Palin on Whether She Ever Tried to Ban Books: ‘It’s an Old Wives’ Tale’

I see its gone from “I was only asking rhetorically” to “Its an old wives tale”

Has is that that not even one news organization has been able to interview the Wasilla librarian in question?
This is pathetic.

Can’t ABC write about anything else than Sarah Palin? It’s disgraceful. See what Joe Biden is doing. He’s not interesting but he has a lot more to say about the state of things in America and how to fix it. Every word this woman says is analyzed. It’s crazy.

there is a paper trail on that one so watch the testimonies about to start flying
and there is now a paper trail on the rape kit issues too
this candidate just can’t get out of the way of herself

to be truthful, she did not try to ban books, she jsut asked the librarian what would she do if she did try to ban certain books, the librarian disagreed with her and Palin attempted to fire her until public opinion caused her to change her mind. She hadn’t done more than discuss banning books.

It did not happen. Palin simply inquired what the policy was for banning books. Something anyone would do even if they had no plans to ban books. I mean, I ask rhetorical questions all the time!
I mean, doesn’t everyone ask questions about things they never have even thought about doing? I mean, sure she fired the librarian after she said she would be opposed to banning books, but what does that really prove? I mean, except that apparently the librarian was doing such a bad job that the town of Wasilla got together and demanded that she get her job back.
Let’s face facts here, Palin is not what she claims to be.

It’s becoming apparent that this woman and her family are a bunch of trailer trash.

Now if you want some flat out lies from the campaign, fact check has completely debunked the Alaska producing 20% of US energy that has been stated publicly by both McCain and Palin.
factcheck.org/elections-2008/energetically_wrong.html

This issue may seem simple on its face, but it provides an interesting insight into the role Palin feels government should exert in people’s lives. As children we were horrified to learn in history class that the Nazis banned books; apparently Palin did not take that lesson to heart. Banning books is the equivalent of trying to control what people think, something which should be anathema to people in a free society.

Those wacky old wives and their wacky local contemporaneous news reports.

If she were a Man would any of these dumb questions ever be asked? I doubt it!thanks mil

John TX
there was a number of witnesses she inquired three times
and the librarian answered no way all three times
the librarian left the town partly because of this “ordeal”
so stop
rove spin needs to stop
and now we find out that state officials asked the “town of Wasilla” to stop charging rape victims for rape kits and they wouldn’t voluntarily…
when Palin was mayor.
the chief of police is the one she had hired to replace the one she didn’t like and this guy argued against not charging victims and their insurance companies for the rape kits…
she was well aware of all of this even though she has said now she wan’t…and now we see she was
the state had to pass laws to get Wasilla and Palin and her chief not to charge victims for their 300 to 12000 rape kits.
this is the worst VP choice any presidential nominee has ever made.

Todd Palin has now been subpoenaed along with 11 other people in her administration.
One member of Palin’s administration was caught on tape discussing personal information about Wooten, raising questions of how he knew those details.
Branchflower also asked for a subpoena for the phone records of one Palin administration official, Frank Bailey. Bailey was recorded calling an Alaska State Trooper lieutenant and discussing confidential information about Wooten, including his job application and worker’s compensation claim. In a deposition taken by Palin’s attorney, he testified that he never saw Wooten’s file, but instead received the information from Todd Palin.
These inbreds are dead meat!

Sarah Palin is your typical republican politician. Whenever Charlie asked her a tough question she didn’t want to answer she skirted right around it withour missing a beat.

The lying is intentional, thats the only way they stay in the news cycle.
This race is turning into a race ABOUT race. Karl Rove is playing on that and white people, the ones that don’t want a black man/black family in the white house, are the ones supporting this ticket to insure that doesn’t happen.

So where the hell is the librarian? The fact that we haven’t heard her side of the story on this strikes me as journalistic malpractice.

JA you think she has the education level to be #2?

JA no one is saying experience
it is knowledge judgement and grasp!
do you not get that
she has none of these…on any of the issues we are facing
absolutely none.

John McCain is a dishonest liar.
As a military member, I’m totally embarrassed that this dishonorable man is running. He is a complete disgrace.
John McCain is a dishonest liar.

concerned in OHIO
what does not being able to raise your hands above your head have to do with typing on a keyboard.
we all have seeen John mcCain bein the physical position to type on a keyboard…
his injuries don’t allow him to use a mouse?
stop now that is slimey
Mccain has never said it was because of his injuries…and I think disabled people all over america would be disgusted at people saying JohnnMccain can’t surf the internet because he has injuries that keep him from tying his shoes and putting his arms over his head
if he couldn’t ytype IO doubt he could use a microphone as liong as he does and switch hands as much as he does or cook on the grill as much as he does…
slime…that you would sink that low to say he’s handicapped so he can’t get on the internet
ugh

Why would I believe ANYTHING she or John McCain say at this point?
They have proven themselves to be DISHONEST AND DISHONORABLE LIARS.
IF THEY ARE UNTRUSTWORTHY WITH THEIR CAMPAIGN, THEY ARE UNTRUSTWORTHY.

Molly…the McCain/Palin is trying to lie, cheat, and steal it’s way into the White House. We’ve had 8 years of that and we deserve better. Obama isn’t perfect but he is intelligent, empathetic, has integrity, and will work for peace. We haven’t had a leader with all those qualities for a long time.

Maximeliano:
I don’t care about whether or not you like Sarah Palin. She doesn’t represent my positions on policies and issues either. But what is the deal with referring to her as “trailer trash”? I’ve been hearing this insult thrown at her by other Obama supporters and progressive radio hosts. It doesn’t seem like a very intelligent way to show opposition to her.

She sounds like she’s running for High School Student Council.

Bill B wrote:
“So where the hell is the librarian? The fact that we haven’t heard her side of the story on this strikes me as journalistic malpractice.”
ABC News’ Brian Ross actually spoke to her a few days ago, but she declined to do an interview because her encounter with Palin was still too painful for her to talk about. “I just don’t care to revisit that time of my life,” she told him.
Look up “Did Sarah Palin try to ban books?” under Political News in the video section.

Palin just told a brigade bound for Iraq that they would “defend the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans.”
This woman just cant help herself, she’s like a compulsive liar. Either that or she really thinks that the American people are stupid.

Instead of banning books, she
should read some like “The
Duties of the Vice President”
and “The Bush Doctrine”.

Jake, are you trying to dismiss Palin’s trend of using political power to intimidate and coerce? Sounds like she follows the same brand of politics we’ve seen these past 8 years.

davei, you are the only one who has said that Palin banned books, so obviously it isn’t a ‘fabrication by the Dems’, unless you are running some kind of ‘false flag’ post.

anon, there is not one definition for the “Bush Doctrine”. It was never a defined doctrine as say the Monroe Doctrine. Some say it is the theory of pre-emptive attacks, others say it is the theory spreading democracy in the arab world would diffuse Al Qaida.

Beckie, honestly – “Barracuda”?
Do you really mean to call Palin a corporate tool like in the Heart song?

Palin did not ban books from the library– but she did ASK about banning books from the library not something a free society even considers, as Palin did. Banning of books amounts to a violation of Freedom of Speech, part of our constitution, something a President and Vice President are sworn to uphold.

davei n lv,
Of course, Al Qaida wasn’t in Iraq at all before we invaded.

Beckie,
No, she just lies about her record, abuses her power as governor, and thinks looking across the water at Russia gives you foreign policy experience. Democrats aren’t making this stuff up. Now if you Republicans don’t care about facts,or if we engage in more needless wars, of if people are losing their homes, can’t afford medical insurance, are out of work …etc, that’s on you. But don’t expect Democrats not to care, just because you don’t.

Mila is absolutely correct: Palin didn’t actually ban any books, but ssked the librarian about how she’d feel about banning certain books. So much for Palin’s credentials about being “smart,” “intelligent,” and “independent!” She is most assuredly an “agent of change,” if the change you want is censorship and repression!

Now I understand why Mccain is able to fool a lot of voters. Jake sets a bait and everyone falls for it. I cant help but wonder how education has detoriorated in our country. An old wives tale is just like saying, it is a common story which could be false or true but mostly on the negative side. Thats why Mccain was able to deceive a lot of people that Obama was trying to insinuate that Palin is a pig and people fell flat for it. We still have a long way to go.

davei n lv,
Of course, Al Qaida wasn’t in Iraq at all before we invaded.

Randy
They weren’t in NY until 9/11 either.

“Asking about library policy”? How can someone have even gone through an AMERICAN education system, which includes going to the library as I remember it, without knowing for a fact, FULL STOP, that banning books is not acceptable? I bet if Laura Bush felt free to give an honest opinion on the subject, she would be appalled.

davei n lv,
Bush sent troops into Pakistan less than a week ago. Without a strategy.
What Obama said was that he would hunt down al Qaeda no matter where they went. McCain called him naive. Now Bush is following Obama’s advice, but as usual he can’t do anything right and fails to coordinate the operation with the Pakistanis.

Sarah Palin is being “SEXIST” “OLD WIVES TALE” how offensive to women.

McCain can’t reach above his head. That dosen’t prevent him from typing or writing. Stop making crap up. He still needs to know about modern technology. Anyone else remember Bush senior at the grocery store? Thought the scanner was magic…

McCain stated on the View today that he wanted to overturn Roe V Wade. And don’t think it’s not easy because it will be….Just a few judges away.

Did it ever occur to you there is nothing left to vet with Obama? Don’t you think Fox news would have done a story by now. There’s nothing profound there. He’s been vetted for over 18 months now. Palin has just begun. And so far what people are beginning to see isn’t good. Her personal views are too socially conservative for all of America. It may work for state government, but not for the United States, which is made up of a vast variety of people with very diffferent views and backgrounds. Government should be about working for all the people.

Dear davei n lv,
The American Library Association has guidelines in place for the selection of material which is followed by nearly all public libraries. The material you mention would not meet these guidelines.

The RIGHT WING CHRISTIAN RADICALS HAVE TAKEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HOSTAGE!
Our war is a mission from God!
Let’s all pray for a pipelines!
You can’t read that!
We should not blink, or think, just bomb!
You don’t have the right to chose anything! We’re smarter than you and know what God wants.
God wants tax cuts for the wealthy!
Don’t worry that we’re lying in every speech we make. It’s sexist to ask questions. And God wouldn’t want that would he? We’re the “honorable” party. We lie because we put America first!
See our waving flag? We’re obviously more patriotic! God made it that way!

Mila, You’re stretching. There was no mention if the books were already in the library.
In addition, hard to imagine, even librarians can make mistakes in prejudging (censoring?) what books are right for their community. Learning what the policy and procedure is for removing books or preventing their purchase is not anything to be castigated for.

COUNTRY FIRST
Are you upset because the media darling has been exposed for the fraud she is?
Or is it that America is realizing that every speech from McCain/Palin for two weeks now has been filled with lies?
Afraid that the brief Palinmania is going to be her “15 minutes” and then its over?
Or is it that you realize we all know Mr Maverick has become another puppet pretending to be a “reformer”?
Did the “bulldog” get asked some questions? Did Charlie not oogle all over her like FOX has done? Awe, I’m sorry if her feelings got hurt. Some of us think the VP should actually know something about the position.
Don’t worry, Hannity will spoon feed her so she can deliver her lines better. They sent a whole team to “prep her”. With Hannity’s questions, I’m sure she’ll be able to recite her lines from memory this time.

I cannot believe how biased ABC and the other Democrat attack dogs are about Sarah Palin. In the lead up to the Gibson interview, there was not one mention about her efforts to oust the corrupt sitting chair of the state commission overseeing oil and gas development or the fact that the trooper of the so called “troopergate” tasered his own son.
Anyone who is familiar with the media knows they come in with a story line and edit interviews to present what they want. ABC was anti Palin from the launch. Lesson avoid these attack dogs like the plague. Hopefully, Sarah Palin learned her lesson about corrupt media.
For those of you who are dummies to politics Ted Stevens got most of Alaska’s earmarks that ABC is attributing to Sarah Palin. Like Bob Byrd, who has virtually paved over West Virginia with federal dollars and transferred the headquarters of many federal agencies to the WV pandhandle, the two worked together as a team. Of course, ABC hasn’t give similar coverage to the earmarks Barak Obama got for his wife’s employer.
Yes, I am sure Sarah Palin has a few flaws, but at least she doesn’t associate with admitted terrorists who celebrated the bombing of federal buildings.
Fortunately, ABC, MSNBC, CNN and NBC are driving voters to McCain, but not because they are “ignorant” as one of the commentators suggested tonight. It is because independents are insulted by the bias in this irresponsible reporting.

re: post by: Amy T | Sep 12, 2008 10:03:58 PM
Amy, nice to know. Our library does subscribe to Playboy. I walked by a kid looking at the foldout. It’s ok though. I guess he was at least 10.
The local ACLU has launched a lawsuit against our library from installing internet filters designed to prevent kids from visiting porn sites on library pc’s.

Palin got >80% approval rate, yet the repoters are so cruel to put dirt on her.
What if any gov. who got lower approval rate? Will their records will be worse?
That means, any gov. is worse than Obama?
Obama is our messiah???
We should all request ABC to do the same interview with Obama, examine all his records, his friends, his family tree, his house, his wife’s Ph.D thesis.

That was a poor job Charlie.

Wow!! You libs and the bs media are so scared of this woman. You should be!! Obama is not on top anymore……………cry me a river.
You can bash Palin & McCain all you want..keep it coming..Love it!!

I don’t think they asked enough tough questions. Like why that gas pipeline she’s so proud of was given to a Canadian company. We need jobs here in America! Yeah, Sarah, the America you get all your pork from. The America that gives your state over $13,000.00 per person in Federal monies. (That’s not including the over $3000.00 per person oil bonus you all are getting this year) Yet you only pay out approximately $4500.00 in taxes per person. I’m not worried about your crustaceans mating, Sarah. I’m worried how I’m going to heat my house this winter. As are many other Americans. Talk about out of touch!

Banning books a non-story? Those of us her in the United States who don’t want our reading material to be censored by Big Brother/Sister think it’s a really IMPORTANT story. The free expression of thoughts and ideas is one of the things that makes this country great, and one of those freedoms that service men and women are fighting for.

Debra,
What sane woman in pre-term labor gets on a plane and flies home?
I’ve had three preemies. That is not a judgment call I would have made, nor is it one that the March of Dimes, American Academy of Pediatrics, nor the American Medical Association would have supported.
If life truly begins as conception, than Governor Palin should have been charged with child endangerment, for her actions certainly fit the bill!

‘She is just the kind of Pitbull that will eat your lunch if given half a chance. I watched Obama stumble for words and fill the ackward silence with “and” and “ummm” as he was interviewed by O’Reilly and especially when he tried to address the reporters as he left the studio following that interview. Do your research and you will find that if you take away his teleprompter really struggles with what to say. Do we want that in our President? Comapre Obama’s ability to think on his feet to McCain and McCain wins hands down.
Sarah Palin on the other hand. She has tne mental capacity to be able to speak fluently, in entire sentences and communicate her thoughts in an easy to understand organized fashion even without a script”
(snipped from Guff)
_____________________
Maybe we should have seriously “vetted” Obama as well!

all of you should be proud to have the right to free speech. Are you correct in your statements. Not so much but that is my opinion and you are entitled to yours. It amazes me that everyone has McCain with one foot in the grave. He is the one running against Obama not the VP. You people are truely sad. Once again my opinion given to me and also you by our forefathers.

Jake, this ‘denial’ is known as a non-denial: saying that it’s an “old wives’ tale” does not mean it’s not true.
The librarian had been twice approached by SP about the possibility of banning books. The librarian had to stop her, that’s why she’s now able to say she didn’t ban any books.
She wanted to do it. That’s clear enough. And it says a lot about Sarah Palin.
It’s the same as with the Bridge to Nowhere. Even in the press release announcing that the Bridge would not be built, she whined that the project had suffered from “inaccurate portrayals” in the (national) media.

One two more comments, Obama is running for President and not VP. America need to look at the top of the ticket when they are talking about Sen. Obama v Sen. McCain. This is not the Obama v Palin show, it is the Obama v McCain show!!!
BTW, if McCain becomes the president and God forbid something happens to him, I believe that Gov. Palin would be able to run this country despite the fact that she has children. I do think it’s sexiest when someone says can she be a mother and president. I am a mother, wife, full time worker and full time graduate student and I find it appalling that one would even ask such a question. Women have been working and taking care of their family for years and this should not be a question from anyone, media and public alike…

Mack:
The media made this about race a long time ago. Not me! I simply made a statement that I feel is true. I am an independent and I am not voting for neither party! You don’t have to trust Sen. Obama just like some don’t trust Sen. McCain but guess what, that’s how you feel and no one can change.
I read so many blogs and people get down right offensive and defensive when talking about both the Senators. I believe that both Senators have lied to the public on so many occassions. I think they both skip around direct questions ALL THE TIME. Both will say whatever needs to be said to get elected, but I believe that one will lead this country in a different direction than the other. 4000 troops came home in a body bag to their families because Bush sent them over there looking for Bin Laden, and then there was the weapons of mass destruction that didn’t exist of which Collin Powell had to admit, now how did they come up with Suddam is beyond me because I thought they were looking for Bin Laden. Where is Bin Laden at now? This war alone was done under false pretense and most Americans know this. BTW, I am a veteran myself and fought in the first war with George bush back in the 90′s.
But all this doesn’t mean that people should not be respected for how they feel about someone when blogging about these news stories. There are more important issues at hand than who likes whom.

Mack:
All politicans run on someone else platform. Is it the right thing to do? No! Change is what this country regardless of who ends up in the white house.
What platform is McCain running on? First experience and now it’s change to reform Washington. How long was McCain in Washington? What did he reform? He took on his party and what were the results? He voted with Bush and what were the results? He wants to overturn Roe v Wade by nominating Justices that will do just that and what will be the results?
All I am saying is if you are going to speak negatively of one candidate do the same for the other. The presidency has always been about the “lesser of two evils” and it always will be.

Sarah Palin’s run-on non-sensical sentences were an embarrassment to anyone who made it past junior high. She also has a little trouble with vocabulary. How does one find “efficiencies” in a public agency. Also, do we truly want another President who says “nucular”? If you want to call that “plain” speech then you deserve the disaster that would be-fall this country with McCain/Palin in office. Or should I dumb things down a little more for you…

Can’t ever figure out what Obama is trying to say between the ummm’s, duhhh’s and ahhhhh’s. Must be the language of the Harvard illiterates.

Sorry Jake, I don’t think your sarcasm was realized by many of the posters.

Thank you Charlie Gibson. I believe your “liberally slanted” questions to Governor Palin will only serve to bring McCain/Palin more votes. I would like to see you ask Senator Obama some questions about Russia, Georgia and other important issues. Instead, you focus on the woman running for vice-president instead of the men running for president. Many of the questions you asked were sexiest and I wish Sarah could have responded accordingly, but then of course, the media would crucify her for “being defensive” or “over-reacting”. Please spend equal time in the future asking Senator Biden if he can look the country in the eye and truthfully say he is proud of his “pork barrel” agenda during his service in our government. Ask him… it’s only fair.

Gregg…let the states decide is what McCain says every time he’s asked a controversial question. It’s the McCain campaign cop out tactic. Don’t be fooled. The Republican party agenda is to reverse Roe v. Wade. McCain said it himself on “The View” yesterday. There is no question that if Sarah Palin became President she would appoint conservative judges to the Supreme Court with the intent to overturn Roe v. Wade. Do not be naive.

I think she was brilliant! Whoever said something about her using a script and knowing the questions before hand, you are just plain wrong. I was listening to NPR yesterday and a caller tried to spread that lie and they all agreed that, that would never happen, McCain and Palin would never do that and ABC or any other respectable news network would never agree to that.
Oh and Gibson was wrong on the Bush Doctrine, Palin was right. Gibson gaff, but I still like him.

Palin doesn’t seem to mind calling women “old wives”. Wonder why she didn’t say “old wives with lipstick on”?

Obama is highly knowledgeable about foreign affairs?
Is that why he suggested the UN Security Council meet to consider Russia’s actions when it invaded Georgia? Obama seemed not to know that Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council and would/could veto any action.
I bet even Palin knew that.

Gregg
What she said really is that they will overturn roe vs wade… Its that simple! Thats the only way state could decide! Dont push away my fellow republicans with your lies!
Roe vs wade is over!
GOP GOP GOP

Did any notice that no interviewer has ever asked Obama what his economic experience is?

There were witnesses to Palin’s asking the town librarian what her response would be if she were asked to remove objectionable books. Perhaps Gibson should have worded the question differently. Instead of asking if she ever tried to ban books, he should have questioned her as to whether she asked the librarian about removing books from the library’s collection. Just the very fact that she asked such a thing should cause concern among Americans who value their rights and abhor someone censoring what books we chose to read.
As per an ABC’s Brian Ross investigative piece aired on GMA, a local church at this time was looking into getting books on gay topics taken out of the library and local retailer(s).

Anyone who knows anything about PUBLIC libraries knows that they are quite often targets for extreme elements ON BOTH SIDES, wanting to ban or add controversial books, which makes life very difficult for the librarians, and ultimately for the chief public officials who are responsible for oversight. Years ago, when I was interviewed for a local public library “paraprofessional” position (because I did not have an MLS degree), the two interviews I had were centered around how I would respond when confronted by an angry patron demanding that a certain book be removed from the library. As I did not get the job, I guess my answer, which I thought was very reasonable, was not good enough for the Head Librarian, who, of course, would have had her job on the line if such a situation blew up and became the focus of a very public First Amendment issue.
A second issue arose in the Medical Library School Library where I was employed, when it was brought to the Head Librarian’s attention that one of the best anatomy books in our collection had been authored by a Nazi doctor, and contained pictures of what most likely were victims of the Holocaust and/or medical experiments. After much “soul-searching” and debate, which included proposing the “banning” of the book from the collection, it was finally decided to place the book in the Reserve Collection and to have a special explanatory and commemorative book plate, which with all due modesty was my suggestion, placed inside the front cover. This was done because of the very high MEDICAL value of the material, which was obtained by the very worst of means, a great conflict indeed. Had this issue become PUBLIC knowledge, it could have gotten out of hand, as the school is part of our state university system, which would have involved the state, rather than just the local government.
Lastly, only a little over a year ago, our tiny local town, which is in a very liberal state, was involved in a test case of the Patriot Act requirement that mandated the release of certain library patrons’ “reading records” on the demand of the US Government. Four librarians were involved, one of whom was our town’s Head Librarian, and the battle was joined. Well, the librarians’ defense of the right to privacy prevailed and our Librarian became an instant local “hero”, who still holds his job.
What does all this mean? Well, first that the First Amendment is an especially important barrier against tyranny. Second, that librarians have taken a very firm stand on defending it, to the extent of risking their jobs, future employment, and their professional reputations.
With regard to the brouhaha over then Mayor Palin’s HYPOTHETICAL question to the town librarian, in view of her ultimate responsibility as mayor, it is, in my view, a “manufactured” issue, but that in actuality the question itself is something that any responsible mayor should ask of their chief subordinates, especially since they, themselves, might have to defend their decisions in a very public battle. Also, from the description of the alleged “hit list” of books that Mayor Palin supposedly wanted banned, at least four of them, from the “Harry Potter” series, had not even been published at the time this incident occurred. Thus it would appear, to take a lead from Senator Obama, that something stinks.
Oh, and lest someone accuse me of being a reactionary Republican, or flaming Conservative, please note that I am not. In reality, I am an Independent, who could not vote for Senator Hillary Clinton because of state law, who WILL NOT vote for Senator Obama, and who is considering voting for the Republican ticket, although I feel somewhat anxious about that decision. However, I have to say that I am very impressed with Governor Palin and have no doubt that she could set aside some of her PERSONAL views for the good of the country. Despite her “lack of experience”, I have no doubts about her ability to serve this country as President, should the need arise. Besides, a Republican administration vs. a Democratic Congress should prove to be self-regulating. I would really fear a Democratic administration, even had Senator Clinton been the nominee, with a Democratic Congress, at this point in time.

McCain/Palin want government to have control over a woman’s body. Nice touch John and Sarah.
Let’s hope Palin won’t have to have McCain decide if she should have another kid again or not.

This woman is as big of a LIAR as McCain

UNBELIEVABLE! !! Now she is putting down “old wives” for making the comment “that’s an old wives tale” Give me a break! Hasn’t anyone ever heard that expression before? I wasn’t aware that it was meant to mean they were stupid. It amazes me how things people say can be so twisted around to meet their agenda. She should have said the more “politically correct” … “urban legend” I guess.
Another example of twisting facts and figures to meet their agenda is the federal money given to the states. Call it what you want (earmarks – federal assistance, etc.). I don’t know the amounts but I would bet Illinois got much more money than Alaska, but they use the per person amount to make it look better for their side. And last time I looked… Alaska is a much bigger state. Why don’t they use how much per square mile they got compared to Illinois? I would think making improvements to the infrastructure is much more costly way up there also. Every single state in this union relies heavily on federal money for infrastructure improvements. I come from the state of Nevada… Home of the “Great Harry Reid”. Why don’t they compare the federal dollars received to Nevada, or look into the Interchange built in the middle of nowhere where one of his “buddies” owns land (that good ole’ Harry used to own). Nobody can argue (intelligently)… that something needs to be done with the “earmarks & pork barrel spending”. It is a huge problem with congress & the senate.

As an independent voter… I vote for some Democrats and some Republicans. I try to choose who I think will be the best person for the job and country. I must admit I was glad to see Obama beat Hillary, because she scares the hell out of me. But the more I learn (the unknowns, the personal ties), the more it scares me that it could be disastrous for the country.
There are so many posts in this column and what was said in “the interview”, that “makes my blood boil”. Some people really don’t have a clue. I’m not going to call them dumb or stupid like some of the other comments.
I’m very surprised the Republicans have not jumped all over the fact that so many of the problems with what is going on right now started when the Democrats got control of Congress and the Senate. They blame the president! How was it the Presidents fault that the banks made stupid loans to people who could not afford a $300,000 home while making $20,000 a year? How is it the Presidents fault that oil went to $140 + a barrel? Not all, but much of what is wrong with the economy now is the high price of fuel. Job loss included. I may be wrong… But I believe, if they lifted the ban on drilling (without ever drilling a single well, oil prices would plummet. Congress also needs to look into why oil has gone down 40% recently, but fuel prices have barely dropped.
I’m also appalled at how the Dems, Hillary, & Charlie claim that while “Bill” was president he created 20 + million jobs. The “Bill” who was more responsible for those job creations was Bill Gates, NOT Bill Clinton. It was the technology boom ( personal computers & internet) that created the majority of those jobs. The President got lucky that it happened during his watch. Hell, Al Gore was more responsible for those jobs than Clinton… Remember, he invented the internet!
Like one poster stated… Pick the lesser of the 2 evils. It really is a “crap shoot”. But I do know, at least with a Republican President, the Democratic Congress & Senate (which so many people must not understand, has more power than the president on many issues & policies) will have less chance of passing “bad for the country” laws, changes, and entitlements.

Is the “Bush Doctrine” anything like the Monroe Doctrine, and is it taught in schools as such, or is it merely a figment of the media’s imagination, as formulated by Mr. Gibson? Frankly, I don’t think President George W.Bush is organized enough to even have put a “Doctrine” together, but if he has, could someone kindly post its points in numerical order? Thanks.

When talking about liars it really takes one to know one.
And Lying Sarah is the biggest liar from the biggest state.
At least we’ll have another Lying VP to lie us into another bogus war.

78% of Obama’s 875 million in earmarks went to companies and organizations which financially supported his campaign.

Steven wrote: “And yes, the tech boom did help increase jobs, but a good deal of the credit has to go to Clinton and the Dems—they did an exemplary job of managing the tech sector, making sure the atmosphere was right for innovation and new businesses to flourish.”
One thing wrong…the Republicans had control of both Houses of Congress for President Clintons last 6 years.
104th Congress: House (Rep 230-Dem 204-Other 1); Senate (Rep 52-Dem 48)
105th Congress: House (Rep 228-Dem 206-Other 1); Senate (Rep 55-Dem 45)
106th Congress: House (Rep 222-Dem 211-Other 1); Senate (Rep 55-Dem 45)

Palin’s insult to Old Wives is sexist.

Sarah Palin throughout her whole political career has discharged people for personal reasons. Go check! I will say she is smart, but she is a scary woman to be so close to being President of the United States. I have researched extensively, and found alarming evidence of personal vendettas to fire people. I see she rules in secrecy. Mayors are upset with her across the state. Claims of being least accessible governor ever. Calls never returned. Emails never eturned.
Then found out about the investigation. MY BIG ALARM-I am particularly concerned about the legislative investigation against her as governor presently going on.
I find most of news media is not even covering. This media avoidance is questionable??? Americans have a right to know. I see Sarah Palin was going to be open, then damaging evidence surfaced, she was selected Vice President, then top lawyers went up there and all out attempts for cover -up. Sarah Palin’s husband is to be forced to be interviewed. vlen other people too.
Republicans and Democrats we all need to know!!

I’m glad a FEW of the commentators have facts about Alaska politics and are not getting their info off of far left websites. Not everything on these websites are true remember. If the truth is really what you are seeking. Smear sites are just that. Smear sites. Because Palin doesn’t share your world view you are out to get her. Whatever happened to respectful disagreement. Remember we ALL want what is best for this country whether Republican or Democrat. Don’t we? Or maybe it’s more important to put out nasty unsubstantiated smears.

<>
Trying to look smart, she jumped “…from the frying pan into the fier.”
It took her just ten days to start bare her true colors.

Bill Clinton fired all the US attorney’s when he came to office.
Sarah fires her enemies too.
Bill Clinton was a successful president; Sarah will be a successful VP.

and Clinton did NOT fire attorneys
he dismissed GOP POLTICAL appointees
just as GH Bush did