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Trooper-Gate: For Now, GOP Mission Accomplished
As the flurry of news breaks over the Trooper-Gate investigation slows, at least for the time being, it's worth making a point that may have gotten lost in the shuffle:
The McCain-Palin camp appears to have been successful in its all-out effort to stifle the probe at any cost.
By preventing Steve Branchflower, the independent investigator in the case, from speaking with many of the key witnesses -- including Sarah and Todd Palin, and several of the governor's top aides -- the McCain campaign has severely limited the amount of information the investigation will have access to.
In the view of the Associated Press: "Although the Legislature's investigator still plans to issue a report in October, the probe is effectively killed until January, when Sarah Palin will either be vice president or return to the governor's mansion in Juneau."
That assessment may turn out to go too far. Branchflower has succeeded in questioning several of the witnesses, including Walt Monegan, the former public safety commissioner whose firing is at the center of the case, and John Bitney, formerly a top Palin aide. Branchflower also has access to the cell phone records of Frank Bailey, the Palin aide who earlier this year was recorded pressuring a trooper official about Mike Wooten. So it's possible that his report, even lacking input from crucial players, may yet prove damaging.
Palin may also pay a political price for her abrupt shift from pledging co-operation to out-and-out stonewalling. Over the weekend, the LA Times reported that Palin's "political capital at home is eroding," as a result of the hardball tactics used to stop the probe -- a subject we got into on Friday. If nothing else, her stonewalling -- along with the slew of reports about Palin's checkered record on seeking federal earmarks -- has significantly complicated the McCain-Palin campaign's effort to present her as a reformer who will help bring a more accountable form of government to Washington.
Still, it's hard not to conclude, at least for now, that the McCain camp has used its muscle to significantly limit the damage that Trooper-Gate could do to Palin. Which doesn't exactly bode well when it comes to the approach a McCain White House might take on issues of openness and transparency.
Josh
Zachary
How is this not obstruction?
September 22, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have no idea. It certainly looks, smells and sounds like obstruction. I know neither you nor I could get away with this if the government of our state wanted to investigate us. So, you've got me, it's a mystery.
September 22, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
When a Republican does it, it's not obstruction. They're just trying to stop the criminalization of politics.
Apparently, it's never occurred to them that the way to stop the criminalization of politics is to stop committing crimes.
September 23, 2008 2:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have been thinking for a week or so that I do not see how her political future is not dead if McCain does not win this fall. I think she comes off (and this is before all of the stuff that has come out recently) not nearly good as people on the intertubes seem to think, and it appears that her whole appeal was she was and honest breath of fresh air in a corrupt Alaska GOP party. Well after the last few weeks there is no way that perception is not entirely trashed, and to make it worse for her she was anything but loved by the GOP establishment in Alaska. There is no way she does not draw some serious challenges in the primary and general election when she runs for re-election.
September 22, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, I hardly think the AP got this right. Even Karl Rove couldn't put the top back onto Pandora's box and he can jam all sorts of square pegs into round holes.
Palin is too entertaining. She's a runaway dogsled with no sleeping mutts on the line. AND, more importantly, she's pissed off Alaskans - who had been fooled. (Those checks in the mail diverted all focus for the dash to the bank; but now the center ring of hoopla is in the limelight...not looking too pretty) They really aren't up for national humiliation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iejC7NAtTzQ
September 22, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it is incumbent on all of the media types who are in line for interviews of Gov. Palin to ask her this question: Since the investigation is over until after the election, should she and McCain win in November, will she pledge to resign the office of the Vice Presidency if the investigation eventually turns up wrongdoing on her part? Because the electorate will have purchased a (lipsticked) pig in a poke.
September 22, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect if she makes it to Washington, Alaska will treat the entire episode as water under a bridge and go back to moose hunting, date rapes, and earmarks for projects the state is capable of funding on their won without assistance from Congress.
September 22, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
How will the GOP cover up her involvement with the Radical Alaskan Secessionist party, AKIP. Here's an interview with them on her involvment.
http://newsone.com/elections/article/akip-interview-on-palin
September 22, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
They don't need to cover it up. Unless the MSM deals with this controversy, the GOP will deal with it by simply ignoring it.
September 22, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm mystified why the Dems took such a passive approach to this outrageous obstruction of justice. Why didn't they send some folks up there while all the behind-the-scenes arm-twisting and threatening was going on to at least hold a few press conferences to point out how underhanded and anti-democratic the Rethuglican cover-up efforts were?
September 22, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Troopergate is not a national problem ... its local, so let the locals settle it themselves. And its' not Obama's place to point out the deceptions concerning Palin. That's what the MSM is suppose to do. So far, it's a win-win situation for McCain. Unless someone in Alaska gets fed up with McCain hijacking their government for his personal political ambitions and starts to raise a stink that can be smelled as far away as Florida.
September 22, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're only successful because the MSM -- so far -- isn't bellowing in outrage. If, of course, it were Obama's little investigation, even if it was by his local zoning board over an attached dog house, you know damn well they'd be bellowing. Ah, dontcha just love that liberal press...
September 22, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Its not the obstruction that is important..hell we have been putting up with it here in the lower 48 with the Bush crowd. It is the fact that rape and child sexual abuse is a-ok with the McCain crown. Check the reason McCain campaign gave for firing that Commissioner of Public Safety. With the rapes that go on up there and child sexual abuse...I say what goes on in Alaska can stay in Alaska. But then Foley was a Republican
: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jOTk11gvqDAgD0cY3i4WjI_2YOxwD937N8L80
Do you think Hannity is a pervert?..he was fawning all over the Alaskan Governor.
September 23, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
September 22, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't some of these people ingore a subpoena?
Isn't ignoring a subpoena against the law?
So why not have a few of the people who refused to testify put in jail?
Or am I hearing that the rule of law doesn't apply to Republicans?
September 22, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Alaska legislature meets for 90 days a year. They're not due to meet again until Jan 2009.
To hold a special session requires two-thirds (40 out of 60) of the Senators and Representative to agree to a meeting, which can last only 30 days. From what I hear, it's hunting season up there (mooseys, bearzes and woofys) and guess where those legislative bodies are.
Besides, it's quite evident that the McCain machine has already influenced a few repug$ in the committee investigating troopergate. I suspect there are visions of appointeeships dancing in their heads. Guess what would happen if a quorum of legislatures were to convene a special session just before the election.
September 22, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
And if McCain/Palin lose, she'll go back to Alaska and blame the Washington insiders for not allowing her to talk when she really, really wanted to. And if they win, it will be forever buried.
September 22, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not sure about the reasoning on this one. Yes, the investigation will be "incomplete", but most of the principals have already been deposed under oath by Alaska Attorney General Tavis Colberg (the same one who's blocking state employees from testifying under subpoena) in his separate investigation, there's the taped phone call, and there are Palin's public statements. I think the investigators will probably have enough to make an initial determination.
If, as I suspect, the report lays out the facts and determines that Palin did in fact attempt to use her official state power to settle a personal score, that her public statements have been contradictory, and that her ever changing rationales for firing Monaghan are not supported by the facts, I believe there will be enormous pressure (taking up several news cycles) for Palin to explain her side of the story. And I don't believe she'll be able to duck the press on this one.
With 2-3 weeks to go before the election, will this really be what the McCain campaign wants to talk about?
September 22, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin doesn't need to explain. McCain's campaign will do it for her.
Was only a Last Will and Testament lawyer before she appointed him. Remember loyalty oath and Wasila High School alumni get first pick on lucrative state jobs.
Provided no supporting documentation or precedent justifying his course of action. Then took an unannounced leave of absence for an undetermined amount of time.
The best thing for Obama to do about Trooper-gate is point out how McCain and his campaign has taken control of the Alaskan governor's office and instigated guerilla political tactics to quell a populace uprising against his hand-picked VP nominee. If McCain is willing to inject his political ambitions in a state government that he is not a member of, what's to stop him from injecting his ambitions into the everyday lives of the people?
September 22, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, I think the report will not be good news for the governor. It will lay out all the damning facts, which are, as of now, uncontradicted thanks to her refusal to testify, and her associates' refusal to testify.
The law allows "presumptions" to be made based on a certain quantum of evidence. Generally, those presumptions can be rebutted by the opposing side. Here, there is plenty of evidence that supports the presumption that Palin engaged in an abuse of power. It's up to her to rebut that presumption. She hasn't yet and likely won't. Don't expect the investigator to give her a pass.
September 22, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, if the cover-up is the price they are willing pay, I say make it as pricey as a popcicle in hell or rather,a PhD in Alaska ( no offense to the PhD's in Alaska).
September 22, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I imagine Palin could face an impeachment drive from the Alaska Legislature, and the basis of a clear case of criminal obstruction of justice. That is about all anyone could do, and that would be terribly entertaining.
September 22, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why won’t Palin ever give a Press Conference?
Why is Palin stonewalling the Troopergate investigation?
Why won’t Palin release her Tax Returns and Medical Records?
What is Sarah Palin covering up? WHAT IS SARAH PALIN HIDING?!
Where is her “Reform, Accountability and Transparency in Government” she keeps talking about?
September 22, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
What I've learned
is that Alaska now is just as corrupt
as it was before Palin "reformed" it.
The faces may change, but the bullshit still smells the same.
September 22, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the investigator has at least some prior comments and some courage the McCain strategy may ,in fact, become a disaster b/c if these witnesses have already testified to certain facts then it will actually hurt Palin since the people cannot hedge their earlier statements and in their zeal to stop this investigation or to force the Sen to give up the investigation instead the McCain Palin Rove team may have insured that only the negative is in the report when they could have had some recanting witnesses to help her.
So, actually, the McCain team may have overplayed its hand. If one is a prosecutor with some decent evidence one does not mind if the defense stays silent and in this case there is not even a chance to question the evidenceso we need to wait and see.
September 22, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could somebody please provide a link that provides some clarity as to how people are allowed to ignore legislative subpoenas? I'm not talking about the Federal level where I understand the Constitution allows that anybody who has ever had a single word with the President is protected by Executive Privilege, but rather the state level. This is important to me as I once glimpsed the top of Deval Patrick's head during a Bunker Hill Day parade and am hoping that will be enough to get myself out of some current legal... difficulties.
September 22, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obviously you don't get it the Fascist Corporatist MSM will not touch this issue or any issue that tarnishes the image of John "The Maverick" McBu$$h/McCain.
If the corruption and questionable ethical conduct about Palin is to come out the Demos will have to raise the issue - then maybe if a big enough issue is made of it the CMSM will pick the issue up.
But we have to not only shake the bushes to get the CMSM's attention, we have to tear the bush out of the ground and then beat the CMSM over the head with the bush - or running around the bush (issues) is all the CMSM intends to do regarding McCain right up until election day.
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Troopergate is not a national problem ... its local, so let the locals settle it themselves. And its' not Obama's place to point out the deceptions concerning Palin. That's what the MSM is suppose to do. So far, it's a win-win situation for McCain. Unless someone in Alaska gets fed up with McCain hijacking their government for his personal political ambitions and starts to raise a stink that can be smelled as far away as Florida.
*
September 22, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's my understanding that Branchflower already has statements from most of the people involved and feels he has enough evidence to move forward without the supoenas.
September 22, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
The New York Times is being criticized by the McCain campaign---but it is a newspapaer---it has a point of view.
The Associated Press---should be more objective---but in this election---it has been less so than the NYT---it is clearly slanted towards McCain.
September 22, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Repug$ timed this well..given that the legislature can't find those served with subpoenas "in contempt" until the legislature reconvenes. At that time, they can then act on this end run around the law, but as was pointed out, that won't be until January, next year. Cute. There is a big fine and/or jail time involved for that contempt..but as was also pointed out, that may just go by the wayside, unless Alaskans take their PO to a higher volume and go after these scoff-laws.
There are any number of Alaskans who are now growing a big anger agaisnt Palin and her cronies, for they see they've been had. What I've always seen about dear Sarah is that she is no "reformer"..she's just another opportunist who has been throwing elbows since high school. She is a very dedicated, self-serving and cut-throat individual..who simply found a way to take out the competition..nothing more..and conned others into believing it was "reform". The only thing about McBush and her that resembles "mavericks" is that they're both full of it.
Hmmm..and wouldn't we all like to have a whopping annual salary paid for 90 days of work per year? Actually, to be fair, it used to be 120 days..then they decided that this took too much time out of the lives of the legislators, who needed to get back more quickly to their day jobs..or moose hunting. Seriously. So..we ask again..just how does Palin's "20 months of gubernatorial "experience", which evidently only consists of 6 months so far, actually equate with ANYone else's resume in the nation's legislature? Well..maybe we can count the 400 some days she added in to her expense vouchers, while lolling around on her bear rug at home..or playing with Todd on their "snow machines"?
At that..Todd..well, there's another winner. Sarah may be the feisty figurehead, but talking about letting folks get away with things..why have the Alaskans accepted his being in on every phase of "her" governorship? He's copied on every email, runs things from her office in her absence (and no doubt even when she's there), pursues issues on her behalf and generally speaks for her..all without being "officially" hired to any post! Fascinating!
Picture Grampy McSame..who lately seems to require a keeper wherever he goes (either Sindy or McLie-berman) and is probably about two steps away from leaving either reality or life behind..being unable to continue his presidential duties..then we have Caribou Ken and Barbie running the country! The same crowd that advocates pastors purposefully endorsing "a candidate" this Sunday in church (in order to start legal challenges to their tax-free status being eliminated for mixing chruch and state) will be delighted..but the rest of America..the sane people..will probably decide it's time for the next revolution!
September 22, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
View slideshow from Anti-Palin rally in Anchorage, AK
go to:
http://bigshow.bigfolio.com/?s=000011662&t=0e6a8ae03101be65098418ccb735e4a1
September 22, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink