Friday, September 12, 2008

Not banned books

Question: Where can I find a list of the books that Sarah Palin tried to ban from the Wasilla Public Library when she was mayor?

Answer: As far as we know, there is no such list. Fake lists have been circulating around the internet and are documented on the Urban Legends Page at http://www.snopes.com/politics/palin/bannedbooks.asp.

Alaskan nominees

Question: Before Gov. Sarah Palin's nomination, were any other Alaskans ever nominated for President or Vice President of the United States?

Answer: Presidential Elections Since 1789, 4th edition*, lists one previous nominee from Alaska: in 1960, Raymond L. Teague was nominated for Vice President by the Theocratic Party.

In searching for the answer to this question, I found that it was difficult to determine the home state for many of the minor party candidates, so it's possible that more Alaskans have served their country in this way.

* Congressional Quarterly, Inc. Presidential Elections Since 1789, 4th Ed., Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1987.