The article by AP writer Garance Burke begins:
The camera closes in on Sarah Palin speaking to young missionaries, vowing from the pulpit to do her part to implement God's will from the governor's office.
What she didn't tell worshippers gathered at the Wasilla Assembly of God church in her hometown was that her appearance that day came courtesy of Alaskan taxpayers, who picked up the $639.50 tab for her airplane tickets and per diem fees.
More on the flip...
OK, so let's see -- she's conducted state business on private, off-res email accounts; she's been found (not just accused) to have abused her power as governor; maybe "Sports Complex Contractors Build Palin's House for Free"; and now an article declaring that "As governor, Palin at times bonds church and state."
The hubris of this woman is unbelievable. So, she's a maverick, eh? (BTW, does anyone else find it odd that both she and McCain refer to themselves as "mavericks"? It's like calling yourself ' "free spirit," or an "old soul," or a "natural beauty" -- you can't label yourself that!! It is for others to say.) So, she's going to do business differently than the Washington elite, Georgetown cocktail party group does it, is she? Well, here's how she helped herself to the taxpayers money in just 20 months:
Since she took state office in late 2006, the governor and her family have spent more than $13,000 in taxpayer funds to attend at least 10 religious events and meetings with Christian pastors, including Franklin Graham, the son of evangelical preacher Billy Graham, records show.
An Associated Press review of the Republican vice presidential candidate's record as mayor and governor reveals her use of elected office to promote religious causes, sometimes at taxpayer expense and in ways that blur the line between church and state.
Palin and her family billed the state $3,022 for the cost of attending Christian gatherings exclusively, including visits to the Assembly of God here and to the congregation they attend in Juneau, according to expense reports reviewed by the AP.
I'll bet her opponents in Alaska are now thanking their lucky stars that she was plucked from obscurity to be McCain's running mate. How else would all this dirt on her ever have come to light?
Stay strong!