Palin's rural adviser quits over appointments

[maddezmom]

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Sarah Palin's rural adviser resigned Monday amid criticism of the governor's record on hiring Alaska Natives.

Rhonda McBride, who is not an Alaska Native, made the announcement in an e-mail to several Native leaders, saying there need to be more Native voices in Palin's administration.

"I definitely think it would help to have an Alaska Native in this position," McBride told The Associated Press.

Many Alaska Natives have said they felt neglected when Palin, now the Republican vice presidential nominee, made appointments to her administration, including the rural adviser post.

more:http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=latest_threads

[SteveM]

1. Not defending Palin, but maybe she couldn't find any Native GOPers (nt)

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I have a lot of respect for Rhonda McBride

for doing this. She's a great reporter on Bush issues, and since it seems she'll be returning to that, I'm happy.

The candidate that I supported in the U.S. House race, Diane Benson, has been encouraged by some of her rural supporters to apply for this position. I think it would be an excellent fit since Diane is Native, won the Bush votes overwhelmingly in the August primary and has had bipartisan support in her two runs for Congress. This would also give her some of that "state experience" that the state Democratic party keeps insisting that she doesn't have while they've withheld their support in the previous elections.

We're going to go see "W" with Diane this afternoon -- I'm sure the subject of this position will come up over coffee afterwards.

Diane is a strong voice and would set Sarah straight on rural and Native issues.

[Ken Burch]

3. True, But that's exactly why Her Winkiness would never give Diane the job

n/t.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. I'm going to write and recommend her anyway.

Diane hasn't said anything negative about Sarah publicly that I'm aware of, so partisanship shouldn't be an issue. If Sarah wants to repair her image when she comes back here, it seems like she's going to have to compromise a little on some of these things, show some good faith towards the people of her state.

[Ken Burch]

5. Well, go ahead. A humbled Sarah may be more malleable.

n/t.

P.S. I've responded to your pm. check your inbox.

[snowbear]

6. Oh Blue, you should do it !!!

Write that letter and send it to that little dweeb Parnell.

I suppose he's holding down the fort until the 'spew machine' returns?