Laura McGann of the Washington Independent reports that Palin ruled little Wasilla with iron-fisted control. "It turns out she had a somewhat different approach. If a small-town mayor ever ruled with an iron fist -- it was Palin," writes McGann. "Eleven days after taking office in 1996, she mailed letters to each of the city’s top managers requesting that they resign as a test of loyalty."

Despite her claims of fiscal discipline, the Politico reports, "she racked up nearly $20 million in long-term debt as mayor of the tiny town of Wasilla -- that amounts to $3,000 per resident. She argues that the debt was needed to fund improvements." (This despite the fact that she managed, as noted below, to get more than $4,000 per resident from the feds in a single year.)

Speaking of fiscal management, here is what a longtime resident of Wasilla who has watched Palin up close for years had to say about her:

During her 6 years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation (1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they benefited residents.

The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration weren't enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22 million.

So I did some quick math on this. Giving Palin the benefit of the doubt by setting the town's population at its highest, current estimate (9,000 people), using a conservative estimate for the U.S. national population over the last decade (275 million), and multiplying the latter figure times the debt-per-Wasillan ($2,444 = $22M divided by 9,000), that means that if she were running the country it would translate into about $672 billion in debt. (And if you use the 6,700 population figure for Wasilla, the number climbs close to $1 trillion.)

Quit your whining. You've got no legitimate beef. You've let your political bias swamp your critical faculties. There are plenty of people on the right who do the same thing; I call them "rightwits", which is nice because "twit" fits so nicely in there.

You're the reverse side of the same stupid coin.

Sorry, Joan, but Sarah Palin said a whole lot of things that millions of Hillary supporters dearly wished their candidate could throw (right back) at Obama - and the media - all along. Looks like the free Obama ride may finally be over.

Also, interesting how the Republicans immediately circled the wagons around their gal - while the Democrats repeatedly left Hillary twisting in the wind (after sticking more than a few knives in her back). Apparently, the slime fest of the past few days has turned into a real slippery slope for the, uh, progressives. Looks like Karma is literally a bitch (heh).

Pitbull in lipstick? That's how female lawyers were described in the 80's. Couldn't she find something original?

I'd like to refer all those who complain that Palin is the victim of a sexist media to an interview that she did during Hiary's campaign. Gov. Palin openly critized Sen. Clinton for calling foul, and pontificated that, as woment, we must rise above it. Looks like she'll get a change to follow her own advice.

Late for me and no time to read all the posts, but I did get to page four and everyone was so very right about the spectacle the insane Republicians put on tonight - namely the speech by Sara Palin - and the two before her were over the top also.

Thanks to - it matters - rockingrobin, and especially to Svutlov for speaking of our wonderful and beloved Hillary!

Please, everyone, let Kate be.

There's nothing to be gained by engaging her, except, of course, the all-too-predictable, tedious and thoroughly unproductive train wreck that will ensue.

I urge us all not to take the bait, antagonistic though she may be.

New to politics?

That's what politics is all about.

I was impressed by the speech. Yes, she was sarcastic and condescending at certain points, but it worked for me, especially in light of the condescension she's been getting for the last few days. I like people who are scrappy when facing down a firestorm.

Obama's still the better orator, but she's pretty good too in her own right. I've found that Obama is only so-so in debates and small forums without benefit of teleprompter--still good but not quite great. We'll see how Palin is in the days to come.

I don't think she's a simple play for Hillary voters; whether by design or accident, the McCain campaign picked the right candidate to go after Obama's greatest weakness. Yes, they (the Republicans) have given up the experience argument, but it looks like they're going all-in on the "Obama doesn't share your values" tack.

From a tactical point of view, I can see her being very effective. The line about saying one thing in Scranton and something else in San Francisco was devastating coming from her. McCain with his seven houses can't make the out-of-touch case effectively, but Palin can.

Biden shores up Obama's foreign policy inexperience; but I doubt his frequent Amtrak trips are going to do a lot to move the voters who wonder if Obama isn't just another Hyde Park type liberal.

Palin also is probably the Republican's best advocate on the question of drilling, taking the all-of-the-above position and making the case to prioritize energy independence over the environment. That could be compelling, especially as people anticipate home heating oil prices skyrocketing.

Will these lines of attack ultimately work? I don't know. But, watching Palin, I have to say she reminds me a lot of Obama in his 2004 keynote. I think she is someone very likely to be a rising star in her party.

I still think she's a little too green in 2008 for comfort. But I'm really more uncomfortable with McCain's apparent lack of serious vetting than with her the person. If she turns out to be as good a candidate as I suspect she can be, it'd be due more to dumb luck than McCain's good judgment.

All in all, I'd still vote Obama on the issues (Iraq and health care specifically). But I left watching Palin's speech impressed. The Democrats--and Biden, in particular--would be well-advised not to discount her.