Palin Reserved In Reaction To Stevens' Verdict

WASHINGTON — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who has crafted a corruption-busting image as part of her Republican vice presidential campaign, wasn't talking tough Monday after Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted in a corruption case.

Palin did not call on Stevens to resign or drop out of his tight re-election race.

"I'm confident Senator Stevens will do what's right for the people of Alaska," Palin said in a statement.

Just weeks ago, when John McCain tapped her to be his running mate, Republicans trumpeted her ability to stand up to her own party. They said that proved she could stand up in the face of crisis.

"If you can take on Ted Stevens and that crowd in Alaska, you can handle the Russians," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, told ABC News.

But Monday, Palin wasn't taking on Stevens. She said it was a sad day for Alaska and said it highlighted the corrupting influence of Big Oil in Alaska.

Stevens was convicted of seven counts of lying about $250,000 in home improvements and other gifts from oil contractor Bill Allen.

"I will carefully monitor this situation and take any appropriate action as needed," Palin said. "In the meantime, I ask the people of Alaska to join me in respecting the workings of our judicial system."

Stevens has not said what he plans to do and Palin's reluctance to call on him to step down may reflect just how powerful the Alaska senator remains. He is still popular and could win re-election.

Comments

[Rapid Ray]

"She said it was a sad day for Alaska and said it highlighted the corrupting influence of Big Oil in Alaska."

Palin chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission from 2003 to 2004. Last week, in an interview with NBC's Brian Williams, she could not recall the name of the commission when she was tring to point it out as a "positive" part of her resume.

In August 2008, 3 days before accepting the VP nomination, Palin signed a bill authorizing the State of Alaska to award TransCanada Pipelines (an OVERSEAS COMPANY) and pledged $500 million in support of the project.

"Governor Sarah Palin abused her power as Governor in that her conduct violated AS 39.52.110(a) of the Ethics Act, which provides "The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust." - The Branchflower Report (aka "Troopergate")

Plain is current under a second ethics investigation in Alaska.

[courageunderfire]

It seems that no matter where you turn, corruption abounds. The fact that Sarah Palin is not asking him to resign shows us all that she is closer to the cronistic style of George W. Bush than many realize. Also,
Ms. Palin says that the clothes were there, and she put them on, but as soon as the campaign is over it is back to her consignment shop. Yeah sure Sarah..... whatever.......

As the GOP implodes, it is so sad how all the so called "ethical republicans" can't even call a spade a spade. At least have some real integrity.

[LettaRose]

"I will carefully monitor this situation and take any appropriate action as needed," Palin said. "In the meantime, I ask the people of Alaska to join me in respecting the workings of our judicial system."

Just like she respected the "workings of the judicial system" during Troopergate!

[retrocozayshin]

Yeah no kidding. With all of her double talk, contradiction, and lies, she really represents everything I've always hated about politics. Politicians like her are the reason I didn't register to vote until I was 33 (I registered two months ago after/because she was tapped), but then Obama came along.

[kristah]

As a convicted felon, he cant even vote for himself! surely this warrants at very least a stronger statement. Pallin around with Felons=maverick style!

[hortonhearsawho]

Damn, just might have to high tail it up to Alaska and run for whatever...then get away with whatever...on the gop express.

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

See Needs Uncle Ted.........................Uncle Ted Does Not Need Her

[DoTheMath]

Palin has received campaign donations from Bill Allen, too.
She didn't really say "Thanks, but no thanks, for that bridge to nowhere."
She didn't really sell a plane on eBay for a profit.
She and her family traveled at the government's expense and collected per diem for living at home.
She abused her power as governor.
Now she doesn't even want to make any definite statements about Senator Stevens.

She's obviously not really a big-time reformer we can depend on to stand up to corruption in her own party, so what's left of McCain's justification for selecting her?

[xansam]

i have to admit i don't think people in alaska are very smart. their governor has an ethics charge against her and their senior senator has just been convicted on 7 counts of corruption and there is any possibility he will win reelection? says it all about the republican party (and the people who vote for them) right there.

[meleon]

It's not that they aren't smart in my opinion. I get the impression (strongly) that t
there's such a level of individualism married to each communities remoteness that little attention is paid to it's officials and their methods of doing the peoples business. The citizens probably would have never questioned Palin's spending the tax dollars while home, or taking her brood with her. They would have no idea that their Governor did alot that probably hasn't even come to light yet. We shall see.

[tokitori]

he takes $250,000 worth of house improvements; she takes $150,000 worth of clothing. birds of a feather...

[Jean AK]

I'm in Alaska, and this is so true. Those who don't live in the cities -- and there are many of us out here in remote areas -- are worlds apart from state politics. Furthermore, most prefer it that way, being rugged individualist freedom-loving types. You know -- the less government interferes with my life, the better. I'm not saying that's a good thing, just that's the way it is. This campaign has brought to light so very many concerns for Alaska's voters and leaders to scrutinize, and I suspect there will be a lot of housecleaning going on here for quite a while.

[Shinobi]

Don't rip the people. I am not from Alaska, but people live there lives and are fooled & consumed. We are the United States(America) Let 's join together! We can do this! We are important. This is the first time that I have felt this. We can change the WORLD! We are changing the WORLD!

[Chillinout]

She doesn't want to get on the wrong side of him in case he somehow pulls this out and wins his race. She knows she is going to be back in Alaska in a week and she doesn't want anymore enemies than she has now.

[purple hazy]

I love watching Sarah "The Siren" Palin try and dupe the public: "It's the oil companies they held a gun to Stevens head and made him take those home renovations". Next we'll hear how the government has an agenda against the people she's worked with.

From Wikipedia: Sirens: They charm men by their song, and, having first lulled them to sleep, tear them to pieces.

Sounds about right to me. :)

[Mattjoe]

‘Stevens has not said what he plans to do and Palin's reluctance to call on him to step down may reflect just how powerful the Alaska senator remains. He is still popular and could win re-election’

Well isn’t that reassuring?

A testament to either the Governors’ impotence or complicity if not the Republican electorates’ staggering willingness to keep criminals in office.

[WABJR]

1. A convicted Senator
2.Troopergate
3. The Bridge To No Where
4. $150,000.00 in wardrobe
5. $22,800.00 for Make-Up Artist
6. No clue as to the job description for the VP
In the words of Joe Biden, "You're kidding, right?"

[sleek]

Actually...
5. $36,000

(That includes the September and the October payments.)

[tokitori]

that includes hair AND makeup. She needed both.

[clamperken]

Sarah Palins' new reality show, coming to you soon from a prison cell somewhere:
HANGIN' WITH FELONS / JUST PALLIN' ROUND

[seattledemocrat]

Well this is like a grade schooler telling the principal he should resign. Palin is insignifcant to the Steven's process, the presidential process and to the continued political discourse in this country.

She has not earned her voiced in any of these matters.

[theiccemann]

Stevens mavericked a mavericky mav, and Palin, in her mavericky ways, mavericked the misfotrune of mavericking maverickal illmverick, in maverickingly mavericking a maverick with maverickilogical mismaverickilations.