[Vision2020] Senator Palin?

[Donovan Arnold]

Chris,
 
Only time will time tell what actions Palin will take, as well as the Senate. 
 
I believe Palin to jump at the chance of being a US Senator over that of the Governor of one of the smallest and distant states in the Union. 
 
True, she would start off as the second lowest member of the Senate, but she is still young, at only 44, and would have plenty of time to rebuild her seniority if that is an issue for her. 
 
If she selects being a Senator, she can build on her national political experience and have a resume that includes being a council member, mayor, governor and senator all by the age of 52 in the year 2016. I think she is willing to accept powerless positions to reach her final intended goal since she accepted the VP nomination. 
 
You are correct that the Senate will do all it can to block an investigation of its members to protect themselves. But I doubt after seven felony convictions that many senators are willing to get in the political noose with Ted Stevens by voting to keep him in. No doubt, any Senator that votes to keep Stevens around will have a 100 campaign ads running against them in their next election, and they know that. 
 
 Best Regards,
 
Donovan
 
  
 


--- On Thu, 11/6/08, Love America <skialaska0 at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Love America <skialaska0 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Senator Palin?
To: donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com, "Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 11:02 AM



Hi Donovan,
 
You are correct in that the new Alaska law allows for a temporary appointment of up to 90 days but there is considerable question among Alaska lawmakers if that is indeed the case.  I suspect that when this law is tested there will eventually be a ruling from the State Supreme Court as there are conflicting views of how the law will work.
 
As for Sarah wanting to be a Senator, I am pretty sure you are wrong on this.  Consider two things, 1) a new Republican Senator will be #100 on the seniority list.  Sarah would not be able to mentally handle being the junior senator from AK, especially junior to her political rival Senator Lisa Murkowski, and as such she would not have any plumb committee assignments and thus no voice.  2) as one of 50 governors she is in a far more unique position and she now has a national presence in that role.  You have seen her in the national spotlight long enough to know that she craves power; as the junior Senator from AK she will have not power.  By the way, Frank Murkowski resigned his US Senate Seat because of this issue, he could not do anything with Senator Stevens' blessing.
 
On Senator Stevens, I seriously doubt the Senate would expel him because the crimes he was found guilty of are of the nature that everyone in that body has committed.  Paperwork is not perfect and conceding that the Executive Branch has power over the Legislative branch because of paperwork is an area that most sane Senators do not want to touch.  Stevens may get around 30-40 votes to expel him but that would be it.  It would be a slap on the wrist.   You must keep in mind that the Legislative branch of our Federall government does its best to protect its power and keep the Executive branch from getting to involved.  There are Senators from both parties that have condemned the Justice Department for this investigation and intrusion into Senate business. 
 
Chris


 
On Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 5:39 PM, Donovan Arnold <donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com> wrote:






Chris,
 
You are partially correct. Sarah Palin cannot appoint a vacant Senate seat for two years until the next gubernatorial election as other states governors can. However, she can appoint a person for the 90 day period between the vacancy and the special election. She can appoint someone that will not run against her, or she can appoint herself, or she can resign and have the Lt. Governor appoint her and run for the position. No doubt, she will win, and I believe she wants the job. 
 
 It also doesn't matter if Ted Stevens is pardoned or not because the Senate can still vote to expel him, regardless. The President cannot pardon impeachment or removal from office.  
 
Best Regardless,
 
Donovan
 

--- On Wed, 11/5/08, Love America <skialaska0 at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Love America <skialaska0 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Senator Palin?
To: donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com, "Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 12:35 PM 






Donovan,
It does not work that way up here; under state law a special election would be held to replace a Senator. 
 
Up until Governor Murkowski replaced himself with his daughter Lisa (who has turned out to be a really good Senator and a real pleasure to work with) the governor had the duty to replace a senator until a special election was called.  Residents were so pissed off at the move (BTW, Sarah Palin was the leading non-family politician for that seat at the time) that we passed a law in 2004 that would require a special election.  So nope, don't look for Sarah Palin to replace Ted Stevens.  BTW, bet on President Bush to pardon Senator Stevens of all crimes.  It is pretty clear now that he did not receive a fair trial and the government was very unethical in prosecuting the case.
 
Chris


On Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 11:17 PM, Donovan Arnold <donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com> wrote:






If Alaska's long standing Senator, and seven time convicted felon, Ted Stevens, gets re-elected, the Senate will remove him, and Palin can take his place. 
 
Image, Hillary and Palin duking it out on the Senate floor. We could probably move the event from C-Span to Pay-Per-View. :P
 
Best Regards,
 
Donovan

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