Palin's ethical resolve continues to set standard for Republicans

Frontiersman editorial board

While conducting research for the election wrap-up article in this edition, Frontiersman spent some time talking with former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin. Palin has drifted off the public radar since leaving the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, but her interest in the public process and her party remain strong.

During the campaign, Independent candidate Myrl "Boone" Thompson gave praise to Palin.

He applauded her integrity and honesty, saying others would do well to follow her example. He was speaking, of course, of Palin's decision to come forward with information about Randy Ruedrich's use of his public office to conduct Republican Party business. The ensuing controversy led to Ruedrich leaving his position on the commission, and cost Palin a good deal of political capital within the party. She'd campaigned hard for then-U.S. Sen. Frank Murkowski, and was widely viewed as a rising star on the Republican horizon. She has no regrets.

Over the past two years the Republicans have suffered a series of black eyes relating to charges of unethical behavior and arrogance. Most of the people involved in those controversies have survived, and Ruedrich even managed to maintain his chairmanship of the party.

Palin was in the party fold, and would have easily stayed out of harm's way had she simply let Ruedrich's infractions go by the way.

But it was personal for her, she said. "I couldn't sleep at night thinking about it."

A politician who loses sleep wrestling with ethical dilemmas seems, to us, like someone from a Capra movie. Palin knew she'd be cashing in all the chips she'd saved up over a 10-year career, but she did the right thing.

Her party should thank her and place her at the head of the line, but that's not likely to happen. The least it can do is listen to her when she speaks -- it's apparent she's compelled to tell the truth.

The message she has for the Republican legislators heading to Juneau in January is simple.

"I'd say, please open the door," she said, speaking of the closed-door caucuses that have garnered so much attention. "The party has chosen to literally and figuratively close the doors on their conversations. We want to know how they come to their decisions."

Maybe some party members have already learned something from Palin.

Rep. Carl Gatto told the Frontiersman on Friday that Republican legislators have agreed to clamp down on the closed-door sessions and bring the legislative process into the light.

It's amazing what one good apple can do.