Alaska Politics Blog : Split screen

Alaska Politics Blog

This is the place to talk about Alaska politics -- state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has probably never been more interesting than right now -- the governor as candidate for vice president, the broad and still-evolving corruption investigation, a big election, powerful members of Congress under scrutiny, and the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. Keep your comments civil and on point. Avoid personal attacks. Do not use profanity. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be banned.

Contributors

Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the ADN before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers politics and other stories for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

Features

SECTION

Alaska political corruption

The FBI raided state legislatures offices in Aug. 2006, and the fallout since has been epic in Alaska's political world.

Split screen

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: September 5, 2008 - 10:53 am

Observation and commentary from columnist Michael Carey in St. Paul --

Thursday night, the last night of the Republican National Convention, I asked some Alaska delegates to explain something to me. What did they make of Sarah Palin taking credit for rooting out corruption when the corrupters were Alaskans mostly of their own party?

They didn’t have much to say.

They had less to say when I asked them to comment on the man whose improprieties launched her career as an anti-corruption warrior, State Chairman Randy Ruedrich, a member of the delegation seated on the convention floor.

The delegates just looked wan and sheepishly shook their heads as if to say “I’m not going there.”

I can see why – then we would have a discussion of why Ruedrich remains state chairman and that would lead to a discussion of the corruption trials that rocked Alaska and sent legislators and others (mostly Republicans) to jail.

And hovering over Alaska Republicans is the coming corruption trial of Sen. Ted Stevens, Alaskan of the Century (the last one) and a founding father of the modern Republican Party, the investigation of Congressman Don Young, and the investigation of the state’s Republican National Committeeman, Ben Stevens. None of three were at the convention. Even before Sarah Palin was nominated for vice president, national Republican leaders did not want reporters following Stevens, Young and Stevens around shouting “Are you a crook?” Bad publicity for the Republican brand.

Alaska is on a split screen before the American people. On one side, Sarah Palin, self-proclaimed reformer. On the other, the Corrupt Bastards Club, Veco’s Bill Allen, Stevens father and son and Young (plus those legislators now imprisoned Outside. One wonders: Did former state representative Vic Kohring ask his cell mate “Mind if I watch the last night of the Republican convention of TV instead of the NFL game?”)

One of the most interesting things about Sarah Palin’s political career is how she has enjoyed favorable contrast with her adversaries and seized the moment to exploit the contrast.

In the example I explored on the convention floor, it was Sarah the fresh-faced reformer against good-ole boys (like Ruedrich) and his former political allies (Allen especially). When she ran for governor, it was Sarah the insurgent against frumpy, failed incumbent Frank Murkowski and Sarah the candidate for tomorrow against two-term governor Tony Knowles the candidate from yesterday. In the AGIA gas-line battle, it was anti-corporate Sarah against Big Oil, her same opponent in the debate over oil taxes. Her timing in taking on Big Oil was perfect as the oil companies were suffering declining popularity after years of owning Alaskans’ confidence - and owning the Alaska Legislature as well through Bill Allen.

Alaska Republicans have a remarkable opportunity. One of their own is on the world’s greatest stage. But Alaskan Republicans also have burden – most of the corruption story Sarah Palin is playing to her advantage is their party’s story, a story that every delegate on the convention floor knew will not end soon.

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6 September 6, 2008 - 1:21pm | Sharonk

Alaska Republican Party Corruption

I read and verified Alaska Republican Party Corruption was actually started by FBI and Washington 2003-2004. Many complaints were lodged over the prior years. This investigation was underway long before Sarah Palin took office. And yes, Sarah Palin was aware. Many residents were aware. Many legislators were aware. Palin did run for Governor saying she would clean up government. But FBI and Washington were already doing this. When she took office she did all to comply with the FBI investigations already attempting to deal with the corruption. With FBI you have to, there is no choice. Thank goodness Sarah Palin did not have to personally deal with getting rid of the corruption herself. FBI was doing already.

I do have one question. Why is Sarah Palin claiming she cleaned up Republican Party Corruption Alaska?? Historical documents and respected government/ internet sites on this investigation do not support this. Sarah Palin actually just co-operated with the ongoing investigations when she took office. That includes supplying any new information.

Please tell me why Sarah Palin would make this claim??? The honorable Alaska individual/s that really started this FBI investigation should be heralded as the true hero/es!! Alaskans you really need to honor the wonderful person/persons who did.

September 6, 2008 - 3:09pm | rfn

The common misunderstanding in this

comes when people mistakenly think of the FBI matters as the entirety. There are multiple corruption issues in Alaska; those being worked on by The FBI involve legislators at the state and national level.

Ms. Palin's work was not in any way connected to the FBI proceedings. Rather, it was focused on corruption among non-elected people in government and their relationship with energy interests.

The matters should not be confused nor should they be combined. They are entirely separate.

5 September 5, 2008 - 11:07pm | Sarahmerica

A HEADLINE YOU WILL NEVER READ

A HEADLINE YOU WILL NEVER READ: Sarah Palin to Donate Half of Campaign Funds to Rural Alaska

AN ARTICLE YOU WILL NEVER READ:
In a stunning announcement today, Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin announced that half of the thirty-two million dollars the McCain Campaign has on hand will be used to help Alaskan Native children suffering with tuberculosis. "I can't, in good conscious use all this dirty political money when the children of my great state of Alaska live in conditions that the rest of America would find utterly appalling," said Palin after a campaign stop at a Detroit, MI foodbank. "How can I allow this money to be wasted on marketing and perpetuating the myth of how ready I am to be just one aorta bursting, heart-wrenching, moment from leader of the freeworld?" Palin added.
In another breath, Palin continued shocking the political world, saying,"You know, I've had a change of heart myself. I want people to understand the plight of rural Alaska. Donating a small portion of our campaign contributions is just the start. Under my leadership the Republican Party is going to start trying to care about poor people, minorities, and maybe even children."

4 September 5, 2008 - 9:14pm | dab

Way to GO Gov.

Your 80% approval rating is because we support you--The good old boys are on their way OUT

3 September 5, 2008 - 6:06pm | robindevoe

I apologize for dissing Carey yesterday

He is right on here, asking the tough questions... please keep it up.

2 September 5, 2008 - 11:19am | muzungu

Hypocrisy and fascism on display, courtesy of the GOP

In all the hype surrounding Sarah Palin at the GOP national convention, one glaring fact was virtually completely overlooked or ignored in all the reporting regarding this event: the tightly controlled and Gestapo-like strong arm tactics employed throughout it to hide and eliminate any trace of opposition to McCain, or any display of support in ANY manner for any other GOP candidate or politician.

Is everyone both blind and dumb? 20 or 30 years ago, at similar conventions, many peopple would wave signs and wear lapel pins for the other contenders in the race, whether their lack of sufficient support for the nomination was a foregone conclusion or not. But this time --- nothing! Not ONE sign, pin, or tee-shirt expressing anything but love for McCain (and Palin) was allowed on the convention floor, amidst security that bordered on Stalinistic. Furthermore, the over 100 delegates for Ron Paul were brazenly shadowed, threatened with expulsion and ignored during roll calls, with almost all of their votes being ignored. Now if this was not fascist control of the worst sort, I would like to know what would be.

The truth is, you blind and brainwashed sheep, on the national level true democracy is dead in this country. Oh sure, we are still allowed to vote --- but never, ever allowed to meaningfully choose from WHOM we get to vote. Watching how Ron Paul and his millions of supporters were marginalized, mocked, sidelined and illegally denied their voices in the "democractic" process by both the so-called "Mainstream" Media and the Republican Party, I have now fully woken up and realized how broken and what a sham democracy is in this nation.

I will be taking my Republican-registered voter card to the GOP headquarters in Anchorage and ripping it up, and will tell them just exactly why --- because the GOP is the party of out-of-control abuse of power and corruption, and appears determined to commit suicide by disenfranchising millions of potential party members, including the youngest and most principled ones that they need the most.

September 5, 2008 - 11:28am | Emperor

That is one reason...

...why we need radical reform that will eliminate the power of political parties.

It's Time

September 5, 2008 - 11:19am | rfn

The other night,

while watching a street mob vandalize the cars of people totally unconnected with the convention, I got to musing.

Why weren't they tearing up their draft cards?

Then I remembered...they don't have any to tear up!

That does leave them a peaceful alternative, though, and I'm glad to see some availing themselves of it. Just go down to an elections office and register then tear up or burn your registration card. It's about as symbolic. But burning it in an office might be construed as domestic terrorism, so tearing is probable safer. Oh the nice part? Can always go back and change registration then have another card to tear up. Heck, nobody reads 'em anyway.

September 5, 2008 - 11:26am | muzungu

I'm glad you find the signs

I'm glad you find the signs of decay and corruption in our so-called "democratic" process so amusing and trivial.

September 5, 2008 - 11:30am | rfn

I prefer the

terms decadent and redundant.

Amusing, though that there were no similar acts of vandalism at The Democrat Party's love-fest. Perhaps Republicans really are more civilized!

But then Obama probably begged his troops to behave themselves in St. Paul. They just laughed..... No need to worry; he has no leadership skills and no way to discipline them. As had their parents no way.

September 5, 2008 - 11:39am | muzungu

So, are you saying

that you found the tightly-scripted, Big Brother-controlled, brook-no-dissent nature of the GOP national convention just fine and dandy? Nothing wrong at all about it, even though this was NOT how it was done in the past? The fact that NO freedom of expression or support for other (GOP!) candidates was allowed whatsoever is acceptable and for the good?

Please tell me "No!"

And here I thought that enforced and coerced expressions of political "unanimity" were only part of the old Soviet system. How naive I was.

September 5, 2008 - 12:38pm | rfn

I found it most

comforting that The Democrat National Baptismal Ceremony for the New Messiah was kept orderly and there was no violence from protestors.

The old Soviet system feature imprisonment in mental hospitals and forced medication of those who disagreed with the boss.

In this country, to the shock and dismay of some, persons and property have a modicum of protection against vandals and would-be mutilators and murderers. Especially those who bring together material for bombs intended to wound or kill indiscriminately; not just those whose ideas conflict with their own unique, distorted view of life.

I might that imagine that comes as a shocking surprise.

The surprise should have now worn off for those facing felony charges and possibly long, long jail sentences in Minnesota. Though I'd also assume that liberal judges will give them a severe scolding and send them forth to attempt again to kill.

September 5, 2008 - 12:58pm | muzungu

Rfn, you STILL haven't answered the question!

Stop sidestepping the subject and bringing up the Democrats --- I'm not talking about them, and we can discuss their innumerable flaws at another time.

So tell me: Do you think the suppression of freedom of expression at the Republican National Convention was deplorable and un-American, or are you fine with it?

September 5, 2008 - 2:03pm | fred280403

Oh come off it!

BOTH parties now VERY carefully vett every speech given at their conventions - hell, they carefully script every single minute of them. Are you just waking up to this? You're right on one thing tho - it didn't use to be that way - but it has been now for quite some time.

In 1992 it is pretty widely regarded that GB lost control of his convention - and that Buchanan's "pitchforks" speech might have been one of the turning points of the election. The repubs made damned certain something like that never happened again - and it never has.

I am sure there was a similar and roughly contemporary "ah hah" moment for the dems, but I can't come up with it off the top of my head.

September 5, 2008 - 1:07pm | rfn

It is marvelous that

Minnesota authorities enforced the laws of their state regarding deplorable acts vandalism and attempted murder.

It is most disappointing, however, that Homeland Security has not (yet) acted in the cases where materials for weapons of mass destruction (OK, not nuclear, but sufficient to kill a hundred or so people) were seized.

So, Yes, I do feel that preventing and punishing of un-American activity by terrorists, regardless of citizenship or party affiliation, is just fine. Oh, there is no constitutional provision protecting thieves, vandals and would-be murderers. Even those with sincere political motivation. Especially when there is no sincerity; just juvenile acting out. I blame it, of course, on their parents who should be punished as well. Perhaps more severely.

It is especially heartwarming that no Republican sympathizers undertook to disrupt the religious gathering in Denver (AKA Democrat National Anointing) shortly before. Even if that occasion might have been used as cover to school vandals and terrorists for St. Paul.

September 5, 2008 - 2:07pm | muzungu

rfn, I salute your ability to obfuscate and evade the issue

Once again, let me say it slowly, since you don't seem to be grasping the issue at hand, I am NOT talking about the Democrats, and I am NOT talking about street demonstrations, as Nazi-esque as the police treat them nowadays. I was and am talking about what went on (or was prevented from happening) ON THE FLOOR OF THE GOP CONVENTION! Why is that so hard for you to grasp?

Are you OK with the wholesale suppression of free speech and free expression by the RNC during the convention, EVEN for other GOP candidates? The shadowing of and hostility directed toward those accredited Republican delegates who refused to vote for McCain? The whisking away ( I would say assault on) any delegate who dared to exercise his God-given rights to show support for ANYONE other than the pre-annointed McCain?

Please answer those questions directly, if you can.

September 5, 2008 - 2:28pm | rfn

I can understand

how people who were traumatized by their experiences in the days of Chicago convention antics can't let go.

I do believe that the internal authorities in both the Democrat Coronation Ceremony and The Republican National Convention acted responsibly and maintained decorum within the established rules.

These were private events - by invitation. The rules were spelled out in advance for those who chose to attend. Those who respect the rules seemed to have no problems. Those who had agreed, by attending, to accept the rules were escorted out.

The continuing support for vandalism, intimidation, yes and even attempts at killing innocent people in Minneapolis are mere symptoms of the decay that first evinced itself in the dark days of Chicago. They need to remembered but only as a cautionary tale of what we can expect if the proponents of such violence are elevated to positions of power. Especially what they fancy as Messianic power.

Savor those memories....they should last a lifetime.

September 5, 2008 - 2:42pm | muzungu

In other words,

you are OK with suppression of political expression, even that enjoyed just a few years ago, in the name of "decorum".

You are OK with the RNC and GOP establishment violating their own parliamentary rules and the ostensible rights of delegates to vote as they wish.

You are OK with the party coercing and enforcing a farcical "unanimity" of support, even where it patently did not exist.

You are too historically blind to see that these violations of the delegates' rights are outrages, and would have been considered so just ten or twenty years ago.

You are fine with the creeping loss of liberty in this country, as long as it is done in the name of "your" party.

In other words, you are OK with fascism.

Just wanted to get that clear from you.

September 5, 2008 - 2:44pm | rfn

How did I know

the "fascism" card would be next out of the deck?

Thus always for those sans imagination. I perfectly agree with the issuance of terms and conditions of usage for admission to events or even to this blog. You HAVE read the terms and conditions, have you not?

There are no universal parliamentary rules; the rules are written for each private venue need to be respected by those having agreed to them through their very walking through the door.

The rules of a private gathering are products of the organizers. Just as the laws of a city are those of the people of that city. When you come into a city with intent to break those laws you should expect to be arrested and prosecuted. No "after party" until after release from what we might hope will be long, long sentences.

I know that's surprising and, perhaps, even heartbreaking but it's life and I'm OK with that.

September 5, 2008 - 5:53pm | muzungu

Well, if the jackboot fits .....

I did not use the word "fascism" lightly. What else would you call the wholesale suppresssion of political expression that was on display at the GOP national convention?

I simply cannot understand the thinking (?) of people such as yourself. Are you so willfully blind to what is going on all around you? Would you blithely ignore the ongoing loss of liberties in this country, simplisticly stating that "We are still free!" until martial law is declared or every one of our rights are gone? Well, sir, freedom is never lost that way --- it is incrementally nibbled away, just as it is being nibbled away today, and indeed has been for decades. Please open your eyes and have the courage to see the big picture. Unfortunately, it is not a pretty one, but hiding one's head in the sand and being a kneejerk apologist for authority, no matter how out of control, is no recipe for preserving our freedoms.

September 5, 2008 - 5:58pm | rfn

I can only call the proceedings

at the RNC consistent with the rules that were established and to which those removed agreed when they accepted their credentials.

It was their choice to accept the credentials in the full knowledge of their responsibilities.

It was their choice to break the rules.

They were removed, as they had agreed they would be removed by their acceptance.

They are fortunate that they were not civilly charged with breach of contract. That is, after all, what they did when they broke the conditions to which they had agreed.

Perhaps this is a powerful argument for introducing a rudimentary understanding of contracts law into the nation's elementary school classrooms.

September 5, 2008 - 6:23pm | muzungu

I see you agree with their hypocrisy

Ignoring the fact the "the rules" regarding suppression of political expression (which until this administration used to be considered a basic American right) were completely un-American, unprecedented and yes, fascist, it was the RNC who broke their OWN rules, by not only harssing and intimidating the Ron Paul delegates, but also by refusing to allow them to vote their conscience, and refusing to count almost any of their votes, in complete disregard for the most elementary parliamentarian precepts, basic honesty and their OWN clearly stated "rules"! Apparently, rules only apply to those not in power.

And for your information, there were no previously stated "rules" regarding the display of materials in support of any other GOP candidates or politicians.

Your attempt to hide behind "rules" is intellectually and morally cowardly. If you were a real American who valued his rights and freedoms, you would be as outraged as I and others are about this blatant violation of decency, free expression and the spirit of democracy.

How does this gross violation of everything we as Americans until so recently regarded as essential and necessary for freedom not have more in common with how politics were conducted in the Soviet Union? They also could not tolerate dissent, and loved to declare "unanimous" support for their candidates as well.

September 5, 2008 - 6:27pm | rfn

How could I not have known

that allegations of Marxism or similar would be next?

Really, is that all they teach in Middle School now?

Read the credentials.

There are lots of big words but they all come down to a simple fact. These are the rules and if you break them you go out the door.

Unfortunately, gently.

September 5, 2008 - 6:37pm |

Removed

This post was deleted for being off topic or violating the ADN user agreement. We encourage readers to "flag" offensive or off-topic comments for review by ADN staff.

September 5, 2008 - 6:38pm | rfn

The rhetoric

commonly heard on the short bus really does not do anything to make the rules go away.

The colonists who resisted British oppression with force knew the rules and were prepared to die if their breach of them failed.

The long and short of it is that the folks who made fools of themselves on the convention floor got justifiably tossed. Pity some didn't land on their heads. It might have knocked some sense into them or otherwise kept them from repeating the offense.

I consider myself a patriot, bravely keeping an advocacy of vandalism and domestic terrorism from spreading; keeping it confined to the electrons of a narrowly-read blog.

September 5, 2008 - 6:44pm | muzungu

Yes, traitors to freedom

Yes, traitors to freedom always consider themselves "patriots" as well. As one of our Founding Fathers put it so well:

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel".

And the morally and intellectually weak, I would have added.

You know nothing of what patriotism means --- it is NOT the blind support of bad leaders.

September 5, 2008 - 6:46pm | rfn

OK,

Homeland Security, have I kept him/her blogging long enough for you to get a fix on where it's coming from?

Thank You...always glad to help when you call.

September 5, 2008 - 6:51pm | muzungu

Call it what it really is:

"Fatherland Security".

But it doesn't surprise me that you would call for the new Gestapo to come to your rescue.

What a sad excuse for a debater you are.

September 5, 2008 - 8:06pm | rfn

Were I debating, that would be so.

I'm just helping round up some apparent domestic terrorists. It's kinda fun!

September 5, 2008 - 9:22pm | muzungu

Were you debating

you would require a level of intellectual sophistication (and moral integrity) that you have so far refused, or been unable, to demonstrate here.

September 5, 2008 - 9:32pm | rfn

Who's that....

knocking
at
your
door?

Who's
that
knocking...

1 September 5, 2008 - 11:14am | Emperor

Good job.

The Palinistas should be here any minute to explain it all away and accuse you of being a hater, misogynist and oil company shill.

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