Palin's Stand on Mining Initiative Leaves Many Feeling Burned

[maddezmom]

Palin's Stand on Mining Initiative Leaves Many Feeling Burned
By Alec MacGillis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 28, 2008; Page A12

For months, the confrontation mounted, a face-off that arguably held in the balance the fates of two of Alaska's biggest industries. On one side were companies hoping to open Pebble Mine at a huge gold and copper reserve adjacent to one of the world's largest salmon runs, Bristol Bay. On the other side were fishermen and environmentalists pushing a referendum that would make it harder for the mine to open.

The two sides spent more than $10 million -- unprecedented for such efforts in Alaska -- and throughout it all, the state's highly popular first-term governor, Sarah Palin, held back. Alaska law forbids state officials from using state resources to advocate on ballot initiatives.

Then, six days before the Aug. 26 vote, with the race looking close, Palin broke her silence. Asked about the initiative at a news conference, she invoked "personal privilege" to give an opinion. "Let me take my governor's hat off for just a minute here and tell you, personally, Prop. 4 -- I vote no on that," she said. "I have all the confidence in the world that and our have great, very stringent regulations and policies already in place. We're going to make sure that mines operate only safely, soundly."

Palin's comments rocked the contest. Within a day, the pro-mining coalition fighting the referendum had placed full-page ads with a picture of the governor and the word "NO." The initiative went down to defeat, with 57 percent of voters rejecting it.

more:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702834.html?%20hpid=topnews

[POAS]

1. You can't just take your governor's hat off

If this had been a personal matter and not an electoral and governmental one that would be a different matter.

Now she is candidate Palin who is not actively campaigning and avoiding the press. Guess she changes hats like she changes underwear!

[Enthusiast]

2. No need to preserve the environment,

Jesus will be returning any day now. Who needs salmon anyway?