Another Palin Firing Scandal Surfaces

Washington Independent:

Palin, a lifelong member of the National Rifle Assn., started her career as a member of her local city council in Wasilla, Alaska, a town about 45 miles outside of Anchorage, in 1992. She was elected Wasilla's mayor in 1996, when the city's population was about 4,600, according to a 1997 press report (via nexis).

In this role, Palin acted in a way that eerily foreshadows her recent actions while governor. Early in her tenure as mayor, the city council threatened to recall her over accusations that she fired the city's police chief, Irl Stambaugh, and the library director, Mary Ellen Emmons, without warning. She accused them in a letter saying: "I do not feel I have your full support in my efforts to govern the city of Wasilla. Therefore I intend to terminate your employment ..." (The Anchorage Daily News, via nexis) ...

The matter did not follow her as she rose to higher positions in Alaska. In fact, the first firing was nearly forgotten, even when the second firing scandal broke. Perhaps in a state desperate for a reformer, Palin's anti-money-for-votes persona resonates more strongly. In the coming weeks and months, we'll find out if does on the national stage as well.

Read the whole story: Washington Independent

Comments

[BIG JOHN]

I SAY WHAT HAPPENS IN ALASKA, STAYS IN ALASKA, PALIN SHOULD HAVE STAYED TO.

[DFutureIsNow]

This lady has more skeletons than a graveyard. She was definitely not vetted, so many scandals in so little time.

[OrangePeel]

I'm sure the press release has already been written:

"I have decided to remove my name from nomination for the position of Vice President of the United States because I want to spend more time with my family, and return to the state that I love so much, Alaska. I fully support John McCain and thank him for this wonderful opportunity."

Any bets on when that press release is distributed to the media?

[TheBrizz]

I give it one to three weeks... don't forget to throw in something about the media's focus on her private life having distracted voters from the real issues.

[ssgman]

I say Wednesday morning. The repubs have surprised me before with how long they will "cling" to their insane positions. This is quite a doozy, though.

[BartLA]

Yup. Palin has experience up the Wasilla:

http://thebruceblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/sarah-palin-the-former-miss-moose-has-experience-up-the-wasilla/

[JamesInDenver]

This woman sounds like a thug.

[JiminNC]

The hole in the dike is growing.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Palin is a game changer.
From Obama experience to McCain judgement and competence.

[helonias]

So what does the boy and his family think about all this, do they get a chance to comment, at all?

[MizLiz]

I never thought I'd see a shotgun wedding in this day and age...they were plentiful when I graduated high school in 1960----but now??? Sheesh.

[dagnome27]

In so many ways: Mc Cain - Palin WRONG WRONG WRONG

[pilgrim7]

How many more scandals does she get before he admits he made a very poor choice?

[WhiteHat]

Questions for Sen. McCain:

The Bush administration is currently under investigation for dozens of violations of the Hatch Act. AG Mukasey has stated that crimes were committed, yet he has refused to prosecute.

The administration has conveniently "lost" nearly 2 years worth of White House email. It also appears that many in the current administration attempted to evade the Presidential Records Act by using RNC email accounts, and the RNC has fought against divulging those messages.

The Administration has refused to allow current and former White House employees to testify publicly before Congress in this matter, an issue involving possible criminal activity. A recent court ruling indicated that there is no legal basis for the refusal, yet to date none of the key witnesses subpoena'd by Congress has stepped forward.

That all leaves a bad stink, and it is a concern to many voters.

What will be your policy concerning the abuse of power in government?

What is your policy concerning openness in government?

Regarding the allegations concerning your running mate, if solid evidence arises that she is guilty of abusing the office of Governor, what will you do? Are you prepared to encourage the Alaska state legislature to step up their investigation, or are you hoping they slow down?

[Ono4Hoopono]

The fact that a library director's job was targeted early in her term as mayor is a grave concern, because libraries are generally pretty stable institutions that are not likely to scream "crisis" at you as soon as you enter office.

Given her fundamentalist mindset and therefore highly likely "book-burning" mentality, it raises the specter of whether she was riding herd on a campaign to engage in the censorship of ideas. Very worrisome. And the tone taken in the termination notices was highly reminiscent of the tone we have seen in the politicization of our government institutions.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

Breaking news.....Palin just hired a "private attorney" to defend her in the "Troopergate" situation. Uh-oh..........I'm thinking her V.P. aspirations may be over before they even begin. Vetted?

[ThunderclapNewman]

It's a very smart legal move on her part.

It's a very dumb political move on her part.

[plooger]

> Perhaps in a state desperate for a reformer, Palin's anti-money-for-votes persona resonates more strongly.

Yeah, I've been chuckling at the notion that she's some great reformer, when all that can really be said is that Alaskans viewed her as less corrupt than Frank Murkowski. She was a supporter of Ted Stevens, for god's sake.

[RJII]

are Hillary supporters really going to vote for Palin?

[ThunderclapNewman]

Not the real ones.

[demeter eleusis]

Never, ever, ever.

[Ono4Hoopono]

Had dinner with ardent supporters last night. Absolutely not.

[Querent]

PUMAAnn said she was. Of course, she also lies about being a Democrat.