McCain's VP:

You are onto something, yes Bush is more like one of the guys. I don't think his education went to his head.

Oh, please. There are just as many on the Right that are pessimistic as those on the Left.

That video's been pulled, Cyclo.

I bet it's not the only one, either.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a "per diem" allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.

The governor also has charged the state for travel expenses to take her children on official out-of-town missions. And her husband, Todd, has billed the state for expenses and a daily allowance for trips he makes on official business for his wife.

Have you heard Rush, or Bohrs? Pathetic whiners, the both of 'em.

*sniff-sniff*

Smells like... desperation.

Gubernatorial spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said Monday that Palin's expenses are not unusual and that, under state policy, the first family could have claimed per diem expenses for each child taken on official business but has not done so.

Speaking from Palin's Anchorage office, Leighow said Palin dealt with the plane and also trimmed other expenses, including forgoing a chef in the governor's mansion because she preferred to cook for her family. The first family's travel is an expected part of the job, she said.

"As a matter of protocol, the governor and the first family are expected to attend community events across the state," she said. "It's absolutely reasonable that the first family participates in community events."

The state finance director, Kim Garnero, said Alaska law exempts the governor's office from elaborate travel regulations. Said Leighow: "The governor is entitled to a per diem, and she claims it."

Gov. Palin has spent far less on her personal travel than her predecessor: $93,000 on airfare in 2007, compared with $463,000 spent the year before by her predecessor, Frank Murkowski.

I'm even willing to admit that the Gov should be exempt from travel regulations. Great. But why does she get paid a per diem to stay at home? I doubt AK law supports that. And you didn't address that.

Don't feed the Cyclotroll!

H2O MAN wrote:

Don't feed the Cyclotroll!

Huh? I find my discussions with Cyc to be informative. He is a knowledgable guy on the exact opposite side of the political spectrum.

Cycloptichorn wrote:

I'm even willing to admit that the Gov should be exempt from travel regulations. Great. But why does she get paid a per diem to stay at home? I doubt AK law supports that. And you didn't address that.

So, without knowledge of the facts, you are ready and willing to declare fraud and lies?

It's typical from the left and a bit tiresome. Being in the opposition party does not automatically mean they are liars and fraudsters. It has been non-stop with the Palin commentary about what a horrible mother she is, how incompent she must be, etc.

Now, you guys are just throwing **** at the wall and seeing what sticks. That cries of desperation and you know it.

By living at home, she is actually saving Alaska money. She is not travelling back and forth between the (now mothballed) Gov. mansion with all it's attendant costs and home. She also has not claimed all the per diem costs available to her.

Being Gov is an expensive job. She travels extensively between the sparse population centers and all that costs money. Despite the appearance of improproety, she is reforming the Gov's role in Alaska. Isn't that what a reformer does?