Fairbanks borough mayor crosses party lines at Democratic convention
Published Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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DENVER — Before an audience of more than 10,000 and in front of towering digital screens flashing stars and stripes, a Fairbanks leader took center stage at the Democratic National Convention. Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker, a Republican, voiced his support for Barack Obama and party unity for about five minutes Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver.
His speech, which he was asked to present less than a week ago, was part of the night’s high-voltage lineup that led up to a crowd-rousing speech from Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Whitaker agreed to speak because he wanted to follow through with his choice to support Obama, he said.
“I was either going to truly support the person I was endorsing, or I would do it halfway,” he said in a phone interview earlier that day.
He cited the nation’s economic, energy and national security challenges as several key reasons for endorsing Obama. These hurdles are more important than party lines and even state lines, he said.
“I don’t think I’m here to represent Alaskans. I’m here to represent one person who is exercising their vote,” he said on the phone. “Every Alaskan is entitled to do the same.”
A crowd of media, politicians, delegates and supporters swirled around the Alaska delegation on the floor of the grand hall. About 20 spirited Alaska delegates, wearing white jackets embroidered with their state name and contour, filled two rows and stood waving state flags during Whitaker’s speech.
“I’m very proud of him,” said Fairbanks delegate Elyse Guttenberg.
Guttenberg said Obama was the first presidential candidate to pay this much attention to Alaska, especially when it came to energy, education and health care issues.
Cindy Spanyers, a delegate from Juneau, said the mood of the convention was full of hope and change.
“There is so much hope here it’s almost spiritual,” she said.
Seeing an Alaskan on the podium only enhanced that, she said.
“It’s so great to see an Alaskan speak,” said Rex Okakok, a delegate and whaling captain from Barrow.
The animated Inupiaq man expressed a bit of culture shock at the surrounding melee. He said his first trip to Colorado had been eye-opening.
“They’re having the same problems we have in rural Alaska,” he said of the energy and social issues emphasized by speakers. “I feel like I’m just part of the average American, not just an Eskimo.”
Angela Cox, another delegate from Barrow, also said she could relate to others at the convention.
“In many ways, the people here are so diverse and we don’t agree on a lot of things, but we do agree on who should be the next president,” she said.
Controlling off-shore development and facilitating the natural gas pipeline were a couple of issues Cox trusted Obama to help govern.
“He’s not going to give in to the pressure of Big Oil,” she said.
The Fairbanks contingent made time for fun, too.
“I can barely talk because I’m so hoarse from last night,” said Fairbanks delegate John Davies. “We went to Invesco Field at 9:30 for a Willie Nelson concert.”
Whitaker too was amazed at the size of the event and the intense security at what was his first national convention, he said.
Even though Denver was hot and congested, he didn’t feel like a fish out of water, he said. Rather, he seemed in his element as he drove home his message of America’s need for change.
“Democracy is a fun thing to watch. It’s even more fun to be a part of.”
To hear Whitaker's speech, click here.
Community Discussion
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A part of politics is about using leverage to gain advantage for your cause/constituents. Whitaker worked a bit of leverage- his support for Obama- to gain the ability to articulate Alaska's cause on a national stage.
Well done.
And a pretty good bargain for us. Whitaker gave up very little but was able to offer an articulate view of our concerns, and maybe also make some new connections with a party that is already in control of both houses of Congress.
Its not too often we see a Fairbanks resident do well in the national spotlight. Susan Butcher was the last person I can recall who did so.
Thank you for having a link to his speech. It saved me some trouble of trying to find it online.
Mayor Whitaker, you have shown that morality, ethics, pragmatism and good common sense in government can work.
Unfortunately, those who choose to believe only in the (R) or (D) next to a name on the ballot will not accept that an honest man can, and will, do the best for his constituents, regardless of their party affiliation.
No matter who wins, your going to pay big. Taxes have never been higher here in Fbks.
Isn't Elyse Guttenberg borough assembly member Luke Hopkins wife and David;s sister. Interesting that both Whitaker and Hopkins sit on the Port Authority. And CEO , aka as how many other names, we all know you are the treasurer of the Port Authority. Finally, the truth regarding the political affilations of people who tried to past themselves off as Republicans and conservatives is coming out. Wonder why he didn't talk about his stand to sell gas to the Orient. This hidden agenda nonsense has gone on to long. It's time for the State to do a full investigation of the Port Authority and how it used public funds.
Change your party now, a Democrat at heart you are.. Good luck in next election Mr Whitaker...
Good job Jimbo! Great speech! You did a lot for Fairbanks by taking the national stage.
Mayor Whitaker is a Quisling to his party, and has no compunction when it come to political gain. When he ran his first campaign for mayor, he ran on the platform of lower borough taxes. YEAH RIGHT!!!!
That's right, FreeDarfur.
What runs Alaska-
Nepotism and cronyism.
Corporations (all kinds), and Old Family Names.
The Mayor has shown his "true colors": a self serving, sell-out who will do or say anything to better himself & promote his personal agenda.
Thank God he is term limited! Talk about grand conspiracy's and hidden agenda's. Anything to get his "coal to gas" plant built and move on to his next job!! He failed with the Port Authority, to futher himself and his friends! I'm sure this move to promote the "coal to gas" plant will fail as well. Selling out to the DEMS.{the "big boys"}will not work, they will use and abuse the Mayor & then drop him at their pleasure.
When you play with "big boys" be prepared to loose your lunch money!!
This story line changed in the early hours this morning. DNM seems to be taking a kinder gentler approach to editing. I hope he at least voted via absentee ballot. After all, I wouldn't expect the local elections to be an important issue for someone who will never get my vote based on his lack of leadership.
Cudos to the borough mayor. He's won my vote in the future. Finally, someone who is brave enough to cross party lines for what is best. It's brave of him to do so in the spotlight.
He will need a job soon , Why else do you think he did it?
Get ready for some tax the rich folks.... O thats us
Too bad he wasn't more vocal about participating in the FEMA's CRS program. By not participating he has taken away the opportunity for consumers in flood zones to receive discounts on their flood insurance premiums.
Please email Mr. Whitaker and ask he if he plans to participate and help money stay in our community!!
Check out www.FEMA.com or www.floodsmart.com for more information on this program.
I'm confused...when did we lose our ability to vote for any candidate and support those candidates that we believe in? So he's a registered Republican and he felt that a Democrat was the best person for this job. When on earth did that become such drama?
hope our new mayor stays true to party lines, this was a self promoting scam. Can't wait to see what was promised for this speech. And I agree, taxes are going up.
" I am here to endorse Barack Obamas"
LOL. Next time you might want to learn how to say his name before you get up on stage.
How quickly people forget! The Port Authority is made up of some very outstanding citizens who are true to their belief that an in state Gas LIne is the best for Alaskans. They have worked diligently and long for little or no recompense for this outcome. They are not whiners. If they were they would be saying that Sarah Palin was on board and used them to help become governor then dropped them like an ugly
boyfriend when she got in. Why wouldn't they cross party lines after being freshly horsed by their own?
I wish them the best they are truly on our side and I sure wish the rest of you would wake up and get behind them.
Wonder what position the socialist promised our mayor. He sure won't get elected to his cushy job as mayor again.
Thats because he reached his term limit, Whitaker is smart to cross political lines at the end of his republican political career.
If Whitaker was speaking at the Republican convention and addressed the same issues that face our state, he would be your hero. Jim went the Democratic convention to speak because he knew someone would pay attention and do something about it. We had three Republicans representing us for nearly forty years and their only answer to our energy problems is drill.
Jim,I am proud of your stand.
Dave Stone
The dems are so hard up to look mainstream they had to go all the way to fairbanks to find a guy like Whitaker.
Obamas ship is sinking fast.
2cold4me, that made absolutley no sense. I'm not seeing the connection between Whitaker choosing the person he felt best suited for the job and the democrats "trying to look mainstream".
I'm seconding what Fairbanksgirl said. Most people on here refuse to believe that there are still people out there who do what they think is best and don't just vote straight down the ballot for either (R) or (D).
In my oppion the ballot shouldn't even have that on there. If people can't take the time to research the canidate for themselves then they don't deserve to vote.
And people still wonder why the electoral college is a necessity in this country.
Wait til he comes up for re-election the Mayor needs to be replace. Don't need a brown noser. Democrats are against drilling and should support a person who is against it like Obama.
Sorry Dave, I just am not crazy about him speaking at ANY national convention.
I don't vote party lines.
I would love to vote democrat, like my parents USED to..
when the democratic party represented hard working americans....
but Obama does not represent them at all. They worked hard for what they have and Obama wants to wussify the country into a welfare state where people want a handout for doing nothing.
Your party (democrats) have been hijacked by the extreme left...
That is why you will not win in November.
I for one am glad that he stated he wasn't there representing Alaskans, just himself and his personal support for Obama. The Democrats just wanted a Republican to cross the line so they could say that Obama has support from Republicans.
I vote for whoever I consider the best person for the job, Republican, Democrat or Independent.
It sounds to me like Whitaker is a R.I.N.O. (Republican In Name Only). I was born and raised in Fairbanks as a republican and it makes me sick to see this joker throwing his support to the libs. I only wish I still lived in FAI so I could help vote him out of office.
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