Palin owes public an explanation


Published on Thursday, August 14, 2008 10:14 PM AKDT

Since her campaign for and election to the state’s highest elected office, Gov. Sarah Palin, a former beauty queen and high school basketball standout from the Mat-Su Valley, has been our local princess of politics.

We have been proud the governor calls the Valley home and that we have a voice reflecting our local values and priorities in our state’s top administrator. In the nearly two years since her election, Palin, for the most part, has done much that reflects well on her office and where she comes from, including finally prodding progress on plans to develop our vast natural gas resources.

That pride comes from trust — a trust the governor is straining as she and her administration continue to flounder over her recent firing of former state Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan amid allegations Monegan wouldn’t cave to pressure to fire Palmer-based Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten. Wooten is Palin’s former brother-in-law and is embroiled in a custody battle with the governor’s sister.

First Gentleman Todd Palin has admitted approaching Monegan on behalf of the Palin family about Wooten, and now we have learned that, despite initial statements from the governor to the contrary, that some members of Palin’s staff also contacted the DPS about Wooten. In a press conference Wednesday, Palin admitted there were about “two dozen” such contacts and said those happened without her knowledge. She said many of those contacts were made by her former chief of staff, Mike Tibbles.

“I now have to tell Alaskans that such pressure [to fire Wooten] could have been perceived to exist, although I have only now become aware of it,” she said.

We’re sorry, Madame Governor, that’s not enough. The people of the Valley and Alaska deserve a better explanation that answers more questions that it raises.

Palin’s awareness of this pressure from staff comes directly after the discovery of a taped telephone conversation between the governor’s director of boards and commissions, Frank Bailey, and AST Lt. Rodney Dial. During that conversation, Bailey pressures Dial to take action against Wooten. Bailey backs up the governor and says she knew nothing of his contact with the AST.

Unless there’s evidence to the contrary, we’re forced to believe this. At the same time, Palin is asking us to also believe this of the other staffers who have done the same. One or two such contacts is an anomaly, about “two dozen” is a pattern. Aside from the serious implications of using her public office to satisfy a personal family vendetta, we’re troubled with the continuing revelations stemming from the Wooten fiasco. Here are two questions our governor needs to answer:

• If there was no direction from Palin’s office for staff to pressure the Department of Public Safety, is it just coincidence that Tibbles, Bailey and others acted independently and without provocation from the administration?

• If Bailey acted independent of Palin’s wishes with his contact with DPS about Wooten, why is he still a part of the administration?

Even without the Palin controversy this is a difficult time for Alaska politics. The recent conviction and indictments of state lawmakers, including charges against U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, have shaken the public’s trust in our elected representation to its core. Now we have to wonder if we can trust our governor as well.

Alaskans are a rugged yet forgiving population. We don’t demand perfection and don’t expect all our babies to be kissed every four years. What we do expect, and deserve, is honesty and truth. Governor Palin, if you didn’t use your office to satisfy a family grievance, show us. If you did, admit it, sincerely apologize and move on.

Copyright © 2009 Frontiersman

Comments

28 comment(s)

    Mick wrote on Sep 3, 2008 3:20 PM:

    " Hey I got a great idea....lets bring back Murkowski.......after all things were far better back then!!! "

    Forget it wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:06 PM:

    " Now that she's on the campaign trail you can forget about any response from Palin. I just wonder if she's drawing her State of Alaska salary while she's campaigning down south. At least she's out of here and won't stir up anymore trouble. Washington wants her, they can have her. "

    Yellow Journalism wrote on Aug 27, 2008 2:55 PM:

    " Why is it the Frontiersman chooses what editorials it runs? Afraid someone might bash princess Palin? I've submitted many thoughts on this story and to date none have made it through. "

    Too bad wrote on Aug 25, 2008 12:47 AM:

    " What is really sad is that Palin ran on a promise that public safety would be one of her priorities during her administration. All her legacy will be when this is over, and she is out of office, is that she did nothing for the safety of Alaskans. Instead fought like a child with DPS. I guess we will have to wait until our next governor is elected to get something done. Hopefully they won't carry a grudge that will prevent them from doing their job, and making better decisions for all Alaska. Thank you Palin for nothing. "

    Go Away Palin wrote on Aug 24, 2008 6:07 PM:

    " At least Wooten admitted he was wrong and didn't lie about it, Jeff King needs to take a lesson. I guess Palin needed two years before should could report it. I guess the timing just wasn't right. We'll wait until the investigation is done and she is permanently branded a liar. Give me a break, she is a loser! "

    gusgus wrote on Aug 24, 2008 4:13 PM:

    " Monegan is gone. YEA, another cop bites the dust.
    Now on to the real truth, The Gov is allowed to fire whom ever she feels needs firing. Whining does little else than cost time and tax dollars. STOOOPPP! Just SHAD_UP! Whiners and selfish ignorants drive these troubles up flagpoles and finally die off. Can't we just ignore them? PLEEEASSSE?
    Come On Sarah fire some more! Less cops is gooood! "

    DOUBLE STANDARD wrote on Aug 24, 2008 9:07 AM:

    " Why are the legislators and the media ONLY looking at the Palin half of the Palin/Monegan equation? Nobody but Sarah has had the courage to shake up the trooper leadership. It has needed it for decades. What on earth does Hollis French know about DPS or DOC except what the brass presents at hand shaking events. Musher Jeff King is ON TRIAL for poaching a moose. But Trooper Wooten (only under pressure) was given the slap on the wrist of a 5 day suspension. And Wooten is not the only trooper to be "protected" from prosecution. DOUBLE STANDARD!! "

    Highly Questionable wrote on Aug 24, 2008 2:22 AM:

    " jp, write about something you know about instead of something someone supposedly told you. You sound like Palin with her sister feeding her information about Wooten. I highly doubt you talked to any old time troopers as you say. If Monegan was a yes man, he would still have a job! "

    jp wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:51 PM:

    " the old time troopers that i share time with all think that monegan was nothing more than a yes man, no individual thought process whatsoever. if the governor decides that one of her chosen ones do not cut the muster, then it should be, and i do believe is, her (the governor's) right to dispense of this persons office, at the governor's discretion.
    at least that is how it is worded in our states constitution!
    words to remember: read the laws before you pronounce sentence! "

    They are worse wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:05 PM:

    " Mae, the only reason you know about Wooten is because he agreed to make it public, or as you put it "open". The same can not be said of Palin, even though she ran on a promise of an open and transparent government. She also illegaly tried to fire him, putting her families personal issues before that of the state when she fired a commish that tried to point her in the right direction. Now she is tring to cover it up. Sooooo, yes the Palin/Heaths are worse. "

    Mae wrote on Aug 20, 2008 3:24 PM:

    " Wooten is a trooper gone bad.

    Sooooo, does this mean the Palin/Heath family is worse? Look I'm no Palin-bot, but I'm glad to see the behavior of this trooper out in the open.

    If I've a problem, Wooten's shoes will not grace my property. "

    Need answers...... wrote on Aug 19, 2008 3:09 PM:

    " Palin said over and over "HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE." Well, Princess we are and WILL hold you accountable. Your actions are showing a definite pattern of throwing everyone under the bus while you claim innocence of knowing nothing about the corruption. Poppycock. Make it easier on yourself---just stand up and tell the TRUTH for once! This administration bothers me much much more that Murkowski and he was bad enough. He looks like childs play compared to you and your administration. "

    Will wrote on Aug 19, 2008 12:07 PM:

    " Alaskans that care to know the truth need to visit Halcro's website at least once daily.

    www.AndrewHalcro.com "

    Our right to an opinion wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:34 PM:

    " Guilty!!!!!! "

    Catherine wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:56 PM:

    " Fair editorial but the writing uncovers a fatal mistake made by many including this paper of perceiving and treating Palin like a Princess. First of all, princesses are story book characters of lovely perfection; Palin is not. Princesses are often arrogant, rude, selfish, and self-absorbed; that describes Palin to a tee. When we perceived her a a princess and ignored and excused her bad behaviors while choosing to refuse to see anything but lovely perfection, we did her and ourselves a disservice. We need to wake up and bring the human, flawed Palin to accountability "

    B. Church wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:11 PM:

    " Well, well, here we go again,around and around on the policatical media cirus wheel. The media doesn't seem to have anything else to report about... the acuasations just keep coming, the story just keeps getting bigger and bigger and probably more blown out of proportion as the media keeps fueling the fire, espeically with editorials like this.
    I don't know how our Govenor can focus on any part of her job or her life having to deal the crap that is being thrown at her. Lets stop the witch hunt,let the investagator do his job, and MOVE ON. "

    To M. Adams wrote on Aug 18, 2008 5:13 PM:

    " You want proof? Like to the recording of Frank Bailey. "

    M. Adams wrote on Aug 18, 2008 6:03 AM:

    " How quickly we play judge and jury.  It's a right to have opinions, but the law also supports presumed innooence until proven guilty.  This applies to our Governor as well as our Senator.  "

    Howard wrote on Aug 16, 2008 7:37 PM:

    " Wow! A editorial about Palin that isn't glowingly positive? Thanks, Frontiersman! Thanks for finally doing your job. "

    I have an opinion wrote on Aug 16, 2008 2:08 PM:

    " Yeah, I have an opinion about Halcro. He brought all this into the open. More than I can say about Palin. "

    jim wrote on Aug 16, 2008 12:38 PM:

    " Come on Sara come clean. Fire everyone who made any calls about wooten. If you don't you will just be another lier in office. It doesn't make any differance if you asked or knew they were making calls about wooten they are your guys. What is wrong with you republicans(I voted for you) can't any of you be honest? I would love to be a republican but you are all liers.Won't vote for you again!!!! "

    Monegan explanation wrote on Aug 16, 2008 12:28 PM:

    " I want to know why Monegan is not being investigated for allowing Wooten to continue a fraudulant workers compensation claim. Monegan admitted the video of Wooten riding snowmachines showed enough evidence to suspect a fraudulant workers comp claim, but did absolutely nothing about the issue. Regardless of what happens to Palin, we need to demand an investigation into this matter. Unfortunately, we're being blinded by this single issue and overlooking other serious matters. "

    She does owe an explanation wrote on Aug 16, 2008 10:44 AM:

    " Palin does owe an explanation. She was elected by the people and works for the people. She ran on a promise of an "open and transparent administration". This also goes further than firing Monegan. If she used her influence as governor to try and illegaly fire her former brother-in-law, then it is criminal. It is called "Official Misconduct". She is no better than any of the other criminals in office right now. "

    Ray wrote on Aug 16, 2008 9:27 AM:

    " Some folks don't get it. This is no longer about Monegan or Wooten. Those are now separate issues. This is about the current administrations abuse of power. None of us would like to be pressured into doing anything by anyone, period! Dan Fagen who I don't care for by way, is correct in calling some of you folks, PalinBotts. Good commentary by the editor. "

    Once upon a time wrote on Aug 16, 2008 4:53 AM:

    " You have expressed your opinion of Ms. Palin, now do you have one of Halcro, also? He seems to get to sit back and enjoy this a bit too much. Or is he such a nothing that he should be ignored? "

    Sam D. wrote on Aug 15, 2008 10:39 PM:

    " The cover up is getting worse and worse. It is the talk of the state and Palin is now a laughing stock. No one I have spoken to believes a word she says anymore. The lies are so clear. Frank Bailey will be forced to resign. Another one bites the dust. You cannot tell me that that many people made phone calls without being prompted by the co-governors? POPPYCOCK...we are not that stupid Palin. Fess up---we all would take that better than all these LIES! Pathetic and Sickening. "

    Tom Castillo wrote on Aug 15, 2008 11:00 AM:

    " Palin does not owe any explanation on the Monegan issue. When he took the job he know that he worked at the will of the governor and could be let go at anytime, for no reason. I have more faith in Palin then the legislators who are pushing the issue. As for Monegan, he should have said something but didnt, then says he felt pressure, BS. I wouldnt want him on my team. "

    Allen wrote on Aug 15, 2008 8:22 AM:

    " A fair editorial. I will be interesting to see if the Governor heeds your advice. She should or this hole is just going to get deeper. "

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