Palin in the news again

Maren · #41 5th July 2009, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by JGL53

I don't care what anybody says. I STILL think Michael Palin is the funniest Palin.

Agreed, though he is followed closely by Tina Fey.

Maren · #42 5th July 2009, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by Panzerkampfwagen

From what I understand though, since the campaign, she's been deluged with baseless ethics complaints.

I'm not so sure this is as true as what the Palin supporters are suggesting. First, she has had ethics problems, even if there was no evidence of criminal intent. For example, she paid back $7 or 8 thousand dollars to the state for her children's travel expenses based on one ethic complaint. In another, it was ruled that she had wrongfully terminated a state employee but the report seemed to waffle on whether or not she had actually abused her power.

Last, maybe I'm being naive, but if you have to spend half a million dollars of your own money to defend yourself against ethic complaints, it seems like there must be at least some evidence that some violations have occurred. If the accusations were completely baseless then the complaints should be cleared up rather easily.

Also the Palin supporters claim that no other politician has ever been investigated for spurious claims like Sarah has. Yet the investigation of Whitewater (as well as the later claims investigated under the umbrella of Whitewater) cost $60 million -- I don't think Palin's investigation is even 1% of that amount yet. And, for the record, I will agree there was evidence that the Clinton's may have had ethical problems from Whitewater (though the investigation cleared them of that). But many of the later charges, just like with Sarah Palin, supporters claimed were politically motivated and baseless. So it isn't like Palin is really unique, despite her supporters claims, in the way she is having ethical questions brought against her.

lemmings · #43 5th July 2009, 03:19 AM

She's a private citizen instead of a public official.

Public officials are people too. The only difference is that most of them have easier jobs than their constitutes.

Fantine · #44 5th July 2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Maren

Also the Palin supporters claim that no other politician has ever been investigated for spurious claims like Sarah has. Yet the investigation of Whitewater (as well as the later claims investigated under the umbrella of Whitewater) cost $60 million -- I don't think Palin's investigation is even 1% of that amount yet.

And Bill and Hillary Clinton didn't quit....

DaisyDay · #45 5th July 2009, 06:26 PM

Palin's speech on her website (linkie)

Gotta say, she can not write.

LightHorseman · #46 5th July 2009, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by aisy_Day

Palin's speech on her website (linkie)

Gotta say, she can not write.

Or raise children.

Or keep a story straight.

Or tell the difference between appropriate and corrupt use of power.

Burghman · #47 5th July 2009, 09:06 PM

Palin had to leave Alaska now if she wants to be a player on the national scene. Her base in the GOP is fairly limited to the extreme right wing of the party. Her chances of being the GOP standard bearer in 2012 are nil.

Palin however sees an opportunity to become very wealthy on the lecture circuit. Palin will draw large crowds and command big fees for giving her "red meat" style speeches in conservative strongholds.

There was no future political or otherwise for Palin if she remained in Alaska.

Maren · #48 5th July 2009, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Burghman

Palin had to leave Alaska now if she wants to be a player on the national scene. Her base in the GOP is fairly limited to the extreme right wing of the party. Her chances of being the GOP standard bearer in 2012 are nil.

Palin however sees an opportunity to become very wealthy on the lecture circuit. Palin will draw large crowds and command big fees for giving her "red meat" style speeches in conservative strongholds.

There was no future political or otherwise for Palin if she remained in Alaska.

I have to disagree with this. First, it helps her far more on the national scene if she completes her (only) term as governor. Her term ends just about the time most people who are considering making a bid for the presidency really get started -- it would have been a perfect time to start her campaign and having a full term as governor would have helped with the "lack of experience" claims.

Better yet, she would likely have been smarter to stay as governor and serve a second term, then at the end of her second term Sen. Begich's first term would just be ending (the guy who narrowly won over Sen. Stevens who was facing felony indictments that have been dismissed) and she could run for senator. Then she truly would have had both experience and been in Washington where she could be involved on the national scene. It just would have taken a few more years (but Palin is quite young, politically speaking, and it wouldn't hurt her to gain more political maturity).

With her move, the other Republican presidential candidates are going to criticize her as a "quitter" and for "lack of experience" (only 2 years experience on a state level and none on the federal level). By contrast, Mitt Romney would likely be seen as the other candidate with the least political experience, but he at least served a full term as governor of a large state and has his experience as CEO in business. Further, even if she can convince Republicans to vote for her, it seems unlikely she'll be able to gather the support of independents (over 50% viewed her unfavorably even before she quit, per a poll in May) who candidates have to get votes from in order to win elections.

Though I'm guessing you are right, for a time (at least) her conservative supporters will be willing to throw money at her.

Burghman · #49 7th July 2009, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Maren

I have to disagree with this. First, it helps her far more on the national scene if she completes her (only) term as governor. Her term ends just about the time most people who are considering making a bid for the presidency really get started -- it would have been a perfect time to start her campaign and having a full term as governor would have helped with the "lack of experience" claims.

Better yet, she would likely have been smarter to stay as governor and serve a second term, then at the end of her second term Sen. Begich's first term would just be ending (the guy who narrowly won over Sen. Stevens who was facing felony indictments that have been dismissed) and she could run for senator. Then she truly would have had both experience and been in Washington where she could be involved on the national scene. It just would have taken a few more years (but Palin is quite young, politically speaking, and it wouldn't hurt her to gain more political maturity).

With her move, the other Republican presidential candidates are going to criticize her as a "quitter" and for "lack of experience" (only 2 years experience on a state level and none on the federal level). By contrast, Mitt Romney would likely be seen as the other candidate with the least political experience, but he at least served a full term as governor of a large state and has his experience as CEO in business. Further, even if she can convince Republicans to vote for her, it seems unlikely she'll be able to gather the support of independents (over 50% viewed her unfavorably even before she quit, per a poll in May) who candidates have to get votes from in order to win elections.

Though I'm guessing you are right, for a time (at least) her conservative supporters will be willing to throw money at her.

Palin quitting as governor halfway through her first term will be viewed as a negative by many in the GOP. Authoring a book and a lecture tour will be very lucrative for Palin. Palin's days as a candidate are over.

Maren · #50 7th July 2009, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Burghman

Palin quitting as governor halfway through her first term will be viewed as a negative by many in the GOP.

I understand that. I spend some time on a very conservative board and there are only two posters there I've seen defend Palin.

Originally Posted by Burghman

Authoring a book and a lecture tour will be very lucrative for Palin. Palin's days as a candidate are over.

Unfortunately, I don't believe Palin's days as a candidate are over. I'm sure we'll see her at least try to run in 2012. You might be right that she won't find any success as a candidate but I think she has enough conservative charisma that many of the same people that make her book and lecture tour successful will still support her as a candidate (even though she has no hope of winning in November).