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From the LA TIMES

Palin appointed friends and donors to key posts in Alaska, records show

100-plus jobs went to campaign donors or their relatives, sometimes without apparent regard to qualifications. Several donors got state-subsidized loans for business ventures of dubious public value.

By Charles Piller
October 24, 2008

Reporting from Anchorage -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, plucked from relative obscurity in part for her reform credentials, has been eager to tout them in her vice presidential campaign.

"I took on the old politics as usual in Juneau when I stood up to the special interests and the lobbyists and the big oil companies and the good old boys," Palin told the Republican National Convention in her acceptance speech. She said that as a new governor she "shook things up, and in short order we put the government of our state back on the side of the people."

* More than 100 appointments to state posts -- nearly 1 in 4 -- went to campaign contributors or their relatives, sometimes without apparent regard to qualifications.

* Palin filled 16 state offices with appointees from families that donated $2,000 to $5,600 and were among her top political patrons.

* Several of Palin's leading campaign donors received state-subsidized industrial development loans of up to $3.6 million for business ventures of questionable public value.

* Palin picked a donor to replace the public safety commissioner she fired. But the new top cop had to resign days later under an ethics cloud. And Palin drew a formal ethics complaint still pending against her and several aides for allegedly helping another donor and fundraiser land a state job.

Most new governors install friends and supporters in state jobs. But Alaska historians say some of Palin's appointees were less qualified than those of her Republican and Democratic predecessors.

University of Alaska historian Steve Haycox said Palin has been a reformer. But he said she has a penchant for placing supporters, many of them ill-prepared, in high posts. He called it "cronyism" far beyond what previous governors have done and a contradiction of her high-minded philosophy.

Terrence Cole, an Alaska political historian, said Palin had in some cases shown "a disrespect for experience."
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DAR
And McCain keeps on digging:

"I think she's the most qualified of anyone recently who has run for vice president to tell you the truth..."
TIME

AP INVESTIGATION: Palin pipeline terms curbed bids

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Gov. Sarah Palin's signature accomplishment — a contract to build a 1,715-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 — emerged from a flawed bidding process that narrowed the field to a company with ties to her administration, an Associated Press investigation shows.

Beginning at the Republican National Convention in August, the McCain-Palin ticket has touted the pipeline as an example of how it would help America achieve energy independence.

"We're building a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline, which is North America's largest and most expensive infrastructure project ever, to flow those sources of energy into hungry markets," Palin said during the Oct. 2 vice presidential debate.

Despite Palin's boast of a smart and fair bidding process, the AP found that her team crafted terms that favored only a few independent pipeline companies and ultimately benefited the winner, TransCanada Corp.

LINK

"See, under a big government, more tax agenda, what you thought was yours would really start belonging to somebody else, to everybody else. If you thought your income, your property, your inventory, your investments were, were yours, they would really collectively belong to everybody." --Palin

DAR
When Obama gets in, I won't own my goats anymore. Under Obama's communist scheme you guys will all be part owners.

Who wants to borrow Gomer for a while?



D.

that's a great photo. You should use it as your profile pic on facebook

Republican presidential candidate John McCain called Tuesday for Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens to step down in the aftermath of his felony convictions in a federal corruption case, saying the longtime Republican "has broken his trust with the people."

Didn't the investigation into Palin's abuse of power charges result in the determination that she violated her office and therefore the "trust with the people"? Shouldn't it logically follow then that McCain should ask her to step down, as well?

Betsy wrote:that's a great photo. You should use it as your profile pic on facebook

DAR
That's a good idea Betsy. I think I'll do it.

The 25 Most Devastating Quotes About Sarah Palin

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"If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations," Palin told host Chris Plante, "then I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media."
Sarah Palin Friday Oct. 31, 2008
WMAL-AM radio
Washington, D.C.


The First Amendment is actually not that complicated. It can be read from start to finish in about 10 seconds. It bars the Government from abridging free speech rights. It doesn't have anything to do with whether you're free to say things without being criticized, or whether you can comment on blogs without being edited, or whether people can bar you from their private planes because they don't like what you've said.
Glenn Greenwald, Salon

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DAR
Just a rant from a comment thread, don't take this one to the bank:

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Having devoted over 30 years
Submitted by mrtshw on October 22, 2008 - 11:25am.

Having devoted over 30 years of my life to the practice of psychology, I was shocked to discover the actual extent of Sarah Palin's diminished intellect, although hardly surprised she is developmentally challenged. Her 83 full scale Wechsler I.Q. reported in her Wasilla High School records was labeled Dull Normal at that time and ,in fact, 83 was just slightly above the range labeled Borderline Retarded ( 70-80 I.Q. ). Her SAT scores were also similarly deficient,thus serving to confirm her sub-normal I.Q
In fact, Sarah's resume reveals similar deficiencies in most every area of her life; 2.2 high school grade average, dropping out of college 5 times before finally receiving a degree after six years from the fifth college she attended,marrying an Alaska secessionist, supporting Kenyan witch doctors; corrupt,vindictive abuses of power during her mayorship and current governorship , erratic beliefs regarding the earth being but 6000 years old and Jesus co-existing with dinosaurs,etc.etc,etc.
The fact John McCain was so instantly captivated by her undoubtedly speaks to his having graduated 894th of 899 in his class and later having " lost " 5 aircraft he was piloting during his naval aviation career. " Birds of a feather flock together ", " it takes one to know one ", etc, etc, etc.


LINK

Those Crazy Canadians !
Prankin Palin

Watch it here

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Obama's victory may have signaled the end for the 2008 Republican ticket. But for the 44-year-old VP candidate Sarah Palin, the rise of her journey into national politics has only just begun.

The addition of the first Republican woman candidate for vice president was historic. It delivered a jolt of energy to John McCain's sagging campaign and revived the dispirited Republican base. Palin, with her folksy "hockey mom" talk and conservative views drew huge crowds and may have even outshone Obama's popularity at the outset.
McCain's concession speech gave a nod to the national newcomer, calling her "one of the best campaigners I have ever seen and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength."

But Palin proved to be more of a drag than a driver on the ticket. Her popularity declined with her mangled interviews, wardrobe-gate, and by appealing more to men rather than women. Even frustrated McCain staffers called her "rogue, " a "diva," and a "whack job."

Ouch.

None of this has stopped Palin from reportedly setting her sights on the highest office. She's already told CNN that the Republican loss wasn't her fault. It was the economy, stupid! According to her inner circle, Palin will return to Alaska to serve out her term as governor. And then she'll focus on becoming America's first woman president, natch.

That is, if the economy doesn't get in the way.

See the article here:

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92002

All,
I personally will do what ever I can do- donate money- write letters- knock on doors-make phone call- what ever I have to do to make sure that this crazy delusional woman never makes it back on the national political scene again. Have you ever heard the saying that you should never believe your own press? Well this crazy woman believes that she is a real mover and shaker in national and world politics. I think she really believes that she was a serious VP candidate and that she is smater than she is in reality.

I have some thoughts about what a shallow, self-centered, ego driven nut job she is really. When she was trotted out as the VP candidate and presented as the defender of family values just about makes me want to puke! Here is a woman that gave birth to a baby with Downs Syndrome and I am going to assume that they knew the baby had problems before it was born but being anti-science and anti-modern medicine they may not have known. She is so self promoting that despite having this special needs child she is going to pawn it off on other people or family members to take care of this child while she works on building up her own ego. Unless you believe that she lied and it really is her grandchild not son! Why where there never any picture of her taking care of this child? What a great photo op for her campaign. "(singing) I can bring home the bacon, I can fry it up in a pan ........you know the rest".

Now she believes that she can be a real presidential candidate in 2012. She is such a fake person that I can hardly stand it. I am ready to start a campaign fund now to put up against her where ever she goes that would keep her from being elected dog catcher!

Sarah Palin needs to investigate the Commanders of her Alaska National Guard. She has great men in that Guard but lousy, self centered, lyng rogue Generals who discourage tenacity because they are afraid someone might outshine them. General Kactus takes care of his cronies and "good old boys" and Campbell thinks he's God's gift to humanity when he is nothing but a self serving politician. Truth is the casualty in this Alaska National Guard and it's going to take someone with integrity and courage to get justice.

Fox News Chief Political Correspondent Carl Cameron appeared on The O'Reilly Factor tonight and described in much fuller detail the truly astonishing behavior, and lack of knowledge, of Sarah Palin on the campaign trail, as well as the nasty infighting that resulted from, some would say, Palin's "diva" behavior.

Cameron relates how McCain aides were terrified of Palin's lack of knowledge of international, national, and even basic civic issues. Cameron reports that Palin was unfamiliar with the concept of "American exceptionalism," and that not only did she not understand that Africa was a continent rather than a single country but also that during debate prep Palin was unable to name all the nations in North America.

Palin was apparently a nightmare for her campaign staff to deal with. She refused preparation help for her interview with Katie Couric and then blamed her staff, specifically Nicole Wallace, when the interview was rightly panned as a disaster. After the Couric interview, Palin turned nasty with her staff and began to accuse them of mishandling her. Palin would view press clippings of herself in the morning and throw "tantrums" over the negative coverage. There were times when she would be so nasty and angry that her staff was reduced to tears.

See the FAUX NEWS video here.

JamesH wrote:All,
I personally will do what ever I can do- donate money- write letters- knock on doors-make phone call- what ever I have to do to make sure that this crazy delusional woman never makes it back on the national political scene again.

DAR
Oh I totally disagree. I hope she is the face of the new republican party. And I wish she would run with "Joe the Plumber." This would insure that the Repub's are a small southern party that cannot win power. Unfortunately I think there is very little chance of this happening. Palin is going nowhere fast in republican leadership. She only appeals to their ever shrinking, white, fearful, religiously insane, base. As David Brooks, (Republican) said today, he thinks the party will go in that direction for a while ("we lost because we weren't rightwing enough) but it will be a complete dead end. That is not where the future is at this time.

D.

"NEWSWEEK has also learned that Palin's shopping spree at high-end department stores was more extensive than previously reported. While publicly supporting Palin, McCain's top advisers privately fumed at what they regarded as her outrageous profligacy. One senior aide said that Nicolle Wallace had told Palin to buy three suits for the convention and hire a stylist. But instead, the vice presidential nominee began buying for herself and her family--clothes and accessories from top stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. According to two knowledgeable sources, a vast majority of the clothes were bought by a wealthy donor, who was shocked when he got the bill. Palin also used low-level staffers to buy some of the clothes on their credit cards. The McCain campaign found out last week when the aides sought reimbursement. One aide estimated that she spent "tens of thousands" more than the reported $150,000, and that $20,000 to $40,000 went to buy clothes for her husband. Some articles of clothing have apparently been lost. An angry aide characterized the shopping spree as "Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast," and said the truth will eventually come out when the Republican Party audits its books."

Link

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I took this pic last night in Chickenopolis






and this one is by a Demo in No.Little Rock neighborhood of Crestwood




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Palin Hoping to be Named Ambassador to Africa

Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska has reached out to President-elect Obama's transition team to indicate her interest in being named "ambassador to the nation of Africa," the governor confirmed today.

Gov. Palin said that although she had planned to continue in her position in Juneau, she was willing to leave the governorship "because Africa is just such a darned important country."

"I have always been very, very interested in the nation of Africa, partly because of it being located where it is," she said. "If you are standing in Africa and you look real close, you can see South Africa."

She added that she had received phone calls encouraging her to vie for the post, including one from French president Nicholas Sarkozy.

In other news from the Palin family, Bristol Palin's fiancé Levi Johnston said he was "totally stoked" about Tuesday night's election returns, calling the results "definitely a game-changer for me."

"The election of Barack Obama means different things to different people," he said. "To me, it means freedom, dude!"

Andy Borowitz is a comedian and writer whose work appears in The New Yorker and The New York Times, and at his award-winning humor site, BorowitzReport.com.

Huffington Post

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Sarah Palin is now calling the alleged sources from the McCain campaign "cowards", claims she's never been in Neiman Marcus or Saks, did not request the clothes, and doesn't have them now (she mailed them back 2 days ago), and has also said she is Trig's mother, not Bristol.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15505.html

Palin's Health Mystery
It seemed a bit mysterious why Governor Palin's health records were such a secret, and only released on the eve of the election.

She was adamantly determined to keep those personal health records from advanced public scrutiny, most unusual stance for a candidate for such high office. What on earth was the lady hiding so grimly?

Could it be that, since the date of her first delivery is known and also the date of her marriage, being a public record, is also known . . . that her health records would reveal this first birth was not premature, but full term, and that it strongly indicated the conception occurred before her marriage?

And that is exactly what the medical record showed, that the birth of her first child was full "term," which means 9 months, plus or minus 2 weeks. Yet the lady gave birth only 8 months after her elopement marriage. Such marriages are often rushed, for pregnancy reasons, and that seems to have been the case here.

This certainly would have been damaging in the election for one who professes such fundamentalist views and such personal virtue as the Alaska governor. She, after all, has been an ardent promoter of premarital chastity and abstinence, and an equally ardent opponent of sex education.

Seems to make her a total hypocrite, no?

Link

Darrel wrote:Seems to make her a total hypocrite, no?

And a complete moron. She no doubt employed the "abstinence only" education with her daughter, who is now pregnant out of wedlock. Thus she knows from firsthand experience -- twice -- that abstinence education doesn't work, yet she still supports it. This is the point that strikes me as glaringly obvious yet strangely unaddressed. It's the epitome of idiocy.

ETA: My school is sending high schoolers to the middle schools and junior highs to promote abstinence. I'm currently working on finding out who is responsible for this.

Palin left out of RGA leadership.

In the wake of the Republican Governors Association (RGA) convention this week in Miami, many GOP governors were reluctant to embrace Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) as the party’s leader or presidential candidate for 2012. Today, the RGA made that sentiment official, by not voting her in to any of the organization’s leadership positions:

The Republican Governors Association announced its new leadership lineup today after their annual meeting concluded Thursday in Miami.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was voted RGA chairman, taking over the top job from Texas Gov. Rick Perry who will now serve as finance chairman. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is vice-chairman, while Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will serve as chair for the annual RGA gala, and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue will head up the recruitment effort.

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will also sit on the RGA’s executive committee. […]

Not on the list? Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who also attended the Miami meeting.

Link