Sarah Palin’s relationship with the Alaska Republican establishment is famously rocky, but in July 2008, she was keen on appearing with U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.
When Meghan Stapleton, a top Palin advisor, asked Palin whether she’d be interested in appearing at a news conference with Stevens to talk about energy, Palin leaped at the chance. But it was also clear that Stevens benefitted from the presence of the governor.
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“Thanks Meg!” wrote Palin. “I'll do whatever TS [Ted Stevens] will let me do to prove our committment to working together to [find] energy solutions. I have felt he and I have a fine relationship, but staffers in his office may make attempts to pull us apart. This would be an ideal time to work together on this all-important issue. If he'd like me at his press conf be honored to join . . . . whatever he deems appropriate, I'm game.”
Stapleton replied: “They believe that just the two standing together will be news enough and should attract many in the press . . . As Aaron said, the Senator could talk about "wallpaper" and the media would show because the Governor is there with him.”
Later that year, Stevens became embroiled in a federal corruption case. He was found guilty, but his conviction was overturned. He died in a plane crash last year.
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