Northwest Indiana Discussion

http://www.nwi.com/articles/2008/10/10/ ... 0788980065.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska | Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded Friday. The politically charged inquiry imperiled her reputation as a reformer on John McCain's Republican ticket.

Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in a report by a bipartisan panel that investigated the matter, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain.
The inquiry looked into her dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, who said he lost his job because he resisted pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with the governor's sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.

The report found that Palin let the family grudge influence her decision-making even if it was not the sole reason Monegan was dismissed. "I feel vindicated," Monegan said. "It sounds like they've validated my belief and opinions. And that tells me I'm not totally out in left field."

Branchflower said Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

Palin and McCain's supporters had hoped the inquiry's finding would be delayed until after the presidential election to spare her any embarrassment and to put aside an enduring distraction as she campaigns as McCain's running mate in an uphill contest against Democrat Barack Obama.

But the panel of lawmakers voted to release the report, although not without dissension. There was no immediate vote on whether to endorse its findings.

"I think there are some problems in this report," said Republican state Sen. Gary Stevens, a member of the panel. "I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye."

The nearly 300-page report does not recommend sanctions or a criminal investigation.

The investigation revealed that Palin's husband, Todd, has extraordinary access to the governor's office and her closest advisers. He used that access to try to get trooper Mike Wooten fired, the report found.

Branchflower faulted Sarah Palin for taking no action to stop that. He also noted there is evidence the governor herself participated in the effort.


Palin has now proved she is worthy to be a republican vice-president.

Yep,Dick Cheney in a skirt.

Typical Republican. What can you say?

Ethics inquiry concludes Palin was 'proper and lawful' in firing a state commissioner


Thanks for playing.

Housebound hermit conveniently leaves out the most important part....

Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in a report by a bipartisan panel that investigated the matter, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain.

So much for her ridiculous claim that she's a reformer.

Palin scandal rocks McCain campaign
Updated 16.29 Sat Oct 11 2008

Sarah Palin has been hit by a corruption scandal as the Republicans lose ground in the race for the White House.

An ethics inquiry found the US vice-presidential candidate abused her position as governor of Alaska when she sacked the state's public safety commissioner Walt Monegan over a family feud.
An ethics inquiry found the US vice-presidential candidate abused her position as governor of Alaska when she sacked the state's public safety commissioner Walt Monegan over a family feud

Palin, 44, had tried to pressure Mr Monegan into firing state trooper Michael Wooten, who was embroiled in a messy divorce with her sister.

The inquiry found that while it was within the governor's authority to dismiss Monegan, she violated public trust by pressuring those who worked for her to advance her personal wishes.

"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 said.

The finding cast a cloud over John McCain's controversial choice of running mate for the November 4 election as Barack Obama's Democrats surge ahead in the polls.

The McCain-Palin campaign had dismissed the report, saying it was a "partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters".

A Newsweek poll gave Mr Obama an 11-point lead over McCain at 52 per cent compared to 41 per cent. A month ago the same poll had the two candidates tied at 46 percent.

Mr McCain has toned down his attacks on Mr Obama, to the consternation of his supporters.

Republicans booed at a Minneapolis rally when Mr McCain said Mr Obama was a "decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared (of) as president of the United States".

Mr McCain added: "We want to fight and I will fight. But we will be respectful. I admire Senator Obama and his accomplishments."
http://itn.co.uk/news/ec304202f2640a9cf ... d7bb5.html