| Ethics complaint alleges Palin promoted herself on the state’s dime |
 |
 |
| November 18, 2008 |
|
Wasilla resident Zane Henning reports that she's filed an ethics complaint against Gov.Sarah Palin for violations of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Henning accuses Palin of using her official position and office in an attempt to repair her damaged political image on the national scene. "She’s talking [in media interviews] about the recent Republican McCain/Palin campaign platform and strategy in a state office that belongs to the people of Alaska,” Henning says in a press release. “Sarah Palin campaigned on the ethics ticket and she continues to break the rules she claims to have improved.” “I’m charging that the governor has violated state laws by using state time and resources for partisan political purposes and that is wrong,” Henning says. “She knows that we know that she knows it’s wrong because that’s exactly what she accused Randy Ruedrich of doing five years ago.” Media footage and articles of Palin's interviews dating from Nov. 7 to Nov. 10 conducted in the Office of the Governor with Fox News Reporter Greta Van Susteren and other reporters are the basis of the complaint, Henning says. In response to the complaint, Bill McAllister, a Palin spokesman, said in an email today that, “The consideration of complaints under the executive branch ethics act is a confidential process, by law. The governor will respect that legal requirement for confidentiality, even if others do not.” Here are excerpts from Henning’s complaint: Gov. Palin did use her official position for her current and personal vice-presidential interests and future political interests and conducted partisan political activities upon returning to her office on Friday, November 7,2008 and again on November 10, 2008. First of all, I’d like to remind you of something Gov. Palin said when asked whether her showing up with U.S. Senator Ted Stevens at his office was an endorsement of him for the 2008 U.S. Senate campaign. She responded by saying, “Well it’s, I’m on the clock and we’re in a federal building. So we won’t talk about campaigns or endorsements. All that comes later.” (July 2, 2008, ADN) Clearly, Sarah Palin is aware of the difference between right and wrong when partisan political campaign discussions are brought up by reporters and has no problem telling them she will not discuss such partisan political matters. http://community.adn.com/adn/node/133453 and http://community.adn.com/adn/node/126372 Soon after the November 4, 2008 election, reports circulated about vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s lack of knowledge about the African continent and the countries that form NAFTA that were attributed to former McCain/Palin campaign workers. According to CNN reporter Gary Tuchman, the VP candidate was very upset about anonymous criticism as she talked about her feelings after disembarking the McCain/Palin jet at the Anchorage airport the night of November 5, 2008… Within a couple of days, videos and articles were plentiful throughout the media and on the internet of Palin interviews improperly conducted with numerous national and local reporters by the governor upon returning to the governor’s office on Friday November 7, 2008 and November 10, 2008 for the sole purpose of attempting to clear the damage to her reputation as the republican vice-president nominee. Issues discussed included her future role in national politics and whether she’ll run for president or vice-president in 2012; her relations with democrats; her clothing during the campaign and, again, the anonymous criticism from McCain staffers relating to her behavior while in the role of national republican VP candidate, and much more... The interview conducted by Fox News reporter Greta Van Susteren on November 10, 2008 in the Office of the Governor served the same purpose towards Sarah Palin’s attempt at repairing her recent national republican VP nominee image as discussions of her most recent partisan political activities were discussed in more specific detail. The following link includes links to four video files of the interview in the governor’s office and a transcript. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,449884,00.html These video reports show Sarah Palin speaking to numerous reporters in her Republican vice-presidential candidate capacity defending and still promoting herself and not as the governor of Alaska representing Alaskans… This highly unbefitting, abhorrent and illegal public display by the governor that was broadcast nationwide is not the sort of partisan political attacks that the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act allows on state property. Nor is it the way most Alaskans of reasonable mind and manner would allow for their governor to behave on such a grand public international scale while representing the people of Alaska… She improperly conducted partisan political activities on state property to benefit her personal political interests and not the interests of the State of Alaska or its people. I’m requesting that the Alaska Personnel Board investigate Gov. Palin’s use of official position and resources for personal political gain and her conducting partisan political activities in the Office of the Governor. Trackback(0)
Comments (17)
Be very Careful what you wish for!
written by JohnsSideKick, December 06, 2008
Always remember, when you go to bury someone, you need to dig two grave's. When you find someone better than Palin, you need to elect that person.
Run Sarah Run
written by sus, November 30, 2008
We most certainly do NOT like Palin in Pennsylvania. But, we hope she runs. It would be just too easy. Run, Sarah, Run.
Two Wrongs Don't Make It Right...Nor Three or Four...
written by dlw, November 22, 2008
All Zane did was put it in writing and submit it as an ethics violation. I watched a video on TV of Palin back at work and answering questions from reporters about the VP campaign.
There was another ethics violation submitted by another good citizen regarding her taking her children on plane trips, etc. Oh, and what about Troopergate and then sending Todd around taking pictures of Wooten to prove he was lying about an on-the-job injury while being off on workman's comp? The Governor's office even requested Wooten's workman's comp file. I heard Wooten was dropped from workman's comp and later reinstated. What other things are hidden in the closet, or maybe in those medical records she failed to submit? As far as 2012, well, there will be plenty of time for vetting.
From Harrisburg, PA
written by GW, November 20, 2008
Natalie Potter. . . You go girl! An excellent contribution, especially about those warm-hearted, fellow man loving Philadelphian dirtbags. I had a great laugh because your comments were true.
Media madness
written by auctionmc, November 19, 2008
We all have to give a lot of credit to the Obama media machine. His wonks were able to train his sheeple herd to consume anti-Palin media without question, and ignore anything anti-messiah (watch http://howobamagotelected.com/ for a perfect example). Zane Henning has filed this complaint with the full knowledge that the msm would take it and run with it with undeserved prominence for only one reason; it's anti-Palin. By continuing the attacks on Palin with articles on her Africa gaffe (which was by the way done by Chris Matthews less than a week later with little or no media attention), or the purchase of clothing for campaign appearances by the RNC (which has been done by both parties on campaigns for years and years) the msm hopes to reduce her appeal in the comming months and years. Palin should take some pride in the fact that so much attention is being paid to her because she represents a substantial threat. If she didn't, they wouldn't pay her any mind. Henning needs to get over her and realize that just by being on the ticket Palin has done more to promote Alaska than could have been purchased in a thousand commercials and ad's.
Advice to Palin Supporters
written by chasm, November 19, 2008
Listen to what Palin says, if you can make sense of it, and then look at what she does. She did the same thing as Mayor that Randy Ruerdich did, used his office for political purposes, and is continuing to do that running for VP.
After taking a look at what she says and what she does, take a look at the brazen lies she tells and her vindictivness. You have to really shut your eyes, ears, and close your mind to support Sarah Palin for anything.
...
written by Karen, November 19, 2008
AMike said: "...we were told that Sarah didn't know Africa was a continent, that she spent $150k on clothes, she wasn't her baby's mother, on and on and on. And never the slightest support, source or background check for any of these stories."
That's because the Karl-Rove types in the RNC have done a pretty thorough job when they were up in Alaska before she was named as McCain's VP choice, and afterwards during the campaign, cleaning up her verbal misdeeds and her "rube in the big city" shopaholic attacks. I wonder what dire threats the RNC had for the people who work for Sarah Palin with on a daily basis, to keep them quiet. I wonder if the RNC's audit team ever found the 1/3 of the couture clothes that were still on Palin's campaign plane -- I suspect they are the clothes Palin has been wearing in her interviews since the election defeat... And why are you Repubs still whining about how much money McCain spent vs. what Obama spent? Obama wasn't stupid enough to agree to that public-campaign-fund ruse McCain tried to pull on him because it would have been like giving McCain a year's head start. Obama was too smart to hamstring himself like that, and you Repubs are just furious that McCain wasn't cunning enough. Maybe Sarah Palin is more cunning than John McCain, but her corrupt mayoral and gubernatorial administrations will bring her down. Better hang your hat on another star.
To Gettysburg, PA
written by Attagirl, November 18, 2008
You can have her! Send magic blanket, soon.
You Go, Girl!
written by We Alaskans?, November 18, 2008
"We Alaskans", my dear Homie, do not like Palin. Some of us do, some of us don't. Just look at the thousand(s) who marched and rallied against her. I don't know Palin personally, but I dislike her behavior on the campaign trail, and I find her inability to make a clear statement highly annoying. After all, English is her native language (it isn't mine; please forgive my linguistic blunders and bloopers), and she has been in politics long enough to know and do better.
Anyone who knows the truth and still does not stop the crowds screaming "kill him" and denouncing someone as a terrorist has lost my respect until s/he rights his/her wrong. Palin has a lot to apologize for, and when she does, I'll like her much better. Until then, however, Alaska is better and deserves someone better than Palin; and America, the Beautiful, has done well in electing Barack Obama. You Go, America!!
Silly ragers
written by AZ MOM, November 18, 2008
These comments are a hoot! Seriously, folks. There's no way Palin makes it 2012. She's her own worst publicist.
Ethics complaint by Zane
written by Homie, November 18, 2008
Zane, I was the one who gave you that nasty wedgie back in 3rd grade and I apologize for it. So let it go, ok? You now have your 15 minutes of fame in print and you can frame your fame on your bedroom wall which is the answer to all your dreams.
Like it or not Zane, we Alaskans love Sarah Palin and there is nothing you can say or do to diminish our feeling towards her. If you're looking for a hand out from the DNC, don't keep your hand out too long because winter is upon us and you will develope frostbite........
karma
written by boot, November 18, 2008
Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make great. If it's unethical to host interviews in Alaska state offices that do not pertain to Alaska state business then she has flouted her guilt on national media. When is the last time she has done something positive for Alaska? She supports mining a finite resource that can in no way be converted to food or shelter over the last wild salmon fishery on the planet. Sure she got us all a $1200 kicker this year but in the end the oil will run out along with the oil revenues. That money would be far better spent in infrastructure. Upgrade the railroads, get those heavy trucks off the highway, trains are far more efficient and tracks are cheaper to maintain. Upgrade public transportation in all the pouplation centers. Legislate mandatory recycling. If we truly are gods children and stewards of gods greatest creation as she believes, then there is no such thing as holy war. If you gave our children a house would you approve of one killing another, or defecating in the kitchen. There are far more important things than trying to debunk bad press. I don't hear Obama supporters constantly sniveling about the things his critics say.
From Gettysburg Pa.
written by Natalie Potter, November 18, 2008
I live in Pennsylvania where the Governor could not care less about the average citizens of this state. I have been waiting 6 years for the property tax relief he promised running for his first term as governor. Pennsylvania continues to lose jobs, our doctors are moving to other states to avoid paying the horrendous malpractice insurance premiums. The Governor promised to solve both these issues 6 years ago. I am not holding my breath waiting. Pennsylvania's schools are among the worst rated in the nation even though we spend more per pupil then all but 3 other states.
Governor Palin is loved here in Pennsylvania with the possible exception of Philadelphia but they don't like anybody there. They even booed Santa at an Eagles game. I hope that the voters and residents of Alaska know how lucky you are to have Sarah Palin as your Governor. Gov. Palin is not a slick talking, out of touch politician. There is a realness to Gov. Palin that is a rare commodity in the political game. I am from Gettysburg and have heard stories from people who knew Eisenhower. He spent a lot of time hear when he was President. Eisenhower, Lincoln and Reagan were all humble, imperfect and ordinary people. They loved America and served her and her citizens proudly and sacrificially. Gov. Palin exhibits the same qualities that made these men extraordinary leaders. Many of the 57 million people voted for John McCain because of Sarah Palin. We love Alaska and her citizens here in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Thank you for letting us borrow your Governor for those 2 months. And please take good care of Sarah Palin for us. We really do love her.
Zane Henning is a hypocrite - ignoring 0bama's Hitler sized lies and lawbreaking
written by concerned, November 18, 2008
Henning's criticism goes only one way and her ethics are nonexistent as shown by her immediately violating the confidentiality requirements of her worthless complaint against Palin.
Zane Henning is an evil minded Left Wing muck stirrer.
written by concerned, November 18, 2008
I thought McCain was outspent more like 8:1 by 0bama. IAC, regarding Palin's campaign clothing & other campaign expenses, how about 0bama spending $640,000 in a single day for lighting, etc. for his speech in Germany? How many Germans contributed to and voted for him? (Probably more than one would think.) Why hasn't the MSM and Zane's ilk been focusing on issues like that?
Beat-up written by AMike, November 18, 2008
As usual, anything negative about Sarah is given maximum publicity. This one will go the way of all the other rumours and attacks - we were told that Sarah didn't know Africa was a continent, that she spent $150k on clothes, she wasn't her baby's mother, on and on and on. And never the slightest support, source or background check for any of these stories. Her acheivement speaks for itself - in a campaign where the Dems outspent the GOP by two-to-one, she still pulled in 47% of the vote.
Write comment
|
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
News & Features
| Snowzilla lives again! |
Snowzilla sprouted up in Anchorage overnight, its owner, Billy Ray Powers, defying a city order to halt construction on his snowman. Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, Billy Ray said he wasn’t sure how Snowzilla rose from the dead. “There must have been some magic in that big silk hat,” he said. |
| Read More |
| The Grinch who stole Snowzilla |
All Billy Ray Powers wanted for Christmas was to build a snowman. Not just any old snowman but his famous, two-story-tall Snowzilla—that national attraction that sprouts up around this time of year in his East Anchorage yard. A couple weeks ago, he and his seven kids began packing the first giant ball. They’d planned to make Snowzilla bigger than ever, that is until the city ordered them to cease and desist. |
| Read More |
| Federal law turns nation’s public schools into 'no-think zones' |
| By Alyssa Roy Under The No Child Life Behind Act, public schools have neglected many of the time-honored learning experiences long considered staples of a well-educated person. The act requires that every child’s performance from grades 3rd through 12th be measured by standardized testing. And this has placed enormous pressure on teachers to raise test scores, or as it's known, "teaching to the test." |
| Read More |
| Another sexual abuse claim threatens to taint star witness in Stevens’s trial |
| By Tony Hopfinger Bill Allen, the oilman who remodeled U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens’s house and is expected to testify against him at his trial starting Monday, has come under investigation for the second time in a year for allegedly sexually abusing teenage girls, Anchorage police confirmed to AlaskaDispatch.com on Wednesday. |
| Read More |
| The voices behind a half-century of Alaska’s governors |
| By Joe Holbert On Jan. 3, 2009, Alaska will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary as a state. Thousands of Alaskans across distant geographic and often different ethnic and economic regions will commemorate the half-century birthday with festivities and ceremonies recognizing the historic celebration. Those thousands will include seven Alaskans who dusted off memories recalling their personal opportunity in government service to witness and participant in public policy decisions by their boss at the time: the chief executive officer and governor of Alaska. |
| Read More |
Wishful thinking Karen. It won't happen. You are trying to bring down a decent woman on some trivial technicalities. The Governor is doing a great job. I still don't get it why you people are so hateful. Very weird.