Palin Disputed In Troopergate Probe

Document Reveals Trip To Washington Supposedly Unauthorized Was Approved By Her Office

(CBS/AP)  Just when it seemed the Alaska investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of a state official might have been scuttled by the pressures of presidential politics, another turn of events has kept it going.

Palin's firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan last July, allegedly after pressure by her, her husband and staff members on Monegan to fire her ex-brother-in-law was ignored, is at the center of the investigation (known as Troopergate) into whether Palin abused her power.

Palin originally agreed to participate in the investigation, authorized in July by the Republican-controlled legislature. She told Alaskans, "Hold me accountable." Once named to the McCain ticket, however, Palin backpedaled. She has since refused to testify.

Palin has maintained that she fired Monegan not over the status of Trooper Mike Wooten, but over budget disagreements - specifically a trip Monegan planned to Washington which she said was unauthorized.

Earlier this week the McCain campaign released a series of e-mails detailing the frustration several Palin administration officials experienced in dealing with Monegan. The "last straw," the campaign said, was a trip Monegan planned in July to seek federal money for investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases.

Palin, saying she did not authorize the expenses for the travel, cited that trip as a primary example of the insubordination that led to Monegan's firing.

However, Palin's chief of staff did authorize the travel to Washington.

A travel authorization document signed by Palin's Chief of Staff Mike Nizich on June 18 approved Monegan's trip to Washington for the purpose of meeting Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

The document's existence was first reported by ABC News on Friday.

Monegan told ABC that the travel authorization was explicitly to pursue funding for the anti-sexual-violence program, though the document does not state that as a reason for the trip.

McCain spokesman Taylor Griffin said Friday that the travel authorization was for a routine trip, and that state commissioners regularly travel to meet members of Alaska's congressional delegation.

"He was not authorized to lobby Congress," Griffin said.

The revelation came on the same day that several individuals subpoenaed to testify in Troopergate refused to appear as ordered.

Those who refused to answer their subpoenas (including Todd Palin, the Governor's husband; Randy Ruaro, the governor's deputy chief of staff; and aide Ivy Frye) will be referred to the full Senate for contempt, said Sen. Hollis French, who is heading the investigation.

[ademeyer]

Gee, the Bush administration leaked the name of an undercover CIA agent to punish her husband, doesn''t it make sense that a candidate for VP should have experience in personal vendettas? Whose career did Biden ever damage?

[saj210]

Is anyone surprised at Troopergate??? Palin is a selfish, self-centered, egotistical person! She thinks Alaska belongs to her!

Can you imagine hiring a bunch of "high school" classmates in high paying positions who have no experience for the jobs????????????

Palin is dangerous. Her religious beliefs are problematic! And her pastor should be given a second look. Afterall the media crucified Obama because of his former Pastor.

Wake up America! NO to MCCAIN/PALIN!!!!!!!!!!!

[dysmn]

This woman scares the hell out of me.

[ofbyfor2]

Does Palin really think that she can continually lie about things that are a matter of public record? Who, with any sound judgement, would think that they could get away with that in the ''information age''?

I would have to say that she does not HAVE sound judgement AND she lies.

[liberalme]

She is nothing more than Cheney in drag--deceit without conscience.

[ofbyfor2]

Or perhaps she thinks the American public is just made up of idiots...

[truthislife1]

Hey, she cares about babies, quit crying.

[afmca]

Palin is a liar. Fits right in with the rest of the Republican Party. Uses her fake christianity to fool the Republican lemmings even more. McCain / Palin will put the last nail in the coffin of democracy. It is time to split this country so the Blue states can prepare for life in the 21st century and leave the 19th century bigotry and stupidity that the red states wallow in behind us. Let the red states join Iran as a pariah nation based on religious extremism.

[hazelknows]

She fits like a glove in McBushs third term . Her ability to lie, build inner circles, manipulate people, and do whatever in heck she fills like doing. Nothing to hide, transparency, small government... right, I guess Americans are really asinine.

[broncfan1661]

Is anyone surprised at Troopergate??? Palin is a selfish, self-centered, egotistical person! She thinks Alaska belongs to her!
Posted by saj210 at 09:24 AM : Sep 20, 2008
____________________________________
The Republicans used the "B" word on Hillary, but I think it is more appropriate in this case.

[mediawatch50]

Oh ***. Palin''s crew hasn''t learned yet how to "lose" all the documents and emails that will incriminate them. They should have been paying closer attention to the Bush administration over the last 8 years

[sleepyric]

So......(1) She is anti-AntiSexualViolence, and (2) involves her civilian hubby in government decisions, (3)seems to have been looking for a way to can Monegan! Ooopsies, didn''t know someone had an authorizing email...oops....thought we got rid of all those emails??? Pure example of a wretched GOP subhuman hillbilly, who can''t see past the doors of her voodoo church! Go away please....

[kazoodan]

The "last straw," the campaign said, was a trip Monegan planned in July to seek federal money for investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases.

Gasp! The nerve!

So what is it. He wasn''t authorized to take the trip? Or he wasn''t authorized to lobby congress? They''re coming up with excuses faster than Bush did on why we went to Iraq.

[jswilliams451]

So far, we know that Palin has lied about just about everything regarding this investigation. The reason why she won''t testify, (or any of her staff or her husband) is because she does not want to be held accountable at some future date for perjury.

We also know that the reasons Palin has given for firing Monegan, thus far, have all proven to be false.

But, we need the "smoking gun" that links Palin to firing Monegan, specifically because he refused to fire Wooten.

We may be able to get there, in a circumstantial way. But I''d prefer something indisputable.

But you have to consider, even if we get that, firing Monegan, for any reason, in and of itself, is probably not criminal. Even if it was because he refused to fire Wooten.

However, with the "smoking gun", it would definitely be considered unethical. And can be defined as an "abuse" of power.

We''ll see when the findings are released, if we get there.

[sallievoter]

Palin is a small-time crook, plain and simple. She lies constantly and is doggedly determined to be above the law----OUR LAW. How on earth her supporters are so pathetically loyal and simple is beyond us all. To her fans---do you really approve of lying and political power abuse? Want that for your own family? Feel good about a person you NEVER EVEN HEARD OF UNTIL AUGUST telling you lie after lie? You all are unable to see what the entire rest of the world sees---that this woman has lied and cheated her way to power, and will now step on your back and your rights to DO IT AGAIN. WAKE UP AND TAKE A LOOK AT THIS STRANGER. YES, YOU ARE LETTING A COMPLETE UNKNOWN STRANGER GTE THE BEST OF YOU, AND SHE WILL TAKE YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE WORTH AND THEN LAUGH IN YOUR FACE.

[racam_us]

People are so fooled about her caring for children so much. If she cared so much, she would care for that special needs child that has the downs syndrome and let the politics stay on the level she can handle. It seems to me that she will probably have to send the child to a special needs care place to receive the care that it needs while she pursues her fantasy of incompetence.

[ljb6599]

Just another corrupt Republican whom Americans seem to love just because she is female.They would rather vote for her and her white couterpart(McCain)than an intelligent informed black man.Racism continues to thrive in this country today!This is why the election continues to be so close.Old white people are just not comfortable voting for a black man.They would rather vote against their own self interests than to vote for someone of another race particularly black.
This message is from a white 52 year old male independent voter.

[omega40]

Another witch hunt by the left wing liberal domocratic party news media. If this is all you
have....your in big trouble with the Independent voters. The more the news media goes
after Palin, the more votes she picks up.. Keep up the good work!!!


Posted by bluefox9


I''m registered independent and I have no problem with the media exposing malfeasance before she is elected rather than after.

[kazoodan]

Posted by racam_us at 09:57 AM : Sep 20, 2008

I''m an Obama supporter, but Palin''s child with Down''s Syndrome doesn''t have anything to do with anything.

[ksmc50]

What happens to the legal powers of entities like Congress or state legislatures if the elected officials refuse to honor legal subpoenas? A governor, as one sworn to uphold the state constitution which presumably provides such powers to the legislature, is definitely in contempt by refusing to appear when summoned and so is everyone else. The average citizen would be legally punished for refusing to appear. Does Sarah Palin believe she is not obliged to obey and holds herself above the law? This sounds depressingly familiar.

[kazoodan]

Another witch hunt by the left wing liberal domocratic party news media. If this is all you
have....your in big trouble with the Independent voters. The more the news media goes
after Palin, the more votes she picks up.. Keep up the good work!!!


Posted by bluefox9

If you think this is all they have, you haven''t been paying attention.

[actornaught]

Turns out she''s NOT an empty suit, there''s another petty, crooked and creepy bush-style politician in there!

[lindaredtail]

Sarah Palin has indeed lied about quite a few things. This investigation as well as the bridge to nowhere. I also agree that her son needs his mother and she has placed personal ambition first. I am the parent of a disabled child and they need a huge parental committment to do well. Many of them also have serious health issues or develop them.

I certainly do not disagree that women should have careers. We also wish to progress. Progress means the acceptance of responsibility as well. She doesn''t believe in abortion and chose to have him. Now she has to put him before her own career ambitions. That is what acceptance of responsibility is. She has not done that. More than anything that diminishes her in my eyes. Lies not withstanding.

[pollroller1]

I am a Democrat and I say WHO CARES. This whole investigation is nothing but BS. If her brother in law did all of that stuff, then he should be fired and if he wasn''t then that sounds like incompetence to me.

[vixen_2oo8]

Do the lies ever end??!!!

[mediawatch50]

Hmmm. She speaks in tongues, believes in witches and the rapture. She bills rape victims for investigating their rapes. She can''t answer even the simplest question about foreign policy. She doesn''t know how much oil Alaska produces. She lies about, well, so far, everything. She is the ideal GOP candidate.

[summerrunner]

Now, now folks let''s not beat-up on Governor Palin too much. Even posing as a hockey mom and wearing lipstick, she''s still a pig! This is just part of her genetic make-up.

[miamimama3]

She''s a liar. Plain and simple. She lied during her speech about the teleprompter, while the cameras were focused on the working teleprompter. She''s lying about this, and I''m sure she''s got a laundry list of lies that will slowly be exposed. She fits right in with the current republican leaders.

[livewire190]

Just another corrupt Republican whom Americans seem to love just because she is female.They would rather vote for her and her white couterpart(McCain)than an intelligent informed black man.Racism continues to thrive in this country today!This is why the election continues to be so close.Old white people are just not comfortable voting for a black man.They would rather vote against their own self interests than to vote for someone of another race particularly black.
This message is from a white 52 year old male independent voter.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by ljb6599 at 10:00 AM : Sep 20, 2008

Well said!!

[jswilliams451]

lindaredtail, that was one of the most intelligent, and touching posts I''ve ever seen out here.

YOU are the true hero. All the best to you and your family.

[ofbyfor2]

Another witch hunt by the left wing liberal domocratic party news media. If this is all you
have....your in big trouble with the Independent voters. The more the news media goes
after Palin, the more votes she picks up.. Keep up the good work!!!


Posted by bluefox9 at 10:00 AM : Sep 20, 2008

No, it''s not ALL--she has been proven to lie time after time after time.

And, in case you haven''t noticed, McCain''s numbers are going DOWN as people learn more about her. The honeymoon is over!

[inventagod2]

McSame had better pay off Diebold!

It worked for the Shrub - twice!

[summerrunner]

I know Democrats. Democrats are friends of mine. Mr. pollroller, you''re no Democrat!

[lanawonders]

Why would Monegan go to Washington, except to lobby for a cause....He wasn''t on Vacation was he?

[jng123-2009]

uuugghhh! this women completely disgusts me!

[livewire190]

The honeymoon is over!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by ofbyfor2 at 10:13 AM : Sep 20, 2008

lol

[summerrunner]

Diebold is owned by a big-time conservative and supporter of Bush. No payoff needed.

[ofbyfor2]

pI''''m an Obama supporter, but Palin''''s child with Down''''s Syndrome doesn''''t have anything to do with anything.

Posted by kazoodan at 10:02 AM : Sep 20, 2008

It''s about hypocrisy. Palin actually slashed funding for schools for special needs kids by 62% before her OWN special needs child was born.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_09/014545.php

[longtree-2009]

Lyin'' Palin is at it again. Palin and her husband continue to mastermind their coverup of troopergate. Have to admit, and reluctantly give them kudos of a sort, that Palin and her husband are really good at pulling the wool over the voter''s eyes.

[ofbyfor2]

I am a Democrat and I say WHO CARES. This whole investigation is nothing but BS. If her brother in law did all of that stuff, then he should be fired and if he wasn''''t then that sounds like incompetence to me.

Posted by pollroller1 at 10:07 AM : Sep 20, 2008

It''s about abuse of office. Not to mention the number of lies she''s been caught in after promising to be straightforward about it all, so you can add hypocrisy as well.

[actornaught]

I liked the part where she lied about caring about kids causes, but had slashed the budget in half for the Alaska Special Olympics. So Keith Olbermann is contributing $100 for each lie she tells on the stump. $3600 as of last night has been mailed to the Alaska Special Olympics.

[stloubill]

pollroller, the reason we care is because this woman used her position of political power to exact revenge on her sister''s ex-husband. Now, she''s trying to lie her way out of it. Sound like the person you want in the white house?

[ofbyfor2]

Another witch hunt by the left wing liberal domocratic party news media. If this is all you
have....your in big trouble with the Independent voters. The more the news media goes
after Palin, the more votes she picks up.. Keep up the good work!!!

Posted by bluefox9 at 10:00 AM : Sep 20, 2008


Apparently, Sarah Palin believes in LITERAL witch hunts or is at least associated with those that do. No joke.

http://www.alternet.org/election08/99118/sarah_palin_linked_her_electoral_success_to_prayer_of_kenyan_witch_hunter/?comments=view&cID=1011667&pID=1011129

[actornaught]

... this woman used her position of political power to exact revenge on her sister''''s ex-husband...
Posted by stloubill at 10:26 AM : Sep 20, 2008

Don''t forget the part about how much of it had been thru the courts. A judged warned the Palin family to stop threatening Wooten''s job, that there harassment was child abuse. All this happened before Palin was governor. Even the "death threat" had been investigated and was found to be without cause.

[stloubill]

Whether people are willing to acknowledge it or not, she''s been caught lying and now is refusing to cooperate with a bipartisan legislative committee. The lipstick is off the pig!

[kazoodan]

It''''s about hypocrisy. Palin actually slashed funding for schools for special needs kids by 62% before her OWN special needs child was born.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/
archives/individual/2008_09/014545.php

Posted by ofbyfor2 at 10:19 AM : Sep 20, 2008

I agree with you, but that wasn''t the context of the post I was responding to.

[sickofpalin]

test

[rgdaily]

This can''t be happening! Scandal before even taking office?? We need to know the truth to Sarah Palin and her stance on the issues. Please check this out ... the most comprehensive page of information on Sarah Palin on the Internet ... including videos of her saying her proposed $30 billion pipeline is the %u201Cwill of God,%u201D her saying a month ago she doesn%u2019t know what the vice-president does, and her complaining four months ago that Hillary Clinton was whining about %u201Csexist media%u201D coverage -


http://dailysource.org/palin


It has in-depth research, audio clips, videos, and links to hundreds of articles, including many from newspapers and TV stations in Alaska. It has rare footage, including her telling the %u201808 convention of the Alaska Independence Party, whose aim is to give Alaska a vote on seceding from the U.S., to %u201Ckeep up the good work.%u201D


The level of research is unparalled. The site%u2019s editors and volunteers include an Emmy-award winning CNN reporter, the former operating editor of the Monitor%u2019s web site, the former head of NPRs News Blog and the Executive Director of the Online News Association -


http://dailysource.org/about/team


Please tell anyone about this who might want to know more. People deserve to know information about who they are voting for.

[ofbyfor2]

I agree with you, but that wasn''''t the context of the post I was responding to.

Posted by kazoodan at 10:32 AM : Sep 20, 2008

I understand and agree with you. It really should not be anyone''s business that she has a special needs child and is campaigning for VP. As long as her child is well-cared for, it''s not an issue (although not a choice that I would personally make myself, but that''s MY choice),

I was only trying to bring to light the fact that PRIOR to her having her OWN special needs child, she was more than happy to cut funding for the special needs children of OTHER parents by 62%. Once she had her own special needs kid, it''s a different story and THAT is hypocritical.

[jeffc2008]

" If her brother in law did all of that stuff, then he should be fired "

That''s true "if%u201D but this needs to be shown. And %u201Cif%u201D it''s true then why not testify and clear everything up? What is she hiding?

Last time I looked there were laws and procedures that need to be followed. Or are we now ready to allow politicians free roam? He why bother with laws, they%u2019re just for common folk anyway%u2026