Palin's "Commander In Chief" Position Stripped By Bush

Republicans have been touting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's service as "commander in chief" of the state's National Guard as proof of her foreign policy chops. Democrats and other observers countered that while a governor can command the Guard in local emergencies, he or she has no say at all when it comes to foreign deployments.

As it turns out -- according to both conservatives and liberals -- U.S. governors were stripped of crucial discretion over their National Guard units at home for a good part of Palin's first term.

A clause from National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 amended the Insurrection Act, handing President George W. Bush expanded power to declare martial law and take over Guard troops without a governor's assent. Passed by the Congress and signed by the president more than a month before Palin took office in December 2006, critics on both sides of the aisle deemed it a federal power grab.

"Governors' control of the National Guard can be trumped with a simple presidential declaration," the American Conservative wrote.

Democrat Pat Leahy of the Senate Judiciary Committee agreed, saying: "The changes to the Insurrection Act will allow the President to use the military, including the National Guard, to carry out law enforcement activities without the consent of a governor."

The issue even kicked off a debate inside Alaska, with state Rep. Bob Roses sponsoring a resolution to ask Congress to "reconsider a 2006 law granting the White House more authority over National Guard troops," according to an Anchorage Daily News article from April 18, 2007. The paper ended its article by noting that "a spokesperson for Gov. Sarah Palin said she supports the resolution," presumably because Palin agreed that her authority over the Guard had been negatively impacted.

After Leahy teamed up with Republican Sen. Kit Bond, Congress repealed the 2007 changes to the Insurrection Act, effectively undoing the federal encroachment over governors' National Guard authority. But between the time she was sworn in on Dec. 4, 2006 and the time H.R. 4986 was signed by President Bush on Jan. 28, 2008, all U.S. Governors -- Palin included -- theoretically had even less authority over their state Guard units than they do today.

Comments

[MeanGreenMachine]

Delusional Sociopathic Queen Bee?

[NoSandwiches]

So do we get to say liar liar pants on fire to he Republicans again?
I THOUGHT so....

This is fun!

We're so glad you found your soul mate, Mr Keating McSix

[rayoflightinaseaoffog]

Actually there was a federal court decision in the 1980's from when Minnesota tried to keep its National Gaurd from working in Central America that said in effect that because the State accecpted $ for equipment and pay that it no longer could control it's Guard deployments.

[milman1]

Palin could have easily won a primary against Hillary and Obama.

Be proud of your accomplishments republicans you have only yourselfs to blame.

I'll take right wing nut talking points for 300 Alex.

[KiwisCanFly]

Why Palin is qualified to fill the VP spot is unraveling. An examination of Palin"s record not the hazy and inaccuracies from the GOP.

Her Executive experience is being exposed as an administration fraught with litigation and mismanagement.

Wasilla 22 million debt from zero when she took office as Mayor, to the fiasco with the Wasilla Indoor Ice Arena resulting in the 7 year litigation, unnecessary waste of tax payers money, the attempt to censor the local library, the forced resignations, the almost recall as Mayor (1 year into her Mayorship), she also was forced to hire an administrator to run the small city.

As a governor of 20 mths, Palin has two ethics controversies. One for alleged abuse of power, that is messy, personal and perhaps vindictive. The other for an ethics complaint alleging her office used improper influence to award a state job. More taxpayers money used for the legal fees.

How about the contradictions. Earmarks amounting to 6.1million for Wasilla, when she took office there were about a 5000 population. Instead of addressing the infrastructure of Wasilla, a sewage treatment plant or storm water drainage. They got a 1mill park and a 15million plus arena that put Wasilla into unnecessary debt.

Where is the evidence of the fiscal conservative, or the reformer?
It's only early days yet. But to be fair, Fred Thompson is correct in his reason as to why Palin is VP qualified, "she has experience in politics and life".

[batgirl71]

The founding fathers are turning over in their graves.

[RenaissanceMom]

So what do Methuselah and Tina Fey-lin have left?

[leorising1]

Just as a wacky aside, Palin does NOT control the Alaska National Guard. All National Guard units report to POTUS & Congress, not to governors. They can ask for units in case of emergency, but they have no authority to command. At least, that is my current understanding.

Palin is in charge of the ASDF (Alaska State Defense Force.) It is considered a supplemental police force:

"MISSION:
The mission of the Alaska State Defense Force is to maintain an organized, trained military force, capable of timely and effective response to state emergencies, or, on other occasions deemed appropriate by the Governor, to provide military assistance to civil and military authorities in the preservation of life, property, and public safety."

Thank goodness, the ASDF 1st Battalion is located in -- you guessed it -- Wasilla.

Oh, and another tidbit of trivia:

There are approximately 254 ASDF soldiers and officers statewide.

Governor Palin is "commander in chief" over fewer than 300 bodies.

Wow. [/Ben Stein]

[leorising1]

Sorry, the above post should have had links:

For the ASDF: http://www.ak-prepared.com/asdf/

For the number of ASDF personnel: http://www.ak-prepared.com/asdf/history.htm

Sorry, my HTML-fu is fail.

[firewmn]

***

Listen to this folks...

McCain will not survive this.. audio...off the mic with Chuck Todd, Mike Murphy & Peggy Noonan..

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

**

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

Those hot mics are something else!!!

[Knarf]

Ya gotta love it!

[BIG JOHN]

AND WE KNOW THAT NOONAN AND MIKE MURPHY ARE HARD CORE REP. IT IS VERY CLEAR TO ME THAT PWLENTY AND THE LIKE ARE JUST FLAT OUT LYING. THE MEDIA IS TRYING TO USE HER LIFE STORY AS A PART OF HER EXPERIENCE, BUT THE BAD PARTS OF HER LIFE ARE OFF LIMITS. THEN THEY ATTACK THE MEDIA FOR GOING AFTER HER. NOONAN WRITES A PIECE PUMPING HER UP BUT OFF THE RECORD SHE AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GOP NO THIS LADY IS A JOKE OR AS NOONAN SAID B.S.

[jeffp26]

Sounds like we finally found one intelligent thing Bush did while president.

Ya know what they say about a blind squirrel?

[Donk]

I heard it was blind pig finding the occasional acorn!

[Strywever]

These yahoos must really hate it when they are forced to deal with the part of the public that, unlike their chosen constituents, pays attention to what they're actually doing instead of blithely believing whatever they decide to tell us they're doing.

We thinking voters must be the bane of their existence!

[indura]

So Many Loosers so little time. It seems that this isa issue for Mr Obama or know one would care. It's just another reminder of what he has never done. By the way I know he was a lawyer, did he ever try a major case?

[theMightyT Hussein]

here's a comparison of their experience, side by side.

980 - 1984: Him: Ivy League degree. Her: tiara

1985 - 1990: Him: sterling legal education. Her: sportscaster.

1991 - 1995: Him: Expert on our nation's fundamental legal principles. Her: plotted to leave the Union; thinks Pledge of Allegiance was written by our founding fathers, doesn't know what a Vice President does.

1996 - 2000: Him: sponsored 800 bills. Her: swayed 616 voters.

2001 - 2004: Him: demonstrated the wisdom to oppose the Iraq folly before it even began.
Her: hasn't really though much about Iraq - despite the fact that 17 Alaskans have died there

2005 to present: Him: Impressive figure on the national stage who knows how Congress works and is engaged with foreign policy issues.
Her: small state governor for 21 months; "next to Russia", but that is just 1 of the 190 countries in the world she has never been to.

Conclusion: the word "executive" is not some kind of magic force multiplier when placed in front of the word "experience".

[HerbTee]

Here, here...excellent synopsis!

[bogues]

You hit all the nails on the head. Post it everywhere!

[Wirehedd]

diggin that, yup, yup.

[justobserve]

The question is: has Governor Palin ever exercised her "Governors' control of the National Guard "? Pop up her resume only exposed the LIES.
VOTE FOR ISSUES: EQUAL PAY, WOMEN'S CHOICE, UNIVERSAL HEALTH INSURANCE.

[Liberal2]

Heh....so much for your IQ. The word you wanted is "loser", not "looser'. "Looser" is what your grip on reality becomes each and every day.

Now, lie down, get another six-pack out of the fridge, you're done trying to think for the day.

[booker52]

Anymore spin from the GOP about Mrs Palin they should just start selling washing machines!!!!

[Countdown09]

What these old foggy politicians like Mc seem to not realize is, thanks to the internet we're seeing a whole new age in politics -- you can't lie and cover up what you don't want the public to know like the old days. Get with it Johnnie your VP will be exposed!

[wingnutslayer]

Dick Cheney will never allow his administration to willingly give up power to a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress. If Obama wins, there will be another crisis (Iran? Georgia? Mars?) and Cheney will continue to rule until his olive-pit sized heart finally gives out. And the push button patriots will continue to defend him against all critics as Young George whines "But Dick, I wanna go home now!" To which Dick will reply, "Just move your lips and stop talking." It ain't over till it's over. I don't recognize my country anymore.

[oldgael66]

Is anyone surprised that the GOP is distorting the truth and even going so far as to LIE??

Not me----

[Wirehedd]

that'd be like acting surprised when the sun comes up. Lying and distorting the facts is what rethuglitards do best.