McCain’s VP Choice Is Under Ethics Investigation For Abuse Of Power In Alaska
McCain’s VP Choice Is Under Ethics Investigation For Abuse Of Power In Alaska
In Dayton, OH today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will announce that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will be his vice presidential running mate. Palin, who entered office in 2006 after running as a reformer, is touted by conservatives as being “a politician of eye-popping integrity.”
But Palin’s reformer image took a hit last month when she was accused of attempting to get a state trooper fired. That state trooper was her former brother-in-law who had gone through “a messy divorce” with her sister. After the trooper’s boss wouldn’t act on the governor’s request, she fired him. Though Palin says she doesn’t “have anything to hide” and she “didn’t do anything wrong there,” an investigation has found that one of her aides pushed the firing:
Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday revealed an audio recording that shows an aide pressuring the Public Safety Department to fire a state trooper embroiled in a custody battle with her sister.
Palin, who has previously said her administration didn’t exert pressure to get rid of trooper Mike Wooten, also disclosed that members of her staff had made about two dozen contacts with public safety officials about the trooper.
Palin’s scandal envelops her in the constellation of scandal-plagued lawmakers currently serving in Alaska. Here’s a brief overview:
Sen. Ted Stevens: Last month, long-serving Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was indicted by a federal grand jury “with seven counts of making false statements for failing to disclose” gifts of over $250,000 from the oil services company VECO Corp.
State Sen. Ben Stevens (R): The senator’s son, Stevens is being investigated by the FBI for his involvement in “an alleged payment scheme involving fisheries legislation brought by his father.” When VECO’s Bill Allen “pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges, he stated that almost a quarter of a million dollars in consulting fees paid to the younger Stevens was in fact bribery.”
Rep. Don Young (R): Last year, it was revealed that the senior House Republican was “under criminal investigation” involving “possible political favors for a company in Alaska.” In April, Young’s legal fees exceeded $1 million.
Last week, Palin placed her boards and commissions director, Frank Bailey, on paid leave while the investigation into the suspect firing continues.
UPDATE: In 2006, Sen. Ted Stevens endorsed Palin. Watch his ad endorsing her:
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Heckuva job regarding her ability to run a “clean” government in her own state.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:37 amThe interesting thing will be to learn whether she supported and/or campaigned for Stevens in his recent primary race. Is she did then that would be a tremendous negative for her.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:38 amThere he goes again: McCain showing his “great” judgment. Seriously, the guy has lost it.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:39 amKa-ching!!!!!!!
Okay… cue up for the money shot…
(That didn’t take long… clean government, indeed…)
August 29th, 2008 at 11:40 ammccain was definatley in a corner…..down to lieberman or a woman to try to get just a few votes to make it look like an honest effort.
Oh well, viagra still needs representation on tv.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:40 amdrago Says:
There he goes again: McCain showing his “great” judgment. Seriously, the guy has lost it.
___________
Now, now, drago… we all know McCain didn’t make this choice… it was made FOR him by “people who know better”… like Carly Fiorinna, Phil Gramm, John Goodman, KKKarl… Johnny Mac wuz prolly napping at the time…
Z….z…. z….
Time to wake up, Johnny… we’ve picked yer VEEP for ya…
Huh???? Wha??? POW!!! POW!!!
August 29th, 2008 at 11:43 amI’m thinking he might have done better with MICHAEL Palin of Monty Python. Not American, but not scandalous, and vastly more international experience. ;)
August 29th, 2008 at 11:44 amBtw, Chuck Todd on MSNBC skewered the pick of Palin and GOP Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison almost threw up in her mouth talking about this odd choice.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:45 amThe Daddy party just shot itself in the pants. Family values voters believe women should be home raising the kids and getting Daddy’s dinner on the table. The freak show base was already wary of McCain; this just made sure they will stay home on the big day.
We’re told it is too much risk to put inexperienced Obama in the WH. Is Palin ready to face down Putin and Iran after a year in Juneau?
August 29th, 2008 at 11:45 amshe’s not pro-life, she’s anti-choice
August 29th, 2008 at 11:54 amThe hypocrisy of Republicans knows no bounds.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:57 amIt’s a Hail Mary pass, a desperate attempt to peel off three or four Hillary supporters.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:59 amdrago Says:
The hypocrisy of Republicans knows no bounds.
____________
And the stupidity, drago… don’t forget the stupidity…
August 29th, 2008 at 12:00 pmOk, it is really been transparent that Johnny is a passenger in his own life and the puppet masters are setting the stage for more drilling with the Sarah Palin tool.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:01 pmWhat could possibly happen next?
Oh, I forgot. King Georgy declares martial law and suspends elections ala Musharraf.
Abuse of power, eh? No wonder he chose her.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:02 pmSarah Palin will gut Ahmadinejad like an Alaskan moose!
Just so long as she gets home in time to make her very exotic looking husband some dinner and feed and bathe her five children.
Like every good conservative mother should.
-GSD
August 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pm5. Fred Says Oh well, viagra still needs representation on tv.
I’m not gonna let him off that easy.
I am still amazed that the Family Values candidate is the one that opened up TV to commercials for Viagra and Bob with Male Enhancement.
Really, did you want to know that about Dole ?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pmJohn McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin is a SOLID one, and announcing the pick today is a strategic masterpiece, knocking out Barack Obama/Joe Biden’s after convention euphoria!:
http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/ 2008/ 08/ breaking-news-its-unofficially-official.html#links
August 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pmMaybe McDepends was worried about those 3 electoral votes in AK. Guess he has those in his back pocket now.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:08 pmlol, KYJellyDoctor thinks he has a clue (it’s really just a rash)
August 29th, 2008 at 12:09 pmJust speaking personally and off the cuff, the State Trooper thing isn’t nice but I can’t see it being a major campaign issue without a lot of pushing.
However, if a line can be drawn between Palin and Stevens et al…….. KA CHING !
August 29th, 2008 at 12:09 pmKYJurisDoctor Says:
John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin is a SOLID one
- - If Palin is solid, then Biden is Iridium, the densest material known to man.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:10 pmWell it was a mediocre attempt to do same but it really is funny that you think this person has any value to anyone anywhere.
The euphoria continues despite this show of crimals on display.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:10 pmDo you think the oil companies forced this person on the old man? Someone that will do whatever they say after the old man drips his last drop?
Imagine nominating a nobody that is under criminal investigation, and supports old Ted Stevens after he has been shown to have a few legal problems.
Are there any people in the gop that are not crooks?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:11 pmBadmoodman Says:
——————————————————————————–
KYJurisDoctor Says:
John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin is a SOLID one
- - If Palin is solid, then Biden is Iridium, the densest material known to man.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
KYJelly’s skull is the densest material known to man.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:11 pmcriminals…..sorry
August 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pmIs it just me or does this seem like the ultimate “Hail Mary” pass from your own end zone, down 7 with 2 seconds left on the clock?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pmLike there were any Republican options otherwise?
Hagel maybe, but he’s a moderate, and the GOP already thinks McCain is too liberal.
Bad decision. He should have picked Romney.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:13 pmPalin’s scandal envelops her in the constellation of scandal-plagued lawmakers currently serving in Alaska.
Typical GOP political game. Put a women on the ticket to appear to be in favor of women’s equality, never mind that she’s just as integrity challenged as the rest of the party.
You’d think McCain would want to avoid picking someone from scandal plagued Alaska but then again, he sought out Hagee’s endorsement in order to appeal to religious conservatives without realizing what a wingnut he was.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
August 29th, 2008 at 12:13 pmWhy didn’t they just trot out libby? Actually I guess it doesn’t matter because they are all criminals when you look into it so they just chose a woman and are hoping for the best……heh.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:15 pmSounds as though she was the only candidate to choose. Drillmonger, Scandalmonger, etc.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:16 pmMCMetal Says:
“…KYJelly’s skull is the densest material known to man.”
August 29th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I don’t know, McMetal, he’s got some serious competition with the other regular trolls…speaking of which, where’s Daryll? He should be here extolling the virtues of this anti-choice VP candidate!
August 29th, 2008 at 12:16 pmI just came across this little beauty over at Huff Post…
John McCain’s official statement:
U.S. Senator John McCain today announced that he has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate and to serve as his vice president.
Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president.
_____________
Note that last sentence: “ready to be PRESIDENT…”
Huh? Not the VEEP? Is McStain stepping down, already??? WTF, over…
August 29th, 2008 at 12:16 pmJust a short list of neocons down. I quit keeping it up after gonzo so there are plenty to add to the list:
August 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pmColin Powell
Douglas Feith
George Tenet
Scooter Libby
Donald Rumsfeld
John Bolton
John Ashcroft
Paul McNulty
Monica Goodling
Kyle Sampson
Tom Delay
Duke Cunningham
Jack Abramoff
Robert E. Coughlin II
Jeff Gannon/James Guckert
Bob Ney
Mark Foley
Katherine Harris
Scott McClellan
Ari Fleischer
Michael Brown
Paul Wolfowitz
Tony Blair
Dan Bartlett
Tim Griffin
Alberto Gonzales
Larry Kudlow of CNBC’s “Kudlow & Co.” asked her about the possibility of becoming McCain ticket mate.
Palin replied: “[A]s for that V.P. talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?
HT: Daily Kos
August 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pmKYJurisDoctor Says:
John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin is a SOLID one, and announcing the pick today is a strategic masterpiece, knocking out Barack Obama/Joe Biden’s after convention euphoria!:
Well, it’s not like he had a lot of time left to make his pick known, so I wouldn’t go hog wild claiming the timing was “a strategic masterpiece”. And this pick isn’t a “SOLID one”, it’s a desperate one made from the same bad advice he’s been given all along. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has to answer questions about her own allegations of corruption during her first interview after being announced as the pick.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:18 pmPalin replied: “[A]s for that V.P. talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?
- - If you’re Dick Cheney, you run the show.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pmNot. A. Chance.
PUMAs are FAKES. They were going to vote Republican NO MATTER WHAT. They are just a bunch of right wingers trying to fake dissension in the Democratic ranks.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pmWell, I guess this assures McCain of three electoral votes, votes of a state that went for Georgie by more than 60% anyway. Truly baffling. Do the McCain campaign geniuses think the waffling Hillary morons are going to be enthralled by a proponent of gov’t-owned uteri just because she’s a woman?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pmThose that go that direction at this point were never with us to begin with.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pmRantingTommy Says: Palin replied: “[A]s for that V.P. talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?
Holy crap! I learned what the VP did in like 3rd grade.
Another McCain bad judgment call.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:21 pmSome of the talking heads at MSNBC were just saying that ‘people who hate Washington will love Palin’, because she supposedly got rid of the private plane, the chef, and other glitzy benefits of being governer when she entered office in Alaska.
So, McCain is pairing up with someone who totally disagrees with his lifestyle? I’m guessing that he probably was unaware of this. Freakin’ puppet!
August 29th, 2008 at 12:21 pmFor every Hillary voter this pick wins, it loses five “family values” voters and five “foreign policy” voters. Did Palin get a lot of international affairs experience in Wasila and Juneau? Biden has been on the ground in place she will have trouble finding on a map.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:21 pmRight wingers think Alaska IS a foreign country.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:23 pmRanting Tommy says:
Exactly! They thought Hawaii was an exotic foreign country when Obama went there on Holiday.
Maybe all their flags still have 48 stars and their text books discuss the flat earth science, too.
Gotta laugh at these McDepends assklowns; they are just too f’ing funny.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:26 pmI guess he passed on Condi because she doesn’t have babies.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:31 pmHillary voters will never fall for this.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:32 pmWonderful. She starts out her race for the VP position by throwing her aide under a bus. Anyone who thinks that her aide made that phone call without her knowledge is terribly naive.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:34 pmjb Says:
Hillary voters will never fall for this.
Any “Hillary voter” who doesn’t get behind Obama after last night’s speech was never a true “Hillary voter” in the first place.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pmhere’s you 10 cents. Now go buy yourself some cigarettes. I think the gop is overpaying you myself if this is the best you can do.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pmKYJurisDoctor Says:
John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin is a SOLID one, and announcing the pick today is a strategic masterpiece, knocking out Barack Obama/Joe Biden’s after convention euphoria!:
You’ve been a right-wing plant all along. We’re not at all fooled. Go redeem those points, stupid bastard.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pmPutin Says:
We should all be worried. Hillary supporters might vote for McCain now as way to giving Dems the middle finger. Many Hillary supports are mad at Obama and the good old boy Dems.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Nice try. We’re an airtight campaign now, and you are a silly plant. Too little, too late. As a troll though, you think you’re intelligent in forcing your stupidity on others.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:38 pmMy guess is that anyone who thinks they might have a future in the GOP, like Romney, wouldn’t accept the veep seat on the ticket even if the party were willing to doom them. Ms. Palin, on the other hand, can use the campaign to strengthen her position at home and make contacts while the party views her as expendable.
I think it’s reasonable to view her selection as a concession. If the GOP were legitimately contesting the election they would have chosen someone more formidible. And, if they were convinced the fix is in they would have chosen an insider.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:40 pmHer infant son has autism. According to the reich-wingers, autism is a fake disease and a scam and Palin is just milking the medical system.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pmPutin Says: Blah blah blah…
__________
Proving once again that the RNC has out-sourced its trolling to the lowest bidder…
August 29th, 2008 at 12:44 pmHmmmm… let’s see… never go to Connecticut (Lieberman). Never go to Minnesota (Bachmann). Never go to Alaska (Palin, Stevens). What kind of people elect these clowns?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:44 pmKYJurisDoctor Says:
John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin is a SOLID one, and announcing the pick today is a strategic masterpiece, knocking out Barack Obama/Joe Biden’s after convention euphoria!:
The only people who will be paying attention are the 28%ers who would never vote for Obama anyway so George McCain can revel in the admiration of the bottom feeders in this country.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:46 pmWell her acceptance speech made it clear that their motive was to go after the hillary votes. She even called hillary and fararo by name and mentioned the 18 million votes.
I guess she thinks those voters are dumb enough to fall for thier transparent ploy. I don’t think so.
reeks of desperation.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:48 pmPutin Says:
We should all be worried. Hillary supporters might vote for McCain now as way to giving Dems the middle finger. Many Hillary supports are mad at Obama and the good old boy Dems.
You can feel free to buy into that fantasy if you wish. But we know that it is just that, a fantasy. Any true Hillary supporter will be happy to get behind Obama after Hillary’s speech and then Obama’s phenomenal acceptance speech.
The people who are claiming to be Hillary supporters to get interviewed by the press are pretenders. They are all part of Limbaugh’s Operation Chaos.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:49 pmShe sounded in her speech today like someone running for president of the PTA — which is where she got her start. Disastrous choice, delightfully so.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:49 pmDan Quayle in Drag.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:49 pmTP is fired up on all cylinders on such short notice. Great job.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:51 pmCan America say ” mannequin “.
McCain feels he can handle all the duties that he is the ultimate problem solver. That he needs no help.
Maybe after John showing at the last State Of the Union when he dozed off as his party’s President spoke, McCain dozed off. So Palin can carry John’s No Doze in case he needs it.
Most of all, Palin is Gov. of one of the most corrupt state legislatures, Congressman, and Senators. What did she do about it?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:54 pmjb Says:
I guess he passed on Condi because she doesn’t have babies.
He passed on Condi because she told him in no uncertain terms that was not at all interested in being his VP. I suspect that Condi is looking forward to going back to Stanford (if they will have her) and putting the whole sorry last 8 years behind her.
In a way I feel kind of sorry for Condi. She was never allowed the freedom to do her job so she came out looking very ineffectual. She could have stood up to the “boys”, but if she did that she would have to resign like Powell did. Because she didn’t resign and wash her hands of the criminals, she deserves the condemnation that will come her way in history.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:54 pmPutin Says:
Lets face it. It does not matter who McCain picks. In the end racist white people will keep Obama out of the “White” House.
I am sure that is your fondest wish. Personally I am going to believe that the people in this country are better than that. I am going to believe that they will be willing to let go of their prejudice for the good of this country. If they don’t, we are doomed as a nation. I choose to believe that isn’t going to happen.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:56 pmIs anyone really stupid enough to believe that gender is such an issue, to “Hillary supporters”, that they would vote for Flippy McSpin because his running mate has boobs? And do these people think the condescending crap from the Reichwing won’t put off any who may actually give it a thought?
Can’t you just hear the Rushbots? “And ladies. The GOP has a woman on the ticket so you know they’ll be sensitive to your female weakness“.
This is going to work about as smoothly as giving a monkey a gun.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:59 pmIsn’t Rummy pretending to be useful at Stanford now? I had better hopes for Colin and Condi and for that matter, Stanford. The last few years have been filled with disappointments.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:01 pmBy the way, I have full confidence on what would result in sending Palin over to Georgia for some VP talks.
Think of those Cheney appearances when summoned to Suadi by the royal saudi family.
Palin, the new Dick Cheney ? But can she shoot people in the FACE ?
August 29th, 2008 at 1:01 pmI will never let powell off the hook. The UN incident is burned into my mind.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pmHere we go:
Sarah Palin on Abortion
Pro-life. (Nov 2006)
Sarah Palin on Budget & Economy
Aim to reduce general fund spending by $150 million. (Jan 2007)
Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
Marriage only be between and man and a woman. (Nov 2006)
Sarah Palin on Corporations
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Crime
If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it. (Nov 2006)
Sarah Palin on Drugs
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Education
Fully fund K-12 and support early funding of education. (Jan 2007)
Sarah Palin on Energy & Oil
Stranded Gas Development Act no longer applies. (Nov 2006)
Get ANWR open. (Nov 2006)
Sarah Palin on Environment
Provide stability in regulations for developers. (Jan 2007) Convince the rest of the nation to open ANWR. (Jan 2007)
Sarah Palin on Families & Children
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Foreign Policy
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Free Trade
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Government Reform
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Gun Control
Supports Constitutional right to bear arms. (Nov 2006)
Sarah Palin on Health Care
Flexibility in government regulations to allow competition. (Nov 2006)
Sarah Palin on Homeland Security
Promote from within, in Alaska’s National Guard. (Nov 2006)
Sarah Palin on Immigration
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Jobs
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Local Issues
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Principles & Values
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Social Security
Fund the Seniors Longevity Bonus Program. (Nov 2006)
Sarah Palin on Tax Reform
Repeal “nuisance taxes” including the tire tax. (Jan 2007)
Sarah Palin on Technology
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on War & Peace
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Sarah Palin on Welfare & Poverty
August 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pmNo issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
Looks like she has a few issues to sort out.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pmQuite a few issues to take a stand on. I’m sure Dobson or some other christo-cultist will help her out.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:07 pmjb Says:
Looks like she has a few issues to sort out.
Rove will be filling her in on what she believes.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:15 pmSarah Palin, a former mayor of Wasilla!
The 2005 estimate gives it a population of 8,471
Is the Mayor of Wasilla a Part time Job?
August 29th, 2008 at 1:26 pmjb Says:
Quite a few issues to take a stand on. I’m sure Dobson or some other christo-cultist will help her out.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
They’ll be happy to tell us what she thinks, even if she (or McCain) doesn’t know.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:27 pmEv’rybody’s building the big ships and the boats,
August 29th, 2008 at 1:34 pmSome are building monuments,
Others, jotting down notes,
Ev’rybody’s in despair,
Ev’ry girl and boy
But when Sarah Palin gets here,
Ev’rybody’s gonna jump for joy.
Come all without, come all within,
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Palin.
Abuse of power? Fits right in with the Republican view of governance.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:40 pmGreat demonstration of ethics, judgement, and temperment for the old many yelling at the clouds. ROFLMAO!
August 29th, 2008 at 2:06 pmSarah Palin would be the perfect Republican vice-presidential replacement for Dick Cheney…revengeful, hateful, using a public office for a personal vendetta.
Sarah Palin: trying to get an Alaskan state trooper fired on behalf of her sister.
Dick Cheney committing the treasonous act of outing a covert CIA officer, Valerie Plame Wilson, in an attempt to “get” her husband, Joe Wilson.
The circle of Republican corruption would be complete if we ever discover that lifetime NRA member Sarah Palin blasted someone in the face with a shotgun like Dick Cheney did.
Aaaah, I love the smell of Republican defeat in the morning.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:09 pmAny bets that now that she has been named to the VP slot that the ethics investigation will come a quick end and have lots of inconclusive findings?
August 29th, 2008 at 2:10 pmAs Barack said about McSame last night: “He just doesn’t get it!”
ROFLMAO!
August 29th, 2008 at 2:10 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
You can feel free to buy into that fantasy if you wish. But we know that it is just that, a fantasy. Any true Hillary supporter will be happy to get behind Obama after Hillary’s speech and then Obama’s phenomenal acceptance speech.
The people who are claiming to be Hillary supporters to get interviewed by the press are pretenders. They are all part of Limbaugh’s Operation Chaos.
You keep deluding yourself into believing that, and you’ll be very unhappy in November. Obama’s speech did show some improvement on issues that Hillary voters care about - but Hillary voters are not mannequins and can think for themselves. And many think Obama is a fraud that stole the primary and lies to his constituents (FISA Anyone). Whether enough Hillary supporters can get past that and feel that McCain is so much of a worse choice they won’t for him depends on the actions of both Obama and McCain. When McCain picks a woman, when by traditional politics of the DNC Obama would and should have picked Hillary, it’s a problem for Obama. You may want to acknowledge that problem, but that won’t make it go away. McCain actually chose someone that won’t offend the sensibilities of many Republicans while reaching out that he cares about women. That’s a problem for Obama even if you don’t want to admit it.
By the way, I thought Obama’s speech last night was ‘decent’, but not phenomenal. I’m the person (actually former Hillary supporters in general) are the ones that need to believe that - not you. He still has a lot of work to do before I’m ready to vote for him, but he does appear to be headed in the right direction in terms of his speech and I will wait and see if he can change my mind…
You really need to stop belittling and dismissing Hillary supporters - you do so at your own peril and Obama’s election prospects…
August 29th, 2008 at 2:34 pmHmm. Great choice for ‘us’ - lousy choice for ‘them.’
Governor Palin has either exercised poor judgement in encouraging an executive on her staff, or having selected such an executive who would recklessly act without her knowledge but on her behalf, to order the firing of her sisters former husband, an Alaska State Trooper. This move was personal and retaliatory in nature, and conducted outside the bounds of the administrative rules and statutes which govern such procedures in the State of Alaska.
The result? When the head of the organization refused to do so, he was sacked. It doesn’t really matter if Governor Palin knew of or directed this circumvention: she is responsible either way. It demonstrates either her lack of character in directing such an effort, or her inability to hire competent staff. Either way, she ends up on the losing end of the deal.
And, there is some evidence that she ‘knew nothing’ of this situation in the same manner that then Governor Spitzer, a Democrat, ‘knew nothing’ of the efforts conducted by his ‘renegade’ staff to discredit Speaker Bruno. Right…
August 29th, 2008 at 2:48 pmword is they’ll be taking depositions, including Palin’s, in the legislature’s investigation. The article mentions that Monegan says no one ever called him to vet Palin for the veep slot.
I’ve also read that she secretly dispatched the state AG to investigate the claims before the legislature found out, to determine what the legislature’s inquiry would discover. that led to the disclosure of a recorded conversation between her aide and a state trooper representative.
but using the state AG for what amounts to political purposes should in itself be an abuse of power. As should removing releases from the official alaska governor’s office website in which Palin praises Obama’s energy policies.
i guess the moral of the story, even if it turns out that she didn’t abuse her power (or if the MSM and alaska legislature are too weak to declare that she did), she certainly lied about it or — best case scenario — made a representation she had no reason to believe was true.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:22 pm#3 Drago:
There he goes again: McCain showing his “great” judgment. Seriously, the guy has lost it.
Indeed. As has been pointed out, McSame has previously said he’d have picked both Cheney and Rummy. How’d that work out?
Cheers,
August 30th, 2008 at 8:43 pm#12 VerbalKint:
It’s a Hail Mary pass, a desperate attempt to peel off three or four Hillary supporters.
Yes. The three Hillary supporters who think that anything with two tits and a crotch — even if far-RW, creationism espousing, global-warming-denying, anti-choice — is a perfectly fungible substitute for the liberal Hillary.
Cheers,
August 30th, 2008 at 8:46 pm