Reader comments
Palin's book goes rogue on some facts

Lies | 7:57 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Anything that casts a bad light on this fine woman has to be lies from liberal media.

another side of this fact... | 8:02 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

"and cast a tie-breaking vote to exempt taxes on aircraft when her father-in-law owned one"
In Alaska, owning aircraft is pretty common.

The relationship between the federal government and Alaskan citizens is pretty complex, and in many respects, out of Alaskan's control. This happens when you have huge oil and environmental interests, and only one representative in congress.
But I err in trying to simplify it myself.

I think this is both the media's and politics biggest problem - trying to reduce complex issues to a few sound bites.

Anonymous | 8:11 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

I can't believe that you actually printed this one sided story. I thought more of the DN. Shame on you for not being more unbiased.

Comments continue below

RE: Lies | 8:18 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Go back to listening to Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingram and Savage. I do agree that she should run for President again, please repubs, nominate this woman for your candidate for 2012. We can't handle another "conservative". We need more Liberals like Obama.

@the above posters | 8:33 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

right just assume they are all lies and ignore them rather then look at the facts and try to prove them wrong. sound like pretty weak reasoning to me.

what a shock | 8:36 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

both Palin and Hannity shot themselves in the foot with their lies this week, what a shock!

LOL at the AP and DesNews | 8:43 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

You print biased tripe like this and still call yourself journalists?

If only you subjected the Democrat's health care bill to the same nitpicky level of scrutiny...

Anonymous | 8:59 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Sarah Palin is a big advocate of "truthiness" as defined by Stephen Colbert. If you want to believe in something enough despite the real facts it must be true.

ah, hit a nerve? | 9:02 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Oh, by the way, the DNews did cover the Dems' health bill and picked many nits doing so. Go back and read the health care series they recently published, or watch the news site daily for updates on health care.

If you feel so defensive to come out swinging with phrases like "biased tripe" and your LOLs, well, must've rung some bell.

Perhaps AP moved this story to secretly fuel her book sales for next Tuesday? Nah, nothing that sinister or conspiratorial. Maybe, just maybe, that these Beltway reporters don't always buy the wares peddled by the likes of Palin.

P.S. These fact-check groups also go after Obama as much as anyone.

Anonymous | 9:42 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Sarah lied... and people are surprised???

RE: Anonymous @ 8:11 PM | 9:51 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

One sided story?

The article presents Sarah's side, then the fact-checked side?

Sarah's side + fact-checked side = 2 sides

The Lefty Demy's | 10:25 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

The leftists show their colors too easily. The author did and many of the above posters do. If Sarah Palin wasn't such a threat to them, they would leave her alone. It is evident she is a powerful threat to them as they attack her personally. Shame on the leftys.

Doug G | 10:27 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Sarah, you are the face of the new and now republicanism. We need you.

Joe Moe | 10:32 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Why is this not in the editorial section?

I'm no fan of Palin, never have been, never will be. I really hope Republicans wise up and don't let her past Super Tuesday next time around.

But this is clearly written as a persuasive editorial, not a news article. Just

Anyone who disagrees is with that clear fact is just grinding their own axe. (Just because it makes some direct quotes doesn't make it an objective news item).

BLAME GAME | 10:33 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

7:57; 8:11; 8:43

Fact is not "BIASED TRIPE".

A book written without footnotes or an index is "BIASED TRIPE".

Joe Moe | 10:34 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

I also meant to add.... Just about any book written by ANY politician in mid-stride, politically, is going to have the same kind of propaganda and spinning.

Anyone who thought it would be otherwise and bought or read this book, is a fool.

Speaking of loose with facts... | 10:44 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

ol' Calvin takes the cake. Anybody with an internet connection can look on Alaska's web site and find that Palin reimbursed the state of Alaska for the personal trips she and her family took. It's under the heading "reimbursements for personal travel" and the total amount is $38,988. Look it up.

Spoc | 11:55 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

The $1.84 per capita would be interesting if it were relevant. However, that report gives no indication what those dollars were spent for. Most states hover in the $0.75 to $1.25 range with Utah coming in at $1.07 for that same year putting it at 29th place.

Some of that expense goes to managing federal lands (BLM, Military, Forest Service, national parks, etc.) They are the owners. They are responsible to maintain it. With such a small population contributing taxes (0.66 million or 1.7 people per square mile of federal land) it does not surprise me that the cost of owning 67% of Alaska is higher than the taxes they generate.

Another major expense of federal presence is in those states where there are significant military installations compared to the size of the general population.

My point is that, in general, Alaskans may indeed be an independent, self sufficient lot on a personal level. Federal spending per capita may not be relevant if it is not given to the capita. That same report shows per capita spending per dollar collected in DC at $5.55.

So much for your facts.

Phred | 12:41 a.m. Nov. 14, 2009

What is it about this woman that lefties feel such a need to scrutinize and criticize her every word?

If I were confronted by a hungry cougar, fear would lead me to immediately find some way of defending myself.

Is she someone to defend yourselves against because she is the antithesis of "Chairman Oba-Mao"?

I certainly hope so!

Anonymous | 7:06 a.m. Nov. 14, 2009

RE:Spoc

In 2008 individual Alaskans received $145,605,641 in social security disability benefits; $490,199,380 in social security retirement benefits; $39,645,936 in SSI benefit; $94,264,439 in food stamp assistance; $309,316,423 in Medicare benefits; and $103,769,113 in unemployment benefits.

Compare this to Utah which received $535,048,698 in social security disability benefits; $2,319,585,159 in social security retirement benefits; $683,281,401 in SSI benefits; $153,460,594 in food stamps; $1,518,999,409 in Medicare benefits; and $158,114,196 in unemployment benefits.

Now compare the population of Alaska (686,293) to the population of Utah (2,736,424). Now are Alaskans independent and self sufficient lot on the personal level when a mere 686,000 of them receive about the same amount of federal benefits for individuals as 2,736,000? I don't think so but if you do than you need to get your head checked.

Posturing. | 7:51 a.m. Nov. 14, 2009

It's all posturing and politics. You cannot attack any one individual politician without attacking all of them. There is not a single politician or elected official that is not guilty of spending infractions, changing their mind or reversing their positions in their campaigns. Obama is a sly extrovert that won't even face the american people's questions. As a ruler he owes us nothing and demands our devout blessing as his subjects.

That is why you can never trust or believe any campaign promises or statements by any politician. This country and its policies, laws, and services are a system of compromise, bribery, and fraud. It's a scratch my back and I'll scratch yours government and if you don't agree we will bury you.

If a politician tries to stand up for his beliefs and true government he is blackballed. Look at what they are doing to Chaffetz, blackballed and scorned at every opportunity.

And you definitely cannot trust any of the national news media reporters, they have scripted stories. Ones that are prepared for them. Caring about america is a grass roots theoretical idea, scorned by political powers and greed.

Anonymous | 7:52 a.m. Nov. 14, 2009

She is the most self-centered, egotistical, out-of-touch-with-reality politician I have ever seen in my 54 years. This Queen of Quit has been a disaster, and her legacy, by the time she is done, may be leaving the GOP in a minority position for at least a generation. She is a train wreck, which is why the media focuses on her so much. She has nothing to offer.

Can't say I'm surprised. | 9:18 a.m. Nov. 14, 2009

Palin has NEVER shown an interest in recounting the truth. Why does anyone think she would change her pattern with this book?

Obama Does no wrong | 1:11 p.m. Nov. 14, 2009

Why would anyone believe Sarah Palin when our president is so honest. Hard to live up to the Obama honesty factor. I mean how can anyone compare to our king and president the always truthful, transparent, uniting, and just wonderful personality that he is. I mean why would you ever fack check him? Such a pillar of humanity. My knees weaken when i hear him talk, that's why I have joined his following, the unemployed, welfare getting, program beggin, Obamacan. I mean look at all that money Sarah Palin spent on travel, Everybody gives Obama all his time for free, they just fall over when he wants to give yet another truth filled speach, or take his wife on Airforce One for a night on the town a 1000 miles away. We should all just listen to Obama and follow his perfect lead and bask in the glow of his divinity. With Harry Reid and Pelosi helping him lead our nation, how can anything go wrong. Following his truthful and benevolent advice we should not be mean to Palin or anybody else because we should all be coming together. Of course unless you work for or watch Fox news.

shecky | 12:35 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Thanks, Deseret News, for printing a story that is not a one-sided conservative point of view. Your readers will go nuts, but my hat is off to you.

Pagan | 8:54 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Who votes for someone that can't even finish her 1st term as Gov?

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