Palin May Have Fired Aide Over Affair

The Wall Street Journal reports on another Sarah Palin firing -- one that sheds light on the way she mingled personal and political business:

Sarah Palin and John Bitney go way back. They were in the same junior-high band class. Mr. Bitney was a key aide in Gov. Palin's 2006 gubernatorial campaign. When she took office, she gave Mr. Bitney a job as her legislative director, and a few months later stood beside him at a news conference and praised his work.

"Whatever you did, you did it right," she told Mr. Bitney and his team.

Seven weeks later she fired Mr. Bitney for what her spokeswoman now describes as "poor job performance."

What happened in between? According to Mr. Bitney, Gov. Palin got a call from another old friend, Scott Richter, informing her that his wife, Debbie Richter, and Mr. Bitney were having an affair. Mr. Bitney had kept that secret from the governor, even as he told her of his divorce, he said.

...

When Gov. Palin was notified by Mr. Richter in July 2007, she called Mr. Bitney into her office. She already knew he was going through a divorce, and, Mr. Bitney said, he had "led her to believe there weren't going to be any more surprises."

Mr. Bitney said the governor "indicated to me that she was hurt, disappointed and upset, and that she didn't know what she wanted to do."

A few days later, Gov. Palin's chief of staff "indicated to me that I needed to leave the governor's office," Mr. Bitney said.

The Politico has more:

While Palin's office framed the departure as an "amicable" mutual decision, Bitney told Politico that Sarah and Todd Palin "were upset with me about my divorce and who I was dating, and they didn't want that in the governor's office. I wanted to stay with the governor and support the governor -- we're talking about someone who's been a friend for 30 years -- but I understood it, and I have no ax to grind over the whole thing."

Still, Bitney took a line from the "Seinfeld" character Elaine, deeming Palin "a bad breaker-upper."

Palin also fired, according to the Politico, "a campaign adviser whose mother-in-law fought Palin's legislative agenda, a local political mentor who she felt represented the "old boys' network," a police chief who she said tried to intimidate her with "stern look[s]" and a state commissioner who refused to fire her sister's ex-husband."

Comments

[MiddleRoadLiberal]

Her next big firing will be seven nukes on China because they squinted all mean-like at her.

[berrycooda]

You people are really vicious.....talk about the candidates attacking each other.....
I am still wondering what Palin ate for breakfast....since the world seems to know all about S. Palin, why not give us her daily menu so we could dissect that.
Oh..and we don't know where she buys her clothes and shoes.
Come on Nov. 4 so we can see what the next 4 years will bring to us.

If McCain/Palin get in, maybe people can go to work building nuclear plants and solar and wind power,
This is what McCain is talking about, but we still need oil and gas until these things are ready.
Listen to what is being said and quit trying to pick apart personal lives.
Dems are spouting the same thing only they don't want nuclear and they don't want to drill.
They only want the reserves. What if we have a catastrophe here and need the reserves....
Then what will they plan on doing. Hopefully they will use some COMMON SENSE.

[CatoTheCensor]

Umm...actually, Obama's on the record as pro-nuclear, and in favor of limited drilling. Not that drilling will be anything but a political sop to the chronically misinformed. You won't see any particularly appreciable economic benefits yourself, and in six months you'll have forgotten about it as an issue, just like everybody else, unless the media cattle prod chooses to issue the reminder.

[groucho]

Who is vicious? This is an article about a woman who may be in a very powerful position. When I worked for a film company that made training films, I had to go through a lot of background checks. And I was just transporting them 20 miles across town.
Facts are what most people like to read when making important decisions..
Hopefully the POW and his shooter won't win, because then you too will see how bad things will be. Noone will be getting jobs except in the army. If he had wanted to do any of these things, he's been in office since 1987, why didn't he work on them then. Don't be a chump.

[ckdogs]

Vicious? This is a woman has been chosen as a vice president, for a presidential candidate who is 72 years old, with a history of cancer. No one knows who she is, and her credentials are laughable. It's the media's job to scrutinize her relentlessly, so we know who she is, how she thinks, how she wants to govern, and what she's done in the past! All the other candidates in this race, have been raked over the coals for the last 2 years. Why should she be exempt? Most little known candidates welcome media attention to get known, and get their message out. Why is she hiding, and why is she just repeating her convention speech over and over?

[takenawalk]

here in california it was nice to see the msm begin to show proof how mcpalin has been lying - i was actually kind of shocked- the wave is washing up on the shores of those that came out flinging lies...soon they will be washed away..in alaska they are now getting upset with her also...they rise quickly w/lies and fall faster w/nothing...she and mcmav deserve all they get....I'm sure she won't be doing any interviews at all except with whats his face...........

[mercury613]

There is nothing vicious about calling a Vice Presidential candidate to the mat over an alleged abuse of her power. Putting this incident in the same category as what she ate for breakfast or where she buys her shoes is utterly ridiculous.

[jdbk52]

I agree there is nothing vicious in most of the post here. I also want to bring up the fact that she not only fired a man because it was offensive to her and her office but will she do the same with such religious vigor if she makes office. Her type of Christianity is not my Religious view point. I can't stand it when fanatical Christians act like her. Or any kind of fanatic for that matter. I'm not what she would like near her. I also have my opinions. I unlike her, try not to put my religious views into other lives. If asked I say. I try to respect others religious beliefs. She on the other hand loves and thrives [as I can see] to bully people that don't think like her. McCain will have to battle this one every inch of the way if they make it in. Now she is compliant because she wants in. Wait till she's in. With his quick temper and her quick mouth we'll see lipstick flying all over the place.

[Lparso]

I was skeptical about her but the more I learn of her, the more I like her. She's different - she's real and she's won my vote......I thought Hillary was a dynamo but after listening to Palin, she has it all over Hillary. Hillary was beginning to sound angry all the time in her speeches anyway - Palin has it all going for her and I feel she represents the truly strong women in this country. I've come to sincerely admire her and the more junk I read about her, it makes me want to dig deeper to find the truth about her and the more I learn, the more I like what I hear. I voted for Hillary in the primary and believe that Obama really screwed up by not putting her on his ticket as VP.

[wolf58]

They are to afraid to say it so I will

BUSH, BUSH, BUSH, BUSH

If they fear saying their leaders name what else will scare these cowards

[victoryann]

Is this true? About Palin vetoing funding for the Alaska Special Olympics AND vetoing care for unwed pregnant teens? What a hypocrite! And what a LIAR, since she stated (to much applause) in her convention speech that she would be an advocate for special needs kids once she and Mac were in the White House.

This discrepancy between words and actions should be heavily publicized - and the callousness of tossing other unwed teenagers to the wolves while she proudly parades her own pregnant teen around on the national stage is just disgusting. (And since Alaska taxpayers are providing Palin's salary and housing, it could be said that those taxpayers are also putting the roof over her daughter's head - support she denies to other Alaskan teens while accepting it for her own. )

[Thorn2008]

After the idiots in America elect these two to the white house I can't wait to see what sort of damage their sycophants do to the country.

[Palin Supporter]

About as many b-jobs as it took you to get to where you're at in life

[Zyzzygowski]

Is non-work related conduct cause for dismissal? This is potentially a slippery slope as a principle. This issue involves morality and friendship. This raises the issue of Gov Palin, her sister and the State Trooper she was married to, and yes the other alleged firings.

Though I may work for someone, or that someone works for me, should the one live by the others moral compass while not at work? By their ethical, or spiritual conduct? What if the friend of one offends the friend of another, or if a family member is involved? Heck, what if a family member offends your morality?

This is all very uncomfortable. Who wouldn't use their position to protect their family and friends? I really don't have an answer except to say that when it intrudes upon policy does it become dangerous.

Sort of like Pres GW Bush jusitfying the invasion of Iraq for many reasons, including that Saddam Hussein threatened Pres GWH Bush's life.

Where does Gov. Palin draw the line on firing people? Morality? Ethics? Spirituality? Friendship? Family? Is a combination required? And, will it impact policy?

[deminmo]

Really Palin acted in an unprofessional manner about something that
apparently did not directly effect work performance. If she had been smart
she would not have hired someone that close to her. That is almost a
conflict of interest.
I wish she would get a new story to tell. Bridge to nowhere she didn't want,
and the 'McCain is the only person to actually serve his country".

[stella801]

I wish this was all about McCain and not Palin. This is going to hurt us if the focus is not shifted. Why can't Barack attack his opponent and leave Palin to Biden? Ugggg

[LemonMeringue]

Because they have signaled they will respond to every ciriticism of Palin with fake outrage over sexism.

Barack needs to ignore it. Everybody sees through it. It's time to take off the gloves and treat her like one of the guys.

[lifesucks]

It's about time Obama went on the attack. If you're dealing with logical, sane people than you can retort in a logical and sane manner - but, McCain and Palin went for the jugular - let's see if they can take as good as they give. I would much rather Obama go down slinging than allow those two to walk around unscathed.

[firewmn]

*
"You can put l.i.p.sti.ck on a p.i.g," he said to an outbreak of laughter, shouts and raucous applause from his audience, clearly drawing a connection to Palin's joke. "It's still a p.i.g. You can wrap an old .fish. in a piece of paper called change. It's still going to stink after eight years."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080910/ap_on_el_pr/obama_lipstick_4
*

[JamesAndre]

I bet she can't wait to get her hands on the U.S. Attorneys.

http://mentalshift.newsvine.com/

[rockyroad]

Palin is juvenile. She's still in high school. You screwed my sister, I'll screw you. I have all the power, you screw my friend, I'll screw you. Tit for tat.

The role of the VP, in a world challenged with nuclear bombs and financial uncertainty cannot afford a novice with the mentality of a sixteen-year-old beauty contestant.

Slap some lipstick on that pig, ring her in an animal pelt and cloister her from any questioning. Does she represent me or any woman I know? Not a chance.

I know plenty of women who can describe the trials of law school, business school, being the ugliest kid that turned into a swan, started internet companies, made partner, marched to assist in community organizations, volunteered for the Peace Corps, and had up to five kids while practicing their religion. None of them ever entertained the falicy that they could hire and fire at will based upon personal passions. All of whom are reflective about global warming, the rights of gays and a love of nature, with a desire to preserve rather than to destroy it.

News anchors and actors could read Palin's speech and receive rave reviews. In some ways, it takes either an actor who knows it's an act or a sociopath who can be told what to speak, not believe it, not to care, and like a puppet on a string . . . repeat the schlock.

Palin is not change. She is GWB 2.0.

[XME]

If this woman gets in the White House, and worse, if something happens to McCain, I can already see all of the firings she'll so she can surround herself with nothing but "yes men". And if we let this happen, you can be sure we're in for another Bush-like administration.

Considering McCain's campaign has basically become PALIN/McCain, I'm not convinced he wouldn't let this happen even if he IS the "president". After all, everyone knows that the last 8 years we've basically been led by Cheney, not Bush!

[gisellestwocents]

When she starts taking spontaneous questions from the press on the issues, then people will be able to assess her fitness for national office and since she hasn't done this yet, a lot of people question that fitness. Is blind faith expected? Not very bright.


WORLD PEACE AND ECONOMIC STABILITY

OBAMA/BIDEN 'O8

[womanbabyboomer]

I want to see a numbered list of the reasons why Sarah Palin is not qualified to be president. The people who would be swayed by her persona are people who want everything kept simple.

[winfie6]

VP VP VP VP VP not president. Is McCain dead already and we just don't know it?

[LemonMeringue]

Don't you know what a VP is for?

[xmw]

McCain should be very leary of this power hungry, ambitious, vindictive B*%#!

[Deni]

Oh, gosh, people going on TV news shows (not Sarah, BTW, since she's not available for questions) and saying with a straight face that since Alaska is close to Russia, she's got foreign policy experience. How's that for number 1? Or make the fact that she won't face the media without a script as number 1 and the foreign policy BS as number 2. I'm sure others can add to the list.

[MBryant]

(your numbered list) Constiutionally:
1) Sarah Palin was born in the United States
2) She is over the age of 35
3) She is not a convicted felon
She is therefore technically qualified.

She may however, be the least prepared person to assume these duties in a century.

Interestingly, John McCain - who was born in the Panama Canal Zone may not be constitutionally qualified.

[TheOpus]

i thought she was having an affair with Scott Richter at the same time ,,, isnt her name also going to show up in his divorce papers ??

[LemonMeringue]

The National Enquirer printed something about this affair and because the McCain campaign had previously threatened to sue over it, and the NE printed it anyway, I'm going to assume it's all true.

The McCain camp is mum on it. No more threats. I'll bet the NE can prove it in court.

[rockyroad]

National Enquirer may not be the best source, but it is quite good on the trysts of politicos. It is all about the big hit. Expect to see the full story about four days before the election.

[MeanGreenMachine]

Jealous Queen Bee?