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Three Plausible Explanations for the Palin Resignation |
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Friday, 03 July 2009 22:41 |
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By Jonathan Miller
Sarah Palin is obviously one of the most polarizing politicians in recent memory. Just take a look at my Facebook page this afternoon; I haven't seen as many comments (pro and con) on any issue since the American Idol finale.
While we will certainly learn a lot more about her decision to suddenly resign as Alaska's Governor today, fully 18 months before the end of her first term in office, in the spirit of our instant media and reflecting the power of our online social networks, let me offer my immediate thoughts.
I think there are three, equally plausible, explanations for her unconventional action today.
First, as speculated all over the blogosphere this afternoon, there could be another shoe to drop, a scandal that will unfold in the coming days. (One liberal blog has even posted a Shoe Watch: http://tinyurl.com/nbd9zk). I certainly hope that is not the case, but considering all the recent political headlines, it would not surprise the body politic.
Second, this could be a strategic political move to better position her for the 2012 Presidential election. If that is the case, I agree with the vast majority of the cable talking heads (Democrats, GOP, and press) that such a move would be a politicial miscalculation of historic proportions. But the Palin camp has always marched to the beat of a different drummer.
My bet is on the third explanation, the one offered by NBC reporter Andrea Mitchell, who after talking with Palin's inner circle, suggests that Palin is sick of living in the oppressive national fishbowl, and is quitting politics for good. See http://tinyurl.com/ms7bwq
Too many folks that watch politics closely cannot imagine any politician leaving the arena voluntarily. Many believe fervently that politicians are too corrupt, ambitious and/or narcissistic to ever want to abandon a successful politicial career, unless there is no hope for advancing.
But I can speak from personal experience that there are those of us who do not measure our vision of career success or personal happiness by political advancement.
My last 18 months outside of the direct political arena have been among the best in my life. While I thoroughly enjoyed my 8 years in elected public office and would never automatically rule out a return, I would never trade the time I have spent with my family and friends as I have held my current non-elected position. I often joke to Governor Beshear that I actually "won" our election; I get to be involved in criticial policy matters for the state, but while he endures intense travel and scutiny, I'm usually home for a private dinner every night with my family.
My first daughter's Bat Mitzvah came in the middle of an intense gubernatorial campaign; it will always be one of my greatest regrets that I did not spend significant time helping her prepare for it. By contrast, I treasured every moment of tutoring my younger daughter this year for her special coming-of-age celebration. And the moment of the whole weekend was one of the greatest in my life.
Too many politicians use "family considerations" as a disingenuous shield to cover for calculated political decisions. I am confident that the majority of politicians join me in placing family, friends, and faith above all else. And I am very hopeful that, despite any political differences, that Sarah Palin shares the same ultimate priorities.
Jonathan Miller is Kentucky's Secretary of Finance and Administration, the former State Treasurer, and the author of The Compassionate Community: Ten Values To Unite America. This article first appeared on Jonathan's Facebook page.
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Yarmuth On The Energy Bill |
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Friday, 03 July 2009 13:54 |
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From the Courier-Journal:
Controlling our economy, declaring energy independence
Special to the Courier Journal by Congressman John Yarmuth
When President Obama was sworn into office earlier this year, our economy was reeling, unemployment was rising, and America's status as a global technology leader was being overtaken by China, India and other nations. Last Friday, the House of Representatives voted to reestablish America as the global innovation leader by approving the American Clean Energy and Security Act — landmark legislation which I supported.
The Clean Energy and Security Act confronts these challenges directly and in a comprehensive way that will benefit our nation and our planet for generations. Through this legislation we will drive advancements in clean energy technology — not wait for them. This will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create thousands of jobs here in Kentucky and millions more across the nation. America will once again lead the industry that will dominate the global economy for decades to come — and we will grow and prosper right along with it.
Prior to the House vote, there was a lot of misleading and outdated information circulating about the bill. But the final legislation looked very different than the original draft. I opposed an earlier version of the bill that, in the opinion of LG&E and myself, would have unfairly impacted Louisville consumers. I fought hard for changes in the days leading up to Friday's vote, and the resulting legislation is something both LG&E and I agree is the best possible bill that could have come out of the House. We are not the only ones that feel this way. The Clean Energy and Security Act is supported by unusual allies; from the Union of Concerned Scientists to the Evangelical Climate Initiative and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Dupont, Shell Oil and the Sierra Club; the League of Conservation Voters, UAW and Duke Energy; ALCOA and the U.S. Steelworkers of America.
Dozens of groups and business leaders have come together because they know this bill is the right choice for the future of our economy and the future of our environment. Closer to home, GE recently announced 400 new clean energy-related jobs at Louisville Appliance Park, jobs that would have gone to China. The company wants to continue creating new jobs in Louisville and has made it very clear to me that enactment of this legislation is critical to these efforts. Kentucky's Energy and Environment Cabinet has confirmed that, given the creation of jobs and the economic opportunities expected to flow to the state in the coming years, the commonwealth will be a net beneficiary of this bill.
Read the entire article here. |
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Congratulations Bobby Waits - Jailer Of The Year |
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Saturday, 27 June 2009 18:55 |
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Congratulations to Shelby County Democrat Bobby Waits, who has been named Jailer of the Year by the Kentucky Jailers Association.
From the Shelbyville Sentinel-News:
Bobby Waits says his friends mean a lot to him, so when they awarded him Jailer of the Year, he was very pleased.
"It's quite on honor to be chosen out of a hundred and twenty-three people who are all friends and peers," he said.
Waits isn't so much a surprise winner. He has been one of the top three nominees for the past five years for this 13-year-old award.
Campbell County Jailer Greg Buckler, who received the award last year, echoed Waits' sentiments about what an honor it is to be recognized by the other jailers.
"It's very humbling to receive the top award by your peers," he said. "Bobby was a finalist last year, too, and that tells you how much people believe in him and in his leadership."
Waits also was named president of the Kentucky Jailers Association for the third year in a row, a fact that Buckler said proves that he is an outstanding individual who has been a great asset to Shelby County.
Read the entire article here. |
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Governor's Garden Unveiled |
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Friday, 03 July 2009 12:50 |
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From the Frankfort State Journal:
First lady Jane Beshear on Thursday unveiled the Governor’s Garden, three small fruit and vegetable plots at Berry Hill she hopes Kentuckians will replicate in their own backyards.
Plans for the garden – in small, medium and large – will be available at county extension offices in every Kentucky county, Beshear said.
“This garden … is only a small portion of what the garden will be across the state next year,” she said.
Agriculture students and FFA members from Western Hills High School planted the small summer plot in May. It includes corn, peppers, green beans, carrots, squash, cucumbers, potatoes, watermelon and cantaloupe. They will tend it throughout the summer.
Kentucky State University helped prepare the soil for the garden, and planted a fall garden with members of the Frankfort Garden Club.
The crops will go to the Governor’s Mansion and ACCESS soup kitchen, providing fresh produce to Frankfort residents who wouldn’t get them otherwise.
Beshear said Wednesday that the garden will promote a healthier lifestyle through the nutrition from the fruits and vegetables, the exercise involved in its planting and the claming effect a garden can have.
“Growing a garden, whether it’s in your own home or if it’s a community garden, is just one small step – but a very major step – in making a difference in the world for tomorrow,” she said.
Read the entire article here.
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Guthrie Cites NRECA Study To Attack Energy Bill - Even Though NRECA Has Dropped Opposition |
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Thursday, 25 June 2009 16:20 |
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In an email to his Second Congressional District constituents today, Congressman Brett Guthrie repeats the same old discredited Republican talking points in attacking the Clean Energy and Security Act scheduled to come up for a House vote soon.
Ignoring a recently released study from the Congressional Budget Office that finds that the cost per family would be less than $175 per year--and that lower income families would actually receive a net benefit--Guthrie cites a study by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) that claims the average monthly utility bill for Kentuckians would rise by $816 per year.
What he fails to mention is that the NRECA is now praising the House Energy and Commerce Committee for modifying the bill to provide greater protections for rural electric consumers.
In a letter to Chairman Waxman, NRECA CEO Glenn English said “Electric cooperatives want to thank you and the House leadership for addressing the ‘fairness’ issue. Providing language that no utility should receive allowances in excess of 100% of their needs deals with an inequity that would have cost consumers.”
“We still have concerns about this bill,” said English, but with the changes, “the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association will not stand in the way of passage of this legislation.”
As usual, the Republican Party is falling back on scare tactics and misinformation in place of rational debate. |
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Paid for by the Shelby County Democratic Party, PO Box 1266, Shelbyville, KY 40065.
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