Permafrost Politics . . . it’s colder than a witch’s t** . . .

Or How I Froze My Ass off for one of the Presidential Hopefuls.

It's cold in Alaska this Super Tuesday!

Really cold.

The thermometer explains it all.

With temperatures of 40 to 60 below zero across large swaths of interior Alaska expected today, it could cause some less-committed voters and caucus-goers to stay home today and not exercise their right to choose our next President. Some people may feel like why go through all the hassle for Barack, Hillary, John, Mike, Mitt, or Ron when it’s so cozy and warm by the fireplace inside?

The outside thermometer is currently reading 22 degrees below zero as I write this at my house this evening.

Today was Super Tuesday. Alaska moved our primary this year to this political day filling the map from the ‘left coast’ sea to shining sea so you'd think there would be a lot more excitement. It didn’t seem so at first this morning when I left home. After all, in the past, Alaska's primary usually occurred after the candidates had been decided. So why, I have wondered, have I not see signs all over Anchorage for Clinton, McCain, Obama, Romney and the others?

Why are there no ads on TV? Why is Ron Paul the only candidate to put up signs around Anchorage (I hadn't even heard of him before a month or so ago)? Why is he the only one with a few sign holders on the corner of Northern Lights and Seward Highway? His people are devoted if nothing else.

Well, now that I think of it, it all makes sense.

Its bone chilling . . . teeth rattling . . . frozen nostrils cold outside! Rational Alaskans are at this very moment weighing the costs of voting (potential frostbite, insanely high fuel prices, risk of hitting moose on the way to polling place) against the chance that Alaska's 3 electoral votes will actually make a difference.

The strength of the presidential candidates in Alaska might well be measured today in the mental toughness of some of their supporters. The lines around town were long . . . the ‘traffic jams’ today were real especially after 4:30 pm until closing. As I made my way home the radio said one location was being moved to the Wasilla High School to handle the crowds as the original location could not handle the number of voters showing up throughout the day. Traffic was stopped completely the four and a half miles from midtown at Ingra at 15^th Avenue all the way down Debarr to Begich Middle School by Muldoon Road.

Popsicle . . . Permafrost . . . Politics. You gotta love it!

To the rest of you outside Alaska and living in the (vastly) warmer Super Tuesday states, here’s a look at what many Alaskans will do this evening to cast a GOP vote or participate in a Democratic caucus in Alaska today:

1. Plug in the car. No, we don’t have electric cars. But our ‘rigs’ (vehicles) do have engine block heaters, oil pan heaters, transmission heaters and battery heaters. All of which need to get connected to an extension cord and plugged into the life-giving electrical outlet found in most public places and at your home. No juice, no warmth. No warmth, no car. Just a frozen hunk of steel.
2. Make sure the fuel tank is full. That’s because we’ll probably leave the car or truck or minivan running while voting or at the caucus site. No one wants to risk it freezing up and being stuck on what would then be a very un-Super Tuesday. There is nothing like trying to get a tow truck at 8 p.m. on a dark night at 40 below.
3. Make sure everyone especially the kids are dressed properly for the conditions. A layer of this, a layer of that, mittens, and a thick cap will help protect from the frostbite that happens quickly to skin left uncovered. It may be a good idea to pack some spare gloves in case you lose one while casting a ballot or caucusing.
4. Tonight it’s clear in Anchorage but other towns can only hope the ice fog isn’t too bad adding to the already crazy day.

Many people may start to think that maybe it would have really been better to have kept Alaska’s nominating events later in the year, when the temperatures are in that 40 to 50 degrees on the positive side of zero.

We never saw any candidates campaigning in Alaska this year. That was probably a good thing as wearing insulated Carharts and fur hats do make for great photo opportunities.

It’s after 11 pm as I finish writing this and Alaskans have shown their true pioneer spirit turning out in record numbers around the state to make a difference . . . Maybe just a trial run for the running with the reindeer at Fur Rondy this year or preparations for the start of Iditarod the first weekend in March.

I want to think it is because we are proud of our traditions and maybe for the first time in many years there is excitement of the possibilities from all sides . . .

“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

It still gives me chills when I read those words that I learned in school so many years ago. Bundle up America . . . there’s a cold wind blowing across our land tonight.

Sleep well as the possibilities for tomorrow are limitless!

Ice