Palin's Governing Style
| Sun Aug. 31, 2008 9:51 AM PDT
PALIN'S GOVERNING STYLE....We all know that after she became governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin sold the executive jet on eBay and fired the chef at the governor's mansion. But how is she at actually governing? Here's Anchorage Daily News reporter Gregg Erickson:
It is clear that she has not paid much attention to the nitty-gritty unglamorous work of government, of gaining consensus, and making difficult compromises. She seems to be of the view that politics should be all rather simple....The Republican chair of the Alaska State House Finance budget subcommittee on Heath and Medicaid says he can't find anyone in Palin's executive office who cares about helping bring that budget under control. He is furious with her about that.
That would be Republican Mike Hawker, who confirms his opinion of Palin to the LA Times:
"Her administration had the appearance of paying absolutely no attention to any of the rest of the unglamorous side of government," said Hawker, "whether it be dealing with human services, public services, highways, all the routine aspects."
And Democrats agree! Here's state senator Hollis French:
French faulted Palin for not helping the Legislature pass a bill to raise the benefits threshhold for children and pregnant women from 175% of the poverty level to 200%. (Most states set them at 200% to 250%.) "She said she wanted to help us raise it," French said, "but couldn't be bothered to do anything in the closing days of the Legislature, when she could have helped it through."
So in addition to not having much curiosity or interest in political affairs outside of Alaska, she apparently doesn't have much curiosity or interest in political affairs inside Alaska either. Sounds like the perfect successor to W. No wonder McCain fell in love with her.
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Last night this was posted on Steve Clemons' blog:
"I usually resist Enquirer style gossip. But the internet seems to be abuzz with the rumor that the fifth Palin child is not really Sarah's, but is instead her daughter Bristol's.
To be frank, Daily Kos is making quite a convincing argument....
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/30/121350/137/486/580223
...and the photographs are quite convincing as well. The one of Sarah when she is supposedly seven months pregnant seems just a bit of a clincher. Unless, of course she was carrying a Grade A egg, of the Egglands variety, and hatched it on her way home from Dallas.
Perhaps McCain will come to wish he had of vetted Palin a bit deeper. Or, maybe its Bristol he should have vetted.
Gossip? It would certainly explain the inexplicable and irresponsible excursion from Dallas to Alaska she embarked on after her water supposedly broke.
Something is rotten here. This Palin thing is DESIGNED to blow up in McCain's face. What are these fuckin' scumbags up to?
You can bet that this poor creature Palin, and her family, will rue the day that the Rove machine descended on Wasilla Alaska, and saw the makings of yet one more slimey despicable plot. Palin will never be VP. Like so many, she's just another puppet. And they'll throw this puppet in the trash just as soon as she's served her purpose. I feel sorry for the Palins."
But everyone knows Palin was a little mini-McCain, so you won't find anyone in AK who likes her. Don't you see? She fought against people in her OWN PARTY! She's a Maverick, goddamnit.
Sounds like snark, right? This is precisely the argument the McCain campaign is making.
On CNN this morning, Roland Martin asked some Republithug shill (didn't get her name) why Mike Huckabee would not have been a better choice if McInsane wanted to shore up the base and add executive experience. She said that there were problems with Huckabee on "fiscal issues". In other words, he doesn't hate the poor enough and thinks government should pay its bills. This post clarifies why Palin fills the bill on the fiscal front.
On experience:
There is a world of difference between being a governor of a big state and a resource rich state like Alaska. Please. Being a governor of Alaska is more comparable to being a director of natural resources in a big state. Still an executive position, but the issues in Alaska pale in comparison to the monstrous issues pressing on states like California, Illinois, New York, etc.
Palin was easily able to dodge the looming deficit issue by raising taxes on oil. Just how many other states have that luxury? That was a no brainer.
So, considering this aspect of "experience", this calls into question McCain's judgment that much more.
Unlike Harriet Myers she just can't withdraw her name, can she, at this late date? Perhaps the Thomas Eagleton episode with McGovern might just be repeated, with the exception that Eagleton was imminently qualified.
Two questions:
1) Is it possible that the horrified delegates at the Repug convention (there have to be quite a few of them) can simply not vote for Palin for VP and nominate (and elect) someone else? It's not a done deal yet.
2) How is is possible that Palin even accepted this offer? Is it arrogance or ignorance that she felt she was qualified for this position?
No wonder McCain fell in love with her.
At first sight, apparently.
The best quote I've read so far (some commenter at Ezra Klein's, I think): "Most people spend more time picking out a camera than McCain did picking out a vice president."
over and over, i ask myself: how can the right-wing robots be as stupid as a is?
if your claim is that palin has better "governing style" cred than obama and biden, then that's also true of mccain! indeed, obviously by your standard, palin should be the nominee.
or maybe you are a complete and total moron.
Submitted by Aaron S. Veenstra (not verified) on Sun Aug. 31, 2008 12:05 PM PDT.
I don't get why selling the governor's jet is supposed to be some great thing. Alaska is huge, and many parts of it are inaccessible over land -- it's not like she's running New Jersey up there, what if the governor needs to get to Nome on short notice?
So is this is what it is going to be like for the next several months? When people point out the weaknesses in Palin's political abilities, they are going to try to attack Obama?
Let's compare Obama's governing styles. Okay. When he started the race 19 months ago, he told investors that they would have a good indication of how he would run the country with how he ran his campaign. The last time I checked, he has built one of the largest political campaigns in election history, broken fundraising records, and garnered the supports of thousands of volunteers....hmmm.
What about McCain. Oh yeah, that's right. His campaign almost completely went bankrupt last year, and he has had trouble with organization and a coherent message even though he had several months to prepare for the general election campaign while the Dem primary was going on.
Drop the whose child is it line of inquiry. Even if true, It will land in the Democrats faces as the Dubya AWOL story (and I believe Dubya was AWOL from the guard and wish he had been AWOL from the Whitehouse).
Focus on Ms. Palin's accomplishments. They are damning enough in their own right. You don't even have to mention the thinness of the resume. .
Hi again,
What gives with the Dems? I have been around a long time and this is the first time I can remember that a Presidential candidate was running against a Vice Presidential candidate. Palin sure got Obama's campaign people's panties in a twist. This might get interesting after all.
god this pick has brought the stupes out.
lyle w, despite your sophomoric interest in the "front page," 40M watched obama's speech. they didn't all get distracted by palin; they are actually capable of processing more than one input at a time.
as for mac, whatever in the hell are you talking about? like every sentient being in america, the people in the obama campaign can't believe the radical irresponsibility of john mccain selecting someone he barely knows, but beyond that, other than her interest in socialism (you know, the part where she taxes the oil companies and then rebates to consumers for energy, aka the "obama plan"), she's simply more of the same right-wing dogma that obama was already running against.
get a grip: just because the people running mccain's campaign, like what passes for the republican party these days, are children doesn't mean that the obama campaign is run by children.
I wonder if Palin supports McCains often publicized hopes to kill Iranians with bombs and cigarettes? Why is the media sadly ignoring this aspect of a most dangerous candidate? Talk about lack of judgement...I think the populace should rebel against this insanity.
Drop the whose child is it line of inquiry.
I agree. Downs Syndrome is far more likely with a mother over 40 than with a much younger woman.
See this graph, and the accompanying WIKI article is also an easy read. The stats suggest that one should presume this story false until there is better, non-circumstantial evidence.
Submitted by TangoMan (not verified) on Sun Aug. 31, 2008 4:48 PM PDT.
god this pick has brought the stupes out.
Being self-referential I see.
her interest in socialism (you know, the part where she taxes the oil companies and then rebates to consumers for energy, aka the "obama plan")
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
Howard,
"as for mac, whatever in the hell are you talking about? like every sentient being in america, the people in the obama campaign can't believe the radical irresponsibility of john mccain selecting someone he barely knows, but beyond that, other than her interest in socialism (you know, the part where she taxes the oil companies and then rebates to consumers for energy, aka the "obama plan"), she's simply more of the same right-wing dogma that obama was already running against."
Yeah, that is exactly my point. According to all of the Dem spokespeople, Palin is a monumental detriment to the McCain campaign. Yet, it seems that every Dem and liberal spokesperson in America has been burning up the various news and discussion mediums in an attempt to minimize Sarah Palin. Why is that? Wouldn't it be to your advantage to ignore an obvious "loser" and concentrate on your candidate's message? Or is there something about Palin that causes the campaign strategists concern? Can't wait until November.
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
Advice TangoMan apparently needs to read.
But enough about the idiot Republican trolls, let's talk about the idiot Republican candidates: an empty suit and his token woman pick.
I've asked repeatedly, but not one of Palin's defenders can explain what McCain brings to the ticket. Their argument that she has more experience than McCain is certainly one they will regret, but it is odd that they can't find any way to explain what it is this clueless old man brings to the table.
That, Mac, is what you are seeing. People are looking for some rationale for why someone as ill-prepared for the Presidency as McCain is would bring on someone with an even less impressive resume.
Submitted by low-tech cyclist (not verified) on Sun Aug. 31, 2008 6:20 PM PDT.
Palin, from the "What does the V.P. do all day?" vid:
"I'm used to being very productive and working real hard and in administration..."
Alaska Governoring is hard work!
Submitted by Howard (not verified) on Sun Aug. 31, 2008 7:34 PM PDT.
Palin, Palin, Palin, PalinPalinPalin, PalinPalin, PALIN! Palin?! Palin withdrew her nomination? Now Pawlenty? pawlentypawlentypawlenty. Boooooring.
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Obama speech? What Obama speech?
All of the liberal blogs are exposing what a bizarre choice Palin is. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, none of it is appearing on the one medium that matters to the average American voter: TV.
Why is the right so successful at getting massive broadcast coverage of even the smallest faux pas committed by Obama and the Dems, while the GOP always gets a pass?
Last post for me.
I have long thought that this Presidential election is really a referendum on Obama. McCain has little following even in the GOP. Therefor, it doesn't matter who his running mate is. This is where Obama has to sell himself and his plans and I am not sure that he can do it. A lot of negative baggage and a world full of problems that he can not control. Don't get caught up in the technical aspects of a traditional election campaign. I just do not think that they apply this year. As I said, it should be interesting from here on.
Submitted by SocraticGadfly (not verified) on Sun Aug. 31, 2008 10:50 PM PDT.
Sarah Palin: Think Tom Eagleton, not Dan Quayle
As I explain in an in-depth news analysis at my blog, Poppy Bush could have chosen a mushroom for Veep in 1988 and it wouldn't have been so serious. Ditto for Perot with Stockdale in 1992.
But, between the future of addressing the so-called Global War on Terror, controlling global warming, and finding energy alternatives in the face of Peak Oil (a two-word phrase that has yet, in exact form, to escape the lips of either major-party candidate) 2008 is different.
It's like 1972, when the country was divided over Vietnam. Hence, as I point out, Palin is this year's Tom Eagleton. If you don't know much about him, click the link above and see the comparisons spun out.
To supplement and background it, here's an initial post on the number of issues of concern with Palin.
Part 2 of the Palin-Eagleton comparison, including a link to discussion about whether or not her 4-month-old baby is actually her grandbaby, is here.
The bottom line is McCain is 72 year old and has health problems and could die today or tomorrow! When this sinks in and people start to reflect and consider what a President Palin REALLY means due to her very real lack of national and international issues, policies and procedures, and her intellectual capacity or incapacity, people in all good conscience, for the safety and welfare of this country, will not vote for McCain. He has made a colossal mistake in judgment.
As theater and a PR move, it is brilliant. 16 hours after an historic convention and acceptance speech, Obama has been wiped off the front pages and television screens with Sarah who?
Posted by: Lyle W on 08/31/08 at 5:45 PM
Maybe so, but was a candidate of this ilk worth that -- particularly now that we're learning more about her? Presenting a new product from out of the blue is fine if it delivers the goods; this one clearly doesn't, except to a small, peripheral base of the Republican party that GOP bosses overvalue.
To John McCain, I borrow the words of Debbie Harry: "My man, your plan...backfired."
Kevin, you probably won't like this but there are other issues with Sarah Palin coming up now that you will need to at least address, in your admirably gentlemanly way of course:
Kos has a fascinating, scary, and apparently well-documented story about Palin's connection to the Alaskan Independence Party. Check it out, and forward to as many commentators and blogs as you can.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/1/4231/18477/878/581881
Second, there's buzz now about a weird but seemingly plausible story (after all, Palin sure doesn't look pregnant in pictures supposedly taken near the end of her ostensible pregnancy) that Sarah Palin's fifth child was actually her daughter's child? Kos has some posts and sub-blogs about this. Also, many decry the poor judgment about being on the plane ride and etc. if Palin was indeed the mother of that child. Some rightie bloggers claim the late-pregnancy pics are mis-dated (but there's other data points too), anyone know what the best scoop is?
Likes Buchanan and Creationism. Brings deformed babies into the world at an advanced (for child bearing) age(or makes her daughter do it - what 16 year old would have a mentally challenged child on purpose?) Uses power to (try) destroy the career of a family enemy and probably the most obviously revealing reason for Palin's selection for VP by McCain (in addition to some pretty obvious lustful intentions on his part) is that she also brings with her a big state with a small population, who pay no attention to ethics or morals in politics, or in environmental protection and would love to see a pipeline bring revenue to their state -to hell with the environment or wildlife which they kill off when they can anyway.
Find out how much money the oil companies paid McCain to choose Palin and you'll have the answer to why McCain at first glance - made such an appallingly stupid blunder. I'm elated because I can barely believe anyone in this country would be stupid enough to vote in such a loser ticket as McCain/Palin. Then I remember that's what I thought about Bush/Cheney and I'm running scared. There are millions in this country who should not even be allowed to vote just on the basis of their IQ score, let alone their lack of ethical values. We sure as hell don't need two of them running our government. Get rid of oil barons and warmongers and we might be able to have a decent country again in a respected position to make some positive changes for the better, nation and world wide - or is that concept not self serving enough or beyond the grasp of mentality for the Republican illiterates who voted in the -talk about mentally challenged - offspring of the Hitler leaning Bush dynasty?
mac, here's the problem: if you insist upon a fantasy version of the reaction to palin, then you're going to type the kinds of things you typed.
but if you look at reality, most democrats and the obama campaign in particular - haven't had very much at all to say about palin. the talking heads have, the bloggers have, us commenters have, but not the very people you claim have.
as it gradually comes clear to people that john mccain has barely met palin, that joe biden, after the debate, will have spent more time with her than mccain had prior to picking her, as the unconsiable stupidity of mccain calliner her a "soulmate" gets reinforced, this selection will look like the dumb-ass confirmation that john mccain is a hothead who can't make good decisions.
dems don't have to say much of anything, although i do look forward to gop tax fanatics justifying her socialism in one state approach to taxing oil profits (you know: the obama plan!).
"As theater and a PR move, it is brilliant. 16 hours after an historic convention and acceptance speech, Obama has been wiped off the front pages and television screens with Sarah who?"
I don't think any presidential candidate would not be horrified at watching his VP pick implode. That's like saying the Titanic was a brilliant PR move for the cruise line industry.
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