Alaska Blogger On Sarah Palin And "Trooper-Gate"

"Is this a joke?" That seemed to be the question du jour when my phone started ringing off the hook at 6:45am here in Alaska. I mean, we're sort of excited that our humble state has gotten some kind of national 'nod'....but seriously? Sarah Palin for Vice President? Yes, she's a popular governor. Her all time high approval rating hovered around 90% at one point. But bear in mind that the 90% approval rating came from one of the most conservative, and reddest-of-the-red states out there. And that approval rating came before a series of events that have lead many Alaskans to question the governor's once pristine image.

There is no doubt in my mind that many Alaskans are feeling pretty excited about this. But we live in our own little bubble up here, and most of the attention we get is because of The Bridge to Nowhere, polar bears, the indictment of Ted Stevens, and the ongoing investigation and conviction of the string of legislators and oil executives who literally called themselves "The Corrupt Bastards Club".

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[roundabout]

Here is an interesting article from the Washington Post: Personal interview with Trooper Wooton. I found other artcles that stated the same thing but perhaps one is enough. The quote below is at the end of the article.

"He was found to have violated state policy for using a Taser on his 10-year-old son, killing a moose while using his wife's permit, drinking a beer before driving a state vehicle and having an open beer can in the vehicle."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/09/05/ST2008090504111.html

[mshannon]

He denied the beer drinking part and it was never fully proved. Of course he didn't mention that piece. The question is not whether this happened, was it to the level of being fired, and did the governor use her position to launch a personal investigation relative to his relationship with her sister. It is clear that happened. He was reprimanded for all instances, yet she fired his superior for not dismissing him as she requested. It speaks to her character.

[bmaggiemay]

Did anbody see Anderson Cooper on CNN last night....PITIFUL....PITIFUL...CNN interview the stupid bother in law and actually trying to make the story about him and his very wierd behavior. It's not about him...IT'S ABOUT WHETHER SHE ABUSED THE POWERS OF HER OFFICE AS GOVERNOR. How stupid is CNN anyways. Her (Palin) or her husband contacted the Safety commission a mininum of 20 times complaining about her X brother in law and when was he going to get the boot. She threaten to have others removed from their jobs if they didn't comply to her wishes........THAT IS WHAT SHE HAS IN COMMON WITH McCain....IT'S THEIR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY.......No media interviews with her said McCain now the entire media is kissing _ss because he won't let the media play...The media needs to go up and do their jobs. Fair and balanced , the greatest team on television...Fox News and CNN are becoming gossip TV. Cut out the spin: just because you like one better than the other......that's how the nation ended up with an idiot for eight years.

[vicschendel]

George Armstrong Custer finished last in his class at West Point and look what happened to him. The same fate awaits this country if John McCain is elected to be the President. Little Big Horn all over again! We can already see that his judgement in selecting the governor from Alaska was, should we say, not thought completely through. Maybe last place finishers at the acadamies do so for a reason.

[NoPartyGirl]

Second place is the first loser in this race. There has been speculation that this was a strategic move to capture the unsure women's vote. I think Senator McCain wanted Governor Palin as a running mate so he would have a woman to blame when he doesn't win. I also think the Red Team should dress down a little; it seems a little tacky under the circumstances... you know the swanky black suits and white shirts. I would rather see them in the Texas used car salesman attire - plad double knit pants, white boots, golf shirt and a bolo tie.

Oh and one more thing; this war is not about terrorists or Iraq and Iran, it is about the selfish wealthy elite of the Arab countries. Our soldiers are peace keepers for discontent with their neighbors because they could care less. To make matters worse our Colleges and Universities are selling themselves like cheap prostitutes so they don't have to come here for an education.

Lastly, their plate is subducting! :)

[bayside]

Obama has 12 years service. 4 as national senator 8 as state senator..Biden has 35 years..MCCain has the years but graduated in the bottom of his class, hot temper ,and old as dirt....Palin doesnt even have 2 Years as gov...Is this the best republican have. I forgot Bush had 4 as gov. and that has worked out so well...I do not believe for one second she has a 90 rate in alaska. Sounds like a republican poll.. Dont tell me she isnt involved with all that corruption with Young, Stevens she is even being investigated herself..

[MedMunky]

No, her rating is currently 67% because of Troopergate, for which she is currently under investigation.

[midwestvoter]

What is the most disturbing about this woman is she is a full throated, rapture awaiting holy roller. That should scare everyone. McSidekick either hates America and Americans or he has completely lost his marbles.

[Enid]

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Ten Attributes of a Leader

CURIOSITY
CREATIVE
COMMUNICTOR
PERSON OF CHARACTOR
CURRAGES
CONVICTION
CORE VISON
INSPIRE
COMPETENT
COMMON SCENCE

you add it up for yourself

list complement Warren Buffet he is backing _Obama.

[thinkworklivelove]

Stop comparing Palin to Obama! Obama has been running a successful campaign for the past 20 months. He has been scrutinized by the American People and the Media. Palin is getting into the race because of polling data. The Republicans are trying to run out the clock with a last minute substitute. GIVE US SOME FACTS! Where did she go to college? Does she have a graduate degree? How big is the population in Alaska? All I have heard so far is what the Republicans want to show. I have discovered that SHE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ABUSE OF POWER!!!!!!!!!! This is a very legitimate issue to discuss. I just saw a media host try to downplay the seriousness of this matter. Are you kidding, me? Her resume MUST be the classic example of padding! Sound familiar. The Republicans did the same thing with BUSH.
This is MORE OF THE SAME! ENOUGH

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

Most of the issues raised by "thinkwork....." bear comparison with history and reality: Harry Truman was not a "college" graduate but crafted a foreign policy that steered the U.S. through its most troubling times. In the same way, '20 months' of successful PR connotes no more than the possession of an appealling message, money, and endurance. Media scrutiny of OBAMEE and his message has been cursory at best; they're largely sympathetic to his etiology and "symbolic power," i.e., the election of a black politician as President of the U.S. will somehow expiate perceived, earlier crimes and wrongs against blacks throughout the course of U.S. history.....

Further, throughout his 20-month campaign, examination of OBAMEE's ideas and policies(?) was hamstrung by his campaign's ability to point to probing examination as, of course, "racist"!

All the same, Sarah Palin's qualifications are sere at best.....and will evaporate altogether if she INTERFERED with either a police investigation or civil suit. All in all, she will never be much more than a aftermarket, hood ornament on McCain's "Truthtelling"(or whatever he called it!) Express (his campaign bus).

[Viper]

Univ of idaho.. baskeball scholarship. Does part time coaching for free. No graduate degrees. Worked a couple of hours as a sportscaster... meaning called the local H/S basketball games at the GYM for the one Radio station!

No real paid jobs or working experience until 20 months ago..

The mayors job pay was immaterial... Most cities that size pay a mayor nothing!

Husband no college. Her H/S boyfriend. Raced snowmobiles. Commercial fisherman and works in oil fields for BP. The Futrue first Gentleman?

Pop of Alaska 600,000 miles .. no mfg, no inner city problems, 1.2 persons per sq mile. Few paved roads. No mass transit, no major police departments and etc.

Member of PTA and NRA. Bascially could be any body's next door neighbor who did not really have a job. was a full time mother in a very small town till 20 months ago.

Being a mayor in a town that size is nothing. Typicaly LT 20 percent vote.. Your church gets you in.

Its like being home room president!

The repugs argument that this is excutive experience is more than Obama is of clourse meaning that it would be more than Condi Rice, Colin Powell, Abe Lincoln, Gen Clark, Romney and etc.. Its crazy! They are insane.

Regards

[thinkworklivelove]

Instead of attacking a person that brings up a legitimate issue, GIVE SOME FACTS ABOUT ALASKA AND PALIN. Is the town population really 5,500? Does she really support creationism? Did she really hire someone that had a sex harrassment scandal on his record and didn't check? I WANT TO KNOW THE FACTS. FACTS, NOT ATTACKS! It is true that she is under investigation for ABUSE OF POWER!!!

[ebanks84]

STOP FEEDING THE MONSTER!

You guys are wasting too much time on the details of a "bad decision" instead of allowing JM to suffer his consequences by himself. He is the one who WILL suffer, believe me.

If we do not take anything he does as being personal, we will be more able to laugh it off. We know in our hearts he will NOT be elected with the mess he's made of his campaign and the idiots who rule him behind him. So, we need to just leave him alone.

Why should we upset ourselves for his stupidity? Can't you see how "rovian" we are acting. This is what they want ..... for us to "divide and conquer" ..... for us to fight among ourselves while they do their sneaky wheeling and dealing right in front of our faces. Wipe away the "smoke and mirrors" and see the truth. Don't allow them to break us apart like they are doing. Let's stay together and stay strong and they will eventually fall apart at the seams of their deceit.

Let's fight them by saying NOTHING about them. Let's find something else to talk about and they will try their hardest to find something ELSE to upset us. Just watch and mark my words. If you're upset, they are happy as can be. If you're NOT upset, they will find something else to upset you. Just watch and listen and you will finally see what they do best. SMOKE AND MIRRORS!

[in4success]

i agree -- i don't know if this posted -- if it did sorry for the duplicate:

very good ebanks! and, in case you don't believe him:

substitute OBAMA with MCCAIN - GOV KAINE with GOV PALIN --and: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA with WASILLA, ALASKA and you've got ACCLAIMED NEO-CON CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN STRATEGIC HERO CARL ROVE'S ANALYSIS REGARDING MCCAIN'S CHOICE OF PALIN FOR VP: http://www.crooksandliars.com/Media/Play/32317/1/FTN-Rove-VPPick.wmv/

nuff said really -- don't you think?

[mistlesuede]

Our so called MSM needs to get this blogger on cable news all week next week! This is the saddest thing I've ever seen.
Wasilla CITY? I come from a small village and town in WNY and our Main Street is gorgeous compared to that hole. In my village being the Mayor is a part time job that pays about $5,000 and no one really wants the job.
I googled the population of Alaska yesterday evening. 600,000 at most. I did the same just for NYCity, just under 10 MILLION!
I am seriously frightened that a 72 year old who has had cancer a number of times (that spreads) and God knows what else we aren't being told such as dementia (which is obvious) could tip over at any time and THIS is the person that he chooses to be the next in line? We are done as a country if this is allowed to happen in November. She is in so far over her head.
I also learned yesterday that the last child she had was so important to her that when her water broke at a function, she ignored it and stayed to give her speech? What kind of mother does that. Not only is it gross, but it is also unhealthy for the child and herself.
This should just be called the bad judgment/not capable of serving ticket. I am scared.

[TXfemmom]

This guy has nailed her qualifications, which are essentially nil, and McCain chose her as his first big decision. The sad part is that there will be Republicans out there saying how qualified she is.

[cynicism101]

Compared to Ob_a.ma, yep. I'll assert she as at worst ^equally^ qualified as the guy atop the Dem ticket. Her government service is actually as an "executive," which is the role he's applying for. His most impressive experience is his short tenure as a US Senator - where he's spent his entire term, not being a Senator, but being a candidate for President. Governor Pa.lin has actually spent her tenure performing the duties for which she was elected.

Am I thrilled with her national experience level? No, I'm not. I would much prefer that she's had exposure to the deeply entrenched Ob_A.ma-backing MSM prior to ~70 days before the election.

That said, One party claims to be the party of change - and the leader of that parties first big decision is go choose a 35 year DC insider - completely invalidating the push for change. The party accused of being more of the same - well, that party selected a complete DC outsider - and someone with a proven track record of REFORM.

Change? Change is easy. Reform - that takes principles and convictions. Ob_a.ma displayed his convictions when he voted to approve the FISA legislation.

[Viper]

Her experince is mayor of a town with a mile of paved streets...

You will find its a town area of hundreds of square miles.. with shacks spread out. Thats main steet with 4 building! Get a grip! Less people than on a City block in amjor city!

Her executive position was a part time non paying job...

Your logic is like saying that the guy who owns the local hardware store and is its President has the same executive experience as the President of Home Depot!

THATS insane! Another "C" student who believes the earth is 6,000 years old... could be our President!

Imagine her husband as First Gentleman on the world stage...

This is worse than even George Bush. The world is laughing at US. Putin is shacking ion his boots. She is the best we have? She is better than Kay baily Hutchinson? Gov Ridge.. thats what Reopugs are saying.. they all sound like idiots

Regards

[LynnDee]

Does anyone seriously think that the Repulican machine as it is now, will even let her near anything that will make a reformer change for them? I don't!

It looks good to try to get the woman vote and oh yeah she is not an insider. What will really happen when she challenges her running mate or even the upper echelons of the Repub. party?

Get real she will be pushed to the background. Does the old saying speak only when you are spoken to ring a bell?

[only1Demvoter]

" fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we're trying to accomplish up here... "

How would it be acceptable VP behavior to ' eamark ' special dispensation for her home state ?

And openly flaunting that level of impropriety !! Coinsider the tactics employed in the timing of the announcement of her VP selection...

Blatantly reprehensible behavior from the party of zero moral compass... Would anyone with even an iota of integrity operate with such low expectations, or expect anything more from these despots ?

This appointment is an insult to the American people ! The Rethugs are thumbing their noses at us and laughing right in our faces.

... And I have a strong feeling that I'm not the only one who's insulted.

They think this is some kind of game, or brass ring to be snatched at ANY cost !

My friends, I fear that the very real ' future of our great nation ' may truly be at stake. If they're willing to stake everything on such a foolhardy selection as Gov. Palin, I firmly suspect that they will be equally prepared to go to ANY length to secure a Rethug victory in November. And I shudder to think what the ramifications of such an inevitability would hold in store for the future of this once great nation.

We need to redouble our efforts to elect our forward thinking Senator Obama !!


More to follow. -ralph

[BluesDogLefty]

Palin nomination is not designed to get votes.

She will "draw fire" and McCain camp will accuse Obama camp on some trumped up charge of misogyny.

All with the hopes of getting Hill's voters to stay home.

Wait and see. A charge of sexism will come within 2 weeks.

[Gma11]

The charges of sexism started coming yesterday afternoon. Anyone who questioned her qualifications on the 24/7 news shows was called a sexist by the Republican spinner.

[cynicism101]

I don't call them sexist - though in the context of the treatment of HRC over the last few months, perhaps there is a case to be made?

Still, If the MSM, and the DNC is going to challenge the qualifications of Gov Pa.lin - great , that's part of the process. But I expect equal time - start challenging the qualifications of the guy *leading* the Dem ticket. After all, didn't the runner-up, and the current running-mate both state Ob,a_ma was *NOT* qualified? What has he learned in the past 4mths being a "candidate" that suddenly makes him more qualified than Gov Pa,lin - who, by the way, is the VP candidate.

See, on the Dem side, we don't need a cardiac event to put a completely inexperienced person into the oval office. On the Dem side, they just need to win the election to enact that situation.

[mistlesuede]

You are both absolutely correct. I think Obama will find a way to play this game.

[foxbat]

It's already here. Just saw a TV segment where a strategist, who worked on Clinton's campaign, was talking about the historic nature of the campaign. He stated that he has a baby daughter and will tell her about being part of history, working for the Clinton campaign. He then stated that he felt the reason that McCain made the pick, that allowed him to also stay in the history-making potential of this election that so far has only been associated with the Obama campaign, so as not to get left behind. The GOP counterpart said that he was accusing McCain of tokenism. He restated his point and asked her not to put words into his mouth ... she backed off, but then used the excuse that there are a lot of OTHER people who are saying it.

I believe that you are right. It will be interesting to see the subtle irony. There are so many people that said, "Maybe I just don't like Obama. You can't call me a racist for not supporting him or saying negative things about him" and that's a very fair statement. I expect, however, that these may be the first to claim sexism in defending Palin.

[concernedms]

Thank you HuffPo for introducing me to the Mudflats site. I read the article, left an appreciative comment on that site, and gave bookmarked his site. The commentary is insightful and thorough. I am going to send a link to his site to everyone I can because everyone needs to read the information on Palin and be introduced to a thinker who writes commentary worthy of being read.

I shudder to think that Palin could be President if McCain get elected and dies in office. Every voter needs to read this article on her. It is no hasty ax-job. This Alaskan writer takes his time to research and reflect before he writes.

If you're reading my comment but haven't visited the site, please do so now. It's worth your time, and will give you valuable information about Palin and make you think about McCain's judgment in selection her.

[305Rider]

I heard about this investigation on MSNBC. I thought it was bad before this.

This Governor actually had her AG look into what the Alaskan legislature would find in their own investigation. She has basically tried to undermine the fact finding process.

If the neocons actually stick with this pick it will be seen as nothing but a joke.