-
Login
-
Digital Edition
-
Print Edition
- Most Commented
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Most Emailed
- Popular
- Popular
« News Home
Delay in releasing emails fed suspicion about Palin
TweetWhen Sarah Palin burst onto the national political scene in 2008 as Republican John McCain’s vice presidential running mate, few people outside Alaska knew much about her. Indeed, there are now credible reports that the vetting of the candidate conducted by the McCain campaign was cursory at best. In other words, the then-governor of Alaska was a political unknown, which is why reporters sought to find out everything they could about the woman who was an election away from perhaps being the vice president of the United States.
In September 2008, after her selection to be McCain’s running mate, citizens and news organizations requested copies of emails relating to her first two years as Alaska’s governor. But officials in Juneau weren’t forthcoming, contending that the sheer volume made immediate compliance impossible.
The result was that every little tidbit of information about the former mayor of Wasilla became a major story. That set up a classic us-against-them scenario with the press.
It now turns out that the secrecy surrounding the emails between Palin and members of her staff was a miscue of major proportions.
The release last Friday of 24,000 pages of the electronic communications revealed no bombshells and no “gotcha” moments, as the Associated Press put it in a report from Juneau.
Indeed, they paint a picture of woman less extreme on major issues than she portrayed on the campaign trail, and an individual dedicated to her job as governor and to her family.
“They show a woman striving to balance work and home, fiercely protective of her family and highly sensitive to media coverage,” the Associated Press reported. “She expressed a sometimes mothering side with aides but was quick to demand answers or accountability.”
There’s a lesson that government officials at all levels can learn from this: Secrecy feeds suspicion and contempt — especially when it involves the conduct of your official duties.
We have noted many times in this space that transparency is the hallmark of democratic government.
As the Palin emails show, withholding information pertaining to the people’s business turns innocuous discussions into conspiracy theories.
Perhaps the then-governor of Alaska, who had angled for a vice presidential nomination long before McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona, had picked her, was concerned that her moderate views might disqualify her in the eyes of the Republican conservative wing.
This is how the wire service summed up some of the emails:
“They seem to depict a more moderate Palin who worked to find a state response to global warming — she has since dismissed studies supporting climate change — and gave props to then-Sen. Barack Obama for his support of a natural gas pipeline in Alaska.”
The rest
Given the jaundiced eye with which many in the press view Palin, it may be to her advantage — she is contemplating running for the GOP nomination for president in 2012 — to release the 2,275 pages of emails that were withheld by Alaskan officials. The reasons given: attorney-client privilege; work product, and executive privilege. An additional 140 pages were deemed to be “non-records,” or unrelated to state business.
While her supporters are quick to criticize the press for conducting what they see as a witch-hunt, Sarah Palin’s record as a public official is the public’s business — if she wants to seek the highest office in the land.
Comments
By the way do you guys ever consider that sometimes politican may need some privacy and that not every single thing they do ought to be relentlessly inspected. I dread for the future of america when all good men and women will fear getting involved in politics since ppl like u will demand 2 kno wen and how they go to the bathroom etc.
@ parlex
We know when you went to the bathroom, 4 hours, 40 minutes ago
I must have missed the op-ed from the Vindy titled:
"Delay in releasing certificate of live birth fed suspicion about Obama"
When our president voted present on most votes and failed to release a birth certificate or papers he wrote, there was no media hounding him for details. It always amazed me that he was suppose to be a constitutional scholar but his mis-steps as president do not coincide with that type of expertise.
Why is it that the mainstream media (aka, liberals) are so obsessed with this woman that they believe is a vacuous, incompetent, blithering, right-wing idealogue? They must be worried about something to pay so much attention to her. Maybe its because the liberals can't stand the spotlight of truth to be shined on them. Or, maybe the feminists can't stand that a former beauty queen can look so darn good after having so many kids and still reach the heights of political and popular success. (After all, modern feminism was created to allow unattractive females access to the mainstream.)
The answer is, although she may not be elected president in 2012, she is going to have a large say on who is elected. The liberals just can't believe the crowds this woman attracts!
Palin is a joke as are her supporters.
As Barbara Bush stated, I agree also...Sarah needs to stay in Alaska, be a mom, and tend to her kids. Period.
(After all, modern feminism was created to allow unattractive females access to the mainstream.)
are you for real, Walter?
Shame on you Walter. Your comments usually demonstrate some degree of thought. This most recent one was insulting and sexist. Thought you better than that....
It is absolutely amazing how much attention this woman is drawing. Just 2 years ago most of us had never heard of her. Now she is in the news everyday and practically every hour. You simply cannot buy this much publicity. I see two groups of people regarding this...those who admire her and those who are scared of her.
Yes, I am for real and this is not my original quote. It is one of the "undeniable truths of life" by the harmless little fuzzball on the radio. It is very funny and extremely accurate since, as James Brown said, this is a man's world. Women know that it is easier for one with good looks to move up the ladder than one that is beauty-challenged or fat. If this is not the case, why are there so many ads targeting make-up, weight-loss products, and flattering undergarments? Plus, a good portion of Palin's support come from middle-aged white males that think she is attractive. She knows it and she uses it. Check some of the photos of her. Either she got a boob-job or she is wearing a water-bra that enhances her normal figure!
You may not like my quote and you may think it is sexist, but it is spot-on, 100% accurate. And, what's more, you know it! Why do you think Fox News is so popular? Their newsbabes are far more attractive than anyone elses. I mean, do you want to watch Candy Crowley give news on CNN or Megan Kelly on Fox?
Walter....Thanks for sharing your views on woman. You got some game player.
You're welcome! But,remember, this is a man's world! Why do you think that insurance companies have routinely covered the costs for penile implants for men that suffer from prostate cancer but it was only until recently that breast reconstruction after a mastectomy was not covered? No way I'm saying that is right, but those are the facts.
I will also incisively say that God gave a man two heads but only enough blood for one to finction at any time. Just ask Rep. Weiner!
Walter....I agree with your statement on men's blood flow and that some men would rather watch a beautiful woman read what is put in front of her rather than a real journalist report the news.
All that just goes to support my opinion that vagina is the most powerful thing on the planet and you would be smart to remember it.
In United States women control more than 51% of the wealth and 100% of the.......
Just saying.
http://www.pbs.org/ttc/headlines_econ...
Not a problem here, just as I don't do manscaping. In fact, when I'm cut, my blood smells of cologne.
Walter, re your post #14.......
Just make sure you use the right "head" when you vote, man.