September 8th, 2008
At a McCain rally today, Governor Sarah Palin made what many are already considering her first gaffe.
Speaking before voters in Colorado Springs, the Republican vice presidential nominee claimed that lending giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had "gotten too big and too expensive to the taxpayers."
Huffington Post
This is a terrible mistake to make, given all the press focusing on the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac takeovers, but I think some may be making hay where none exists. I don’t buy that she does not know the relationship between the Federal Government and these institutions (anyone paying even loose attention to the credit crunch for the last few months would be more than informed), and I suspect this was simply a verbal misstep.
Frankly, I’m much more interested in her record (or lack thereof).
September 8th, 2008
Anne Kilkenny, A resident of Wasilla and Sarah Palin acquaintance, has written up an extensive debrief over at The Huffington Post on the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee. The result is not particularly pretty, with a number of her positions and actions seemingly well-placed to undercut the McCain campaign’s message of reform, tested stewardship and fiscal responsibility. Here are some of the highlights:
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Experienced: Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska. No legislative experience other than city council. Little hands-on supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city administrator to run town of about 5,000.
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Political maverick: not at all. Open and transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at explaining actions.
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A greenie: no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling off-shore and in ANWR.
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Pro-infrastructure: no. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built streets to early 20th century standards. Pro-small government: no. Oversaw greatest expansion of city government in Wasilla’s history.
Anne Kilkenny, The Huffington Post
It should be noted that Ms. Kilkenny is a self-described opponent of Governor Palin’s, but such a scathing critique from an Alaskan is noteworthy. Read the rest of the article at HuffingtonPost.com.
