This just in: ABC News says Palin billed taxpayers for more than 300 nights spent at home

[live love laugh]

Huh?

That's all they said. I'm sure we will hear more about this. Stay tuned...

[NYC_SKP]

1. link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090803088.html

$16.000 to her and hubby.

I don't think this is the big story lonestarnot mentioned...

[live love laugh]

2. It's enough even if it isn't THE surprise. nt

ANCHORAGE, Sept. 8 -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a "per diem" allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.

The governor also has charged the state for travel expenses to take her children on official out-of-town missions. And her husband, Todd, has billed the state for expenses and a daily allowance for trips he makes on official business for his wife.

Palin, who earns $125,000 a year, claimed and received $16,951 as her allowance, which officials say was permitted because her official "duty station" is Juneau, according to an analysis of her travel documents by The Washington Post.

The governor's daughters and husband charged the state $43,490 to travel, and many of the trips were between their house in Wasilla and Juneau, the capital city 600 miles away, the documents show.

Gubernatorial spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said Monday that Palin's expenses are not unusual and that, under state policy, the first family could have claimed per diem expenses for each child taken on official business but has not done so.

[NYC_SKP]

3. the surprise is described as a career ender.

and about McCain.

But I like this nasty story, too!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

5. Thanks for the link. You should post it in General Discussion as a separate thread. Also, I: think

the surprise is Jack Abramoff. He just spilled the beans to get a reduced sentence.

[GoesTo11]

8. Clear and easily understood SLEAZE

[RoadRage]

12. Great.. so career ender for McCain = Presidential Run for Palin?

Like.. we don't even wait for the heart attack.. she just goes straight to the white house if she wins the election.

Not sure why.. but that makes my stomach turn even more.

[dkf]

4. Reformer indeed!

I'm glad that McCain didn't vet her well. :) That will backfire on him.

[GoesTo11]

6. How many nights did she even spend in Juneau?

This is like 80% of the time - 4 nights out of 5 for her entire 19 months. Just dipping in for an extra $800/month.

And the only reason she didn't bill for the other nights other nights she was probably off at the iditarod or national governor's conference or something, and was already submitting a per diem.

[davidpdx]

7. Digg it damn it!

Here's the link to digg that article:

http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Palin_Billed_State_for_Nights_Spent_at_Home_2

[Ian David]

9. PerDiemGate!

http://tinyurl.com/PerDiemGate

[dennis4868]

10. Just like everything else....

this story will not have legs. For crying out load, Palin could murder a girl scout live on TV and McCain's poll numbers would go up because she has such a great family story to tell everyone.

[TahitiNut]

11. She's reimbursed $17K to stay home and $43K to travel?

Just another greedy hog with her snout in the public trough.