The Troopergate investigation was launched to determine whether or not Alaska Governor Sarah Palin(R) abused the power of her office by firing Alaska Safety Commissioner Walt Moneghan. The Safety Commissioner serves at the pleasure of the Governor, so Palin is allowed to hire and fire whomever she pleases for the job, but allegations have been made that Palin fired Moneghan because Moneghan refused to fire Palin's ex-brother-in-law, Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten. Palin claims she fired Moneghan over budgetary matters and to move the department in a new direction. The investigation pre-dates John McCain's selection of Palin as his Republican Vice Presidential nominee, but is quickly becoming a political football as the presidential election nears.
Moneghan told the Anchorage Daily News on August 30 that nobody ever told him to fire Wooten. He said, "For the record, no one has ever said fire Wooten. Not the governor. Not Todd. Not any of the other staff.”
Also for the record, trooper Wooten remains on the job, despite admitting to tasering his 10-year old stepson and illegally shooting a moose (this problem doesn't come up much in Ohio). Wooten has also been accused of drinking alcohol in his police car on multiple occasions. Wooten denies this charge, but multiple witnesses contradicted him and he was suspended from duty because of it. Wooten has also been accused of threatening to kill Palin's father. Wooten denies this too, but is contradicted by the Palin family. Wooten, who has been married and divorced four times, divorced Palin's sister in 2005 and engaged in an ugly child-custody battle with her. Moneghan has referred to Wooten as "not a model trooper" (Ya think ?).
So, if Palin never told Moneghan to fire Wooten, why do we even have an investigation in the first place ?
Because even though Moneghan said nobody told him to fire Wooten, he still believes not doing so was the reason he got canned. In early september, Moneghan said, "I believe I was fired because of, primarily the reason of her former brother-in-law. I think that my unwillingness to take special action against her former brother-in-law was not well received." A reason Moneghan believes this is because Sarah Palin, Todd Palin, and several Palin staff members spoke to Moneghan about trooper Wooten, expressing their concern about him.
As evidence, a taped phone call between a state police official and Palin staff member Frank Bailey surfaced, in which Bailey questions why trooper Wooten is still on the job. Bailey said, "The Palins can't figure out why nothing's going on. And here's the problem that's gonna happen is that, there is a possibility because Wooten is an ex-husband of the governor's sister, and there is a custody situation, there is a strong possibility that the Governor herself may get subpoenaed to talk about all this stuff on the stand. Right in the coming months, which would be, it would be ugly…I mean, you know, I don't think anybody wants that. But you know, Todd and Sarah are scratching their heads, you know, why on Earth — why is this guy still representing the department?…I'm telling you honestly, I mean, she really likes Walt [Moneghan] a lot, but on this issue, she feels like 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 think asking questions about why trooper Wooten was still on the job despite his history of violations is valid, but the tape indicates there is more to this little soap opera than Sarah Palin has yet acknowledged. Palin responded to the tape, saying, "It seemed to be he [Bailey] just inquiring I think trying to process what do you do if there are complaints against a trooper and what is the status of this trooper. Though you will hear on the CD that it does sound like he's calling on behalf of the Governor [Palin]." I find it pretty unconvincing that Bailey wasn't calling on Palin's behalf, because there have been numerous discussions between Palin people and Moneghan regarding Wooten's status.
In summary, it appears beyond obvious that the Palin family wanted trooper Mike Wooten off the job, and they started talking to Moneghan about it before Sarah Palin even became the governor. The Palin family had very good reason. Moneghan didn't act on their wishes. Then Palin gets elected governor, and six months later, Moneghan loses his job.
So, did Sarah Palin fire Walt Moneghan because Moneghan wouldn't fire trooper Mike Wooten ????
I don't know, but this is not nothing. What I do know is that there is an investigation taking place, and it is being headed up by Senator Hollis French, a Democrat and partisan Obama supporter, who has promised to release a report "damaging" to Sarah Palin (interesting that French is promising a damaging report while the investigation is far from complete, and the key witnesses haven't even been interviewed yet. I told you, Troopergate is now a political football). The report is scheduled to be released FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, on October 31st (Surprise!). Palin has her own lawyer now, who is trying to get the entire investigation thrown out, on the grounds that the current investigation doesn't have "jurisdiction." This is a move to delay the results of the proceedings until AFTER THE ELECTION. I suspect a lot more footballs are yet to be tossed on this.
Stay tuned.
The sources for this post were:
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
She should have said from the start that she couldn't in good conscience allow that fellow to wander the streets with a gun and if the commissioner couldn't see the danger he's incompetent.
It might look ugly but there is a moral dilemma most folks would understand.
Of course coming clean is the option of last resort in politics.
larry,
Just because the Palins wanted the trooper canned, it still doesn't mean Sarah Palin fired Moneghan over that issue. A governor deals with lots of issues, and Palin replaced lots of people. However, when she starts covering up, it appears more to be the case. Now that the stakes have been raised so high, both sides will have to do whatever it takes to get the result they want.
Your post of ambiguity is the very reason why the investigation, ordered in a bipartisan way, must proceed.
As larry demonstrates, supporters of the McCain-Palin ticket justify Palin's actions because…..the Trooper was no good. Nothing like coming to conclusions before an investigation comes to any.
Kudos to King for at least attempting to address this issue.
However….
Palin tried for over 2 years to have Wooten axed. Moneghan wouldn't do it because there wasn't just cause. Palin fired Moneghan. That's no coincidence. Palin also fired the librarian, allegedly because the librarian was not "loyal", when the facts demonstrate the firing was over book banning issues. The librarian was reinstated the same day she was fired because of the uproar from citizens.
Sure looks like abuse of power tendencies to me.
"Nothing like coming to conclusions before an investigation comes to any … Sure looks like abuse of power tendencies to me."
You're funny, Reverend.
King, I'm not saying Monegan was fired over that issue but I do think people will believe that was part of it no matter what the investigation says. If she wanted to get past the issue quickly she could throw it in there with whatever other issues she had and be done with it.
We all need to remember that Palin said she had no involvement at all…and that appears to be another misrepresentation on her part[see the bridge and earmarks as prime examples]
Story update -
I stumbled across the following information this morning, from the Associated Press:
Among the e-mails released was one of farewell written by the public safety commissioner himself, Walt Monegan, when he was fired in July. In it, he suggested the governor had reason to believe she had lost his support, and urged his former colleagues to communicate better with her.
"For anyone to lead effectively they must have the support of their team, and I had waited too long outside her door for her to believe that I supported her," he wrote. "Please, choose a different path."
—
Even Monegan was attributing his dimissal to policy differences at the time, due to Moneghan's non-support of Palin. Big point in Palin's favor.
Rev,
I didn't expect fairness from you, but to say there wasn't "just cause" to fire the trooper ? That's not true. There was plenty of just cause. When is the last time you saw a police officer cruising around town drinking Budweisers in his cruiser ? Tasering a 10-year old ? Threatening a man's life ? Come on now.
I also think Senator Hollis French(D) should be dismissed from leading the Troopergate investigation due to his obvious partisan political intentions. When the lead investigator is promising "damaging" results for Palin and an "october surprise" before any witnesses have been interviewed, he isn't leading an investigation, he's planning a political hit. French has since apologized for his remarks, but that is meaningless. He's gotta go. I don't blame Palin for fighting against him now.
All biased bluster.
McCain said today….Palin will not cooperate.
All anyone needs to know.
Rev Red, I think that I picked up another slant on this thing today that maybe makes a lot of sense. Let me put it on you and get your opinion of it.
In Alaska as in most states the good old boy network pretty well runs the state. It sure works that way iny my home state where we elected a Democrat woman 6 years ago to run a very Republican state. Now this little thing happened much because the Republicans have never nominated anyone of consequence to run against her. Anyway our little fight over a coal fired generator in which SHE is against it and the Republican good old boys are for it we have watched a veritable soap opera of the Legislature (healily Republican controlled) has tried and tried to pass a law overruling her. They just can't manage to override her veto.
Anyway, back to Palin. The poor woman, and there is the key to this whole thing she is a woman, managed to overcome two leaders of the good old boy net. She beat one of them in the primary and then kicked the butt of the incumbent, Murkowski i the general. Now the good old boys are going to get even with that woman for interfering with their game and even kicking some of there people around. The good old boys of both parties are working against her and when they manage to kick her out they will go back to fighting each other.
Partisan? Partisan as hell. Good old boys of both parties working together to get rid of that hateful woman who had the temerity to kick them around and must be punished for getting into a place where mothers just don't go.
It all started before McCain's nomination but at any rate French did say that they would have an October Surprise and it wouldn't be good. As King says, they haven't even really started their investigation and they already know the outcome. Now the Dems, of which French is one of the worst, see a chance to steal an election that Obama has lost because of Palin. They win two ways that way and sure enough will be rewarded for what they are trying to do.
Are there any women in the Alaska Legislature? If so , those that voted in that supposed unanimous vote to investigate should look into what they are doing unless they are jealous, which women manage quite easily.
Tell you what, good old boys, I think that once the drive by media runs out of gas and the real story gets out most voters will be laughing at the Alaska good old boys. Will you then cry about what the voters did to the Obama cause and be grinning at the new Governor of Alaska. I saw that youn man on TV the other night and was impressed with him. At least he doesn't wear a skirt to work and do his hair like Palin does.
This is going to blow over. It is blatantly partisan and the govt officials that are accusing her of her dirty deeds do not have the power or the ability to do what they are proposing under Alaska State Law. Once it goes through the proper channels in the state, like the labor relations board which will determine if she abused her power, it will be as mist, just like Obama's chances of winning the presidency. Montegan claims he was fired for not firing the sherriff, her legal counsel maintains that she fired him for about 6 other things like he was trying to undermine her policies. Conspiring and making deals behind her back. He must have forgotten that he was on her team and was only employed because he was appointed by her, she has the right to rescend that appointment at her will by Alaskan Law.
People are seeing through the smoke and mirrors. Other obstacles will begin falling in Obama's path as well as other Democrat politicians. Such as if he is so concerned with the welfare of the middle class: why he is the 2nd highest receiver of campaign funds from Fannie and Freddie. Only out funded by Senator Dodd. The other top 3 in the top 5 were all democrats. They will also find that this whole Mac/Mae fiasco has partisan overtones. That's another story for another time. I doubt the dems will hold the majority in the congress. There is going to be so much coming out against them.
In spite of the Rev's request that everybody stop thinking and just go along with Palin being railroaded, there is yet more information today regarding Troopergate.
Two lawsuits have been filed, one by some Alaskan citizens who say the investigation is illegal, and another by a group of Republicans. In the Republican's suit, they point out the massive conflict of interest that Alaska state Senaotor Hollis French (D) has in this case. The Republican suit sums it up this way:
“Working with Sen. French, and contrary to directions from Governor Palin, Monegan had attempted to include items in the Alaska state budget appropriating funds for various items within the Department of Public Safety that Governor Palin had previously vetoed,” their suit said. “Afterwards, contrary to the instructions of the Governor and contrary to the Governor’s budgetary plan, Monegan attempted to travel to Washington D.C. at state Executive Branch expense, in order to request federal funding through ‘earmarks’ for line items from Alaska’s congressional delegation.”
http://townhall.com/columnists/AmandaCarpenter/2008/09/16/troopergate_investigator_sued?page=2
So, not only is Sen. Hollis French(D) a partisan who promised an october surprise before the Troopergate investigation was complete, he is also alleged to be involved with Moneghan in undermining Palin's authority on budgetary matters. This investigation is beginning to stink like a rotting fish.
average joe,
I agree with you on Troopergate. Well put.
Fannie and Freddy IS a story for another day. Lots of cronyism at work in that whole mess, and, as you said, most of them are Democrats.
You guys are embarassing yourselves on this issue.
Go read Mike Isikoff's material over at Newsweek. He's been up in Alaska for a bit and he has the goods.
This is obviously an example of abuse of power. I don't care that she fired the guy who wouldn't fire the guy she wanted fired…..but to deny that is what happened is embarassing for you guys. I thought better of y'all.
I already read Newsweek's material, and several others before I wrote this post. I didn't use Newsweek as a source because they are obviously partisan. They are attempting to elect Barack Obama.
As usual, Rev, you are only considering the evidence that you want to consider, and ignoring the rest. I, on the other hand, am laying out ALL the facts for everyone to see. Sorry you find that embarassing.
King,
Sarah Palin is not going to be railroaded by the drive-by media or any of the leftwing twirps that post here and elsewhere.
Sarah's too strong to allow that to happen ….. and so is her consitituency base.
Come on Rev. I asked you to comment on my point considering the good old boy network and you failed me. Does it appear that you are about as partisan as Isikoff is in wanting Obama elected at all costs? It does to me. What about the good old boy network going to work on the woman who upset them?
So no matter what, huh roy, heads you win, tails I lose.
The good ole' boy network is in Palin and McCain's party. Or are they running as independents now?
This investigation started before Palin was picked. 10 R's and 4 D's voted unanimously to spend $100K to investigate.
But see…according to your gimmickry, roy…..I'm supposed to believe that both the D's and the R's were out to get her.
There's only so much crap I can walk through.
Rev says, "The good ole' boy network is in Palin and McCain's party."
Yes, that's true, Rev.
And they are also in the Democratic party.
Which is why McCain, who has crossed swords with his own party on numerous occasions, picked Palin, who has a proven record of reform and standing up to corruption, even within her own party. Barack Obama, on the other hand, never stood up to anyone within his party, EVER. He votes the straight party line EVERY SINGLE TIME. Only someone blinded by partisanship could avoid seeing this.
Vince,
Obama has gotten an uptick in the polls with his new campaign strategy of outright lies, distortions, and half truths. Did you get a load of that Spanish language ad, where Obama called McCain a racist ? Obama is about as phony as you can get. He spent all that time on the campaign trail calling for a new kind of politics, and now he goes as low as you can go to get elected.
Don't believe the polls. They are designed to form public opinion, not measure it.
Rely on your instincts, King. With the Palin pick, B. Hussien Obama is toast.
As to B. Hussein Obama's lying, what's the surprise? That's what the Lefties do. If they were ever truthful, they would never win elections.
Lying is second nature to Dim, like breathing air. It come natural.
Since the early 1970's, the Dim Party evolved based on lying — and ALWAYS blaming America first.
In this regard, BO is their perfect candidate. The Dims probably recruited him after learning of his 20-year attendence in the Rev. Wright's church of anti-Americanism.
No, I'm never surprised by the lying anymore, but we still need to point it out.