Font Resize
Gov. Sarah Palin is back in Alaska after a grueling 10 weeks on the campaign trail. With the state budget due in a matter of weeks, the governor won't have a whole lot of time to rest.
Palin's spokesman, Bill McAllister, had originally expected her back in the office Thursday - just hours after she flew in from Arizona - but her staffers are now saying that the governor will be back to work on Friday.
"You might remember she went to work three days after giving birth in April," said
Some staff members spent a few hours decorating Palin's office with balloons, flowers, a homemade banner and fresh batch of oatmeal cookies.
"We really wanted to do something special for her when she came back," said Britta Hanson, Palin's executive secretary.
The governor flew into Anchorage late Wednesday night and spoke with reporters before greeting her supporters, who waited in the cold to welcome her home.
"We'll be back at work as soon as we can," Palin said. "Never stopped working, though. We've been working around the clock, juggling a couple things at once, being governor and vice-presidential candidate, but we got a lot done."
Awaiting Palin is a long list of things to do, McAllister said - including the state budget, which is due on Dec. 15, and implementing a long-term energy plan.
"Now it's our opportunity to reach out to President-elect Obama," Palin said. "Get him to see the light in terms of what Alaska has to contribute and offer. I can't wait to get to work with him, too, on the good things in store for this country that will come out
Palin is also fielding dozens of interview requests. Oprah Winfrey, Matt Lauer, Larry King and David Letterman are just a few of the big names vying for the first sit-down interview with the governor.
Just how the governor will juggle state business and this newfound celebrity remains to be seen.
To contact the Newsroom, call 907-274-1111.
