Governor Names Grussendorf to Senate Seat
March 29, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today named Tim Grussendorf as her designee to replace Kim Elton as the state senator from District B, representing the City and Borough of Juneau.
Grussendorf has worked as a commercial fisherman and serves as chief of staff to Alaska State Senator Lyman Hoffman. He is currently president of the Southeast Alaska Fishermen’s Alliance and a board member of the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association. Grussendorf is active in the Juneau community, volunteering his time to coach soccer and basketball teams. He is the assistant basketball coach at Floyd Dryden Middle School.
Grussendorf’s father, Ben Grussendorf, was a representative from Sitka and served as Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives.
“Tim’s solid credentials and thorough understanding of the issues facing our state will serve his constituents well,” Governor Palin said. “I am confident he will be able to hit the ground running.”
First Palin somehow manipulates Mike Doogan into doing her dirty work for her to try and quiet a powerful progressive voice and now she is trying to pit Democrat against Democrat in a battle to replace Kim Elton.
I do not know a thing about Tim Grussendorf at this point. But if Governor Palin wants him that should raise everybody's suspicions. When was the last time she did anything that was not totally self serving?
Democrats need to stop simply reacting to the Governor and start taking charge of their own destiny. Tim Grussendorf should simply say "thanks but no thanks", and allow Rep. Kerttula to remain the only candidate available for the position.
And if he does not do that the Democrats should refuse to confirm him and suggest that he attempt to get into the House or Senate the old fashioned way, by running for it. May I suggest perhaps running for Doogan's seat in the next election? Trust me he will not prove difficult to beat.
Tim's daddy is on her Board of Game (bored of game?). Red flag red flag red flag...
ReplyDeleteHope those dems grow a pair -- and soon!
By the way, I'd sign up here, but it's too darn complicated for me wee brain...
SMR
Well Gryphen, I am glad to see someone has the same thoughts that I do, if GINO thinks it is a good idea, it's probably not! What a novel idea, running for an office in the House or Senate. Maybe it will catch on.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was up to the Dems to nominate someone, and GINO to approve???
ReplyDeleteSarah Palin will have to decide between WAR and Grussendorf; the Legislature won't approve both questionable candidates just because she pandered to the Dems by appointing Christen to the Supreme Court.
ReplyDelete"But if Governor Palin wants him that should raise everybody's suspicions."
ReplyDeletethat's it, keep the focus! confusion and division is her game. Now she can negotiate and get WAR confirm.
Gryphen, I've been a regular reader since the fall. Recently delurking to support Celtc Diva and AKM, I also wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your blog. My political conversion is largely due to you exceptional AK progressive bloggers. Many thanks!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know the specifics as to how this works?
ReplyDeleteI.e., Kertulla's name was submitted, SP said no. She gets to submit 3 names for approval, correct? Each could be successively worse. What happens if the 2nd & 3rd names submitted by SP suck and get turned down by the legs? Does that mean that Elton's district goes w/out representation until his seat would be up for re-election (this Nov? Next Nov?)?
Anyone familiar with his district (is it Sitka?)? Word on the ground from consituents? Would they rather have nobody in the seat to preserve the balance of power as it currently is in the legislature than have someone who is a SP stooge?
Come on Dems! Call her bluff!!!!!!!!
SMR
We know Willow Palin plays/ed Jr. High bbal. Any chance she attends Floyd Dryden Middle School where Tim Grussendorf coaches? I tend to expect a legislative appointment to ideally be a person with similar policy positions to the one leaving since they won the most recent election. I read somewhere that TG is a converservative/moderate Dem who is pro development. Off to crash now.
ReplyDeleteI was reading on a forum, and it stated that he is not qualified by the dems and he went directly to GINO and gave his application. Disqualification was due to changing party affiliation, to my understanding. You can read it on the forum at MF. I would also check to see if he goes to GINO's church, just sayin.......
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree w/curiouser, am a regular reader here too. This is my 2nd favorite, sorry gryphen, Mudflats is no. 1. I am missing your little clips on that stewart guy from comedy central, too, also.
ReplyDeleteShe really needs WAR in there for when all the real ethics issues start going off. So maybe Guessendorf is a barganing tool. Legislators- You don't need to bargin on this one!!!!
ReplyDeletePam's House Blend, via HuffPo, is now running a piece featuring homophobic, discriminatory phraseology from W.A.R., who calls gays "degenerates": http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=10144
ReplyDeleteRe: the WAR appointment --
ReplyDeleteThere are, sadly, loads of people that think that gays are degenerate or some such offensive nonsense. It was totally predictable that SP would choose an AG that travels that road.
More shocking than his views on gays are his views on WOMEN, his comments at a local fundraiser for a local women's shelter/rape crisis center that women are part of the problem when it comes to domestic abuse, that if they'd just stay in the kitchen where they belong their men wouldn't have to hit them, that the women's right movement has "emasculated" men, hence the domestic violence.
If there is a shred of sanity left in any SP supporter, THAT is the message about WAR that just might get them to buy a clue.
SMR
If Beth Kertulla wants the job maybe SHE should be the one to get it the old fashioned way and run for it.
ReplyDeleteBeth Kertulla has already said that she'd run for the seat when it's next up for grabs if she doesn't get this appointment.
ReplyDeleteShe's been an active & dedicated member of the Dem party for a zillion years.
Dussenwhatever couldn't get 5 votes if he had to run for the seat, especially after this little "am I or am I not a Dem" thingy. The question is, will they let him back into the Repub party after the legs say "aw hell no!"
SMR