In a bit of political skulduggery that would make Richard Nixon proud. Governor Sarah Palin tore a page from the Nixon administration’s election play book. She is attempting to delay the Alaska legislature from conducting an investigation into claims she violated ethical and personnel regulations, so much for her reformist claim of a transparent, ethical and accountable government. The sordid affair began last July when legislators first began discussing the need to investigate possible ethics charges.
At the time Palin flatly denied any wrongdoing and challenged the allegations by saying she welcomed a probe, “hold me accountable” were her exact words in fact.
The allegations under investigation are that she, her family or administration improperly pressured Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire Palin’s ex-brother-in-law, state trooper Mike Wooten, who had been in the middle of an ugly custody dispute with Palin’s sister.
The legislature took her up on the challenge but this week Palin’s high powered GOP lawyer demanded the Legislature stop its investigation, after having had the governor file an ethics complaint against herself. Which is a transparent attempt to turn the entire matter over to the Governors state personnel board, which we assume would begin all over and maybe even hire an independent investigator of its own sometime in the future, say November 5th?
This is a feeble and transparent attempt to delay and drag out the investigation until after voters decide the fate of her vice-presidential bid. Palin should honor her pledge to cooperate with the Legislature’s investigation, which is being conducted by respected former state prosecutor Steve Branchflower.
She can start by telling her aide Frank Bailey to talk to the legislative investigator. Or fire him if he doesn’t. Bailey was caught on an audio recording with a Public Safety Department official, pushing to get Wooten fired.
A spokeswoman for Palin said Bailey is on administrative leave but still on the state payroll, the Governor should direct him to cooperate with the legislative investigation if she has nothing to hide. And some are asking why Bailey is still on the states payroll to begin with, he bailed on a scheduled interview with the legislative investigator Wednesday?
The Legislature didn’t give its investigator the power to subpoena or compel testimony of witnesses. Subpoenas seemed unnecessary at the time, since it appeared till this week the governor and administration would be cooperating; I say it’s time to rethink the power of the subpoena.
The investigation was supposed to be all wrapped up by Oct. 31. That’s obviously bad timing from the standpoint of the McCain presidential campaign, just a few days before the national election. Voters deserve to know if the woman who may be the next vice president is a crook or not.
When Trooper gate started Palin’s response was let’s get it done. But Republican vice president candidate Palin is apparently hoping the facts will remain hidden till after the Presidential election.
7 users commented in " Governor Palin Plays Watergate With Trooper Investigation "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackWell said. Palin would have served Nixon well.
Another Democratic witch hunt and liberal smear. The only person pushing this “investigation” is a partisan Alaka Democratic state senator.
If the repubs win with the adulterer McCain and his adulteress wife, the adulteress Palin and her promiscuous daughter, the WH would be just one big orgy fest.
Good and factual writing psburton, thank you! Boroman- you can not label these actions or the discussing of them a “witch Hunt” or a “liberal Smear” because the information is indeed TRUE and FACT! It is public record and if you are not sure you should find out the truth about the matter and the investigation. If the investigation were indeed partisan, there would be nothing to find and thus no need for Palin to delay it. Boroman- you do yourself an injustice if you just blindly repeat name calling of a party and do not look into fact, try it!
Boroman- please give me an inside veiw of why so many people support willingly obvious liars and betrayers? Leadrers who have sacrificed the American peoples jobs, health care families, over and over again……..And your still willing to sign on for more of it?????
the officer in question tasered his 10 year old step son.
Thank you for defending this type of action in our police ranks!
Palin stated she is Christian so she understands the Bible when it states you reap what you sow. She tried to tear Obama down with lies during the campaign and ruin his intregrity so now that the campaign is over she is experiencing the same things she did to Obama by her own party so you do reap what you sow. It amazing what hungriness for power will make a person do.
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