Palin E-mails Suggest Todd Was Intimately Involved In Governing

[chijim]

Palin E-mails Suggest Todd Was Intimately Involved In Governing

BECKY BOHRER | 02/ 5/10 11:56 PM |




Alaska — E-mails shed new light on Todd Palin's role while his wife was Alaska's governor, showing that the one-time oil field worker's advice was sought on board appointments and suggesting he was close to matters related to state government, his wife's image and politics.
Relatively few of the messages obtained as part of a public records request were sent by Todd Palin himself.
Rather, his personal e-mail address is included on messages sent by administration staff, top aides to then-Gov. Sarah Palin and Palin on topics ranging from use of the state plane to day-to-day governing issues and oil and gas legislation that Palin made a hallmark of her 2 1/2 years in office.
But the e-mails, first reported by MSNBC.com, together provide fresh insight into what many had suspected was a highly influential role played by the self-proclaimed "First Dude." They also reflect the at-times fierce loyalty that Todd Palin and others close to the former governor felt, particularly amid tensions with lawmakers and criticism in the media.
"Have Meg take the news miner off the press release address list for a few days,see how long it takes them to realize their not on the list," Todd Palin wrote to his wife in an e-mail, dated June 21, 2007, after the governor questioned the fairness of an editor in Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
It's not clear from the e-mails whether there was a policy, unspoken or otherwise, that Todd Palin be copied in on certain matters either because he was a key adviser or a mere backstop to the governor. Several former aides to Sarah Palin declined comment Friday.
E-mails released came with a 19-page list that detailed information the state withheld for privacy, executive privilege and other reasons. Descriptions of those documents range from interview requests and potential board appointees to possible budget vetoes, gas production and confidentiality issues.
In November 2008, then-Palin chief of staff Michael Nizich wrote in response to a public records request denial that Todd Palin, "as first gentleman, is a proper advisor."
"There is nothing inappropriate about the spouse of a chief executive playing such a role," Nizich wrote. "The governor is absolutely entitled to involve him in policy matters as an advisor as she sees fit."
Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein said in a statement Friday that each spouse of a chief executive is free to define his or her own role.
Todd Palin "was, and remains, a close advisor to the governor. Those in the administration knew this, and the public knew this," he wrote. "There is nothing unusual, untoward or inappropriate for a spouse of a chief executive to provide guidance, input and hands on assistance."
The e-mails are wide-reaching, ranging from housekeeping issues such as travel arrangements, trampoline jumping for his daughter Willow's friends and power for a tanning bed to board appointments, legislation and ethics and politics.
One, from an administration aide in June 2007, said he'd found "very little" in response to Todd Palin's request for background on an Alaska dairy official. In another e-mail, also from June 2007, Todd Palin asks the state Director of Boards and Commissions Ivy Frye about a potential judicial candidate, saying he's "getting calls from folks hoping he's not selected. Let me know whats happening so I can put to rest some of the rumors." The person's name was redacted.
Frye asks Palin in another e-mail if he knows Kim Williams of Dillingham, whose term on a domestic violence/sexual assault board was expiring. Contents of his response were redacted; Frye's answer wasn't: "Thank you. This was very helpful."
Williams, who said she served on the board under former Gov. Frank Murkowski and no longer does, said she doesn't care what Todd Palin may or may not have said about her. "It's still the governor's call," she said Friday, adding she's sure the person appointed by Sarah Palin is doing a "great job."
The state's current Boards and Commissions director, Jason Hooley, said that while he can't speak to past practices, it's not usual to try to vet applicants "in as many ways as possible."
The traditional role of first spouse is one Todd Palin seemed ill-fitted for, though he did carry out some ceremonial duties, like hosting a tea at the governor's mansion.
Clive Thomas, a political science professor at the University of Alaska Southeast, said the role the e-mails hint at him playing is unusual in Alaska. Past governors, at least publicly, did not appear influenced by their spouses.
"Obviously, you can't stop a husband and wife, who are partners, from talking," he said. " ... I guess she trusted her husband."

[norphan]

Originally Posted by chijim

Palin E-mails Suggest Todd Was Intimately Involved In Governing

"Obviously, you can't stop a husband and wife, who are partners, from talking," he said. " ... I guess she trusted her husband."

Not liking The tod all that much BUT one of the things that I always admired about prez clinton was the close partnership he had with his wife when it came to things of national importance. I often felt that she might be wiser than he. Maybe the todd has a better hold on reality than does sarah (and who doesn't?).

[ohhhhhhhhhm]

I honestly think that Todd is more machiavellian than Clinton......and Sarah has a shorter attention span, IMHO.

I thought his active role in her governorship was established long ago. I can't remember if it was before or after the election, but it was about that time. This just doesn't seem like news to me.

[Tootie5347]

I think it's been common knowledge that Todd was really governing the state.

[ohhhhhhhhhm]

His role was established long ago. However, the extent was made really clear by a request under the FOIA. These emails were unread by anyone outside of Alaska, and have been finally released to the public.

IOW, it's not new, only the full extent is now open for perusal.

[Koi]

I'm thinking along your lines, Norphan.
Spouses are often sounding boards. It depends whether he made executive decisions or not.
I don't see him as Machiavellian at all. I doubt either of the two is bright enough.

[Tootie5347]

Sounding board is one thing. Actively being present in the governors office and sitting in on policy and other executive meetings, is another. We've known for a long time that he was doing that.

He is Machiavellian but not terribly bright. Though probably brighter than Sarah. He sends the little woman out as the beard for his AIP political ideology.

[cathyb]

Originally Posted by Tootie5347

Sounding board is one thing. Actively being present in the governors office and sitting in on policy and other executive meetings, is another. We've known for a long time that he was doing that.

He is Machiavellian but not terribly bright. Though probably brighter than Sarah. He sends the little woman out as the beard for his AIP political ideology.

yup.

[Koi]

Nope. Not Machiavellian.
You're saying Todd has the cunning of a fox and the power of a lion? They are both just blokes who happened to get some authority and abused said authority while in office. I fail to see that either is bright enough to use the cunning required of a Machiavellian. Nixon and Cheney come nearer.

[SJR]

Originally Posted by Koi

Nope. Not Machiavellian.
You're saying Todd has the cunning of a fox and the power of a lion? They are both just blokes who happened to get some authority and abused said authority while in office. I fail to see that either is bright enough to use the cunning required of a Machiavellian. Nixon and Cheney come nearer.

She tried to justify Todd's involvement this morning on Wallace's show and he didn't question her explanation.

[jimzmum]

Originally Posted by SJR

She tried to justify Todd's involvement this morning on Wallace's show and he didn't question her explanation.

That's because he was trying to look down her suit jacket. Disgusting!