New report: Cronyism and dubious loans under Palin administration (campaign, thought, president)

[calmdude]

Source: Palin appointed friends and donors to key posts in Alaska, records show - Los Angeles Times

Recall, W's "good job Brownie" comment after the disaster in New Orleans? Brownie, an expert in horses, could not cut it when it came to real disasters, but was there because of cronyism. Such appointments cost the taxpayers - including joe 6-packs & joe the plumbers - a lot. LA Times is reporting today that Palin administration disliked experience, resorted to cronyism and gave state-subsidized loans of dubious public value to friends. Some findings smack not just of an incompetent governor but also of borderline corruption:

* More than 100 appointments to state posts -- nearly 1 in 4 -- went to campaign contributors or their relatives, sometimes without apparent regard to qualifications.

* Palin filled 16 state offices with appointees from families that donated $2,000 to $5,600 and were among her top political patrons.

* Several of Palin's leading campaign donors received state-subsidized industrial development loans of up to $3.6 million for business ventures of questionable public value.

I would hate to think what would happen if she were the president. This woman is just plain scary.

[TuborgP]

Another great use of the news headlines by Team McCain while Obama is off the campaign trail

[calmdude]

I can never understand why people do not surround themselves with competence - it makes them look good and it gives good results. One could argue Obama choosing Biden is an example of choosing someone competent even though Biden had many years on Obama. OTOH, McCain choosing Palin - enough said. I did not need more proof but McCain's judgement over the last 4 years & the way he is running his campaign are signs that he is indeed politically finished.

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by calmdude

Source: Palin appointed friends and donors to key posts in Alaska, records show - Los Angeles Times

Recall, W's "good job Brownie" comment after the disaster in New Orleans? Brownie, an expert in horses, could not cut it when it came to real disasters, but was there because of cronyism. Such appointments cost the taxpayers - including joe 6-packs & joe the plumbers - a lot. LA Times is reporting today that Palin administration disliked experience, resorted to cronyism and gave state-subsidized loans of dubious public value to friends. Some findings smack not just of an incompetent governor but also of borderline corruption:

* More than 100 appointments to state posts -- nearly 1 in 4 -- went to campaign contributors or their relatives, sometimes without apparent regard to qualifications.

* Palin filled 16 state offices with appointees from families that donated $2,000 to $5,600 and were among her top political patrons.

* Several of Palin's leading campaign donors received state-subsidized industrial development loans of up to $3.6 million for business ventures of questionable public value.

I would hate to think what would happen if she were the president. This woman is just plain scary.

Yeah, I'm actually "OK" with McCain (though I MUCH prefer Obama) - but I REALLY dislike and distrust Palin (even though originally I thought she was a pretty good pick by McCain - at least in so far as she locked up the GOP base (to start with anyway)).

Ken

[walidm]

"Laudon and other partners also received $3.6 million to buy two automated car washes in Anchorage. The benefit to Alaska, according to the approval documents, was the retention of five jobs -- which would have remained without the subsidy. Laudon declined to comment.

The Times requested documentation on the Lee and Laudon loans, including interest rates, from AIDEA on Sept. 25, but the agency has not released the materials and has declined to discuss details.

The agency "probably looked at it this way: 'This is a good loan that will be paid back,' " said Bob Poe, former AIDEA chief. "That helps them produce income to make other loans, much like a bank." As economic development, however, both loans sound questionable, he said.

Three Palin appointees to the AIDEA board also gave to her campaign for governor."
Source

I'm betting the Campaign will want Senator Obama to take no more breaks....

[calmdude]

Originally Posted by walidm

I'm betting the Campaign will want Senator Obama to take no more breaks....

Interesting - no one came to defend Palin against cronyism and corruption.