The Palins and the Alaska Secession Movement

"Alaska First - Alaska Always" is the motto of the Alaska Independence Party.

AIP chairperson Lynette Clark often says, "I'm an Alaskan. I don't identify myself as an American."

The Alaska Independence Party basically wants a vote that includes the option of Alaska secession along with a return of all federal lands back to the state.

Sara Palin and the Alaska Independence Party

Was Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin ever a member of the AIP, an Alaskan separatist organization? Even though she delivered a video address to the controversial group's annual convention held in 2008, there is no documentation to support that Ms. Palin was ever a member of the Alaska Independent Party even though AIP chairperson Clark once claimed that she was, but then recanted. As mayor of Wasilla, Palin visited the 2000 convention when it was held in her town, and in 2006 during her gubernatorial campaign.

Todd Palin and the Alaska Independence Party

Husband Todd Palin, the so-called "First Dude", however, was a member in good standing of the Alaska Independent Party from 1995 to 2002, registering twice to vote as a member of the AIP. On their website, the Alaska Independence Party affirms that Todd Palin was a registered member, but "never participated in party activities."

Walter Hickel and the Alaska Independence Party

In 1990, the AIP became more than a fringe third party when its gubernatorial candidate, former Nixon administration Secretary of the Interior Walter Hickel, became one of six independent candidates to ever win a governor's race. This was actually Hickel's second term as governor of Alaska. In his first term in 1969, he served as a Republican. At the end of his second term, Walter Hickel left the Alaska Independence Party and became a Republican once again. As a side note, Hickel never supported Alaskan secession even as a ranking member of the AIP.

Joe Vogler and the Alaska Independence Party

Gold miner and non-practicing attorney Joe Vogler founded the Alaska Independence Party as Alaskans for Independence in 1974. In 1984, the state of Alaska officially recognized the Alaska Independence Party as a legitimate political party.

In 1993, AIP chairman Joe Vogler mysteriously disappeared. In 1994, his body was recovered. He was murdered by an ex-convict named Manfred West when a transaction to buy plastic explosives went wrong.

True to form and according to his wishes, Vogler refused to be buried under the flag of the United States, and was buried in Canada's Yukon Territory