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Palin under fire from campaign staffers

by Rebecca Palsha
Thursday, November 6, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The day after returning home to Alaska, Gov. Sarah Palin finds herself the target of some ugly accusations from staffers within the McCain campaign.

Top aids, who asked to remain unanimous, say Palin had to be told Africa is a continent and not a country. They also talked about that famous spending spree the campaign went on dressing Palin and her family.

With the election over, the finger pointing from a losing campaign has begun.

The unnamed sources from the McCain-Palin campaign are speaking out about Palin to the national media -- about what aides claim was Palin's diva-like behavior on the campaign trail.

Palin spokesperson Bill McAllister isn't buying any of it.

"To hear these scurrilous things being said about Sarah Palin -- who is so clearly an honorable and admiral woman -- has been infuriating," McAllister said.

As for those expensive clothes we saw her wearing during the campaign, McCain aides say even after the big spending story broke, Palin staffers were sent to buy her more clothes -- charging the new outfits on personal credit cards, as much as $30,000.

And the spree wasn't limited to Sarah Palin. Aides said they purchased clothes for Todd Palin as well, as much as $40,000 worth.

"If they're an unnamed source, then that says it all. I won't comment on anybody's gossip or allegations that are based on anonymous sources," Palin said Wednesday night after arriving in Alaska. "That's a small, evidently bitter, type of person who would anonymously charge something foolish like that."

Palin talked about how politics are tough, and that to be in the game you need a "thick skin."

The anonymous campaign sources also alleged that McCain and Palin barely spoke and had a frost relationship, something Palin denies.

"Regardless of how much face time Senator McCain and I had together, we have a great relationship," Palin said Wednesday. "I have nothing but admiration for him -- I love him."

Palin was expected to return to work as governor Thursday, but that did not happen. Instead McAllister expects her in Friday about midmorning.

Contact Rebecca Palsha at rpalsha@ktuu.com