Newsweek: Key Alaska allies of John McCain are trying to Shut Down Troopergate

[RedEarth]

Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball
Newsweek Web Exclusive
Updated: 9:36 PM ET Sep 5, 2008
Key Alaska allies of John McCain are trying to derail a politically charged investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner in order to prevent a so-called "October surprise" that would produce embarrassing information about the vice presidential candidate on the eve of the election.

In a move endorsed by the McCain campaign Friday, John Coghill, the GOP chairman of the state House Rules Committee, wrote a letter seeking a meeting of Alaska's bipartisan Legislative Council in order to remove the Democratic state senator in charge of the so-called "troopergate" investigation.

Coghill charged that the senator, Hollis French, had "politicized" the probe by making a number of public comments in recent days, including telling ABC News that Palin had a "credibility problem" and that the investigation into the firing of public safety commissioner Walter Monegan was "likely to be damaging to the administration" and could be an "October surprise." Wrote Coghill: "The investigation appears to be lacking in fairness, neutrality and due process."

.....

But Coghill, who told NEWSWEEK that he has the backing of Republican Speaker of the House John Harris in his effort to remove French, suggested Friday that the investigation into Palin's firing of Monegan should be shut down entirely. "If this has been botched up the way it has, there's a question as to whether it should continue," Coghill told NEWSWEEK.

The move underscored the huge political stakes in the outcome of a legislative investigation that is being closely monitored by both the McCain and Obama campaigns because of its potential impact on the fall election. "How can this possibly be read as anything but a partisan attempt to shut down a legitimate investigation that was approved and funded with bipartisan support?" said one state Democratic legislative aide, who asked not to be identified because of the political sensitivities. Coghill told NEWSWEEK that he decided to write his letter to strip French of his position on his own-without any coaxing by McCain campaign officials.

But a top McCain campaign official acknowledged that the GOP lawyer had given the campaign a "heads up" about his letter and that the McCain campaign approved of the effort to remove French.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/157439/output/print

[FreakinDJ]

1. Like I said - Where there is Smoke ......

[roguevalley]

15. EMAIL HERE!

here is hollis french's email addie. email him NICELY. he's doing his best to hold the line.

[e-mail]

viral his addie with a note to be NICE

[FreakinDJ]

16. Message sent

thanx

[msedano]

2. within the gov's authority

even if the investigation continues, it's just as likely the conclusion will disclose no laws broken, that the governor acted within her authority to dump the hapless civil servant. ethical shortcomings by repiglicans seem to matter less to segments of the public. hence, it's always best to win on policy issues.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Gee, that is not what they are saying in Alaska

They say it looks bad for Palin. That is why McBush is trying to stop the truth from coming out.

[Faygo Kid]

3. This is a big story. It won't get much coverage beyond Newsweek, but keep it kicked.

Palin has way too much baggage. One of these stories is going to stick.

[tbyg52]

5. Sheesh, if they keep doing their job, I may have to start subscribing again.

Have they fired Rove yet?

[glinda]

6. Obstruction of Justice

I think someone or a Group should file an Obstruction of Justice charge against the McCain Campaign. The continual bleeding of our Justice System has got to stop and stop now. The law is fortunately vague enough that there are probably oodles of charges that can be made with accuracy.

[creeksneakers2]

7. Is it illegal to ask aides not to testify?

[glinda]

13. Is it Illegal?

Yes. I think it is. I believe that when there is pressure or anything put upon witnesses or any parties named or involved, it is fair game for this law. It appears to me that even without knowing the complete situation totally, for McCain's people to intervene is an active action to "stop" the process.I am not a lawyer but have had some legal classes.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. All of this is rather disingenuous of McCain and Palin,

who, after all, has made "transparency" a hallmark of her administration. It wasn't all that long ago that, as governor, she said she would welcome an investigation into this matter and said she would cooperate fully.

[KewlKat]

9. Wasn't Harris involved in the EBay plane deal

Did he help broker it or something? Too many names to keep track of.

[Tutonic]

10. SOrry if this is off topic--posted this elsewhere. Troopergate may be

overshadowed by her son'sstory. According to two radio hosts this morning--son was running a meth lab and got busted. Judge gave him the option of jail or Iraq. One of the hosts indicated that there's a lot more concerning son that Enquirer is tracking. Family values? Kid running a meth lab?

[BloodOfPatriots]

11. WHAAAAAT?!!!!!

What radio hosts!? Where!?

[ladywnch]

12. this is quite a leap......the first time I heard it was simple vandalism of some school buses

and the judge gave him the choice of jail or military. pretty soon it is going to be bestiality!

[Blue_In_AK]

14. Not true.

Come on, you guys. Don't you think we here in Alaska would have heard about that? This is a small state. If he was involved in some misdemeanor vandalism as a juvenile, that's one thing, but if he had been busted with a meth lab, that kind of news would have spread like wildfire. Sarah does have her enemies here, you know. They would have loved a story like that, IF ONE HAD EXISTED.

[POAS]

19. Patting myself on the back

I speculated earlier that the son may have been given the choice of military duty in lieu of jail time ifhe got in trouble with the law. (Owing to the political nature of his family.)

I never would have guessed at something as serious as a meth lab however!

[psychmommy]

17. i emailed mr french-family affair-hahaha

is anybody else here my age? buffy and jody?

[judasdisney]

18. Saw an AP/Yahoo! headline earlier today that "Troopergate is politically motivated"

The media is Sovietized.

[POAS]

20. Two things may mitigate here

One: the spotlight is now on this, bringing it into the light will make it harder to hide any shenanigans.

Two: Sarah Palin has made more than a few enemies within Alaska politics and they aren't all Democrats.

Having said that, Republicans have gotten good at the art of the cover up. If anybody can hide an elephant in the parlor they can!