Topeka — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Thursday helped lead the counter-offensive against Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin after the Alaskan governor used her new national standing to blast Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
In a telephone conference call with reporters, Sebelius and other Obama supporters said that Palin doesn't represent the interests of a majority of Americans, and in her brief public life has acted more like a Washington insider than a reformer.
Sebelius said that Palin, the surprise pick of McCain, "is on the radical fringe of the Republican Party on reproductive issues and privacy issues." Palin opposes abortion in cases of rape and incest and has opposed government financing of sex education programs.
Sebelius also took Palin to task for when she was mayor of Wasilla, a town of about 6,500 people, for hiring lobbyists to fetch federal tax dollars in the controversial budgetary earmark process. The town obtained 14 earmarks, totaling $27 million between 2000-2003, according to data compiled by Taxpayers for Common Sense.
"I don't know any mayor in any small town in Kansas who hires a lobbyist and goes after earmarks the way Sarah Palin did," Sebelius said. "That isn't a reform strategy. That is an inside Washington strategy," she said. Palin also supported the controversial $398 million "Bridge to Nowhere" when she ran for governor in 2006, although she has since said that she opposed it.
Sebelius was joined by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla., and officials from the Obama campaign and Democratic Party to respond to Palin's speech Wednesday to the Republican National Convention.
"There isn't anything in the McCain-Palin agenda that is going to appeal to women," Wasserman-Schultz said.
Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University, said the Obama campaign's efforts are typical of modern-day politics. "You don't let any attack go unresponded to," Beatty said.
During her speech, Palin spent much of her time denigrating Obama's experience.
"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities," she said, referring to Obama's past as a community organizer.
Sebelius said Palin's speech failed to provide details on what she and McCain want to do to help Americans.
"We heard a lot of partisan attacks and no real solutions," she said.
Palin has rallied the conservative wing of the Republican Party,
The Kansas Republican Assembly posted this about Palin: "A hockey mom, ice fisher, moose hunter, lifetime NRA member, pro-life as the day is long and has a husband who's a real middle class American worker who's a world class snow mobile racer. What more could you want in a VP?"
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Godot (anonymous) says…
Sebelius set up an office in Washington just to lobby for earmarks (or maybe it was to jockey for personal power in the Democratic party). Anyway, it was funded by Kansas taxpayer dollars.Lawrence would not have the T if it were not for earmarks. And our commissioners do worse than hire a lobbyist, they all traipse to Washington to beg for money.
kusp8 (anonymous) says…
I want a VP that can fight Chuck Norris.
Godot (anonymous) says…
I think Gov Sebelius is letting her Sarah envy show.
Godot (anonymous) says…
I am so glad to see Sebelius and other Democrats turn over a new leaf and denounce lobbyists......like Jim Slattery.
Shardwurm (anonymous) says…
The worst public speaker in Kansas critiquing someone else's speech. I'll bet no one in the audience was having sidebar conversations during Sarah's speech.Sebelius is abysmal. The worst sort of political strap-hanger - selling out her state for national recognition.Just go away.
Yeoman2 (anonymous) says…
This is really great. I did not like Palin from the get-go, probably due to being the over-achieving mother of 5 childern. Apparently, Palin was too busy to council her daughter to keep her pants up. And I know from experience that a disabled child can be a real problem for both parents, all the time. How can this woman present herself as a paragon of Christin virtue given some of the information that Barack Obama has told us to not notice. Hell, yess, we will notice. This woman has a full plate and wants a job where she could easily become the Commander in Chief. Go back home and pay attention to your toddlers and run for office later when they are older and on their own. There are many other more qualified persons for this job and John McCain has really stepped in it on this one. What on earth was he thinking????
DinkyDow (anonymous) says…
The "Ice Lady" thinks Palin forgot to say what she and McCain has for plans. Maybe some of the things she did in Alaska. You know things the Ice Lady could have done in Kansas but didn't or wouldn't. What a loser, her and because of her, we kansan's
Thats_messed_up (anonymous) says…
Keep talking Abortion Queen and this will be your last term as Governor of Kansas. Please keep talking!
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
I know Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin is a friend of mine, and Governor Sebelius, you're is no Sarah Palin.But one as old, boring and gray as you can dream can't they?
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
I know Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin is a friend of mine, and Governor Sebelius, you're no Sarah Palin.
rdragon (M. Lindeman) says…
frwent----- When people like you start spewing things like that. I truely know that you liberals are quite concerned with Mrs. Palin. We all know if this was a Democratic woman with 5 children and the Replublicans said only half the crap you all are spuing. All hell would have broke loose. As for her daughter, we do are best to teach what is right and wrong. It does not always work the way we hope. Sometimes peer persure or just her first real love, clouds her judgement.
jmadison (anonymous) says…
One good thing if Sen Obama is elected, Gov Sebelius will take a federal job of some sort in DC.
situveux1 (anonymous) says…
The biggest flop at the DNC critiquing the greatest speech at the RNC.The irony kills me.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
Sarah Palin will give birth to the man who will lead humanity's war against the machines.
eric1889 (anonymous) says…
Wanna see something funny? http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/cc...
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Godot: "I am so glad to see Sebelius and other Democrats turn over a new leaf and denounce lobbyists."Me to. It is part of that change Obama has been talking about, unlike Palin, who talks about it, but then does the opposite. situ, what did you get out of Palin's speech that was so great? How will what she said help with the economy, with longterm fuel efficiency, with, well, anything? That was a big fat Twinkie of a speech, all fluff and no substance, and Republican just like hearing the bashing of liberals, liberal media, liberal ideas, and who didn't like seeing Little Miss Sunshine Palin grooming her little brother -- frickin adorable. But I don't think what she talked about is going to help the economy or create any jobs.
situveux1 (anonymous) says…
It's ironic that Sebelius, the biggest speech flop of the DNC and the one who looked like cardboard when answering the SOTU, wants to critique the best speech at the RNC. Obama couldn't find anybody else to attack the speech? Like, somebody that knows how to give one?And I never said I 'got something out of it that was so great.' Nice job making stuff up as you go along.It's too bad your Democrat blinders can't let you see the comedy in a complete Democrat flop attacking a Republican superstar.Sebelius, you're done and you just don't know it yet!
Godot (anonymous) says…
Any governor or mayor or joe blow on the street can ask for money from the Federal government. Cities and states rely on federal money to operate. The problem is with the corrupt practice that enables monetary bequests to be added to bills in the dark, in committee, but not on the floor, without hearing or a majority vote, otherwise known as "earmarks." There is nothing wrong with federal tax dollars being allocated to the states - as long as it is approved by a majority vote.
senegal66025 (anonymous) says…
Eudora has a lobbyist
jimincountry (anonymous) says…
Sebelius speaks from the heart, the heart of the DNC and its talking points.... just as she did when she rushed to Greensburg following the tornado to criticize Bush for the lack of military equipment when she had plenty available in the Kansas Dept of Transportation to do the cleanup.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
Obama? Lobbyists? Really?"Obama's newly named senior adviser and Jewish outreach coordinator, who joined Obama on his trip to Israel, lobbied on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute, according to the Senate Office of Public Records Lobbying Disclosure Act database. Daniel Shapiro is listed as a lobbyist by Washington, D.C.-based Timmons & Co. and API is one of the company's clients. Shapiro is listed on five entries as one person who helped lobby the U.S. Senate or House on behalf of API on issues ranging from agriculture, energy -- including renewable fuel standards and greenhouse gas emissions, gas price gouging and regulation, labor and antitrust related to the oil industry, defense, the stimulus package, the farm bill, IRS code regarding refineries and more.The entries, from February to August of this year, show Timmons & Co. was paid $660,000 by API for the instances in which Shapiro helped lobby. Since 1998, Timmons & Co. has collected more than $3.6 million from API, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Shapiro also was Florida Sen. Bill Nelson's deputy chief of staff. Because of that, the Center for Responsive Politics has a "Revolving Door" profile of him.Interestingly, also listed as one of the lobbyists with Timmons for API is Martin Paone, the former secretary of the U.S. Senate. That job is now Nancy Erickson's. Shapiro also lobbied for several other clients, including Anheuser-Busch, Chrysler, Freddie Mac, Teva Pharmaceuticals and others. (See below for full list.) Of course, the McCain campaign has several lobbyists working for it, but Obama has vowed to not to have federal lobbyists involved with his campaign or allow them in an Obama administration.The Obama campaign has not yet given a response on the news of Shapiro's lobbying past."http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/20/1278270.aspx
75x55 (anonymous) says…
"Let me see- dems will agree while reps will not:.."What was the phrase from some time ago - 'good Germans'?
EasilyAmused (anonymous) says…
Thats_messed_up - It is her last term; there is a two term limit for governor in Kansas. You're pretty well versed on politics, huh?
BrianR (anonymous) says…
Sebelius must have hit a nerve to get the bed wetting right so worked up.
clyde_never_barks (anonymous) says…
Uhhh, Brian - I don't see any of the bed wetting right on the thread yet. Guess you are wrong - again.
kusp8 (anonymous) says…
What the he!!!? All I want is a VP who can fight, and win, against Chuck Norris...looks like we need to get Matt Kleinnman on the ticket somehow.
BrianR (anonymous) says…
Maybe Clyde doesn't bark because he's blind?
MyName (anonymous) says…
Ugh, necro thread is necro.
Thank you! Good night!
feeble (anonymous) says…
Story Necromancy! boo!