# Panel Finds Palin Abused Power (Troopergate) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 11, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397 "2008-10-11T00:31:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/21 "2008-10-11T01:09:09Z")
I wonder if this could make McCain dump Palin. And if so, would it be worse for him, because of increasing the magnitude of the debacle? Or might it be good for him, because he’d finally pick a strong, sensible running mate? I would hope for the former. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/22 "2008-10-11T01:12:03Z")
> [@Atomicflea](#): > > I don’t understand how it can be dismissed as a partisan investigation when it was started well before she became the Veep nominee. > > Well, let’s hope she handles it as badly as she handles everything else. I wouldn’t have minded McCain too much, but I don’t want her anywhere near the White House. As Smokey Robinson and the Miracles would say, “I Second That Emotion”. I don’t hate John McCain. Him winning the Republican nomination was a relief to me. Then came Palin and I got very scared. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/23 "2008-10-11T01:13:28Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I wonder if this could make McCain dump Palin. I doubt it – the report isn’t really a condemnation of sorts. (Kind of makes the cries of partisan witchunt a bit empty.) There was lawful grounds, and personal bias was just one of other factors. Plus, especially in the right wing’s mind, there have been plenty of examples where executives used their position to settle personal scores and given the alleged mud on Wooten, he deserved it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/24 "2008-10-11T01:16:30Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I wonder if this could make McCain dump Palin. And if so, would it be worse for him, because of increasing the magnitude of the debacle? Or might it be good for him, because he’d finally pick a strong, sensible running mate? I would hope for the former. The talking heads have said that McCain really wanted Leiberman, so maybe now he has a chance to do it. He might lose the extreme right-wing but get some of the middle back. He might think now that he can’t win even with the extreme part of the party. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/25 "2008-10-11T01:17:43Z")
She might dump herself. How is she anything but a liability? The only hope I see for McCain is a new VP candidate. Huckabee would keep the evangelicals in line, maybe even get more of them since he’s not a woman. I’ll bet McCain wants a do-over **so bad**! I haven’t read the whole report but I saw one fun snippet about an illegal moose hunt that Palin’s brother-in-law participated in. Palin wanted him charged. Apparently Palin’s father was on that same illegal moose hunt, and it was pointed out that if Wooten was charged, Palin’s dad would have to be charged too, also, as well, also. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/26 "2008-10-11T01:22:09Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > For those who want - [linkee.](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/10/palin-abused-power-but-didnt-break-law-in-trooper-case/) > > Will be called a Democratic kangaroo verdict. Won’t change any minds. “Democrat”, not “Democratic”. It’s the latest attempt to move the language goal posts again. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/27 "2008-10-11T01:26:45Z")
the more troubling thing is that it may impact her sister’s custody battle. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/28 "2008-10-11T01:32:54Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > For those who want - [linkee.](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/10/palin-abused-power-but-didnt-break-law-in-trooper-case/) > > Will be called a Democratic kangaroo verdict. Won’t change any minds. This is probably true, although I note that while a couple of Republican members of the investigating panel expressed concern that details in the report not be judged hastily, the [actual vote of the council was 12 - 0](http://www.adn.com/palin/story/552393.html): no Republicans or members of other parties, (if any), voted against the findings. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/29 "2008-10-11T01:36:01Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > the more troubling thing is that it may impact her sister’s custody battle. Wait-this bozo could get custody of his step-son? Or do you mean the kid’s father could? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/30 "2008-10-11T01:36:13Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > This is probably true, although I note that while a couple of Republican members of the investigating panel expressed concern that details in the report not be judged hastily, the [actual vote of the council was 12 - 0](http://www.adn.com/palin/story/552393.html): no Republicans or members of other parties, (if any), voted against the findings. I think the vote you’re referring to is the release of the report, not necessarily an endorsement of its contents. From your link: > [@](#): > > The release of Branchflower’s 263-page report came after a unanimous vote of the 12-member Legislative Council, which authorized the inquiry last summer. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/31 "2008-10-11T01:37:17Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > From the article:" A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state’s public safety commissioner. " > > From the other article: “Palin abused power but didn’t break law in trooper case” > > If she “unlawfully abused her authority” , doesn’t that, by definition, mean that she broke the law? The actual report from the twelve member council noted that the language of the law was not sufficiently clear regarding how to identify criminal activity (and, as long as my memory is not faulty on the point, the Law does not actually provide for punishments for specific acts), and part of the report was a call for the legislature to clarify the matter and close any loopholes. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/32 "2008-10-11T01:43:25Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > From the article:" A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state’s public safety commissioner. " > > From the other article: “Palin abused power but didn’t break law in trooper case” > > If she “unlawfully abused her authority” , doesn’t that, by definition, mean that she broke the law? CNN [amended their report.](http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/10/palin.investigation/index.html) > [@](#): > > However, it states that her efforts to get Wooten fired broke a state ethics law that bars public officials from pursuing personal interest through official action. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/33 "2008-10-11T01:44:17Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I wonder if this could make McCain dump Palin. And if so, would it be worse for him, because of increasing the magnitude of the debacle? Or might it be good for him, because he’d finally pick a strong, sensible running mate? I would hope for the former. It would destroy his campaign. Picking a running mate is the first (& arguably the most important) decision a President makes. By picking Palin as his running mate McCain basically told us “I believe this woman it best qualified to run the country if I die.” Palin being dropped from the ticket would be an indictment of his judgement. There is **no way** he could recover. Hell, absentee ballots have already gone out. It’s too late. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/34 "2008-10-11T01:51:04Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Wait-this bozo could get custody of his step-son? Or do you mean the kid’s father could? If I’m reading the entrails correctly, Wooten and McCann have two children. I would assume that the court was not concerned with various other children that both appear to have had with others. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/35 "2008-10-11T01:54:00Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Hell, absentee ballots have already gone out. It’s too late. It’s really not. You’re not voting for a presidential and vice-presidential candidate; you’re voting for an elector. It’s not too late till December 15th. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/36 "2008-10-11T01:58:41Z")
I like the spin of how the McCain campaign has issued its own “report” on this incident - implying that it conducted an impartial investigation of its own and its findings are as valid as the Alaskan report. Maybe the Obama campaign should issue a report of its own, stating what their conclusion is. ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/37 "2008-10-11T02:25:03Z")
Here’s how I’ve seen the spin so far: First, it appears that some are parsing the hell out of the decision which, as tomndebb rightly points out, is in murky waters as it is. Second, there is the suggestion that the only thing she actually did wrong was not reigning in her husband. I guess this makes him the scapegoat. Finally, the sympathy angle – what she did may have been wrong, but she was just protecting her family from an angry, crazy man. The unfortunate news for the spinmeisters is the unavoidable headline, “Palin abused power.” ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/38 "2008-10-11T02:30:09Z")
In all seriousness, and without spin. By all accounts this guy is a crazy mofo and a bad cop, and was actually threatening her family. It’s not like she got a blowjob from an intern or something. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/39 "2008-10-11T02:31:58Z")
> [@](#): > > McCain-Palin 2008 Statement on ‘Troopergate’ Report > > McCain-Palin 2008 spokeswoman Meg Stapleton issued the following statement on today’s release of Stephen Branchflower’s report: > > “Today’s report shows that the Governor acted within her proper and lawful authority in the reassignment of Walt Monegan. The report also illustrates what we’ve known all along: this was a partisan led inquiry run by Obama supporters and the Palins were completely justified in their concern regarding Trooper Wooten given his violent and rogue behavior. Lacking evidence to support the original Monegan allegation, the Legislative Council seriously overreached, making a tortured argument to find fault without basis in law or fact. The Governor is looking forward to cooperating with the Personnel Board and continuing her conversation with the American people regarding the important issues facing the country.” [here](http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/10/10/mccain-palin-2008-statement-on-troopergate-report/) [Alaska Governor’s Office Responds to ‘Troopergate’ Report](http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/10/10/alaska-governors-office-responds-to-troopergate-report/) > [@](#): > > “The so-called ‘Troopergate’ incident began… ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/40 "2008-10-11T02:35:18Z")
[QUOTE=leander] The unfortunate news for the spinmeisters is the unavoidable headline, “Palin abused power.” [/QUOTE] It won’t make one whit of difference to her devoted base but this finding does clash rather with her “Hold me accountable” sound byte. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397.md?page=3)