Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Law Prof debunks WaPo’s latest Palin hit piece

Today’s Washington Post headlines:

Palin Billed State for Nights Spent at Home

Taxpayers Also Funded Family's Travel
After examining WaPo’s claims George Mason Univ. School of Law Professor David Bernstein concludes at Volokh Conspiracy:
[Palin] apparently maintained two residences, the governor's mansion in Juneau, which by state law is her official work "base" and where assumedly she didn't get a per diem (but where her predecessor had a personal chef whom she let go), and Wasilla, from where she commuted to Anchorage for work when the legislature wasn't in session.

Saintly to take the per diem she was legally entitled to when in the second residence? No.

Worthy of the lead headline on Washingtonpost.com? Please!

Not illegal, not unethical, and not a scandal.
(Emphasis added)
No, not illegal, not unethical, and not a scandal.

But the members of Obama’s Tank Corp at the Washington Post were able to fire a hit piece at Gov. Palin anyway.

WaPo’s hit piece is here. Bernstein’s takedown of it's here.

3 comments:

gak said...

JOHN,
WHILE IT IS NOT ILLEGAL, IT CERTAINLY WAS UNETHICAL IN MY OPINION. THE STATE GAVE HER A HOUSE (THE GOV.'S MANSION), NO SHE TAKES PER DIEM ON A PLACE SHE ALREADY OWNED. NOT THE STATES RESPONSIBILITY.


GAK

Anonymous said...

John: Off topic but the New York Post is reporting an illicit affair between our illustrious Rev. Wright and another man's wife. Apparently, she is spillin' the beans. GOTTA LOVE IT!! The good reverend has a problem, it seems, with "Thou shalt not committ adultery". Such hypoctites!! Maybe he could consult with John Edwards for advise. Steve in New Mexico

Anonymous said...

GAK:

"NO SHE TAKES PER DIEM ON A PLACE SHE ALREADY OWNED"

Nice try. I recommend you review the definition of "per diem".

And, yes, it is the state's responsibility.

Ken
Dallas