http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/03/palin-foe-gets-administration-job/ [rquoter]Palin foe gets administration job From CNN's Lauren Kornreich Palin was the target of an investigation, led by Elton. (CNN) – Alaska State Sen. Kim Elton, one of the leading officials to pursue an investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin during the heat of the presidential campaign, has taken a high-level job in the Interior Department. Palin reacted in a short statement Monday, the day Elton announced his move to Washington. “Senator Elton pledged his allegiance to President Obama last summer,” said the governor. “We wish him well as he moves on and hope that he uses this job for Alaska’s benefit.” Palin was the target of an official investigation last year over charges she improperly dismissed a public safety commissioner who refused to fire her sister’s ex-husband, a state trooper. Elton led the legislative investigation of the incident. The report, released in October, said Palin had the authority to fire the public safety commissioner, and the governor said it cleared her of wrongdoing. But the report also said Palin had abused her power as governor, and had violated state ethics law. Elton will serve as Director of Alaska Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior.[/rquoter]
but but but but wait, I thought Alaska was the model state in handling its energy reserves? now we don't want the guy in charge of that?
Let's see... Obama, a member of the Democratic Party, appoints an Alaskan member of the Democratic Party to a position dealing with Alaska. Thanks for bringing us that shocking news basso.
It would look bad if Obama was in any way involved in the investigation into Palin, but since he wasn't and the investigation cleared Palin, I really don't see a problem.
He wasn't involved until he made an appointment that seems to reward someone that was involved. And, the investigation didn't exactly clear Palin and did a lot of damage to her reputation. Classy response by Palin though.
Look folks this is a non-story. Literally. Obama picked a Dem from Alaska to handle Alaskan Affairs... mostly Native-American and mineral issues. There are not that many Dems in Alaska to pick from and anyone calling themselves a Dem in Alaska would automatically be a foe of Palin. Obama's not stupid. He is not going to go out of his way to destroy Palin. She's too valuable to Dems as a Republican pretender.
If this was announced while the investigation was still going on, I could see where you're coming from, but that isn't the case. I really don't see a conflict of interest or backroom deal here, just some good old fashioned partisanship and party loyalty.
So would it have been better to not pick him simply because it looks bad, in effect punishing someone who was well-qualified for a job?
