Times examines Palin's Place

The Sunday New York Times has an examination of GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's record as a public official in Alaska. It makes for a fascinating read. The two most important paragraphs are here:

"Throughout her political career, she has pursued vendettas, fired officials who crossed her and sometimes blurred the line between government and personal grievance, according to a review of public records and interviews with 60 Republican and Democratic legislators and local officials.

Still, Ms. Palin has many supporters. As a two-term mayor she paved roads and built an ice rink, and as governor she has pushed through higher taxes on the oil companies that dominate one-third of the state’s economy. She stirs deep emotions. In Wasilla, many residents display unflagging affection, cheering “our Sarah” and hissing at her critics."

The story says he is extremely loyal to her friends, even when that loyalty may not be in the best interests of her state. According to the story she appointed a high school classmate to the $95,000-a-year directorship of the State Division of Agriculture. The classmate's qualifications? She said as a child she loved cows.