Crony baloney: IWRC* Palin appointed friends and donors to key posts

By GottaLaff

And the Crony goes to....

Among The Times' findings:

* More than 100 appointments to state posts -- nearly 1 in 4 -- went to campaign contributors or their relatives, sometimes without apparent regard to qualifications.

* Palin filled 16 state offices with appointees from families that donated $2,000 to $5,600 and were among her top political patrons.

* Several of Palin's leading campaign donors received state-subsidized industrial development loans of up to $3.6 million for business ventures of questionable public value.

* Palin picked a donor to replace the public safety commissioner she fired. But the new top cop had to resign days later under an ethics cloud. And Palin drew a formal ethics complaint still pending against her and several aides for allegedly helping another donor and fundraiser land a state job.

Most new governors install friends and supporters in state jobs. But Alaska historians say some of Palin's appointees were less qualified than those of her Republican and Democratic predecessors.

My stars! IWRC*'s approach to government seems to be-- What's it called again? Oh yeah-- business as usual! And now, for the winner of the Understatement of the Year Award:

Terrence Cole, an Alaska political historian, said Palin had in some cases shown "a disrespect for experience."

Oh, it gets better:

In a little-noted sequel to Palin's controversial dismissal of her public safety commissioner, the governor replaced Walt Monegan with former small-town Police Chief Charles Kopp of Kenai. The appointment unraveled almost immediately in what Cole called a vetting catastrophe.

A previous sexual harassment complaint came to light and Kopp had to resign two weeks after taking over. Alaska paid him $10,000 in severance.

So Kopp the Cop got thousands in severance after leaving in disgrace. Sounds almost Wall Streetian. Nothing inspires confidence in IWRC's promise to reform Washington like rewarding corruption.

And Palin's choice for attorney general, Talis Colberg, stirred considerable puzzlement: He was virtually unknown beyond her circle near Wasilla. Colberg, who had a solo law practice and little management experience, now oversees 500 professionals.

Colberg was criticized by both Republican and Democratic legislators for his handling of the recent investigation of Palin's actions in [TrooperGate].

There are lots more gory details here. And just in case you forgot, IWRC and "her guy" are being deposed today. Yep, she's the "most qualified of any candidate who has recently run for vice president".

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"