Frontiersman
ANCHORAGE — Gov. Sarah Palin’s firing of former state Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan was proper, but she abused her power in attempting to have her former brother-in-law Alaska State Trooper Michael Wooten fired.
  
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“The Legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust,” says the report, compiled by Stephen E. Branchflower, special counsel to the Alaska Legislative Council. Branchflower was tasked by lawmakers to investigate whether Palin and her administration used her office to satisfy a family grudge against Wooten, who went through a nasty divorce with Palin’s sister.
Governor Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda, to wit: To get trooper Michael Wooten fired,” the report says.
Branchflower says in the report he believes Monegan’s refusal to fire Wooten was not the sole reason Palin fired him, but likely was a contributing factor.
His report also outlines a high level of access to the governor’s office and its resources by Todd Palin, the governor’s husband.
Branchflower says Governor Palin had the authority to fire Monegan, which he said she did lawfully. But Branchflower also reports that the level of pressure put on Monegan to fire Wooten was not lawful.
The Legislative Council made no mention of a criminal investigation Friday, and the body doesn’t have the authority to sanction Palin. What effect the investigation will have will likely be seen during the Nov. 4 election, or after Palin returns to Alaska should Republican presidential candidate John McCain not win the presidency.
The report
The report released Friday is only what’s being made available to the public. State Sen. Kim Elton said some parts of the report are confidential because they deal with personnel matters.
In the portion of the released report, Chuck Kopp, the man Palin hired to replace Monegan, testified he received a call from Palin aide Frank Bailey telling him the governor’s office wanted to make a change in the leadership of the Public Safety Office.
“Todd [Palin] is really upset with Monegan,” Bailey said, according to Kopp’s testimony.
Kopp went on to testify that Bailey told him Palin lost confidence in the Alaska State Troopers and the Department of Public Safety’s ability to protect her family from Wooten. The report also says Sarah Palin never personally spoke to Kopp before he was appointed to fill the Public Safety commissioner’s seat. Kopp resigned 15 days later after a prior sexual harassment claim filed against him in Kenai resurfaced.
Following Kopp’s testimony in the report, Gary Wheeler, who worked on Palin’s security detail, testified he feels Todd Palin had “a significant influence” over employees in the governor’s office. He also states in the report that the governor reduced her security staff from six people to three — two full-time and one part-time positions.
As the Troopergate probe progressed, some critics of Governor Palin have said it didn’t make sense for her to reduce her security staff if she felt she and her family were threatened by Wooten.
Rep. Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, was one of six Republican legislators, along with Wasilla Rep. Wes Keller, who sued to stop the investigation. He said he also agrees it doesn’t make sense for Palin to thin out her security detail if she felt her family was in danger.
Gatto said he thinks the Troopergate report is “not good, but it’s not devastating” for Governor Palin. He also believes Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat, saw the investigation as a chance to discredit the governor.
In the report, Wheeler went on to detail Todd Palin’s level of involvement in the governor’s office.
“Anytime I needed to get information to the governor, I would always go through Todd, because he was the only one I could — could talk with, either via the cell phone or in person,” Wheeler testified. “I know that he got e-mails and stuff that he was in the loop on — on activities.”
Throughout the report, Todd Palin is portrayed as the aggressor in trying to get Wooten fired. The report says the governor knowingly allowed Todd Palin to use her office and its resources, including access to state employees, in an effort to find a way to terminate Wooten.
“Todd Palin probably went way over his boundaries and wasn’t stopped,” Gatto said.
The argument the Palins felt their safety was threatened by Wooten doesn’t hold water, the report concludes.
Branchflower writes that Todd Palin’s contact with staff and state trooper officials “is inconsistent with a desire to avoid harm from trooper Wooten or others.” He also says Todd Palin’s complaints to state employees had nothing to do with a fear of Wooten; instead, they centered around Todd Palin calling Wooten a bad trooper, poor recruiting image and expressing his frustration over Wooten’s punishment after an administrative investigation.
“I conclude that such claims of fear were not bona fide and were offered to provide cover for the Palins’ real motivation: to get trooper Wooten fired for personal family related reasons,” Branchflower says in the report.
The subject of Todd Palin’s level of involvement in state government is also dealt with. In sworn testimony, Attorney General Talis Colberg says Todd Palin was copied on e-mails dealing with state business, but can’t explain the purpose for it.
Colberg acknowledges Todd Palin is not a state employee, but says he never asked why he was being included on official state business.
Response from
McCain-Palin camp
Following Friday’s release of Branchflower’s report, spokespersons for Palin and the McCain-Palin campaign were quick to play down the impact of its findings.
In a statement, McCain-Palin spokeswoman Meg Stapleton said the report vindicates Palin.
“Today’s report shows that the governor acted within her proper and lawful authority in the reassignment of Walt Monegan,” Stapleton said. “The report also illustrates what we’ve known all along: this was a partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters.”
The bipartisan panel of state legislators — eight Republicans and four Democrats — voted unanimously to investigate Palin before anyone knew McCain would select her as his running mate. The investigation was not about Monegan’s termination, but allegations Palin pressured him to fire Wooten.
In July, Palin told the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman she had nothing to hide and an official investigation would prove that. After she joined the Republican ticket, Palin resisted the investigation and the McCain campaign sent spokespeople to Alaska attempting to reveal the investigation was a partisan attack.
David Cheezem, a Democrat running for Gatto’s House seat, said the McCain campaign must feel silly for fighting the investigation so hard if it is going to contend that same report exonerates her.
Cheezem said the controversy surrounding the Troopergate investigation shows two different Sarah Palins.
“As governor, I think Sarah Palin has been different than the Sarah Palin as vice presidential candidate,” Cheezem said. “I think Governor Palin will come back to her roots [if McCain does not win the election], and those roots were bipartisanship and openness and transparency.”
What about Wooten?
Gatto said he’d like to know more about how “we’re going to deal with Wooten.”
Some have said Wooten got off easy after he was found to have Tased his 11-year old son, killed a moose illegally out of season and allegedly drank alcohol in his patrol car. Wooten was disciplined by the department and remains a trooper.
Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, who said he considers Monegan to be a friend, said the political implications for Palin will all depend on how the press covers the story.
“Out of four findings, three exonerate her in many ways,” Stoltze said.
The press has been a frequent target of Palin and the McCain campaign, which says biased media have stopped at nothing to smear the Alaska governor.
In his own statement, Bill McAllister, Palin’s spokesman in Alaska, says Branchflower’s findings required “speculation and assumptions” to reach.
“We agree with the comments made that Alaskans should consider the report in total rather than relying on the findings,” McAllister said, echoing a comment from Elton.
The Troopergate report also has some recommendations.
Branchflower said the Legislature should consider amending an Alaska statute to make certain a government agency seeking medical or rehabilitation records of an employee establishes a solid reason and purpose for obtaining those records. The report also says the Legislature should consider amending another statute to allow people who file complaints against peace officers to get feedback about the results of their complaints.
Show of support
A group of Sarah Palin supporters greeted legislators as they filed into the office Friday morning. David Boyle, who admitted working for the McCain-Palin campaign, called the Troopergate investigation a “kangaroo circus” run by French.
“I’m here to support a wonderful governor,” Boyle said, adding he wouldn’t lie about his connection to the McCain-Palin campaign.
The pro-Palin group moved outside during executive session. The crowd soon left and was replaced by a smaller group calling themselves Students for Palin.
The McCain campaign on Thursday released its own report, a day before the Legislature’s report was scheduled to come out, clearing Palin of any wrongdoing.
“The Palins make no apologies for wanting to protect their family and wanting to bring attention to the injustice of a violent trooper keeping his badge and abusing the workers’ compensation system,” the campaign report’s conclusion says.
A separate investigation run by the state’s Personnel Board is also underway. Palin has said she will cooperate with that investigation because it’s the proper channel to handle the Troopergate controversy. The Personnel Board is comprised of three appointed members.
Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.
Report questions Todd Palin’s access to state resources
ANCHORAGE — The Troopergate report released Friday paints a picture of Gov. Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd, and some members of her staff in their efforts to get Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten fired.
While the report found Palin had the right to fire Monegan, it also says she abused her power by applying pressure to get Wooten fired and allowing circumstances to exist in the governor’s office that constitute an abuse of power. Following are some excerpts from the report. The full public report can be viewed online at www.legis.state.ak.us.
• “The evidence supports the conclusion that Governor Palin, at the least, engaged in ‘official action’ by her inaction, if not her active participation or assistance to her husband, in attempting to get Trooper Wooten fired.
• “She knowingly... permitted Todd Palin to use the governor’s office and the resources of the governor’s office, including access to state employees, to continue to subordinate state employees in an effort to find some way to get trooper Wooten fired.”
• “Such impermissible and repeated contacts create conflicts of interest for subordinate employees who must choose to either please a superior or run the risk of facing that superior’s displeasure and the possible consequences of such displeasure.”
• “In this case, Gov. Palin has declined to provide an interview. An interview would have assisted everyone to better understand her motives and perhaps explain why she was so apparently intent upon getting trooper Wooten fired in spite of the fact she knew he had been disciplined following the administrative investigation.”
• “While it is true that in the absence of an interview with either Gov. Palin or Todd Palin, the specific answers to questions such as these are left unanswered, it is likewise true that their apparent motives can be inferred from the circumstances, their actions and their comments.”
• Stephen E. Branchflower, special counsel to the Alaska Legislative Council who authored the report, went on to say since Todd Palin is not a state employee, his actions cannot violate any state executive branch ethics rules.
Comments
160 comment(s)anotherREALAmerican wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:32 AM:
Alaskans please call your pitbull home. We in the lower 48 don't want her. Oh yeah, if you'll take her back we promise to chip in for a year's supply of lipstick for her. "
MAXKATT from NY wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:42 AM:
Former ADN reader wrote on Oct 26, 2008 6:12 PM:
beth wrote on Oct 26, 2008 6:13 AM:
wrkgmom.mn wrote on Oct 26, 2008 4:54 AM:
untainted view etc. "
Palin haters.... wrote on Oct 25, 2008 1:29 PM:
wrkgmom.mn wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:41 PM:
Ben wrote on Oct 24, 2008 12:00 PM:
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 24, 2008 6:10 AM:
Let me make one thing clear before you snuggle up to me here: I never speculated how the Palins got their house and I don't care and, unless you have proof, you should not make accusations lke that.
That is a matter for the tax payers of Wasilla to decide, they are the ones that owe the 22 Mio debt. "
From Afar wrote on Oct 23, 2008 3:12 PM:
MAXKATT from NY wrote on Oct 23, 2008 6:02 AM:
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 23, 2008 1:05 AM:
In 12 days we will all know how much change Sarah Palin is good for. Since Obama is enjoying a doble digit lead across the nation, I would say not much.
Her loss will empower Alaskans in her own party (who dragged her through troopergate, not Obama operatives as her supporters claim) to go after her for everything else they can uncover and you will have to elect someone else. You should run, you can read and write and your friends in the AIP will support you, that is all it takes, right? "
Nameless -former democrat wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:54 PM:
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 22, 2008 10:35 AM:
I am sure not all Alaskans are of the ilk you find contributing here.The nastiest contributors here are all nameless, I am fairly certain a few of the pseudonyms belong to one person, the venom smells the same. Alaska is leading in rape and incest in the nation, that is a fact, Wasilla has a severe Meth problem, that is a fact. You are a proud Alaskan, it is in your power to change those facts. Why don't you do that,.And do something about Palin, try impeachment. "
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 22, 2008 10:18 AM:
I live in Georgia and we have had our share of noteworthy governors, Lester Maddox and Zell Miller come to mind. They never tried to be YOUR VP though, Palin is trying to be mine and you will just have to put up with us sticking our noses in your business.
The first red flag was that 80 percent approval rating she had. That indicated that she is either a major con artist or you have half a million of really dense Alaskans. You tell me which it was. "
MAXKATT from NY wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:29 PM:
MAXKATT from NY wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:05 PM:
30 year Alaskan and PROUD Palin supporter wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:22 AM:
Todd Palin did what any other MAN would do if he percieved his family was in danger from a rogue cop who made death threats. He tried to protect his family and OTHER FAMILIES from a dysfunctional cop. Monegan also made death threats to his ex wife. "
30 year Alaskan and PROUD Palin supporter wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:12 AM:
30 year Alaskan and proud Palin supporter wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:01 AM:
Valley boy wrote on Oct 20, 2008 1:00 AM:
Karin does your hate for Sarah Palin call for you to degrade anyone, and everyone from Alaska? Read some good books, it will help your soul. This is not WWII anymore. "
j wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:14 PM:
$45,000.00 for three months. That's $15,000.00 a month. WHAT A WASTE!
THAT WORKS OUT TO BE 180,000.00 A YEAR, GOOD THING THAT THE "INVESTIGATION" DIDN'T TAKE THAT LONG.
There has been reports that Branchflower complained that he didn't get all the information he requested.
What about the information that he did not include in his determination? "
jr wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:10 PM:
Then the issue of an "open container"(this was in a State Trooper car, by the way), DUI chargedefinitely!
I don't think an average person would get away with open containers in their employer provided vehicle. Then there is the issue of terroristic threats. How soon people forget. "
Jay wrote on Oct 19, 2008 6:59 PM:
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 19, 2008 9:27 AM:
Your ranting brings to mind all the things Wasilla is famous for: Meth, poverty, ignorance, extreme religion, incest, rape, Walmart, trailers, trash, debt, corruption and Palin. You cast an evil glow on Alaska. Are you even registerd to vote or are you afraid of letting the government know where you live. "
jomama wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:53 AM:
Hey KATTDOG and dems wrote on Oct 18, 2008 12:10 PM:
A pretty face on Obama with a mere "present" attitude is powerless. A governor who takes action and, has a pretty face, says something. Her changes in the oil industry effect the country. I see good changes. Hope your bicycle is tuned up if you get your Obama. "
Smells like partisan garbage wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:53 AM:
Pure partisan crap. Obama obedient lap dogs are doing as told. "
jomama wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:30 AM:
Valley Girl wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:41 AM:
MAXKATT from NY wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:53 AM:
But assuming you're not talking about Joe Biden, I guess thanks for suggesting Barack is a handsome man. "
More curious wrote on Oct 16, 2008 11:08 PM:
What democrats need to do for an honest win is to have a real objective other than an "Anything goes as long as we win" mentality. Or just a pretty face. "
LOL wrote on Oct 16, 2008 12:34 PM:
Cliff wrote on Oct 16, 2008 10:55 AM:
Curious wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:02 AM:
This is a no brainer, no different then the EXIT Polls with the exception that it wasn't oral. ACORN is nothing more than campaign poll. NONE of these people will cast a vote without being asked for ID and registered in their district.
ACORN is just a group out promoting there candidate and making someone feel important. McCain accepted less from ACORN then Obama, BIG DEAL "
Poor censorship wrote on Oct 16, 2008 6:42 AM:
Talk about a abuse of power-you show it. "
Retired 42 wrote on Oct 15, 2008 2:13 PM:
MAXKATT from NY wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:41 AM:
jomama wrote on Oct 15, 2008 8:10 AM:
AKvoter wrote on Oct 15, 2008 7:03 AM:
Just the facts - just the facts "
Bear wrote on Oct 15, 2008 6:40 AM:
Paul from America wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:13 AM:
"There is only one answer,we know that Obama looks to the future,now we know he can actually SEE the future".
Do you really believe this? Everyone looks to the future, but only a select few can SEE the future. Could this be the 'Messiah'! Or the other anti-guy. Who do you say he is? You make much ado about nothing but a rogue trooper. Any comments on democratic voter fraud or ACORN today? America should think that is more important because it has a more serious impact. "
Tell us wrote on Oct 14, 2008 11:36 PM:
From afar wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:47 PM:
Erin wrote on Oct 14, 2008 11:30 AM:
Man wrote on Oct 14, 2008 11:23 AM:
Walt from Indiana wrote on Oct 14, 2008 10:45 AM:
There is only one answer,we know that Obama looks to the future,now we know he can actually SEE the future.
By the way how do you impeach a "first dude". "
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 14, 2008 10:44 AM:
If you make deals with Priness lines you get princess customers. If you want to know what they are like, take a Princess cruise. It is your state, they play by your rules. You must have inept or crooked leaders that make deals like that.
Germany is a tourist country, they have no problems with them. None of this is rocket science, you can hire people to help you. You do need to have half a brain to hire the right person, sort of like electing a governor or a president. Think about it! "
jp wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:51 AM:
princess and holland america had their own train station built so their patrons could avoid local businesses.
but our state paid to have them built!
tourists that come here leave us all their garbage, pollute our waters, and are generally rude.
i don't live off tourist money, i don't care about tourism, i'd rather not have it! "
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:09 AM:
You'd be hard put to vote 'muslem' in this election. But you did just make my case that the one thing Alaska needs most urgently is education and I don't mean home schooling! Thank you for your timely post. "
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:01 AM:
You can't turn back the clock, you need to go forward with proper education to get good jobs. You need to develop capable community leaders, not the self serving charlatans that are promising you the world and will forget about you on Nov 5.
Alaska has the highest rape and incest rates in the US, yet the AIP wants you to home school. You have a great state, yet you are doing everything to make it as unattractive as possible to the rest of the world. Tourism Dollars are nice to have! "
Smitty wrote on Oct 14, 2008 6:58 AM:
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 14, 2008 6:44 AM:
You are talking to a German, we grew up reading about and admiring Idians. In the 80's I lived in Minnesota and saw what they (we!) did to the Indians. I now live where the 'trail of tears' started. I know you got shafted then and you are hitching your wagon to the wrong horse again. Republicans will not do anything for you, AIP will not do anything for you, the will exploit you like they did blacks. You have great beauty and wealth around Wasilla, the Meth Capitol of Alaska! "
morgan wrote on Oct 14, 2008 4:45 AM:
Fighting without a cause wrote on Oct 14, 2008 1:01 AM:
You're fighting without a cause if you want to convince Alaskans to change. Maybe there are a lot of Americans who read our paper here. But no good will come of your disrespect and hatred of our country ,or Alaska if you continue. "
jp wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:57 PM:
as for the U.S. buying Alaska from Russia, guess what, they didn't own it!
the true Alaskans owned it, and i think legally, if persued, this could be proved.
i think all native americans should band together to rid ourselves of the scourge of our land!
the american government have never held up their end of the bargain when it came to the indians!
Rebel! Indians unite! and fight! "
Alaska born wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:03 PM:
USAFSGT wrote on Oct 13, 2008 4:47 PM:
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 13, 2008 12:23 PM:
Why would Democrats waste any money on Alaska? You have twice as many registered Republicans as Democrats and the Republican VP candidate is your Governor. So that Paid Democratic Assassin comment does not hold water, lay off the stuff for a while, we would not want you to get too paranoid, or did you just write that for the benefit of your fellow Alaskans? "
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 13, 2008 12:10 PM:
we respect you just fine. Just don't take our tax dollars while you are plotting to cecede. The per capita earmarks Alaska got by way of your crooked representative are so out of proportion with the rest of the states that it is not funny. But that is not enough, y'all want the whole state! And you want us to act like we don't notice what is going on.
You are Americans, like it or not. If y'all want to cecede get a movement going but don't have Governer Girl shill for y'all. "
jp wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:37 AM:
the lower 48 has no respect for us, and only want our resources, that much is true.
But the constant barrage of the "paid Democratic assassins" that have been transplanted here from there just for this campaign, will hopefully leave after election day, or possibly just get too cold to stay.
i mean no disrespect, but, would you please go home now, tourist season is over! "
Nameless wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:15 AM:
Cobb6 wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:11 AM:
Joe wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:02 AM:
zzq22 wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:42 AM:
Scratch my head wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:24 AM:
We have a carpetbagger from Michigan and more than 10 other places trying to smooth talk his way into becoming mayor or should I say CEO of the city. His "non-profit" corps are the source of his income along with his wife who has a "free" credit card from the GWCC. Sad! Sad! and even sadder the press is turning their back on it all! "
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 13, 2008 2:32 AM:
How do I know? Sasha's daddy told me!
The AIP gambled and lost with Sarah as governor. Their only alternative is to get strong in numbers. "
Jack wrote on Oct 12, 2008 10:18 PM:
To capricorn wrote on Oct 12, 2008 6:12 PM:
Burke wrote on Oct 12, 2008 5:46 PM:
Not only does she sbuse her power She abuse Beautiful animals..Check this video.....
www.Defenders.org/ "
jp wrote on Oct 12, 2008 5:42 PM:
so how could she have abused her power? trooper wooten was not dismissed, nor was he even reprimanded.
so what kind of evidence did the prosecutors have? no crime, no penalty!
now if this man was fired because of her asking someone to fire him, it would be a different story.
now Monegan's position was at the pleasure of the governor ( an appointed position may be terminated at any time, even without reason from the governor)
so what was this suit really about???
a trooper is still out there, who shouldn't be! "
capricorn1 wrote on Oct 12, 2008 4:53 PM:
Frank wrote on Oct 12, 2008 4:22 PM:
Lisa Ca wrote on Oct 12, 2008 3:08 PM:
is a very cold and mean woman...But, I was so Happy when they Booed her at the
hockey game ...Wish I was there to join in...She is an embarressment to all the
51 states...Can't wait till Ms.witchcraft goes home... "
Pat Reece wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:23 PM:
Curious Glenn wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:18 PM:
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 12, 2008 11:13 AM:
They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific reassurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
jp, it is best to go to the original and not copy those emails your wingnut friends send you. "
Karin Byars wrote on Oct 12, 2008 11:04 AM:
Just for the record: The actual quote from the book is from page 261 and is as follows: "Of course, not all my conversations in immigrant communities follow this easy pattern. In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. "
Fern wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:40 AM:
don j of FAIRBANKS wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:06 AM:
don j of FAIRBANKS wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:03 AM:
Oops. wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:17 AM:
jomama wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:33 AM:
AnnieOkie wrote on Oct 12, 2008 6:48 AM:
Peggy wrote on Oct 12, 2008 6:00 AM:
aj wrote on Oct 12, 2008 4:54 AM:
jp to don j wrote on Oct 11, 2008 11:16 PM:
he stated that he'd side with islam.
right there in print, and yes, it is his book!
i'm betting the democrats would not let this book into the library system, as someone from the other side may actually read it! "
Alaskas Disgrace wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:36 PM:
Proud AlaskanAmerican wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:23 PM:
don j of FAIRBANKS wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:33 PM:
FULL access to the govenor of OUR state by what appears to be a pretty anti-American group. Who is really 'palin' around with terrorists?? "
Wierd wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:04 PM:
" At the office, we the voters will remember this witch hunt and all those involved will not be re-elected. "
WOW! Some of you poeple are really very scary! Are you kidding me? You want to keep tabs on thsoe persons trying to do things legally because that's what you elected them to do, so you can be sure and not elect them again and re-elect those that don't? That's just perfect!
A bunch of whackos to be sure! "
Steve E wrote on Oct 11, 2008 6:10 PM:
shelley wrote on Oct 11, 2008 5:55 PM:
Manchuruan John M wrote on Oct 11, 2008 5:41 PM:
Alaska Independance candidate... looks like the whole state is corrupt.. "
Manchuruan John M wrote on Oct 11, 2008 5:34 PM:
think your sat tv dish is frozen, ALL the media is reporting that Precious Sara was ok in the firing, but hubby Tod abused power of the Gov Office in his quest to run things and Sara allowing that to happen broke the law..
pretty simple.. she permitted a law to be broken by hubby..
How is it that Todd is running the state? "
few beeps wrote on Oct 11, 2008 4:37 PM:
GrowaPair wrote on Oct 11, 2008 4:19 PM:
Absolutely unAlaskan and unAmerican. "
CapeCodder wrote on Oct 11, 2008 3:41 PM:
Joe wrote on Oct 11, 2008 3:23 PM:
Observer from another world wrote on Oct 11, 2008 2:41 PM:
We kin hear yo right aroun' this little globe of ours.
It's dun just like a freak show...
Isn't the issue the question of 'what standards of governance and ethics were required from the people you elected?' and were they complied with, in spirit or to the letter?
Look what happens in the world financial systems when regulation is weak. It's the same in Government if you let it be like that. It's your choice. It's your responsibility. "
Janet wrote on Oct 11, 2008 2:26 PM:
Tammy wrote on Oct 11, 2008 2:19 PM:
Ken Horne wrote on Oct 11, 2008 1:02 PM:
I just hope when Gov.Sarah Palin is Vice President she will find time to have one big BBQ in Alaska and after field dressing the goons from this fake 'inquiry' turn them into some feed for the local bears or moose.
But then I hear most of them are packing and heading to Mexico and beyond before the end of October! May I suggest that most of the hate comments are not from Alaska at all?
Stick it to them,Sarah,our next VP! "
Missile wrote on Oct 11, 2008 12:55 PM:
Rich wrote on Oct 11, 2008 11:55 AM:
jp wrote on Oct 11, 2008 11:11 AM:
the only reason she got burned at the stake is that she's the new comer, and didn't have enough lying, cheating,thieving , corrupt scumbags to cover her hind quarters (i.e. political savvy)
if you want an islamic radical for president, so be it, but you'll have no more of my tax money to feed the pig!!! "
Made in Michigan wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:25 AM:
Just another day. wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:34 AM:
speedydog wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:16 AM:
Lisa wrote on Oct 11, 2008 8:00 AM:
Sarah Palin is the quilty one not Wasilla or anywhere else. People please remember it was/is Rebulicans and Democrats that decided to investigate Sarah Palin and now found her guilty. Be a informed (smart) voter and vote Nov. 4th 2008! "
justmyopinion2755 wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:51 AM:
Be a role model for once in your crooked life Gov, resign before any money is spent on impeaching you. "
Kat wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:49 AM:
Ann wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:35 AM:
Helen wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:29 AM:
Dea wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:10 AM:
quick2no wrote on Oct 11, 2008 5:41 AM:
Native wrote on Oct 11, 2008 4:58 AM:
NOW is the TIME wrote on Oct 11, 2008 4:27 AM:
His past is a matter of public record.
He is NOT good for WASILLA as is his spouse! What a team to reckon with. BEWARE WASILLA! You could have another era of being in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Palin is nothing to this guy! "
yesterdays news tommorrow wrote on Oct 11, 2008 4:07 AM:
Observer from another world wrote on Oct 11, 2008 1:54 AM:
Some objectivity might be good. How about reading the report before opining? Maybe comparing the conclusions against standards of governance?
Nobody seems to be disputing the facts of the case, so how would you rate any State Governor or any responsible person, say a CEO, on the basis of this evidence?
OK, ok, alright then... keep lobbing the missiles and don't let the facts get in the way. "
Dear LAURA wrote on Oct 11, 2008 12:17 AM:
NEVER IN - YOURE OUT wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:24 PM:
30 year Alaskan too wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:23 PM:
I'll be dancing when Lyda leaves office. She hasn't had the last laugh, cause I will be laughing when the door swings shut on her. Hopefully, she and Murkowski will fade into permanent oblivion. She's spearheaded this charade of an investigation. "
LAURA wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:04 PM:
IM VOTING FOR OBAMA/BIDEN. THEY MAY NOT BE PERFECT BUT ANYTHINGS BETTER THAN A COUPLE OF IDIOTS THAT ARE TRYING TO DIVIDE THIS COUNTRY WITH HATE. PALIN AND MCCAIN DID IT, THEY MADE ME HATE THEM BOTH! "
Get Real wrote on Oct 10, 2008 10:56 PM:
Get Real wrote on Oct 10, 2008 10:53 PM:
LW wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:42 PM:
Kwaayesnama wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:28 PM:
Ten republicans, four democrats, blame them anyway it's McCain’s style of politics.
I know it was the Moslems on the committee, what no Moslems?
Lets blame the Blacks, what!!! No blacks?
Do you think it was witchcraft, hurry up call the exorcist!
That leaves us with the fact that the members were sexist, get the Hillary Clinton supporters to protest the sexist Alaska legislature.
If all else fails just blame the liberal media for reporting this. "
GrowaPair wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:04 PM:
"The report did not find fault with her decision to dismiss the public safety commissioner, the trooper's boss, who had been pressured to fire the trooper. The report found that Governor Palin was within her right to dismiss the public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan."
Funny how that's missing from all the media spin. "
Jack wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:00 PM:
go-fer to fire those darn RNC lawyers and tell McCain he's fired too. You can't impeach me I AM THE GOVERNOR. Lord make a way, make a way, to make Todd and I Dictator and Dictator Dude of Alaska after we secede from the United States. Once we get that drillin goin we'll be unstoppable. "
Josh wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:43 PM:
Probably not... "
Jack wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:18 PM:
sirloin brew wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:50 PM:
Ken Horne wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:46 PM:
PJC27 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:18 PM:
Maybe you can vote her back as mayor, if the 23 mill deficit is not enough for you? "
Joe wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:14 PM:
Take your pitbull back wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:00 PM:
Wasilla Resident wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:51 PM:
RODNEY FROM BROOKLYN NY wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:48 PM:
Bob Conklin wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:40 PM:
35 year valley resident wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:16 PM:
Concerned wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:13 PM:
Sherry wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:05 PM:
azurewlf wrote on Oct 10, 2008 5:23 PM:
republicians should NEVER throw rocks at other people because we all live in a glass house!
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! If Palin was sincerely regretful, she should reasign! "
al wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:55 PM:
personnel board to do her bidding
and do what they did, it was done by
her in an "arbitrary and capricious
manner" which is in Constitutional Law
Textbooks and therefore UNCONSTITUTIONAL. "
jp wrote on Oct 10, 2008 3:41 PM:
Lyda Green masks!!! "
Are you NUTS wrote on Oct 10, 2008 3:12 PM:
Nina wrote on Oct 10, 2008 2:51 PM:
what wrote on Oct 10, 2008 2:44 PM:
ex-supporter from Wasilla "
Yeah Lyda wrote on Oct 10, 2008 2:04 PM:
Good advice. You've been unable to hold your head up because you are too busy with your ridiculous grin and deceptive petty high school vindictiveness. Don't let the door hit you on the hiney on the way out.
No matter how Hollis French and Branchflower spin this report, Sarah will win the VP spot, and good will triumph over pettiness. So sorry Lyda, Charlie, Dan,and Andrew!! Sarah is so much farther above these people! "
Oops wrote on Oct 10, 2008 1:20 PM:
Madmax wrote on Oct 10, 2008 1:19 PM:
Cheryl wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:47 PM:
On the outside looking in wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:27 PM:
Do you think for one minute that California voters and politicians, or any other state for that matter, would stand for someone from Alaska sticking thier noses into state business? Not a chance.
Where does the McCain group get off?
Come on Alaska...grow some cajones! "
Morgaine Chya wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:53 AM:
If this was California, I'd be in Sacramento even as I type, standing outside the chamber doors, demanding to know why this must be decided in secrecy.
It is the people of Alaska who have been harmed by Gov. Palin's administration. It is Alaskans whose personnel files were opened to Todd Palin, who committed, at the very least, invasion of privacy. If an employee's health was shared with Todd Palin or others (i.e., in a Workers' Comp issue), the problem may be much worse. "
jp wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:18 AM:
Wasilla Mom wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:16 AM:
Jane Six Pack wrote on Oct 10, 2008 10:56 AM:
Her absence is very telling.
She called for open government to get elected- where is that transparency now?
Sarah, where are you? "
Tell Lyda.. wrote on Oct 10, 2008 10:49 AM:
This woman just sickens me in her enjoyment of these proceedings. I for one will celebrate her leaving office. What a spiteful Senator she has shown herself to be in these last days. Pitiful. "
brian hall wrote on Oct 10, 2008 10:38 AM: