Alaska Democrats pan Palin for partisan travel
Originally published Monday, December 1, 2008 at 12:08 p.m.
Updated Monday, December 1, 2008 at 4:32 p.m.
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Stumble It!ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The head of the Alaska Democratic Party charged Gov. Palin on Monday with spending too much time on the road engaged in partisan politics and not enough time taking care of business at home.
A Palin spokesman said state business has not been affected by her absences.
Palin stumped Monday in Georgia for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who faces a tough runoff election Tuesday retain his seat against Democrat Jim Martin.
Alaska Democratic Party chairwoman Patti Higgins said Palin, absent from Alaska for most of September and October while running as the GOP vice presidential nominee, should be home addressing the $100 drop in per barrel crude oil prices, the budget for next year and longer-term Alaska social problems such as the low high school graduations rates and the continued difficulty for senior citizens on Medicare finding doctors to will treat them.
"It's one thing to run the state from a Blackberry when you're just troubleshooting and helping solve some problems, but where is she sitting down with her staff, being proactive, and trying to solve some problems that are on the horizon?" Higgins asked at a press conference. "I don't see that."
Gasoline prices for Alaskans are nearly $1 more than the national average, she said. Rural Alaskans are leaving villages to move to urban areas.
"Is her mind around the problems facing Alaska?" Higgins asked. "Does she even know that we're having this huge in-migration of people in from the villages? What is she doing about it? Anchorage has 500 more kids in the school system that they expected to have. What is this doing to the places they left out in the rural areas?"
The value of the Alaska Permanent Fund has dropped by $8 billion, Higgins said.
"Is the governor going to qualify for the permanent fund dividend? I think she's been gone that long," Higgins said.
Palin spokesman Bill McAllister called a press conference in response to Higgins. Twenty-seven days have passed since the national election, he said, and Palin has been in Alaska for all but five.
The governor this week will unveil a health care plan and award a state license to TransCanada Inc. for a natural gas pipeline. Later this month, he said, Palin will announce a proposed budget and a long-range energy plan.
"These are all things that have been worked on through the fall and more intensely here in the last two, three weeks, with the governor driving the process, literally at the at the head of the table," he said.
The flow of work matches the schedule of previous governors, he said.
"It sounds like the Democrats are seizing on what is a normal lull in external activity in administration to make it seem as though the governor is not working, knowing full well that this is the period when all those decisions are being made and they are unveiled in December," he said.
Asked if state business was affected by Palin's absence in September and October, McAllister said no.
"If you can tell me one thing that didn't get done thing that was supposed to get done, yes, state business was not affected," he said.
How about an education plan to address Alaska's high dropout rate?
"Education plan would be contained within the budget, which we'll be releasing on Dec. 15th," he said.
Community Discussion
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Pan Palin wasn't that a rock band?
Is anyone surprised that Palin would rather bask in the glow of the spotlight than do her job as governor? She's an attention hound. Solving the problems that face Alaska is secondary to her, just as everything else is secondary to the spotlight.
What else would the Democrats say? A little short-sighted...
.
none of this is unexpected, but i agree its getting a little bit absurd. time to take care of business at home. what did she do since the end of the campaign? assemble a budget? and then bam, back to campaigning again.
I personally don't think this is the least bit short-sighted. I am non-partisan so I could care less what Reps/Demos say. Our governor is neglecting her duties. She was not elected to govern by remote control. All of the expense for her to flit around is for personal gain and nothing more. We have major issues to resolve that will take years to recover if the proper decisions aren't made now. She can go after bigger dreams AFTER she resigns or is voted out. If our Legislature electeds can't resolve some of her ethics issues, we will have to find a new batch to send to Juneau.
Dems worried she might help get a Republican elected.
I wish Palin would go back to the less partisan face she used to portray, but this is really pretty typical behavior for politicians. I don't think we should be too fussed by it...aside, of course, from the fact that she's helping out one of the worst senators.
bookkeeper--the Dems are not worried that a Republican will get elected, but that critical state business is being ignored by our chronically absent Governor.
Exactly bookkeeper. They want the Senate Democrats to have a filibuster proof majority.
Most Republicans dread such a thing, and anyone with an ounce of common sense wouldn't want Democrats or Republicans to have such a thing.
While I'd rather have her here conducting State business, in this case if she can help a Republican maintain that Senate seat in order to prevent a filibuster proof majority, then I'm fine with what she's up to.
Meh! Pick a subject...all the dems know how to do is whine.
Stopping the Democrat's from a 60 vote majority in the Senate is likely the highest duty any governor could have for the State of Alaska....Governor Palin is doing what has to be done for ALL Alaskan's...those Democrats in the Senate all hate Alaska..and we just shot ourselves in the foot sending them Begich...
It needs to stop now and begin to turn around...Georgia is the place tomorrow for that to happen.
"those Democrats in the Senate all hate Alaska"
Clearly you've fallen head over heels for the good old Stevens-Young drivel. Those two did their best to convince Alaskans that we needed to be a one-party state; fortunately most of us saw through it. Democrats do not all hate Alaska. Just because they don't support drilling in ANWR does not mean they "hate Alaska". Gee, even some Alaskans don't support drilling in ANWR...what a thought!
also a non-partisan here, and i sure would like to see our governor GOVERNING the state she was elected to. FROM within it, i mean.
Who pays for all that travel? and who is mothering her family, raising her new son, helping Bristol, etc, etc?
animalmom,
whose business is it of ours to ask "who is mothering her family, raising her new son, etc., etc.?"
Say what you will about Dems, but at least pull Palin off the crucifix. Jesus is feeling crowded.
I do agree that Dems shouldn't be filibuster proof, I just don't want it on my states time.
If Governor Palin was on the other side of the aisle campaigning for Democrat Jim Martin instead of Saxby Chambliss, I'm sure Democratic Party chairwoman Higgins would be deathly silent right now.
Be that as it may, Governor Palin does need to be reminded that her job is in Alaska.
jroosterdude you may be right. Maybe my boss also doesn't know how government works. I'll try phoning in from my beachfront cottage instead of going in to work next week. Maybe send a few emails from the oceanfront while I'm catching some rays. Text a client with my blackberry while sipping a lunchtime margarita. And instead of doing any real work, you know, like attending meetings or working with my staff, I'll just hang out with the kids, make contacts for the job I hope to get in four years, and inflate my ego. Get my boss to pay for everything, of course. If my boss complains, and threatens to fire me or something, I'll just retort that this is the way the government works! Think my boss will fall for it? Or do you think she would say, Glow, ya better clock back in if'n you wanna keep your job here.
I must have been in a coma all these years. I have never seen so much hatred between political parties. Alaska is going to be remembered in the history books by how many politicians got sent to prison. How many ethics violations and investigations one governor can get hit with. How many Alaskans are calling their neighbors horrible names because they have different political views. Washington hates Alaska? Do they have a reason? We have a fat State coffer yet demand some of the largest pork available. Our governor ran her vp platform like a hate monger testsite. But then others say that's expected of politicians. What have we turned into?
HB 362 was enacted this year. It basically lets State personnel manage political parties. Why do you think that was necessary? It repealed AS 39.25.160(a) which prohibited that act. Was it necessary to allow state employees to help campaign for others on the clock????
Who is paying for this. Is her family with her and who is paying for them.
Sounds like the De moc rats aren't working to hard either, every time Sarah moves they complain. Later this week Sarah will be with Obama and Biden and you will camplain about that to.
The republican party is just trying to get their moneys worth for clothes they paid for. Palin need to make another appearance in them. I wonder who will come to her aide in time of need? Palin needs to stay in her elected position of governor of Alaska.
It is funny to me that the left leaning seem to be able to post during normal working hours. While the more conservative are on after. Those Government jobs must not really be needed? Or is it the University folks? Maybe just those collecting welfare on our dime? I am quite surprised Dobieman was not among the first to bash Palin today. He must be on vacation. And just where is Lost Alaskan? Oh that is right he is hanging out on the dog trapped thread =)
Pat
The Rep's should be telling her to get home too and I don't want state money paying for her gallivanting!
Sarah Palin is for now, and for the foreseeable future, a person of national prominence. Sorry, all you whiny Palin haters. It doesn't matter how much you snivel, or stomp your feet. The other side thinks very highly of Palin, and want to see her.
If she plans on running nationally in the future, she'll need the good will of other Republican leaders, and the people that vote.
Politicians, from the beginning of elections, have split their time between their office and helping their party. Palin didn't just invent the wheel.
Regardless, most of Alaska benefits. All except the sniveling, whiny, back biting, hypocritical, myopic, hateful partisans that live to heap garbage at Sarah Palin (probably because W is in lame duck status).
It worked this past election, but we'll have to see in the future.
Yup.... Typical Democrat Anti-Palin paroxysms ... WHAAA WHAAA WHAAA!!!!!!
Gotta love the caterwauling.
How much was said about obama being "gone" from his office for 19 months?
Why does it seem like all the "non-partisan" people on this site always jump on palin for something?
Why is nothing being said about what the rest of the politicians are doing? Are all of them staying at "home"?
If you would read something besides the blogs you would have found out about where her family is, about her clothes, who is paying for this trip.
Heres the best bumper sticker since Alaska Girls Kick A**
Has anyone seen our Governor? If so please return her to Alaska!
Political parties should not matter in this situation. What matters is that she is the governor of ALASKA and she should be in Alaska doing her job that she signed up to do. I am sorry to all Palin fans, but she is making me sick. She just can not give up the spotlight. A good governor would be in her home state dealing with issues at home. This is rediculus. Everyone can argue until they are blue in the face and defend her actions. But, really? How can you say she is doing a good job, if she is NOT doing her job?
Guess our "hockey mom" just missed the hockey bus, sorry folks, no Gov this year, MAYBE she can make it back in time for next year's hockey try-outs. She doesn't call, she doesn't write ... guess she thinks that someone other than Alaskans pay her salary. Oh That's right the Rep Nat'l Comm!! Who could forget all the travel & clothes, and hair and make-up ... just what she needs more LIPSTICK or is that LIP-SERVICE (and to whom??)
She needs to take care of the business she was elected to take care of and not her own agenda. HEY New idea Sarah!
No new ideas, or even old good ones, just mindless drivel from the liberal bloggers. Hey dems, Obama,s new cabinet is full of tough people who are ready to go to war against radical Islam. War man, war, like wow man, war. Ha Ha.
All she has proven to me is that she hates Juneau and probably doesn't like her job very much. Thankfully, we have a LT GOV who is at least sticking around and showing up.
If she, or anyone is worried whether the Democrats have a filibuster proof majority, and condone Governor Palin's campaigning, instead of governing, I'd have to point out that is placing party politics ahead of her elected, official duties. Imagine if your or me were not doing our jobs, instead off doing charity drives, volunteering, or whatever... instead of what we are paid to do. What would happen?
Jrooster...tell me what is the difference between a brief case carrying beach bum and a briefcase carrying snowbunny? The size of their tans?
AndrewBSP.,since you really are Sarah, so why don't you tell us all why you are so busy with every other states business Except Alaska's?
Majast2211... hey Maj, don't forget the Turkey that the Gov. pardoned.. that was a least as important as...as... something?
"Sarah Palin is for now, and for the foreseeable future, a person of national prominence." Don't you mean national joke glacier..les? Where other states have their Governors ....gasp..Working!!!(What a concept!) ours is..is ..well..lets just say she is Out..period.. unfortunately not doing the business of the state of Alaska.
"It is funny to me that the left leaning seem to be able to post during normal working hours. While the more conservative are on after. Those Government jobs must not really be needed? Or is it the University folks? Maybe just those collecting welfare on our dime?"
Wow that's funny that is just what I have always thought about the people who call radio talk shows every day. both locally and notionally. "Don't conservatives have jobs?"
"Twenty-seven days have passed since the national election, he said, and Palin has been in Alaska for all but five."
Doesn't sound like to me she has been gone to long. Any Gov. picked to run for VP would be gone as Palin has. That's why, for one reason, states have Lt. Governors. Don't tell me anyone out there would do any different. Do Alaskans know that, I think, is the only gov. in a state which is two and a half size of any other state, doesn't have a private jet? Most Governors have more than one of them. Even Virginia has a jet and two King Airs and wants to buy another jet. Even Virginia Tech University has one. Most state Universities have one. When it comes to Alaska, Alaskans should thank their lucky stars that you live where you do and stop complaining. Especially you democrats who want a 60 majority in the Senate. If Palin can stop that, or any other person, than it needs to be done. We need a balance of power. Most states that I know would give their eye teeth to have a Gov. like Palin. Stop complaining and count your blessings.
CPW
Last time Palin "helped " someone they got beat pretty bad. she is useless. Stay away Palin. Help us that way.
Per another story response, I thought Jrooster was Sarah... LOL ..... I suppose the Obamabots cannot keep their party line story straight.
Gotta love their consistency (*sarcasm*)
Yeah, much easier to call people terrorists and whip them into a blood thirsty mob.
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