Fairbanks borough mayor crosses party lines at Democratic convention
Published Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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.”
