Got this via TPM Election Central Morning Roundup. In the Washington Post, Palin Billed State for Nights Spent at Home:
Palin, who earns $125,000 a year, claimed and received $16,951 as her allowance, which officials say was permitted because her official "duty station" is Juneau, according to an analysis of her travel documents by The Washington Post.
The governor's daughters and husband charged the state $43,490 to travel, and many of the trips were between their house in Wasilla and Juneau, the capital city 600 miles away, the documents show.
I would think this is a complete non-story for many, even most, governors. Except for the ones who wave their fiscal conservatism around like a torch. And especially the one's who are waving their fiscal conservatism around like a torch while running for Vice-President of the United States.
The problem for the McCain campaign now is that much of the stuff Governor Palin is getting bashed with is now substantive stuff, her record, that conflicts with what she and the campaign are telling us about here. The "Bridge to Nowhere" farce, the rest of the earmarks fiasco and now this.
You know, average Joe or Jane Governor, lives 600 miles from the State Capitol and wants to bill a per diem to the state? You probably say, "Oh hell yeah! I would too!" (Unless you're from a hardcore conservative red state.)
Unfortunately this campaign has revelled in highlighting how much of a budget cutter Sarah Palin is. She couldn't cut back on this? She makes $125K a year and hubby makes lord knows how much on the North Slope (you tend to make pretty big bucks there) and she and he need to take all of this money?
It's her and their fault we'll pick on this one. And this is one that won't play real well with the very base she's supposed to attract. Oh well.
Comments welcome,
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