Palin Used State Politics to Settle Personal Scores

Career reveals history of favoritism, vendettas, secrecy
By Jess Kilby,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 14, 2008 6:43 AM CDT
Palin Used State Politics to Settle Personal Scores
Sarah Palin gives a thumbs up to service members in the crowd during a rally in Anchorage, Alaska yesterday.   (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Throughout Sarah Palin’s political career the Republican vice presidential nominee has played favorites, kept secrets and waged personal vendettas, according to the New York Times. A lengthy examination of the Alaska governor’s record reveals that she appointed at least five former schoolmates to state positions, threatened and fired several of her foes, and regularly used her personal email account for official business in a bid to dodge subpoenas.

“The Palin family gets upset at personal issues,” said a state legislator, who was pressured to fire a staff member who had fallen in love with one of Palin’s friends. Mayors and state legislators across Alaska also complain about Palin’s inaccessibility, saying she frequently ignores urgent communications and is often missing during legislative sessions. “I’m still proud of Sarah, but she scares the bejeebers out of me," said Palin's first campaign manager.
(More Sarah Palin stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X