Hey Dude

By GottaLaff

To the tune of "Hey Jude":

Hey Dude,
You made it worse.
Shared your wife's job
So you both blew it.

The Quitter who took you into her heart
Had a brain fart
And you both knew it, knew it, knew it, knew it!

Nearly 3,000 pages of e-mails "draw a picture of a Palin administration where the governor's husband got involved in a judicial appointment, monitored contract negotiations with public employee unions, received background checks on a corporate CEO, added his approval or disapproval to state board appointments and passed financial information marked 'confidential' from his oil company employer to a state attorney."

First Dude, you and the wife be in a heap o' trouble.

Other revelations from the emails:

• Palin "coached her staff on how to disguise the amount of electrical work needed at the mansion to hook up her new tanning bed."
• Palin and her staff "stewed over the refusal of the state Public Safety Department to provide a plane so the children could fly to Todd's family's home in Dillingham."
• A Palin aide searched for a public event to use as justification -- "I just need one" -- to charge the state for an airplane flight for Palin's daughter.

Ethics McWhoMe? was the very same person who vehemently denied ethics abuse/abuse of power charges, remember?

Dudes! WTF?

First Bush, Now Palin Get(s) Motivated!

By GottaLaff

Barbie McLip$chmutz i$ jumping right into the How to Alienate Friend$ and Influence Moron$ pool:

Sarah Palin has joined the Get Motivated! speaking series, joining former President Bush as a previous speaker for the organization. Her topics:

• How to Successfully Manage and Balance Your Personal and Professional Priorities
• How to Overcome Obstacles with Creative Solutions
• The Secrets to Effective Decision-Making
• How to Have Grace Under Fire
• How to Become a Person of Influence

Let's take these one by one:

--Balancing personal and professional priorities is a snap for Barbie. She gave up reading, motherhood, and governing her own state to become a vice presidential candidate. Next.

--To get around legal findings, Barbie relied on Republican appointees and her usual doubletalk, as well as a spokesperson... and 3 words: Deny, deny, deny.

I have two words of my own: Section IV. From the TrooperGate report:

For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 2952.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

--Barbie is good at one thing: Deciding to quit. And that's exactly what she did when she failed to show up for numerous engagements, quit her own vacation, and of course, when she abandoned her own state by blowing off her governorship.

--As for "grace" under fire, the time she got punk'd is the only time I remember Barbs showing a modicum of presence of what passes for a mind. Most of the time, she's been too busy accusing others of pallin' around with terrorists and arranging death panels, among many other things. That's anything but gracious.

--I'll give her this: She does have influence... on horny punditiots and weak-minded wannabes. The rest of us have somehow managed to avoid her lure. Or lore. Or lair. Or liar.

If anything, we're motivated to run in the opposite direction.

Former Palin aide: “You probably know things about her that she doesn’t want other people to know.”

By GottaLaff

The Mudflats has a great post by award-winning writer and filmmaker Geoffery Dunn called "More Palin Lies: The Trooper in “Troopergate” Breaks His Silence". Please go read it. Here's an excerpt:

For his part, Wooten recalls a telling conversation with an associate of Palin’s campaign team when she was running for Governor in 2006. “You could probably bring the whole campaign down,” the aide said. “You probably know things about her that she doesn’t want other people to know.”

But here is one of my favorite parts that is just so Barbie McLipSchmutz:

[T]he McCain-Palin campaign portrayed him as a “rogue” Trooper...

And they say irony is dead.

Official who tried to block 'troopergate' probe resigns

By GottaLaff

Interview-Me Palin says it's all about that "harsh political environment". And who was part of that, I wonder:

Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg has resigned in the wake of state legislators blasting his performance during the "troopergate" investigation.

"He just explained that it is a tough environment right now," said Gov. Sarah Palin, who appointed Colberg to the job just over two years ago.

In an interview with the Anchorage Daily News this morning, Palin said Colberg did a great job as attorney general. [...]

"It is a harsh political environment right now. You saw what he went through these last couple of weeks with speculation that a couple of the lawmakers wanted to continue to grill him, a couple of the lawmakers not believing, it seems, what he had to say," Palin said. "I just hope this political environment doesn't deter others who want to make a positive difference."

Positive difference. Uh-huh. Now here's The Mudflats' take:

[W]e’ve got one interesting behind closed doors deal between Sarah Palin, Senate President Gary Stevens, and House Minority Leader Mike Chenault. It goes something like this.

Talis Colberg did not resign. He WAS resigned by Palin. (kerthunk…under the bus)

The Alaska Legislature and the governor can conveniently blame him for any and all wrongdoings in the Troopergate investigation, tie it up in a nice little bow, and transport it far far away from anyone with the last name Palin.

And in exchange for Stevens & Chenault ensuring that there is no further investigation of the Palins or their cohorts regarding the firing of Walt Monegan, the Branchflower Report, or the inconsistencies in the Petumenos report, what do they get from the governor?

In exchange, Stevens and Chenault will not receive vetoes to projects - yet to be named - in their districts.

Typical Alaska GOP politics. I wonder if Palin had Randy Reudrich help broker the deal. Here we have Mike Chennault, the sole remaining Alaska legislator who was a very big player in the VECO handouts, together with Stevens and Palin, both of whom received thousands from Bill Allen’s company, working together to hide the truth.

Palin's stuck in the mud clear up to her rimless eyeglasses.

Texas evangelicals helped effort to stop Palin TrooperGate probe

By GottaLaff

Look who donated the big bucks in an attempt to save Interview-Me Palin's abuse-of-powery little keester-- none other than James Dobson:

New state gift disclosures show it cost Liberty Legal Institute and the two law firms working with it $185,000 to represent six Alaska legislators in an unsuccessful lawsuit to halt their colleagues' "troopergate" investigation into whether Gov. Sarah Palin acted improperly in firing the state's public safety director.

The legislators listed a $25,000 gift of services from the Texas-based Liberty Legal Institute. Liberty is the legal arm of the Free Market Foundation, which is associated with evangelical leader James Dobson's Focus on the Family, and lists its guiding principles as limited government and promotion of Judeo-Christian values.

The lawmakers also disclosed a $120,000 gift of services from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, a national firm that appeared at hearings on behalf of Liberty Legal.

Anchorage attorney Kevin Clarkson represented the six legislators in the case as well, and turned to Liberty Legal for its constitutional expertise. The lawmakers reported a $40,000 gift of services from Clarkson's firm.

That brings the total bill for their lawsuit to $185,000. [...]

The six legislators who filed the suit are Wes Keller, Mike Kelly, Fred Dyson, Tom Wagoner, Carl Gatto and Bob Lynn. All are Republicans.

It's nice to have rich friends in low places.

VIDEO--Todd Palin Guilty: Contempt of Senate

By GottaLaff

Senator Hollis French introducing Senate Resolution 5; Finding Troopergate witnesses in contempt of Senate. Witnesses included: Todd Palin, Randy Ruaro, Ivy Frye, Annette Kreitzer, Dianne Kiesel, Nikki Neal, Brad Thompson, Michael Nizich, Kris Perry, and Janice Mason.

Remember the good old days when Interview-Me Sarah was guilty of abusing power, and Husband Todd was subpoenaed, and everyone was one big happy scofflaw family? Remember how frustrating all that was? Time to exhale... One down:

At 10:09am on February 6, 2009, Senate Resolution #5 passed 16-1. This resolution finds the witnesses who ignored their subpoenas GUILTY OF CONTEMPT of the Alaska State Senate.

This resolution did not address the actions of Talis Colberg. It called for no penalties to the 7 witnesses because they were being guided by the Attorney General and they did cooperate with Mr. Branchflower as soon as their lawsuit was thrown out of court.

There was very little discussion on the floor.

The lone dissenting vote? Senator Con Bunde. Rule of Law Anyone? Strange, because as I watched Gavel to Gavel this morning, I saw Senator Bunde put his hand on his heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the Chamber. "With liberty and justice for all." Maybe those are just words. I guess in Con's world, it's OK to ignore subpoenas.

This weekend is the Iron Dog Snowmachine Race. Todd Palin will drive his machine to Nome with a new cloud. Todd Palin is in contempt of the Alaska State Senate.

H/t: Ellen

Iowa trooper disciplined in Obama e-mail case

By GottaLaff

Troopergate II:

An Iowa state trooper from Fort Dodge is being punished for forwarding an e-mail that included jail mug shots of people wearing Barack Obama T-shirts.

Sgt. Rodney Hicok received a 30-day suspension on his record, although he won't actually have to leave his job. Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Courtney Greene says labor law means suspending Hicok without pay would jeopardize overtime rules for salaried employees like Hicok.

Hicok also must attend training on department policies.

He forwarded the e-mail from a state-issued laptop. He did it while off duty, and the recipients were both inside and outside of the agency.

The e-mail besmirched 15 people in the photos and said something about Obama having "quite a fan base."

I wonder how big that guy's fan base is. I deserve kudos for not making any jokes about his name.

“Troopergate isn’t going away, and it shouldn’t go away”

By GottaLaff

The Mudflats has some encouraging news:

State House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula said she isn’t ready to let the issues go.

“Troopergate isn’t going away, and it shouldn’t go away,” the Juneau Democrat said.

On to the next nugget.

There doesn’t appear to be sufficient desire in the Legislature to reprimand the governor. But there is bipartisan concern about the resistance the attorney general, Palin appointee Talis Colberg, posed to legislative subpoenas.

“One of the judiciary committees or both of the judiciary committees should maybe bring the AG in front of them and have some frank discussions about what his actions were toward the state employees, why the subpoenas weren’t complied with,” said Chenault, the Republican house speaker.

I’m going to ignore the first part where they say there doesn’t seem to be sufficient desire in the Legislature to reprimand the Governor. Because, despite the fact that many feel this way, I do not remain without hope. Alaskans can still weigh in on how they feel about this. [...]

But, the fact that someone (and a Republican someone at that) is talking about holding Attorney General Talis Colberg accountable, is a good thing. If I were in the legislature, I wouldn’t take too kindly to being made impotent by some upstart AG either. The legislature has the power to do whatever it wants concerning Colberg, including impeachment. What’s it going to be?

I'll keep you posted.

Sweet revenge: Governor Walt Monegan

By GottaLaff

Walt Monegan - Photo by Linda Kellen Biegel.

This would truly be the suh-weet-est ever:

Former Anchorage Police Chief and Alaska Public Safety Commissioner, Walt Monegan, speaking to a group of journalism students, UAA faculty, and community members, refused, when asked whether he might consider running for governor of Alaska, to rule it out.

When asked a third time about this, he stated that he had agreed with his faculty host, not to discuss his political future at the event.

Mr. Monegan spoke on what he’s learned over the years about the relationship between the people and their government. “Basically, what I want to talk about, and what I’ve been invited to speak on, is the importance of the integrity of our government and its leaders.”

He discussed his appreciation of our Founding Fathers and how “the law of the land” includes an understandting that “If the government starts to become more oppressive, the citizens not only have a right but an obligation to alter or abolish the government.”

The third question on the subject was from APRN, who first asked if Walt was going to take any action against the State on being called a “rogue” and he said “I love the State of Alaska so the answer is no.” Then she asked for a firmer answer to the question about running for governor and he said he didn’t want to violate the non-political requirement of speaking at UAA. [snip]

As long as it’s not violating any rules I could honestly say that my wife and I are talking about it.

Pitiful Palin finally did something right. Her despicable actions against Monegan have backfired in the most dee-lish-ee-ous way. TrooperGate is becoming Palin's BlooperGate.

TrooperGate: Threats to Wooten concern troopers

By GottaLaff

It ain't over 'til it's over:

The state trooper behind the abuse-of-power investigations of Gov. Sarah Palin is getting a reassignment this Sunday following threatening telephone calls to his employer.

Mike Wooten has been on desk duty for his own protection in recent weeks after troopers began receiving hostile calls from Alaskans and people outside the state, according to public safety union officials.

Callers said things like "If I ever see Trooper Wooten on the road, I'm not going to let him stop me," according to union director John Cyr. [...]

"It was clear there was a lot of feeling and misdirected feeling among the public," Cyr said Friday of the phone calls received by troopers. "The department came to us. There were worries about Mike's safety. We agreed -- and Mike agreed -- to do paperwork until after the election." [...]

Palin's spokesman, Bill McAllister, said the governor's office was not aware of the reassignment plans and was unable to comment on it.

"It's probably not appropriate of us to second-guess such a decision," he said. "It's not something the governor's office micromanages."

Wherever Pitiful Palin goes, hatred and hostility seem to follow.

IWRC* Palin exonerated?

By GottaLaff

I just got home, flipped on the TV, and saw a chyron that said "Palin exonerated in Troopergate". I'm Googling it now.

Anyone?

UPDATE:

- There is no cause to believe Palin violated the state ethics law in deciding to dismiss Monegan as public safety commissioner.

- There is no cause to believe Palin violated the state ethics law in connection with Wooten.

- There is no cause to believe any other state official violated the ethics act.

- There's no basis to conduct a hearing to "address reputational harm," as requested by Monegan.

- The state needs to address the issue of using private e-mails for government work and to examine how records are kept in the governor's office. Palin used her Yahoo e-mail account for state business until it was hacked.

Thanks, Paddy. Tough day.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

Second IWRC* Palin Troopergate Investigation Moving Quickly

By GottaLaff

I'm going to put up Mudflats' latest TrooperGate post in full for accuracy:

Yesterday, Sarah Palin gave her deposition to the second Troopergate independent investigator, Tim Petumenos. Petumenos flew out of Alaska to question Palin on the campaign trail in St. Louis. The details are scant, but we do know a few:

• The deposition took two hours.
• Petumenos told Palin he was moving quickly, but couldn’t say whether the investigation would be complete before Election Day.
• Palin wants to make the transcript of her interview public.

“I am so pleased to finally have gotten the chance to tell what really happened and get the truth out,” Palin said in a statement released by her attorney, Thomas Van Flein. ”It was the right thing to do to bring this before the Personnel Board and have a true arms length unbiased and apolitical investigator look into this.”

I have a hunch that Petumenos will have nothing to do with that last request, for two reasons. First, although Palin herself has waived her right of confidentiality, other members of her staff have not. So it would be difficult, if not impossible, to tease out the information that has only to do with Palin and nobody else.

Second, I think Petumenos will realize that the release of her deposition would make the whole thing look political, which is the LAST thing that Palin wants. Right?

We all know that if Palin really wants this “out there,” all she has to do is hold a press conference. I doubt that reporters will come up with any questions that Petumenos didn’t. Nothing is stopping her. So, why doesn’t she do it? Because she doesn’t want to. One independent investigation has already found Palin guilty of an ethics violation. Branchflower and Petumenos are both highly respected men, known for their professionalism, and thorough unbiased work. All of Branchflower’s work was turned over by request to Petumenos for use in his own work. It would be stunning if the second investigation found anything different.

IWRC* has a habit of saying things that, on their face, make her sound better than she is. This seems to be one of those attempted betterisms. But she's not fooling anyone this time.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

Crony baloney: IWRC* Palin appointed friends and donors to key posts

By GottaLaff

And the Crony goes to....

Among The Times' findings:

* More than 100 appointments to state posts -- nearly 1 in 4 -- went to campaign contributors or their relatives, sometimes without apparent regard to qualifications.

* Palin filled 16 state offices with appointees from families that donated $2,000 to $5,600 and were among her top political patrons.

* Several of Palin's leading campaign donors received state-subsidized industrial development loans of up to $3.6 million for business ventures of questionable public value.

* Palin picked a donor to replace the public safety commissioner she fired. But the new top cop had to resign days later under an ethics cloud. And Palin drew a formal ethics complaint still pending against her and several aides for allegedly helping another donor and fundraiser land a state job.

Most new governors install friends and supporters in state jobs. But Alaska historians say some of Palin's appointees were less qualified than those of her Republican and Democratic predecessors.

My stars! IWRC*'s approach to government seems to be-- What's it called again? Oh yeah-- business as usual! And now, for the winner of the Understatement of the Year Award:

Terrence Cole, an Alaska political historian, said Palin had in some cases shown "a disrespect for experience."

Oh, it gets better:

In a little-noted sequel to Palin's controversial dismissal of her public safety commissioner, the governor replaced Walt Monegan with former small-town Police Chief Charles Kopp of Kenai. The appointment unraveled almost immediately in what Cole called a vetting catastrophe.

A previous sexual harassment complaint came to light and Kopp had to resign two weeks after taking over. Alaska paid him $10,000 in severance.

So Kopp the Cop got thousands in severance after leaving in disgrace. Sounds almost Wall Streetian. Nothing inspires confidence in IWRC's promise to reform Washington like rewarding corruption.

And Palin's choice for attorney general, Talis Colberg, stirred considerable puzzlement: He was virtually unknown beyond her circle near Wasilla. Colberg, who had a solo law practice and little management experience, now oversees 500 professionals.

Colberg was criticized by both Republican and Democratic legislators for his handling of the recent investigation of Palin's actions in [TrooperGate].

There are lots more gory details here. And just in case you forgot, IWRC and "her guy" are being deposed today. Yep, she's the "most qualified of any candidate who has recently run for vice president".

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

Pre-Deposition: IWRC* Palin is traveling with her TrooperGate lawyer

By GottaLaff

IWRC* is being forced to multi-task, which can't be easy for someone of such minimal brainage:

Palin will be deposed tomorrow by the independent investigator working for the Alaska personnel board. The interview will be under oath. Todd Palin will be deposed separately tomorrow.

Background here. Pass the popcorn.

Among the campaign staff and reporters traveling with Palin today was her personal attorney, Thomas Van Flein, who flew from Alaska to meet Palin, and traveled on the campaign plane this afternoon from Dayton to Pittsburgh. ... [T]he lawyer is here to prep the Palins for their meeting with the personnel board investigator.

Coming 11 days before the election, the depositions are not well-timed for the campaign, which had to deal with a spate of Troopergate headlines two weeks ago, when the legislative committee issued its report on the matter. (It found Palin abused her power.)

NBC has learned that the investigator for the personnel board insisted the depositions take place now and the Palins, who, after all, initiated this investigation, were in no position to protest about the timing.

Will she be cleared? Will she be in deeper trouble? Stay tuned...

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

Caribou Barbie: $150,000 + to clothe and accessorize IWRC* Palin

By GottaLaff

Who's the elitist again?

The Republican National Committee appears to have spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August.

According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August. [...]

Spokeswoman Maria Comella declined to answer specific questions about the expenditures, including whether it was necessary to spend that much and whether it amounted to one early investment in Palin or if shopping for the vice presidential nominee was ongoing.

“The campaign does not comment on strategic decisions regarding how financial resources available to the campaign are spent,’ she said.

The business of primping and dressing on the campaign trail has become fraught with political risk in recent years as voters increasingly see an elite Washington out of touch with their values and lifestyles. [...] But all the spending by other candidates pales in comparison to the GOP outlay for the Alaska governor whose expensive, designer outfits have been the topic of fashion pages and magazines.

Let's not forget the young 'un!

The entries also show a few purchases at Pacifier, a top notch baby store, and Steiniauf & Stroller Inc., suggesting $295 dollars was spent to accommodate the littlest Palen to join the campaign trail.

What would Joe the Plumber say?

And while we're on the subject of IWRC*'s wardrobe, I wonder what she'll wear to her latest deposition:

The investigator conducting a second inquiry into whether Gov. Sarah Palin abused the powers of her office by firing the state’s public safety commissioner is scheduled to take depositions from her and her husband, Todd, on Friday, the McCain-Palin campaign said this afternoon.

She really ought to stick to sterling silver accessories. They go much better with handcuffs.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

Possible investigation of criminal witness tampering in TrooperGate

By GottaLaff

Get your lawyers out again, Gramm-pa McCain and IWRC* Palin, you may need them:

After the flock of McCain lawyers descended on our sleepy little hamlet, all the rules changed. Now, Les Gara and Audie Holloway want to know WHY. Good question.

ANCHORAGE — Today an Alaska legislator called on the State’s Attorney General to appoint an independent investigator to look into possible criminal witness tampering by McCain-Palin campaign staff in Alaska. Rep. Gara’s call came at the suggestion of the Director of the Alaska State Troopers, [Col. Audie Holloway], who called the potential of witness tampering matter “serious.”

But, as we know, these witnesses did eventually testify in writing, just days before the Legislative Council released the findings of Independent Investigator Stephen Branchflower. Does this make it all better? No.

Their later decision to submit to written questions, after failing to show up for their subpoenas, doesn’t cure this violation, or any criminal conduct by any person who attempted to induce those witnesses from showing for their subpoenas. Complying with the law after breaking it doesn’t excuse a criminal violation. If any person attempted to induce a witness to fail to show for a subpoena, that witness’ later cooperation, after failing to show for the subpoena, doesn’t cure the criminal conduct. (from attached letter to AG Talis Colberg from Rep. Les Gara)

Talis Colberg, who is under considerable public pressure to resign as Attorney General for how he handled these subpoenas, has something new on his list of things that won’t go away. Namely:

Alaska Statute 11.56.545 -

“(a)Tampering with a witness in the second degree: A person commits the crime of tampering with a witness in the second degree if the person knowingly induces or attempts to induce a witness to be absent from an official proceeding, other than a judicial proceeding, to which the witness has been summoned. (b) Tampering with a witness in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

AS 11.56.540 has similar elements, and is a felony.

The ball is in the court of the Department of Law.

Letter from Les Gara to Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg: 10202008-witness-tampering-independent-investigator

Why must I go to Alaskan blogs to find out this kind of information?

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

Gramm-pa McCain's aides: IWRC* Palin is a ‘total disaster.’

By GottaLaff

If Gramm-pa's aides had just thought to drop by TPC, we could have filled them in long ago. Harper’s Scott Horton:

HORTON: We’ve got a lot of finger-pointing going on within the camp, and I’d say there’s a pretty broad agreement amongst a number of the senior-most advisors to McCain that the Palin pick is worse than disappointing. It’s a total disaster, as one describes to me. And there is a sort of blame game going on there. […]

I would say the anger and irritation between a number of the senior people in the McCain camp and Bill Kristol is become really acute. … They view this man as the guy who gave them this albatross, Sarah Palin. I think there’s a lot of real anger about it. There’s also recognition that it’s too late to do anything.

Horton said neoconservatives are “now just proceeding to develop Palin as their candidate, as somebody they want to bring up in 2012, as the neo-con favored Republican.”

They'll have a whole lot of developing to do. And how will they get around all her many scandals, ethics lapses, and associations? Oh, silly me. I forgot. All they have to do is lie.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

UPDATE, this the candidate they want to groom. She thinks "we shouldn’t worry about government having enough money, the government has plenty of money":

IWRC* Palin Probe Expanded Beyond Troopergate

By GottaLaff

UPDATE:

Ruh-roh! IWRC* Palin will have to lie some more to get out of this one. Or... she can simply look at the facts and then deny them outright, as she did with the TrooperGate findings:

The Anchorage Daily News reports:

The state Personnel Board investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of Walt Monegan has broadened to include other ethics complaints against the governor and examination of actions by other state employees, according to the independent counsel handling the case.

The investigator, Tim Petumenos, did not say who else is under scrutiny. But in two recent letters describing his inquiry, he cited the consolidation of complaints and the involvement of other officials as a reason for not going along with Palin's request to make the examination of her activities more public.

Newsweek reported on Saturday that the Personnel Board probe, which both the McCain campaign and critics expected would be more favorable to Palin, hasn't turned out that way:

[...] Some weeks ago, the McCain team devised a plan to have Palin file an ethics complaint against herself with the State Personnel Board, arguing that it alone was capable of conducting a fair, nonpartisan inquiry [...] Some Democrats ridiculed the move, noting that the personnel board answered to Palin. But the board ended up hiring an aggressive Anchorage trial lawyer, Timothy Petumenos, as an independent counsel. McCain aides were chagrined to discover that Petumenos was a Democrat who had contributed to Palin's 2006 opponent for governor, Tony Knowles. Palin is now scheduled to be questioned next week, and the counsel's report could be released soon after. "We took a gamble when we went to the personnel board," said a McCain aide who asked not to be identified discussing strategy. While the McCain camp still insists Palin "has nothing to hide," it acknowledges a critical finding by Petumenos would be even harder to dismiss.

Goodness gracious me! Gramm-pa McCain took yet another gamble that didn't pay off. He really should think about breaking that habit.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

H/t: Ellen for article
H/t: Kerry for video

VIDEO-- IWRC* Palin: Gramm-pa McCain will end ‘abuses of power’ in Washington.

By GottaLaff


Hahaha! Ohhhhahahahaa ::deep breath:: haaahahahahahaaa! Whew! Wow.

Two words: Section IV. From the TrooperGate report:

For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 2952.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

Palin, McCain Camp keep on lyin' about Troopergate

There's a song in there somewhere.

On MSNBC this afternoon, host Andrea Mitchell asked McCain-Palin campaign spokeswoman Meg Stapleton: “Wasn’t [Palin] overstating it? She wasn’t cleared of anything unethical because the conclusion was that she had violated the ethics rules of the state of Alaska.” Stapleton responded, “This Governor did nothing wrong and did nothing unlawful.”

Via Think Progress.