Naughty Governor.
14 04 2009
I don’t know when it was that I promised to no longer say “you can’t make this stuff up,” but I want to say right up front that I’m going back on my word. I don’t often do that, but when I tell you this little story, you’ll forgive me, I know. ”Toddler-think” has once again become the coping mechanism of choice in our state’s capital.
When we last left the scene, our governor had the ball in her court regarding the filling of the vacant senate seat in Juneau. Juneau Democrats, as procedure dictates, had submitted a name to the governor for approval. The name was Beth Kerttula, who as we know, had been critical of Palin in the past. So the governor got out her red ink pad, and did the big REJECTED stamp on that very short list.
Then the governor decided not to wait for a new list of names, but to go all mavericky and pick her own name – Tim Grussendorf. Tim was kind enough to become a Democrat (required when wanting to replace a Democrat) two weeks before he was appointed by the governor. He “didn’t realize” he was a Republican. Nice try. The Senate Democrats kind of looked at each other, thinking “What the….” and got out their own red ink pad, and returned the REJECTED name to Palin.
So, the governor decided that instead of just Democrats voting on Grussendorf, EVERYone should do it and it should be a public vote. Next time a Republican goes to jail and needs to get replaced, they don’t want Dems mucking it up, so this time EVERYone got out their red ink pads and REJECTED the governor’s rewritten rules because who wants the other party voting on your senator?
Then, the Democratic Senators submitted another list. This time there were three names on it. And the governor chose a name that was not on that list – Joe Nelson. Now, the Dems were really starting to get irked. Had the governor completely lost her mind? This was a matter of principle. She was supposed to choose from a list of names they submitted, not make up the rules as she went along just because she didn’t get her way.
So, the Dems stood tall and broke out that ink pad. REJECTED again. This time, they stamped it extra hard, so the governor would get the idea that she wasn’t going to get her way. Things would happen as they had always happened. And then, an olive branch. A beautiful, diplomatic olive branch from Juneau Mayor Bruce Botehlo.
Yesterday Botehlo attempted to break the six week old stalemate to fill Juneau’s vacant State Senate seat by proposing a candidate that was highly qualified and embraced by both Democrats and Republicans.
Dennis Egan, who is a former Juneau Mayor and the son of a former Alaska governor, was forwarded to Palin for consideration to replace Democrat Kim Elton who resigned his seat to take a job with the Obama administration.
Surely that would meet with the governor’s approval. Everyone would save face, the ship would be turned back on course, the tantrum would end, and we could all get back to business.
Right?
Ahhhh…. surely you didn’t think that would be the end of the story did you? I didn’t think you did. Because you’re still waiting for that part in the beginning where I said “you can’t make this stuff up.” Here goes.
Palin has now submitted ….a list of three names. Yes, folks, it’s backwards day in Juneau! She didn’t like the fact that it was the other side that was supposed to submit a list of names, so she just went ahead and did it herself. And who’s on the list? The first name is Tim Grussendorf. “Hold on a minute,” you may be thinking. “Hasn’t he already been rejected?” Why, yes he has. Soundly. And so has the second nominee, Joe Nelson. And the third name? No, of course it’s not Dennis Egan. That would make sense, and be a brilliant diplomatic move, showing….wisdom and maturity. No, Dennis, like Kerttula fell victim to the big red REJECTED stamp.
Enter Alan Wilson, name #3. Nobody knows much about Alan Wilson. The Division of Elections tells us that Alan Wilson is not a registered Democrat, although Palin’s spokeswoman Sharon Leighow tells us he is too. He converted on March 4. And this means that the third and final candidate has not only been chosen from outside the Democrats’ list, but According to the Division of Elections at the time of his nomination, he is ineligible to hold the seat. And just for a little added enjoyment, public records tell us that he’s married to one Sydney Mitchell, who owns a little shop in Juneau called Shoefly. Those of you who are Sarah Palin trivia junkies will remember that Shoefly is where Sarah Palin purchased her infamous pair of red Naughty Monkey pumps, that were sold on Ebay for $2025.
~~~Sarah Palin in her size 7.5 red "Double Dare" Naughty Monkey pumps
OK….everybody, all together now…. “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!”
(Hat tip to flyinureye, the Mudflats graphic guru!)
April 15th, 2009 at 10:51 AM
We WILL have 2 of the three votes we should for the WAR confirmation vote. Not that I’m not ticked off about not having our full 3 votes, but it’s a vote of the COMBINED House and Senate so our two House Reps. will be voting.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:53 AM
@lynnrockets (April 15th, 2009 at 10:50 AM )–oh, man, did they change their purpose without telling us?
April 15th, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Hey, new news on this front: http://community.adn.com/adn/node/140562
Dems won’t vote on Palin’s three names for Senate seat
Posted by Alaska_Politics
Posted: April 15, 2009 – 10:21 am
Comments (28) | Recommend (1)
From Sean Cockerham in Juneau –
State Senate Democrats are refusing to vote on the three names that Gov. Sarah Palin forwarded as appointees for the open Senate seat. They obtained a legal opinion this morning saying it is illegal for Palin to submit more than one name.
“There is nothing for us to vote on, there is no appointment,” said Senate Judiciary Chairman Hollis French, an Anchorage Democrat. “The governor has taken an unusual course which is outside the law and leaves us no choice but to ignore what she‘s done.”
The governor’s attorney general appointee, Wayne Anthony Ross, said in response that he needs to review the legal opinion by Pam Finley, revisor of statutes. But Ross said he believes what Palin did was legal and appropriate, given the time that he’s had to review it up to this point.
“It seems to me the most important thing that can be done by the Senate is not argue with legal or illegal but to appoint somebody to represent Juneau,” said Ross, whose own appointment is up for a confirmation vote by the Legislature tomorrow.
Palin surprised lawmakers Tuesday night by forwarding the names of three appointees to the single open state Senate seat.
Two of them, Tim Grussendorf and Joe Nelson, have already been rejected by the Senate Democrats. The third, Alan Wilson, is a Juneau contractor who became a Democrat on March 4, and was previously registered nonpartisan.
Palin must appoint a Democrat from Juneau to the seat, which opened when longtime Juneau Democratic Sen. Kim Elton resigned for an Obama administration job. Palin said Senate Democrats could choose from among the three names.
Her pick requires approval of a majority of the nine state Senate Democrats.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Those are some f*ing ugly shoes.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:57 AM
TX indygirl….maybe they are out teabagging each other today….
Someone should show these dorks how to google teabagging images
April 15th, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Changing party affiliation is not new to Sarah, nor does she see anything wrong with it. She freely admitted that she changed her party affiliation from AIP to GOP in order to make it easier for her to intergrate into the Alaskan political arena.
She sees nothing wrong with this type of action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvPNXYrIyI
Do any of you remember that Craig Ferguson interview Sarah did? She used a lot of her ‘come hither’ provocative moves on him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5zsownDK2A
April 15th, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Palin Days
(sung to the theme of “Happy Days”)
Sunday, Monday, Palin days.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Palin days.
Thursday, Friday, Palin days.
The weekend’s here, that “Bridge to Nowhere”,
“Thanks But Not Thanks” to you.
She prays for hours. To be V.P.
She prays for hours. With the A.I.P.
Hello, “Joe Sixpack” I love you, “Joe the Plumber” is my type too.
I did it with Todd, I did it with John. I feel like a “pig with lipstick” on!
Sunday, Monday, Palin days.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Palin days.
Thursday, Friday, Palin days.
Saturday, Oh, Tina Fey,
I’ve been dreamin’ all week of you.
She prays for hours. “Caribou Barbie”.
She prays for hours. Who’ll tea-bag me?.
These Palin days, will she resign?
These Palin days, she’s a punch-line, Palin days.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:01 AM
The Perps4Palin are fueld by this Governor’s own divisive, finger pointing, blame game, backstabbing, victim mentality. They march to the beat of her manic drum. They will follow her off a cliff rather than admit that she could ever do any wrong. Perhaps we are seeing the Palin natural divisiveness kick into the P4P operations – seems to follow her everywherre yaknow!
It certainly didn’t take the GOP 3 years to figure out they had been “Palined”, and to throw her off their bus. TeamSarah and the Perps4Palin haven’t gotten that memo yet – they still “believe” she is the chosen one.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I just looked at the comments section on the ADN story about Little Miss Sunshine naming 3 people for the senate seat. The most recent post is from somebody named TheSDog with a picture of Spock from Star Trek next to it.
WTF? Am I missing something here?
April 15th, 2009 at 11:05 AM
The Wasilla Hillbillies:
Come and listen to a story about a man named Todd
A poor contractor, who barely kept his family fed
Then one day, his wife became Wasilla mayor,
Then through that she became the Alaska Governor.
Oil. that is
Per Diems, Ethic complaints
Well the first you know, that ole Todd’s a millionaire
Kinfolk said, Todd you gotta move away from here.
Juneau is the place you outta go.
So they packed up the truck and moved to AnchOrage.
The Wasilla Hillbillies!
Well now it’s time to say goodbye to Todd and all his kin
And they would like to thank all the media for kindly droppin in
You’re all invited back, to this locality
To have a heapin help of their hospitality
Wasillabilly that is, Set a spell. Take your shoes off. Ya’ll come back now, ya hear?!
Ok I know its corny.
But everytime I hear or read about Palin, I hear banjo’s playing in the background.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:09 AM
This is starting to look like it’s a lot about Sealaska Corporation. Republican Rep. Bill Thomas just got elected/appointed to Sealasaska’s Board of Directors also. I think this is where the pressure is coming from (and the tactics). Sealaska Corporation and the Republicans are pushing hard for Joe Nelson. Juneau Empire poll currently at 51% yes for Democrats rejecting choices not on the original list. Keep on voting–in the arena of public opinion. http://www.juneauempire.com
April 15th, 2009 at 11:11 AM
ROFLMAO I had to read this three times just to make sure I read it right…
TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Her power trip has gotten WAAAY out of hand!!! It is starting to look like she is well on her climb up to a GOD COMPLEX…
Her hunger for power and control has consumed any rationality that may have existed in that hollow head…..This tantrum goes above and beyond…
The LEG and PEOPLE of ALASKA need to explain to this spoiled rotten brat that this is totally unacceptable behavior and if she can’t follow the rules, she can no longer play the game. Then stick her in a corner while she is being IMPEACHED or RECALLED.
sigh I know, DREAM ON
April 15th, 2009 at 11:11 AM
lynnrockets Says:
April 15th, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I just looked at the comments section on the ADN story about Little Miss Sunshine naming 3 people for the senate seat. The most recent post is from somebody named TheSDog with a picture of Spock from Star Trek next to it.
WTF? Am I missing something here?
____________________________________
Here is what I show for the latest post on that topic (linked below)
http://www.adn.com/news/government/legislature/story/759827.html?pageNum=1&&mi_pluck_action=page_nav#Comments_Container
outsidelookingin wrote on 04/15/2009 11:02:54 AM:
I am truly sorry for the people of Alaska and so glad I now live in a state with an actual grown-up as governor who remembers that he is there to serve the interests of the state not his own interests. Keep up the good work Alaska Senate Democrats.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:12 AM
I (mentally) throw my shoes at Sarah Palin
April 15th, 2009 at 11:16 AM
33 trish in SW FL Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 10:00 PM
she is just plain ol’ NUCKINFUTS!
Well said.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:17 AM
A commenter on ADN points out that WAR is saying the Senate should “appoint … somebody”. BUT only the gov can appoint, the senate can only confirm. If WAR really said that (see quote below) then he must be _REALLY_ confused or not too bright.—
It seems to me the most important thing that can be done by the Senate is not argue with legal or illegal but to appoint somebody to represent Juneau,” said Ross,
April 15th, 2009 at 11:18 AM
To DonnainMichigan:
Keep up the good work. Maybe this can be the Anti-Palin Make Up Funny Songs Blog.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:20 AM
To Juneau:
It would be appropriate to throw Naughty Monkey shoes, no?
April 15th, 2009 at 11:20 AM
I too was totally blocked from posting, and I adhered to the posting rules. I deleted my account, but am thinking of doing was Ak Sisu suggests.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:32 AM
The Senate cannot vote on anything, because there has been no appointment. The Governor cannot appoint three people at once.
WHO is helping her!
April 15th, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Where on the Juneau Empire page do you vote? Thanks.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:33 AM
duct–look toward the bottom on the left. It’s labeled “Online Poll”.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I can’t believe that I am still AMAZED at the stuff that SP does (or doesn’t do). Honestly, when she goes back underground, life is going to be so boring again! I keep thinking that this is a Saturday Night Live nightmare that just never ends. Even though it is funny it is sooooo sad at the same time.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Thanks InJuneau!
April 15th, 2009 at 11:39 AM
SARAH THE RED STATE BIMBO
(sung to the theme of “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer”)
Sarah the Red State bimbo
Had a very strange hairstyle
And she had a way of speaking
That reminded one of Gomer Pyle
All of the other guv’nors
Used to laugh and call her names
Because her stupid glasses
Were all lens but had no frames
Then one balmy summer day
John McCain enquired
Sarah, you’re so “mavericky”
Won’t you please be my V.P.?
Then all the dumb red staters
Wondered who the hell was she
They never heard of Sarah
The Alaskan hillbilly
April 15th, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Palingates has now listed all of the criteria necessary for a recall.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:49 AM
So you found it, duct? I think if you vote then close the Juneau Empire window then open it anew you may be able to vote more than once…
April 15th, 2009 at 11:50 AM
This is unacceptable and must be reigned in.
Seriously, what is the oversight process to the Executive Office? There must be something between the two extremes of doing nothing and recalling.
She draws a salary from the State of Alaska, with fringe benefits, health insurance and retirement plan. She IS an employee and performs work functions from a duty station. This constitutes compensated employment.
She needs a ‘personnel action’, counseled and be given the opportunity to make changes to job performance in order to continue employment.
She is not royalty on honorary allowance, nor is she Evita Peron.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:56 AM
This is too funny. The hHuffpo’s main page has the tea party story. some old GrandPa looking really weary and is holding a sign “Don’t blame me…I voted for Sarah” These people are NUTS!!!!
April 15th, 2009 at 12:09 PM
@DonnaInMichigan
:o:o:o:o:o:o:o
But everytime I hear or read about Palin, I hear banjo’s playing in the background.
too bad it’s not the dueling kind
@InJuneau #253
thanks for the article from Sean Cockerham
Also (too), what’s the story with your legislators??? who endlessly put up with palin’s antics…can’t they or won’t they finally say ‘enough’?
I’ve never seen anything like this…a comedy of errors, but sad and embarrassing for you that palin is allowed to portray Alaska as one big joke in the eyes of the nation!
April 15th, 2009 at 12:52 PM
228 InJuneau Says:
April 15th, 2009 at 9:44 AM
lynnrockets–you rock (and are you related to Bardette?)
*************************************
If not and they hit the same thread , our monitors would ignite !!
April 15th, 2009 at 1:15 PM
lynnrockets, love your style!
April 15th, 2009 at 1:17 PM
ROCKIN’ WASILLA
(Sung to the Clash song “Rock The Casbah”)
Now Sarah told her cabinet
Go find a racist for A.G.
They came up with Wayne Ross for that
She immediately agreed
He also was a gay basher
He’s a misogynist to boot
She liked him even more now
“This appointin’ thing’s a hoot!”
CHORUS
Sarah loves her day job
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Sarah loves her day job
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Next thing on her agenda…
To fill a Senate seat
Tim Grussendorf was her choice
The Dems said he’s dog meat
So Joe Nelson was her next choice
The Dems labeled him a bum
She next submitted three names
They said,”We don’t need your scum!”
It seems that the Big Dems
Hurt “Mama Bear”
She began to wail…
CHORUS
Sarah P. don’t like it
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Sarah P. don’t like it
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Now back at Casa Palin
Oh’ They really pack ‘em in
Levi’s sleepin’ over
They’re treatin’ him like kin
But as the wind changed direction
And Levi lost a wife
Sarah went on air
With that crazy Palin jive
CHORUS
Sarah P. don’t like it
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Sarah P. don’t like it
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Sarah told the legislators
It’s time for me to get away
I’m going down to Indiana
On per diem pay.
As soon as the Guv’nor was
Chauffeured outta there
The Dems said, “Good Riddance”
And stay away from here
As soon as the Guv’nor was
Outta their hair
The Democrats wailed…
CHORUS
Sarah P. don’t like it
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Sarah P. don’t like it
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Sarah P. don’t like it (she thinks its not Kosher)
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Sarah P. don’t like it (fundamentally she can’t take it)
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
Sarah P. don’t like it (you know she really hates it)
Rockin’ Wasilla
Rockin’ Wasilla
April 15th, 2009 at 1:51 PM
The New Republic’s blog the plank now has a mudflats post. you rock!
April 15th, 2009 at 2:13 PM
CG 169 — Apparently, according to ADN, WAR:
“But it’s the governor’s choice and Nelson, Grussendorf and Wilson were her top three after she took applications and conducted interviews, Leighow said. SHE SAID THE GOVERNOR’s NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL, WAYNE ANTHONY ROSS, WHO IS UP FOR A CONFIRMATION VOTE OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THURSDAY, HAS SIGNED OFF ON IT BEING LEGAL TO SUBMIT THE THREE NAMES. State law says that, if an appointee is rejected, a governor “shall appoint another qualified person.” ADN – 04/14/09 posted 22:02:40.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Who’s a naughty monkey now?
April 15th, 2009 at 3:23 PM
To quote a line from one of my favorite movies, “She ain’t all there is she?”
April 15th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
has anyone filed an ethics complaint for disruptive behaviour or has anyone started a recall?
April 15th, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Fabulous graphic!
Mudflats makes The New Republic on this story (about half way down page):
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/default.aspx
GO AKM!
April 15th, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Just in from ADN – Palin meant her list to be considered “in order” and urges the legislature to act swiftly.
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/140584
April 15th, 2009 at 6:19 PM
[...] Mudflats has today’s story. [...]
April 15th, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Apparently I’ve been banned from ADN, also … since my comments haven’t been posted for the past several days.
You have to love it when an old lady who’s never even said the ‘F-word’ aloud gets banned … just because she is intelligent enough and did enough background research to see Palin as what she is …
Um … that’s immature, vindictive, egotistical, divisive and not all that intelligent …
I miss being part of ADN’s conversations, and view those Palin supporters who have continually hit the Abuse button on posts which disagree with their point of view (instead of doing the adult thing and presenting intelligent responses) as being as childish as Palin appears to be.
Thanks for listening to my frustration. Mudflats is a great site–even for a registered Republican old gal like myself who just couldn’t vote a ticket with the Palin name on it!
April 15th, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Just thought I’d say that Andrew Sullivan has a post up quoting and linking to mudflats
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/04/palin-circus-update.html
as does The New Republic
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2009/04/15/the-other-fight-to-seat-a-senator.aspx
Mudflats is The source for news on what is happening in Alaskan politics.
Thanks AKM for doing a great job of telling it like it is.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:45 AM
I have been getting “temporarily flagged for abuse’ or whatever the phrase is at the ADN. This is not ADN, this is Sarah’s team going in a flagging over and over anything that is remotely not pro Palin on a topic so the poster gets booted by an automatic program (I believe that is how it works) Tonite I sat and watched as things disappeared where article said 89 comments and there were only 7 there. I wrote to the Editor. Anyone who has been unfairly flagged and blocked should be writing him and telling them that you have been. I think they are somewhat aware based on comments from posters at Andrew Halcros blog. All of my posts have followed the rules and none have ever warranted the label of “abuse”
April 16th, 2009 at 12:36 PM
[...] April 15, 2009 by Pat Watt Thanks to the Internet I read the Juneau Empire each morning while I’m here in “down under.” I must say, it’s well nigh embarassing to live in a state whose governor is such an idiot. This whole thing about filling Juneau’s State Senate seat would he hilarious if it weren’t so pathetic. (The seat was vacated by Kim Elton in February when he was appointed by the POTUS to a position in the Department of the Interior.) You can read the whole story at the end of this post, or a go for a more amusing and pretty accurate tongue-in-cheek version. [...]
April 16th, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Can you start flagging all the pro-Palin comments if some Pro-Sara person(s) is flagging all the negative comments?
April 16th, 2009 at 5:33 PM
I am so glad Obamb put her in this mess. Do you think he did this on pupose, or is there really a God?
April 16th, 2009 at 5:56 PM
I can not even get the most boring comments posted any longer. Seems like ADN is pandering to Palin’s psycho followers. Doesn’t she know that you cannot change public opinion by stopping it? These people are totally whacko. Anyway, thanks for allowing us to talk! And thanks AK for not endorsing WAR!
April 16th, 2009 at 9:17 PM
[...] Live nightmare that just never ends. Even though it is funny it is sooooo sad at the same time. The Mudflats