An open letter to Rep. Candice Miller, Palin Truth Squad member

Dear Congresswoman Miller,

I read this week that you, along with 54 other women in government (and one man), had become part of the ‘Palin Truth Squad.’

For our readers following along at home, here is a note from the Republican National Committee with the announcement:

“We’re proud of Governor Palin’s leadership in Alaska and record of taking on entrenched special interests and the good old boys network,” said former Governor Jane Swift. “Governor Palin’s commitment to reform is well-known but there are those who would seek to distort that record with vile rumors and smears against her, her husband, her children and her friends. We will not allow those on the left and in the media to smear a woman who has always served her constituents with honor. We know the truth and are committed to ensuring it as well.”

In the event of false attacks, rumors and smears against Governor Palin, the Palin Truth Squad will issue alerts and statements to voters and the media to set the record straight. Additionally, the Truth Squad will be available to respond to inquiries from the media

I’m curious, Rep. Miller. Did you volunteer for the position on the Truth Squad, or how else did it come about?  As a member of the media, I’ve tried to contact you with questions about Gov. Palin for two days running now with no luck. Today was the first that someone — a woman — answered the phone at your D.C. office, and I don’t think she was happy to have someone ask for the Truth Squad.  When I explained why I was calling,  she said, “Oooh,” sounding  more like “Ewww” or as if I’d just told her it was Pee Wee Herman on the line wanting to speak with you. She then connected me with your press secretary’s voice mail, and he didn’t return my call. So, what’s a person seeking the Palin truth to do but call for you to “respond to inquiries from the media” publicly?

We’ve reported on untruths as told by Gov. Palin here at Michigan Messenger.  The first was the  governor’s recounting of the saga of the bridge to nowhere:

And I championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. In fact, I told Congress — I told Congress, “Thanks, but no thanks,” on that bridge to nowhere.  If our state wanted a bridge, I said we’d build it ourselves.”

As it turns out, the only problem with the bridge, as far as Gov. Palin was concerned, was that she couldn’t get enough federal funds:

“Despite the work of our congressional delegation, we are about $329 million short of full funding for the bridge project, and it’s clear that Congress has little interest in spending any more money on a bridge between Ketchikan and Gravina Island,” Governor Palin added. “Much of the public’s attitude toward Alaska bridges is based on inaccurate portrayals of the projects here. But we need to focus on what we can do, rather than fight over what has happened.”

How do you respond to this report of the events, Rep. Miller?

Next are the statements made about the state-owned jet that Gov. Palin allegedly sold on eBay. As per Michigan Messenger’s report, not only was it not sold on eBay, but the state took a loss on the sale:

In fact, the jet did not sell on eBay. It was sold to a businessman from Valdez named Larry Reynolds who paid $2.1 million for the plane — shy of the $2.7 million purchase price — according to news reports at the time. Reynolds contributed to Palin’s campaign in 2006.

Rep. Miller, do you dispute the accuracy of this report?

I’m also wondering, Congresswoman, as a defender of the Palin truth, does this mean you also support Gov. Palin’s views?  I am aware that you generally support anti-choice views in regards to a woman’s right to control her own body, but are you also against abortion in cases of rape or incest?

Are you opposed to teaching school-aged children about “stranger dangers” and the difference between appropriate  and inappropriate touching?

In closing, Rep. Miller, I’d like to add that I’m disappointed to see you on this Truth Squad list. Any of the 54 women on the Truth Squad list would’ve been fine choices for a Republican running mate this election, and probably especially you with your homeland security and infrastructure experience combined with your years of representing the state of Michigan. Yet here you are — and please pardon my frankness here — defending a woman who in my view is little more than a right-wing extremist with big hair.

I’m also sadly disturbed at the lightning speed with which this Truth Squad organization was put together by the RNC. Of all things, why was this such a priority?  What are they so afraid of people finding out about Sarah Palin? Surely this troubles even you, Congresswoman. You’ve had years on the Committee on Homeland Security,  and you’ve seen the nation’s infrastructure firsthand as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. It must trouble you, knowing how slow it has been to effect any change in those arenas, to see something called the Palin Truth Squad move so swiftly, right?

I hope you will respond to these inquiries, as promised by the RNC.

Sincerely,

Diane Sweet