GOP's Defense: She Shot the Sheriff, But She Did Not Shoot the Deputy

It's hard out there for a shill. A bipartisan panel in Alaska finds that Sarah Palin abused her power and broke the law, and the best defense the campaign can muster is that she "acted within her proper and lawful authority in firing Walt Monegan." Hey, she did some things that weren't illegal.

Yes, Officer, I robbed that bank. But I didn't break any traffic laws on my way home.

It sounds like they're working up to that shopworn Scooter Libby defense, "there was no underlying crime." That's the phrase that showed a lot of seemingly legitimate right-wing political commentators to be nothing more than cynical partisans - so much so that they would cheerfully defend naked criminality in defense of their political interests. (We're not naming names, Bill Kristol.)

It's an incomprehensible defense. Any crime is, after all, illegal by definition. Think about it (if you really have to think about it): You tell me you're going to frame me for something I didn't do, so I murder you. According to this logic I should go free, because there was no underlying crime. And not only should I go free, I should still be considered a worthy candidate for high office.

Sounds ridiculous, and it is. Yet you will see one partisan after another make exactly that argument in a slightly-disguised way in the next three weeks. Man. You could almost feel sorry for them, couldn't you? That is, if so much weren't at stake.

If McCain and Palin are elected -- which isn't impossible even now -- Americans can now look forward to the spectacle of Todd Palin, boots up on the Vice President's (or the President's desk), making one call after another to settle old family scores. And we'll see Todd and Sarah's friends in the Alaskan Independence Party come to Washington, too. That's the party whose founder said he "hated" America and her flag, and who was murdered in an illegal explosives deal gone bad. Sound good to you? Then by all means vote for them.

Those Palins. They come across in this report like frontier Macbeths, the Borgias of Wasilla. It's not fair to say they're a cross between the Beverly Hillbillies and the Manson Family. But they are scary, and they sure aren't the "regular Christian working folks" we've been led to believe they are. I know a lot of evangelicals, and none of them pal around with separatist radicals. And none of them are as straight-up mean and vindictive as this report shows the Palins to be. (Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. Aren't the rest of us supposed to forgive?)

It's not like they didn't know what they were doing, either. Monehan made it clear to Gov. Palin that her actions in pressuring him were a violation of state ethics law. She didn't care, and she didn't stop. L'etat, c'est moi. (Or "c'est nous," I guess, since she was letting her husband abuse power on her behalf too.)

But as frightening as a Palin Vice Presidency (and possible Presidency) would be, this story is really about John McCain. This investigation was already underway when McCain picked her. That tells us volumes about his selfishness, his impulsiveness, and his willingness to take reckless risks with the nation in pursuit of his own selfish interests.

The day this report came out we saw McCain desperately trying to suppress the lynch-mob behavior of the crowds he's riled up -- at least until he's left the building. He looked like Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice in Fantasia, trying to get all those brooms to stop bringing him buckets of water. But they won't stop, because he's cast such a clumsy spell.

The lesson Mickey learned in that episode was that a little knowledge isn't enough, and that you shouldn't try to be the boss if you're not ready or able. Maybe Sen. McCain ought to watch that movie again the next time he fires up the DVD player on Cindy's private jet.

You know what's strange? I never agreed with his politics, but I really used to like John McCain. I even respected him.

RJ Eskow blogs when he can at:

A Night Light
The Sentinel Effect: Healthcare Blog
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Comments

[marm]

The McCain strategists have all been saying that Palin's "favorable" poll ratings began dipping after the spike following her convention speech because of the emerging financial crisis. Not so. They began dipping when she was more exposed to public scrutiny!! She did it to herself.

[fromero]

Had John McCain picked Joe Liberman or someone else of equal stature as his running mate, he would now be double digits ahead in the polls. Sarah Palin may have energized the lowest common denominator of the conservative base, but in so doing, she has alienated the undecided voters who will make the difference on November 4. The more they see of the thinly educated, barracuda, pit-bull, hockey mom and her retinue of family members, the more she grates on their nerves. Joe Liberman may be totally lacking in theatrical skills, but by dint of his knowledge and unblemished record, he would eventually have won over the conservative base and most undecided voters as well.

Also, the fact that McCain allowed his surrogates to foist Palin on him (clearly, she was not on his short list) betrays a lack of leadership. John McCain may yet win the presidential election, but if he loses, it will be largely because of Sarah Palin.

[quest44]

I didn't get it either !
Palin was found by the investigation to have misused her powers when trying to get her x brother-in-law thrown off the police force ,yet they said no crime was committed .Well you can't have it both ways ! If she misused her power and it was found to be over this issue with her brother-in-law then she fired the Commissioner out of spite and misuse of power should have a punishment that goes along with it and not just filed away while Palin continues to work outside the laws.

[sugarmama]

Oh I get it Sarah Palin and John McCain think that America is a bunch of empty headed jarheads. You just unscrew the top and put whatever you want in and take it out when you feel like it. If someone is guilty to of misusing their power they are breaking the law, if they are insighting a riot they are breaking the law as well. I don't buy John McCain coming to Barack Obama's defense either. That is just something he did because the cameras were on and the nation was watching him.

[JustMyWords]

I think what they're getting at is the difference between illegal and unethical. Assuming that Alaska is one of those lovely "at will employment" states, she could legally fire anyone, at any time, for any reason, and it would be a legal firing as long as it didn't violate one of the very small list of federally protected groups - firing for age, gender, or religious beliefs are all illegal. But the fact that a firing is legal does not make it morally or ethically right.

[Hedcutter]

"I didn't get it either !"? Judging from the speed at which the Sarah Palin is unraveling, I think that we will all "get it" real soon.

[gmtia]

Maybe that's what Martha Steward should have said also.

[Galt907]

Todd and Sarah Palin in the White House? A literary bonanza: Alice Through The Looking Glass meets Looney Tunes.

[HedgeBaby]

HuffPost's people are borrowing from the French quite a bit today - which is good, cause it's making me exercise my mind (something the Repugs don't want me to do!!!) In comparing Sarah Palin to Louis XIV, "The phrase "L'État, c'est moi" ("I am the State") is frequently attributed to him, though considered an inaccuracy by historians. Quite contrary to that apocryphal quote, Louis XIV is actually reported to have said on his death bed: "Je m'en vais, mais l'État demeurera toujours." ("I depart, but the State shall always remain")." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XIV_of_France Well, Sarah Palin obviously believes the first quote, she is certainly no LouisXIV, and I am sure we all wish that she would adopt the latter quote and immediately depart , letting the state remain inviolate.

[UdvarHazy]

Funny thing is, I felt the same way about John McCain. I disagreed with him, but I thought he was an honorable man, and I respected him for it. I never gave credence to the "wet start" stories, about the U.S.S. Forrestal's near-destruction, back in '67, thanks to fly-boy McCain's high-jinks; now, I'm having second thoughts... (look it up.)

Perhaps politics warps a man's judgment--picking Palin HAD to be an act of desperation. I guess it all depends on just HOW much you let your 'handlers' push you around!

[Kwaayesnama]

Of course she is not guilty! Have you ever heard of a Republican that is responsible for anything?

Dam the members of the partisan investigation committee they are picking on the bulldog with lipstick!

Ops! Ten republicans and four democrats, blame them anyway it is McCain’s style of politics.

Oh! I know it was the Moslems on the committee, what no Moslems?

Ok! Lets blame the Blacks, what!!! No blacks?

Gee! Do you think it was witchcraft, hurry up call the exorcist!

That leaves us with the fact that the members were sexist, lets get the Hillary Clinton supporters to protest the sexist Alaska legislature.

If all else fails just blame the liberal media for reporting this.

Palin/Chaney what’s the difference – NOTHING!

You go girl, wink, wink. ;-)

[UdvarHazy]

Criminey! You forgot the real culprits: The eskimos! THEY done it!

[blast3r]

"Ops! Ten republicans and four democrats, blame them anyway it is McCain"s style of politics."

The republicans seem very good at this and Sarah Palin is a true expert. She welcomes the troopergate report and is happy it clears her of any illegal or unethical wrongdoing. She is using the Jedi tactic without actually waving her hand and twiddling her fingers at everyone.

It is just plain bizzare she can come up with that statement after the investigation plainly states she was guilty. What is more disturbing is the 'idiot republicans' that saw her answer and believe her. (not all republicans are idiots, just the ones that believes crap like this).

[Anthrofreak]

Bush and the Republicans have been violating ethic left and right for the last 8 years. What makes you think the MSM will go gaga over little ole Sarah Pain. However, I would think her being a VP candidate would draw some attention to it.

[tmccbo]

Would you hire someone to watch your kids if they were ethicly impared ? But you will elect her to be a heartbeat from being president. Even if her own extreme religious beliefs could be forced on you. Even if she tells a group that wants Alaska to leave the USA, "keep up the good work". Even if her husband "belonged" to this group. Even if she gives a witch hunting preacher credit for her being governor. Even if her uneducated husband gets copied on offical correspondence and emails, and sits-in on official state meetings. Anybody who does not agree with the extreme religious right views is evil. Isn't that what the muslum extreme says. One country under God, not one country under Jesus. This woman is scarey.

[pandag]

My question is, WHY ISN'T THE MEDIA COVERING THIS AIP STORY!?!?!!? They ought to be ashamed, reporters indeed...I don't think so. That AIP from what I saw on videos is comprised of the lunatic fringe. Ignorant, scary group of people. And there she is, oh, Todd too, & aren't they just the All American couple. Yeah, the horrible part is that he would be in the VP's office -- what McCain did by picking her is beyond belief in the contempt it shows for America. I, too, used to admire him but now I totally believe he has sold his soul or has OBS and it's progressing.

[Roberto2201]

We do not need or want a vice president who uses the powers of their office to settle personal scores, discredit rivals or intimidate critics. WE ALREADY HAVE ONE. Given Gov. Palin's record, as evidenced by the Legislative Council report and other media coverage, a litany of her vindictiveness, obsessive secrecy, skirting the law, ignoring subpoenas and refusal to be held accountable, are of a piece with the record of the vice president she hopes to succeed: Dick Cheney.
I fear to think how many CIA undercover operatives a Vice President Palin, and co-VP Todd hiding behind the curtain, would expose if she somehow moved into Cheney’s office.
Don't forget her endorsement, during the debate with Sen. Joe Biden, of Cheney's vision of expanded powers for the VP: “[I’m] thankful that the Constitution would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president,” she said, even though only she and Cheney think it does.

[ctman47]

Why is there never a mention of how frightening it would be to have Gov Palin as President of the Senate. Talk about gridlock!!!!

[kadene]

Sarah Palin is fast becoming yesterday's news. and no matter what McCain does, who will take him seriously? Palin stands as testament to his poor judgment.

[CultureVulture]

In the highly likely case that Obama will win the election, one can be sure that Palin will start her 2012 campaign on November 5th.

If, God forbid, it musters any currency with the rabid "base" of the GOP, it will certainly split the party. I mean that literally. As much as I sometimes disagree with George Will, Charles Krauthammer, David Brooks and the WSJ Editorial Board, I know that these folks are A LOT smarter than I am; but then so are the Democratic leaders I do agree with. Can you imagine the brainiac side of the GOP having any truck with the Barracuda and Todd? Can you imagine Palin's State, Treasury or, God help us, FEMA? Can you imagine the resulting 2012 campaign mud?

Lee Harvey Oswald deprived America of the most anticipated campaign of the 20th century. JFK and Barry Goldwater were happily and eagerly looking forward to a number of debates during the campaign; they hoped to define for their time the true meaning of "liberal" and "conservative." Both intelligent men with respect for each other. Instead we got LBJ's fear-mongering atomic bomb image and the little girl holding the flower.

It's never happened. We've never had that spirited and informed debate to inform the public about the real differences without character assasination. Obama does his best to keep his head above the fray. But imagine Miss Alaska Runner-up (not even Miss Congeniality) trying to define the nature of a true conservative.

[SeenItBefore]

It is quite a fright, listening to the current Republican candidates dancing with orchestrated sedition as a last gasp tactic.

And, in 2000, I found John McCain to be, in my opinion, the best candidate the Republican's fielded. We had watched Bush virtually bankrupt Texas and had enough. When McCain folded after the illegitimate black child smear in South Carolina and Bush's off putting sneering denials, then to wander off like a whipped animal, I suspected the fix was in.

I would hope McCain still has honor, but it appears to have been smothered by blinding ambition.

[betheliza]

your headline is perfect. article isnt bad either ;) (thats my sarah palin impersonation...)

anyway. i think its completely about mccain. either he didnt know about this investigation because she wasnt vetted or he didnt care. either way, it says a lot about his judgment and leadership.

[delere]

"You know what's strange? I never agreed with his politics, but I really used to like John McCain. I even respected him."

Me too. I guess he had a lot of us fooled. I almost feel violated considering how bad it has become! It's truly pathetic and sad.

[Frisky070802]

+1. I used to really respect him as the one Republican candidate I could live with ... and maybe even support. Hah!

[gmtia]

I'm in the same boat. When a hero falls this hard after finding out the truth that respect never comes back.