Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin could have shown some class today, in her public announcement on the event of President Obama's selection of Juneau Alaska State Senator Kim Elton, to be the director of Alaska affairs for the U.S. Department of Interior. The governor's statement began:"Senator Elton pledged his allegiance to President Obama last summer."
No he didn't. He supported candidate Obama.
I can't remember the last time a governor of Alaska made such a rude, insulting statement toward a fellow Alaskan who has just been elevated to a higher responsibility. As Anchorage Daily News commenter cs654 noted:
Gov. Palin's understanding of the U.S. Constitution is evidently as chillingly erroneous as was her stated understanding of the role of the Vice President. Her statement in response to Sen. Elton's announcement was: "Sen. Elton pledged his allegiance to President Obama last summer." Actually, no one in government "pledges allegiance" to anyone or anything than to "the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands." This misunderstanding lies at the very heart of our governor's view of government and the people who serve therein.
Elton's role in the actions leading to the Branchflower investigation were within the bounds of what would normally be expected of members of the Legislative Council, who voted unanimously for their investigation.
This may be a fine opportunity for Sen. Beth Kerttula to move up to a senate seat she would win anyway, should there be a special election. Juneau Democrats are deciding about their recommendations right now.
One rumor coming out of Juneau this evening is that Palin has already decided to refuse to honor the picks of Juneau Democrats, and will nominate an anti-choice Catholic or Evangelical Filipina-American Democrat, forcing Juneau Democrats to reject a minority woman for the seat.
Update - Tuesday 2:50 p.m: Note to strong Palin supporters visiting PA today:
There are several comments here today supportive of Gov. Palin and her statement yesterday. There are now a couple that are dismissive of Sen. Elton. All these make claims either to Palin's being mishandled by the media on this, Elton's perfidy in how he handled his Legislative Council responsibilities last summer, or both.
I welcome all of you to Progressive Alaska!
I also invite you to be specific. For instance, can any Palin supporter link to or describe a specific statement by any earlier Alaska governor on the occasion of a national level job being offered to an Alaska legislator, that starts out on a negative, personal note? I've offered lunch to anyone who can do that.
And just what is it that Sen. Elton did last summer that was "snide and dishonest?" I missed it. Again, please be specific.
image by DZ