Palin Investigation Stalled By McCain Campaign, State Legislator Says

ABC News reports:

Is the McCain campaign afraid of an 'October surprise' involving vice-presidential pick Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska?

The Alaska state senator running an investigation of Gov. Palin says the McCain campaign is using stall tactics to prevent him from releasing his final report by Oct. 31, four days before the November election.

"It's likely to be damaging to the Governor," said Senator Hollis French, a Democrat, appointed the project manager for a bi-partisan State Senate Legislative Counsel Committee investigation of claims that Palin abused her office to get the Alaska public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, fired.

An Anchorage Daily News story suggests that Palin's lawyer is helping stall the investigation. He's trying to get the probe into the hands of a governor-appointed board:

The state has hired a private lawyer to represent Gov. Sarah Palin's office in the Legislature's investigation into the firing of former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The lawyer already has challenged whether lawmakers even have authority to oversee the inquiry.

...

Van Flein said the investigation should be handled by the state Personnel Board, not the Legislature, because it's "statutorily mandated" to handle ethics cases. The three-member Personnel Board is appointed by the governor.

And he's making it difficult for Special Counsel Steve Branchflower to interview Palin:

Branchflower hasn't been able to set up an interview with Palin. French said the state will fly Branchflower to wherever Palin is on the campaign trail if needed.

"Clearly the governor's new political role will make it more challenging for her to make time for this investigation," French wrote. But Palin needs to be interviewed sometime in September, he said.

Van Flein said the investigation is "bad timing" in the middle of a presidential campaign. He said he couldn't guarantee her availability this month.

If witnesses don't become available, French says, he'll ask for subpoenas.

Comments

[ShamusNYC]

Ok, HOLD ON.

I think this has all been one big giant joke,

AMERICA - WE'VE BEEN PUNK'D!

Ashton - you can come out from behind the hidden camera.

Dude, you TOTALLY got us! Oh, man - I am sooo totally going to get you back, man!

[YelDog]

It's beginning to sound more like "McCain/Flailin"

[LemonMeringue]

What else could she possibly be hiding?

She's only been governor for a year and a half. She's racked up quite an impressive record of corruption in such a short time. I'm impressed.

[SunshineDaydream]

all this reform talk, sound like the same ol' to me.

[Zodiac69]

Oh please do tell clown,what makes up this imaginary "record"?

[kylie]

Gee, I don't know. Talk to some Alaskan's. Read the newspapers, clue in on Palin's fondess for bridges, "reforming" libraries, and her position to fire those who don't agree with her "tactics". Hmmm?

[mari2JJ]

Well there is her attendance at the anti American group, the Independence Party. she only attended but her husband was a member for several years. Once, they even had a flag stomping program. Very anti American for sure.

[mistlesuede]

I think she will resign. When though, I'm not sure. In the meantime, the stories just keep getting better and better.

[PhDiva]

No way. This women is ambitious. Wild horses could not drag her away from this nomination.

[Cherlesq]

Surprize, surprize!! If Alaska allows this to happen, it desrves to have a Govenor to do what she wants when she wants. Is Alaska going to allow the McCain campaign dictate how they do business?? Rove still has not testified. Do you really think Palin is coming in for a deposition. Alaska, you are fools.

[SurrealPumpkin]

Sure Alaska will lt it happen. 1) according to AIP they don't much like America in the first place so 2) why not dump her on the other 49?

[mari2JJ]

I do not know who told you that story but Alaskans are very patriotic. I lived there for years and still have kids there. Grandkids who served in the military, Sons-in law also. Go to any Alaskan ball game and you will see the raising of the American Flag is like going to a church service, very solemn. Go visit and see for yourself.

[BushSunkOurShip]

When and where does this criminal activity stop....There is no law that the republicans will abide by , and there is no law which they will not break.
Why is it that republicans constantly get by with their criminal activities , crimes & corruption , censored and every subpoenas our democrats issue to ask question under oathe they arrogantly are told to go to h... they will not obey then..
When is there an end to these unconstitutional actions.
We have to be more demanding and forceful in stopping these actions.
Clinton's lie about sex will go down in history as a criminal crime and Bush , Cheney and their administration's multiple criminal crimes will be shredded and censored.
Majority of our citizens are becoming weaker as times goes by...

[GerryT]

"Bushies Come to Palin's Aid"

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/09/02/bushies-come-to-palin-s-rescue.aspx

McSame the reformer.

[anghiari]

excerpted from the Governors' press release


Speaker: Governor Sarah Heath Palin (AK)
Title: Palin Pleased with Obama's Energy Plan
Date: 08/04/2008
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Press Release
Palin Pleased with Obama's Energy Plan

Includes Alaska's Natural Gas Reserves Print Now Printer Friendly

Governor Sarah Palin today responded to the energy plan put forward by the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

“I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska's natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs,” Governor Palin said. “The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the energy our nation needs.”

In a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, “Over the next five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for oil and gas production.


Governor Palin also acknowledged the Senator's proposal to offer $1,000 rebates to those struggling with the high cost of energy.

“We in Alaska feel that crunch and are taking steps to address it right here at home,” Governor Palin said. “This is a tool that must be on the table to buy us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see Senator Obama get on board.”

[JustAProgressive]

In the great Bush tradition, McSame will invoke Executive-Wannabe Privilege to prevent Palin from being questioned.

[Ursusarctos]

She is perfectly qualified to be V.P. ... she has abuse of power tricks mastered!

[JenMI]

More proof McCain=Bush!

[CarolW2]

Good grief, she's been studying the playbook of this administration! Where is the media calling attention to these stall tactics? How can the Republican's support and defend her with a straight face? Just when I think they can't stoop any lower....

[Lupin77]

Because this is getting so messy, she should resign now and maintain her standing in government and future role in politics. If this whole mess continues it will be worse for her in the long run and might even lead to a disgraceful exit later on.

[NeoLiberal]

People who are not self-aware, cannot understand their own irrational arguments. I'm sure if scientists studied the GOP-nome, there would be some aberrant gene on a right-sided chromosome that would explain it.

[Forsetti]

It didn't evolve this way because they don't believe in evolution. Must be something in the water they drink.

[Sergeantsmom]

LOL!
AS IF what a conservative (or liberal) believes had any effect on the course of evolution. Maybe they believe they are the Chosen of G-d. But they still fare no better than the rest of us.

[demtotheend]

Pay Now, Pay Later, Palin

[Chillinout]

This election is going to be a historic one on both sides of the aisle. This is going to be the first time we are going to have a VP running that is under indictment.

LOL

[Forsetti]

The ghost of Sprio Agnew is smiling somewhere.