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Alasks Daily News Editorial: Palin Should Stop Stonewalling on TrooperGate

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:02:58 AM EST
Tags: Sarah Palin (all tags)
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The Alaska Daily News takes Gov. Sarah Palin to task for stonewalling the TrooperGate investigation.

The paper outlines details of the investigation into allegations of Palin's, her family and staff's misuse of office and says:

She should be practicing the open and transparent, ethical and accountable government she promised when running for governor and boasts about now that she's on the national stage.

The paper reminds her that she once said she welcomed an investigation and said "Hold me accountable" but instead of complying with the independent investigation launched by the legislature, is trying to move it to an agency within the executive branch which she controls.

[More...]

This is not an open and transparent attempt to establish Gov. Palin's accountability. It is an attempt to drag out the investigation until after voters decide the fate of her vice-presidential bid.

.... As a result, the Troopergate allegations hang over Palin's future and cloud her candidacy for vice president.

My view: Palin should do whatever she can to assist the legislature in concluding its investigation before the election. If she's cleared, she can trumpet it. If she isn't, the voters need to factor that into their decision as to whom to vote for in November.

We'd all rather be talking about her position on issues and her preparedness to lead the country should the need arise. High ethics should be a given in any candidate who suddenly appears on the national stage running for the second highest office in the land. She owes it to the voters to comply with the Legislature's investigation and assist in bringing it to a speedy resolution. Then, assuming she's cleared as she is confident she will be, we can move on to a discussion of what she brings and doesn't bring to the Vice-Presidency.

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    Alasks Daily News Editorial: Palin Should Stop Stonewalling on TrooperGate | 49 comments (49 topical)

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    OK, I'm coming around on Troopergate (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Exeter on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:08:16 AM EST
    I still think its a ticky-tack foul on Palin's part, but anything to derail the maverick-reform-ethics-clean gov train MIGHT be a fruitful attack.

    A better tact may be to go after all the special interest stuff we can find on her.  Trooper gate has the strong potential devolving into a soap opera.

    The investigation is tainted now (5.00 / 6) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:12:42 AM EST
    due to the comments of the Alaska Democratic state senator.

    The fact is that the acceleration of the report plus the comment of the Alaska state senator regarding the report make this a partisan witch hunt utterly lacking in moral high ground.

    To the degree the investigation had any merit, and I am convinced it has no political traction at all, it has been destroyed.

    You choose to keep writing about Palin, which is a grievous mistake if adopted by Obama/Biden.

    I am pleased they have more political sense than most of the blogs have shown on this.

    Surrogates (3.00 / 0) (#36)
    by koshembos on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 10:55:29 AM EST
    I wouldn't leave any opening uncovered. Obama doesn't have to talk about it. But if you get surrogates emphasize her lies, and they are numerous, and her ethical problems, you'll do much to hit the McCain campaign.

    Always remember, you should be on the offense and your enemy scurrying around and trying to cover her/his problems.

    Parent

    It could be a stick-in-the-spokes (none / 0) (#6)
    by Exeter on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:20:46 AM EST
    of the reform-clean gov-maverick theme that McCAin-Palin are putting 100% of their energy behind right now.  It also could backfire and turn into another sympathy-inducing soap opera for Palin. I think attacks on Palin should be limited to ethics-campaign finance-special interests-lobbyists, ect and this MAY fit this bill... it's risky, though.

    Parent
    Not now (none / 0) (#10)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:24:49 AM EST
    The investigation is tainted.

    Parent
    Yes a witch hunt (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by fercryinoutloud on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 11:45:56 AM EST
    I came to the same conclusion a few days ago when it became obvious that because of Palin's very real taking down of some fellow Republicans and going head on with the oil companies and actually hitting them in the wallet and then redistributing that money to the people of Alaska that she made a bunch of enemies. Enemies no doubt that are friends of the editors of the newspaper.

    I don't think anyone who has taken on power would in her situation not do the same thing. Who in their right mind would allow a bunch of power brokers who have other Pols in their pocket set up an investigation that would essentially be a kangaroo court with a predetermined outcome?

    When people are out to get back at you you use what power you have to roadblock them. That Jeralyn can't see this leaves me speechless.

    Parent

    True... If only McCain were a member (none / 0) (#20)
    by Exeter on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:41:58 AM EST
    of notoriously corrupt group... like say, the Keating Five... that we could hit him on.

    Parent
    That would make more sense (none / 0) (#26)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:51:17 AM EST
    But that was 20 years ago.

    McCain = Bush's Third Term seems like a winner to me.

    Parent

    Have you seen this? (none / 0) (#38)
    by Exeter on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 11:01:18 AM EST
    Short. Perfect: Link

    Parent
    Troopergate (none / 0) (#22)
    by limama1956 on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:47:26 AM EST
    Disagree. The state senator who made comments is not running the investigation.

    Let Branchflower (? spel) do the job that he was appointed to by the Alaskan State Senate.

    It would appear that Palin was for the investigation before she was against it.

    I would also add that some Republicans in Alaska are now in CYA mode due to Palin's nomination. In other words, if she were not running as McCain's VP, would they be trying this hard to quash the report? Ahem.

    Parent

    Yes he is (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:50:27 AM EST
    He is the manager of the investigation.

    He is the supervisor of the investigation.


    Parent

    but (none / 0) (#58)
    by connecticut yankee on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:01:58 PM EST
    Why would Obama say a thing?  He doesnt have to.

    And I think abuse of power stories are good for drawing a link to Gonzales/Goodling type antics. If they have any meat, which neither you nor I are in a position to say at the moment.

    Having a candidate under an ethics cloud isnt usually a coveted position.  And its as easy for the GOP to over-reach on the "she's special and above scrutiny" talking point as it is for the dems to attack her.  Which theyve spent almost no time doing.

    Parent

    well, i can guarantee you (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by cpinva on Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 09:13:21 AM EST
    that if joe biden were the subject of an ongoing ethics investigation, the republicans would be howling at the moon over it.

    Sure (5.00 / 2) (