Late Vetting, Fringe Party ties, Buchanan Supporter

from the Dallas News

Late vetting: Sarah Palin wasn't subjected to a lengthy in-person background interview with the head of John McCain's vice presidential vetting team until last Wednesday in Arizona, the day before Mr. McCain asked her to be his running mate, The Washington Post reported. She also didn't disclose that her 17-year-old daughter was pregnant until that meeting, two McCain officials acknowledged Tuesday.

Third-party member? Ms. Palin's husband, Todd, twice registered as a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, which wants to turn all federal lands in Alaska back to the state. The chairman of the party told ABC News that Ms. Palin was a member in 1994, but state records show she's been registered as a Republican since 1982. Ms. Palin addressed the party's convention this year by video. Some party leaders have advocated secession, though that is not a goal listed in the party's platform.

Buchanan button: As Wasilla mayor, Ms. Palin wore a Pat Buchanan button when the candidate visited the town in 1999, but she later wrote to a newspaper that she was doing so only as a gesture of respect. Mr. Buchanan said last week that Ms. Palin was a fundraiser for him in an earlier run in 1996. A McCain spokesman denied that, saying Ms. Palin supported Steve Forbes in both campaigns.