You could see this coming a mile away, right? Sarah Palin fired Walt Monegan, her police commissioner, on July 11 (just weeks after publicly lauding his work on rural bootlegging, one of the three areas in which she later claimed he was deficient). After he complained he was fired for not copping to pressure to fire the Governor’s former brother-in-law, a legislative committee of 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats voted unanimously to investigate the allegation that Governor Palin abused the power of her office in pressuring and then firing Monegan. And while the Democrat heading the investigation had issued half a dozen subpoenas to witnesses, including Todd Palin, he had said he would not issue one to Sarah Palin. Just after she was tapped for VP, Palin hired a private attorney to advise and represent her — apparently the state’s Attorney General was among the many Palin aides and allies who had called Monegan to pressure him, so he couldn’t advise her. (For these details, click here.)
One of at least two dozen conversations known to have taken place (In August, Palin admitted to more than two dozen contacts made by her husband and staff, which she says she wasn’t aware of), was this one between Palin ally Frank Bailey and a state trooper, and it was recorded:
“I’m telling you honestly, you know, she really likes Walt a lot, but on this issue, she feels like it’s — she doesn’t know why there is absolutely no action for a year on this issue. It’s very, very troubling to her and the family. I could definitely relay that,” Bailey said.
The head of the legislature’s investigation, Hollis French, trying perhaps to be helpful, moved up the investigation’s end date from October 31 to early October, in order to avoid a potential “October Surprise.” The McCain-Palin campaign says that comment shows his mind is already made up, and that the investigation has been “tainted” with partisanship. I find it hard to believe, though, given that it is a committee made up of mostly Republicans, who voted unanimously in July to investigate, and with whom Palin had in August pledge to cooperate fully. “Hold me accountable,” she insisted.
Only now, the campaign has tried to bring the investigation to a standstill. Witnesses to whom subpoenas had been issued are now refusing to testify, including her husband, Todd Palin. Other witnesses who had promised cooperation without a subpoena, such as the Attorney General, Talis Colberg, have reversed course and will not be cooperating [Note: Talberg is actually in line to become governor of Alaska if Palin wins, and if her Lieutenant Governor wins the congressional seat he is seeking). Palin also withdrew the ethics complaint she had filed against herself, in order to launch a state government investigation, rather than one by the legislature. Despite Palin’s lack of cooperation, the legislature’s committee investigating the case will continue its work, and will issue its findings by October 10th.
It’s worth pointing out that the governor ought to just get it over with–on Hollis French’s timeline. She should cite the valid concerns she had with Monegan’s performance, including that he endorsed a program to get troubled teens off the streets, after she had vetoed it (going “off the reservation” as one aide put it). If she cooperated with the investigation, the results would come in after her debate with Joe Biden, so he wouldn’t be able to use it against her. If she continues to stonewall, he could really land a knockout punch on Sarah “the Original Reformer” Palin for reversing herself and obstructing the investigation. Voters have a way of forgiving transgressions such as this alleged one, but they may punish a leader who seems to have something to hide. Even if it’s found she abused her power, many will sympathize with her because of the allegedly threatening behavior of her former brother-in-law.
If you want a good round up of why Palin’s stock seems to be falling so far so fast (20% in one week), Cynthia Tucker, an editor at the Atlanta Journal Constitution gives a scathing but fact-based indictment of Palin, while still endorsing her to fill Dick Cheney’s shoes.
It almost seems as if the wheels have come off the Ethics Express over at team McCain-Palin this week. Palin’s stonewalling and McCain’s rantings on the stump just won’t wear well. Of course, the Democrats have to hit their own stride to take advantage of it. So, it ain’t over yet.
Inform Your Consent 