This news is just in; Governor Sarah Palin abused her power in the firing of her state public safety commissioner, Walter Monegan.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27105917/
Does anyone have any thoughts on this development? Do you believe Palin's credibility has been damaged, especially considering she's been the one who has been on the campaign stump trying to convince voters Obama isn't trustworthy? Does anyone here think this will result in her being dropped from the ticket? What effect, if any, do you think this will have on the November 4 Presidential Election?
Personally, I think they were already pretty much toast, but this served to burn them to a crisp!
Annie
[question posted by anniepa]responses and comments:
BURN HER AT THE STAKE! Good grief we've got some real losers running for office this year! Geez, and I had so much hope in her. [piasabird]
Wow, I wouldn't go THAT far, but maybe her witch hunter preacher friend would...lol! Annie [anniepa]
She abused her power? Really?! Wow. This seals it, anniepa. In light of the last eight years, she's perfect for the job. [Transdisc]
The amount of skeletons in all the candidates closets, this is small stuff in comparison. As far as being trustworthy, since when was any politician? [irishidid]
I think we all knew that something wasn't right with this, and I guess we all know now that we are right. This goes back to the question of who vetted her, and what side were they on? You have to think about who would bennifit from McCain losing this election (I am sure that conservatives, and everyone that was running for president in the republican party wouldn't mind seeing McCain's campaign go down in flames). This doesn't surprise me at all. [thegreatdebater]
What would be nice to come out of this is for it to have totally destroyed any chance for her to run for the presidency in the future - and I've seen a lot of 'McCain 2008/Palin 2012' sigs on the right-wing news sites. [chameleonsdream]
In fairness, the report also stated that the firing was "procedurally correct" and that she had the right to fire Monegan, and that her personal feud with her brother-in-law was only one factor in her decision to fire him. Officially, she was found to have 'unlawfully abused the trust of her office' by allowing her personal life to interfere in her governing. I seriously doubt that they'll drop her from the ticket. They'll push the fact that the firing was upheld as being procedurally correct, and continue stating that politics tainted the process, and that they went in with a predetermined outcome in mind. [chameleonsdream]
I know that so many die harders will not give a crap but I think it speaks volumes to independents and undecided voters. We do not need another person in this high office that believes they are above the law, they are not. They need to do the job that is requirered of them and not break the law. If we want to complain that these people we elect to represent us are not suited for the position then we need to stop electing them. I hope my post makes some sort of sense, I've been taking cold medicine tonight and usually my fingers work slower than my brain when I do. [ZephyrSun]
LOL Terry I do not consider you a die hard, you have a heart. I really hope you are doing well. [ZephyrSun]
*gasp *smacks hands on face* *shock /sarcasm Well, imagine that, this "bipartisan" investigative body found she abused power. /sarcasm Can ANYONE honestly look me in the face and say they didn't expect this to be the outcome? Seriously? Ok, and this changed what for who? Anyone who was voting for McCain will probably still vote for McCain, anyone who wasn going to vote for Obama, will still vote for Obama. Now that we got that out of the way, can we get back to that pesky economic glitch? Or back to the fact that a multi-trillion dollar, GINORMOUS, unconstitutional, power grab was just made and that BOTH those candidates have made filthy their hands with? My FRIKKIN GOD people. Your all STILL really going to quibble and bicker over the same trivial dribble and then vote the same again, aren't you. [xfahctor]
I think Palin's credibility has been damaged for quite some time now. I'm not sure how it will effect her votes. I know alot of people will vote for the Republican party no matter what. [stephcjh]
I agree with those who have posted that the die hard McCain supporters won't have a problem with this but I can't imagine that all those independent voters are looking the other way. Some folks take abuse of power seriously, especially when it comes to someone who could one day be sitting in the big chair in the Oval office. John McCain made a very poor choice in a running mate. [spalladino]
This does not surprise me. It's too late for McCain to remove her from the ticket. They just love her anyway. It doesn't look like it can hurt them anymore than they are hurt already. Check out the polls. The more negative he is, the more he stirs up hatred, the lower go his numbers. McCain is such a disappointment; he used to be an honorable guy. Palin was always a loose cannon. [mcat19]
What I'd like to know is if the reports that the brother-in-law threatened and physically abused members of the Palin family (including a child) have been proven. If they HAVE, it's hard to blame Gov. Palin for what she did - but at the same time it's hard to believe the man is still working and no further action has been taken against him. So that's my question, were those accusations of threats and physical abuse ever proven? [philjas]
You know I only ever heard that he tasered his stepson. I didn't know that he was a 10 year old kid. [morethanamolehill]
My feas increase -- she could end up our president if some of these anti-humane right wingers have their way!shocked [cobrateacher]
They not only seem to consider themselves above the law; they think they're so much better than the rest of us. This country is the land of equality, and giving that concept up destroys so many of our population! [cobrateacher]
Well, their decision seems to be based on their opinions rather than fact. First, they deemed that she was within her rights to fire Monegan and that act was NOT an abuse of power. The supposed abuse of power was in allowing her husband to pressure Monegan to fire State Trooper Wooten. "Branchflower said Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. "I disagree," said Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein. "In order to violate the ethics law, there has to be some personal gain, usually financial. Mr. Branchflower has failed to identify any financial gain." The statute says "any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that (public) trust."" Well, she clearly didn't benefit a financial interest and the personal interest was in trying to remove a criminal from the state troopers. Last time I checked removing rogue officers was in the PUBLIC interest, not just the governor's personal interest. It's their OPINION that having him fired was merely a personal interest. Hollis French had his mind made up before this even started so I think we all knew what they'd decide. [Taskr36]
It's not about punishment, although I'm amazed you think a 6 day suspension is adequate for tasering a 10 year old, drinking in a police car, shooting a moose without a permit, and threatening his ex-wife's family. If returning him to duty is "rightly so" in your opinion than I'd hate to have you running the police force in my town. Drinking and driving on the job makes him a danger to THE PUBLIC. Tasering a child as a training exercise makes him DANGEROUS TO EVERYONE while he's carrying a weapon. "Also, has everyone forgotten it wasn't the trooper that got fired but the Safety Commissioner? " She did not abuse her power in firing the commissioner Annie. Didn't you read the article? "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." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27105917/ That's YOUR source, and it's from MSNBC, the most anti-McCain news outlet on television. Here's another source to show you why Monegan isn't the issue anymore. "Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan's refusal to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten from the state police force was "likely a contributing factor" to Monegan's July dismissal, but Palin had the authority as governor to fire him, the report by former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower states." "Stapleton called the investigation "a partisan-led inquiry" run by supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, but hailed its finding that Monegan's firing broke no law. "Gov. Palin was cleared of the allegation of an improper firing, which is what this investigation was approved to look into," she said." http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/10/palin.investigation/index.html [Taskr36]
Yes, she used her power to see a corrupt, drunken abusive cop who tasered his stepson off the force. She's a horrible person. Of course. In the meantime, Obama's association with a domestic terrorist is completely above board. [sndcain36]
"She fired her safety commissioner for not firing the trooper. I take it you agree with this man's firing? " Yes I do 100%. I've posted threads about cops who break the law long before this and said the supervisors who allow it are the root of the problem. Feel free to check my posts on criminal cops dating back to early 2007. [Taskr36]
No, they won't remove her. My favorite is the McCain camp's charge it's some kind of an Obama campaign conspiracy -- when the investigation was started by Republicans before McCain even chose her. But it provides a further distraction to the McCain campaign. I mean now the whole country is wondering if Todd Palin is going to sit in the v.p. office and make harrassing phone calls, lol. And they are now dealing with McCain finally having to clarify he doesn't really want to crowd to kill his opponent. Imagine his own crowd booing him for showing humanity. His rep is damaged, her rep is damaged, and they were going to lose on the economy regardless. [MoonlightSerenade]
But We do Know that when he was an attorney, He rep'd ACORN in a Lawsuit against Citigroup forcing them to make loans to people that could not pay them back. Now they are being charged with voter fraud in at least 15 states. And they were there during the 2000 and 2004 elections too. And Barack Hussein Obama has made an $800,000 "Clerical Error" on their behalf. But he says "Oh It was just a mistake, Nothing to see here" And Katie and Tom and the rest of the press just wag their Perfectly coiffured,empty little heads and say,"Yes Mr Barack. Let's go see what we can get on Sarah Palin...." But when someone like Hannity says "Wait a Minute this needs some Investigation.." He's called a racist and anyone who listens to him is part of a "ScaRy MoB". This is nothing more than Censorship by Intimidation and we have had enough of it. [morethanamolehill]
You failed to mention that no charges will be brought against her. Even Larry King reported that part and he's clearly backing Senator Obama. She didn't break any laws. I wonder if Obama will be dropped from the ticket because of his association with Acorn? [PrarieStyle]
Threatens to put a curse on Annie that she's going to have to change her Mylot name to anniemd or annieva or anniedc - some time within the century. lol In all seriousness though, can a party - at this time - less than a month before Election Day - drop their nominee for another one? [KrazyKlingon]
I think we all knew that something wasn't right with this, and I guess we all know now that we are right. This goes back to the question of who vetted her, and what side were they on? You have to think about who would bennifit from McCain losing this election (I am sure that conservatives, and everyone that was running for president in the republican party wouldn't mind seeing McCain's campaign go down in flames). This doesn't surprise me at all. [x0gmaulk0]
I saw this on the news...Sarah Palin's credibility hasn't been great in the first place. Especially because of her past interviews and her inexperience. Another reason not to support her...oh well, at least i get to laugh everytime i watch Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on SNL... [flyingbunnies]
"Monegan's firing was lawful, the report found...." "...it was not the sole reason Monegan was dismissed." I read in another story that he was in trouble before Palin was even elected. "I feel vindicated," Monegan said." Sounds like someone with a grudge. This was a $100,000, 8 week, 300 page waste of taxpayers time and money. "Democrat Hollis French,[an Obama Supporter] who oversaw the investigation, predicted an "October surprise".... IOW He made sure it was wrapped up Before the election. Would it be nice if the investigation into Obama's $800,000 "Clerical error" Got his kind of attention? LOL What investigation? "The Palins said they feared for their family's safety after Wooten made threats against them." This means Nothing???? This whole issue is just more fuel for the left's hate. Barely worth a single molehill. [morethanamolehill]
"seething with rage"?? Come on,can we cut the rhetoric? And I didn't say any thing about being "far left". In fact I said I don't think you are stupid and I meant it. But, are you telling me that you read that story about Wm. Jefferson and it Doesn't make you angry? Especially when Mark Foley got the treatment he got? And Jefferson took $4Million in bribes and was re elected? Can you Look at that and then look me in the eye(figuratively of course) and say that you don't see bias in the media? And I sit here typing out these questions,Knowing that you are going to ignore them. Now the story is breaking that the Democrat that replaced Mark Foley,Tim Mahoney Is involved in a REAL SeX ScanDal. That began while he was running for office in 2006. And Rahm Emanuel helped him cover it up!!! Emanuel was the same guy that went after the entire Republican party because of Foley's emails. Now we find out he has been trying to cover this story up ever since. Come on, are we expected to just sit there and let this stuff happen? $121,000 payoff. http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ "seething with rage"?? No. Really Pi$$ed off. Oh Yeah! And if you are not then I have to wonder if you are paying attention. [morethanamolehill]
I'm going to make a comment that is not directly related to your discussion (in true Palin style) because I don't know all the facts about her alleged abuse of power. Isn't it sad that we expect all politicians to be corrupt and not trustworthy? It's never surprising when dirt on any politician is found. It's become the norm. [nerdytina]
Excellent point. I guess this is why those who support Palin don't think she did anything wrong at all or that there even should have been an investigation. I think people are also forgetting that this investigation had begun before Palin was chosen for the V.P. spot and that it was rushed a bit so it would be complete before the election. What do the Republicans think should have been done, just drop it since it's now "not allowed" to say or do anything against Saint Sarah? Annie [anniepa]
It's no big deal.. Look at Hillary Clinton when she was in the white house.. she fired the white house travel office staff person. That was surely an abuse of power on the Democratic side when her hubby was in office.... she had no authority to fire that guy but she did. It wasn't Sarah that did all that.. she told her husband to cool it.. but he didn't .. he had no authority.. but she did have authority to fire him. This is another thing the Dems use to cause an uproar.. and the Republicans will down play it.. same old politics as ever. [OreoCookie3]
Yes .. now swe can cal her as fallin LOL [wa2nlinux]
speaking of miss use of power,tony rezko is talking today with the big boy's about dirty politics on the east side of chicago, wonder what fat cat tony will be talking about in regard to the dirty politics on the east side of chicago,has to be enough to satisfied the big boy's cause he talking for lesser prison time. wonder if tony is going to tell the truth about barack obama's 1.6 million dollar mansion deal how it was actually got cut, and where all them many millions of dollars he and his crooked pal's sent most likely to the middle east, tony rezko is going to state prison forever on transfer of millions of bucks unless he sings a sweet mockingbird bird song to the people that hold his eternity. p.s. i do think your msnbc news is incorrect gov sarah palin was found "not guilty" of misusing her power to fire this person,she was "not guilty" of that charge. anchorage daily news reports oct 10,2008 gov palin was with in her governor administration rights to fire this guy,"she was found guilty of not controlling her husband". [kennyrose]
I have to say that what she did was wrong, very wrong. I feel really bad for the commissioner who got fired for doing the right thing. He is definitely owed something. As far as Palin, nothing surprises me about her. What broke my heart though, was seeing the poor defenseless animal that she had killed just for sport. I do not like it when men do that, but somehow, it is much worse when a woman does it. Call me old-fashioned or whatever you choose, but it is not ladylike. Not only that, it is a contradiction. How could she be pro-life and then kill an animal for no reason. Not only that, she had her daughter right there with her. I just don't get it. [Rozie37]