Sarah Palin: billing Alaska for staying in her own home!

From FirstRead:

*** Vetting Palin: Yesterday, nearly every news organization debunked the Palin claim that she told Congress “thanks but no thanks for that Bridge to Nowhere” -- a project McCain has railed against constantly on the campaign trail. (Not only did Palin support that bridge during her gubernatorial bid in 2006, but Congress essentially pulled the plug on it before Palin did, and she diverted the money for it to other projects.) Now comes a Washington Post investigative piece reporting that Palin billed state taxpayers “for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a ‘per diem’ allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.” The article also notes that husband Todd “has billed the state for expenses and a daily allowance for trips he makes on official business for his wife.” The danger of these back-to-back stories: Palin could get painted as just another politician.

Touting the fact that she gave up the governor's mansion but not mentioning that she charges the state to stay in her own home? Earmarks for the tiny town of Wasilla? Flip-flopping on the Bridge to Nowhere?

A maverick, indeed.