Point of Law.com, August 29, 2008

Not much to say about Alaska's governor, Sarah Palin, on legal reform issues (certainly a lot less than Sen. Joe Biden). The Pacific Research Institute's 2008 State Liability Index ranks Alaska as having the No. 2 legal climate in outputs (costs) and No. 16 in inputs (laws).

Both Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin proclaim her courage in "taking on big oil," irritating populist rhetoric and not encouraging as far legal philosophy goes, but then, Palin does come from the state where the Exxon Valdez oil spill left an unhappy, expensive legacy. After the Supreme Court's June decision in Exxon Shipping v. Baker, reducing the punitive damages awards, Palin reacted (from The Anchorage Daily News):

Gov. Sarah Palin said she is extremely disappointed with the decision saying the court "gutted the jury's decision on punitive damages" and undercut one of the principal deterrents for marine shipping accidents in Alaska.

"It is tragic that so many Alaska fishermen and their families have had their lives put on hold waiting for this decision," Palin said. "My heart goes out to those affected, especially the families of the thousands of Alaskans who passed away while waiting for justice."