Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin faces state probe, nixing McCain VP rumors

Alaska doesn't get much news coverage, stuck way up in the northwest there on the shortest route to Asia. Not unless there's some crime (see the federal indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens this week) or the eternal congressional fight over drilling for oil in an unprotected corner of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Recently, there have also been some murmurs about its telegenic, reformist Republican governor, Sarah Palin, as a possible long shot for vice presidential running mate with Sen. John McCain.

The 44-year old mother of five earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" for her intensity as a high school basketball player, a nickname some political opponents have kept alive in adult times. She doesn't seem to mind.

The well-spoken politician won election in 2006 as a reformer and was quickly seen as a rising star in Republican political circles.

There was even a "Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President" movement or, at the very least, a website, despite her claims that a spot on the national ticket was not in the cards "this time around."

She's doing all right with Alaskan voters too, enjoying envious statewide popularity ratings somewhere above 80%.

But now Palin is also caught in a probe of her official conduct that likely nixes whatever chance she had to be on the McCain ticket. She's only been a governor for two years, but that's about four times as long as someone else mentioned as GOP VP pick, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

However, questions have now arisen over whether Palin used her office to try and fire her ex -brother-in-law from a state trooper's position. Palin asserts the charge is untrue, but the Alaska Senate this week approved the hiring of an independent investigator to look into the allegation.

Our colleague Frank James over at the Swamp has more details on this governor we're likely to hear more about in coming years.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Office of the Governor of Alaska

Comments

[Saundra Santiago]

This is an outrageous blog post. First, it is clearly plagiarism from the site linked at the last sentence on the post. Second, the headline is sensationalist and has no bearing in reality at all. Andrew Malcolm, take down this post, it is embarrassing to the Los Angeles Times.

(Uh, no. How can it be plagiarism if you're reading right here us crediting who wrote the rest of it? Second, we are sister blogs. They do the same with our items sometimes. Third, the headline is true. End of response. Thanks for reading.)

[Ted]

QUESTION: How do you know the Dems and MSM are petrified of Palin?

ANSWER: LA Times promotes story "Palin faces state probe nixing VP rumors" since Palin told police her state trooper ex-brother-in-law threatened to kill her dad.

[pinkheartforever]

Shameless post. It's all sensation and fails to actually discuss the FACTS. This "investigation" is a pure joke that is being done out of political revenge because Palin is upsetting the good-old-boys club in the Alaska legislature.

Apparently, though, you didn't want to actually research this - just smear an outstanding governor.

Hooray for Sarah Palin - you go girl!

[Jaws]

Why did you just report the probe and not the details surrounding it? Monegan was fired because he serves at the pleasure of the governor... end of story. No mention of Palin's approval ratings after the scandal broke or the validity of the claims. The article sets up some short factoids, then exists solely to propagate the idea that Palin is out of the running. Utter nonsense

[Dave H.]

Let's see now..
This ex brother-in-law (Alaska State Trooper) of the governor tasers the11 year old nephew of the governor, drinks alcohol in his police car, another time gets let go by his fellow troopers after a bartender called 911 that this trooper had just left the bar and was driving extremely drunk, he threatens to put a bullet in the head of the governors father ....and SHE is getting investigated for abuse of power for bringing all this to the attention of her Public Safety Commissioner? And the trooper still has his job. He wasn't fired!

WOW. Talk about the world being upside down.

[Saundra Santiago]

Plagiarism: close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.

The line, "Our colleague Frank James over at the Swamp has more details here on this governor we're likely to hear more about in coming years," does not attribute or credit the text that you use in the post.

Also, how do you know it nixes McCain VP rumors? Are you a part of the deliberative process in McCain's campaign?

Perhaps if you, as a "veteran foreign and national correspondent" bothered to actually investigate what you reported, you would find out why this post is so outrageous. Do your job Andrew, don't just cut and paste.

[Tom]

Wow, did you guys get very lazy on this one.

The troopergate investigation is nothing but fishing and everybody in Alaska knows it. It's all coming out and the governor is STILL massively popular because most people know this is nothing.

You obviously don't know how politics in Alaska works these days.

Palin is squeeky clean (at least so far) and gets attacked by the corrupt Republican establishment and the Dems.

LAT is such a MSM leftist rag it seems. Stuff like this just confirms. It's getting as bad as at the NY Times.

Can't we get even a minimal amount of professionalism and objectivity from the MSM today? Hopeless.

Well, continue to watch your circulation dwindle you lazy dimwits.

[Jim]

Typical arrogant, lazy (as Saundra so eloquently establishes), liberal gasbag reporter. Is there any wonder why the LA Times has declining circulation. Somebody should send this pitiful "post" to Sam Zell for review. He may tolerate the liberal pov, but he will not tolerate laziness.

[sptcash]

Back during the primary I respected and sort of liked Obama, but if Palin is chosen as VP -- I'm voting for McCain/Palin!!!

And I have to agree with everyone else: lousy blog post. Seriously, do some research first.

[SC]

I think you'd enjoy this video of Ted Steven's conversation caught on FBI wiretap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nHR-E_tZTE

[Carlos Echevarria]

Gov Sarah Palin is a GOP Wonder Woman...she would energize the base, give voice to true energy security, reform government along with MAC.

That state probe is a joke, her ex brother in law threatened her daughter, tasered his step son, drinks excessively, beats his ex wife....

I guess the MSM which is in the tank with Barry doesn't care about women's rights or sexism anymore...

McCain-Palin 2008

[Username]

I still want her as VP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Andrew Malcolm]

Why does this guy resort to plagiarism, its not even a long article.

[Stephen A.]

I agree with many here saying this is an OUTRAGEOUS post. It's clear that the Democrats in the AK legsiature are stirring this "probe" up in order to "nix" her chances. It shows that they are scared of her being on the ticket and that means it MUST happen! Please go to facebook and search her name. Join her cause and make it happen!

[Letitrip]

Get real, get rid of her, she's corrupt. She abused her power. She's a narcissist.

This whole state is corrupt. I don't believe for one minute her rating is this high, only in the northern part, come down to Juneau where she screwed us. She's part of the machine that wants to move the capitol because they're greedy.

Lazy. LAZY. Do something about her. PFF, police will do nothing, they shoot my house and neighbors and fail to come out and investigate for 4 hrs. You go to the police station wait about 1 hour, NO ONE is there. Where are they? Home watching football? She's as bad, a do nothing. Typical republican.

[TheWiseOne]

This type of "journalism" is what all of us in the Midwest expect from the LAT, so no surprise here.

Anyway, Sarah Palin would be a fine VP choice, scaring the heck out of liberals... and Joe Biden. The liberals could not nominate their most qualifier person (HRC), instead choosing someone (BHO) more closely aligned with their "base" who literally has no track record to speak of.

You go, girl.

[randy]

to TheWiseOne,
Your comments demonstrate that your chosen blog name is an oxymoron. In order to overcome this problem may I suggest you first read the facts before you speak. You might even find to your surprise that you've been supporting the wrong side. That is unless you are from the top 1/10 of 1% of the wealthiest.
Randy

[Ocean]

Well Andrew - fast forward to Friday, August 29th, and the McCain Campaign announcement about their VEEP running mate... Can you say RETRACTION ??? At least your headline needs to be retracted... I'm an Obama supporter, but I'm still nonpartisan in the fact that irresponsible journalism is one of my pet peeves !!!!

[Peter J. Kraus]

Totally cool reporting.... and great tp read all the "outraged" comments by "concerned citizens" of the far right. Thanks, John McCain, for handing over the election to the Democrats with your fabulous choice of running mate. I almost peed myself when this incredible rumor turned out to be true this morning. Hallelujah!

[Joel]

Are you kidding me? Palin? The women who is under investigation: Questions have now arisen over whether Palin used her office to try and fire her ex -brother-in-law from a state trooper's position. Palin asserts the charge is untrue, but the Alaska Senate this week approved the hiring of an independent investigator to look into the allegation. Are you kidding me. John McCain states that he wanted to someone who shares his ideals and morals. Yes, Palin fits that profile, A Republican who likes to abuse their power in office...Hmmm..sounds like George Bush doesn't it. Someone who does not have any experience at all... Great choice John.

[Carlos]

Horrible choice! Why would Senator McCain choose someone who is even under investigation? I'm so disappointed.

As a long time republican, I'm lost. I would have thought Hutchinson would have been a better choice and someone who would have made me jump for joy.

Why John Why?

[Mid-American Jim]

"likely nixes whatever chance she had to be on the McCain ticket"

Just another unthinking liberal (to set him apart from thinking liberals, of which I concede there are many) stating wishes as if they were facts.

[steve P]

The girl is under investigation for abuse of power. It doesn't mater what her ex-bro did- If it was illegal, he should have been arrested. Using your office to try to get him fired *is* an abuse of power. With Obama harping on Republican abuse of power, how the heck does this help his ticket?
Fine, she's female. And her husband works for an oil company. She's young and pretty. And she's had a good year of experience as Gov. in a red state with a small population.
Are HRC's supporters worth that much? Is this going to get him many more than he had- especially considering her staunch pro-life stance? How many conservatives will he lose in the process?
I don't know. Can't wait to see the next round of polls.

[Ace]

GUess what, whe just got picked!!!

[ana]

I can't believe that anyone thinks this will 'scare' the Dems. Hilarious. We have the strongest ticket I've seen since Clinton/Gore. And to all the Hillary fans: If you think that just cause it's a girl somehow they're worth voting for, remember that McSame is still on the ticket and this unknown is NO Hillary. I mean, if you like recessions, unjustified wars, unemployment, and a health care crisis, then please give McSame your vote. But if you have a little bit of common sense and hope:
Obama-Biden '08
BTW, all Hillary supporters I know are pro-choice and pro universal health care. Let me know when the repugs hit on those, cause until then they are doomed.

[Kris]

What a blatant abuse of power by the NYT bloggers. If you're going to attempt to inform the public-at-large about Sarah Palin's many great qualifications, at least get it right.

AMERICA - YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE NEXT PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!

McCain and Palin '08!!!

COUNTRY FIRST! COUNTRY FIRST!!!

[Bill Whitaker]

The (former) keys to GOOD journalism were to REPORT Who, What, When, Where, WHY.
Today being a REPORTER seems to give one a right to present extremely biased OPINIONS about anyone the writer/announcer is not in favor of.
Little, if any, research is attempted. When and if any research is performed, the results are slanted to the writer/announcers point of view.
Often, as in the case of this posting, a vituperative quote (or headline) is offered with no justification other than to support the writers own biased point of view.
I have quit subscribing to ALL newspapers and find myself having to watch two TV news programs (Fox News and CNN) in order to filter the opinions of both sides of an issue, to gather a semblance of an idea about what REALLY happened. Not YOUR opinion of what should have happened.
BillW
NC Coast

[ED]

Palin ran on ethics reform and now many of her people were recorded trying to get this trooper fired. How un eithical is that? She should be in jail for using her position in such an un eithical way.

[MrUniteUs]

Palin praised Obama's energy plan

“I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska’s natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs,” Governor Palin said. “The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the energy our nation needs.”

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1384

[Chris]

Mrs. McCain should be careful now and keep a close eye on her husband!

[Cindy Vye Koden]

Be on the lookout for the topless pics of Palin that are coming out soon! What a great rep for America! McCain has one foot on a banana peel and the other in the grave, can you see Palin handling Iran. Russia and other powers in the world? What is she going to do - bake them cookies from her PTA recipes? Obama's speech last night clinched the nomincation, but its great to see McCain going down in FLAMES! buh-bye

[Fran]

I'm shocked, SHOCKED that the LAT would do a hatchet job on Palin!

[El Mugroso]

A circus of hypocrisy of McCain: "Obama is not fit to be Coomander in Chief, but Sarah is!"

That's McCain's new claim in search of fools to lead.

[GGwize]

Well now the Republicans have their very own Geraldine Ferraro. Now we can watch this McCain run end like Mondale. He just wanted someone shorter than he is.

The HOBBIT ticket is on the loose.

[The Daily McCain]

It really could not have been worst than this. Of course, watch this video on the brilliant John McCain daily video blog parody for some VP short list humor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaAURlu3y7M

[RoFo71]

Wonderful!
A right wing nutjob, with mayoral experience over 9,000 people, she's only in the middle of her first term as governor which she barely won, a right-to-lifer who has used her womb a lot, this is what qualifies to be a literal heartbeat away from the presidency?
You could tell that this was the first time McCain had even heard her speak.
Biden will mop the floor with this nobody, and he'll do it nicely with a smile on his face.
This woman is no Hillary Clinton, and Clinton's supporters know it, and they're insulted by this pick.

[paul anthony]

I am loving the left wingers trying to come up with something to bash the moment. Actually all they are doing is trying to lick their wounds. They now see what a REAL leader that happens to be a woman looks like. Hill is just a fabricated persona propped up because her husband happened to be president in the past. If it weren't for Bill, we would say "Hillery who?" The mantle has been passed to a more deserving person.

[Gina]

Well now, if we can get 90% of American women to vote for McCain/Palin, because Palin is a woman ... just like 90% of blacks voted for Obama because he is black ... this country would be in good shape.

[Jim Cass]

Congrats! It's so exciting to have a McCain and Palin ticket in 2008! Good Luck!

http://www.johnmccainsarahpalin.us

[amused]

Alaska is the location of the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere: Now the republicans have a "ticket to nowhere"

[James Klich]

I get a good vibe from her and she looks like a good person.

[Michael]

Well, I love the liberals once again deciding that Sarah Palin is guilty without any facts or even a trial. I thought liberals were for the people...oh wait as long as you are not republican or conservative..republicans and conservatives are always guilty of any accusation even with no proof. (remember there is NO evidence yet as to Palin doing anything illegal).

Being investigated does NOT mean you are guilty.

And remember many of those senators had earmarks vetoed by Palin...does the word revenge come to mind?

[Michael]

Remember amused. Sarah Palin VETOED the "Bridge to No Where". So maybe this IS a "Ticket to Somewhere"

[anne k]

When are you republicans gonna wake up? Unless you are a rich business person you would have no reason to vote republican. The republican party at this time is for big business.
Re: Obama's non-experience. I'll take my chances. Those in the white house with all the experience are really screwing the middle class.

[Kim-Michigan]

Glad someone brought up that she canceled the 'bridge to nowhere". 2) She has an obligation to report her brother-in-law's unETHICal police behavior - she did not say fire him she gave the safety commissioner the information she had. based on that-he should be fired. you can't enforce the law when you are not following it yourself. 3) She has just as much international experiance as Obama, if not more. Alaska deals with its neighbors, which are not other states like us continental states. I was not a Hillary Clinton fan even though I am a women. Sarah Palin has change my vote from Barr to McCain. Even if all she does is hunt down the unethical people in Congress that would be great. We NEED someone like that.

[Jonny M]

As a liberal Democrat...nice choice, Mr. McCain! Totally destroyed your "experience matters" message, as if that were true, then you'd pick someone *with* experience. She has zero foreign policy experience, doesn't know what she'll be doing if she gets the job, wants religion taught in public schools, supports killing polar bears, denies the clear evidence of global warming, and wishes to remove rights from women. She is just the freaking perfect choice for VP...if the aim is to lose by a landslide, which clearly it is.

If I didn't know better, I'd think McCain was actually a secret Democrat. Clearly, McCain has a major lack of good judgment. Seriously, Republicans, McCain and Palin are the best leaders your party has? Really? Wow. Just...wow.

[Michael]

Ummmmmmm Jonny M, where do you get your "facts". I have yet to read or hear in any liberal or conservative news, anything about her advocating killing polar bears, or taking away womens rights (unless you consider abortion, but isn't abortion taking away the baby's rights???), and I have yet to see any "clear" evidence of global warming. Most real scientist state there is no global warming in the sense that the fake scientist (ie environmentalist) are claiming.

Oh well liberals/democrats do not like facts cause it just gets in their way of want they want to push down the American's throats. Talk facts to a democrat and they suddenly want to change the subject.

[Joe]

Well, it seems that this "investigation" had absolutely no impact on "nixing" Governor Palin from the VP slot after all. This story has so many holes in it that this investigation will simply crash and burn. McCain/Palin '08.

[Jim Krieger]

It is great to see so many so called people with brains not able to use them and think for themselfs. Only party lines will they say, if they (DEM) took the time to look in to a person including Obama, you just, maybe just may learn to think for your self. Nobody had told me one thing Obama has done. Let I have read all kinds of thing Sara has done. If Obama did not have 504's behind him he would not be where he is. Wake up and learn to think for yourself.

[Joseph Wallace]

I, for one, am not one of those "scared libs"; I don not see how this is a good choice, despite some of you folks on the other side that are struggling, mightily, to remain partisan. Just some points: 1) McCain (and most of you bloggers) have spent the last month talking about how Obama doesn't have experience, and then Palin is picked, and she has even less! (And please, don't give us crap about the fact that she has more foreign policy experience because she is close to Russia! That is so stupid, it can barely be answered, and besides, then, we should say she has no domestic experience, because she lives 2,000 miles from the next state!) My point is, MCCain told America that experience mattered, then changed his mind! So, was he LYING to get votes, or just incompetent? How can we trust anything from him after he makes such a major, public flip-flop?
2) Did they think that women are so stupid, they will vote for anyone with ovaries? 3) McCain met her all of TWICE. THIS is how he makes major decisions? 4) Folks, let's all get off our partisan horses, and realize that she would be a heartbeat away from being President! She seems like a genuine lady, but if you REALLY think she is qulaified, but a week ago said we would be in trouble if Obama got in becasue he is not enough, then you really are a stooge for the talking points, just admit it. 5) I think McCain did this because the "experience" thing was not working, and Obama had hijacked the "maverick" label, and painted John "same old." This bold move makes him look like the "maverick" again. It sure does, but there is a difference between making bold, but prudent decisions, and reckless, cynical ones. This is like hiring a babysitter you have never met to watch your kids for a week. Think of it that way, folks.