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Todd Palin To Answer Questions in Trooper-Gate Probe. Kind Of.
So it looks like Todd Palin will answer questions in the Alaska legislature's Trooper-Gate investigation after all. But there's a catch.
According to representatives of the McCain-Palin campaign speaking at an Anchorage press conference last night, the First Dude will respond to questions from independent investigator Steve Branchflower, but only in writing, and with the answers funneled through his lawyer.
The campaign argued that his written responses would satisfy the subpoena issued by the legislature to Todd Palin. In response, Sen. Hollis French, the Democratic lawmaker overseeing the probe, told the Anchorage Daily News that the full Senate would decide whether Todd Palin is really off the hook. Resisting a subpoena can be punished with jail time.
It was announced over the weekend that seven other subpoened witnesses, all of whom work for the Palin administration, will testify in person this week.
Branchflower is expected to wrap up his investigation late this week, and release a report shortly thereafter.
Josh
Zachary
I'm sure Todd Palin would be happy to meet with Steve Branchflower provided he does not have to be under oath, there is no transcript, and it is in a closed session.
October 7, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's amazing how Republicans do everything possible to circumvent the law.
As far as I am concerned, the First Dude has the right to use the 5th Amendment, to prevent self incrimination. He doesn't have the right to determine how he will answer questions to legal proceedings.
October 7, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
This will be decided after the election and the palins will have their hands full with scandals and, besides, trooper gate the IRS will be calling on them soon.
October 7, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Todd's "answering written questions only" raised by a legislative branch of American government mirrors Karl Rove's "answering written questions only" when queried by the House Judiciary Committee in the Siegelman matter.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/karl_rove_issues_new_denials_i.php
Why does Todd Palin want to look like Karl Rove?
October 7, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
I live in a condo in Arlington, VA. VA levies a vehicle property tax.The tax is based on the value of the car. And,the owner's evidence of tax payment is a windshield sticker issued by the county in which the owner resides. By law, the levy applies to anyone residing in the state for more than 30 days even if the car owner's state of residence is not VA. The only exception is active duty military whose state of residence is not VA. They are issued a sticker for free. Non-payment can result in a stiff fine, interest on the tax payment in addition to paying the tax.
I've approached three owners of cars with out of state plates about the property tax. A woman from Georgia's response was, "I'm a political appointee of the Bush administration, so I'm exempt." She didn't want to hear about potential fines,etc. The second car has Arkansas plates (and a McCain sticker). I approached the owner of this car, and his response was, "I don't live in Virginia so I don't have to pay the tax." This guy's car has been parked in the garage for more than 6 months!! The third car sports military decals and Texas plates. I provided the owner with info on how to get his sticker for free (at Fort Myer). His response was that he is from Texas and he didn't put Arlington County stickers on his car. Oh, his car has a Bush/Cheney sticker on the rear bumper.
October 7, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
DC also has its share of scofflaws.
The Bush appointee is NOT exempt. Executive branch appointees (save for President and Vice President) serve at the 'pleasure of the President.' When they come to DCMDVA, they become residents of that jurisdiction and have to pay taxes, register cars, and, generally, vote, in that jurisdiction. Since they're so keen to cage votes this year, I suggest you find out where she's registered in Georgia and challenge that vote.
Members of Congress and staff that work in their personal offices (if the staff are from that Member's home state ) are exempt.
Active duty military are exempt.
Diplomats are exempt, if they have diplomatic plates.
That's it.
October 7, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
This makes sense.
If I were Todd's attorney I would require the same arrangement.
Todd has spousal privilege which the other respondents lack.
He should be able to evaluate the questions and respond accordingly.
This is not unusual when there is a legitimate claim of privilege.
October 7, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mmm, yeah: but not so much. The spousal privilege only prohibits the compulsion of testimony regarding the conduct of his wife. It does not excuse non-cooperation in matters relating to him, or prohibit his voluntary provision of information concerning the Governor. [Like that's ever going to happen!]
It is quite likely that Todd Palin lacks a sufficient understanding of the legal matters involved, and is entitled to counsel and representation, but he needs no 'special accommodation' as the spouse of the party under investigation. He can be deposed just as any other party to the matter can be: he simply cannot be compelled to provide information about her conduct.
October 7, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
It makes PERFECT sense...Todd wants a take-home test! Those pop quizzes are just so tricky.
October 7, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why is the McCain presidential campaign getting involved in this? This is an Alaska state matter that preceded Palin's selection as VP nominee.
October 7, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Spousal privileges relate to communications between spouses. He has to show up and claim this privilege where it applies, but in good faith can demur on specific questions if he needs further legal counsels, so long as he raises the privilege or answers once he gets counsel. It is pretty basic stuff.
Since the questions relate to what he did and said to people he was not married to, he has to answer these questions or plead the Vth.
October 7, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Special privileges apply in court. This is not a court of law. It's a legislative investigation.
October 7, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
That, and Saracuda may have waived any spousal privilege that may have applied at the same time that she waived any executive privilege that may have applied by carbon copying Todd on those official business emails that weren't produced (ya' know, the ones that she sent from her yahoo accounts with subject headings that included the names of political enemies and such like)
October 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obviously the wolf killer has something TO HIDE and to use a term that righties use when the government wants to break into your home and do a sneak peak, " IF YOU AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO HIDE " let the gov. do what they want .
All the known evidence, the emails, the recorded phone calls from Palin's office , point to an ABUSE of POWER , not to mention testimony the investigator already has .
October 7, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, right. Like Todd's actually going to answer anything. Truthfully. Instead, McCain will have his best and brightest lawyers to "answer" these questions. Lots of luck getting the truth.
October 7, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect that if the same judge who booted their motions to quash the subpoenas hears the McCain camp declare imperiously that they will comply with the subpoenas in a manner of their own choosing, at least in Todd's case, it's not going to work out too well for them if they have to go before him/her to decide the issue. It appears the imported McCain (formerly Bush) lawyers have developed some bad habits that do not travel well.
October 7, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you and I received a subpoena, we'd have to show up, swear an oath and testify in person. I imagine OJ would have liked to stay home and mail in the answers his lawyers wrote and avoid the follow up questions too. Part of questioning a witness is seeing their responses and taking the questioning where it leads in the moment. The law is for everyone. Palin is running on a platform of clean and transparent government which makes this even worse. But it doesn't matter what her platform is or what Todd's wishes are. Submit to the subpoena or go to jail. Those are the choices available to all citizens. Todd may resent it. The McCain campaign may want to change it. But the law is the law. FOR EVERYONE.
October 7, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
You get a subpeona, you show up or you go to jail. Period. I don't care who you are. Show up, or jail. No "I'm appealing that," no courts to drag it out in. Tap dance all you want to, but you'll be tap dancing your way to jail.
I don't get to blow off subpeonas, the people who were blacklisted in the Army/McCarthy hearings didn't get to blow off subpeonas, and neither does anybody else. If these people want to live in a country where some people are too important to follow the laws everybody else has to follow, then they can go find one. But it ain't America, and it ain't gonna be.
October 7, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink