There She Goes Again. Palin Gets All Mavericky. (Updated with Thoughts)
After the bipartisan Senate smack-down that resulted in the rejection of Tim Grussendorf from the Senate seat left vacant by Kim Elton, the governor briefly tried to get at least something she’d asked for – that the vote of the Democrats rejecting Grussendorf should be public, and not “behind closed doors.” Because using the term “behind closed doors” sounds all nefarious, even when meetings are supposed to be behind closed doors. She was hoping to get part of her way, but no dice. Seven of nine Democratic Senators sent Palin a letter saying, basically, ”Enough already,” and that they were standing firm, and that was that. They also said they were sending a new list of names and needed a pick from the governor soon. And astonishingly, Palin abandoned her plans to appoint Grussendorf altogether.
“I think that effort’s been exhausted,” said Palin’s spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow.
And this is good, because of course, rumors were running rampant that this self-described “conservative Democrat” would either vote with Republicans, tipping the balance of power on important issues, or decide to formally become one, once he was sitting in the seat, and potentially run against Beth Kerttula (the senate’s first pick) in the general election in 2010.
Meanwhile, the Dems went back to the drawing board, and prepared a list of four shiny new names for the governor from which to choose; all qualified, experienced Juneau Democrats that have the full support of the Senators. Any one of them would be just fine, and ready to go immediately. We can imagine the governor sitting in her office, chewing on a pencil, reading the names, then holding the paper between manicured thumb and index finger, and dropping the sheet ceremoniously into the wastepaper basket. Why?
She’s picked a different name. One that is not on the list. She went rogue. She picked Joe Nelson. He is actually a registered Democrat, which on the surface is a step in the right direction. And although he would be stepping into a senate seat never having held elected office, he is married to former Rep. Mary Nelson, also a Democrat, and well-liked. And Joe Nelson is a Native Alaskan, which I’m sure the governor is hoping will restore some good feelings with the Native community after she was firmly denounced by Native organizations for her new Attorney General pick.
Now, forgive me for being a cynic, but if the Senate Democrats have chosen four qualified people, and the governor selects someone who is not one of those people, we need to be immediately suspicious. Why? Because where the governor is concerned, we are rarely proven wrong when we are suspicious, and we are often burned when we are not. It’s basic operant conditioning. If we were a rat in a cage, and the food pellet that came out of ‘chute A’ was always bitter, it wouldn’t take that long to figure it out, and not trust the pellets coming out of that chute.
As it happens, I got a phone call from a friend in Juneau tonight. When I asked about how Juneau residents are feeling about the governor these days, the adjective used was “livid.” Juneau wants Beth Kerttula. They don’t want Tim Grussendorf, and they don’t want Joe Nelson, and they’ve had it up to here (indicating eyeballs) with the governor’s antics. Those in the know are nervous about Nelson for other reasons too. Add to our initial cynicism the following: Joe Nelson is an attorney who used to work for the law firm Simpson, Tillinghast, Sorensen & Longenbaugh. It’s the Simpson part that’s interesting.
E. Budd Simpson devotes a large portion of his practice to serving as the principal outside legal counsel to Sealaska Corporation (one of the twelve Alaska Native regional corporations formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act), which has been a client of his since 1978. Mr. Simpson’s practice includes the timber, banking, resource development, real estate, subsurface, risk management, personnel, state securities regulation, and litigation activities of the corporation.
Joe Nelson happens to be the Director of Sealaska Corporation. Hm.
And Budd Simpson’s wife happens to be none other than Paulette Simpson, prominent Juneau Republican leader, and President of the Alaska Federation of Republican Women. A quick Google search shows her quoted in all kinds of national magazines promoting Sarah Palin during the election. Now this close business relationship doesn’t necessarily mean any particularly close personal relationship. Unless you also know that Joe and Mary Nelson got married….wait for it…..on Bud and Paulette Simpson’s boat! Strange boatfellows indeed.
So what does all this mean? According to my very distressed friend in Juneau, (who actually said he was ready to welcome Frank Murkowski back with open arms, which is really alarming, believe you me), rumors are flying that Nelson may also be a candidate for a switcheroo. I picture that point in Mission Impossible when what’s-his-name played by Martin Landau infiltrates the organization and when it’s all over, he reaches over and peels off his face, revealing his true identity. And in this case, the ‘true identity’ underneath might be entertaining the notion of running for the seat as a Republican against Beth Kerttula in 2010. I have to tell you I was a bit gobsmacked. Maybe I’m still not cynical enough.
So now, the ball is back in the court of the Senate Democrats. They’ve probably gotten the message by now that the governor really doesn’t care what they think, nor what they think is best for their party, or the constituents of Juneau. She doesn’t want to play ball, and has indicated that by thumbing her nose at the whole process. The next step, I can imagine, is the governor going around and affixing sticky notes to the foreheads of the Senate Democrats that say, “Hi, I’m irrelevant.”
Rich Listowski, a state Democratic Party central committee member from Juneau, said Nelson hasn’t been active in the party. “As a member of the central committee I would urge the senators to vote this nomination down in favor of the more experienced candidates who have run areawide in Juneau and have won elections,” Listowski said after hearing of the pick.
So, the bottom line is, whether you’re a pragmatist, a conspiracy theorist, or a good old fashioned cynic, you’ll agree that this appointment is a bad idea. Democrats need to stand firm and make their own choices for this seat. Once again we can be sure that pressure will be applied to our so-far principled Democratic Senators. Words of encouragement and support are always helpful to keep those spines straight and do what’s right for the people of Juneau. That’s what this is all supposed to be about, right?
UPDATED THOUGHTS: I’ve received a few emails on this topic, and thought that the post warranted some additions. The ins and outs of Juneau politics deserve a blog just for them. (Any takers?) And here’s another round of fears and speculation regarding the potential Nelson appointment from an email I received this morning:
If appointed to the Senate, Joe would have to step down from his post at the University of Alaska Southeast. State employees cannot also be legislators.
Could this be a backdoor attempt to help shutdown UAS if Joe is admissions director, gets the appointment and has to resign and they have also lost Tish Satre Griffin to retirement this summer?
This may be a way of trying to force appointment of more development friendly administrators to the University of Alaska system.
I think the thing we need to take away from all this is the fact that the trust has been severed between the governor and the people of Juneau. Everyone, regardless of how they personally feel about the applicant (which is mostly positive), it is Palin’s motives that are brought into question. At this point, she could have nominated Mother Teresa, and we’d be wondering why. It’s a shame. And it goes to show why it is so important for the Democrats in the Senate to hold firm, and play by the very rules that were good enough for the governor when making Republican appointments.
And this appointment could come very soon. So, if you need a reminder, here are those emails:
Sen. Johnny Ellis, Anchorage (Sen. District L)
E-mail: Senator_Johnny_Ellis@legis.state.ak.us
Sen. Bettye Davis, Anchorage (Sen. District K)
E-mail: Senator_Bettye_Davis@legis.state.ak.us
Sen. Hollis French, Anchorage (Sen. District M)
E-mail: Senator_Hollis_French@legis.state.ak.us
Sen. Lyman Hoffman, Bethel (Sen. District S)
E-mail: Senator_Lyman_Hoffman@legis.state.ak.us
Sen. Albert Kookesh, Angoon (Sen. District C)
E-mail: Senator_Albert_Kookesh@legis.state.ak.us
Sen. Donny Olson, Golovin (Sen. District T)
E-mail: Senator_Donny_Olson@legis.state.ak.us
Sen. Joe Paskvan, Fairbanks (Sen. District E)
E-mail: Senator_Joe_Paskvan@legis.state.ak.us
Sen. Joe Thomas, Fairbanks (Sen. District D)
E-mail: Senator_Joe_Thomas@legis.state.ak.us
Sen. Bill Wielechowski, Anchorage (Sen. District J)
E-mail: Senator_Bill_Wielechowski@legis.state.ak.us
Has Joe Lieberman been seen boarding a plane bound for Alaska?
Darn !! I was ranting and typing so fast I forgot the best part at the beginning of the O’reilly tape. They showed Levi on the show making a comment. Then Bill says… Gov. Palins response was… (Megs press statement). Giving the impression that the Gov. was ‘responding’ to what he just said. We know in reality… the press statement came BEFORE he made any comments. (nice editing)
It tells a whole different story when told in the context of what was said first.
I suppose Greta or her producer suggested he say it THAT way.
Hi all,
Can I just politely ask that we keep comments on this post on topic. Discussion re Levi etc is not appropriate on this post. We already have two posts where that can be discussed.
http://www.themudflats.net/2009/04/06/oyster-round-up-this-and-that/
http://www.themudflats.net/2009/04/06/morning-open-thread/
Thanks all..
Snoskred
Good grief, Palin just never stops, does she? You can’t turn your back on her for an instant. How much longer are y’all stuck with her as governor? Or has anyone actually considered trying a recall?
Sorry – I added that last bit to my post that is on topic before I saw the post that says to stay on topic, but I can’t edit it. If you need to, please do – and I won’t do it again.
No problems – I fixed it up for you – Snoskred
Palin is just unbelievable. I hope the Democrats will not accept this choice either.
I had put this on the previous thread. Here it is again.
http://media.adn.com/smedia/2009/04/06/16/nelson_resume.source.prod_affiliate.7.pdf
Oh, brother – here we go again!
Tucker Carlson is on Morning Joe saying that Palin’s brilliant rhetoric is what united the GOP during the election ~ and Tina Brown of the Daily Beast chimed in with “And she’s a natural politician too” – of course, neither Tucker or Tina read anything outside the NYC/Beltway corridor, so they have no idea of the shenanigans Palin plays with her “tremendous executive experience”.
Stick to your principles and don’t let her get the upper hand.
Democrats should have the same rights as republicans and pick their own replacements. Past practice indicates that the governor gave the republicans their choice.
8 Greytdog Δ Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 3:03 AM
Tucker Carlson is on Morning Joe saying that Palin’s brilliant rhetoric is what united the GOP during the election ~ and Tina Brown of the Daily Beast chimed in with “And she’s a natural politician too” – of course, neither Tucker or Tina read anything outside the NYC/Beltway corridor, so they have no idea of the shenanigans Palin plays with her “tremendous executive experience”.
**********************
Just saw that also.too. Amazing………….
Here’s the part I don’t get.
She just keeps alienating more and more politicians.
It can only be a matter of time before these people circle the wagons for a full out attack.
House gate for instance.
You cannot tell me, not one other person (sixth degree) knows first duds story is an absolute fabrication.
Scratches head
Well isn’t that just peachy. She’s decided to be DICTATOR of Alaska since she didn’t win the VP .
Please, please keep highlighting what this woman is doing.
bush/cheney in a skirt? I think she would be MUCH WORSE.
palin is determined to throw her weight around. Do you think the legislature will ever give her a good smack down?
They HAVE to know she’s telling them she doesn’t give a hoot what THEY want. They HAVE to know she’s considers THEM irrelevant.
How can anyone want her appointment , knowing that the whole world is watching Sarah’s every crazy-ass move ?? That and knowing in your heart that your constituents don’t want you to represent them. Only an ass-hat with an agenda would take the job from the “queen”. seriously.
Is there any point in folks outside Alaska writing to these Dem politicians to say something along the lines of “A lot of eyes in and outside of your state are on what you do and how you do it when it comes to standing your ground against this nasty little woman?”
Because if there is something to be gained, I’d email them. I’m just not sure whether or not it would register eve a blip on their radar screens. I asked the same question, essentially, in regards to Blanche Lincoln elsewhere, and was told that, not being from Arkansas, it would wind up in the circular file. Just give me the word — I can even conceal the fact that I’m from Taxachusetts.
I’m in NY. I read this first on ADN website. Must say, I’m glad I regularly come here. Nice to know someone is puting out the real information on this “choice” made by Ms. Palin. Almost hard to tell that both sources are talking about the same person. Bless these internets, and thank you for the real “scoop”.
She complains about things being behind closed doors but does her share of the state’s business, at on those few ocassions, behind the closed doors of her bedroom and with the assistance of that long-time AK employee, The Dud.
Guess the regular rules apply to everyone but herself. Same, to much of the same degree, goes to the legislature. The discussions on The Duffus should have been held in public.
Doesn’t she GET that people are seeing through her? She’s giving a whole new spin to “transparency” in government.
If Palin is ignoring all other elected officials in Alaska and is trying the old bait and switch just to get her way imagine what she would do in Washington. This should be a wake up call and a warning to ANYONE (party leaders, party members, right wing conservatives, right wing media, and voters) that this is what you will get if she runs in 2012 (or 2010 in Alaska for that matter). Personally I love it. Because the more nonsensical and insane tricks she pulls the more people she alienates and the less her chances are in 2012 (or 2010).
“Viktor and Viktoria”.
If I went to Alaska as a Democrat, pretending to be a Republican, pretending to be a Democrat and then at the last moment, when it is too late to change anything I throw off the red and reveallllll….. BLUE. Might work?
Would you mind posting the date Palin is out of office? Those of us in the lower 40 are wondering. Well OK this one is. Are there term limits? Oh wait that is our city council.
8
Ripley in CT Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 4:23 AM
Doesn’t she GET that people are seeing through her? She’s giving a whole new spin to “transparency” in government.
.,.,.,..,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
Sorta kinda like opaque, eh?
A. “Tucker Carlson is on Morning Joe saying that Palin’s brilliant rhetoric is what united the GOP during the election…”
Tucker Carlson thinks Tucker Carlson is brilliant: .’. it’s apparent that he’s not exactly qualified to identify that trait in others.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Tucker%20Carlson
B. He’s a liar. (See 5th paragraph here): http://people-press.org/report/462/obamas-lead-widens
“In addition, Sarah Palin appears to be a continuing – if not an increasing – drag on the GOP ticket….”
Tell her she is legally bound to choose someone from the list sent by the DEMS. That is the constitutionally mandated process.
What else is there to say?
Other than criticize her as “not ready” for VP, how else did Beth Kertulla piss her off? Good God!
Palin’s term ends in December, 2010
Election Date is: November 2, 2010
For Governor and for Senate seat Lisa Murkowski
Obviously I need to get a lot more popcorn-
AKM, what is the reaction within the AK Republicans in the legislature? I would think this would make them very uneasy, as it could set a precedent- and could happen to them in the future. I hope all the legislatures unite to send a clear message to Palin…oh wait, she’s not listening (la la la la fingers in ears).
@let it run:
I think she just wants to show everyone who is in charge. Obviously she can’t govern: get her bills through a session, negotiate with the oil companies…
Is this woman taking lessons from Kim Jong Il or what? Playing Dictator……..keep up the good work Palin, the rest of us need a good laugh!!!
AKM-
Thank you for continuing to keep this front and center.
Your friend in Juneau was being polite saying we are livid.
I don’t have enough !#%^## type keys to even begin to describe the frustration and upset folks are feeling.
The Democratic Senators have, so far, done their best by us. I am proud of them for holding their ground.
Given that we have a scant 2 weeks of session left we have given up on the idea that we will be represented in the State Senate this go around.
The ghastly gov has thumbed her nose at Juneau throughout this process.
She let fly with an entirely nasty and childish public snark at Mr Elton when he accepted the federal job.
She has played games with filling his seat for weeks now- changing her mind and tactics more times in the last week than most of us change our underpants…
Somehow this Mama Bear has forgotten that it is Juneau which is being represented here…overwhelmingly Democratic and with a distinct preference for so-called liberal politicians. ( which as you AKM have pointed out would be seen as almost-moderate-Republicans anywhere else…)
Ms Kertulla has represented us well in the House of Representatives AND was able to work well with the ghastly gov through 2 sessions.
Ms Kertulla has been openly critical of the ghastly gov in recent months but has maintained professional behavior in public. I do NOT want a Senator who is otherwise.
Mr Nelson may be a perfectly decent person- but neither do I want a political newbie at this time in our relationship with the rest of the state.
____________________________________
@15 Apphouse50 Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 3:39 AM
Is there any point in folks outside Alaska writing to these Dem politicians to say something along the lines of “A lot of eyes in and outside of your state are on what you do and how you do it when it comes to standing your ground against this nasty little woman?”
—————————-
There is no point in contacting the AK Senators. So far they have done their job for us quite well.
For those outside who want to stop the ghastly gov from bursting back out of Alaska keep lots of notes and be sure to talk up the failure of the gov here to follow accepted practises for filling vacant seats. some say the local Dem party failed to do so by only submitting one name . I disagree but also, too- that is nothing compared to the slap we in Juneau have gotten day after day as the gov changes the scenario over and over
as it suits her.
Folks away from here need to know how the ghastly gov’s main-street rhetoric plays out on our REAL Main Streets…
She does not give a hoot about us.
23 MonaLisa IS MY NAME! – Thanks for the urban dictionary link on Tucker !! LOL !! You know you’ve arrived as a true ass-hat when you make the urban dictionary…………
Very Dick Cheney of her isn’t it.
So…….I say the Democrat Senators go down in history as the brave souls who stood strong against the worst Governor Alasaka ever had. Be strong people! Don’t let her win in these idiotic Cheney political games. You know what she’s up to, show her.
Can you imagine what they are saying about her? They must be fuming.
Here’s hoping your Dems grow some,or at least keep the ones they sprouted when they said NO to the other guy.
Too bad Juneau residents can’t sue for lack of representation. Looks like she’s just trying to drag this out until those 2 weeks left in session are over.
OT — Obama has made an unscheduled stop in Baghdad!! That will be a surprise for the troops!!!
I think the Dems should send her Kertullas name again…….let’s play toss back and forth and back and forth until Nov. 2, 2010.
A question AKM……..what happens if the 2009 session ends with no appointment being seated? Can that even happen? I have the feeling Gov. Palin would love to try something she deems legal after they end and go home.
Like making some Gov. on her own official decision?
Wouldn’t that be mavericky of her? I’m sure nothing like that has been done before. If she tried to pull the no closed door vote rule out of her play book, she probably has other tricks in her hat too.
And the leg dems have the right to personally question Nelson correct?
Why, did she have to make matters worse and not choose from their list???
Seems like Alaskan Republican legislators are recognizing that what goes around comes around. And that Palin is unlikely to be Alaska’s next governor. And that moderates are being pushen further and further to the Democratic Party.
If they hang with their own precedent and with the Democrats and don’t start flopping around, Queen of the Universe Comic Strip Sarah will be gone and so will her bad management style.
If I were an Alaskan R, I might seriously consider impeaching her myself, she’s screwing everybody within her reach.
Unfortunately, this recent brat attack means the citizens of Juneau are still disenfranchised.
Great photos of Mt Redoubt in action: http://bit.ly/11jSRB
@35 Say NO to Palin in Politics Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 5:58 AM
I think the Dems should send her Kertullas name again…….let’s play toss back and forth and back and forth until Nov. 2, 2010.
A question AKM……..what happens if the 2009 session ends with no appointment being seated? Can that even happen? I have the feeling Gov. Palin would love to try something she deems legal after they end and go home.
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The Republican appointed during the gov’s tenure was out of session. The procedure still operated the same way…
We do NOT want to be a political football here in Juneau. We want representation we trust. It is our due.
This is the last sentence in E. Budd Simpson’s bio, lol, like it really relevant to his qualifications, lol……bragging rights? Advertising?
“He is the owner of the Glacier Bear a 42′ sport fishing boat which is operated in Southeast Alaska.”
Canadian Neighbour Says:
OT — Obama has made an unscheduled stop in Baghdad!! That will be a surprise for the troops!!!
Considering what a whine the Repugs made last time he went, I wonder how they will try to spin the POTUS visit?
Lets see the Dems make their decisions behind closed doors after consultation with Juneau. Baadd Dems.
Sarah makes her decisions beind closed doors without consultation with Juneay. Gooood Queen.
Apphouse50 Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 3:39 AM
Is there any point in folks outside Alaska writing to these Dem politicians to say something along the lines of “A lot of eyes in and outside of your state are on what you do and how you do it when it comes to standing your ground against this nasty little woman?”
Because if there is something to be gained, I’d email them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I live in Cali and although I had NO hesitation to email them for troopergate I feel this is a “Alaskan” issue. JMO. If AKM or one of the other bloggers called for EVERYONE to write, I would, in a heartbeat.
I did however email Les G. yesterday…unofficially to ask about WARGINO. He told me “He gets an interim appointment under the constitution” when I asked how he can be called AG on SOA webpage. I also managed to squeeze in, Is this another case of “I’m the mayor/governor and I can do what I want until the courts tell me not to” ???
And of course he did not comment there, and also too…
mentioned that lack of comment on SOA webpage about the tank farm at the bottom of Mt. Redoubt. Silly me I should of looked on scarahPac site for THAT info!
If AKM thinks it would help for us in the lower 48 to write I will. But until then I think its a Alaskan issue, as much as my fingers itching to tell them what I think of GINO.
Marie,
He’s in a dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t with them. I’m sure we will hear something from McCan’t!!
The Dems in AK. need to become the party of “NO”. As in “NO” sarah , we won’t put up with your lame-ass.
I really don’t understand how the republicans in Alaska can even be supporting her at this point.
One of the things that I have read about Alaska is how well the Republicans and Democrats work together in the Legislature. I think that I read that during the election, bipartisanship in Alaska was suppose to be an example.
So why then aren’t the Republicans speaking up and saying they support the Democrat party to make their own choice, just as they would expect the Democrats to support a choice of theirs if they are in the same position. (which they have been) You’d think that in the long run what is good for one party is good for the other, governors come and go, but legislatures are what get the job done.
@45 pacos_gal Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 6:21 AM
“One of the things that I have read about Alaska is how well the Republicans and Democrats work together in the Legislature. I think that I read that during the election, bipartisanship in Alaska was suppose to be an example.
So why then aren’t the Republicans speaking up and saying they support the Democrat party to make their own choice, just as they would expect the Democrats to support a choice of theirs if they are in the same position. (which they have been) You’d think that in the long run what is good for one party is good for the other, governors come and go, but legislatures are what get the job done.”
———————————–
The Senate Republicans HAVE spoken up for the process in favor of Dems being able to make their own choice. The ghastly gov is thumbing her nose at EVERYONE here.
Especially those of us in Juneau…
Tell Palin the list is from God and to deny it would be sacrilegious. That should rattle her cage a bit.
So Juneau has serious liberal Democratic leanings?
Ahhh. I get it. No wonder Sarah doesn’t want to be in Juneau and
uses every hackneyed reason she could come up with for not being there.
sorry Alaska PI…….I was jokin around. I’m sure this must be very frustrating for you and those living in Juneau. And you are correct, you deserve the representation of your choice not who the mini cheney governor tries to foist upon you.
“We do NOT want to be a political football here in Juneau. We want representation we trust. It is our due.”
I don’t have a dog in this fight, but if I did, I’d probably be camped out at one of the Gov’s offices.
OT Wonder what GINO’s gonna think about this…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/07/eminem-raps-about-sex-wit_n_183958.html
AKM my dear, you are frickin’ brilliant!!!!
**bows**
@49 Say NO to Palin in Politics Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 6:37 AM
sorry Alaska PI…….I was jokin around. I’m sure this must be very frustrating for you and those living in Juneau. And you are correct, you deserve the representation of your choice not who the mini cheney governor tries to foist upon you.
“We do NOT want to be a political football here in Juneau. We want representation we trust. It is our due.”
————————–
Thanks Say No…!
I have no sense of humor about this subject…feeling distinctly and all together ticked off about the gov’s lack of respect for us here.
We are a blue district- have been forever.
Doesn’t matter how the ghastly gov FEELS about THAT, she has a duty to us which seems to think would be discharged properly by apponting someone who would appeal to the minority ONLY here.YARRGGGG!
Sarah is the Decider. Does she really believe all these antics show leadership?
The Republicans in the Lower 48 are leery of her; she has no future in national politics and I think she knows it.
Her entire career is a fluke. She is indeed a small town girl, “just Sarah.” Only with the wannabe beauty queen ego. All surface; nobody home.
Hey whats up with all the comments at ADN being “Under review” in the Palin threads?!?!?!?
Cup is half full or half empty? I say it’s half full and it’s partly sunny.
Joe Nelson, is husband to former Rep. Mary (Kapsner) Nelson who is a democrat and well-liked. She is REALLY REALLY well liked by Senator Lyman Hoffman, co-chair of Senate Finance and REAALY REALLY well liked by other current Democrat House representatives who just happened to have joined their Republican colleagues in the House Bipartisan Majority. I would venture to guess that these (rural) democrats understand how important resource development (mining) is to their constituents in the numerous villages that comprise their districts.
Joe Nelson is a young bright democrat who supports responsible resource development and understands the plight of residents in rural communities.
The cup is half full.
Lance/Boil…..She is going to have one heck of a hissy fit over that.
I truly hope the Legs hold there ground and throw that right back her again. You would think there would be a way for the Legs to go to someone and complain about this crazy ass heifers behavior. But I don’t know of anyone they could go to unless maybe the US AG, but that is just a guess. She is so power hungry and it really is showing.
It’s at the point I can’t even explain Alaskan politics to my friends in the R.O.W. How can it be so hard for our NPD gov to just appoint the freakin’ rep recommended by the party.
I sent an email of encouragement to the Senators on the list. GINO is a Dictator! How do they even deal with that mindset?!
@ Andree McLeod………isn’t that beside the point? He might be a great guy, he might do a great job, but he was not on the list they provided to the Governor. If they cave in to this pressure, were does it stop? What kind of message is that sending to the citizens that their representatives won’t stick up for what they want? Not arguing here, but I can’t see them allowing her to have a temper tantrum and rewarding her behavior.
Why is she still up at 60% on the polls?
Dang… AKM, thanks for continuing your coverage of the situation up there in AK. A person just couldn’t make this stuff up, honest.
Does the Senate (in D.C.) read the Mudflats? Does anyone know? Anybody have connections there? They would certainly benefit from all the “inside” information and palin couldn’t be so underhanded and sneaky…she would be exposed daily! Love this! Jeez…you have to have a full-time, 24/7 detective on her ass! She is ruthless! She loves herself so much, she just doesn’t realize or give a rat’s whether anybody else respects her or not…she wouldn’t go down with the ship without bringing everybody else with her…she appreciates her and that’s all that matters. It’s a diagnosis at best.
@Andree McLeod
Plus, if Juneau has decided that they wish to be represented by Beth Kerttula, shouldn’t they be? Isn’t that the American way?
Hey TXCHICK4Obama I noticed that also. When you click on the posts they are all negative towards Palin. Seems haraS meaT has been busy trying to get them deleted. Good news is that most of the comments are leaning negative lately. Seems the rank and file of Alaska are finally getting it.
Remember Todd and Sarah belong to the AIP, who want to secede, so they don’t understand the “American-Way”….
@Polly
Why is she still up at 60% on the polls?
——————–
Good question!!!!!!!!!
TEWISE:
The democrats in Juneau screwed this one up. There are many democrats in Juneau feeling disenfranchised and disconnected with the current Juneau democrat party. They know which democrat senators to align themselves with on this one. It is them, after all, that have to work alongside whoever is picked…and they want Joe Nelson. They are driving this one…not Palin.
OT
The homepage of the ADN website has a headline “Drift River oil moved”
On Monday, they got 3.7 million gallons out of the tanks. Good!
I note that virtually every anti-Palin comment on the ADN website in response to an article about this appointment has been “hidden”- so obviously the Palinistas are out in force. Makes this website even more important.
This wholesale censorship by the Queen’s minions is unbelieveable. I guess the First Amendment is Sarah’s next target.
TEWISE:
They know which democrat senators to align themselves with on this one. It is them, after all, that have to work alongside whoever is picked…and they want Joe Nelson. They are driving this one…not Palin.
——————
Really? So it’s a bad thing to send letters to the Senators asking to stand firm?
OT : I went lurking over @ C4P and found this , I have not read it all yet ,.This is what I found
A few days ago a little known legislator in Alaska earned himself a special place in the blogosphere’s hall of shame by outing the hitherto anonymous local pundit ‘Mudflats.’
66 Andree McLeod Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 7:09 AM
TEWISE:
The democrats in Juneau screwed this one up. There are many democrats in Juneau feeling disenfranchised and disconnected with the current Juneau democrat party. They know which democrat senators to align themselves with on this one. It is them, after all, that have to work alongside whoever is picked…and they want Joe Nelson. They are driving this one…not Palin.
——————
I can claim no special knowledge but as a Democrat in Juneau , this started with the gov’s nasty public remarks to departing Sen Elton and has left many of us lil people on the street feeling slapped by the gov. The local Dem party leadership IS out of touch with too many of us but I would hesitate to say Mr Nelson is an appropriate choice- no matter who put him up.
The very issues you bring up resonate differently here in Juneau than in other parts of the state often enough that we expect our Legs to be a smidge out of step with the rest… we are.
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/040709/let_426733428.shtml
Sealaska bill could run into opposition
Letter to the editor
Sen. Lisa Murkowski has proposed legislation, which Sen. Mark Begich also might sponsor, that springs from a legitimate cause: The finalization of Sealaska’s land entitlements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. But the bill contains elements that could counter a long history of negotiations between the U.S. Forest Service and the conservation community of Southeast Alaska.
These negotiations have created a network of environmentally sound land designations, legal and administrative, that protect special places, buffer spawning streams, safeguard community subsistence resources, protect wildlife and habitat, preserve old-growth stands of the rainforest, and otherwise balance and conserve the lifeblood and sustaining health of the beautiful, complex and productive blending of land and sea that we call the Alexander Archipelago.
The potentially troubling elements of the bill come under the headings of “Economic Development” and “Alaska Native Futures.” These geographic sites – numerous and sprinkled across the Tongass National Forest map – identify places that Sealaska has evaluated as useful for various types of economic and enterprise activities. The problem is, many or most of these sites have already been designated for conservation and protection by previous legislation, and also by the decades of cooperation and negotiation in the shaping of forest management plans, which fully engaged the Forest Service and the conservation community.
That’s a lot of interlocking history and issues that, in many cases, were finally resolved by litigation. In other words, Southeast Alaska is not a clean slate that can be cherry-picked at will. Local people will fight for their hard-won subsistence, hunting and fishing zones and resource protections. This bill, with these disturbing elements, has the capacity to arouse great opposition in local communities, regional organizations and national conservation groups. Because it would undo a montage of mutually supporting agreements and accommodations that has worked reasonably well for the wildlife and the people who dwell in the forest.
William E. Brown
Gustavus
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
E. Budd Simpson is the lawyer who represents Sealaska. A republican.
A republican lawyer, whose wife as AKM stated endorsed Palin for VP, Paulette Simpson, prominent Juneau Republican leader, and President of the Alaska Federation of Republican Women.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Question: Is this the group Palin gave a speech to during a recent luncheon? sorry if I have her speeches and luncheons mixed up, just askin.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
something E. Budd Simpson wrote:
http://www.abanet.org/buslaw/blt/2007-07-08/simpson.shtml
To stand firm on what….with less than 2 weeks to go in this session? Telling the democrat senators to stand firm on their choice for this seat? Looks to me that some of those senate dems picked the person they wanted…all they have to do now is hash it out amongst themselves. Rural senate dems vs. Anchorage senate dems…that’s the real battle. Politics is the art of compromise. Seems to me that the non-Anchorage senate dems are stretching their muscles.
OT: C4P is taking about Mudflats bloggers today. Topic on front page
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Brave Blogger Who Dared to Stand in Front of the Palin Tank…..
Just wondering…
You think Palin’s trying to keep the Democratic Senators a seat short until after she tries to shove through her pick for AG? That’s just a few days away, and the guy is NOT popular, from what I gather…
I vacillate constantly on whether GINO is truly sick and in dire need of mental help, or if she is just the most self-centered, narcissistic person on the face of the planet and determined to have her way. But it doesn’t really matter, because the bottom line is she is a real danger in public office, not only to Alaska but to the country as well. The Dems really need to stick to their guns and slap the two year old on the butt this time!
And BTW, how can she still have a 60% approval rating? I don’t see how this can be an accurate number.
Ok bear with me, I am learning here, Ms. McLeod, but isn’t the position for Juneau speaking for its behalf, not Anchorage. How does Anchorage know what Juneau needs are how the citizens feel? As you mentioned as well as Alaska PI about how disconnected they feel to the Dem. Party, wouldn’t this make it worse allowing Anchorage to dictate who would be better for that district instead of letting them choose who they think will do the best job.
People in Juneau are asking who is joe Nelson? How long has he been in Juneau? The person Palin appointed to fill Kohring’s seat was recommended by the local party and was a 20 year valley resident. What is this guy’s story in the community? It is possible the man is another democrat for a day, but if he is in the Sealaska hierarchy it is much more likely he just is a good ol boy moving up the ladder.
Andree, question for ya, why wasn’t Joe Nelsons name on the list of 4 that the Senate Dems gave to the governor?
SoCalWolfGal….I don’t think she is sick. I think it was your last choice, self-centered, narcissistic person. She is so power hungry she thinks she can do what she wants. That is why we have to see that red jacket so much. Red clothing (suits, jackets) are power clothing, It makes a very bold, strong statement.
As I have seen on here other times about she will do what she wants till a Judge tells her she can’t. Or all the e-mails, appointments, resources, et al hasn’t happened yet and probably won’t till a Judge threatens her. Everything she does is against the grain. Why, because she can and knows that very little can stop her. So meantime while she is doing her utmost best to destroy Alaska and the resources she can do a lot of damage before her time runs out.
Leave it alone, folks, they just want us to go and comment. Restraint *nailing hands to desk*.
no comment from me on the rap video……just a side ways looking hmmmmm
That’s the point. The rural dem senators are NOT allowing Anchorage to dictate the pick (status quo). They know who they want and they want Joe Nelson, husband to former Rep. Mary (Kapsner) Nelson and very good friend to rural democratic legislators. He supports resource development (mining) as they do, understands the needs of rural communities as they do, and supports a strong private sector, as they do. Joe Nelson will do a better job at protecting those state jobs that have migrated up north to the tune of $6 Million of payroll being siphoned out of the Juneau per month. All Kertulla and Elton did was shrug and lament that Palin wouldn’t listen to them….
I want to thank the Juneau folks who are speaking up. I’m confused, too, about how people know which person the people in Juneau want to represent them. But it certainly seems as though they might go unrepresented for a while longer. Too bad it’s no longer environmentally feasible for people to dump tea into the bay!
I guess what I don’t get is why the person representing Juneau should be a person representing rural democrats. Doesn’t Juneau have more city issues than rural ones? Thanks for the help!
Andree, question for ya, why wasn’t Joe Nelsons name on the list of 4 that the Senate Dems gave to the governor?
————————————————————
I don’t know. Maybe he travels in different circles. Maybe he’s not entrenched with the “party” click. Maybe they only wanted to list the names of people who wouldn’t run against Kertulla in the 2010 primary. Who knows what goes on in Juneau with those lobbyists hanging around every capital office and wining and dining those legislators at those bars and restaurants.
Thank you Ms. Mcleod for trying to explain it to me,
@ 54 TXChick4Obama Says: Hey whats up with all the comments at ADN being “Under review” in the Palin threads?!?!?!?
C4P is annoyed with ADN. Vid Omnia has been pressuring ADN to enforce stricter moderation on comments made on various news stories. ADN complied, posting this:
When we see them, we will delete comments that are off topic, crude, attack other posters or are part of an apparent campaign to spam the boards with messages. We will ban users whose comments are particularly egregious, those who show a pattern of unwillingness to follow the rules and spammers. We will continue to allow critical comments about public figures and subjects of stories, but we will not allow crude comments about them or their personal lives.
Apparently Vid Omn (‘We See All’) was unable to see that her own actions might fall within ADN’s definition of violations:
“…I began flagging comments that, in my opinion, violated the guidelines. Within a matter of couple of days, the ADN mods banned me.”
Her response was to rally her readers to hit ADN in the wallet:
“…Liberals understand protest and invective. When they’re angry at you, they might write nasty letters or show up outside your offices with signs. Conservatives understand business and free enterprise, so we’ll just target your Alaskan ad revenue.”
One hopes ADN realizes that, like Mudflats, many (perhaps most?) of C4P members are not Alaskans, and are therefore not actually a target-demographic of Anchorage businesses.
In case Alaskans want to message the Legislature and prove they are Alaskan voters, here’s a link to the state website to do just that.
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/poms/
I live in Juneau and do not support Joe Nelson. He does not represent the views of the majority in Juneau. He is VERY pro mining, drill baby drill, TIMMMMMBER! falling kind of guy.
The alaskamineers.org site is a wake up call for me, oh my god, these folk actually believe that the rise of CO2 is going to be great for mankind.
I say no way no how to Joe Nelson.
http://alaskaminers.org
http://alaskaminers.org/jnelson.pdf
Please join me in suggesting to the Juneau Empire their polling question of the week next week.
Should Juneau hold a special election to fill the vacant Senate seat left by Kim Elton?
editor@juneauempire.com
Oh my gosh Tewise! You’re so sweet! Thank you for being involved in what goes on with your government! I’ve lived in Juneau and love the place soooooo much. My involvement in politics has left me cynical as I’ve been raging against this machine since getting off the ferry in Sitka 30 years ago.
I hoped that Palin would be different as she purported to be a reformer. What a disappointment it’s been, to say the least. But, to quit is futile. It’s our government after all, not theirs to do as they will. So, stay the course and don’t ever think that one person can’t make a difference.
Alaska are evolving and beginning to realize that the future of the state is going to be more sustainable if its going to be about citizens and people and democracy and not just about corporations.
Joe Nelson, if a shining star, should work within the Party and run for election so he can get to know his potential constituents in Juneau and make it clear to them that that is who he intends to represent. By coming to such a position at corporate behest (contrary to the will of Juneau Democrats), where will his allegiance lie?
This is a serious matter. Alaskans, continue to speak up.
I just wonder if GINO has even gone to Juneau and had a discussion with the Dems, or the voters in that district. Seems she wants to “rule from afar”
Certainly hope that the next elected Gov. is asked “where do you plan to reside if you are elected”?
Tewise, could you elaborate on the disconnected feelings some Juneau folks are feeling with the Alaska Democratic Party?
And what would be one’s reasons to not support Beth Kerttula, elected by over three-quarters of the constituents in her district, and having served for years with diligence and grace?
Why would a Sealaska sponsored candidate be more acceptable to you?
Crystalwolf:
If AKM thinks it would help for us in the lower 48 to write I will. But until then I think its a Alaskan issue, as much as my fingers itching to tell them what I think of GINO.
This is exactly what I am thinking. This is an Alaskan issue, but people all over the world are watching. Sarah is making her reputation in the world, and so far it looks pretty dismal. What a disaster her politics are.
GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble Says:
@Andree McLeod
“Plus, if Juneau has decided that they wish to be represented by Beth Kerttula, shouldn’t they be? Isn’t that the American way?”
Yes. But it is not the RepoTaliban way. Its their way or the highway.
We must never forget that’s their motto, because their decisions are not going to be pro-anything but pro-Taliban.
Just look at what they are doing in Congress. They are willing to destroy this country just to ruin the Obama administration!!!
The point being – where is their alligance, to whom or what do they owe patriotism – its not to the US, it not to the averagae American citizen –
Until they own the US lock stock and barrel and have its citizens in slavery -
Andree McLeod said –
Who knows what goes on in Juneau with those lobbyists hanging around every capital office and wining and dining those legislators at those bars and restaurants.
I’d say it is a very merry place indeed!
Sounds like fun, why don’t we all run for election? 
Slightly OT.
Ok mark your calendars folks, 632 days until the end of Gino’s term. Since it doesn’t look like there will be a recall, folks in AK are going to need a whole lot of popcorn and gallons of the pink stuff, to make it through the next 20 months.
Let’s make every day count, making sure SP does not making it out of AK. The way she is going lately she shoots herself in the foot again each week, so we’ll have about 88 new reasons why she should never leave the Hillbilly valley again.
Ms. McLeod–may I say that I greatly admire you for taking on the e-mail issue, at what has obviously been significant personal toll. I hope you are successful in what is a very important effort.
Thank you AKM. I just finished dropping a note to all the Senators you have listed on this blog. If we all can do this we may make an impact. This recklessness by Palin must be stopped! We, as citizens of Alaska deserve much better than this!
MonaLisa IS MY NAME! Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 8:10 AM
@ 54 TXChick4Obama Says: Hey whats up with all the comments at ADN being “Under review” in the Palin threads?!?!?!?
C4P is annoyed with ADN. Vid Omnia has been pressuring ADN to enforce stricter moderation on comments made on various news stories. …
Apparently Vid Omn (’We See All’) was unable to see that her own actions might fall within ADN’s definition of violations. …
Her response was to rally her readers to hit ADN in the wallet:
“…Liberals understand protest and invective. When they’re angry at you, they might write nasty letters or show up outside your offices with signs. Conservatives understand business and free enterprise, so we’ll just target your Alaskan ad revenue.”
——————
Targetting ad revenue is her idea of ‘free enterprise”? Sounds more like the thoughts and workings of an economic terrorista. Sounds to me like VidO needs a cyber wedgie.
Sorry, my last message to Tewise should have been addressed to Andree McLeod.
@ Andree..Could you elaborate on the disconnected feelings some Juneau folks are feeling with the Alaska Democratic Party?
And what would be one’s reasons to not support Beth Kerttula, elected by over three-quarters of the constituents in her district, and having served for years with diligence and grace?
Why would a Sealaska sponsored candidate be more acceptable to you?
@ Moose Pucky………..this is what I said:( Ok bear with me, I am learning here, Ms. McLeod, but isn’t the position for Juneau speaking for its behalf, not Anchorage. How does Anchorage know what Juneau needs are how the citizens feel? As you mentioned as well as Alaska PI about how disconnected they feel to the Dem. Party, wouldn’t this make it worse allowing Anchorage to dictate who would be better for that district instead of letting them choose who they think will do the best job.)
I didn’t say it, I was referring to what Ms. McLeod and Alaska PI said.
(As you mentioned as well as Alaska PI about how disconnected they feel to the Dem. Party)
lol we must have been posting at the same time, np Moose Pucky, lol
Hey my responses in comments never appeared under the pick last night about Hanson in the ADN. They were not particularly controversial. Is this the c4p picking on me. It was immediate. Is anyone else having this problem?
Lee Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Crystalwolf:
If AKM thinks it would help for us in the lower 48 to write I will. But until then I think its a Alaskan issue, as much as my fingers itching to tell them what I think of GINO.
This is exactly what I am thinking. This is an Alaskan issue, but people all over the world are watching. Sarah is making her reputation in the world, and so far it looks pretty dismal. What a disaster her politics are.
~~~~~~~~~~~
I was shocked, shocked I tell you to see her “STATEMENT” about Redoubt on scarahPac, yet she will whine about asinine, bogus complaints on a SOA website! Disaster is right!
Andree McLeod
“The rural dem senators are NOT allowing Anchorage to dictate the pick (status quo). They know who they want and they want Joe Nelson”
So its the Democratic thing to do for rural Alaskans to choose Juenau’s state rep?
@ jo………….don’t worry they are equal opportunist anybody that says anything against Gino gets tagged.
jo Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Hey my responses in comments never appeared under the pick last night about Hanson in the ADN. They were not particularly controversial. Is this the c4p picking on me. It was immediate. Is anyone else having this problem?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jo…c4pee is picking ANYONE who as Jen (on IM) says doesn’t say GINO is farting rainbows, lol! They are practicing their own fascist censorship, just like their Queen Gino!
This seems like a classic example of the reasoning behind separation of the branches of government. Just because she is Governor, this does NOT grant GINO the power to do whatever she pleases, whenever she pleases. A logical person would have taken the denial of her first appointee, thought about the reasoning behind it, and probably listened to the suggestions of the legislature when they submitted a list of acceptable candidates. She lacks any and all logic. No doubt there would be some sort of personal gain that could come from this. In my mind, this is just as bad as the pay-to-play policies of Blago.
Here is hoping that the legislature stands up to her again and says, “NO!” The system of checks and balances really depends on this, or else the state will be under some sort of authoritarian rule. It’s scary enough that she gets to appoint the AG because that, in a way, wipes out the division of the executive and judicial branches. Think about it…
Andree McLeod, would you support a special election in Juneau?
Juneau folks, can you get a special election going–under citizen initiative?
If Hoffman and Olson want Joe Nelson so bad, one of them should resign so he can have their seat. Otherwise same answer as to Gov Palin: why is it your business what Juneau wants? 7 democrat senators sent a letter to Palin asking her to pick from Juneau’s list. What’s wrong with that?
107 jo Says: April 7th, 2009 at 9:05 AM:
Jo, if your comment is gone completely (and not hidden beneath the ‘This comment has been hidden….’ message ADN posts over flagged comments), then your account has already been banned by ADN.
Moose pucky:
There are many democrats throughout the state, not just in Juneau, who are feeling disconnected with the AK Dem Party. They are fiscal conservatives who support a waxing, not a waning, resource development strategy.
As far as Juneau goes. I would think that “feelings” don’t have much to do with anything as primal economical survival skills take over as the jobs fly north. $6 Million in payroll dollars a month lost and you wonder about why people are “feeling” disconnected? The loss of $6 million/month of disposal income to small businesses in Juneau doesn’t leave much room to contemplate Kertulla’s service full of diligence and grace.
And lastly, this is all about who is acceptable to the senate democrats and the people who keep them entrenched in their senate seats. Let’s be real. How many times do you think you can tick off the senate finance co-chair. I am guessing my good friend Senator Johnny is an intelligent man after so many years working in the legislature and he will exact something of value for our midtown district from this.
@Andree Thanks for that elaboration.
Alaskans are currently very proud of Alaska’s Democratic Senators. They are looking good. The issue is fair representation for Juneau, and by extension fair representation for all Alaskans.
Juneau folks and many other Alaskans are not comfortable with corporations and resource extraction and $$$ calling the shots.
Beth Kerttula has served as minority leader with diligence and grace. She is supported not only by Juneau folks, but listens to all Alaskans. The seat is rightfully hers.
Adnrea,
Why not pick from the list of 4? I say, if they demo’s wanted Nelson, they would have put him up. BUT, they did not. they gave GINO 4 other names. But noooo. She thinks that she can get some press from this idiot move? I pray she finds her way back home to be the mom that her children despartly need, and get out of politics. We don’t need another Eva Peron or Hitler in the GOP.
Andree McLeod Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 7:55 AM
That’s the point. The rural dem senators are NOT allowing Anchorage to dictate the pick (status quo). They know who they want and they want Joe Nelson, husband to former Rep. Mary (Kapsner) Nelson and very good friend to rural democratic legislators.
_____________
You’ve said this several times, but you offer NO proof to back up your claim. Do you REALLY expect us to believe that Palin is somehow giving the Juneau “disconnected” Dems what they REALLY want? Explain Tim G then. I don’t believe for one MINUTE that any Dems are being considered in Palin’s perverted thought processes.
Also, your repeated use of the phrase “democrat party” makes me suspect you. “Democrat party” is a right-wing, GOP perversion of the correct “Democratic Party.”
The best solution to who “Juneau really wants” would be a special election.
“AS 15.40.320. Condition and Time For Filling Vacancy By Appointment.
When a vacancy occurs in the state legislature, the governor, within 30 days, shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy.
However, if the remainder of the term of the predecessor in office will expire or if a vacancy in the state senate will be filled by a special election before the legislature will next meet, convene, or reconvene, the governor may not fill the vacancy.”
Is there a time limit on the process of replacing a representative in Alaska? Which in turn leaves the citizen’s of Juneau without representation?
Is that not a violation of one’s civil rights? Is it not only then a state issue but a federal issue?
If it is a federal issue, then the lower 48 voices could be heard, correct? Our e-mails to our Washington Representatives’ offices (regarding this issue) would open a debate that would most certainly be picked up by the major news sources.
This situation not only hurts Alaskan’s but all of us if it is allowed to continue.
Any Constitutional lawyers out there?
Moose pucky: Thanks for the frank discussion. Although i’m a registered republican i’m quite fond of my democrat Senator Johnny. He doesn’t always do what I’d like and sometimes gets bills passed that I definitely don’t support…like gutting privacy re: student surveys in schools with SB 101 and HB 130.
I maintain that fair representation for Juneau must not include a shrug and a whine about “Palin doesn’t listen to me” as Kertulla stated at a recent luncheon. She and Elton didn’t even use their constitutionally protected “power of the purse” as an incentive to keep those countless state jobs in Juneau for fear of retribution from Palin.
This legislature has too long remained postulant at Palin’s feet. Alaska needs legislators with fearless courage. Juneau needs to get back the $6 million that Kertulla lost for them.
Moose Pucky Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 9:49 AM
The best solution to who “Juneau really wants” would be a special election.
“AS 15.40.320. Condition and Time For Filling Vacancy By Appointment.
When a vacancy occurs in the state legislature, the governor, within 30 days, shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy.
However, if the remainder of the term of the predecessor in office will expire or if a vacancy in the state senate will be filled by a special election before the legislature will next meet, convene, or reconvene, the governor may not fill the vacancy.”
………..
Wow! Question from outsider. Any chance this is what GINO wants and she’s just running down the clock? Would Juneau Democrats win in that special election?
Andree McLeod:
Thanks for fighting the good fight on Palin, but I disagree with your analysis of Juneau politics. Juneau has been a drop of purple in a sea of red forever. I don’t think most people blame democrats for capital creep, which has been going on for a long time, even back to the day of republicans Bill Hudson and Weyrach. Capital creep will certainly go on as long as Palin is in office no matter who the juneau senator is.
Without a senator at the table I don’t see how Juneau can expect any special benevolence from Hoffman, whatever his feelings for the community may be. And since the session will be over before whoever is senator gets up to speed, I don’t see how it matters much for this year anyway. Does any of this mean Nelson will or won’t get the seat? no idea.
Debra – the selection of a state representative is strictly a state issue. See 10th Amendment.
Andree – much as I admire your spunk, I don’t think it’s fair to say the Kertulla is at fault for state jobs leaving Juneau. As we all know, Palin operates under her own monarchical set of rules and if that means the chambermaids and coachmen must go to Anchorage, then away they go. You really don’t expect a state rep to be able to keep a sitting governor (and a Palin at that) in line, do you?
Andree. I absolutely agree with you on this part.
“This legislature has too long remained postulant at Palin’s feet. Alaska needs legislators with fearless courage.”
Andree McLeod- Are the e-mails copied to Tod Palin available to the public yet?
Democrats- How about a RALLY in support of the Dem. Legislators to choose their own pick for the vacant seat?
It is not about Sarah playing politics, It is about how baaad GINO does her work.
After she is done, what Alaska will have to show for?
Sauerkraut: I DO expect the juneau delegation (3 members) to do what they are constitutionally mandated and obliged to do to protect the jobs in Juneau. You can count me as one strong supporter of keeping the capital in Juneau. That includes keeping jobs in Juneau.
If I was a Juneau legislator I would keep a sitting governor in line. In this case I would provide incentives and disincentives to Palin and her administration by using the power of the purse. I would work with my colleagues in the legislature to make sure they know how important losing $6 million/month is to the Juneau economy. I wouldn’t let a sitting governor (and Palin at that) get away with what she’s doing and I would protect the jobs that were leaving Juneau…not just whine about it.
If only…..
Forever Anonymous: Are the e-mails copied to Tod Palin available to the public yet?
Not yet. Still waiting for the judges to schedule for both court cases.
sauerkraut: “You really don’t expect a state rep to be able to keep a sitting governor (and a Palin at that) in line, do you?”
I do.
Fear is the currency of corruption.
Lose the fear and everything lines up as it should.
It sounds to me as though Alaska has got itself a Governor who went to the “Rod Blagojevich School of Ethics”. Proof positive that it’s not just cream that rises to the top!
Over on the ADN blogs, the Palinbots are flagging almost ALL the comments as “abusive.” It is apparent that we are getting to them. And our numbers are growing and theirs are dwindling. Keep up the good fight Mudflatters!
Andree,
“Senator Johnny” is your DEMOCRATIC Senator, NOT your “democrat” Senator.
Using Rush Limbaugh’s slurs is not a good way to get your point across.
“If I was a Juneau legislator”
While we’re at it, (correcting Rush Limbaugh’s barely literate english), the above sentence takes the subjunctive case and should be “If I WERE a Juneau legislator”. Our poor language is dying a death by a thousand cuts.
After having all of my comments hidden this morning, I’ve written to the Daily News telling them I will cancel my subscription after 30+ years if they don’t do something to get a handle on the “abuse reporters” in the comments section. I won’t support a publication that won’t support my right to free speech.
Kerttula has demonstrated backbone, as well as diligence on behalf of citizens and grace.
One must question the ability to “stand up to Palin” by someone willing to ignore Juneau Democrats and seek appointment by Palin.
Blue in AK…. I called the ADN and versed the same. They said they’re trying to get a handle. They had “plucked” me because I called Palin possibly menopausal. Apparently, that was the worst thing they’d heard. I stated my comment under the gardening blog had not been allowed about gnomes. They go hand in hand, gnomes, menopausal governor. I have my commenting rights back but it was with a fight. I could have just created another name perhaps, but it was the right to comment I was fighting for.
ADN is under the gun right now. We need to be supportive so that we don’t lose that right altogether, but geez those Palin nazis drive me crazy.
A wise person would realize that when he or she, because of his or her actions, impedes good governance (by being the subject ‘du jour’) day after day, would step down for ‘the good of the state’. This apparently has not been taken into consideration. Mz. Palin has allowed herself and subjected her family to public ridicule all in the name of furthering “her” career – narcisistic to say the very least.
An elected representative, who, after all, is just a temporary EMPLOYEE of the electors and taxpayers, has been elected to promote good governance, provided accountability and transparency in government, and to have a keen ability to compromise in order to pass needed (and GOOD) legislation. In other words, to lead by GOOD example.
Alaska does not appear to have this.
Anyone that can should go on over to the ADN and click on the hidden comments and vote on them if you support what they have to say.
The Palintology Cult Club is trying to cushion the noise of the DEATH RATTLE, CURRENTLY playing throughout the state, nation….world. They’re displaying increasingly increased signs of Saraitis. (Golf clap, whistle, thumbs up)
There’s plenty of ‘politically correct’ reasons to criticize Palin, and I hope I speak for many when I say that the saner, thoughtful and better-informed (with proper sources for backup) WE appear, the more lunatic and desperate they’ll appear in comparison.
Just my two cents….
Oops… make that “saner, MORE thoughtful….”
I’m rooting for you all to win this one. Palin is still up to no damn good. I actually rather wish I was a resident Alaskan so that the legislators would take my voice seriously.
Alaskans still have to be able to interject a little humor into the situation, helps with the cabin fever.
Was Palin mavericky before becoming the VP candidate? Or did she go rogue after her new found status?
I agree, sane statements are better than “menopausal” ones. My husband thinks I’m a bit of a contrarian, menopausal woman. But he says it affectionately.
In February, well before Elton formally accepted the Washington job, I heard that leading Juneau Republicans met in the Governor’s office to discuss his replacement- Grussendorf and Nelson were not among the several conservative Democrats I heard were considered acceptable to Juneau Republicans, who detest Elton and Kertulla.
I don’t know Joe Nelson, but the facts that he didn’t respond to the Juneau Democrats call for applications, and he is close enough to Paulette Simpson, head of the Juneau Republicans, that she hosted his wedding, makes me think the Juneau Republican Party is deeply involved in Queen Sarah’s selection of Juneau’s Democratic Senator.
Jeez! Your governor is horrible … and I live in Kentucky. Senator Grumpy McNasty did our country a huge disservice by bringing this plastic, low IQ, dipsh!t, moronic soccer mom into the public eye. She gives CRAZY Christians a bad name. That’s hard to do. Your state really has to vote her out of office in 2010 for the sake of the nation and the world.
Andree, appreciate what you are doing with regard to FOIA release of emails, but must respectfully disagree with you on the Nelson nomination. As others have said, he may be a nice guy, but there is a greater principle at stake here which the legislators will do best to enforce. With only two weeks left in the session, it appears no one will be seated this year, to Juneau’s detriment, but the fight is worth waging to preserve the democratic process and not allow the governor (of either party) to override the wishes of the local constituency. Further, please respect the wishes of the Democratic party in what we prefer to to be called.
Just like a two year old that needs his hands slapped because he cannot reason enough to keep them away from the stove, Palin needs to get slapped until she finally follows the rules.
“Joe who? Sorry, not on the list. *slap* Try again.”
Just keep at it and eventually she’ll get the message or just give up. She has bigger fish to fry. Like Levi & Co. And will Ted run against her. And Newt. Etc. Eventually she’s going to figure out that this isn’t worth the little time that is left before Kerttula runs for the seat and wins in the next election. You pick your battles and I’m sure this one is rapidly losing importance and slipping to the bottom.
Rachael Maddow…..LOL! *slap*
Zyggy – No – never Mavericky.
Palin seems to have achieved her success using a recipe filled with
lies, divisiveness, deception, greed, and by publicly pandering a non-existant record of success in each position she held. Had McCain not chosen to expose her to the world, there is a very good chance she would be a viable GOP candidate today. So, as an Alaskan, I am grateful that pandora’s box has been opened for Alaskans – what you see these days, is what you get, thank goodness spring is here.
Oh, I love what Shannyn Moore had to say on this.
mlaiuppa- I’m tired of screeaming at the screen- @147 your post says exactly what I think on this issue.
NoToPalintology- @148- Thank you for answering. Might the damage be contained. Good outlook, spring is here.
Speaking as a female non-Alaskan, this just takes my breath away !
I find it remarkable that a Governor of a State in the ‘Land of the Free’ is behaving in such a way.
But then I remember, it’s Palin.
To paraphrase a Brit ad (for Marks & Spencer) – “It’s not just politics, it’s Alaskan politics.”
Jo, here’s my first comment that was reported as “abusive” this morning. “Having read all the threads that have been hidden this morning for ‘abuse,’ it seems that SarahPAC, TeamSarah, and Conservatives4Palin are very busy trying to squelch the First Amendment rights of the rest of us. You people should be ashamed.”
I’m such a mean girl.
Maybe we need to follow the example of some brilliant South Carolinians, this is great:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/07/sanfordville-south-caroli_n_183905.html
so in other words, there will be an additional cost attachted to this SPECIAL ELECTION [were it to happen]?
who get the blame for this…which reminds me GiNo wants all the credit for what goes right, and none of the blame for things tha don’t turn outto her liking…She’s the gov, I’m so tired of her seperating the out come her job responsiblities!
On Updated Comments:
Could this be a backdoor attempt to help shutdown UAS if Joe is admissions director, gets the appointment and has to resign and they have also lost Tish Satre Griffin to retirement this summer?
This may be a way of trying to force appointment of more development friendly administrators to the University of Alaska system.
======================
I don’t really understand this logic. Nelson and Satre Griffen are mid-level administration at UAS and I cannot see how the losing either or both would shut down UAS or change the supposedly anti-development leanings of the UA system. UAS getting shutdown is a potential but for very different reasons (size, potential loss of accreditation, etc.) but not the loss mid-level administration. UAS is perfectly capable of functioning without various levels of administrators, its largest school has been without a Dean since last fall and lost its Associate Dean earlier this semester.
Can someone please tell me. Is she a puppet getting advice on “Dictatorship 101″ from others or is she able/capable of thinking(?)/plotting these moves up all by herself?
GlobalVillage Says:
“Can someone please tell me. Is she a puppet getting advice on “Dictatorship 101″ from others or is she able/capable of thinking(?)/plotting these moves up all by herself?”
I think she’s an aggessive checkers player and a bad chess player, who thinks she is a good chess player.
These are probably mostly her plots, or more often snits, but she’s no chess player. She can’t see beyond what she wants to happen, to the unintended consequences that come four, five, or more chess moves later.
So she keeps getting blind sided by her own lack of foresight and blaming her failure to see complications and negative fall out on others.
And as AKM and many have said she (and Meg and McCain and Jindel, and Duhbya) don’t do their homework but since other people do, they are continuously stepping in their own Moose messes.
@130 Andree McLeod Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Sauerkraut: I DO expect the juneau delegation (3 members) to do what they are constitutionally mandated and obliged to do to protect the jobs in Juneau. You can count me as one strong supporter of keeping the capital in Juneau. That includes keeping jobs in Juneau.
If I was a Juneau legislator I would keep a sitting governor in line. In this case I would provide incentives and disincentives to Palin and her administration by using the power of the purse. I would work with my colleagues in the legislature to make sure they know how important losing $6 million/month is to the Juneau economy. I wouldn’t let a sitting governor (and Palin at that) get away with what she’s doing and I would protect the jobs that were leaving Juneau…not just whine about it.
If only…..
———————–
Ms Mc Leod-
) things and haven’t caught up with everything here today- I am SO glad you are here .
While I disagree with you about some ( well maybe many
For folks , who are not Alaskans , the divide between rural and urban Alaska , here bush and Anchorage Dems is of great importance. The issues are different and rural Alaska can easily be outvoted.
Juneau occupies a strange place in the mix on several counts.
There are a number of things which are missing in talking about Juneau and the reference to capitol move and capital creep together just named one of the elephants in the room.
Having lived with all the Juneau arguments for so long, I have to disagree with castigating Mr Elton and Ms Kertulla on this. AT THIS POINT, they HAVE reflected the mixed bag o attitudes which their constituents have on this subject.
So many folks here just keep quiet and hope the subject goes away, others think a road -to-nowhere will solve the problem, others act selfishly and have alienated other Southeast neighbors, and still others, like me and you Ms Mc Leod, want to duke it out -right out in the open, in the legislatuere, in our public place of business.
All that being said- I have no interest in Mr Nelson occupying the Senate seat but will live with it if it happens.
He MAY be a great new add locally to Dem party voice but I would prefer to meet him through the Rep house first.
Well- hmmm, I think we really want to duke it out in the legislature as “legislatuere”
is a bit too toney for Alaska politics…
I live in Juneau, and I want a senator. I really do. However, I don’t want someone that Sarah picked. I want someone JUNEAU picked. Obviously, we’re not going to have an election (can we look into having one held?; that might even make me get registered here), so the next best thing is someone the Juneau Democratic Party picked.
Maybe Joe Nelson is a great guy — I know nothing about his positions, and neither the ADN or the Empire is telling me what he believes. But, really, even if he agreed with me on everything, I still would not support him, because he’s not someone the JDP picked.
What Sarah doesn’t realize (and apparently never will) is that politics is a matter of give and take. The JDP submitted Kerttula, Sarah no likey, so she asked for other nominations. I suppose that’s acceptable, but Grussendorf obviously was not. So, in the spirit of compromise, they submitted other names. Sarah needs to pick one of those names, and I’m perfectly willing for Juneau to not have a bleeping senator until Sarah picks one of those names. I don’t frigging care how long that takes.
Though, really, I’m not surprised by any of this. As soon as Gruss was nominated, I called up my parents about it. (I can’t discuss this at work, since I work for the state under a Palin appointee (the horror stories I could tell you about her).) After being properly appalled (good parents) and determining that the Senate had veto power, they were sure Palin would just continue to nominate whomever she wanted until the end of the session. And, lo, it is so.
The Senate bloody well better (wo)man it up and reject Nelson and frakking give Juneau who we want, not who Sarah wants. Sarah never even comes to Juneau — she doesn’t know whom we want.
(Sorry, I felt the need to rant in my last post.) I just wanted to add: My point is, I don’t want this to turn into a game of rejecting someone just because they were nominated by someone I don’t like. However, that’s what this has turned into, and I’m willing to accept it. I feel like the Senate needs to teach Sarah a lesson that she can’t just do what she wants. I don’t think she’s going to learn, and I’m sure the Senate democrats will get a lot of negative publicity for rejecting Nelson, but [curse word], it’s the principle of the thing.
Marnie.
Thank you for your insight. There’s no second guessing which piece SP considers herself to be – white queen, no doubt. Let us hope for the sake of everyone in Alaska, that those pesky pawns on the other side of the board, band together and outsmart their opposing queen.
150 mlaiuppa Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Just like a two year old that needs his hands slapped because he cannot reason enough to keep them away from the stove, Palin needs to get slapped until she finally follows the rules.
“Joe who? Sorry, not on the list. *slap* Try again.”
*******************************
Instead of a *slap* , how about a loud hockey buzzer ??
Not sure why this turned into the “ask Andree McLeod” thread. Seems odd since she is neither a democrat nor a Juneau resident…. Anyhoo, I’ve lived in Juneau 20+ years & keep myself very well informed on the civic/political issues locally, statewide & nationally. I am undeclared because I vote issues not people. My first reaction to this next pick by Palin was “Who the heck is Joe Nelson? I asked co-workers (all longtime Juneauites) the same question… nobody knew anything about him. Even people who worked at CBJ for many years didn’t know who he is. Granted, he may be a nice, educated guy but seriously, at this point, who can trust Palin’s motives with this one? Not only is she “thumbing her nose” as AKM points out, she is basically wielding her other digit (middle finger) toward Kertulla, the Juneau Dem. party, & mostly the Juneau citizens & double-dog daring the Senate Dems to vote THIS one down. To Palin I say “Grow-up!”, to the Senate I say, stand firm & do the right thing for Juneau. Too much is at stake for us to continue being unrepresented. I know of the others on the list given to the Gov. They all have experience & I can accept any of them as my senator. Pick one of them & let us get on with the business at hand. Stop the games.
Have any of you written, e-mailed or called your Gov. and request she select someone off the latest list?
Can anyone there get a campaign going quickly, like, viral quickly, today?
Obviously it will take more than just Mudflats-reading Juneau citizens to make a dent, but perhaps her (or her office) hearing from you will actually do some good.
Document everything you do. Follow up. And turn details over to the press for a juicy story if she doesn’t listen to you.
Just call me Pollyanna!
Common sense and fairplay does not enter into this debate, is she going to do just what SHE wants…you betcha!
She’ll make the rules up as she goes along, the soap opera will continue.