Why not let an independent investigation settle the matter?

Frontiersman Editorial Board

Democrats are calling for an independent inquiry into the Randy Ruedrich ethics complaint, but the state's attorney general's office contends it can dispatch the investigation competently. While that may be so, Alaskans are faced with yet another instance in which appearances may be one of the most critical factors.

Sen. Scott Ogan assured us that his employment with Evergreen Resources Inc. would not affect his ability to chair the Senate Resources Committee, and he has yet to comprehend why some people had a difficult time accepting that.

Gov. Frank Murkowski appointed his daughter to fill his vacant senate seat, and was incensed that some people suggested the possibility of nepotism.

Ruedrich clearly conducted the work of the Republican party from his government office, and claims that it was mostly a series of boo-boos and minor indiscretions, and he seems perplexed that people are making such a big deal of it.

While Attorney General Gregg Renkes' office may well be capable of conducting an unbiased investigation into the Ruedrich ethics complaint, it's important to remember that Renkes was appointed by Murkowski, and some of the charges extend to members of the Republican party other than Ruedrich. If for nothing other than appearance's sake, it would seem Renkes would be anxious to get the matter out of his department and into the hands of someone with no perceived stake in the outcome.

Ruedrich assures us the charges are so much folderol, and that may be so. Party stalwart Sarah Palin suggests otherwise, and, coming from someone who was the party's poster child for the gubernatorial election, that's a pretty strong indictment.

If there's nothing to the charges, an independent investigator should have no trouble wrapping the matter up in time for the next round of elections and appointments. And, if there's nothing to the charges, we'd think Ruedrich and the entire Republican party would be anxious to have the matter resolved, and that they'd understand that such a determination would carry more weight coming from an independent source than it would from the attorney general's office. Why give the Democrats political fuel for the upcoming elections? Why not allow a clearly nonpartisan source put an end to the rumors? If you've nothing to hide, quit peeking through the blinds.