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Election 2008: Palin billed state $21,012 for her children's travel
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I can hardly wait | 4:22 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
I can hardly wait to read the justifications and excuses for Palin's
actions that people are going to post here. Rather than demand accountability
and honesty by the so-called "maverick" annointed one, they are going
to rail on the elite liberal media, socialists, Democrats, country-haters, this
comment, etc.
Quit deluding yourselves, people.
Quit deluding yourselves, people.
TexasUt | 6:23 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
She is a "Great Conservative".
Comments continue below
Dan | 6:28 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Breaking News!!!
It took 3 AP reporters to breathlessly report this scandalous bit of news about Sarah. Could it be that it took 3 reporters because all 3 want to be sure they could claim credit for breaking this story on their resume?
What would have happened if Sarah had left the kids home? I suggest 3 AP reporters would have concocted a "gotcha" story about how terrible a mother Sarah is because she "abandoned" her kids while traveling.
Besides, given the ease with which money is cast about by politicians these days $21K is not much.
This story is a nothingburger!!!
It took 3 AP reporters to breathlessly report this scandalous bit of news about Sarah. Could it be that it took 3 reporters because all 3 want to be sure they could claim credit for breaking this story on their resume?
What would have happened if Sarah had left the kids home? I suggest 3 AP reporters would have concocted a "gotcha" story about how terrible a mother Sarah is because she "abandoned" her kids while traveling.
Besides, given the ease with which money is cast about by politicians these days $21K is not much.
This story is a nothingburger!!!
Doodles | 6:29 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Something smells rotten in Denmark, uh, . . Alaska.
liberal Larry | 6:53 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
When Utah legislators see read this article they will be saying to themselves
"What's the problem? I don't see a problem, what's the point
of this?"
Tim | 7:07 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
I can't believe that cute little thing would do that - she's a
Republican!
Observer | 7:26 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
It is now being reported that Sarah Palin has received over $150,000 in clothes
and makeup from the Repbulican party since being selected as McCain's
running mate. Clothes from places such as Sak's Fifth Avenue where she
spent $50,000, and Neiman Marcus where she spent $75,000. To put this in
perspective, this is 4 times what Joe the Plumber makes in one year, 80 times
what the average American family spends on clothes in one year, and would pay
the health costs of 15 Americans for one year. All this when people are worried
about losing their homes. Looks like little Sarah Six Pack isn't such an
"average Joe" after all.
Michael Larsen | 7:56 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Perhaps she should just stay home with her dependent children, maybe like normal
people do, and not aspire at her youthful age to a vice-presidential position.
It is right for her to be with her children; it is wrong to have her lugging
them around with her at public expense. Do Sarah a favor and send her home.
Whatever | 8:19 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
So we're going to rip Sarah Palin for spending $21,000 in state money to be
with her daughters? I agree with Dan that they would rip her for NOT spending
time with her daughters. Let's take a look at Obama. Isn't he the
second highest "bribed", I mean lobbied, democrat in the senate.
We're talking millions of dollars here. Why are'nt the reporters
going after him for that? There aren't any specific rules about her
spending the money on her children when she's on the road. Get over it.
If Obama can take the money he's taken, I don't think that
Palin's 21K is an issue. They're just nit picking here.
Mahershalalhashbaz | 8:32 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
I am a Republican who doesn't like this story either. But, she is still
the lesser of 2 evils. Why Mcgetmybrain McCain didn't choose Romney is
still beyond me. What a nutburger. I guess we just have to accept an Obama
presidency at this point.
former dem | 8:40 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
So it is a problem for her to spend 21,000 to be with her kids. But not a
problem for Obama to spend a few million for a projector, a couple million for
his wife's hospital or 18 billion dollars for earmarks. Interesting what
the media reports and what people focus on when they love Obama.
Anonymous | 9:34 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
It would be fine for her to spend $21K of HER money to have her kids with her or
$150K of HER money to look good when she's winking at voters. But bilking
the state of AK is as corrupt as the stuff she campaigned against to get the
job. And not declaring it as income on her tax returns is tax fraud that costs
all of us. Similarly, using campaign money for personal expenses is illegal and
will, no doubt, be investigated.
How many ethics violations before she's even elected will voters put up with?
How many ethics violations before she's even elected will voters put up with?
Mom too | 9:41 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Perhaps some of us moms wouldn't do all that spending, but I am getting
disgusted with all the digging into Palin's when there is probably just as
much to look at in Obama's past. Actually it is disgusting how much money
has been spent on the Presidential campaign from the beginning. That includes
all candidates. The candidates claim they want to help the "poor and
downtrodden" and solve the health insurance problem. By donating all that
money to health care for the less fortunate there would be no health care
problem. AIG and the money spent on their party would pale compared to
politican money spent.
Gosh | 10:02 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Gosh darn it my kids and i are mavricks!
Lynn | 10:56 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
When you see a story like this, you have to ask, how would I feel if the
political party of the accusee were the opposite of what it is?
Would I make the same excuses for the candidate that I make now?
Children the ages of her children are not conducting state-related business on these trips. To say that they are is a lie.
To charge the state for recreational trips is dishonest. To charge the state for her children traveling with her, saying they are conducting state business is dishonest.
It just is, folks.
And if she were a Democrat, you would see it clearly.
We all knew Bill Clinton was a womanizer before he got elected. Somehow the people who voted for him (not me, I was still a Republican) thought he'd behave better in office. He didn't.
Sarah Palin wouldn't either.
She could have paid a competent person to take care of her children or taken them with her at her own expense.
It's too bad she's showing herself to be less than honest, but it's better to know it now. If she isn't ethical enough to stand the scrutiny, she
shouldn't be in the game.
Would I make the same excuses for the candidate that I make now?
Children the ages of her children are not conducting state-related business on these trips. To say that they are is a lie.
To charge the state for recreational trips is dishonest. To charge the state for her children traveling with her, saying they are conducting state business is dishonest.
It just is, folks.
And if she were a Democrat, you would see it clearly.
We all knew Bill Clinton was a womanizer before he got elected. Somehow the people who voted for him (not me, I was still a Republican) thought he'd behave better in office. He didn't.
Sarah Palin wouldn't either.
She could have paid a competent person to take care of her children or taken them with her at her own expense.
It's too bad she's showing herself to be less than honest, but it's better to know it now. If she isn't ethical enough to stand the scrutiny, she
shouldn't be in the game.
Oh Please | 10:56 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Palin's a good old-fashioned thief. But Republicans will still vote for her
because their hypocrisy is absolutely boundless.
Anonymous | 11:16 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
She should work out a Sponsorship deal with Delta. Anyone who votes Mc-Cain (yo
yo)/ Palin (milf) get a free round trip within the states. WOO HOO.
Time for her to go | 11:20 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
As a Republican, I am disgusted with all that Sarah Palin stands for. It is
time for her to go. Yes, we may lose the election this time, but it is better
to be lose with honest people than to win with corruption and deceipt. It is
time for us TRUE Republican conservatives to call for accountability and take
back our party. Like us, most Americans (which excludes the liberal left) want
honesty and accountability. If we demand it from our party leaders, we will be
in power for many years in the future. If we don't, we are no better than
those on the left who do the same. I am calling McCain's offices here in
Utah now, and I urge you to do the same. The only thing necessary for evil to
triumph is for good people to do nothing. And we have done nothing long enough.
Pot Calling the Kettle Black | 12:08 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008
There are not enough pejorative adjectives in the English language to describe
the hypocrisy of the posters who are criticizing Sarah Palin with phrases like
Republican hypocrisy being absolutely boundless, if she isn't ethical
enough to stand the scrutiny, etc, etc, and you give B.O. a pass regarding his
flip-flopping, equivocating and the countless lies he has told regarding his
ties with his anarchist/Marxist pal Bill Ayres, twenty years of mentoring by the
"God_ _ _ _ America" Jeremiah Wright whom he threw under the bus when
he became a liability to his blind presidential ambition, and the many other
glaring inconsistencies in his resume. The man is a chameleon, not just an
ordinary chameleon, but a master chameleon. Ultimately, he will be revealed to
be the dangerous socialist that he is.
hmm | 5:42 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008
I think its commendable that she would want to take her kids with her on
business trips, but I think it's wrong of her to bill the state.
That's abusing the system. I also find it a little lame that she would try
to justify her actions by saying her kids were on official business....sure....
I personally like Sarah Palin and I think this would be a dumb reason for people
to think less of her, but I definitely think she should pay the state back for
that money. (I also think it was really lame of the reporters to waste so much
time and effort putting this story together. They will do anything to get some
grime on Palin. Sorry, but she's clean.)
Hoffa | 6:58 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Too many skeletons in the closet?
Terri | 7:39 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008
There is nothing wrong with a mother to bring family members along on state
business - charging the citizens for it under the preposterous guise of
"first family help" is disingenuous. Many of us women work, and when
we travel it is great to bring along the kids, but I don't know any
company, business or government that should pay for the kids to play -- mom
needs a babysitter or an accountant or both. What she doesn't deserve is a
pass on this one. Just a regular Hockey Mom with a $150,000 wardrobe and kids
travel expenses paid for by the taxpayer - how very "maverick" of her.
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