Finding Scandal Where There is No Scandal
September 9th, 2008 at 11:18am Kevin Patrick
The Washington Post front page screams what they hope will give readers cause for concern: “Palin Billed State for Nights Spent at Home.” Unfortunately for the Post, it only shows the Post’s ignorance of the law and what a per diem actually is. David Bernstein at the Volokh Conspiracy has the goods:
A glance at the expense report reproduced on the Post’s website makes it clear that she requested per diem for her daily expenses, but not for lodging, and that she apparently wrote “lodging–own home” only to explain why she wasn’t requesting hotel expenses. One almost wonders whether the author of the story understands what a “per diem” is; the story notes that Palin rarely charged the state for meals when in Wasilla and Anchorage, but of course she didn’t, because she instead just asked for the per diem!
And what is the gist of her actual action the Post wants to stir into a scandal?
You have to read the article carefully to figure this out, but what the story ultimately reveals is that Palin (a) billed the state for most expenses allowed by law, including per diem when she stayed in her own home (her “duty station” was the state capitol of Juneau) in Wasilla; (b) didn’t bill the state for other expenses, when she could have done so lawfully, such as per diems for her children; and (c) spent a lot less money on expenses than did her predecessor, especially on travel and by ridding herself of the state’s personal chef. [FWIW, she apparently maintained two residences, the governor's mansion in Juneau, which by state law is her official work "base" and where assumedly she didn't get a per diem (but where her predecessor had a personal chef whom she let go), and Wasilla, from where she commuted to Anchorage for work when the legislature wasn't in session. Saintly to take the per diem she was legally entitled to when in the second residence? No. Worthy of the lead headline on Washingtonpost.com? Please! Not illegal, not unethical, and not a scandal.]
Is this the same level of scrutiny and misrepresentation the Post of given to the Obama-Biden campaign? I didn’t think so.
UPDATE: And guess who paid for all of Joe Biden’s almost daily trips back and forth to Delaware? Yep, you and me.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Media
5 Comments
1. A-10 | September 9th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
You know what I heard. I heard that Gov Palin might be a thespian and that she matriculated while she was in college. I also heard that she frequently is seen with homo sapiens and is not afraid to masticate in public.
OH THE HORROR. Contact DU and the KosKids. Send out faxes to the MSM. We have a scandal in the works!!!!!!!!!
2. Retired Spook | September 9th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I heard today, either on the news or the local talk show, that her personal expenses as Governor were not only less than her predecessor — but 80% less. I can’t vouch for the accuracy of that figure, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to verify.
I may be wrong, but I’d have to think that even most of our resident Libs are getting pretty embarrassed by these unfounded and inaccurate attacks.
I was intimately involved with politics back in 1988 when George H. W. Bush picked Dan Quayle for VP. The newspaper owned by Quayle’s father was a customer of mine, and I knew Dan Quayle, although not well. The press attacks on Quayle were vicious and unrelenting at the time, but paled in comparison to what they’re attempting to to to Governor Palin. I hope they keep it up. As Rush noted today, McCain and Palin’s most effective surrogates are Obama and Biden. Just hide the fire extinguishers and get out of the way.
3. K | September 9th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Wow…
Last I remembered, I believe that “God Damn America” was endlessly looped ad-nauseum for almost a month and a half. Republicans need to get over this ‘evil, biased media’ complex. This was the THEME of your convention, and now the theme of your campaign. And now this is your excuse to hide Ms. Palin from a real live actual Q and A.
Whether Republican or Democrat, the media will always do what is good for ratings. No conspiracy. Period.
4. phnx | September 9th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
The Dims aren’t worried about Palin…much:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122098190668515511.html?mod=opinion_journal_political_diary
5. kimberly4victory | September 9th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I love the olbermann watch site. They have a recap of last night’s show with “bathtub boy” and his lies about Palin:
http://www.olbermannwatch.com/archives/2008/09/countdown_w_kei_17.php#more