Friday, October 10, 2008

Palin (Governor) and Palin (candidate) Respond to Findings

Here are the press releases, as published in the Anchorage Daily News: [Funny, they are the ONLY ones who see it this way, every headline I've seen reads "ABUSE OF POWER"]

STATEMENT FROM MCCAIN-PALIN SPOKESWOMAN MEG STAPLETON
For Immediate Release
Friday, October 10, 2008

ARLINGTON, VA -- 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."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 08-166
Governor’s Office Responds to Branchflower Report

October 10, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin’s communications director Bill McAllister released the following statement on the report issued today from Steve Branchflower:
“The so-called ‘Troopergate’ incident began with Governor Palin’s removal of Walt Monegan as commissioner of public safety. Today, investigator Steve Branchflower vindicated the governor by finding that she acted within her constitutional authority to remove ‘at-will’ employees.
“However, along with several members of the Legislative Council, we question how Mr. Branchflower reached the conclusion that Governor Palin abused her power with respect to Trooper Mike Wooten. That finding required speculation and assumptions on Mr. Branchflower’s part and could not be supported solely on the basis of the evidence that he collected. We agree with the comments made that Alaskans should consider the report in total rather than relying solely on the findings.”

The Office of the Governor has released the depositions of the seven state employees named in the investigation, which include their testimony regarding internal administration discussions about Mike Wooten. The documents can be accessed at the following links:

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/pdf/Affidaivt_Randy_Ruaro.pdf
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/pdf/BaileyTranscript_8-27-08.pdf

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