Palin has checkered history on ethics issues
Published Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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Stumble It!ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose reformer image took a hit in a report concluding she abused her powers to settle a family score, has skirted state ethics rules before for personal benefit and used her office to help friends and supporters, according to an Associated Press review of records.
Palin’s first try at statewide office, after six years as mayor of Wasilla, was an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor in 2002. To raise money, she improperly used her City Hall office and equipment, city records show. A year later she would make headlines by blasting a fellow Republican for, among other things, improperly using his government position to boost his campaign.
Then, in 2006, Palin won the governor’s race with a vow to reform state ethics. But in less than two years, she has repeatedly taken actions that violated her own stated standards for ethical behavior — if not state law. In the process, the Republican vice presidential nominee has become much like the old-school politicians she attacked during her rise to power.
Some examples:
—She pummeled opponents for giving oil companies and other businesses too much control of state government. Yet she appointed the founder of an engineering firm that received $6.8 million in state business as head of the transportation department.
—She has accepted dozens of gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars since taking office, including two free trips last year that she failed to report on disclosure forms, despite criticizing state legislators for the gifts they take.
—She is under another investigation, accused of misusing her office to campaign against a voter referendum calling for tighter mining regulations. Her husband, Todd, has accepted free trips from a mining company to look at their proposed new site.
—Another ethics complaint, unresolved, accuses her staff of finding a state job for a friend and campaign contributor.
Last week, an investigation by the Alaska legislature found that Palin, running mate to Republican presidential candidate John McCain, abused her powers when she and her husband improperly pressured the state public safety commissioner to fire her sister’s ex-husband, a state trooper. The brother-in-law was never fired, but Palin fired the commissioner in July.
“It’s all about the power, and it frightens me,” said state Rep. Beth Kerttula, a Juneau Democrat who like many in the minority party have supported Palin on some issues, including energy policy. “She doesn’t seem to know where the boundaries are.”
Even critics concede that Palin deserves credit for working with legislators to toughen state ethics laws and for providing more information to taxpayers about state spending. She advocated restrictions on lobbyists’ giving, increased disclosure requirements for public officials and posted state spending details on the Internet.
Palin also risked her own political future by exposing unethical behavior by other public officials, even those in her own party.
But they say she often claims the ethical high ground when she hasn’t been above questionable behavior herself.
“She’s very good at reading the public’s discontent and pandering to it,” said Larry Persily, who worked in the governor’s Washington, D.C., office until resigning earlier this year.
Palin faced questions during her 2006 gubernatorial race about her use of the Wasilla mayor’s office four years earlier to run for lieutenant governor. Palin used city staff and office equipment — including a fax machine, computers for e-mail and a City Hall phone number — to run her campaign, according to city records.
She apologized for those transgressions in 2006, but only this month acknowledged to the AP that the city initially paid for a campaign flight in that 2002 race and that weeks later she reimbursed the city.
“According to people who worked with her at the time, the travel agency inadvertently billed the city rather than her personally,” McCain campaign spokesman Taylor Griffin said in a written statement. “To ensure that it was corrected immediately, she reimbursed Wasilla and the campaign later reimbursed her. It’s an example of Gov. Palin’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics.”
Palin brushed the issue aside when she ran for governor, arguing it was nothing more than an opponent’s smear campaign.
She has cast herself as Alaska’s ethics watchdog. In her most dramatic move, she revealed in 2003 that the state’s Republican Party leader was campaigning from his state job. She then challenged incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski two years ago on a platform of government reform.
After her victory, though, Palin reverted to political tradition, rewarding even marginally qualified friends and campaign backers with high-level positions.
A friend from her Wasilla High School class was named to manage the state’s agriculture office after a career in real estate. A family friend and campaign worker became head of the state agency that distributes dividend checks to Alaskans from oil revenue. Her real estate agent’s husband received an appointment to the state real estate board.
Palin’s biggest political splash was from attacking the big oil companies that she said ran the state. She challenged their political power, and promised voters that her administration would avoid cozy relationships with business.
But one of her first cabinet appointments didn’t live up to that pledge.
Leo von Scheben, a co-founder of Anchorage-based USKH Inc. engineering firm, took over the state’s Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and his firm’s state business increased, records show. USKH received $6.8 million in state transportation contracts last year, up 13 percent from $6 million the year before.
Von Scheben stopped taking a salary and all benefits from the company when he stepped into the state job. But he didn’t sever all financial ties. Von Scheben receives annual stock payments that he arranged before he left the company in 2007 that will continue for 10 years, according to his financial disclosure forms.
Von Scheben said he has recused himself on projects pursued by the firm and that others in the agency select companies to receive state business. He said he believes his appointment may have cost his former company state business, although he doesn’t regret taking the job.
“If the state can’t draw on some private sector people, they’re missing out,” he said.
Palin claims passage of broad ethics reforms as an accomplishment following state corruption scandals. But Palin didn’t report as gifts two free trips she received in 2007 as legislators were debating the new ethics law.
“This is simply a rare oversight, nothing more,” campaign spokesman Griffin said when asked about the omissions by the AP.
Palin has, in fact, reported most of her gifts on her annual financial disclosure forms, something her predecessor never did, according to Alaska Public Offices Commission records.
The unreported paid trips:
—The $2,988 cost of Palin’s April 2007 flight and hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz., for a four-day conference was paid by the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute of North Carolina, a nonprofit education policy group. Palin received the same free trip as dozens of other governors invited over the years to attend the annual summit, institute spokesman April White said.
—A May 2007 overnight visit with her three daughters and her parents attending a family reception at Mt. Chilkoot Lodge in Skagway, Alaska, was paid for by friend and former deputy campaign treasurer Kathy Hosford, one of the lodge’s owners.
“We weren’t open and it was just on a friendship basis,” Hosford said.
The Palins used two suites valued at $150 each, said Sharon Leighow, a spokeswoman in the governor’s office.
The same day Palin visited Skagway, executives of the Anchorage-based VECO Inc. pleaded guilty to offering bribes to five legislators. Palin, mingling with old family friends and town residents, spoke briefly with local reporters during her visit, calling the corruption developments “atrocious” and promising change.
“There are problems in state government,” Palin told The Skagway News, “and on our watch it is our responsibility to show people that we are going to clean things up.”
Persily, who said he left Palin’s administration because he didn’t enjoy working in Washington, said Palin is skillful in “attacking the ’good ol’ boys.’ The good ol’ boys that Palin is talking about are those that can’t help her politically.”
Democratic state Rep. Mike Doogan said Palin, even as she bends or breaks the rules herself, acts as if she invented ethics in Alaska.
“It’s insulting to those of us who have always done the right thing,” he said.
Community Discussion
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Gasp! Sarah Palin a hypocrite and a fraud? How.....unexpected.
Barackk Obamaa a hipocrat and a fraud? http://www.time.com/time/politics/articl...
This has nothing to do with Senator Obama. Right wingers will use every opportunity to slander the opposition. Remember, McShame is the traitor. It was he, who as a prisoner of war, signed documents, condemning his country, a violation od the Uniform code of miltary justice. He was one of 4 POW's that signed those documents. The other 3 got court martialed, as they should have been, but then their Daddy was not an Admiral! He also had direct associations to right wing central american death squads, with his Pal General Singlaub. These very death squads are who murdered the American Nuns in El Salvador, and McCain tried to make excuses such as, they had no business being there. Now who is the Hippo and fraud?
AFC,
I take it you left service with less than favorable views? What, did you tell when they clearly stated, don't ask, don't tell?
Addendum:
To Palin: So who is palling around with terrorsists? It appears our good governor is the one. Mc Cain was not 8 years old when this happened. He was a member of congress, associated with extreme right wing organizations, that caused the death of many Americans. Prof Ayers never cause the death of a single American. He was trying to prevent un-neccessary sacrifices of American Military lives in SE Asia, for the gain of the Military Industrial Complex.
Here's what the man on the street has to say about Palin's ethics:
http://www.theonion.com/content/amvo/pal...
AFCOLONEL - all this anti-palinism is finally breaking down my barriers. Can you tell me why I should vote for Obama dispite the fact that he has terrorist ties and a muslim background? My second issue is how will he be better? I'm on the wall - I can go either way.
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aknatesaregr8 --
OBAMA DOES NOT HAVE A MUSLIM BACKGROUND!!!
It is my understanding that his grandfather was Muslim - a grandfather that he NEVER EVEN MET.
He had some education in a public school that had a large number of Muslims. It was NOT a Muslim school.
So, first put that out of your mind. It is simply NOT true.
As to how will he be better?
1) He plans to actively NEGOTAITE with the Muslim nations, something the Repubs refuse to do.
2) He plans to actually focus on catching Bin Laden, something the Repubs refuse to do.
3) He plans to bring home our troops and stop the hemorrhaging of our tax dollars for Dubya's ridiculous war for oil.
4) Under his tax program, the vast majority of us will receive a tax cut (provided you make less than 1/4 Million a year).
5) He wants to diversify our power sources - not just "drill, baby, drill", but actual diversification.
6) Given his background and upbringing, he brings a much broader perspective on race and religion than America has probably EVER seen from a presidential candidate. He truly understands racism from a personal point of view and will better be able to tackle the problems. He better understands different religious points of view and will be that much more equipped to deal with those issues as well.
Ok, there are some of the things at the top of my list.
Hope this helps you.
If I am not wrong, Alaska native means about the same as as native American, and not imported white trash from Idaho, and I am afraid you don't qualify to be native. White is white, and will never be native to anyplace except Europe.
BTW - The "terrorist" ties are to a white American who, although claimed to be a terrorist, is currently a free man living in America. I don't care what anyone wants to say - that fact that he is free and has a good job at a reputable University tells me that whatever he did FOUR DECADES ago should be put out of your mind.
I know that these days when someone says terrorist, you automatically think of Muslim Jihadists. Thus, when someone says he has terrorist ties, you automatically assume that. The fact is, the guy that they claim is his "terrorist tie" is a WHITE AMERICAN MALE...
Ok, hope that clears up your other misconception.
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^
This is why we can't have nice things.
LOL @ Valkyrie.... yup. :)
aknatesaregr8 :Yeah, you are on the wall all right, peeking into your neighbors bedroom! Now say it out loud, because it is real: PRESIDENT OBAMA!You guys are so desperate, you are lying to yourselves, and believing it. Sad, but 31% of Americans still think George Bush is doing a great job.
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Wow, you all need help. Try to be civilized, hmm? We can try to change each other's mind, and agree to disagree. If typing evil and vicious comments to someone who opposes your view (whether you are conservative, liberal, or somewhere in between like me)is all you can do, though I acknowledge the first amendment, I suggest you go somewhere else. We get enough mudslinging on TV, we don't need to waste bandwidth on it here. Thank you.
And in the interest of fairness, and because I'm sick of the partisan hogwash from both sides, I'll also give out a daily Ted Bundy Award to the misogynistic person who launches the most absurd and dishonest attack on Sarah Palin.
Stay tuned.
One of the things I most hate in politicians (and other folks) is hypocrisy. Sarah Palin appears to be an impressive example of what I most hate in politics.
Sigh.
The_Alaska_Curmudgeon: Great comment. You probably don't remember that far back, but(and I hate to bring this into play) Germany's Minister of propaganda, the Karl Rowe of his day, said, that if you plant a lie, and repeat it enough times, people will quote the articles that you planted the lie in. Contributors (?) like aknatesaregr8 are just hate filled airbags. His calling me names is a proud badge for me. I am not amazed though, at how many racist there are in my beloved Alaska. I personally know quite a number of people, that moved here from the lower 48, because it was so white here. For the record, I was born here in 1947, and raised here, served honorably in 2 wars, and I fought for my right to disagree with my governments conduct. I earned my Eagle and am proud of it. I even support the AIP to a small degree, in that I feel that the Statehood Election, like the one in Hawaii was rigged, by allowing the Military that was stationed there to vote.
Barack Obama's association with William Ayers is tenous at best. And the Republican attacks upon him in this regard are a waste of time.
But Barack Obama has made a dubious list that even Sarah Palin hasn't made(yet). That is Judicial Watch's list of America's Ten Most Corrupt Politicians for 2007. The text of which states:
""""Senator Barack Obama (D-IL): A “Dishonorable Mention” last year, Senator Obama moves onto the “ten most wanted” list in 2007. In 2006, it was discovered that Obama was involved in a suspicious real estate deal with an indicted political fundraiser, Antoin “Tony” Rezko. In 2007, more reports surfaced of deeper and suspicious business and political connections It was reported that just two months after he joined the Senate, Obama purchased $50,000 worth of stock in speculative companies whose major investors were his biggest campaign contributors. One of the companies was a biotech concern that benefited from legislation Obama pushed just two weeks after the senator purchased $5,000 of the company’s shares. Obama was also nabbed conducting campaign business in his Senate office, a violation of federal law"""".
And the Link:
http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-wa...
You'll note that Barack Obama is in good company with his former competitor, Hillary Clinton as well as Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Diane Feinstein. Republicans Larry Craig, Rudi Guliani, Mike Huckabee, and Scooter Libby also share in the dishonors.
Perhaps our intrepid tabloid heros, Brett J. Blackledge and Justin Pritchard of The Assassination Press are aware of all this. Question is: Would they ever report it?
AFCOLONEL: Looks like several of us got a bit carried away on this thread.
I'm not even an Obama man (I'm leaning toward joining the write-ins for Ron Paul at this point), but I'm plenty sick of people who knowingly spread lies. I don't consider disagreeing with Obama racist. I disagree with him on a number of points. I also don't consider it racist to vote against him. Everyone needs to vote their conscience, and support those who they most agree with.
But repeating the malicious, false rumor that Obama's a Muslim is something that is being done by people who are racist. They know it isn't true and they do it anyway. They need a way to point out that he's "different," and since they can't say it's about skin, they make this garbage up instead. So I won't name names this time, but I will say that anyone who calls Obama a Muslim is doing so because they are racist. Readers can draw their own conclusions about who I'm talking about.
TAC---
Wow, it looks like I missed all the fireworks. Must be my lucky day. Even you got bleeped. I dont believe that I've seen that happen before. I can only guess that you got on "AFCOLONEL". At least I hope you did. Someone has to maintain the integrity of these discussions, and like I say, I wasn't here.
TAC:
I think such people are attempting to equate "Muslim" with "terrorist"; which pretty much the same pathetic thing as trying equate "Christian" with "bigot" from the other side of the aisle.
It's just a cheap, thoughtless way of furthering one's own political agenda.
Nothing wrong with joining the Ron Paul write-in crowd. At least you'll get to walk out of the voting booth with a clear conscious.
BASED ON THESE QUALIFICATIONS "she abused her powers to settle a family score, has skirted state ethics rules before for personal benefit and used her office to help friends and supporters, according to an Associated Press review of records" SHE IS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE TED - OR DON, OR LISA.
Just a request for information here . . .
Is there really a movement underfoot calling for a recall of Palin (*Sarah* Palin, not First Dude) as governor of this state?
If so, please post a link where people can get more info.
I'll be posting this same message on whatever *Sarah* Palin-related articles that I find. Please excuse my redundancy.
Thanks.
Oh, WOW!!! TAC actually got his first "bad-doggy/no biscuit" removal from the newsminer??? Oh, to think that I missed out on that one! Truly, a first. Ever so sorry I missed it.
Jeez, even the best of us are getting cranky and irascible over this election. Oh, come, November 5. Come what may. Let's just get this part over and done with.
What is really sad is that there is a lot of negatives about Obama, but for some reason this newspaper and many networks fail to report them. I feel as though I am being manipulated by the media. What a fool I would be if I was to actually to buy into the media hype. I still would like someone to tell me one thing that Obama has DONE that shows he deserves to be the next leader of this country. I hear a lot of talking, but I see nothing. Am I just blind or are the rest of you just stupid?
Lady, I responded to you on another thread. I think it was on GOP hypocrisy.
I am concerned. I am concerned with all the calls of "terrorist" and "kill him" recently heard at McPalin rallies. If anything horrific happens to Obama, the American people should hold McCain and Palin at fault. Their inaction is completely irresponsible and indicative of how they would run an administration. We should be emabarrassed that Governor Palin is representing our state.
Please watch this MSNBC video from earlier this evening:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27188346/
Tundra, not surprised Obama made the list of this organization given its description:
About Us
Judicial Watch, Inc., a conservative, non-partisan educational foundation, promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in government, politics and the law.
aklibbylover I am still waiting for one thing that Obama has done to deserve to be president.
GDogg, what these last few months have proven to me is that, if you want to dig up dirt, you can find dirt to dig up on anybody.
Some folks on the newsminer blogs like to denigrate Obama because of his experience as a community organizer.
In my book, that's the highest of qualifications for leadership. There's absolutely zilch in terms of pay, status, and recognition for community organizers. But they do what they do because their heart is really in it, and by virtue of their work, they sacrifice personal gain for causes that they believe in. Ultimately, community organizers are among those who best walk their talk.
That Obama has passion, vision, and integrity enough to do so . . . it's enough for me to want to see him in a leadership position for this nation.
LadyNYC, what is scary is that I know your serious. Obama has never needed money, he has had is way paid for him. This is all just a smoke and mirror campaign that has people like you fooled into thinking he really is the change we need. Community Organizer? Get real.
Yes GDogg, I am serious.
And how do you know that you're not the one being fooled?
"Obama has never needed money, he has had is way paid for him."
Got substantiated proof, GDogg?
LadyNYC, fooled by what, the media? the democrats? the republicans? It's unfortunate that there are not better choices, but this election is going to set the world back 100 years no matter who wins. Neither candidate is going to have a good first term. The only real fear is that if Obama is elected he will have the power to make changes. Having the house and the senate is a very scary position. Some changes can take years (if ever) to reverse. So, go ahead and throw your life into the hands of a community organizer, what do you have to lose?
tok242, How did he pay for Harvard? Grants and scholarships only go so far. He has been groomed.
tok242, you must buy into ladynyc's argument that being a community organizer gives him the right to be in control of the most powerful nation in the world. Is that right?
Interesting piece on Palin, you need to pass along to as many people as possible...scary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAm-Nvk3F...
Palin endorsing AIP (a Party in Alaska that wants to separate from the United States and hates the US government)....unbelievable.
GDogg...you are an obvious dimwit. Have you ever heard of scholarships? Duh! First of all you have to have the will to overcome all the obstacles you are dealt with and pursue a path that can even get you into Harvard...like applications, essays, grades, etc. He not only attended Harvard but graduated with honors...his grandmother can't spoonfeed that you dimwit.
ocb, name calling just goes to show the mentality of the fools that follow the fool. The first thing you need to do is tell me one thing that he has done to deserve to be president. If you can't read and answer my questions from my previous posts then please do not respond. What are your misconceptions that have you thinking this man has done anything that comes close to important enough as being elected our next president?
Again, try to have some respect for yourself.
Why isn't Todd Palin at work? I thought that he was working on the Slope or fishing. Seems like he is a stay-at-home kinda guy. See what he has done in Alaska. Can you imagine what he will do if Sarah P. gets elected?
Hate to say it Lady & G-Les, but that wasn't the first time I've been bonked by the staff. I appreciate being called one of "the best of us," but I'm really just like anyone else.
G-Les: I was actually getting after another poster, not the Colonel. As I said in my follow-up post around 7:30, I'm just sick of all this "Obama's a Muslim stuff." I've no doubt it's motivated by racism, and I think we all all need to stand up and say so. A while back even you got after someone for spreading that lie, then pointed out Obama's ties to a church you disagree with. That's fine, you were basing your opinion on fact (as you generally do), and so I fully respect your opinion.
Once again, I'm not an Obama man. I won't be able to bring myself to vote for anyone who supported the bailout. That issue alone has cost him and McCain both any chance at my vote. But that said, I despise racism. Judge Obama on the content of his character and the worthiness of his ideas. If you find these lacking, then vote against him.
TundraRebellion, you've provided a good example of what I consider worthy debate. You cite your source and you provide a link. That's not a smear. I'm familiar with Judicial Watch. The organization is amazingly consistent on a philosophical level. Judicial Watch is definitely conservative, but not at all partisan. We need more of that kid of honesty in our debates.
Dr. C.
Excuse me, "that kind of honesty."
I hope Sarah vets Obama's Black KKK connection and the black "liberation churches". I am Referring to the preachings of Rev Wright and others. They have preached hate mongering, racist bigotry wrapped in a sugar coating of "religion" for years.
As for McCain, although I don't "like" him. However, he was serving his county before Obama was born. As a Senator has many times the political hands on experience as Obama.
You may have noticed he can't lift his right arm very high. That is because he nearly beaten to death while SERVING HIS COUNTRY.
My question, of the two, who has earned permotion? McCain or Obama.
Remembering "All bets are off, the day after the election".
The odds favor McCain doing what he has done in the past. The some odds apply to Obama. However, his past deeds indicate a race based "coup d'etat".
I notice he has a 95% support rating among blacks. They want something in return and in my judgment, for the astounding 95% support they are certain to get it!!!!.
What is it? What has Obama promised? Job running the SEC?; a job running Freddy and Fanny or Department of Justice, FBI director?. Rev Wright, appointed to head the Federal reserve; Secretary of Treasury, more race based loans to borrowers who can't pay, and more federal money to ACORN?
We don't know for sure what he will do because he votes "present" and has no known and measurable track record of actual "public service".
His record shows: a slick talking lawyer, community activist registering voters in the Chicago slum, helping his wife get a pay raise, and funding ACORN to registrar voters to vote for him, etc.
Are we to vote for Obama because 65 Nobel Prize winners have endorsed him? Remember, these 1,000 watt light bulbs just recently discovered you will crash the world economy by loaning money to people who can't pay!!!! A lesson taught 5th graders by the school of hard knocks.
AKpatriot -- Joe Biden has funneled more than $2,000,000 of campaign contributions to his family members and his son's lobbying firm. Apparently, it's legal, but in your book is this ethical?
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008...
Senator Obama has funneled $832,000 to ACORN to register voters and campaing directly for Obama/Biden. ACORN is a publicaclly funded, 501c-3 non-profit "educational" organization. In your book, is this ethical?
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/1...
If Todd Palin were earning a six figure salary (paid with campaign cash) for promoting his wife and the Northern Alaska Environmental Center were paid $250,000 to campaign for McCain/Palin, would this be okay with you?
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