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Palin Likely to Testify Soon, Under Oath, in Trooper-Gate Probe
It looks like the special investigator in the Trooper-Gate case -- in which John McCain's surprise VP pick Sarah Palin stands accused of trying to fire a state trooper who had been embroiled in a bitter divorce proceeding with Palin's sister -- could soon uncover exactly what happened.
State Senator Hollis French, a Democrat and the chair of the bipartisan Senate committee overseeing the investigation, told TPMmuckraker that the independent investigator assigned to the case, Steve Branchflower, has contacted the Governor's office about having her deposed, and has received a response. French said that Palin's deposition would likely take place in the next few weeks and will almost certainly be under oath. "I think that's best," he said. French added that Branchflower does not expect to have to subpoena Palin, as her office has been cooperative thus far.
But that co-operation appears to have extended only so far. Her office has claimed executive privilege on emails requested by the state trooper's union in a separate civil suit*. But several Alaska lawmakers told TPMmuckraker Friday that those claims likely won't stand up, and that Branchflower should get access to the emails should he force the issue.
Palin had at first denied that her office was involved in the effort to have the trooper fired, but was forced to retract those denials when taped evidence emerged that a staffer in her office was involved.
French said he expected that Branchflower would play things pretty close to the vest with his probe, so we may not learn what he's found until he wraps things at the end of October -- just days before the election.
* This sentence has been clarified from an earlier version .
Josh
Zachary
Zachary: Are the withheld emails you are referencing the same as the ones referenced in this article?
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/shadow_governor
I am interested in the "troopergate" story. But I am way more concerned with the role the Todd Palin played in the administration. Were there any other confidential government issues that he was given access to inside information on? And more important - did any actions that the Palins took in government financially benefit BP(or Todd and his associates)?
BTW - I's recommend you SCOUR this guys site. He's rock solid in terms of credentials and is a treasure trove of Palin screwups.
September 1, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Check the andrewhalcro blog and you'll see a copy of the recent AK Atty. General opinion that paves the way for Palin administration to roadblock the investigator's demand for e-mails. Tali Colberg, Palin's hand-chosen AG, has declared that state employee e-mails, even if sent during work hours using state-issued computers or PDA's, are protected by Alaska's constitutional guarantee of "right of privacy". Palin has previously obstructed the FIA request for e-mails under claim of "executive privilege", so this is an added part of the arsenal.
Many of the e-mails in question were CC'd to private e-mail accounts of Todd Palin and Palin staffers.
Halcro has been a voice in the wilderness on Palin, with many Alaskans claiming his efforts are those of a "sore loser" who has some kind of axe to grind against Palin. Actually, he's one of the few political observers (and former politician) who has a conscience and a sense of ethics.
I can predict that some day no one will be sadder than Halcro when Palin is taken down, because he really would prefer to see her be the kind of principled politician that Alaska is so lacking.
September 1, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Check the andrewhalcro blog and you'll see a copy of the recent AK Atty. General opinion that paves the way for Palin administration to roadblock the investigator's demand for e-mails. Talis Colberg, Palin's hand-chosen AG, has declared that state employee e-mails, even if sent during work hours using state-issued computers or PDA's, are protected by Alaska's constitutional guarantee of "right of privacy". Palin has previously obstructed the FIA request for e-mails under claim of "executive privilege", so this is an added part of the arsenal.
Many of the e-mails in question were CC'd to private e-mail accounts of Todd Palin and Palin staffers.
Halcro has been a voice in the wilderness on Palin, with many Alaskans claiming his efforts are those of a "sore loser" who has some kind of axe to grind against Palin. Actually, he's one of the few political observers (and former politician) who has a conscience and a sense of ethics.
I can predict that some day no one will be sadder than Halcro when Palin is taken down, because he really would prefer to see her be the kind of principled politician that Alaska is so lacking.
September 1, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're right, Halcro is knowledgeable and thoughtful. His S.W.O.T. Analysis is well worth the time to read.
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/what_palin_has_to_do_to_help_mccain
Sorry about the duplicate, I'll figure out how to check a box eventually.
September 1, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Her office has claimed executive privilege on emails Branchflower is seeking access to.
It should be obvious to the most casual of observers why McCain was attracted to her by now. More of the same for McSame.
September 1, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
When it comes to messy divorces, I have to hear from BOTH sides before I come to any conclusions about the actual issues and "bad guys".
That is especially necessary when all we are hearing is one-sided pile-on and name-calling.
And Democrats needn't worry: Hillary has Palin's number.
September 1, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
This just keeps getting better and better.
September 1, 2008 2:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
VOTE FOR PALIN OR BIDEN AS BEST VP PICK AT MCCAIN WEBSITE: http://www.gop.mfbiz.com/#/newpalinbidenpoll/4530692820
September 1, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
With the high level of incompetency at all levels of the Republican party you don't think they hired Brownie to do the vetting do you? And that he checked to see if her vaccination, rabies shot, and license were up to date and no body noticed he actually went to a vet?
September 1, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
This investigation will be good training for Palin. I mean, if she can't lie under oath, she has no business on a Republican ticket.
September 1, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is worth recalling that the watchword of Barack's campaign is "No drama Obama". Today's pregnancy and Stevens 527 news are examples of drama. Obama's secret weapon against McCain may be that he offers the American voters some spell of peace and quiet confidence.
September 1, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have mentioned that Palin is a moral relativist and have been told that she stands by her beliefs because of the likely strong-arming of her own children into her "right to life" stance. That misses my point.
Palin can override ethical (possibly even legal) choices when it suits her own personal agenda...and this mandate extends far beyond her nuclear family. The firing of the two Wasilla officials who did not back her "governance" [meaning they didn't vote for her]is an excellent example. It wasn't illegal (the mayor can fire anyone on staff without cause) but it sure wasn't the correct, non-partisan malarky she gives much ballyhoo.
The trooper may be a turd (I don't know) but anybody else would've had to follow appropriate avenues to contend with that. Abuse of power is one of the percs that falls naturally into the hands of the self righteous.
September 1, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
When are the American people and the MSM finally going to stand up to this bullshit. The Repubs get away with so much, had this been Biden the Repubs would be snarling and fighting over the meat. She surely will lie under oath and get away with it. Obama has to run a perfect campaign while McCain gets to run the worst campaign I have ever seen and still be even in the polls. This is getting sickening to watch, what a soap opera.
September 1, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
When are the American people and the MSM finally going to stand up to this bullshit. The Repubs get away with so much, had this been Biden the Repubs would be snarling and fighting over the meat. She surely will lie under oath and get away with it. Obama has to run a perfect campaign while McCain gets to run the worst campaign I have ever seen and still be even in the polls. This is getting sickening to watch, what a soap opera.
September 1, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
When are the American people and the MSM finally going to stand up to this bullshit. The Repubs get away with so much, had this been Biden the Repubs would be snarling and fighting over the meat. She surely will lie under oath and get away with it. Obama has to run a perfect campaign while McCain gets to run the worst campaign I have ever seen and still be even in the polls. This is getting sickening to watch, what a soap opera.
September 1, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're right, Halcro is knowledgeable and thoughtful. His S.W.O.T. Analysis is well worth the time to read.
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/what_palin_has_to_do_to_help_mccain
September 1, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink