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Palin unlawfully abused power in trooper firing, inquiry finds

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Romney would have | 10:33 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

been an excellent and terrible choice. He would have been great for the nation, but would have pushed to many votes over to the dark side. To leave Palin now would be suicide. Plus, what politician hasn't used their influence to get what they want. The Democrats have tried so hard to find some dirt, and this is the best they could do. It's quite funny actually. Trying to make something an issue that by this article shows the guy using our tax dollars for his personal gain, not to mention the other stuff. I think if anything, this strengthens Palin's position. While getting involved was a mistake, it was anymore of a mistake than the many, many mistakes of McCain, Obama, and Lieberman.

Unfit for public office? | 10:33 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

It's your choice folks.

Dude | 10:36 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Will anything happen to Palin? The article did not say anything about what consequences she might face from this. (Other than losing the election) Just wondering.

Comments continue below

Boo hoo | 10:57 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

So the lipstick-wearing 'pit bull' Palin misused her authority - Say it ain't so! Hahahaha. She fits right in with the crooked Bush Administration - they won't miss a beat swindling taxpayers out of billions.

MoGain will still garner at least 60% of the vote in this bassackwards state, due to the fact that most voters outside Salt Lake City and Ogden are Republitard Sheep who would cast their vote for Hitler if he has the magic 'R' by his name.

AbsolutePowerCorruptsAbsolutely | 11:03 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Palin abused her power while in office?

That makes her the perfect Republican!

?? | 11:12 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

"Come on Deseret News! Let's get it right. There was nothing illegal in what Sarah Palin did. Your article is wrong."

This is what they are reporting in Alaska. ""She had the authority and power to require Mr. Palin to cease contacting subordinates, but she failed to act," he wrote.

This created conflicts of interests for the state employees Todd Palin was contacting. "They must choose to either please a superior or run the risk of facing that superior's displeasure and the possible consequences of such displeasure. This was one of the very reasons the Ethics Act was promulgated by the Legislature," "

KJB | 11:16 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

The panel (whose finding was unanimous, by the way) was overwhelmingly Republican and have been weighing this matter since before Palin was even picked as McCain's running mate. Meanwhile, all you guys can do is post about old Obama "scandals" that have been debunked.

Whine all you like, but McCain has lost.

Sokol | 11:26 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

This kind of retaliation against fathers, judicial
abuse, legislative abuse, violations of constitutional and civil rights is common practice
in this country...
Corruption and ethics violations are part of the
American political landscape..

Let the next Tea Party begin...

Abuse of Power | 11:27 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

It may not be a big deal to partisan republicans, but Sarah Palin is developing a solid reputation as an underqualified, power abusing political celebrity. Eight years of Bush Cheney abusing power is not forgotten.

Any decent police force | 11:40 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008

would have cleaned its own house of the jerk long since--he is a liability just waiting to happen. The commissioner was wrong in not firing him, regardless of who he was formerly married to. And the Governor was correct in firing an executive who refuses to clean house. It was totally legal for her to fire him, as the report clearly states. The fact that her family had personal knowledge of his crimes (so far as I know, tasering a child is a crime) and demanded something be done is totally justified. Even if she was the governor.
Her husband had access to the governor and had an agenda? Well, what about Hillary Clinton when Bill was president? Poor Nancy Reagan got crucified when it came out that she once gave Ronald Reagan "advice."
Double standards all over the place!
Frankly, of the four people running for president and vice president, I'd vote for Sarah Palin FIRST!

to Yawn (7:57) | 12:13 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

There were 2-1/2 times the number of Republicans on the panel as Democrats (10 Republicans, 4 Democrats). How is that a "democratically controlled panel"?

Hello Defenders? | 12:18 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

This is so laughable it is completely disgusting. Selecting Palin only goes to show McDuffs mentality. One BIG question that I have though is--Why hasn't either republican candidate made one appearance in Utah? The most red state in the union, and their party won't even land for a quick thank you on their many fly overs as they criss- cross the nation and the west. Utah after all does have 4 times the population of Alaska, and I would think being the reddest state would deserve at least the recognition, but NO not for McDuff he will just blow you off like he will the rest of the nation if elected. You should be real proud of a person with this kind of class Utah republicans. Rave on your wasting your time and breath. It's over guaranteed! Your candidate is a LOSER.

RE: Boo hoo @ 10:57 a.m. | 12:27 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Amen!

Palin the Liar | 12:28 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Sarah Palin lied about this incident from the beginning. This is a preview of how she will perform as vice president.

Who in their right mind would want to vote for her now?

Who she is | 12:51 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

I don't think that this necessarily disqualifies her from the ticket. I think that pushing through earmarks by force is an abuse of power. Changing votes for promises later is an abuse of power. Basically everything our legislators do is an abuse of power. I just think that this is who she is. She is a manipulator and would definetly not be a change from the status quo. I wouldn't vote for her not because of this, but because she is monumentally underqualified and quite frankly not very bright. She is the Forrest Gump of politics, but with a bad attitude.

Doesn't matter | 1:11 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Yeah, lots of "big deal" comments from conservatives who would vote McCain/Palin even if the country were crippled by 8 disasterous years of Republican policies. Wait...
But I agree, it doesn't make much of difference. Illegal, unethical, whatever. The majority of Americans already know that she's an idiot. The perfect candidate to run along side her corrupt and petty running mate. Which one is running for VP and which one for president anyway?
Obama isn't squeeky clean either, but he's got my vote as the far lesser of two evils. Just to have a president who can string a few words together and form a coherent sentence will be a breath of fresh air.

Real Alaskan | 1:19 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

As a life-long Alaskan and conservative who has voted for Ted Stevens, Don Young and every Republican presidential candidate since many of you were in kindergarten, I wish the Palin thing was a partisan witch-hunt by rabid Obama supporters; but its not. The legislature's investigation was started months before any of you had ever heard of Sarah Palin. She and her family were just fine with all of Wooten's alleged "crimes" until he divorced her sister and it looked like he was going to get custody of the children. Then came the outrage and two-year old claims from the Palin family. Sarah Palin ate the moose meat and helped cover up the crime. A judge laughed the DV allegations out of court and ordered the Palins to stop harassing Wooten of all things.

Palin said she fired Monegan to go in a "new direction" while offering him a different job? Then she said Monegan was fired over recruitment issues, then failure to do anything about alcohol, then budget issues, then it was for being a "rogue." All lies.

Palin lied, the truth died; Palin is unfit to be Vice President. McCain made a poor choice; shame on him.

Romney 2012

Republican supporters | 1:30 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

of Obama's were the cause of this "biased" investigation? Get real.

The reason no one is still talking about the Ayers issue is that it's been debunked. Only the desperate ultra-conservative/religious/Mormon-hating/wingnuts are still holding onto this nonissue.

SARAH | 1:42 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

If she fires the guy, the whole thing goes away.

Sooooooo she PERSECUTES the guy.

Now she is tossed to the court of public opinion. The CONS say so what? The REPUBLICAN DOMINATED INVESTIGATION says ABUSE OF POWER.

The PALIN RESUME:

Practices WITCHCRAFT.
Promotes endless PERSECUTION of people.
Incites CONSERVATIVE crowds to yell "KILL HIM".

If something "happens" to Obama, will our DARLING SARAH be charged as a CO-CONSPIRATOR?

I want to whine and | 1:43 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

cry while looking at this absurd situation and knowing that the media is not doing their due dilligence to look into Obama. (where some serious national security questions are)
We will all be whining before long when the pure leftist gets into office.

Anonymous | 1:47 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Palin unlawfully abuse power.

Sounds like her actions should qualify her as the perfect candidate to finish up where Cheney and Bush left off.

LOL!

Wow... | 2:39 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

it's looking sad for the McCain's campaign. Too bad...

Truth-Sayer | 2:57 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Much ado about nothing with Palin's ethics, scraping the bottom of the barrel!

If this is all that can be dredged up in Palin's record, it won't be worth a tinker's "darn" (for you "morally superior" liberals who would lick the bottom of Obama's shoes) in changing people's minds about McCain.

Garbage can be found anywhere if you dig deep enough. The difference between Palin's garbage can and Obama's garbage can is that Obama's garbage can be picked right off the top of the pile.

What was it that Jesus said one time? "You strain at a knat and swallow a camel."

You get the gist now? Find something substantial to use as debate material or go eat wooley worms!

David O | 3:44 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

"Is Sarah Palin really just Dick Cheney incognito?"

No way, Dick Cheney is massively smarter and gets what he wants done.

Congrats on sinking the ticket Palin.

Move to Utah | 4:01 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Palin would fit in well with Utah's legislature. She sounds like another Hughes, Valentine, Stephenson, Curtis, Buttars, Waddoups. Power grabbers all.

Anonymous | 4:02 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Obama must be so brilliant. He knew even before John McCain knew that Sarah Palin would be the VP nomination. Otherwise, how could he have had a team in place in Alaska in July to start this investigation into Sarah Palin. The McCain/Palin team is so sure Obama is behind this committee of mainly Republicans.

Crazy.

Anonymous | 4:04 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Let's talk about the trooper (married to Palin's sister) that "should have been fired." There were three main complaints:

1. Tasering an 11yo.

Stepson wanted to be tased. Trooper used the lowest setting (below training settings). Poor judgment for sure.

Palin's knew about it. When did they report it? They didn't report immediately - they did two years later when her sister was in divorce proceedings.

2. Hunting/shooting a moose without a permit.

Against the law. How did Todd Palin know about this? He was there. He helped dress the moose and split the meat.

When did they report it? Two years later when her sister was in divorce proceedings.

3. Drinking in his cop car. He was guilty of this. It was reported. He was sanctioned (leave with out pay) and disciplined.

This was already reported. They made a big deal out of it two years later when her sister was in divorce proceedings.

-----
She interfered with the personnel process TWO YEARS after the fact. For personal reasons.

This is abuse of power. Do you really want more of this??

slbigaloo | 4:08 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

MCCAIN > HUSSAIN? MCCAIN INSANE... sad

Don't let's | 4:14 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

question the *actual* impropriety of Sarah Palin, let's question the *imagined* impropriety of Obama.
We all know it's the media's fault that Palin abused her power as governor, so we can just stop all this bickering right now.

the redneck vote | 5:01 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

The McCain campaign was banking on Sarah Palin to attract the "God bless America" "Beer-guzzlin'" "Gun-shootin'" "Let's overturn Roe v Wade!" redneck vote that put the clown we have for president in the White House.

I don't really think this tactic is going to work this time. Only the Utah, Idaho and Wyoming rednecks are excited about her.

Disgusted | 5:40 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

The headline is a hatchet job. There was nothing illegal about her actions.

"Sneakers" | 5:43 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

"Too many secrets?"

SteveD | 6:29 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Wow, She tried to fire the guy that abused her sister and Tazered her nephew. What a mean governor she is. Libs, You better jump on this while you can. I fear it will die as fast as Obama's ties with radical leftest's. Or as fast as Clintons Lies about his sexual Liasons. Face it, THEY ALL have skeletons. We just have to pick between the biggest looser!

suzyk | 7:01 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

To Anonymous - if Obama does get elected you will regret the day you even had the thought you just stated. There will be no hope for your children, grandchildren's future. It's beyond me how you could be sucked into all his lying, deceit and fancy talk. He has done nothing in his life to prepare him for being President of the United States of America. On the other hand, John McCain has and that is a fact.

Stefani Walker | 7:20 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

McCain & Palin are best for America, even though most don't realize it. Vote McCain!

awesomeron | 7:22 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

I think as the Gov, she can have fired or transferred who ever she wants. The Gov has to trust the people around him/her, She/he depends on them for security and protection.

This lynch mob panel (secret combination), was formed to spoil and to get even for her acts as a reformer, to include getting elected Gov. in the first place.

Part of the charges in the divorce and custody battle was that this man she wanted fired had been abusive towards her sister.

It is hard to work with a person who was on the side of the Guy you defeated when you got elected.

When the State Trooper threatened the family, he should have been gone. He is far more Guilty then Mrs. Palin will ever be.

Situations like this is why Govs and Presidents get to appoint so many people.

Obama is far more crooked and far more guilty of wrong doing then Mrs. Palin ever will be.

What will hurt the Ticket more will be Mc Cain being an Obama Appeaser. Like he wants to do less time in the Reeducation Camp when the Election is over. The souls of the Aborted Unborn Cry No Obama.

without sin | 7:33 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Let the party without sin cast the first stone !!

Palin may be a Republican "liablity" who abused her authority in an elected position, but the Democrats have just as many Sarah Palins in their closet.

humor | 7:39 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

I think it is funny that conservatives are tripping over themselves trying to make excuses for Palin and crying about partisan politics this after Palin has been out attacking like a rabid dog for the past week. Something about that karma that will get you every time.

Anon 808 | 7:39 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

So What! Put a letter in her personal file, and be done with it. Of course the Gov has to approve all of those letters (usually some employee), and she has No Supervisor and the are not going to bring impeachment preceding of this cause in the end No One Cares. Her Supervisors being the people of Alaska who elected her and her 80% approval rating.

This is weaker then the Tabloids and her having an affair. The Pro Choice (Murder) people saying that she is making her daughter have the baby, and get Married. etc. etc.

After McCainï¿½s lack of Treatment of Obama, I do not see McCain as having much chance. Not that they will Vote for Obama so much as that they will stay home and watch football.

I am going to Vote Early and go home, and not turn off my radio, TV, and Internet till its over. I pray everyday the Obama is Not Elected President. However everyday I see less and less hope that he won't be. Trouble is if he didnï¿½t have his stand on Abortion and a few other things. As an Individual I just might like him.

Ravonal | 8:01 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

We are where we are because 1) some unethical people have run the banks with phony accounting and unethical nad illegal behavior, 2) we allow cretins such as Chris Dodd and Barney Frank to oversee organizations when they're incompetent and apathetic, 3) it is an election year and government
in general and the parties specifically need to "resell" us on our need for them, 4) capitalism is being replaced by coercive democracy. America is slowly losing its sovereignty and we are to blame because we know less about what our government can't and shouldn't do.

Re Anon 808 | 8:21 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Who cares what a presidential candidate's stand on abortion is? I am pro-life, though I do believe it's not the gov business to regulate these things. But I digress. The point: We have had a Republican president more often than not since Roe vs Wade and NOTHING has been done to change the law. The president has very little chance of changing it. Yes, he/she appoints the judges. But timing still matters. The judges can't just decide to overrule the law. Another case would have to make its way through the circuits, the Supreme Court opts to take on differing opinions in different circuits, and then reverse it.

Let's move on, make good decisions for ourselves, and make a vote for things that a President can influence, like a call to war, economic legislation, international diplomacy, etc. Otherwise, you're just wasting your vote.

L. Drake | 9:25 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

How 'bout that Guv. Palin? The desperation of the pick is becoming more apparent.

L. Drake | 9:28 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

To Missing the real story: Have we already forgotten how many Republicans are now serving time?

You're kidding | 9:46 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

The guy tases a 10-year old kid and beats up his wife and you're mad at Palin for going after him?

Boy, partisan politics have really reached an all time low!!

Romney vs Palin | 10:09 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Everything you need to know about John McCain can be summarized as follows:

Instead of choosing business and financial expert Mitt Romney, McCain chose Sarah Palin. McCain caved to teh anti-Mormon evengelicals and skipped the more qualified candidate in favor of the least qualified.

Can you imagine Sarah Palin as Commander in Chief? Can you imagine Palin negotiating with Germany, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia? Palin working with the barracudas in Congress? I can imagine Mitt Romney in any of those situations, and it is not about gender, I can also imagine Condi Rice or even Hillary Clinton as president. Here is a woman who thinks it is OK to use the office of Governor to settle a family dispute.

Sarah Palin would be the vice president to 72 year old cancer survivor John McCain. No way, not with my vote.

Misrepresented | 10:10 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

OK, let's say that McCain and Palin are sunk and we end up with Obama/Biden.

For me, that means I have a Democrat for a President, VP, Governor, both Senators, Rep in House of Representatives, state representatives, etc.

Doesn't this qualify for "taxation without representation?" These people certainly don't represent me and my interests. My state/area is 55% Democrat, 45% Republican. Are the 45% of us supposed to just pay taxes and continue to see what's important to us either ignored or worse yet, the have the opposite happen?

Unethical and traitors | 10:26 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Here we go again. There will be unethical people who will defend Palin and those with morals who condemn her but nothing will really change. Those who intend to vote for Palin and McCain will do so no matter what since they have the same general lack of ethics as she does.

We need not worry about a woman whose husband was a member of the Alaska Independence Party for years. It shouldn't matter to us that this is a party that doesn't respect our country, who believes Alaska should secede from the U.S. and whose founder referred to our flag as a "damn flag" and expressed his undying hatred of the U.S.

We can visit YouTube and listen to the current Vice Chair of AIP imply in October of 2007 (long before the election) that Palin was a member before she had decided to run for Mayor and had marked the X next to Republican so she could "infiltrate the Republican. This is also borne out by Todd Palin's decision to change his voter registration from AIP to unaffiliated when Palin ran for Lt. Governor. It has remained the same since. Now we know why Palin addressed the AIP.

Biden? | 11:32 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

Biden plagiarized at least one speech, lied about having a master's degree and most recently said it is Americans' patriotic duty to pay more taxes and we're worried about Palin firing a cop for beating on a woman and pistol-whipping a kid?

Interesting | 11:42 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008

I cant believe one little Country gal from Alaska could stir up such a fire storm among Democrats. Soinds like there frightened to death, because she has exposed Obama for what he really is. Should be a fun election next Month It will be interesting to see how it comes out

divine protection? | 12:17 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Connecticut's supreme court just approved same sex marriage.
Now we have 4 gay marriage states with others trying to approve the same thing.
The stock market drops 5,000 points in 1 year, trillions of retirement dollars wiped out, millions could/will lose their jobs. Soup lines?
And we wonder why the lord no longer blesses our country with divine protection.
WAKE UP! It doesn't take a rocket/economics scientist to figure out what is wrong.
I am concerned where the next terrorists attack will occur?

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