Gov. Sarah Palin¹s handling of Troopergate is getting more and more troubling. She has reneged on her pledge, made before becoming the Republican vice-presidential nominee, to cooperate with the Legislature¹s investigation. While stonewalling the independent inquiry, she is trying her side of the case in the press. Working on her behalf Monday,
McCain-for-president operatives ripped into Walt Monegan and the legislators overseeing the inquiry.
Whatever happened to the ³open and transparent² administration she promised Alaskans?

It then goes on to put the lie to Palin and McCain's claim that the investigation is partisan:

All the allegations about partisanship, though, are a typical political distraction. Sen. Hollis French is not the one interviewing witnesses, checking documents and issuing the findings. The investigation is being conducted by a retired prosecutor with a solid professional reputation, Steven Branchflower.

Branchflower enjoyed significant Republican support in the Legislature when he ran the Office of Victims Rights and proposed laws to help crime victims. It’s just not credible to claim that all of a sudden, he’s a partisan hack being manipulated by Team Obama.

While acknowledging the fired public safety officer has given varying reasons for his belief as to why he was fired, it says that doesn't account for Palin's varied explanations:

First she said she wanted a “different direction” for the department. Then she criticized Monegan’s management because he failed to fill vacant trooper positions — even though he could not single-handedly change the salary and working conditions that hinder recruitment. Now, she says Monegan was an insubordinate rogue.

The paper calls on Palin, her husband and her staff to answer the questions before the election. It concludes:

BOTTOM LINE: Palin and McCain are trying to ignite a partisan firestorm that wipes out the Troopergate investigation until after the election.

Also, the Public Record has unearthed this 2000 reference letter Palin wrote for her brother-in-law, Trooper Mike Wooten, attesting to his good character and calling him a role-model.