Troopergate Question 3: What do the Obama or McCain Campaigns have to do with Troopergate?

by: Celtic Diva

Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 09:31:14 AM AKDT

Often, the "guilty" party accuses the "innocent" party of what the "guilty" party is actually doing...in this case, interfering in the investigation...in order to deflect attention.

Per the ADN:  (below the fold)

--July 28th:  

Alaska legislators on Monday voted to spend up to $100,000 to investigate Gov. Sarah Palin's controversial firing of former state Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.

The decision came from the Legislative Council, a bipartisan panel of state senators and representatives.

--August 2nd:

  Steve Branchflower will investigate Monegan Case:

On Monday, the council, a bipartisan panel of state senators and representatives, voted 12-0 to spend up to $100,000 "to investigate the circumstances and events surrounding the termination of former Public Safety Commissioner Monegan, and potential abuses of power and/or improper actions by members of the executive branch."

Questions have been raised since Monegan's firing about whether Palin, her family, or members of her administration pressured Monegan to fire Wooten, a Mat-Su-based trooper involved in a rough divorce from the governor's sister.

Palin says she didn't pressure Monegan. Monegan says he felt pressured.

French will supervise Branchflower. French, also a former prosecutor and colleague of Branchflower, has told the council that the investigator will go to work gathering evidence and could come back to lawmakers if "some people just won't talk." The House and Senate Judiciary Committees could then issue subpoenas to compel testimony.

By the way, the breakdown of the "bipartisan panel" consisted of 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats.

--August 12:

Palin launches Monegan inquiry ahead of special investigation:

Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg has launched an inquiry at the governor's request, including interviews with state public safety officials. The attorney general's involvement has started before the special investigator newly hired by the Legislature, Steve Branchflower, has had a chance to dive into his work.

--August 13:

Palin staff pushed to have trooper fired--Governor says she's learned calls were made about Wooten's ouster:

Palin, who has previously said her administration didn't exert pressure to get rid of trooper Mike Wooten, also disclosed that members of her staff had made about two dozen contacts with public safety officials about the trooper.

"I do now have to tell Alaskans that such pressure could have been perceived to exist although I have only now become aware of it," Palin said.

--August 20:

Palin puts Frank Bailey on paid administrative leave

Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said that with Bailey still a state employee, Palin "can direct him to assist Mr. Branchflower, thereby fulfilling her pledge to Alaskans to cooperate fully with the investigation."

--August 29:

Sarah Palin is chosen as John McCain's running-mate

--August 30:

McCain Campaign releases statement on Sarah Palin and "Troopergate."

--September 1:

Private lawyer is hired for Sarah Palin in the Troopergate matter.


AND THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN'S INTERFERENCE IN A BIPARTISAN, STATE INVESTIGATION.



So, back to the questions at hand:

Question:  What does the Obama Campaign have to do with Troopergate?

Answer:  Absolutely nothing.


Question:  What does McCain Campaign have to do with Troopergate?

Answer:  Absolutely everything.