McCains bump in the polls

[DREDIOCK]

I think the more Palin speaks the more like McCain wins. They found a diamond! McCain, or McBrilliant as Rush refers to him, did a great service to the conservatives.

Absolutely.
she has star appeal

[CptTrips]

...Palin's record is not all she says it is. The luxury(governor's) plane she listed on EBay. Didn't actually sell on EBay. They had to list it with a broker. Then sold it at a loss.
 My opinion; I don't know how luxurious the plane in question was but unlike most states, you need a plane to get around in Alaska. Very few roads between towns. Boat or air is the mode of transportation in Alaska. So does the Governor get around the state? Charter flights? Definitely not commercial air. So how much did she save the state?

You're right.  I bet a lot of those remote bush airfields, that don't even have paved roads to them, are capable of handling a private jet.

 ,
Wab

[Toad]

  Boat or air is the mode of transportation in Alaska. So does the Governor get around the state? Charter flights? Definitely not commercial air. So how much did she save the state?
 

You're trying to make the point that there's no commuter airlines in alaska? Ones like

Era Aviation: scheduled service to:

Kenai
Homer
Kodiak
Valdez
Cordova
Bethel
Fairbanks


PenAir: scheduled service to:

Akutan (KQA) – Akutan Seaplane Base
Aleknagik (WKK) – Aleknagik Airport
Aniak (ANI) – Aniak Airport
Anchorage (ANC) – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (Hub)
Atka (AKB) – Atka Airport
Bartletts/Egegik (BSZ) – Bartletts Airport (FAA: AK96)
Cape Newenham (EHM)
Chignik Bay (KCG)
Chignik Lagoon (KCL) – Chignik Lagoon Airport
Chignik Lake (KCQ)
Cinder River (RCP)
Clark's Point (CLP) – Clarks Point Airport
Cold Bay (CDB) – Cold Bay Airport (Hub)
Dillingham (DLG) – Dillingham Airport (Hub)
Dutch Harbor (DUT) – Unalaska Airport (Hub)
Egegik (EGX) – Egegik Airport
Ekwok (KEK) – Ekwok Airport
False Pass (KFP) – False Pass Airport
Igiugig, Alaska (IGG) – Igiugig Airport
Iliamna (ILI) – Iliamna Airport
King Cove (KVC) – King Cove Airport
King Salmon (AKN) – King Salmon Airport (Hub)
Koliganek (KGK) – Koliganek Airport
Levelock (KLL) – Levelock Airport
Manokotak (KMO) – Manokotak Airport
McGrath (MCG) – McGrath Airport
Nelson Lagoon (NLG) – Nelson Lagoon Airport
New Stuyahok (KNW) – New Stuyahok Airport
Nikolski (IKO)
Perryville (KPV) – Perryville Airport
Pilot Point (PIP) – Pilot Point Airport
Port Heiden (PTH) – Port Heiden Airport
Port Moller (PML)
Portage Creek (PCA) – Portage Creek Airport
St. George (STG) – St. George Airport
St. Paul (SNP) – St. Paul Island Airport
Sand Point (SDP) – Sand Point Municipal Airport
Sandy River (KSR)
South Naknek (WSN) – South Naknek 2 Airport
Togiak (TOG) – Togiak Airport
Twin Hills (TWA) – Twin Hills Airport
Ugashik (UGB) – Ugashik Bay Airport
Unalakleet (UNK) – Unalakleet Airport
Wildman Lake (EWD)

or

Frontier Flying Service: scheduled service to

Anchorage (ANC) - Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Aniak (ANI) - Aniak Airport
Anvik (ANV) - Anvik Airport
Atqasuk (ATK) - Atqasuk Edward Burnell Sr. Memorial Airport
Barrow (BRW) - Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport
Barter Island / Kaktovik (BTI) - Barter Island LRRS
Bethel (BET) - Bethel Airport
Brevig Mission (KTS) - Brevig Mission Airport
Buckland (BKC) - Buckland Airport
Deadhorse (SCC) - Deadhorse Airport
Deering (DRG) - Deering Airport
Elim (ELI) - Elim Airport
Fairbanks (FAI) - Fairbanks International Airport
Fort Yukon (FYU) - Fort Yukon Airport
Galena (GAL) - Edward G. Pitka Sr. Airport
Gambell (GAM) - Gambell Airport
Golovin (GLV) - Golovin Airport
Grayling (KGX) - Grayling Airport
Holy Cross (HCR) - Holy Cross Airport
Huslia (HSL) - Huslia Airport
Kalskag (KLG) - Kalskag Airport
Kaltag (KAL) - Kaltag Airport
Kiana (IAN) - Bob Baker Memorial Airport
Kivalina (KVL) - Kivalina Airport
Kotzebue (OTZ) - Ralph Wien Memorial Airport
Koyuk (KKA) - Koyuk Alfred Adams Airport
Koyukuk (KYU) - Koyukuk Airport
Noatak (WTK) - Noatak Airport
Nome (OME) - Nome Airport
Noorvik (ORV) - Robert (Bob) Curtis Memorial Airport
Nuiqsut (AQT/NUI) - Nuiqsut Airport
Nulato (NUL) - Nulato Airport
Point Hope (PHO) - Point Hope Airport
Point Lay (PIZ) - Point Lay LRRS
Ruby (RBY) - Ruby Airport
Russian Mission (RSH) - Russian Mission Airport
Savoonga (SVA) - Savoonga Airport
Selawik (WLK) - Selawik Airport
Shageluk (SHX) - Shageluk Airport
Shishmaref (SHH) - Shishmaref Airport
St. Mary's (KSM) - St. Mary's Airport
Tanana (TAL) - Ralph M. Calhoun Memorial Airport
Teller (TLA) - Teller Airport
Wainwright (AIN) - Wainwright Airport
Wales (WAA) - Wales Airport
White Mountain (WMO) - White Mountain Airport

[alskahawk]

"You're right.  I bet a lot of those remote bush airfields, they don't even have paved roads to them, are capable of handling a private jet."

 The point is I don't see the Governor flying commercial air. Many of the towns are only accessible by seaplane.(or boat) My question is was this "luxury plane" a 747 or a Lear jet? Was it a waste or was it necessary? Alaska is not like other states. Many locations are only accessible by seaplane or boat. She makes it sound like it was more of the 747 variety. Did she really save the state any money?
 She does have a record, all the way back to her time as a mayor as a cost cutter which is a plus in my book.

Toad: I have flown many times in Alaska, including back when Alaska air flew surplus PBY's. My point as far as the Gov and commercial air is; I don't see the Gov waiting in line for her ticket, going through security, eating her mixed nuts, washing it down with her half can of soda pop when she flies about on state business.
 Also Alaska has more licensed pilots per capita than anyplace in the US. Something like 1 pilot for every 4 people. In Alaska you fly or go by boat.

[Elfie]

She makes it sound like it was more of the 747 variety. Did she really save the state any money?

For starters, just how often does the governor leave Juneau? How much money in maintenance costs was the state spending each year on a jet that likely didn't see all that much use?

In the long run it's probably cheaper to charter a plane when the governor needs to fly someplace. I doubt any Alaska governor was doing much flying to the towns that can handle a jet.

[Delirium]

5 children and one of them a special needs child and she is on the campaign trail? A pregnant unmarried 17 year old daughter and she enters the national spotlight?

I doubt you would have much of an issue with it if Palin was a male.

I hate to break it to you, but it is 2008 and June Cleaver is around only in re-runs.

[CptTrips]

The point is I don't see the Governor flying commercial air. Many of the towns are only accessible by seaplane.(or boat)

A jet is not an effective sea plane.

And why the Hell shouldn't they travel commercial.  Coach in fact.  If they want to upgrade, thats fine if its out of their pocket. (I'd like to see this for all politicians!)

If they need to travel somewhere remote, they can charter a bush plane.

Wab

[alskahawk]

For starters, just how often does the governor leave Juneau? How much money in maintenance costs was the state spending each year on a jet that likely didn't see all that much use?

In the long run it's probably cheaper to charter a plane when the governor needs to fly someplace. I doubt any Alaska governor was doing much flying to the towns that can handle a jet.

 How often do Governors travel about their state in the any state? 10 times a year, 20 times? Point is in Alaska it will require flight. Most of the towns have jet capable runways (thanks to the tourists). It may be cheaper to charter than to maintain a aircraft. An already established government agency or an outside source for maintenance? What was the cost? More or less than a charter?  And no aircraft will handle all the contingency's. So even if the state had a Lear jet they would still either have to also have a seaplane or charter a seaplane. And a seaplane would be too slow and small to go very far. Does your state have a plane for the governor? Probably does.
 The way Governor Palin makes is sound is that it was a gross waste of state money. In most other states, a jet is extravagant. Alaska is different. It may be a waste or it may not be.  

I doubt you would have much of an issue with it if Palin was a male.

I hate to break it to you, but it is 2008 and June Cleaver is around only in re-runs.

 Ya talk to some women. I didn't make that point up. It came from a converstion from some women(Republicans at that)

[DREDIOCK]

I doubt you would have much of an issue with it if Palin was a male.

I hate to break it to you, but it is 2008 and June Cleaver is around only in re-runs.

Agreed on both counts.
Damn shame on both counts too  

[Hangtime]

Palin may become a liability. Remember we are one weekend after the convention. A lot of voters will just look at the head lines and vote. Here are some things that have come out on Palin in last few days.

 Trooper gate; The trooper is no angel. 4 marriages.  He has other problems. Palin probably unduly used her office to have him removed from his job. Trooper gate report comes out October 10. Head of investigation is a Dem.

The trooper was not removed. The Commissioner, who serves at the pleasure of the Govenor; was offered a transfer after an audit. The Trooper was suspended for 5 days for various infractions that would have gotten a trooper in the lower 48 fired. Non issue.. except to the liberal wailing media.

Palin's record is not all she says it is. The luxury(governor's) plane she listed on EBay. Didn't actually sell on EBay. They had to list it with a broker. Then sold it at a loss.
 My opinion; I don't know how luxurious the plane in question was but unlike most states, you need a plane to get around in Alaska. Very few roads between towns. Boat or air is the mode of transportation in Alaska. So does the Governor get around the state? Charter flights? Definitely not commercial air. So how much did she save the state?

McCain misspoke.. she didn't. She put it on ebay.. the jet did sell, but via a broker. The Government paid more than the jet was worth... and it sold for what it WAS worth. The Jet was not capable from operating from the vast majority of alaska strips. The constituency applauded the sale.. even at a loss. Again, aside from the wailing liberal media; it's a non issue. It's also been indisputably proven that local charters for her movements and the access to Air national Guard assets provides her with access to every part of the state she needs to get to for a heluva lot less than the purchase, maintenance and salaried jet jockeys necessary to keep that jet.

Palin, "went against the powers that be" and fought the corruption in the Republican party. Well sort of; The investigation was already going on when she took office. Opinion; Not a tough decision; FBI was involved. Go against the FBI and suffer the consequences.

Palin has indeed cut some heads... the democratic speaker to the alaska house resigined rather than battle with her... because she plays rough and plays for keeps. The FBI Investigation of the Republican misuse of power started with her complaints relevant to her service and whistle blowing while on the Oil and Gas Commission. Again.. more flailing and wailing.. to be expected from the dead wood when it gets the axe.

5 children and one of them a special needs child and she is on the campaign trail? A pregnant unmarried 17 year old daughter and she enters the national spotlight? Nice mom(my opinion) Lot of women (mothers) are not going to like this.

I like this one.. cracks me up. Double standard and an insult to the femininist agenda when it's a Democrat Mom challenged on her priorities. When it's a gun totin pro-life believer in Jesus Mom, she's a disgrace to mothers everywhere. Funniest flip so far..

Bridge to no where; She supported it during her campaign. Opposed it after she got in office.(it was a dead issue by then) Money for the bridge still went to Alaska for various other projects. Opinion; Development in Alaska is severely limited, by National Forest, topography, wildlife, water. The bridge in question would have opened some land for development.

Agreed.. and she spent the money where it was needed.. and she returned money to alaska taxpayers garnished from the oil companies, killed the state gas tax and slashed frivolous spending wherever she found it. I don't fault her actions... I lament the misuse of the bridge issue. 

 Her record will not stand up to the in depth scrutiny of the national spotlight. And there is no rich daddy to cover up  the missteps. (my opinion)

Disagree.. but time will tell. Depends less on her and more on how the voters react to the Media Assault. From the looks of things, folks are more pissed at the media than her.

 She is not doing any interviews. Of the 3 speeches I've heard her give she's given the same speech every time. (note; most of the candidates often give same speech to similar crowds). Need more information.

She's playing it smart so far.. and smart is staying away from the 'So, when did you stop beating your husband and start neglecting your kids?' questions from a desperate liberal media machine.

 Its going to be interesting to see how the Republicans will handle this. She will have to submit to an interview or two before long. McCain is best in the town hall type of speech. Palin is best when she can give a prepared speech and leave the stage. How is Palin going to respond to questions in a town hall setting? They will have to contend with the Trooper report in October. Maybe some lawsuits to keep it from going public until after the election?

Doubt there will be lawsuits on the investigation.. seems like the democrats don't want it resolved any time soon so they can continue to cast aspersions with it. Looks to me and a buncha folks a lot smarter than me that the accusations won't stick, or she would never have been offered the ticket.
 

My responses in blue, above.

[Elfie]

How often do Governors travel about their state in the any state? 10 times a year, 20 times?

If I was a betting man, I'd bet the governor almost never travels around their home state. All of their work is done in the state capital.

And no aircraft will handle all the contingency's. So even if the state had a Lear jet they would still either have to also have a seaplane or charter a seaplane.

Right. Consider all the costs involved with maintaining a private jet, maintenance, fuel and pilot salaries and Governor Palin was probably correct in selling the jet.

[Charon]

LOL

Let's look at another Governor that uses an airplane. The great Rod Blagojevich of Illinois, whom Obama "the agent for change" endorsed because, well, that's what you do in Illinois if you are a regular party hack:

Illinois Governor Has Pricey Commute
Gov. Rod Blagojevich Flies From Chicago Home To Work In State Capital — At $5,800 Per Trip

(AP) Gov. Rod Blagojevich's practice of flying from his Chicago home to the Capitol in Springfield and back for daily budget negotiations is costing Illinois taxpayers more than $5,800 a day — roughly $76,000 since late May and climbing.

An Associated Press analysis of state flight records shows Blagojevich made nine round trips on state airplanes from May 22 to June 7, and he appears to have made at least four more since then.

Several of those flights came while the governor's aides were admonishing lawmakers for not spending enough time in the Capitol working on the budget.

With the first eight flights, Blagojevich averaged less than five hours in Springfield per trip. On the ninth, he stayed two nights as lawmakers tried to meet a May 31 budget-approval deadline. They missed that deadline, and the Democrats who dominate Illinois government remained deadlocked Thursday, which likely means more flights for the governor, a fellow Democrat.

The state auditor's calculations put the actual cost of flying the governor's plane between Chicago and Springfield at $9.81 per mile.

That puts the cost of Blagojevich's nine flights for which official records are available at $52,540. Detailed records aren't available for the flights since June 7, but averages from previous day trips suggest an additional cost of $23,300.

Springfield and Chicago are about 150 miles apart as the crow flies; the trip is about a three-hour drive.

Blagojevich's office refused to answer questions about the matter.

Sen. Chris Lauzen, an Aurora Republican who serves as co-chairman of the Legislative Audit Commission, called the governor's travel an "enormous waste" and noted that it amounted to more than a teacher's annual salary.

Illinois has an Executive Mansion in Springfield, and past governors have either lived in the capital or at least stayed there while the Legislature was in session. Blagojevich lives in Chicago and prefers to go home at the end of each day.

Lawmakers typically meet in Springfield three days a week, and Blagojevich has been flying to Springfield each day. If he arrived at the start of each week's session and stayed at the Executive Mansion until the end, the cost of his flights would be about two-thirds less.


© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Of course, even with as little change (as in none) as Obama brought to the corrupt Illinois party machine I'M SURE he will be a different type of change agent and reformer once in Washington. Why else would maverick, outside the system Ted Kennedy endorse him if he was just going to be another traditional, Democratic party hack?


Charon

[CptTrips]

Zogby:  McCain up by 4.

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1548

Mojava,

This must be like a nightmare for you.  It just keeps getting worse and worse and you can't make it stop!

 ,
Wab

[lazs2]

Ok you metrosexuals and sensitive hypocrites....

Lets say that Palin had been on a list.. that all of your liberal media had a chance to "vet" her.. that they got to be involved in the pick instead of the pres.

Now... let's say that Mccain eliminated her because.. well..  He makes a statemet that....she is just a woman.. she has five kids and a womans place is watching those kids not government... her husband can't do it cause that is womans work.   She has a downs syndrome kid that she selfishly didn't kill in the womb and everyone knows that they are a pain in the butt.

I wonder how you sensitive hypocrites would have reacted...   Hell..he wouldn't have even had to say those things.. all he would have to have said was "we pass on her" and you and your media would have added all the rest.

I am taking great glee in watching you guys squirm.. you are seeing some change and you hate it..you don't want change.. you want a slick, corrupt, cosmopolitan mush head orator who is preaching the same old 50 year old teddy kennedy shtick.

you don't want a person who could shop at the grocery store.. you want a person who blows smoke up ghetto folks and panders to the teachers union.

You are so angry at being hoisted on your own shrill petard that you are making it worse.. you can't help yourselves..  you are so far past sounding "reasonable" and "calm" and "unbiased" that even the dumbest office worker is seeing it..

Everywhere.. women are seeing it.   Women have always been for affirmative action.. so long as it put them first and the negro guy second or third or.. whatever.

You guys don't get that.

Oh.. and someone mentioned riots and why whites don't riot..   negros vote 95% right along color lines when they have a chance.. a little less along democrat lines when they don't..  whites vote based on the guy they like and what they think he will do.   Whites don't riot at a loss because they are not a unified front based on emotion.

lazs

[Sox62]

5 children and one of them a special needs child and she is on the campaign trail? A pregnant unmarried 17 year old daughter and she enters the national spotlight?

Hmmmm.I don't remember anybody saying Nancy Pelosi should be at home instead of politics,and she has five children.