U.S. Edition
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) – Sarah Palin on Saturday denied abusing her power or violating state law in the dismissal of Alaska’s Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, putting her at odds with the findings of a state ethics report that determined she did abuse her power as governor.
As the Republican vice presidential nominee departed her Pittsburgh hotel on Saturday morning, a reporter asked Palin if she abused her power in firing Monegan, which was the conclusion of the state investigator's report released late Friday.
“No, and if you read the read the report you will see that there was nothing unlawful or unethical about replacing a cabinet member," Palin responded before boarding her campaign bus. "You got to read the report, sir."
View the full report (pdf)
Palin had the authority to fire Monegan, but the report by former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower concluded that she abused her power as Alaska's governor and violated state ethics law by trying to get her ex-brother-in-law, Mike Wooten, fired from the state police.
"Gov. Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda," the report states.
SHOCKER!
I read the report and looked up information in the Anchorage paper...the committee was Bi Partisan 8 Republicans 4 Democrats....so not tipped in Obama's favor and yet they still found her in violation. Further, it was Palin's office who cut back security.
The moose incident if it had been pursued would have found Gov Palin's sister guilty of allowing her husband to shoot the moose with her permit and would have found Gov Palin's father guilty of butchering the moose in question, yet Todd kept pursueing this route.
Sarah Palin must think that we do not READ if she believes her saying she is innocent is going to make us believe her. Yes, she has the power to hire or fire whoever she wants as Governor, but YES her office DID ABUSE their POWER.
sure she lies shes a rethuglican, its all they are trained to do.
Sarah Palin, the bottom line is that you did abuse your power. If we can't trust you to run your state with intergrity, why should we trust you to be a heart beat away from the president?
The election is not even here yet, and we already have "trooper-gate". Palin is a dangerous joke.
Duh! It's not in her nature to be honest and truthful! All she has done for McCain is spew her lies and hate- so why would we think that she would all of a sudden become ethical!
I'm sure she does deny it, but that doesn't mean that she isn't wrong. Good job McCain, you've sealed the deal for us Democrats with your excellent vetting process.
My daughter married a man whose uncle was employee of the Department of Public Safety in Alabama. I watched this man put a gun to my daughter's head. He told me that if he pulled the trigger, nothing would ever be done to him. He said that he was a part of the trooper family and "they protect their own." When he put the gun down, I convinced my daughter to leave with me. Nothing was ever done about this, because "he wouldn't do that his uncle works for DPS.
I know how the Palin family feels about the trooper.
Karma is an immutable force.
Whatsoever you sow, that shall you, also, reap.
Hmm, a conflict of claims. We're going to need an arbiter, maybe a judge, to settle this. :D
Palin had the legal authority to fire Commissioner Monegan but not the moral authority. Since Palin has come on the scene, I have recognized in her the many less than sterling qualities that I have seen in other overly-ambitious women that I have met during my professional career. An attractive face and sweet smile which hide a vicious nature and the willingness to do anything to get ahead. Palin should have a sign affixed to her back that says "beware."
she did nothing wrong, they know she did nothing wrong, that is why they put in a commentary about her instead of following the law. They hated putting in there that she did not break any laws, however the truth is the truth.
When will the lying stop. God help this nation .
Palin
You are a distraction! Since you came on the scene, you have lied. Why should anyone place their trust in you.
Now, you want to use your sweet infants special needs on display. What kind of woman are you?
There you go. Typical Republican dirty tricks, which they consider ok as long as they don't actually get indicted.
We do NOT need any more of this in the White House. We need honesty and integrity and a willingness to do what's right, not a willingness to skirt laws and cover up to avoid getting caught.
Obama/Biden '08!!!
If I'm not mistaken, Bush and Cheney have also denied allegations that they have abused their power. What does anyone expect Sarah to say about this? "Yes. It's true." Heck no. When you're accused of abusing power you deny it. Page 1 of the Karl Rove playbook.
What should matter to people is that this was a bipartisan report, and that there were more than twice as many republicans on the committee than democrats. She abused her power as governor, what should we expect as VP (particularly when she said in a debate that she believes that U.S. Constitution gives the VP greater rights than we've seen employed in the past. Given the power of our current VP, that comment by her seems particularly frightening.
This investigation was going on before she was selected as running mate w/mccain.....why would he pick her??? what was he thinking?? its really sad....
She can deny all she wants America knows the truth. Did anyone else notice the NY Ballot that has Obama's name spelt wrong also has John McCain on it twice. Once for Republicans and again for Independents is Obama's name on the ballot twice?? I think who ever checked the ballots for errors needs to go back to school.
Sarah "Barracuda" Palin is unethical and broke the ethics law in her handling of the Troopergate case and thought that she is above the law in not cooperating with the legislative board in resolving those issues. It was a bipartisan committee mostly made of republicans. She should not hold the position or continue to run for vice president.! What is happening to the Republican Party? There should be an outcry from all at her act, yet she is out there slinging lies and it came right back to bite her.
How many more lies will she tell. A bipartisan commision of 10 republicans and four Dem say otherwise. She would Abuse Power if Elected V. Pres. She's showing a patern since being Mayor of Wysila
She is hardly a breath of fresh air. She stinks to high heaven. We need to be rig of these crooks.
Even with the report released, Palin continues to lie about it. Who actually wants this lying idiot in the White House?
Abuse of power...And she's not even running then for the VP yet, let alone the elected VP. Give us a break, Paliar. Give the Americans more credit for their judgment and intelligence. You think that we from the mainland can be fooled? Think again. Ooops, I'm sorry, I forgot. You don't have anything between your ears except air so you couldn't think for yourself.
Well of course she's gonna deny any wrong doing
Well Sarah.....it's finally out, you have violated the STATE ETHICS of your office. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. The Bi-Partisan group of 8 republicans and 4 democrats have reviewed the issue and evidence provided to them and it has been proven. Now you have added LIAR to your resume.