Rumor Watch: Governor Sarah Palin

CBS News Chased Down Rumors In Wasilla

(CBS)  CBS News Investigative Producer Laura Strickler reported and wrote this story for CBSNews.com.

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Last week CBS News chased down rumors in Wasilla, Alaska. We’re listing a few of them here to set the record straight.

Rumor: Governor Sarah Palin cut funding for special needs children.

False: Palin did not cut special needs funding. In fact, special needs budgets obtained by CBS News show her administration increased funding for special education by $599,000 between 2007 and 2008 according to the Alaska Department of Education. And the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services told CBS News that Palin increased state investment for programs for emotionally disturbed children and those dealing with fetal alcohol syndrome from $3.6 million to $10.7 million between fiscal years 2006 and 2009.

Rumor: A list of books that Mayor Palin sought to ban is being circulated on the internet.

False: No books were ever banned from the Wasilla Library. A 1996 local newspaper article quotes the local librarian Mary Ellen Baker (former name Emmons) with saying Palin inquired twice about how the librarian would respond to banning books. Emmons is quoted saying she made it clear to Palin that if asked, she would refuse to do so. In the story, Palin characterizes her inquiries as “rhetorical” in nature. However, as of this writing, Emmons is not talking and wants to stay out of the fray, so no one can confirm the story independently. But one thing is for sure: the list circulating on the internet is fake, it includes books like the Harry Potter series that were not even published in 1996.

Rumor: When Palin was mayor she hired a lobbyist to get more federal earmarks.

True: CBS News has obtained the lobbying contracts (link to docs here) that Palin signed to get the lobbyist - a former Senator Ted Stevens’ staffer Steve Silvers. Documents show she sought money for the following:

$6.6 million for Wasilla water utility improvements
$3.2 million for urban storm water retention and lake water quality improvements
$90,000 for Wasilla Police Department safety equipment, communication needs and weapons

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Wasilla City Council Action Memorandum On Federal Lobbyist Services

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At the July 23, 2001 city council meeting, minutes obtained by CBS News indicate then Mayor Palin announced that the city would be getting federal grant funding for $1.5 million for water and sewer, $2.5 million for railroad relocation and $1.6 million for a police regional dispatch center.

In 2001, Palin personally appears to have reduced the size of the annual lobbying contract from $45,000 to $38,000 but no explanation is given. By 2002, the contract went back up to $42,000.

Rumor: Sarah and Todd Palin’s business partner Scott Richter sought to have his divorce records sealed because he had something to hide.

False: Richter did appeal to a judge in Palmer, Alaska to seal his records citing concern for his own privacy since his phone number appeared in the documents and he wanted to avoid unnecessary phone calls from reporters. His request was denied but the rumor sent at least a dozen national reporters, including CBS News, to the courthouse. What did we turn up? Nothing.

[upto007]

John McCain is mocked as an out-of-touch, out-of-date computer illiterate in a television commercial out Friday from Barack Obama as the Democrat begins his sharpest barrage yet on McCain''s long Washington career.

Talk about a low life. OBAMA is it. If this is all Palin has to beat in Nov. She well win hands down. It is time for OBAMA OSAMA to leave town, the USA. He is done, a low life.

[jmurrieta11]

"Rumor: Sarah and Todd Palin%u2019s business partner Scott Richter sought to have his divorce records sealed because he had something to hide.

False: Richter did appeal to a judge in Palmer, Alaska to seal his records citing concern for his own privacy since his phone number appeared in the documents and he wanted to avoid unnecessary phone calls from reporters. His request was denied but the rumor sent at least a dozen national reporters, including CBS News, to the courthouse. What did we turn up? Nothing. "



Of course that''s exactly what CBS and other MSM turned up on John Edwards'' affair for the 2 years it was being publicized by the National Enquirer.

So it means--nothing.

Absence of evidence does not equate to evidence of absence.

How faithful has Sarah been?

[steeepe]

Palin and McBush will lie about anything and everything to get elected -- that is their only goal. They practice the same swift-boat BS that Bush did. McBush himself said that it was only personal ambition that drives him to the Presidency. They should both go to Alaska where he can be Vice-Governor and they can''t damage the country.

[misha128-2009]

John McCain is mocked as an out-of-touch, out-of-date computer illiterate in a television commercial ...

Posted by Upto007 at 12:09 PM

At least by McCain''s own admission his lack of computer literacy is the truth. That makes it more valid than McCain''s latest claims. That have been largely found wanting in substance (accurate allegations) from factcheck.org.

[misha128-2009]

Fact: barry obama is a racist. He won''''t even call himself "AMERICAN"

Posted by funzie50 at 12:16 PM

There are two American hemispheres with many American countries. I am surprised you are willing to accept any old, young or middle-aged American as a Citizen of the United States. I thought there were cries of "No Amnesty" against Amnesty John McCain for his comprehensive immigration plan largely dealing with "Americans".

[misha128-2009]

act: barry obama is a racist. He won''''''''t even call himself "AMERICAN"

Posted by funzie50 at 12:16 PM

Correction

There are two American continents in this hemisphere with many American countries. I am surprised you are willing to accept any old, young or middle-aged American as a Citizen of the United States. I thought there were cries of "No Amnesty" against Amnesty John McCain for his comprehensive immigration plan largely dealing with "Americans".

Posted by misha128 at 12:22 PM

[mjvw2]

Palin and McBush will lie about anything and everything to get elected -- that is their only goal.

Posted by steeepe

and you think osama and biden are any different?

[mjvw2]

OK
DUMBED DOWN RED STATES
VOTE THE INCOMPETENTS BACK IN

Posted by web6242a

you''re right, we must be dumb because we feed the likes of you

[pastdue1]

This is a step forward for the media, if they make it mandatory for every candidate''s claims, the media will have moved forward to improve their reputation. The press is morally obligated to report falsehoods, misrepresentations and advertising gimmick along with the facts.

[misha128-2009]

Palin and McBush will lie about anything and everything to get elected -- that is their only goal.

Posted by steeepe

and you think osama and biden are any different?

Posted by mjvw2 at 12:26 PM

I do believe there is a significant difference between the tickets when one set tries to have a factual basis for their claims and the other is refuted by their own spokesmen on some of their claims. This is the same "other" Republican ticket that was refuted by factcheck.org for misstating factcheck.org''s position -- now that is what I call low.

[rrauch1]

why did she attend 6 colleges in 6 years for one under-grad degree?

[jmurrieta11]

"why did she attend 6 colleges in 6 years for one under-grad degree?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by rrauch1



The same reasons that John McCain graduated at the bottom of his class at Annapolis?

Stupidity and arrogance.

Prime attributes for a Republican presidential ticket these days.

Given the steaming turdpile that the Republicans have left on the floor, and the pretense by the present candidates that the cat did it, not them.

[zhynaryll]

I think all rumours should be checked out by someone, and not accepted as ''fact'' by anyone. As for some of the posters here, they need to leave the country for ''warmer climes''! I''m not a Bush fan, but knocking down the President to gratify your own base urges isn''t the way to get our country back to the pinnacle of POWER!

[cncrndctzn]

I think that Palin would be too overwhelmed if something happened and she had to become President of the US. She probably means well, but she''s all over the place, which is typical of someone inexperienced. I lived in New Orleans and lost my home in Katrina, while Kathleen Blanco was Governor. Palin reminds me of Blanco...someone that is likeable and talks well. But when faced with the tremendous tasks required of her after Katrina, Blanco became overwhelmed, stressed, uncertain and ineffective. She simply didn''t have the experience to deal with all the details, politics and demands of the job. Palin is even LESS experienced,and I''m terrified of ending up with Palin as President. The needs of this country are far too important and demanding to risk an inexperienced leader who could falter considerably, no matter how likeable she might be or how good her intentions.

[rdupuy11]

Sarah Palin is easy to like, but her understanding of foreign policy is coming through in her interviews. US good, Russia bad. Her first phone call with a foreign leader was eastern strongman Saakashvili, the guy who just used tanks to shoot at civilians and launched an attack on South Ossetia?

This was well documented by all major media outlets, and Bush''s own neocon administration admitted Saakashvili provoked a response from Russia.

Saakashvili, wow he''s a busy man, give him credit for that, Sarah Palin, taking calls from eastern kingpins and then repeating that perspective on her ABC interview, unchanged....WOW.

She can be easily manipulated, at least when you are playing to her personality, which is to take black and white views of issues, especially portraying Russia in a bad light. by ignoring the facts and taking a posturing position, I guess the theory is she''s proving women are ''tough''

But its ridiculous, already for many years, women haven''t needed to prove that and the opposite, many people are hoping we''ll someday have a woman leader who brings a new style of leadership into the mix... I think they make a strategic mistake by not understanding that.

[oneamerican4]

It is remarkable to see the Liberal Press applying the highest possible standard to Sarah Palin when it comes to qualifications for the job of Commander-in-Chief -

- something that they would never dream of doing to any Liberal candidate for the position.

That makes it quite apparent that they know Obama cannot possibly rise up to the challenge.

[socratanj]

I would like the press to determine if this ad about Palin''s vigorous support for gunning down wolves from low flying planes is accurate. If it is, I would very much like to know if she, as an "avid hunter", has ever engaged in this practice that many hunters consider barbaric and unsportsmanlike. Here''s the video, but be warned, it''s disturbing:
https://secure.defenders.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1547&1547.donation=form1&autologin=true&s_src=6JY08WDC4F&s_subsrc=6JY08WDC4F_EJI08D1a&JServSessionIdr012=8srxifosq8.app27a

[socratanj]

I would like the press to determine if this ad about Palin''s vigorous support for gunning down wolves from low flying planes is accurate. If it is, I would very much like to know if she, as an "avid hunter", has ever engaged in this practice that many hunters consider barbaric and unsportsmanlike. Here''s the video, but be warned, it''s disturbing:
https://secure.defenders.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1547&1547.donation=form1&autologin=true&s_src=6JY08WDC4F&s_subsrc=6JY08WDC4F_EJI08D1a&JServSessionIdr012=8srxifosq8.app27a

[gordon102-2009]

Glad to see that Dan Rather is no longer employed by CBS or this article would never have made to the website.

[oldone60]

"...Palin is even LESS experienced, and I''m terrified of ending up with Palin as President. The needs of this country are far too important and demanding to risk an inexperienced leader who could falter considerably..."
Posted by CncrndCtzn at 12:48 PM : Sep 12, 2008

====================================
...And Barack Obama - the Democrat candidate for ***President*** is even less experienced than Gov Palin. At least she ran a town and a state; she made the hard decisions and did not hide under her desk and vote "Present" like "The Chosen One".

I''''m terrified of ending up with an inexperienced hard-core leftist who could, and probably would falter considerably when faced with a crisis.

[snakeplizkin]

I''d like to get some more info from some other people who have posted:

parrots121: with comments like "It is time for OBAMA OSAMA to leave town, the USA. He is done, a low life. " are you attempting to influence people''s opinions, or merely seeking admiration for such deeply informed analysis? And just who is OBAMA OSAMA - sounds like a cartoon character.

Funzie50, can we get a citation for what you refer to as a ''Fact'' "barry obama is a racist. He won''''t even call himself "AMERICAN"" If this is actually a fact, do you have some evidence to back that up? Or is this some random smear you received in an email?

Palin:

Unable to describe President Bush''s doctrine of pre-emptive strikes against threatening nations.

Most citizens know the answer to that, if you%u2019ve been around since 9/11 at all

Pressed about insights to Russian actions by living in Alaska, Palin told Charles Gibson "They''re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska.

That certainly clarifies everything, doesn%u2019t it?

She said Russia''s attack into Georgia last month was "unprovoked." Asked to clarify that she''d support going to war over Georgia, she said: "Perhaps so."
But the day before she said this: However, the United States and Russia "cannot repeat the Cold War,"

You mean %u201Cunprovoked%u201D after all the information came out about Iraq? The American invasion of a sovereign country based on cooked and falsified intelligence?

Lets stop calling this a war and call it what it is. Keep talking Sarah, you%u2019ll create another %u201CCold War%u201D just by your comments.

Regarding climate change

John McCain and I agree that we gotta do something about it."

Gotta=Fine use of English, just like the jerk in the White House now.

Both McCain and Palin have lied through their teeth so far in an effort to gain traction. Change, there is no change here, just more of the same that eight years have brought from Bush.

[lasercat-2009]

If god had wanted bears and wolves to live he would have given them kevlar instead of fur.

OK, here''s the deal- in language as simple and irrefutable as I can make it:

If you are happy with the way things are in America right now, vote for the people who made it that way.

If you think we are on a disastrous path and want things to improve, vote for the people who will honestly try to bring about those improvements.

It''s really very simple, but as we have proven in the past, so are we...

All the rest is noise.

[heartwords]

I saw a little blue bird sitting in a great oak tree singing a song of freedom. Then came a hunter with his sling shot loaded and ready to fire.

Will he choose to take the life of this sweet bird. Or let the bird live to continue singing the song of freedom.

FREEDOM.. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL.. NATIONS ARE WATCHING!!!

CHOOSE WISELY..

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS...

Sarah are you & Senator McCain really going to shake up Washington??

Will you do something about the due nothing Washington crowd??

Will you clean up the messes and stand for what is right??

If you really can... WE THE PEOPLE of this Great Country will STAND with you.

We''''''''re ready for a real CHANGE.

Are you & Senator McCain ready to make the changes???

SARAH.. be our voice.. be strong & courageous.

BTW, the sources of the story Dan Rather broke about Bush were discredited, but the STORY ITSELF WAS NEVER DISPROVEN about Bush skipping out on his National Guard Service. And in the meantime the SwiftBoaters had the gall to question the service of a REAL decorated war hero, John Kerry. And Kerry didn''t get captured or lose 4 aircraft during his military career.

[sleepyric]

Heartwords: Gee, that was simply idiotic! What are you, 13?

[oneamerican4]

Liberals are coming completely unglued.

Buy stock in Prozac pharmas, because the looney left is going to be making a run on it come November!

[perm3800]

Ms. Palin is impressive but one answer on her gubenatorial questionaire has sealed her fate for me; I cannot vote for someone who believes the Founding Fathers wrote the Pledge of Allegiance. I am tired of people ignorant of American History running this country. So Barrack is a geek. Maybe we need a Geek for a bit.

I am sick and tired of more taxes and more government.

I''d like to decide where to spend my money and not have the government take it away. My paycheck has so many deductions and I pay so much money to the IRS its sickning. No I am not making that much money I am supporting 3 people on a middle America salary.

I can hardly afford to send my child to college. We are not poor enough for aid and not rich enough to afford it with out loans , which he and I will be paying for for the next 12 years.

I am also very tired of the lies about global warming and the amount of people with no health care. Yes there are people with no health care but not nearly as many as they claim.
Every one should research the true facts about global warming and not relay on the press to tell you the truth.

I intend to vote republican - I can not afford the taxes Obama is planning on passing.

[gordon102-2009]

(BTW, the sources of the story Dan Rather broke about Bush were discredited, but the STORY ITSELF WAS NEVER DISPROVEN about Bush skipping out on his National Guard Service. And in the meantime the SwiftBoaters had the gall to question the service of a REAL decorated war hero, John Kerry. And Kerry didn''''t get captured or lose 4 aircraft during his military career.)

I happen to be a Guardsmen from that time, now retired. Everybody was give the option to transfer units based on several things, i.e. job location, school, etc. Bush did nothing different than 100''s of others did during the downturn of the VN war. As for Kerry ~ I would bet that he was punching the typewriter to create the "war hero" paperwork and then it cost him a "6 pack" to get a fack signature. That much hardware in that short a period of time with such minor injuries, where was he carrying the rabbits foot? This is one that''s not FondaKerry!

[blitzder]

I''''''''m terrified of ending up with an inexperienced hard-core leftist who could, and probably would falter considerably when faced with a crisis. ----
Posted by oldone60 at 01:01 PM : Sep 12, 2008.
____________________________________________

Yeah right!. And who do you blame for the current mess that we are in right now. IT YOU! STUPID. You voted for Bush Bimbo and Shotgun Cheney.

We''ve listened to the likes of you for the last eight years and look at state of the economy, foreign policy, deficit, housing etc. In short ******* people like you should be locked up and not allowed to vote on anything.

[idnnsg]

pcmom3 said, "I intend to vote republican - I can not afford the taxes Obama is planning on passing."

Obama''s tax plan will only increase taxes for the wealthiest people, for the top few percent only. Taxes will be LESS for everybody else under Obama''s plan than under McCain''s plan! If you really are "not making that much money" and are "supporting 3 people on a middle America salary" then YOUR TAXES WILL BE LESS WITH OBAMA THAN WITH MCCAIN! So, if you vote for McCain, you''re an ID.IO.T!

[rktsci3127]

Why is it the press goes to Alaska, interviews friends, foes, family and constituents in Palin%u2019s territory but they%u2019ve never done the same for Obama? Wouldn%u2019t it be fair to show Obama%u2019s district and what Obama has done for them the same way?? What is the press so afraid of??

[imchoadius]

She clearly has the cleanest hands of any politician in this race.

[rktsci3127]

cmybela123...I did, I went there. Your chances of survival there are about equal to your chances in Iraq (possibly less). I wish more people could educate themselves by going there.

[minnick8-2009]

YOUR TAXES WILL BE LESS WITH OBAMA THAN WITH MCCAIN! So, if you vote for McCain, you''''re an ID.IO.T!

Posted by IDNNSG

We get the same c r a p o l a from someone like you, or you every time taxes and Obama are mentioned. We are NOT stupid. I have been alive on this planet long enough to know that when the Democrats are in power, my taxes go up. Even though he says he only plans to raise taxes on the wealthy and businesses, who do you think will pay those taxes? You don''t think that the costs of those expenses to the businesses will be passed along to the people via higher prices? Vote for Obama and smile happily when the cost of everything goes up.

[minnick8-2009]

Yeah right!. And who do you blame for the current mess that we are in right now.

Posted by blitzder

There were numerous attacks by terrorists on American soil prior to 9/11 and Bill Clinton chose to look the other way and do nothing. I see the Democrats as having laid the foundation for the mess we are in now.

[minnick8-2009]

you''''ll end up with her again as a gun toting . . .

Posted by cmybela123

In Alaska, there is a lot of territory and few roads. The best way to get around the state fast is by small private plane. It is life-threatening to travel across the wilderness in a small plane without taking along a rifle. Planes go down and if you go down in the wilderness, it helps a lot if you have the tools necessary to turn the wild animals into food rather than the animals turning you into food.

[minnick8-2009]

You Sir are an idiot.

Posted by cmybela123

I''m not a sir and I''m no more an idiot than you are an idiot.

[dinkydog1]

I have been alive on this planet long enough to know that when the Democrats are in power, my taxes go up. Posted by minnick8 at 02:02 PM : Sep 12, 2008

.............................

You must not be over 8 yrs then. The first tax increase I remember was by the Reganites, they eliminated popular deductions such as sales tax, gasoline tax, phone tax, ect...... The even wanted to eliminate the home mortgauge deduction and would have except for Democrat oppsition. Repubs agreed to keep it only if the rich would be allowed to deduct intrest on thier second homes.

Bush 1 raised taxes by manupulation of tax brackets.

Clinton proposed a middle class tax cut immediatly after taking office. It was voted down by Repubs.

Bush 2 did give us a tax cut but its benifits for the middle class were quickly wiped out by increase inflation, local taxes and intrest the Bush borrow and spend policies caused.

[bubba027]

According to Barack Obama, I''m middle class, I''m getting a tax break and I own a second home and enjoy the tax break the republican''s gave me. Also, according to Barack the price of all the goods and services I buy will go up because the ''rich folk'' he''s gonna tax will pass it on to me. Thanks Barack, I appreciate it.

[dinkydog1]

Also, according to Barack the price of all the goods and services I buy will go up because the ''''rich folk'''' he''''s gonna tax will pass it on to me. Thanks Barack, I appreciate it.


Posted by bubba027 at 02:22 PM : Sep 12, 2008

....................

The rich just got a huge tax decrease. How much did prices go down Bubba?

[ldsawyer]

The truth about Palin''s record

http://www.republicansforobama.org/?q=node/2194

[dinkydog1]

He''''s not going to take away your God or gun...but you are so petrified that he will that you vote against your own best interest and don''''t even realize it.

Politics in this country have been "dumbed down" so the likes of you can understand what they say...just not the meaning behind what they say. And then you are threatened when an articulate intelligent candidate steps to the plate.


Posted by cmybela123 at 02:18 PM : Sep 12, 2008

.................................

Can''t understand why you respond to such ding bats but glad you do. Great post.

[tscc2]

She didn''t have a list of books to ban, but asked what would happen if she wanted to ban books. It should be "somewhat true"; not "false" in the article, misleading. Palin is no different than Dan Quayle who would have been a disaster if he were President. It''s the Republicans big business spin/attack machine that wins elections, not candidate competence. There is a segment of the electorate that votes based on emotion, personality and believe their corrupt government. The US hardly has an informed electorate and is easily manipulated. If liberalism is so bad why has the Republican Party adopted the liberal platform of change and shaking up Washington? McCain has simply adopted a watered down Obama platform. I just do not trust John McCain as others are willing to do. McCain/Palin - Republican first, county second. Obama/Biden 2008!!

[swinko05]

Obama has to raise your taxes, how about 39% tax on your retirement fund, or selling your house. Don''t forget that crappy universal healthcare.

[Jerrycnet]

GOP used to own the dirty tactics of smearing. This couple years Obama supporters mastered that and surpassed with no shame. They destroyed one great woman candidate now going after another VP candidate, just so that they can ensure they make the historic ego into reality, rather than what''s fair and what''s best for the country (or even just for the democrat party). No Obama, no way, no how.

[eaglestrike4]

Well I guess this confirms it...CBS works for the Obama campaign. How pathetic. It would have been nice if CBS had run such hard questions on Obama. What a circus you have become.

[bubba027]

tscc2

No, don''t tell me you accused non-liberals of being "easily manipulated". All you have to say to a liberal is the word "change" every other word and they will give you their life savings and ask how much more you need. If you want to be an indentured servant to governement, that''s your choice but leave those of us who love freedom out of it. Yikes.