LETTER: Abuse of power

Did Sarah Palin abuse her position of power as governor when firing the Alaska State [Public Safety] Commissioner? In spite of running as a reformer who is very much in favor of transparency in government, she is using the same techniques that the Bush Administration uses in order to circumvent compliance with the laws.

Regardless of all her talk about ridding government of corruption, she in fact has practiced some of these less-savory elements of government that she purports to oppose. If there is nothing to hide, why is a high-ranking former Justice Department prosecutor blocking the investigation until after the election? Why are the summoned witnesses and the governor’s husband refusing to cooperate? When Sarah Palin started this campaign, she said she welcomed the investigation. Why has all communication been diverted to the McCain/Palin campaign?

Voters deserve to know the facts before deciding on someone who is a heartbeat away from the presidency? What happened to the transparency in government? Remember how Nixon tried to stonewall investigations in “Watergate?”

Susan Prewitt

Longview, Wash.

Editor’s note: Below find the original comment thread to this story. Additional comments may be added below.

David wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:12 AM:

" Folks, I am not sure whether or not Palin abused her power. In fact I still have no idea who are what Sarah Palin stands for. I am from Missouri and I think there are 49 states in this union that only heard of this lady about a month ago. I am truly worried that someone that we know so little about could end up in the second most powerful office in the most powerful nation on earth. All we know for sure is that she is very pretty and has a great smile…elect-ability I guess. "

gene martin wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:02 AM:

" Man! you folks have a present day Al Capone up there. If you go against her you get crossed out out. What is she hiding and where are creditials. Is that the best that McKeating can do ib a running mate. The lack luster has gone Sarah PaLIE will be back at work on Nov 5th. and John McBush can go into exile in 1 of his 10 or so homes. "

Get your facts straight wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:57 AM:

" Ben Compton, Why don't you do your own fact checking. The same investigation you quote as being your source of information concluded that of 36 complaints, 2 were founded and the other 34 were unfounded. Even the divorce judge couldn't figure out what the problem was with the Palin/Heath family, and why they were attacking Wooten. "

Ben Compton wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:36 PM:

" Mary Boucher writes "why should we believe Sarah Palin about Officer Wooten"? Ummmmm…because it's not based on Sarah Palin's statements….it's based on the results of State Trooper internal investigations? Might want to do a little 'fact checking' (A term not known to many Dems, to be sure) "

And then theres this… wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:44 PM:

" " She tends to . . . create a situation where legislators are cornered — going against her would be political suicide," said John Bitney, who grew up with Palin, was her campaign policy director and became her first legislative liaison. "

Thats it Mary wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:17 PM:

" keep your head in the sand, don't believe a word of FACT. Just believe what you want and make the rest up, just like all the rest of the democrats. "

What are you guys talking about wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:15 PM:

" What continuing action against Wooten? WOOTEN IS STILL EMPLOYED. HE IS STILL AN ALASKAN STATE TROOPER even though it is fact that he was called in as a REDDI report and driven home by fellow troopers (twice), after tasering an 11 yo, after threatening to put lead bullets in Mr. Heath, after illegally killing a moose, after wrongfully filing a WC claim. As for Monegan, Sarah is the boss; she can fire whoever she wants - just like Begich did. She offered Monegan another job - he turned it down. "

mary boucher fl wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:31 PM:

" You people and Sarah Palin keep saying that the trooper in troopergate, threatened the father-in-law, who said that /sarah Palin, and so far we have not to beleive a word she has said, so why beleive that? "

Oops wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:37 PM:

" Palin is wrong, was wrong in continuing to persue action against Wooten. Get over it Sarah! Wooten was reprimanded period. She's vindictive and a bully. She has made such a mess of the little time she's been governor, poor poor decisions and personal actions. What a disappointment to Alaskans. Honest, open Sarah will be just a blur politically. "

Oops wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:32 PM:

" McCain's trophy running mate is and embarassment to our country. Her luck will run out on debate night. She will smile and stumble and pull herself up and still be ignorant. America will finally get to see how unqualified she is. McCain has sheltered her to not open her mouth because he knows she is not up to the job. This CON will not happen, Americans are smarter than he thinks. McCain is in LA LA LAND "

Mr. Mo wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:12 PM:

" Susan, You are absolutely correct! Palin is joining up with a TEAM that believes in lying first and then correct it only if your lie is found out!! Go Sarah, you liar!! "

Ben Compton wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:52 AM:

" And what would be in the news from the liberals right now if the Commissioner HADN'T been fired? I can see it now.."Governor Palin's former brother-in-law still a state trooper despite the governor being full aware that he tasered his step-son, illegally shot a moose" "Obviously, Gov. Palin doesn't use good judgement…" blah blah blah. Honestly, you can't win with these people so what's the point in even listening to thier hollow shouts and smears? "

Observer wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:16 AM:

" Sarah Palin was fully justified in letting Monegon go as he was her appointee.Senate candidate Mayor Mark Begich from the Sancuary City of Anchorage also rid himself of Monegon's services.Any comment on that Susan from Washington state? As far as troopergate goes it is public knowledge that the trooper in question drank alcohol on duty while driving,shot a moose illegally,physically abused his wife,tasered his 11 year old kid and threatened to kill Sarah Palin's Dad.Protected by the good old boy's network,he's still a trooper.Leftists have seized this issue and distorted the facts.Say "Hi!"to everyone at Obama headquarters for me! "

Amanda wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:14 AM:

" I am so glad you are in WASHINGTON!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

spirit 1 wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:35 AM:

" You have every right to be concerned. "

CS Laurie wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Question: Does the Commissioner of Public Safety serve at the discretion of the Governor in Alaska? If so, she is within her rights to fire him if she didn't like the way he parts his hair. I could just hear him, "some little girlie isn't going to tell this big bad cop what to do!" He should go away and get a job as dogcatcher or door shaker somewhere. "

Jim wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:10 AM:

" Doesn't the name Prewitt sound a bit familiar? Any relationship here that should be pointed out?? "