Todd Palin, Sarah's Husband, Said to Be Involved in Extramarital Sex Scandal

Is an alleged affair between former Sarah Palin's husband Todd and a massage therapist about to become a major story?

For several weeks now, internet blogs and message boards have been simmering with gossip that Alaska's former governor's husband, known as Alaska's 'First Dude', had been seeing at least one massage therapist, named Shailey Tripp, of Wasilla, AK, and many speculated that Todd made a habit of visiting several massage therapists around the Anchorage and Wasilla areas.

Of course, when it comes to political families in general, and the Palins in particular, it's never difficult to find salacious and yet ultimately unfounded rumors in cyberspace.

But now the National Enquirer, which has enjoyed a better reputation in recent years as it broke several significant stories, including the John Edwards affair with his then campaign staffer Rielle Hunter, is claiming that its staffers have uncovered evidence that ties Palin to Tripp. Tripp was arrested in March of 2010 for prostitution. At this time, it is not yet clear whether the alleged 'affair' was one of the heart, or if Palin was involved with Tripp as a consumer of her alleged services.

While there is still a chance that the story does not go any further than this, we have all learned in recent years that when it comes to celebrity and political sex scandals, when there is smoke, there is very often fire.

Rumors have plagued the Palins for years that they have had serious marital trouble. Levi Johnston, the father of Todd and Sarah Palin's grandchild by their daughter Bristol, has intimated in the past that family life within the Palin household is nowhere near as peaceful and loving as they like to make it appear. Several reports have said that the Palins were considering divorce in the past.

If this story develops to the extent that the Enquirer apparently believes it will, it could be the final blow to any hopes that Sarah Palin has to run for president in 2012. Her family life has been tumultuous to say the least, with her teenage daughter's out of wedlock pregnancy and subsequent breakup, reconciliation and breakup with Johnston, who in between breakups posed nude in Playgirl.

While politicians can certainly come back from accusations of extramarital affairs, particularly when it is the spouse accused of it, the entire package that is Sarah Palin may be getting close to being unelectable at this point. She has faced harsh criticism for her statements after the Gabrielle Giffords' shooting, and, as the country seems to move to the middle and increasingly support President Barack Obama, it could be that Palin's 'window' is closing.

That said, Palin is a survivor, even if she quit her job as Alaska Governor. She likely won't go away quietly, unless this Todd Palin sex scandal truly erupts and causes him, and her, a high degree of embarrassment. At that point, Palin might find it impossible to garner support and the funds needed for a White House run.

Source:

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/todd_palin_sex_scandal_prostitute_shailey_tripp_exclusive/celebrity/70033