The Palin Doctrine

Anchorage -- A close examination of her record as governor reveals that Sarah Palin is nothing if not consistent. Policies that would be described as pork, waste, taxes, or welfare if they benefited all Americans cannot, by definition, be those awful things if they are for Alaskans.

Case 1: The Bridge to Nowhere. Palin's record is crystal clear. As long as the rest of the country was going to pay the bill, she supported it. When the real hero in killing it, Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn, tried to shift the funding to restore New Orleans, Ted Stevens had to compromise. Alaska still would get the money but the earmark went away -- and it became clear that Alaska would have to pay the rest of the bill. Palin then came out against it -- she had never intended that Alaskans should pay for this boondoggle.

You want proof that no principled opposition to pork and waste was involved? Look at the access road. Through a drafting error the separate earmark of $25 million for the access road to the bridge didn't get taken out of the appropriations bill. (Or perhaps Stevens intended it as a final finger to Coburn -- no way to know.) The access road is truly the kind of "make work" that conservatives used to accuse Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration of funding -- a completely useful piece of pavement, leading nowhere, which will never be driven on. The Heritage Foundation begged Palin to send that money to help with reconstruction on the Gulf Coast. Palin declined and built the road. It's a perfect monument to her indifference to wasting the American taxpayer's money -- just as long as it's wasted in Alaska.

Case 2: Palin is a popular governor. Why? Because she beefed up Alaska's status as North America's only true welfare state. Alaskans, every one, regardless of how rich, receive an annual check -- her family's is $22,400 -- and pay no taxes, courtesy of a special deal by which Alaska alone gets a huge share of the revenue from federal oil and gas drilled within its boundaries. But faced with inflation, a weak economy, and higher gas prices, Palin increased taxes on the excess profits of the Alaska oil industry, and gave every Alaskan a second $1,200 rebate. 

Now if this idea seems familiar to you, it should -- it's what Barack Obama favors. And what does John McCain think of this proposal -- he blasts it, because it would "increase our dependence on foreign oil and hinder exactly the same kind of domestic exploration and production we need."

So in any other situation, McCain would be blasting Palin's policies as those of a tax and spend welfare queen.

Now, of course, Palin will say there is a difference -- and McCain evidently agrees. The difference is that Obama wants all Americans to benefit from a windfall profits tax, and Palin wants to keep the booty for Alaskans.

That's the Palin doctrine. It dovetails nicely with the McCain doctrine: nuclear waste is safe enough for Nevada, but not Arizona.

Has anyone told them they are running for national office?

Comments

[Paul from Potomac]

Palin's support of another Alaskan pipeline to bring natural gas to CONUS falls into the same category -- as long as the federal government pays for it she's all for it. Revenues from a 48 inch pipeline would be in the tens of billions each year, that we in the lower 48 would pay, while Alaskans would get more windfall profits and rebates.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, more carbon-based fuel to choke on and more global warming to drown our coastal cities and plains -- Palin's impact merely hastens Armageddon.

Maybe she really is a closet member of the Alaskan Independence Party. She's not loyal to the USA. She's no friend of the environment.

We really need to expose this witch before she gets elected.

[Allen]

The thunderously reverberating mantra "Drill Baby Drill" echoed across the RNC last night, from the mouths of every attendant in unison, was nothing if not downright creepy. And a Governor who has no respect the landscapes of for her own state will have no respect for the rest of the country if allowed into the White House in November.

[Nancy Handler]

I am horrified and sickened by her authorizing and providing state funds ($400,000) for the aerial shooting of wolves and bears, her offer of $100 bounty for the left front foreleg of a wolf, and her working to deny endangered species status to the polar bear.

[Debra Tanner]

Where can I find information on the Nancy Handler statement noted 9/4/08 @12:25. I find it very disturbing and want to tell others if it is true. Lipstick on a pitbull for sure.

[Thomas Three Feathers]

And now Bill Clinton says we should drill. First the RNC, then Obama says he will accept it (of course, his money man Soros is a huge Halliburton shareholder), now Clinton. Good job getting the message out carl. People see through you - buddying up w/ oil man Pickens. Tsk tsk.

[Thomas Three Feathers]

McCain picks someone who disagrees w/ him on his oil tax policy and is in-line w/ Obama and you blast her. Either you are sexist or this isn't really about the environment, it's about politics regardless of whether or no it benefits the earth. Of course you are losing you audience anyway, people, including popular Democrats, are now wants to drill.

[karen]

Palin is a small minded extremist who flip flops on her values when it benefits her. Her extreme
views our self interest based with a very narrow viewpoint. I believe she has a personality disorder that has been protected by her family. She would be a dictator not a world leader.
We need to expose her for all that she is and not protect her. John McCain has lost his credibility
and honor by picking someone who would and will divide our country for the worst.

[Joan]

Debra Tanner asks about the $100 bounty. I think it was $150. See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17735990