It's not exactly where you'd expect politics to play out: on a dusty field, under corporate flags, beside the latest toys. But among the champion snowmobile racers attending the Hay Days Grass Drags in Forest Lake, was Todd Palin.
The world may now know Todd as the husband of the Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin. But to the crowd of more than 30-thousand people attending Saturday's event, Todd is first and foremost, a champion racer.
"He's a great racer, an Arctic Cat racer," said Ernie Burkholder of Phoenix, Arizona.
Palin decided to parlay his trip to the RNC into a visit to the event, something he's been trying to attend for years.
"I've always wanted to come down ot his event. I'm at home here, with my friends and fellow riders," he said.
And Palin's right. Among the dozens waiting for autographs -- more knew him as the four-time winner of the two thousand mile Tesoro Iron Dog snowmobile race -- than as MR. Sarah Palin.
And that bodes well for a campaign that's trying to portray the Alaska Governor and her family as "down to earth."
"They're the real McCoy," said McCain Spokesman, Tom Steward. "They have authenticity and credibility, salmon fishing - you name it. And I think people really appreciate that."
(Copyright 2008 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
