President's First Visit to Alaska

In a surprise development, Governor Sean Parnell has declined to meet the President who will arrive this afternoon at Elmendorf Air Force Base.  The President will be making his first ever visit to Alaska today on a refueling stop where he will meet with troops on base.

The Alaska Democratic Party issued a statement saying that Governor Parnell has abdicated his responsibilities as head of state by failing to attend. The Party noted that the Governor could have rearranged his schedule because the AGC conference will last three days.

Alaska Democratic Party Chair Patti Higgins said, “We are talking about the President of the United States coming to Alaska,” said Patti Higgins, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party. “When your Commander in Chief comes to address our soldiers the day after Veterans Day, the Governor should be there, come hell or high water.”

“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,” Higgins added.