Palin denies abusing power in trooper case
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/11/art.swain.cnn.jpg caption="Palin made her first comments Saturday since the ethics report was released."]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."
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.
A state of denial is where both her and John are! What else is new????
Palin originally supported and encouraged the investigation before being named VEEP – that is clear by her own words. Her position only changed after becoming a VEEP and her own "internal investigation" found evidence that her administration had abused its (including her) power.
The issue was never about could she dismiss an at will employee. The issue was/is whether she can abuse her power (violate ethics laws, break state law, be a rogue maverick) in the process.
I would hope that inquiry would never be couched as "politically motivated" as Palin has, especially when there is evidence that should abuse occurred.
Her actions, and that of her administration, is the example of a true rogue-'maverick [wink]' not to mention unethical person.
What's the difference between Palin and a Liar? Lipstick.
Before taking about Obama this Obama That, she has to talk to her mirror first, and ask hersel Who am I?
Sarah Palin is pathetic. The reasons for her VP nomination are pathetic. And her latest attempt to mislead the American people is pathetic. She is out there questioning Barack Obama's trustworthiness and honesty? She should take a look in the mirror.
What kind of awful people are showing up at these McCain-Palin ralies? If Palin is inciting violence, shouldn't the Secret Service and the F.B.I. be investigating her for endangering Senator Obama's family and his life!!??
What kind of VP would Palin make if she is guilty of ABUSE of her power and violation of trust and ethics in Alaska? Sure she is inside the law, but this is typical of old-fashioned bully politics and tactics used by corrupt office-holders to handle personal matters improperly!
Denial...
Sarah,
Either you are pregnant or not.....oohps, that another issuse as well. Anyway, you can spin all you want, you violated the ethics policy knowing what your husband was doing. You just wanted to be able to say that you did not do it, oohps, I did it again, you did say that. Well will the real Sarah Palin please stand up and be recognized so that we acknowledge you and then move on with the program.
I think people might be more understanding if she wasn't constantly lying her abuse of power AND wrongfully persecuting Barack Obama for something even less significant.
Exit stage 'Right'...
Who is Sarah Palin?
Since we all know McCain did not really want to pick her, is she the pick of Bush and Cheney? The more we read about her, see the facts, and listen to her rhetoric she sounds just like what WASHINGTON already has – a bunch of lying Pharisees who can never do any wrong.
No one is without SIN before we judge ourselves we should first look at ourselves and find our own faults.
Sarah and her husband need to spend a little time in jail. She had know right to allow her husband to attack that man. Her husband did not work for the government, therefore, he should have keep his b__ home with the kids, and not at his wife's job, trying to handle things. McCain knows how to pick losers. A vote for McCain and Palin is a vote for Charles Manson
Can she not read? A panel, made up of a majority of Republicans concluded that she DID ABUSE POWER.
McCain, maverick or erratic? He chose Sarah to join the ticket supposedly knowing this investigation was underway. Either that wasn't true and Sarah didn't disclose it or he failed to look at it adequately. The truth is she violated the law but beyond that it is a political disaster for McCain. Gov. Palin has been shown to have unfairly and illegally tried to have her employee's employee fired. Working men and women of America would never want to be subjected to this unfair treatment. That'll go over great vith the voters, NOT! Terrible lack of judgment on Gov. Palin's part to have abused the public trust and terrible lack of judgment on Sen. McCain's part to have picked her with this problem hanging over her. And this is just one more reason to conclude she's unqualified for being VP and doesn't have the skills to be President.
Seriously, who is Sarah Palin? I hope she either steps down or just stops trowing the first rocks ate Obama, when she has her own sins.
Abusive, bitter, stupid, racist, liar, misleading, unqualified for job, ..... and the list goes on. That is the real Sarah Palin.
Has anyone else noticed people like Palin in local politics? That is, folks who got into politics to serve a personal agenda and never really got the notion of serving the people? She strikes me as that kind of person. There's not only Troopergate but also the issue of her getting a per diem while living at her Wasilla home and having the state pay her way to religious events. Most of these folks get found out on the local level and never advance beyond that. Palin is the exception.
Just what we need is another Dick Cheney in the VP seat. She's a loose cannon. And unfortunately she's being empowered. Of all the great women that could be McCain's running mate, he picked the lowest common denominator. And she's proving not to be honest, offers nothing but sound bites and far from ethical. She epitomizes the bridge to nowhere. Palin's Failin'
I AM DISGUSTED WITH THE FINDINGS THAT PALIN IS UNETHICAL. HOW CAN WE TRUST SOMEONE AS A VICE PRESIDENT THAT HAS HER OWN PERSONAL AGENDA. IMAGINE WHAT SHE WILL DO IF ELECTED. SHE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HERSELF FOR ABUSING HER POWER AND TO STAND UP IN A PODIUM AND POINT FINGERS AND SAY THAT SHE HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG. I WOULD HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR HER IF AT LEAST SHE ADMITTED AND APOLOGIZED FOR BEING WEAK AND LETTING HER HUSBAND INTERFERE WITH HER JOB IN SERVING THE PEOPLE OF ALASKA. HE IS NOT THE GOVERNOR–SHE IS. I AM DISGUSTED! SHE IS WEAK AND UNETHICAL. I CAN'T TRUST HER!!
Ms. Palin, you have lied, stole, and trying to ruin two men reputations. God knows who your other victims are. You were suppose to be a Christian, but God is really revealing who you are. You are a racist who could easy start a race war like the '60s, but I guess you would not know anything about that because you were in the 2nd grade.
Hmmmm. You didn't break the law? Say it ain't so, Sarah!
You violated Statute 39.52.110(A) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. How is violating a statute different from breaking a law?
Abuse of power is abuse of power. Palin and Simple! We Proud Americans of the lower 48 aren't standing for that crap anymore.