Palin Forced Staff To Resign In Loyalty Test

Washington Independent:

Earlier today, First Lady Laura Bush urged us to remember Gov. Sarah Palin's record as mayor of her hometown from 1996-2002 when assessing her experience. I agree.

Driving around this city today, I decided it looks more or less like a string of strip malls, 45 minutes northeast of Anchorage. I couldn't help but think that being mayor of a place like this would be something akin to running a large neighborhood watch.

The main highway that runs through town is lined with new big-box stores, including a Target and a Wal-Mart. A handful of fast-food chains as well as some local restaurants also sprinkle the main drag. Breathtaking mountains, the peaks still lightly dusted with snow, create a striking backdrop. Despite the chain stores, this small city feels distant from the rest of the world. I'd have guessed Palin would have run the city with a "we're in this together" theme.

It turns out she had a somewhat different approach. If a small-town mayor ever ruled with an iron fist -- it was Palin. Eleven days after taking office in 1996, she mailed letters to each of the city's top managers requesting that they resign as a test of loyalty.

Read the whole story: Washington Independent

Comments

[Mickey7]

Well they are pretty close to Russia up there. It's only natural they would adopt some good ol' fashioned Putin-style politicking. Guess those non-supporters are just lucky they didn't end up with a mysterious radiation illness...

BTW, why is the State of Alaska paying for her private lawyer? Doesn't that present a bit of a conflict since the state legislature is investigating her? Is it legal (moral, rational) for the state to be both investigating her AND paying for her defense?

[TrinityLee]

James Carville I love this:

“They tout her experience as mayor of this town in Alaska,” said Carville. “This is the picture of the City Hall. It looks like a bait shop in South Louisiana,” the Baton Rouge native said. “This is executive experience to be Vice President of the United States, to be a heart beat away from the presidency, to have to take over the country when we’re fighting three wars, when we’re having the biggest credit crisis we’ve had in this country?”

When Bachman suggested that Carville’s criticism smacked of sexism, Carville fired back. “Congresswoman, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I supported a woman for President of the United States.”

The picture made a nice impact…

'No way, no how, no McCain.' (Thanks Hillary!!!)

[Ajita]

That is funny! I'm sure the republicans will scream sexism at everything the dems do to criticize Palin. Thats why Clinton supporters must lead the attack.

[herhonor]

All of the information gathered so far indicates to me that Palin attended the Cheney school for public service. Motto: Let no one stand in your way. Not your family, not members of your community, use and abandon; don't look back. Move forawrd over the bodies as fast as you can before they figure out what you are doing or have done. Scary woman.

[MsMontana]

Think Mc C is wondering how he can get this animal back into the cage? What a bone head choice he made.

[Agent420]

What do you mean? He is being true to himself, bone headed.

[JoeBlough]

But he was a prisoner for five years and they didn't let him made choices. So that makes this one O.K.

[neo1]

You lost soul. He was running things over there. He lived like the chosen prince and made a lot of choices against us! Wake up sleeper!

[neo1]

They'll find a way! Watch em..........

[rdiaz921]

"control freak"

I was waiting something to confirm this.

[boogygran]

M'cain's campaign panicked and threw the vetting process out the window once they saw the writing on the wall during the Dem campaign.

As a woman myself, I expect that any woman OR man being considered for public office will be accorded the same set of standards and expectations - and it defies common sense for the Repugs to claim that P'alin's public life experience and accomplishments compare favorably with that of either O'bama or B'iden. Personal life experiences belong in another category, and of course come under scrutiny and help to define the candidate's character.

?? Judgment - Temperament ??

The negatives already in place in the Repug party platform, and the openly expressed views of both of their nominees-to-be are enough to say to me -- Thanks, but NO thanks.

No way, No how, No M'cain!!! - HRC - 2008 Dem Convention

Obama/Biden for America - Go Democrats

[sawheat1]

Good morning , I am going to spread love all this morning!!!!

http://mysistagirl.com/myalbum.html

THANK ME LATER : )

[shannon1776]

It's obvious the talking points are here: Palin/mayor of small town/blah blah. What I would like is for someone to put down their weed, and tell me what experience the junior Senator from Illinois has? Voting yes or no on some bills for 143 days doesn't make my leg tingle. Biden, the consumate INSIDER, has NEVER run a company, a government agency, a state, etc. Wait, neither has Obama. Seems to me palin has MORE experience than McCain/Obama/Blowhard combined.

[KBAR]

Barry, Joe AND Johnny Mac have NEVER had to meet a payroll. SHE has.

[SlithyTove]

That reasoning makes Britney Spears more qualified than Palin.

[oliviasmommi]

Somehow I think a Harvard educated lawyer is up to the task if a former PTA leader/sportscaster/beauty queen has managed to handle it with her bachelors degree in Journalism...give me a break!

[DrCahill]

You obviously know nothing about Barry and his Campaign!

[herhonor]

I had to meet payroll for 35 years; so what! (with a bigger budget that 20 of her little hometowns) Govenors don't "meet " payroll ; the department of finance and revenue do that she writes her name (for a year and a 1/2) woo hoo!

[KiwisCanFly]

Obama has run an exemplary campaign and meeting a payroll and maintaining a balanced budget are all parts of the whole.

His campaign organization is more efficient than both McCain and Clintons and they both had prior experience in national campaining.

Obama shows through example how well he would manage his administration and govern a country.

Palin, a the mayor of Wasilla, left millions in debt due to mismanagement of the Indoor Ice Arena. The city of 8000 is still paying for it today. Tax payer money has paid for legal fees on this account and for her current ethics investigation into abuse of power.

Obama and Biden 08, judgement and experience.

[herhonor]

Once again for the slow Tr____
In the US Senate, Barack Obama has served on the FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE, VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOUR & PENSION COMMITTEE.
- Before getting to the US Senate Obama served 11 years in the Illinois State Senate.
- Barack Obama is a graduate TOP of his class at Harvard Law School. Barack Obama also has a degree in Political science specializing in International Relations.
- Barack Obama worked in Chicago, Illinois as a community organizer, Obama, as the director of the Developing Communities Project in Chicago, helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization in Altgeld Gardens.
- Barack Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for a community organizing institute.
- Barack Obama worked as a Civil Rights lawyer for 9 years.
- Barack Obama was also a University of Chicago Constitutional Law Professor for 12 years.
- In the U.S Senate Obama has served on the FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE, VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOUR & PENSION COMMITTEE.
-- In the US Senate Obama has written 890 pieces of legislation, and co-sponsored 1096 pieces of legislation.

[KBAR]

An has NEVER had to sign a payroll check.

-- In the US Senate Obama has written 890 pieces of legislation, and co-sponsored 1096 pieces of legislation.

Lots of new post offices in Ill?

[KiwisCanFly]

After all this time shannoni776 u still haven't got a handle on the constitutional majority the Ill Satae legislature requires to pass a bil, as opposed to Congress (and most other States) where a bill passes so long as more vote for it than against it.

8th Graders in Illinois were taught this during there Constitutional Studies.

U are too ill-informed to make a judgement on Obama's present vote strategem.

[kinnycut]

For the tasks they are about to undertake Joe Biden has more experience than any of them, including McCain. The people, like Biden, that Obama has chosen to surround himself with speaks volumes about his excellent judgement. . Being Mayor of Podunk, Alaska isn't enough administrative experience to be a dog catcher in the metropolitan areas of our nation. She is the feeble-minded choice of an old man that just wants to win the Presidency at any cost, and doesn't really care about anything else but winning.

[arthur2008]

McCain wishes to distance himself from the Cheney-Bush White House, but he has chosen a junion varsity version of the most corrupt, vindictive and rapacious vice president in U.S. history. What does this tell us about McCain's true loyalties?

[CBS]

McCain has given us the Northern Exposure candidate for VP....NE was a great tv series but this ticket of his is a dangerous joke.....

http://www.sfbaysailingpix.com/pez2008p1.htm

[SailawayJane]

Well said. For me, the criticism of her is is less about her pregnant teen daughter and more about this woman's politics while she was mayor and governor. Her radical views are scary, like her belonging to a party that believes Alaska should not be part of the US but its own country. Where I come from that's unpatriotic. She wanted US dollars for a bridge to nowhere but doesn't want to be part of the Union. How unqualified can you get?

[KBAR]

like her belonging to a party that believes Alaska should not be part of the US but its own country. Where I come from that's unpatriotic.

She's a Democrat? Who knew?

[dkuz09]

The hell is wrong with this lady firing everybody as a test of "loyalty"? She's got some work-relationship issues... Next she'll be firing her own running mate as a test of loyalty....

[mhutch47]

Yeah, it's bad, but at least better than her original plan of having them run through the quad naked, drink an entire pitcher of a mysterious "moose juice," and then steal the mascot from the rival town.

[herhonor]

You maybe joking...or not

[KiwisCanFly]

Palin appears to prefer to be surrounded by people who capitulate.
Reminding me of our current POTUS, and we have live the consequences of this short sighted form of governance.

Palin appears (much like Cheney to) over-reach her power as evidenced in her current ethics investigation concerning abuse of power. Which is messy, personal and perhaps vindictive.

[mandalaina]

You know, the repubs got nothin' coming, but I'm begining to feel almost sorry for them.

[KBAR]

Under the Strong Mayor form of city government ALL department heads serve 'at the pleasure' of the mayor. If a city/town/village doesn't like that then have a referendum to change or modify the type of government.

[sawdustinhershoes]

In a town of 6000 or 7000 people, you don't rush in and fire the city staff, including the librarian. This woman is not a good manager and she's shown over and over again that she lacks judgement.

She did a very poor job as mayor, she left the town saddled with millions of $ in debt, and then she has the same type of personnell issues as governor. Considering her short tenure as a boss, she sure has made a lot of enemies and mistakes.

You'd better do more research before your come to this woman's defense. I'd imagine McCain wishes he had.

[KBAR]

In a town of 6000 or 7000 people, you don't rush in and fire the city staff, including the librarian

Yes you can! And if you don't believe that, look at any small town election. As I said the Strong Mayor form of government is exactly that.

It's not limited to small towns. In fact the City of San Diego adopted it over the City Manager from : http://www.sandiego.gov/mayortransition/index.shtml

The biggest objection to a Strong Mayor form comes from Unions.

[JoeBlough]

Republicans are good at elections, but not good at management. They tend to run things into the ground.

[Liberal2]

KButt, in your little fascist paradise, that behavior is mandatory. If you had a brain you'd notice the artice said "test of loyalty," not "replace political appointees." I think we need to give *YOU* a little test of "loyalty."Here, drink this kool-aid. You're as American as Karl Rove and Dick Cheney.

What Palin is accused of is as wrong as demanding salary kickbacks or demanding department heads bow as she goes by.

[Ajegunle]

HERE COMES THE OBAMA BOUNCE.

SEVERAL POLLS REPORTED ON MSNBC ARE SHOWING OBAMA WITH A HEALTHY 8 POINT LEAD...

A new USA Today/Gallup poll shows Obama with a 50%-43% lead "among registered voters. In the USA TODAY Poll taken Aug. 21-23, the Illinois senator held a 4-percentage-point lead." More: "Obama eliminated McCain's advantage as "a strong and decisive leader." By 46%-44%, those surveyed says that characteristic applies more to Obama than McCain. Before the convention, McCain held an 8-point advantage. Obama has a 13-point advantage as someone who "shares your values," almost double the edge he held before. He has an 8-point advantage as someone who is "honest and trustworthy"; pre-convention, they were equal."

Also: "McCain's favorable-unfavorable rating was 54%-38%, a healthy mark but his highest unfavorable this year. Obama's rating was 61%-32%."

Meanwhile, a new CBS poll has Obama up eight points, 48%-40%.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/02/1325048.aspx

[KBAR]

Check back Friday AFTER the Repub's wind up.
Beside, DimLib's dismiss any poll that Barry falls in. Always an excuse. Too early, too narrow, to white, no cell phones, TOO or NO , you name it.

[debrouillard]

Do you think the above polls are because America all of a sudden after friday became predominantly black?

[NotBeatenYet]

Yeah, based on the stunning success of your convention thus far, you must really have an exciting "wind up" for us to be worried about.

Enough!

[KiwisCanFly]

Between Gustav and Palin who is watching the Repubs.

McCain a really wise decision with Palin NOT.

[Ladyteguesian]

I'd feel better about everything if it were a bigger percentage like say 60-40 (remember with sadness the 2000 and 2004 elections)
Diebold will still have the final say.

[Richard22]

The argument about Palin's "executive experience" is an absolute joke. It's a sorry tale of political vendettas and inappropriate absues of power. Meanwhile, Obama has been leading on Iraq since 2002... building a national organization that employs thousands, raises and spends millions each month. Plus he's an inspirational, articulate leader who has led on post-Katrina and other legislation, been through 20+_ debates with the top Democrats in America... and put together comprehensive plans for how he would fix the economy, tackle healthcare and global warming -- and protect us from nutcases around the world. Plain should be "retired" from the ticket now!

[drd1044]

You have put forward one of the best arguments I have seen for Obama's experience. Even when I supported Hillary (I am now for Obama), I was extremely impressed with the management of the campaign. Using bright motivated volunteers in addition to paid staffers and being very careful with campaign funds speaks to careful money management which is critical given our deficits.

[motu]

exactly.
he has run the most solid well run campaigns in history for over a year.