A Chess Match in Juneau – Palin Balks at Kerttula Pick.
Remember just a day or two ago when Sarah Palin filled the Alaska Supreme Court vacancy, and her administration claimed “Her choice for Supreme Court judge was made in accordance with Alaska law. She chose the person most qualified from the names sent to her.” Well, apparently that attitude is checked at the door when it involves someone who is eminently qualified, but who has also been somewhat critical of the governor.
Gov. Sarah Palin isn’t satisfied with Beth Kerttula being the only choice offered for the state Senate seat vacated when Juneau Democrat Kim Elton left to take a job in the Obama administration.
So she’s asking for others interested in the job to send her an application.
“We know there are many qualified Alaskans who would fill this post enthusiastically,” Palin said in a written statement.
Kerttula’s was the only name Juneau Democratic leaders sent Palin to consider for the appointment.
It’s traditional, but not required, for governors to follow the party recommendation when filling an open seat in the Legislature.
The governor has received more than two dozen unsolicited applications so far, and apparently wants as many as she can get. She’ll be accepting applications until Friday at which time she will release the names of the applicants. Elton’s replacement must be a Juneau Democrat and be approved by a majority of Democratic State Senators. Hey, Juneau Mudflatters, any takers?
Juneau Democratic Chair Kim Metcalfe said she was very disappointed in Palin’s call for more names. She said Kerttula, who represents downtown Juneau and Douglas Island in the state House, was the overwhelming choice of Juneau Democrats for the Senate appointment.
“Beth Kerttula was head and shoulders above everyone else in terms of her length of service, in terms of her readiness to step into the position,” Metcalfe said.
Metcalfe said parties don’t always give three names to a governor to choose from.
Beth Kerttula is widely respected, and well-suited for this position. It will be interesting to see what happens after this bout of posturing from the governor. We may have a bit of a chess match on our hands.
[Post script]
Just for fun, here are the results so far of a poll in the Juneau Empire. It’s interesting to note that this particular poll got more votes than any other poll done by the Empire in the last five years. Isn’t that something?
Do you think Gov. Sarah Palin should appoint Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, to replace Sen. Kim Elton in the Senate?
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Poll started March 08, 2009
oh, yes, very interesting results to that poll.
quelle surprise!
i don’t know, i was here last night laughing in the thread.
regardless, salah parin is a putz.
Oh, little Sarah…how about me? I’m not qualified, but then I know you like outsiders who “take on the good old boys” (and at this point, you are a good old boy) I like working with my hands, like you do (not really and let’s face it, you never did either) I am not a member of the political elite…what’s that? You don’t want a high school English teacher? Well, I’ll betcha one “shout-out” that you will love me for the Alaska legislature…I can’t answer a question without winking, also, too!! Doggonitt, women who are smarter than you really do make you wince, don’t they?
Hey, I’ll apply. I’m not an Alaska resident, but I’m willing to relocate. Looks like the bottom’s falling out of the designing documents for a living gig; I’d be happy to try my hand at Senatressing. Think I’ve got a chance? I can see Juneau on a map from my house…
I’d be happy to apply. I understand the job is in Juneau, but I happen to live with my husband and children in Wasilla. Maybe I can just stay here and work from, I don’t know…Anchorage? Sound good?
Hey! I don’t have to move to Juneau at all! I already telecommute for work from Oregon to California, Hawaii, Washington DC, Singapore, and even Belgium on occasion. I can just let the state rent me an apartment in Juneau and I’ll stay right here, and serve the state from my home. We’ll say it’s for, oh, I don’t know…better access? And I can get a per diem!
Sarah, grow up already!
And if she had just accepted Beth’s name, she would have gotten points with the Democrats in the legislature. How silly to make such a big deal out of it. And how long can she delay her decision while she considers names? It took her three months to appoint a new rural advisor and I am sure she could have gotten several good nominations from Native groups to choose from.
If Palin chooses anyone other than Kerttula, it only magnifies her mental instability. Loathing Palin is spreading and cannot be stopped. Even as she calls for more names, isn’t it the legislature who will approve the choice. If it were me I would disapprove every name until only Kerttula remained. Shove it down her throat.
Seems like every week Palin cooks up another malodorous situation. The question is, how much more will Alaskans tolerate, before they throw her to the street.
Can she really do this stuff? I mean, I know she does this kind of stuff (all the time), but is it lawful? Will this become another ‘gate’ on her resume?
writing from alaska: “And how long can she delay her decision while she considers names? ”
That is a good question – what if she chooses someone, the legislators reject it, then on and on – how long?
Yah but. In terms of a chess match, perhaps GINO is hoping that some Evangelical preacher might do a quickie change in their affiliation from (R) to (Democrat) and then apply, also, too.
How long could she stall this appointment? Until she leaves office, thereby denying her most disliked town of Juneau any representation at all? Are there any means of overruling her by the legislature or constitution?
…more playing…made to look as if she knows what the freak she’s doing….she hates that kim is in DC, and as an extral bonus of a reminder…she had to pick/agree to the replacement, so of course she’ll try to get someone ‘more’ to her liking….
Lets see how long she disagrees with the offering…maybe she’s got a few Dems in her hat – who would support more of her agenda…
Drama Queen Palin ! It’s always the vendetta with her – always. She’s just not the savvy politician she makes herself out to be. She can’t do two things in a row that might be sensible, now could she? Oh my, all these decisions at once, what is a Governor to do? YOUR JOB! Go with Beth and quit making a scene! Session is half over, there is a lot of real work to do!
add those church members….gonna lay their hands on one of those applications and BAM!
God opens a door so they can work with GINO 24/7
is there a list of church members somewhere…
Hey, I know, I will apply! I’m a democrat, As long as I can work from my house! GEEMANY, she just cant be a team player huh?
It was funny, when one of my friends, didnt know what our Gov did, she goes, what office does she hold? IS she a senator, she in the legislature, what does she do, well it must not be important if I cant remember without you telling me, she then goes, what does she do exactly? Just goes to show you how small Alaska is. OY!
Must be approved by democratic senators of which there are nine. Why in hell would Palin think its going to be someone other than Kerttula. I know delusional.
Balked?
The stubborn mule. These are the 2 choices, pick one already. No more pork for you!
Geesh. It’s just like our Sary to get all up and mavericky ’bout this.
Beth Kerttulla is a competent, intelligent, fair and respected legislator who works for her constituents. Therein lies the rub.
Sarah prefers sycophants and lackeys whose credentials tend toward things such as “likes cows”. Remember this one? http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html
I found this comment. Don’t know the reliability, but are there any “misdemeanors” of SP’s that will stick?
__________________
NO NEED TO IMPEACH! Palin allowed her husband illegal access to confidential personnel files. The report also mentions of the illegal release of a state employee’s personal information which in Alaska is a misdemeanor. However, according to Alaska law ANY PUBLIC OFFICAL CONVICTED OF THIS MISDEMEANOR AUTOMATICALLY FORFEITS THEIR OFFICE. So, IF Palin is charged with this misdemeanor and IF she is convicted, she automatically loses her job…
maybe one of the kids will apply, or the babysitter, or levi, or the next door neighbor, or the deacon, or another member of the mean girls club…
OOOOHHH how much you wanna bet it’s not a Native, [and I'm not talking about typeTodd either] BUT I know next to ‘nothing’ bout the make-up of Juneau politicts…so I might not know what the freak I’m TALKING ABOUT…So forgive me just in case…
i just can’t take her serious….
seriously, I mean
help…
Oh give me a home, where the glass ceiling shone,
Til the beauty queen smiled it away,
Where seldom is heard
An intelligent word,
And the other girls don’t get to play.
Home, home on the stage,
Where the bright light shines day after day,
On just one madame
With a solo webcam
And an eye to keep rivals away.
Even Sarah Palin is not stupid enough to screw this up. But she is definitely screwed up enough to do this.
She has let her advisers take her too far this time.
@IKath the Scrappy from Seattle
In terms of a chess match, perhaps GINO is hoping that some Evangelical preacher might do a quickie change in their affiliation from (R) to (Democrat) and then apply, also, too
————-
I wouldn’t put this past her devious, corrupt, devilish self! There’s just not enough adjectives to describe the B***H
@Polly
according to Alaska law ANY PUBLIC OFFICAL CONVICTED OF THIS MISDEMEANOR AUTOMATICALLY FORFEITS THEIR OFFICE. So, IF Palin is charged with this misdemeanor and IF she is convicted, she automatically loses her job
————–
FANTASTIC! It’s a fact that she allowed her husband illegal access to confidential personnel files. Pray for a conviction…’they’ have so many infractions (against her) to choose from.
I live in Juneau and I’m sufficiently unqualified that Sarah might actually choose me. Where can I apply?
I live in Juneau and know quite a lot about Juneau Ds in general and Beth Kertulla in particular. I am a registered D and would not vote for Kertulla if she were the only person on the ballot … sort of like right now. As in other communities in Alaska, we need to get rid of the old and start with the new. Beth Kertulla has spent a lot of time in the House of Representatives, but she has absolutely no backbone, analytical skills, or decision making ability. Why do you suppose all of the Demo members of the Bush (rural) caucus left Kertulla’s “leadership” and joined up with the Republicans? She has no ability to lead anybody anywhere. And she simply cannot make difficult decisions. Believe me AK Muckraker and mudpuppies across the country, it is wrong for you to cast a vote for Beth Kertulla when you do not know enough about her. She’s a mess and our capital city deserves much better. Please, do not comment on this (and mess with the unscientific Juneau Empire poll) unless you really know what you are saying/writing. Thank you.
NORTH OF THE RANGE…stop…stop LOL
OK, so why isn’t anyone doing anything about all these ‘little things’?
Is she a witch with some kinda ferce power – that others are afraid of her – that she’ll use it against them at some point?
Why is she still allowed to play Gov?
I dislike her strongly also because too
new post
I agree with JJ – Although Beth has been around the block she isn’t my choice for this position. That said- I was frankly appalled at yet another Sarah ploy. Why does anything she does surprise me? By now I should be completely jaded to all things Palin but once again I found myself stunned by the complete lack of class and couth our GINO has displayed- like the very clear Elton diss. It’s a frickin’ formality to choose the name forwarded by the Dem’s in the district and while I may not have personally liked the choice (Rosemary Hagevig anyone?) I still think our Wasilly Hillbilly has got to go…………she’s not in high school anymore. It’s time to play grown up games now, you betcha!!!!
Uh, yeah, Rosemary Hagevig isn’t a D…so there’s no way she can be appointed to that seat. HELLO, it has to be a D who’s been registered as a D for at least a year and has lived in the district for at least a year as well. Nice try…
Playing for time?
Why?
Sherry Johnston needs a job.
Come on Sarah. Do it. Appoint her.
I dare you.
“There’s a place in Hell reserved for women who don’t support other women,” the Alaska Governor said. – At a Rally in CA Oct 4th 2008.
BigSlick,
Sherry Johnston needs a job.
Come on Sarah. Do it. Appoint her.
I dare you.
———————–
lol
Seriously though, if she doesn’t appoint Beth Kerttula, it will be a disgrace. Palin needs to grow up….what a mean, vindictive, small-minded, little woman she is.
The drive by diddler strikes again………
AKM, what about you? Then at your acceptance speech you could turn to both the Gov and the Lt Gov and say “I’m a blogger; I’m a really good blogger; in fact, I’m one of those anonymous bloggers who kicked your ass up to the Y-K Delta even if you had to do it under the cover of Sam’s Purse. “
Governance should be about seeking excellence instead of seeking 7th grade level retribution. What is Palin afraid of; does she think Kerttula is the big bad wolf?
a tad off topic but wanted to send this before I go off to work…I received quite a large envelope from ROBERT F KENNEDY JR ON BEHALF OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL IN VIRGINIA(I’M IN NEW YORK STATE) and all across the front of the envelope is the sentence”DO YOU TRUST SARAH PALIN WITH THE FATE OF THE POLAR BEAR??? This must be going al over the UNited Sates….another kink in Palin’s armour…..HAVE A GREAT DAY….
Oh, Sah a rah
why are you such an idiot
married to crud
he is quite The Dud
Oh spare us your wolf hunting
Oh, Sah a rah
is gonna make us bleed
she is a bad seed
oh yes indeed
What were her parents thinking?
(to be continued…)
to be cont….this is commentary from Jack Cafferty/CNN:
Sarah Palin? Billing the taxpayers for her kids to travel to official events the children weren’t even invited to? She finally agreed to pay back the state for that money she took.
Her per diem charges to the state in the amount of $17,000 while she was living at home instead of in the governor’s mansion? She has now agreed to pay the taxes owed on that money. Another tawdry grab at a few dollars that didn’t belong to her.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/10/cafferty.republicans/index.html
I really admire Jack…and we will continue to beat the drum until “change” comes to Alaska, too!
When is Sarah’s OPM Card gonna tap out ?? ( other peoples money )
I’d like to hear more from the Juneau folks about qualified people. There seems to be a split of opinion. Some of the Juneau people seem delighted with Beth, yet we’ve now heard two who aren’t. What’s the scoop? I haven’t lived in Juneau for many years, so i’m clueless. What are the actual qualifications of these people? What are some of the things Beth has done to make people either want her or not want her? Be specific please. Lack of spine is not specific. That describes pretty much every politician in Alaska, so you need to narrow it down to real facts for those of us looking on.
Give an example of Beth not being able to make a decision. After 8 years of Bush, I simply cannot accept generalities not linked to specific events. We are mudpups. We can do better than generalities.
Shannyn Moore has a post about this also:
http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/palin%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cservant%E2%80%99s-heart%E2%80%9D-needs-a-transplant/
“Place In Hell Reserved For Women Who Don’t Support Other Women”
Has the brainless little twit forgotten her Madeleine Albright misquote?
You mean like she forgot her statement about women whining?
The whole Palin administration has turned into a comedy of the absurd. She appears to be losing it…
She’s qualified, and eminently so at that. She’s very smart and hard working. She helped negotiate the merger of two oil companies so that the State got the best they could out of the deal back in the 90s when she was working for the AG’s office. She’s been around the Capitol for long enough to know how to work there and what needs to be done. She works better across the aisle than just about anyone, and she’s as ethical as they come. It’s hard to be seen as “having a spine” by some people if you’ve lived your political life in the minority, but she’s fought as hard as she can for what’s good for Juneau and the State.
And it’s not like anyone else would be able to jump into the Senate more than halfway through Session and be able to get anything done. She’s the only one who can, and GINO seems intent on denying my town full representation for as long as she can. She’s got till less than 3 weeks before the end of Session to appoint. Want to take bets on how much of that time she’s going to use up?
Could she be stupid enough to be looking for some kind of favor from this appointment like Gov. Blagojevich?
Blue Idaho – Now THAT would be funny on tape !!
Her servant’s heart is on life support….
WHEW! hit her hard SS
Pull the plug and put everyone out of misery…….never mind her…..
It shouldn’t be that hard to guess what’s going to happen.
Palin will ignore the Dems and Kerttula and pick a flunky. She doesn’t care what the fallout is. She thinks she’s untouchable and since she has no Democratic support (and feels she doesn’t need it) there is no reason to follow tradition or appease the party by choosing their pick.
Any pressure that could be applied should. But I doubt it will help.
The only solution is to vote Palin out of office as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
Careful of that Karma thing Sarah. The new rules you create today to thwart the Dems will probably come back in kind to the Republicans one day.
I’m curious if the Republican legislators may be not real happy with Her Highness lowering the “lets play fair with each other” bar?
On the other hand here is another example of how Tsarina Sarah just has to make the world play by her rules.
When and if she ever runs for office again her opposition will have enough material for talking points and media ads to run 24/7 for months, without repeating. And You Tube will be in hog heaven with her reruns.
She just doesn’t get it that even in politics there are rules of engagement.
BigSlick
Sarah, grow up already!
You got that one right. She reminds me of the horrible brat in the comic strip “Queen of the Universe.” ( I may have the name wrong but if you ever saw it you probably remember it.)
Marnie – I have to say my fave youtube video is the one of the “laying of hands” by the witch doctor……..how can she even begin to question any other canidates beliefs with that nugget just waiting to hit the airwaves ??
Kath the Scrappy asked, “How long could she stall this appointment? Until she leaves office, thereby denying her most disliked town of Juneau any representation at all? Are there any means of overruling her by the legislature or constitution?”
You know, there’s enough egregious misbehavior of various kinds, unethical and otherwise, by Gov. Palin, but you’d think threatening to boycott this appointment of Beth Kerttula would be the final straw for the legislators.
From a NYTimes article on the general subject of impeachment:
“In its broadest sense, impeachment is the process by which public officials may be removed from office on the basis of their conduct. Strictly speaking, it is the decision by a legislature to accuse an official of one or more offenses that warrant removal according to constitutional standards. A vote to impeach then triggers a trial based on those charges. The most famous impeachment proceedings have involved presidents, but every state has its own procedures. Most follow the federal model in general, but vary widely in their specifics.
[...] Each state constitution outlines a unique impeachment procedure, including variations on the list of impeachable offenses, protocol for an impeachment trial and the body responsible for an initial investigation. According to the Associated Press, seven governors in U.S. history have been removed from office following impeachment proceedings.
[...] In all states except Alaska, Nebraska and Oregon, the House votes on articles of impeachment ahead of a trial. In Alaska, the process is reversed, according to The Book of States. That state’s Senate must impeach a governor by voting on impeachment articles in order to initiate a trial in the House.
HuffPost:
Katie Couric has won a Cronkite Award for her revealing, multi-part interview of Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/10/katie-courics-sarah-palin_n_173661.html
palin, honey…listen. please step down from your throne…you are hurting your fellow Alaskans and will hurt ‘the real America’ if you continue your quest for power. God is sending you a message…don’t ignore it! you lost the VP for a reason and it wasn’t to become President, it was to step off this wrong path in politics and take care of yourself and your family with the moral values that you lost and God is trying to tell you to start from scratch and just be a good, solid, honest citizen of your state….AND LEAVE US THE HELL ALONE!!!!
No way Palin appoints Kerttula. Her skin is way way too thin, especially after Kerttula disrespected her running for VP. I am not a great fan of Kerttula but the alternatives are definitely second tier at best. City assembly or school board retreads are the only ones with any elected experience (if that matters) but we know how much importance Palin puts in experience.
In Juneau, Martha Unalaska, Sandy Beach, Alaska Pi, Bear Woman, Harp Guy, Juneau Joe, please apply.
Moose Pucky would do it too. Make Beth Kerttula look real good.
Actually, a co-worker thinks every eligible Juneauite should apply so we flood her office with applications and letters and resumes. Just see her plow through all of those!
I’d just be worried she’d actually pick me (HA, as IF!), and then I’d have to quit my job just to be guaranteed to get my b*** kicked by Beth in the 2010 primary!
The appointment must be confirmed by a majority of the nine Democratic Senators in Alaska’s legislature. Hold firm, you guys.
Looks like its going to be a fun legislative session. She has 30 days to appoint and they can “not confirm” into infinity.
Let’s see… the perfect candidate would be.
A Juneau Democrat who thinks Sarah Palin can do no wrong?
A Juneau Democrat in Republican clothing?
A real wheeler-dealer?
Or would it be the House Minority Leader who has served Alaska with grace and distinction for many years already and, because of this, is the obvious choice and the only choice put forward by Juneau’s Democrats?
I’m still waiting for specifics about Beth, especially from the two naysayers, who haven’t provided any details. Some of the pro-Beth crowd has been more specific. Just sayin’…
Moose, you’re just looking for logic there, also, and we all just know there isn’t any to found! Silly Moose Pucky!
How could she possibly get out of this without mud on her face?
In Juneau, I would appoint you if I were governor.
Ask Gov Palin how many names were on the list when she picked Denby Loyd to be fisheries commissioner? Here’s a hint, the same number of names on the list to replace Elton. She never blinked an eye or complained about that list. I and others sent letters to her complaining about the process. So she’s being hypocritical about this. As usual.
Moose Pucky, why, thank you! Not sure I’d really want it, but I would keep the current staff. They ROCK!
The only solution is to vote Palin out of office as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
I thought the Huffington Post blogs were hysterical today…you guys are on the same humorous wavelength as everyone over there. Palin’s coming out party has turned out to be nothing but a bloggers joke fest….
Send your money to SarahsAbyssPAC often and don’t forget to flush!
hahahaha – this has been a hell of a cabin fever break up story.