While Gov. Sarah Palin (R) makes a high-profile visit to the Lower 48 today, she suffers a few setbacks at home in Alaska.

All of these happened today, mind you. From the Anchorage Daily News:

The Alaska Legislature voted 35 to 23 today to reject the confirmation of Wayne Anthony Ross, Gov. Sarah Palin's pick for attorney general. According to Legislative Research, today's rejection of Ross is the first time in state history that a head of a state agency has failed to be confirmed by the Legislature. All the Democrats in the Legislature voted against Ross, but they were joined by nine Republicans, including the Senate president and House speaker.

Next:

One of three people Gov. Sarah Palin has recommended for a vacant state Senate seat for Juneau is withdrawing his name. The governor's office on Thursday said Joe Nelson is withdrawing as a candidate. In a letter to Palin, Nelson says it's clear that Senate Democrats will not support any candidate that is not fully supported by the Juneau Democratic Party.

And finally:

The Legislature has rejected Gov. Sarah Palin's nominee for the board that decides how the catch of Alaska's salmon, halibut and other fish should be divided between commercial, sport and personal use fishermen. Meeting in a joint session Thursday, lawmakers voted 42-16 to reject Brent Johnson of Clam Gulch for the Board of Fisheries.

The real blow is the Attorney General rejection. That story got some airtime on national cable news, and the issues at play could linger when she seeks re-election, and potentially seeks national office. The other two seem marginally important, but the idea of the legislature rebuking Palin in such a way today certainly puts a dent in her image at home and nationally.

No doubt, Palin is happy to be in Evansville tonight.