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Palin Won't Be Subpoenaed on Trooper-Gate
Even if she refuses to testify voluntarily, Sarah Palin will definitely not be subpoenaed as part of the Trooper-Gate investigation, Rep. Jay Ramras, a Republican on the committee overseeing the probe, just confirmed to TPMmuckraker.
Ramras said that issuing a subpoena for a vice-presidential candidate "would be disrespectful." He called it "inappropriate conduct, given the unique political circumstances," and "bad form."
Ramras said that Hollis French, the Anchorage Democrat who heads the committee, was in agreement with the decision to rule out issuing a subpoena for Palin. But French may be feeling the heat from committee Republicans. Rep. John Coghill, a Republican from the North Pole, put out a press release this morning calling on French to stand down from his role overseeing the investigation, accusing him of making comments about the investigation "that were political in nature."
French announced this morning that the committee, made up of 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats, will vote September 12 on whether to issue subpoenas to other witnesses.
Josh
Zachary
Sweet cheeses, I'm tired of politician's being permitted to willfully violate the law with no oversight or enforcement.
"Disrespectful"? Dis-freaking-respectful? How about a respect for the law for a change?
September 5, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't you understand that National Office holders and seekers are unaccountable for their actions; well since Billy C. anyway. They, as the Pope, are infallible and thus can do no ill.
September 5, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure the RNC has mentioned to those 8 Alaskan Republicans on the probe committee that they can have long comfortable productive careers in the party if they tow the line.
September 5, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
They don't need subpoenas. They need for this issue to get some legs. While this story has made the rounds of the blogosphere, very few people have heard of it. Get this story out to the public. It's really a very simple message that anyone can understand: Sarah Palin, what are you covering up?
September 5, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
They do need subpoenas. Otherwise, it's all unproved rumors, innuendo, and so forth.
As far as I'm concerned, we have no functioning Government nowadays. Even if Obama wins, and even if he is willing to do what needs to be done- and I doubt that- I don't think this nation is salvageable.
September 5, 2008 7:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would have been sexist to subpoena her.
September 5, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh that is true. ;-P
September 5, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, heck, if she wants them to go ahead and assess everything and everyone - minus her testimony - maybe that makes the whole thing like an uncontested divorce.
IANAL, of course. But gee, if I was innocent, I would sure come forward and testify.
You're a Christian. Testify, Sarah, Testify!
September 5, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sheesh, she's not even VP yet and she already doesn't have to testify or be held accountable. I guess she is Ready From Day One.
Oh, and what happened to the avatars?
September 5, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Except for the 'swiss cheeses' expletive (that is both rude and vulgar) I cannot improve on the earlier post of Skeptic Rising.
Who the hell does Palin think she is? And what the hell is wrong with Alaskan law enforcement?
I wonder if those who've heretofore counseled that Obama and Biden treat her with a velvet glove are having second thoughts?
September 5, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a natural consequence of the failure to enforce the Congressional subpoenas to Rove and friends.
We have people who are obligated by the law, and people who are above it.
As a nation, we are entering the Dark Ages.
September 5, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anybody still believe we live in a democracy... other in name only?
We seem to have redefined the very terms we have held dear for over two hundred years in just a decade or so. During my history readind days, years ago, I could not comprehend how other nations fell so quickly. Now I know. It only takes a short time for those given power to learn how to just assume power and then insist...
We have come to that point in our own historym, and sorry to say, very few folks are even concerned enough to admit it is not a party issue, it is a power issue, developed by BOTH parties over just a short period of time. The results are now coming to fruition...
Justice now only applies when and where those in power deem it so.
Sad, but is appears it is now downhill until the end for this nation....
September 5, 2008 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Am I the only whose first thought upon reading this story was "hmm, I wonder what the Republican operatives dug up on Alaska State Senator Hollis French"?
September 6, 2008 1:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
that's interesting take from Ramras but he is not on the committee overseeing the probe.
here are the 10 republicans on that committee:
Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom, Vice-Chair
Rep. John Coghill
Rep. John Harris
Rep. Ralph Samuels
Rep. Bill Stoltze
Rep. Peggy Wilson
Sen. John Cowdery
Sen. Lyda Green
Sen. Gary Stevens
Sen. Gary Wilken
September 6, 2008 2:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Someone mentioned Bill Clinton in this context.
unlike Palin, he got no special treatment even tho he was Prez at the time (not just a VP candidate).
clinton was forced to testify, etc. just like any citizen.
but i guess the usual rules do not apply to God's Own Party, since they are Christian hypocrites and therefore above the law.
what a farce. this country is going down the drain....
loss of personal freedoms and leaders who mock the laws.
the end of the great experiment in american democracy. we are just another plutocracy now, run by greedy types who enrich their families and friends.
September 6, 2008 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Someone mentioned Bill Clinton in this context.
unlike Palin, he got no special treatment even tho he was Prez at the time (not just a VP candidate).
clinton was forced to testify, etc. just like any citizen.
but i guess the usual rules do not apply to God's Own Party, since they are Christian hypocrites and therefore above the law.
what a farce. this country is going down the drain....
loss of personal freedoms and leaders who mock the laws.
the end of the great experiment in american democracy. we are just another plutocracy now, run by greedy types who enrich their families and friends.
September 6, 2008 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Will the MSM report on this video?
At the 6 minutes mark.. DC talks about Sarah Palins membership in the AIP.
Alaska Independence Party - Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NK2sFJebGc
September 6, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin's husband has been a member of AIP, but Sarah has always been a repub. She has spoken before them though.
September 6, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting then the AIP spokeperson was fabricating? She had to move along to get along?.. did you actually see the clip?
September 6, 2008 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
after doing a little research it appears that Mrs(Lynette) Clark is the AIP member that now states that Palin is not a member. Of course Dexter (The person doing the naration on Palin's membership didn't get the message...Besides the video is over a year old.
September 6, 2008 11:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I forgot to mention... Dexter Clark is Lynette Clark's HUSBAND!
September 6, 2008 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just like the Republicans, circle the wagons to protect the guilty! If you haven't read the Palin Letter yet you need to. Stop by.
http://www.twocanpete.blogspot.com/
September 7, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sad but true.
So please don't spend too much time on the internet today. Go out and talk a few people who do not get the "news" like we do. There are a lot of people who do not have and do not use a computer. Let them know that their vote is needed in this election.
September 8, 2008 9:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
NO!!!!
Frog march her in before the Committee in a fashionably orange jumper.
September 8, 2008 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
They do need subpoenas, but in the interests of the election process it makes sense to defer issuing one until after the election. To support subpoenas for Governor Palin now gives permission for others to use them as a weapon to influence election outcomes at all levels. Remember, a US attorney correctly refused to fast-track an investigation that would have hurt a Democratic contender in 2006. He was fired for it, and the members of this board howled justifiably. Delaying this individual subpoena strengthens the larger electoral process. Yes, they are gaming the system, and yes it is hard to watch and sit still.
For now, the issue is out there, and the subpoenas served to others provide enough gravitas to the topic. When the time is right, she can still be subpoenaed whether she is a Governor or a Vice-President.
September 8, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink