, but for me, not the stuff dreams are made of.
Talent at picking men seems to run in the family–I’ve heard Bristol’s fiance Levi referred to as “sex on skates.” 😀
Todd Palin has made himself a part of Sarah’s governorship in unprecedented and very much inappropriate ways. He’s sat in on the governor’s meetings and received top level emails for the state. Many times he has indicated discomfort with his wife being so powerful, even when she had just become mayor. I pity him for what his ego must be going through now.
I think he’s good enough looking– but when you add in that they both seem REALLY happy, they become beautiful.
“Todd Palin has made himself a part of Sarah’s governorship in unprecedented and very much inappropriate ways. ”
Yea, if she had appointed him to head a secret committee to create Alaska’s State run health care system and then try and ram it down the throats of congress with threats and lies then it would have been OK. Ooops, that was the Clintons and at a Federal level. As is reading e-mails and making a face during a meeting is unprecedented and ought automatically launch a mulit-million dollar probe and have him prosecuted for the “don’t read e-mail” and the “Only nice faces in govt” laws.
Just like her “E-mail scandal” from the hacker your going to have to dig harder than that. I know of more than a few that are coming over to McCains side simply because if this is the level of all the “dirt” they can get (now even including unauthorized access to personal correspondence that we know was not pre-screened in anyway) then she has to be pretty clean. Especially true given how loudly they were crowing they were going to find *everything* and how many they have had working on it.
That Rovian Mind Control Ray is some good stuff – huh?
I would like to add that, if John McCain were my father or grandfather, I would consider him a handsome man. I would be proud of him, in that way. Obama, not so much, big ears, buck teeth, skinny verging on anorexic, with weird as heck lips (blue, brown, what?) and gums. I would be speaking with my mother if that were the case, hard words at that. And, Biden (or Hillary), not so much either. Biden reminds me of an uncle usually kept in the attic, hair plugs and all, and Hillary reminds me of an actual aunt who always lies, brags about her wealth, and has those Chihuahua eyes, sort of bugged out and intense.
Alpha-male, no doubt, but without any arrogance or uppity that usually comes with this quality.
There are some advantages for personality development in NOT going to college. More real life experience in youth gives a sound feeling of accomplishment and self-reliance, so often evading those who postpone their maturation up to thirties.
“with Bill Clinton’s election, many women reported dreaming about sexually charged encounters with the new and somewhat hunky President (read Dreams of Bill for the details).”
I never understood this.. I didn’t think Bill was attractive at all.. was it his charisma that just had them dying to be sexually assaulted by him?
sergey I only did one semester at university. I couldn’t stand it… all the idiots belonging to things like Socialist Brotherhood of the World or whatever,,, as if being a college student means you/re one of the abused laborers. I coudln’t stand the unreality of the place.
I’m a self-taught software developer now.
If you close your eyes and imagine the Palins as a whiney liberal couple, they suddenly become very unattractive. Or average at best.
Just goes to show you how much sexiness is more about attitude and maturity than skin deep looks.
Vince, it seems to me that you made a right decision. I graduated 3 universities and do not regret this, but still 90% of my knowledge comes from self-education, and 90% of the stuff I was taught in universities was already out-of-date when I studied it. In such rapidly developing fields as computer science self-education is the only viable approach, and Internet made the traditional forms of education hopelessly obsolete.
I would never call a man who has worked in oil fields and on fishing boats and raced snow mobiles a dude. I rather doubt he’s had laser treatments to minimize the scars he’s got on his body from working. Dudes do such things and get hair removed or minimized on their bodies and dudes are convinced there is an inner, feminine part of themselves waiting to be discovered and dudes never kill anything.
Todd Palin proves that men of quality are not threatened by women of equality.
He reminds me a little of Zed from Day by Day
He reminds me of Jed Clampett, but not nearly as bright … and she’s Ellie Mae, but not nearly as bright … Wake up people.
Wil Burns: Why, thanks so much for providing a perfect example of the kind of elevated thought and commentary from the Democratic side that leads to this sort of thing.
I’d hit it.
If I were gay, that is.
I fully agree with strcpy.
If that is the best they can find on Governor Palin, she’s got the cleanest record of anyone who ever held office anywhere, anytime.
She’s drivin’ ’em nuts. And I’m laughing out loud.
Wil Burns Says: “He reminds me of Jed Clampett, but not nearly as bright … and she’s Ellie Mae, but not nearly as bright … Wake up people.”
Hey Wil, do you recall that the usual plot of the Beverly Hillbillies involved some big-city con-artist trying to trick the Clampetts out of their money?
But the Clampetts always triumphed over trickery and guile because of their honesty and kindness.
You can’t con an honest person.
So maybe you have a point. Just not the one you thought that you had.
Gasp! Reading Rainbow! Surely, if the Palins were half as rabidly right-wingers as the media caricature would have us believe, they wouldn’t allow their kids within six blocks of a PBS program like that!
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