SF CHRONICLE: PALIN BILLED VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS FOR COSTS OF RAPE KITS WHILE MAYOR OF WASILLA, AK

How's this for exemplifying the expression "adding insult to injury"?
According to this San Francisco Chronicle story, current Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin actually billed victims of sexual assaults and their isnurance companies for the cost of rape kits while she was mayor of Wasilla, AK, on the advice of that town's police chief, saying it would be a burden on taxpayers. Read on...

NOW PAC: Palin May Be a Woman but Isn't Strong on Women's Issues, Endorses Obama

The National Organization for Women Political Action Committee endorsed the Obama-Biden ticket today. Not a huge surprise -- Obama and Biden usually get high marks from NOW for their Senate votes.

But it was a blow to the McCainiacs, who are counting on their Veep-nominee, Gov. Sarah Palin, to attract female voters. Trouble is, a lot of organizations don't compile ratings for governors. And when Palin was asked to supply answers to the nonpartisan Project Vote Smart's "National Political Courage Test" -- basically her positions on the issues, she refused -- she didn't. Or, as Project VoteSmart says on its website (with their capitals):

"Governor Sarah Heath Palin REPEATEDLY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY RESPONSES TO CITIZENS ON ISSUES THROUGH THE 2006 NATIONAL POLITICAL AWARENESS TEST WHEN ASKED TO DO SO BY key national leaders of both major parties including:

John McCain, Republican Senator

Geraldine Ferraro, Former Democratic Congresswoman

Michael Dukakis, Former Democratic Governor

Bill Frenzel, Former Republican Congressman

Richard Kimball, Project Vote Smart President"

Not that Palin would score well with women who are pro-abortion rights (she opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest.) Plus, she supports McCain's opposition to legislation requiring equal pay for women.

Yes, she has huge fans among anti-abortion rights advocates but while she was mayor of tiny Wasilla, AK, the city billed victims of sexual assaults (and their insurance companies) for the cost of rape kits and forensice examinations. Wasilla's police chief said the kits, which cost between $300 and $1,200, would be a burden to taxpayers.