Gawker did WHAT??? They cracked Sarah Palin's blackberry wide open!

This screenshot from Gawker.com shows an email account of Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008. Hackers broke into the Yahoo! e-mail account that Palin used for official business as Alaska's governor, revealing as evidence a few inconsequential personal messages she has received since John McCain selected her as his running mate. (AP Photo)

---opened up her personal e-mail. But why? What was the point?

DRUDGE REPORT(S):

Palin's E-Mail Account Hacked, Published on Web Site...

McCain camp seeks investigation...

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PR Newswire: Palin-Tol-Ogy - the Newsweek cover story

NEWSWEEK Cover: Palin-Tol-Ogy

From Her Race for Mayor to the 'Troopergate' Controversy: An In-Depth Look at the Governor, Hockey Mom, Hunter, Reformer, Pro-Life, 'Regular Red State Gal' Palin Didn't Always Regard Former Brother-In-Law as Bad Guy; Penned 2000 Reference Letter Calling Him 'A FINE ROLE MODEL'

Last update: 1:02 p.m. EDT Sept. 7, 2008

NEW YORK, Sept 07, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is a self-described hockey Mom who hunts moose, juggles BlackBerrys and kids. She is also riven with contradictions and complexities. Palin is a reformer, but faces allegations of exerting improper influence in city and state government. A self-styled regular Red State gal, she is relentlessly driven, a politician of epic ambition who is running against a Washington establishment that, if elected, she will inevitably join, and even rule over.

In the September 15 Newsweek cover package, "Palin-tol-ogy," (on newsstands Monday, September 8), San Francisco Bureau Chief Karen Breslau and Washington Bureau Chief Jeffrey Bartholet plumb Palin's record for a better understanding of how she sees the world and where she stands on issues.

In the wake of her nomination, so many dirt-diggers were clamoring to get into the city hall of Wasilla, Palin's hometown, that the mayor, Dianne Keller, started a number system for out-of-towners to take turns. But the media's need for details about Palin mirrors a national hunger to know more about the 44-year-old governor who has improbably shaken up an already tumultuous race for the White House. The country was introduced to her and her family over the Labor Day weekend and through the Republican National Convention. Now, however, it's time to figure out not only who she is but what she's done and what she believes. Palin's personal story taps one of the great American myths -- the hardy woman of the frontier, God-fearing and determined to succeed against the odds. But as with most political biographies, the rougher edges have been burnished. To her critics, she's also shallow, opportunistic and even corrupt herself.

Palin's sense of personal mission may be rooted in her religious upbringing. She was raised a devout Christian, attending an Assembly of God church from the age of 4 until she was 38, and baptized in the cold waters of Alaska's Little Beaver Lake when she was 12. Formed in such a milieu, it is not surprising that someone like Palin would have a heightened sense of self, and of the possibilities of self, for she was taught from her earliest days that she could be directly moved by God. Friends say the Ten Commandments imbued her with a strong sense of right and wrong. Even now, when she talks about complex political matters, she sometimes speaks in religious terms. To a church gathering, she described a $30 billion natural-gas pipeline project, backed by state tax money, as "God's will." Similarly, she said the war in Iraq was "a task that is from God ... That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for -- that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

Palin won her first election as Wasilla mayor with help and financial support from conservative groups. Some of her positions are clear: she's pro-life, opposing abortion in all cases except when the mother's life is in danger. She opposes same-sex marriage and favors teaching creationism alongside evolution in schools. But she hasn't pushed for legislative changes in any of those areas. Her reputation is built largely on standing up to corruption. But she's also regarded by political opponents as vindictive and petty, and has been known to mix personal interests in her own political life, leading to charges of hypocrisy. The issue likely to get the most press in the coming months is "Troopergate." This concerns Palin's former brother-in-law, Mike Wooten, and her alleged attempts to get him kicked off the state police force. Critics say she abused her power. Defenders say she was trying to protect her family against someone who posed a danger.

Palin, however, didn't always regard Wooten as a bad guy. Newsweek has obtained a reference letter she wrote for Wooten in January 2000. She described his good works as a volunteer in local police and youth auxiliary programs: "I have witnessed Mike's gift of calm and kindness toward many young kids here in Wasilla. I have never seen him raise his voice, nor lose patience, nor become aggitated [sic] in the presence of any child." She called him a "fine role model." The following year, he married Palin's sister Molly. But the couple broke up in April 2005 and fought a bitter custody battle. Governor Palin, her husband, Todd, and close aides are now embroiled in what has become a public controversy: they're the subject of an official investigation, ordered by the Alaska State Legislature, into allegations that they may have made improper or possibly illegal efforts to get Wooten disciplined, and even fired. (Palin says she is innocent of any wrongdoing.)

Also in the cover package:

Chief Political Correspondent Howard Fineman writes that although Palin is a tough opponent, the Democrats will need to tread carefully when coming after her. Democrats are determined to attack her credibility, and "the first -- and for Democrats, the most obvious -- way to do so is on abortion. Palin doesn't believe in abortion even in cases of rape or incest," he writes. Still, the real task of hunting Palin belongs to Biden, who "is as deeply informed on the issues as any member of the Senate, but he has a tendency to want to prove it at length." A friend of Biden's told Newsweek, "He has to be careful not to come off as heavy-handed."

Special Correspondent Jacob Weisberg writes that "pragmatic Republicans have been trying to figure out how the party can become a 'big tent,' making room for a pro-choice as well as a pro-life faction. Until recently, the modernizers included John McCain," he writes. "But renewed evangelical dominance of the Republican Party in the George W. Bush years has pushed McCain in just the opposite direction ... It explains how McCain ended up with a wildly underqualified running mate in Sarah Palin, instead of his preferred pro-choice veep picks, Joe Lieberman and Tom Ridge."

Assistant Managing Editor Kathy Deveny writes an essay on why she likes Sarah Palin. "If I'm really honest with myself, I'm mostly just happy that there's another woman on the national political stage. I think it's good for my 8-year-old daughter, who has called Hillary Clinton her idol. She doesn't love Hillary because of her health-care policy or pro-choice stance: she loves Hillary because she thinks girls rule. The more powerful women there are on the national stage, the better it is for all women, because this is a game of numbers," she writes. (Read the cover package at http://www.newsweek.com/ )

Cover: An Apostle of Alaska
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157696

What Happened to Family Values?
Jacob Weisberg
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157554

Howard Fineman
Beware the Barracuda
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157697

Kathleen Deveny
Confessions of a Secret Sarah Admirer
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157555

SOURCE Newsweek http://www.newsweek.msnbc.com/

Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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(((OMG!))) Too big for Fairfax High School-- No HIGHer-VIZ than a CHANGE IN VENUE!

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BACK FROM SALMON, ALASKA ---I just could not stay away-----------damn! caught me a great big CARP! ye-hah!

Land Ho, BABY! (FAT lady hasn't sung yet -- Sarah Baracuda up in the polls and will be in Fairfax, VA, TOMORROW -- HAD TO COME BACK!)

Here's the tee-shirt. This is by way of Portland, OR.

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I am Joe Lieberman!

Damn ----OMG, I must be a REPUBLICAN! A rock - ribbed, steak-loving, vodka--swilling pearl-wearing republican! I am a Jew Broad from the Northside of Chicago. Who woulda thunk this? What happened to me in 2000 when I fell for John McCain's message? Is he back? So many republicans hated him (including my former clients ____________,___________,
______________,__________________)*

Rove the evil mastermind stopped him with rumors years ago. Why am I not in Minneapolis? Why am I not working for John McCain? Why am I not trying to meet Gov. Sarah? am i joe lieberman? i am a democrat to my bones who is swinging republican....am i joe lieberman?

uh-oh! maybe not!

*http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2008/08/justice_dept_seeks_reduced_abr.html

Justice Dept Seeks Reduced Abramoff Sentence

Since his conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges, former lobbyist Jack Abramoff has spent more than 3,000 hours helping more than 100 law enforcement agents in an ongoing federal corruption probe that has implicated "scores of other persons not yet charged," attorneys said in court filings today.

The Post's James V. Grimaldi reports that the extent of Abramoff's cooperation was described in documents from both prosecutors and defense lawyers. They are seeking leniency from the judges who heard the two cases that landed the Republican influence broker in federal prison in Cumberland, Md.

If a federal judge in Washington accepts the recommendation from the Justice Department, Abramoff would serve no more than another three years and three months in prison, not accounting for credit for good behavior awarded by the Bureau of Prisons. Abramoff's attorneys are seeking even more leniency that could have him released from prison by 2010.

In November 2006, Abramoff began serving a sentence of five years and 10 months for fraud in his purchase of a Florida casino cruise line. Attorneys for both sides are seeking a reduction to three years and nine months.

Abramoff's sentencing in a parallel case of tax evasion, fraud and conspiracy to ply public officials with gifts in exchange for official actions had been delayed until he had mostly completed his cooperation with authorities. The sentencing is set for Sept. 4 before U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle.

In the public corruption case, the Justice Department is asking Huvelle to sentence Abramoff to five years and four months rather than the maximum 11 years and three months he'd be eligible to receive. The sentences in the two cases would be served at the same time. The government also is seeking about $23 million in restitution.

Abramoff attorneys Abbe D. Lowell of Washington and Neal R.Sonnett of Miami noted in a memorandum that in addition to the meeting with FBI and other agents, Abramoff had reviewed more than a half-million documents.

They also noted that the ex-powerhouse lobbyist had helped convict more than a dozen people, in addition to admitting guilt himself, and his case had prompted reforms that the attorneys said were widely known as "Abramoff Ethics Rules." Among those who have pleaded guilty were former Rep. Robert Ney (R-Ohio), who this month was released after he completed his prison sentence, and J. Steven Griles, the No. 2 official in the Interior Department.

The court papers indicate an extensive ongoing investigation by referencing a document that is sealed because it contains grand jury information. Still under investigation are former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) and retiring Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.), among others.

One new scheme revealed in the papers is that Abramoff and his team of K Street lobbyists padded their billing records -- not to cheat clients, most of whom had hired them on retainer, but to bilk additional bonuses out of their firm, Greenberg Traurig LLP, because "padded hours possibly resulted in higher bonuses," according to a government brief signed by William Welch, head of the public integrity section, and prosecutor Mary Butler.

Abramoff's attorneys also referred to a statement by Noel Hillman, former public integrity chief at Justice and now is a federal judge in New Jersey, who has said that Mr. Abramoff's decision to plead guilty and cooperate and expose the wrongs he and others did was a 'watershed' event in addressing public corruption."

By The Editors August 27, 2008; 7:11 PM ET Abramoff Scandal

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"Sarah Palin can dress a Moose -- and that is a hell of a lot more than most people have ever done!"

I decided to blog on CNN's iReport. I reckon that makes me an iReporter (yuk yuk)! I signed it Abbe Buck, PR: Housewife, Mother, Publicist. And I am a consultant.

The 'moose' reference was for Fred Thompson's speech the night before.


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Convention Night. John McCain spoke to me in a commercial during the Brother Bill O'Reilly show

It was nice. Very classy. I loved it! So did the You Tuber's.

YouTube - Pure class: "Convention Night" (McCain congratulates ...- 6:42pm Aug 28, 2008 (August 28) - John McCain congratulates Barack Obama on Obama's becoming the Democratic nominee. Obama is the first presidential nominee of ...www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v_ioN5SyBM - 98k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this More results from www.youtube.com »

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Multimedia/Player.aspx?guid=392f30e7-e8c3-4e23-8384-37eabb4e96b8

(((( the next day he surprised the political world, london, france, russia, ad nauseum. but on Thurs. night he told barack h. obama to have a good time. enjoy the crowd of 82,000. enjoy making history, make his speech, accept the nomination, bush-bash all he wants, yeah, try to compare me to George W. Bush ))))

You see, John had plans of his own.

Not so fast!

Politico says it isn't going to work out. Why not?

6 things the Palin pick says about McCain

By JIM VANDEHEI & JOHN F. HARRIS 8/30/08 8:57 AM EST

The selection of a running mate is among the most consequential, most defining decisions a presidential nominee can make. John McCain’s pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says a lot about his decison-making — and some of it is downright breathtaking.

We knew McCain is a politician who relishes improvisation, and likes to go with his gut. But it is remarkable that someone who has repeatedly emphasized experience in this campaign named an inexperienced governor he barely knew to be his No. 2. Whatever you think of the pick, here are six things it tells us about McCain:

1. He’s

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12997.html

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Those Red Shoes - or, this ain't no Hillary Clinton. Methinks pure (HV) PR - PROMO Strategy for Presidency

Note to mah self: gotta get me those shoes! This chick has legs! I can say that! I am a chick!

--from the HUFFington Post-it note: (L M F A O !)*

Van Jones: Palin: You're No Hillary Clinton (((( now bear in mind, Jones is a man. And he is black. But like a good journo, he sought out the feminists. -- hvpr ))))

"One female friend did some quick internet research and said, "Sarah Palin has a great deal of surface appeal, at first. But once America's women look behind that cheerleader smile and see at her extreme social agenda, they will run the other direction."

Another said, "It just seems desperate and calculated."

She added, "Palin makes McCain look ancient, out-of-touch and totally yesterday. McCain makes her look like a perky kid. Each one dramatically and perfectly underscores the other's weakness. At least, nobody can criticize Obama's alleged youth and inexperience now. But this is not the best team America could produce, by any stretch."

John McCain has gone from maverick to "me too" -- trying to out-Democrat the Democrats and pick up some Hillary voters.

But it ain't working."

I would not be so sure, sir. 66 Days left to the finish line. Let's see what those lovely Gov. Sarah Palin legs can do. Shoes, do your stuff!

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* laughing my fat ass off @

In Summary: The Best Speech at the Democratic National Convetion was made by....John Kerry! (D-MA)!

(((ABSOLUTELY.)))

But like "jude the Obscure" let's just change his name to John, and the sex to politics; Kerry, who just won his 6th term, is very much in the Senate. But man, oh man, he was more powerful than any campaigning done in 2004. It proves that any swift-boating tactics could not shut this man DOWN.

the new republic's sister blog, national post, said:

The speech you should have watched: John Kerry's blistering assault on McCain
Posted: August 28, 2008, 3:02 PM by Shane Dingman
U.S. Politics

((( WATCH IT NOW! )))

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2008/08/28/the-speech-you-should-have-watched-john-kerry-s-blistering-assault-on-mccain.aspx

Our sister-publication The New Republic and its staff are blanketing the Democratic convention, and from their coverage we wanted to return to an underappreciated star of the convention. It was, no kidding, 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, Senator John Kerry.

Here's TNR's Chris Orr on one speech you may not have watched:

"Like most, if I'd been told yesterday that John Kerry would give a sharper speech than Bill Clinton, I would have assumed it was because Clinton tanked. The latter didn't (remotely) happen, but the former did, with Kerry giving by far the best speech I've ever seen from him.

"He spoke for just under 14 minutes, but in his limited time Kerry hammered the crap out of McCain for most of his speech, and did so in a way that highlighted how wrong Kerry thinks the Bush/McCain axis has been and how right candidate Obama is."

----Abbe Buck, PR, HighViz PR

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OBAMA has a new FAN CLUB - OMG!*

*Say, what if all of this negative (tongue firmly planted in) but! cheeky publicity back-mis-fires in Mr. McCain's face? Ouch!

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Ah, Obama (finally) strikes back under 60 seconds

it's so damn (white) of him! snark ~~ snark ~~snark~~~

for the John McCain haters everywhere (and you know who you are! I saw you in those committees....SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS ) no HURRUMPH comment!

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0808/Obama_finally_responds_to_Celeb_with_Bush_rap.html?showall

click on the video! Great music! Coaching by George Clooney, perhaps?

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MEMO to self: Send John McCain Campaign resume - work for next 90 days -

1. (stop playing Ludacris rap!)*

2. Write McCain and a Thanks to Wonk-ette!

.

John McCain Needs New Interns!

from Mr.. Wonk-ette: Hey college kids, are you looking for an exciting internship opportunity that’s guaranteed to launch you into the successful career of your choice? If you answered “No,” then we’ve got the perfect dead-end solution: John McCain is looking for interns! In Arlington, Virginia! It’s unpaid, but don’t worry about that: if you display a basic competency in Microsoft Word — you understand how to change fonts when required, for example — you could be managing the campaign all by yourself within a matter of weeks! The forwarded job description e-mail, after the jump.

Just think: you could work with Mister Cummins. Mmm!

From: John Cummins [mailto:Volunteer2@JohnMcCain.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:10 PM
To: ********************
Subject: McCain Campaign InternshipsJohn McCain 2008
John McCain needs YOU!

The John McCain 2008 Presidential Campaign is looking for interns for positions available immediately in our Arlington, Virginia headquarters.

In addition to giving you real-world work experience, this program provides an opportunity to participate in the most exciting presidential election in history! Campaign Internships are unpaid and participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation and housing.

Interns will work with staff on various projects essential to the campaign and play a significant role in Senator McCain’s campaign.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter (with availability) to: Volunteer2@JohnMcCain.com

Thank-you!
John Cummins, Deputy Director of Volunteers
Volunteer2@JohnMcCain.com

Oh boy! You’d get to work with people so smart that they hyphenate “Thank-you.”

----------------------------------

WOW!!!!

(((((Wait! Maybe OBAMA-RAMA the most famous celebrity in the world will ask little me! OMIGOD!- omigod!)))))

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* poor Obama - oh, dear - how will he evah go main-stream with Ludacris singing about pardons and ghetto-mayhem? just simply will not appeal to the Hillary-generation (my AARP-set)