Todd Palin Subponea decided by conservative moose huting Republican from WASILLA, [View All]

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Let's just get the facts - sounds more reform minded than Palin

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/2/2008_RACE_RUNDOWN?SITE=MALOW&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The crucial vote to subpoena Gov. Sarah Palin's husband was cast by a moose-hunting Republican from her own hometown.

Sen. Charlie Huggins, the vice chairman of the Alaska Legislature's Senate Judiciary Committee, wore camouflage pants to Friday's hearing, but they didn't help him blend in among the coats, ties and dress shirts of other lawmakers and national news correspondents.

As the other two Republicans and the two Democrats on the panel argued over the ramifications of issuing subpoenas to Todd Palin and a dozen other people, Huggins held his cards, as well as his fire. When he finally spoke, he made clear - in folksy, plainspoken words - that he'd had enough of the political maneuvering.

Not to mention the suggestion of his Republican colleague Sen. Gene Therriault that the investigation had been hijacked by supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

"I do not support Sen. Obama," the anti-abortion conservative thundered at the start of his remarks.

He went on to make an impassioned plea for government transparency and honesty in this "new era" of Alaska politics. A number of lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, have been indicted or convicted in a wide-ranging federal corruption probe.

"I see all this duck-foot action under the water," he said, referring to back-room discussions about the investigation. "Let's just get the facts on the table. The sooner the better."

The final vote was 3-2. The House Judiciary Committee also approved the subpoenas on an advisory v