Palin’s Parting Gift to Alaska – Another Constitutional Crisis. Gee, Thanks.
13 07 2009What is there to say? You do what you know. And Sarah Palin knows constitutional crises.
Let’s look back at some of the highlights…
Remember back when former Attorney General Talis Colberg suggested to state employees that it was OK to ignore legislative subpoenas in the Troopergate probe? He was really careful when questioned to say that he didn’t actually tell them not to testify, he merely pointed out that testifying was sort of an “option.” This set off a storm of protest from…well…anyone who knows anything about what a subpoena is.
At odds with the legislature, the posture of Palin’s attorney general’s office could precipitate a “little mini constitutional crisis,” Jay Ramras, a Republican representative who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said in a phone interview.
Can a constitutional crisis be “little” and “mini?” Is that like a little mini war? Or a little mini divorce? It didn’t have a little mini-ending for Colberg who resigned under pressure.
But wait, there’s more.
Remember back when Juneau Senator Kim Elton took a job in D.C., becoming the Director of Alaskan Affairs at the Department of the Interior? That left a big gaping hole in the State Senate, which just about everyone wanted to fill with Democratic Representative Beth Kerttula. But Kerttula had actually (gasp) criticized Palin, so she would have none of that. She asked for more names from which to pick. Then she chose a guy that became a Democrat two weeks earlier, so he could be eligible for the position. When that didn’t work, she decided to change things around and have the whole Senate vote to confirm instead of just the Dems. When THAT didn’t work, she looked at the list of three names given to her….and picked someone not on the list. When THAT didn’t work, she decided to have “backwards day” and she submitted a list of three names that she came up with, including the first guy who had already been rejected, the second guy who had already been rejected, and another guy who was not even eligible to hold the seat.
Rules shmules. To make a long story short, Juneau did end up with a Senator of the Democrats’ choosing, but not before the entire state legislature had been put through the ridiculous tortured process above.
What have we learned from all this? Basically, if Sarah Palin doesn’t like a rule, she just doesn’t follow it. And then she makes up one she does like, and follows that one. Hence the fact that she’s not cut out for politics, long term jobs, …or anything else that requires adherence to rules already in place. This should make for some interesting stories down the road, but for right now, we’re faced with yet another constitutional crisis; a parting gift from the governor, which brings us to the present day.
Right now, we not only have the governor fleeing the scene, but also her Wasilla High chum Joe Schmidt, the man that lobbied for and got the position of #3 in line for the governorship. He has suddenly decided he doesn’t want the job any more. So with #2 (Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell) now moving to the vacant top spot, that leaves the #2 and #3 spots empty.
Time to enact the usual protocol. When in crisis, make up the rules. In Palin’s hasty good-bye speech, she announced that Alaska National Guard Lieutenant General Craig Campbell would “assume” his position as the Lieutenant Governor. Problem is, the legislature that confirmed Joe Schmidt hasn’t confirm Campbell. It isn’t really his position to assume yet.
Our new acting Attorney General has made a statement. He thinks it’s perfectly fine if the legislature doesn’t confirm Campbell. The legislature doesn’t.
And on top of that, the special session required to confirm Campbell is going to be a multi-day affair that also deals with Palin’s rejection of the stimulus money, and the confirmation of Campbell, who has credebility issues of his own. It’s also potentially going to cost the state hundreds of thousands of unnecessary dollars, thanks to the governor who abandoned the ship of state supposedly to save money.
Senator Bill Weilechowski, on the Shannyn Moore Show this weekend says the only way to avert the latest constitutional crisis is for the governor to stay on a little while longer. If only the solution were something more desirable, like having bamboo shoved under our collective fingernails. She’s already got her first post-gubernatorial gig booked in California for the first week in August. Any bets whether she’ll put her date with the invitation-only, no-media-allowed, Republican women love fest on hold so Alaskans can clean up the mess she made? Don’t hold your breath.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:42 AM
I think that it is important to point out that Palin has been positioning people all along with the knowledge that she was going to quit. I seriously doubt that Parnell is going to change anything, he will be Palin-lite, but Palinish nonetheless, which is why he is keeping all of Palin’s people in place.
I would not expect anything different or better from him. I expect he will keep his head down, avoid anything that might lead to an ethics complaint, and keep pushing the Palin plan.
If he does this, then Palin can come back and go,…”See, it was all about attacking me, and all of those things I wanted accomplished got done, so I was right in my decision to step aside, and I have proven that it wasn’t anything I was doing wrong, it was all about those people who just didn’t like me attacking me for partisan reasons”.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:50 AM
Lee323 #92 – I agree re: Impeach. When Sen. Weilechowski was on w/Shannyn discussing the Constitutional Crisis and Leg Special Session I wanted to call in and ask if he could add Impeach Palin to the Leg “To Do” list.
Mudflats Alaskans have sent numerous emails to the legislature in the past. If ever there was a time for a call to action it’s now. Ask them to Impeach for Dereliction of Duty and gross indifference to the state of Alaska!
Send out those emails before it’s too late!
July 14th, 2009 at 4:35 AM
What a CF, pardon me, and then the options for replacing her are, well, not so great.
This issue needs to be aired around the nation…I wonder how much it has cost to replace other folks around the country, too.
I saw Snoksred’s post that we should discuss the WaPo article elsewhere, but one quick question…is she forming some sort of new political party, she and Liz Cheney?
July 14th, 2009 at 4:44 AM
To bad the national media isn’t reading Mudflats. They’d change their tune I think. As for the women enamoured….gosh is there the possibility of sending some eye wash?
July 14th, 2009 at 5:23 AM
The legislature should have it up to their eyeballs with her antics. The public should let them know they too are done with her. This is nothing short of ridiculous. Her opinion on anything at this point should be considered comic fodder.
Quitter-gate
Impeach her for abandonment of duties. There should be consequences for irresponsible selfish decisions. She slid by on troopergate. Put a stop to this infantile behavior. The state of Alaska deserves better than this, she should have given the reigns to Parnell 11 months ago.
Quit enabling her. Impeach Sarah Palin.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:54 AM
AKM, excellent post once again. This should be on Huff Po. It’s a great overview of GINO’s ethics-challenged behavior in very specific terms related to her style of governance (nothing about Arctic Cat or Trust Funds). One hopes that such stark facts would help to open the eyes of some of the star-struck followers (probably wishful thinking, but we can but hope).
July 14th, 2009 at 6:53 AM
No way she wrote this Washington Post article, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071302852.html
That too without Caps Lock
July 14th, 2009 at 7:22 AM
Please Google John Shadegg from AZ: Prior to the last election, Mr. Shadegg announced he was quitting (he is a rabid Republican here in Arizona). The people in his District quite literally begged him to stay (he says) so he un-retired and ran again and won.
Do NOT count your chicken. Methinks the lady wants to be begged to stay to prove her power and majesty.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:08 AM
i can’t imagine that there’s anyone left who would claim that this woman loves alaska, loves the USA, or loves anything but whatever it is that satisfies her greed. she is truly despicable. what a damn shame for AK. and since i comment very rarely, let me take this opportunity to say i love this blog.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Wouldn’t the best deal be to wait out the rest of the month, and then work with the new Governor on appointing a Lt. Gov.? Personally, I think we would best be served by doing what a lot of employers do when offered 2 weeks. Say thanks very much, you can leave now.
Someone put her on a plane heading south, pronto.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:50 AM
Gotta love this broad, with all the drama and baggage she bring and slings!
July 14th, 2009 at 9:06 AM
Kajo posted a great comment on Phils blog, I would like to post it and I hope Kajo doesn’t mind, but its great and I think if they are going to have a special session…well, hey “only dead fish go with the flow, doncha know”….
KaJo said…
She hasn’t left YET.
I think a state supreme court justice should direct the state troopers to put her under house arrest until these matters are settled.
Then determine how much of these special session costs can be directly attributed to her decisions, then impeach her, then prosecute her for nonfeasance, misfeasance, and malfeasance.
“Misfeasance is determined in relation to privity of contract.
When a contract creates a duty that does not exist at common law, the parties can do one of three things: (1) perform the duty fully; (2) perform the duty inadequately or poorly; or (3) fail to perform the duty at all.
When a party fails to perform at all, it is nonfeasance.
When a party performs the duty inadequately or poorly, it is misfeasance.
Malfeasance is used to denote outright sabotage which causes intentional damage.”
July 13, 2009 2:45 PM
July 14th, 2009 at 9:34 AM
I thought Schmidt reversed himself and said he’d go ahead and serve as Lt. Governor when Parnell moved up.
Does anyone else remember reading this?
If so, it would completely negate the need for a special session (unless they’re going to overide the stimulus veto and impeach Palin.)
July 14th, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Imagine this Nut Case as the president (or vice-president) of the US.
WE would, most definitely, have the III World War.
I said before, don’t let her out of the hook. She took the bait, now she CAN’T cost the great state of Alaska ANYMORE money.
Seat down Sarah and do your work… than you can leave.
That will cost her the money she’s going after.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Just wondering about the balance of power, checks and balances kind of stuff and if Palin is breaking rules and laws set up by the Constitution wouldn’t it be up to the legs or the justice depart to make sure that those laws are followed? There has been plenty of talk about what the legs could, should, would do and even though the AG is caught up in this mess, wouldn’t the Chief Justice step in if the other two branches of government aren’t able to follow the law? Of course if it has to start from the AG then this question has no point or answer, but if the rules of the Constitution are being broken by the gov, lt gov, in determining who is next in line then who brings them into compliance? Who is charge of doing the right thing?
Palin did not write the WaPO piece nor would she understand it but her name is now attached to it and it will be fun to see her questioned on her op-ed writing and she’ll give that deer in the headlights look and then stammer into her usual nonesence of stupidity.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:05 AM
AKM, Thanks for the most excellent crash course in Palin’s crash-and-burn governing style.
I still think there was a final straw on July 2 that royally teed her off. Palin’s governing style also includes some anger when she’s questioned or opposed and she was showing some mighty anger/anxiety on July 3.
These possibilities have been mentioned but I think they’re worth the repetition:
Did she get an unpleasant surprise from APOC regarding her exemption request to disclose Todd’s Artic Cat earnings. Hmmm…Maybe the Personnel Board was having a problem with the AFT ethics complaint. I believe Palin checked with someone re the legality of having a trust PRIOR to the trust set-up. Whoever gave their prior approval might have expected a standard legal defense fund and not the open-ended personal trust that was created. Just wondering’.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
bucfan (July 13th, 2009 at 8:39 PM)–I think he said this morning on the news that he would/will have to resign from all of his military positions, as they are required to be non-partisan positions and obviously being the Lt. Gov. is a partisan position.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:34 AM
99 London Bridges Says: Is Campbell an AIP cessationist? Is Sarah planning a military coup and cessation of Alaska and then having herself installed as Supreme Being?
While you may think this sounds bizarre or strange, it is no stranger than every other thing Sarah has done for the last 18 months.
————-
Nothing sounds too bizarre for Sarah. Wasn’t Campbell the guy she accompanied on the overseas jaunt? They had plenty of time to plan a coup!
His appointment may be for less bizarre reasons yet still bad for Alaska if he’s the type of guy that will lie for advancement. I hope Alaskans demand a thorough vetting.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:39 AM
barbara – I totally agree!
July 14th, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (July 13th, 2009 at 10:57 PM )–and ironically, the Constitution is available as a pocket sized book that could be carried and read anywhere in case someone needed a refresher! It was published 9a couple of years ago) in that form by the Univ. in celebration of 50 years since its writing.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Oops “(a couple of years ago)”
July 14th, 2009 at 11:57 AM
we can’t forget Bobby Jindal’s personal ties with exorcism and healing……..the media was too afraid to touch it.
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/bobby_jindals_dance_with_the_d.php
“And not only did they cast out the supernatural spirit that had possessed his friend, Jindal wrote that he believes that their ritual may well have cured her cancer.
Reading the article leaves no doubt that Jindal — who graduated from Brown University in 1991, was a Rhodes Scholar, and had been accepted at Yale Law School and Harvard Medical School when he wrote the essay — was completely serious about the encounter. He even said the experience “reaffirmed” his faith.”
July 14th, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Wonder what would happen if the Leg, or a leading Legislator or ADN or some such, directly, in writing and verbally, requested of the California group to please reschedule their date with Sarah as her actions have necessitated a crisis calling of a special session and her presence is required, as leader of the state, in order to address the crisis?
Put the PR spotlight on Palin and the Californians as see what they do.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Marnie Says:
July 14th, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Wonder what would happen if the Leg, or a leading Legislator or ADN or some such, directly, in writing and verbally, requested of the California group to please reschedule their date with Sarah as her actions have necessitated a crisis calling of a special session and her presence is required, as leader of the state, in order to address the crisis?
Put the PR spotlight on Palin and the Californians as see what they do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why Bother? Just impeach her ass…see #111
July 14th, 2009 at 12:24 PM
hmm, this is what can come out in emails….ignoring 15 calls calls from your chief of staff, not so good. Ignoring economic opportunites, not so good either.
http://www.thestate.com/154/story/862957.html?storylink=omni_popular
– The governor allowed some economic development initiatives to take a back seat during his secret trip. Sanford was invited to — but turned down — a dinner invitation June 24 with representatives from a company looking to expand its S.C. operation, according to e-mail records. The company’s name was redacted.
Sanford also declined a June 25 celebration event for a plant expansion by a S.C. business because his schedule was “just absolutely jammed this summer,” wrote a staffer in an e-mail.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:31 PM
The Alaskan legislature will do nothing to Palin. They have proved time and again that they have no ballz. I feel sorry for all Alaskans that they have elected officials who are so willing to allow someone so ethically challenged to ride roughshod over them. They will simply do nothing as always.
The Troopergate investigation was absolute proof of this. The did nothing with the results of the investigation. They had to be forced by the will of the people to actually do anything about the problem regarding the subpoenas and even what they did do was more or less worthless.
The bloggers and citizens have been the ones who have gotten the truth out there, heck even the local newspapers aren’t willing to do any real investigation into proven issues. They might make a half hearted attempt to show they aren’t 100% in the pocket of the corrupt politicians, but for the most part, they simply ignore the problems, and when they do write about issues, they actually just take for gospel what the administration says. No questions asked.
The ADN has an editorial opinion piece about the “constitutional crisis” which was put up for today. Tuesday. Phil Munger made a point of commenting that others, the bloggers and even outside media had been commenting on this for several days, and how good it was to see the ADN finally get around to covering the story.
I made a response to Phil’s comment pointing out that he made good points and it should be noticed and mentioned that the ADN had the story of Sarah’s PAC donation total & release as the top story on the day it was issued.
They had previously given free advertising to the PAC showing the push for donations before the June 30th deadline and had that story in several places on the website.
That shows their priorities. Just like the legislature. Ignore the bad stuff, do a little complaining in a “fluff”" way so that you can later say you actually did make mention of it, and then move on. Not enough of them care to do the right thing, so it is at the point where people can’t take them seriously.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Curiouser said:
“Nothing sounds too bizarre for Sarah. Wasn’t Campbell the guy she accompanied on the overseas jaunt? They had plenty of time to plan a coup!
His appointment may be for less bizarre reasons yet still bad for Alaska if he’s the type of guy that will lie for advancement. I hope Alaskans demand a thorough vetting.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
yes, she went to Kosavo with him, he gave her the “clearence” if I remember her tweet correctly.
trouble is I’ve read some very concerning comment posts about him……and that there are at least 3 IG investigations going against him because of his ethics. This is just what I’ve read. there are more, but I don’t remember where I read them.
So he may have his own ethic issues, what happens with that? Is this something the legislators would be privy to? would they have access to military complaints and previous records?
btw…….Shannyn posted this update at huffpo:
“UPDATE: Lieutenant Governor, and soon to be governor, Sean Parnell signed a letter naming Lieutenant General (rank only applies in AK) Craig E. Campbell as his temporary substitute effective upon Lieutenant Governor Parnell’s succession to the Office of Governor July 26.
Parnell called it a “win-win approach to ensuring a clear and secure line of succession to the office of lieutenant governor.”
Parnell is relying on the opinion of the acting attorney general, Dan Sullivan released last week, showing neither party understands the constitutional requirements for succession. Sullivan’s opinion is non-binding and in conflict with those of legislative legal. It makes no difference if Palin or Parnell appoints the replacement for Lt. Gov. if the legislature hasn’t voted to confirm the nomination. A third successor has yet to be named.
Potential crisis not averted by Parnell’s letter. Word of a special session is yet to be finalized.
The new, unofficial Alaska motto: Quit Happens.”
July 14th, 2009 at 4:14 PM
mlaiuppa – On Shannyn’s show Sen. Weilechowski said Schmidt had changed his mind but they said ‘thanks but no thanks’. He had lobbied for third in line, sent thank you notes to the leg then turned around and said he never wanted the job in the first place when he refused second in line, LG. They have no confidence in him now. Sen. W said he can’t change his mind now – no confidence was an issue w/third in line until the mess SP created at the time and Schmidt lobbied like a maniac.
That’s last I heard, just now catching up on posts/comments from today.
July 15th, 2009 at 10:44 AM
I have information that the illustrous General Campbell has at least 3 IG complaints against him for ethics violations. I know this for a fact because one is from my husband and I. Does ALaska want another crook? He is nothing but a political hack with a phony 3rd tin star.
July 15th, 2009 at 11:00 AM
BAM Says
I have information that the illustrous General Campbell has at least 3 IG complaints against him for ethics violations.
________________
Can you elaborate more on this? What were the complaints for? I don’t want you to reveal so much that it might come back to hurt you or your case, but it would be very interesting to hear more about this.