Alaska panel finds Palin abused power

[Yar-El]

Article: Alaska panel finds Palin abused power

Campaign officials tried to pre-empt lawmakers with report clearing Palin

 

So, how many people think its over for McCain?

 

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state's public safety commissioner.

 

The investigative report concludes that a family grudge wasn't the sole reason for firing Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan but says it likely was a contributing factor.

 

[SW01]

McCain's campaign was in bad shape anyway, it seems. This may be the final death knell...

 

Really, it is bad for anyone's campaign when your running mate commits what may be an impeachable offence, which I am sure abuse of power falls under.

 

But, the enquiry began before Palin was announced as McCain's running mate, so perhaps it is his own fault for failing to take the possible effect of this finding into consideration.

[KinchyB]

So, how many people think its over for McCain?

 

*Raises hand fanatically*

 

The best part of all this is that the McCain campaign released their own "findings" clearing her yesterday! LOL, they actually knew what was coming!! He was trying to prove he was "mavericky" and shot himself in the foot, you betcha!!

[Da_man]

I say McCain is really screwed if this reaches the Colbert Report, or some other political show. He will be skewered. I've already seen SNL's take on the presidential debate.

[El Sitherino]

I suppose this would be a great time to post this.

[SW01]

 

Seems to sum up the election perfectly!

 

But, far as I can see, this may be one of the most harmful things to McCain. Choosing Palin was seen by many as a controversial, surprising move - now it seems to have backfired terribly.

 

EDIT - misunderstood something - sorry!

[Corinthian]

It wasn't the sole reason, wasn't even the primary reason, it was 'A Contributing Factor'. Beautiful use of the B.S. machine.

[Achilles]

Ooo, what wonderful timing. This came out on a Friday which means that it's likely to dominate the next 2-3 news cycles. The McCain campaign has the whole weekend to come up with a response, but as the old saw goes, "If you're explaining, then you're losing". This might start to die down just in time for the debate on Wednesday

 

Hope McCain is able to keep his cool on stage after being called a coward for nearly a week.

 

Oh, and it will be interesting to see if the Ayers thing is dead now.

 

EDIT:

@sithy - wonderful!

 

@SW01 - so much for the lie that she was fully vetted. McCain's credibility is completely shot now if it wasn't before.

[Corinthian]

That's pretty rich, calling McCain a coward.

[KinchyB]

It wasn't the sole reason, wasn't even the primary reason, it was 'A Contributing Factor'. Beautiful use of the B.S. machine.

 

But the fact remains she used poor judgment in her actions. Do we seriously want someone in the Whitehouse who lets something as petty as her sister's divorce influence her actions in a job where she is supposed to be looking out for the best interests of the people?!

 

You can quote me, this will kill her public perception of Palin and most likely end her political career.

 

That's pretty rich, calling McCain a coward.

 

Definition: a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.

 

Let's see if he qualifies...

1) Didn't look at Obama in the first debate...that could be considered timid or he was intimidated...so check...

2) Brings up items in his campaign ads that he personally said was off limits, but won't bring them up in a debate...definitely lacking courage there...check again

3) Admits that if the election focuses on the economy he'll lose so he ramps up the smear campaign...well, personally I'd say that's lacking courage in a difficult situation again... checkity, check, check

 

So coward...at the moment...accurate description.

[Litofsky]

Sithy, that is truly epic. As for Palin, I think that's part of the reason McCain will lose: he preaches his experience, but chooses the two-year governor of Alaska? That's not a wise or sound political move, in my opinion.

 

And who would be expelled from Congress? Palin's a governor, but why would McCain be harmed by his decision (at least in a judicial manner)?

[SW01]

And who would be expelled from Congress? Palin's a governor, but why would McCain be harmed by his decision (at least in a judicial manner)?

 

Sorry, I think misunderstood the nature of the Governor's position - fairly stupid of me. I certainly wouldn't suggest that this should affect McCain in that sense.

 

Never mind the impeachment bit then!

[El Sitherino]

That's pretty rich, calling McCain a coward.

 

That's what people have been calling him at his own rallies.

[Achilles]

@Kinchy: prelude to cronyism? We've have enough of that, no?

 

@SW01: Let's not give up hope on a recall. And even if Palin manages to disassociate herself from McCain and somehow survive the fallout, I take comfort in knowing that McCain will end his career with his true colors exposed for all to see.

 

EDIT:

@topic: I just read that the panel's finding was unanimous, 12-0 in favor.

[Litofsky]

And even if Palin manages to disassociate herself from McCain and somehow survive the fallout, I take comfort in knowing that McCain will end his career with his true colors exposed for all to see.

 

Palin's young (by the regular political standard), so she might recover, but with McCain nearing the end of his life (according to the average life expectancy of America, which is about 80), I'm not sure he'll want to or actually will be elected to the Senate again.

 

 

@topic: I just read that the panel's finding was unanimous, 12-0 in favor.

 

 

Sorry, I think misunderstood the nature of the Governor's position - fairly stupid of me. I certainly wouldn't suggest that this should affect McCain in that sense.

 

Never mind the impeachment bit then!

 

Don't worry about it- I still have little to no understanding of the system the UK uses (most likely because I've never actually looked at it for more than five minutes).

[Tommycat]

Hmmmm it was still a lawful execution of her duties as per the findings in the actual report.

 

"It was likely a contributing factor to his termination..."

 

That sounds an awful lot like maybe....

 

"In spite of that, Governor Palin's firing of Commisioner Monegan was a proper and lawful exercise of her constitutional and statuatory authority...."

 

Of course there does seem to be enough evidence to support the claim that she pushed more than she should have to have her sister's ex fired(read the abuse in question), but that she didn't break any laws to do it.

[Corinthian]

So basically, she did the right thing, but might have also disliked the man personally.

 

Good old media spin.

[Yar-El]

Thank you kindly Darth333.

 

Looks like Trooper Wooten already had complaints filled against him. Compared to other politicians both current and former, Palin's actions only deserve a tap on the wrist. Bill Clinton had sex in the White House, and he was allowed to stay in office. Go figure. George Bush and Barrack Obama both did drugs. McCain had his issue. She just fits in with the crowd. It stinks that we can't hire a moral politician, but everyone seems to be turning cheek on Obama's dirty laundry.

 

Do we hire someone who may have abused her office, or do we hire someone who has a list of friends who have controversial agendas? Obama and Palin are both guilty of something.

 

Why would anyone vote for either party this time around? Palin should get off with a tap on the wrist.

[Corinthian]

She will. After the media blows this as far out of proportion as they possibly can.

[Rogue Nine]

So basically, she did the right thing, but might have also disliked the man personally.

 

Good old media spin.

It means she had the ability to fire him. Notice how it says it was a "lawful exercise of her constitutional and statuatory authority." This is merely commentary on what she can do as governor. It's akin to your boss firing you because he doesn't like you; perfectly within his powers to do it, but it doesn't make it ethically right.

 

She did, however, violate Alaska's state ethics laws and the report makes it clear where.

[Yar-El]

I wish the media did this much work on Obama's past. I use to like watching NBC news, but I got turned off after Brian Williams was hired. Anyone watching the news can see bias. I guess Obama can't do no wrong.

 

I kind of feel bad for Palin, but politics is a dirty buisness.

[Nedak]

Here is my take on this thread.

 

Yar-El: Palin did something wrong

 

McCain supporters: Buh buh buhhh.. It's just a conspiracy to...By the media... Even though..

 

Obama Supporters: She's insane, if McCain dies we are even more screwed them before.

 

McCain supporters-But but.. but.. The right is always right.. I know Fox News will find dirt on Obama soon. He's black.. and he's a Muslim here to.. destroy.. earth. And he likes to teach little kids about sex..

 

Yar-El: I make very rational and un-biased statements. Obama needs to be better looked into as well.

 

*Discussion to be continued*

[Tommycat]

Here is my take on this thread.

 

Yar-El: Palin did something wrong

 

McCain supporters: Buh buh buhhh.. It's just a conspiracy to...By the media... Even though..

 

Obama Supporters: She's insane, if McCain dies we are even more screwed them before.

 

McCain supporters-But but.. but.. The right is always right.. I know Fox News will find dirt on Obama soon. He's black.. and he's a Muslim here to.. destroy.. earth. And he likes to teach little kids about sex..

 

Yar-El: I make very rational and un-biased statements. Obama needs to be better looked into as well.

 

*Discussion to be continued*

 

actually, I'm a McCain supporter, but I say that she did wrong(ethically...sorta) but nothing illegal. She pushed for the trooper's dismissal more than she should have. The trooper should have been dismissed(based on the allegations), but she made it far more personal. I also think it's been blown far more out of proportion than it should have. She didn't violate any laws, and in fact they are not proceeding with legal action. Probably because it wouldn't hold up in court.

[Nedak]

She ABUSED her power. Why the hell would you want ANYBODY in office who abuses their power?

 

Haven't we learned that lesson already? Bush, Nixon.

 

Hitler?

 

EDIT:

I'm not left, I'm not right. But gosh darnit, I'm so sick of people putting their egos and self-esteem into this election. Wouldn't you rather do what's good for the people and the country, then be so self-righteous and arrogant where you HAVE to vote for your own party? Take off the gosh darn glasses and see it for what it really is.

 

Obama isn't good.

McCain isn't good.

 

Obama is HOWEVER the lesser of the evils. I don't see any change with McCain, unless you count bombing Iran, or raising your taxes as change. I don't like McCain, I hate Palin. If you want to be patriotic do me a favor. Look up the word patriotic. Do what's right for your country, not your gosh party or your gosh darn ego.

[Rogue Nine]

I wish the media did this much work on Obama's past.

The panel's investigation was started in July, way before Palin became the vice-presidential nominee. Don't give the media credit for their work.

 

I use to like watching NBC news, but I got turned off after Brian Williams was hired.

You stopped watching NBC News in 1993? o_O

 

actually, I'm a McCain supporter, but I say that she did wrong(ethically...sorta) but nothing illegal.

She violated an ethics statute. I dunno what your definition of illegal is, but I think that covers it pretty well.

 

She pushed for the trooper's dismissal more than she should have.

She used her power as governor to exert pressure on her subordinates to carry out her personal interests.

 

I also think it's been blown far more out of proportion than it should have.

I wouldn't want someone who uses her authority to further her own personal, unethical agendas a heartbeat away from the Presidency. I think this is perfectly in proportion.

 

She didn't violate any laws,

She did.

 

and in fact they are not proceeding with legal action. Probably because it wouldn't hold up in court.

The panel that filed the report was composed of legislators, it's not their place to proceed with disciplinary actions. That is at the discretion of the Alaska State Personnel Board.