SARAH STAKES HER CLAIM - AT 8:44 P.M. ET:  From the Anchorage Daily News:

Gov. Sarah Palin just told reporters that she’s accepting only 55 percent of the federal economic stimulus money being offered to Alaska. The governor said that she will accept only about $514 million of the $930 million headed to the state.

“We are not requesting funds intended to just grow government. We are not requesting more money for normal day-to-day operations of government as part of this economic stimulus package. In essence we say no to operating funds for more positions in government,” Palin said.

COMMENT:  Risky, but gutsy.  People still forget that Sarah Palin is a sitting governor with a very decisive governing style.  Clearly, she's staking her claim to a continued national role.  Watch carefully where this goes.

March 19, 2009