Video: Sarah Palin on the Wooten “scandal” and on being VP
posted at 9:06 pm on July 31, 2008 by Allahpundit
Get yourself up to speed by reading this nifty recap from Monday’s Anchorage Daily News. Nutshell version: She fired Walt Monegan, her commissioner of Public Safety, for reasons that are unclear. Monegan claims it was because he refused to fire state trooper Mike Wooten, Palin’s former brother-in-law against whom she’s supposedly had a longstanding vendetta. What’s her problem with Wooten? Like I say, read the ADN piece, which is brimming with colorful nuance involving tasers and “f’ng lead bullets.” She insists the Monegan decision had nothing to do with family issues, but the state legislature voted this week to order a probe, which is probably enough to scare McCain away in case he was thinking of going in this direction.
Monegan’s firing, incidentally, came just three weeks ago. Exit question: Would any sane politician with a shot at the national ticket and a reputation for ethics do something so scurrilous and petty while she’s being vetted? It’d be one thing if she sank Monegan last year, when she thought no one was looking, but she did this with the eyes of conservative America upon her. The dirty version is implausible under the circumstances. I question the timing.
Blowback
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jerrytbg:
Do not misunderstand me. I am not saying I don’t want her. It is just that this might not be the best time for her.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Just imagine her acceptance speech. “I want my children to grow up in the America I know and love. I’d rather be with them and my dear husband building our home but America IS our home. We need a strong, vibrant, and fearless America. I’m going to help John McCain bring America’s values of responsibility and hard work back to America’s capitol. We need to make government work for the people again. The AMERICAN people.”
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:17 PM
This is something that should be more of a deal breaker for conservatives than any other issue. This should be one of the most important issues on the agenda right now.
malan89 on July 31, 2008 at 10:18 PM
As far as scandals go, this is really lukewarm. I think the Stevens problem does more to hurt her (i.e. every time she will be mentioned in the news, they will also bring up Stevens by State association). I still believe she has a chance, that isn’t to say I’m rooting for her or anything, being that I really don’t have a preference at this point, yet just an observation.
DanStark on July 31, 2008 at 10:18 PM
You’re joking right? Palin fired the guy three weeks ago, nobody else. What everyone seems to forget, she brought this all on herself. She fired Monegon (well actually not, she had an underling do it) out of the blue with no explanation to him or anyone else till the story of her brother in law broke four days later.
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 10:19 PM
aero:
Yes, Lingle. Palin is prolife, I do believe.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Bingo… that is why we are hearing about this “nobrainer”…
They are terrified of her!!!
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Yeah, probably. Unfortunately. He’s definitely not being a risk-taker in this race.
But…but…I thought he was all Mavericky and stuff?
Chuck Schick! That is an AWESOME fricking handle! How’s that law clerking going…
: )
catmman on July 31, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Dan Stark:
Yes, Stevens will hurt her, right or wrong. But it will bring more attention to any other scandal in the state as well. Especially if she is on the ticket with McCain running against the Messiah, the Chosen One, he who will not be denied.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Palin would do well in PA, and taking PA away would be bad for Obama.
doubleplusundead on July 31, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Sorry,
Squid Shark on July 31,2008 at 10:02PM.
Squid Shark:
Something about smart,beautiful Republican women with silly
yankee accents in positions of power that gets to me.
Fixed it for ya!:)
canopfor on July 31, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Sarah Palin at the convention.
“I don’t just believe in the second ammendment. I exercise it!” as they show pictures of her hunting on the big screens.
“Like millions of mothers out there I know something about balancing a budget. Those boys in D.C. are gonna have to learn some discipline. And I’m going to help John McCain teach em’.”
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:22 PM
DOWNTOWN:
Playing the Mother card? I don’t think that would be a good idea. Hillary tried that.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:23 PM
I agree with some posting here. I think she would make a good convention speaker.
terryannonline on July 31, 2008 at 10:24 PM
I got nothing here in NY. You wouldn’t want him/her if we had one, either.
Dusty on July 31, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Has there been any polling with Palin on the ticket?
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Except Hillary is Hillary. Come on. There’s no comparison. Hillary didn’t lose because people were turned off by her being a mother. And she didn’t lose because she was a woman. She lost because she is Hillary, because her campaign neglected the caucuses, and because she voted for the war and the messiah didn’t.
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:26 PM
She did, but who really believed that Hillary wasn’t icy-cold? Palin has
amerpundit on July 31, 2008 at 10:26 PM
much, much less of a frigid reputation.
amerpundit on July 31, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I hate to be so shallow, but she WOULD be the best looking VP, EVAH!
Star20 on July 31, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Convention speaker? She’s under investigation for abuse of power, we just had a couple threads pounding Stevens (rightfully so) about corrupt politicians. How would that look? The Dems would have a field day.
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 10:27 PM
DOWNTOWN:
I am not talking about your reaction to Palin, you love the lady. That is fine. I am saying that when a woman running for office uses the fact that she is a mother, some people see it as exploitation. Some people wonder why such a devoted mother would leave a disabled baby. etc. It can be touchy. Just like when Pelosi brought the whole famn damily to her first day on the job.
I agree that Palin should not hide her family life, she should be proud of her children and make mention of them. You just have to be kind of subtle about that kind of thing.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:30 PM
The Dems attacking a strong woman for her use of “power”. That would actually be great for us. Political jujitsu. We could easily turn what they see as our weakness into a strength. As I’ve said before, all McCain has to do is say “Unlike some, I’m not afraid of strong women”.
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Fair point. But I think anything that gets people talking about her amazing personal life story is good. Simply having the conversation gets people engaged, spreads positive memes and facts about her, and hurts Obama with women, especially mothers over 40 who already are cool to him.
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:32 PM
The timing is perfect…(see above post)…
I love a strong woman…she and Sarah…
except for the hair color, eyeglasses and eye color(assuming blue),they are the same.
Something we all need…
Someone recently said “the women are going to have to save this country”. I think it was Michael Savage. I agree with him.
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Use of “power”, for crying out load, if this was a democrat we’d be all over them. There’s more to this story then just her wanting Wooten fired because he was a bad cop. To everyone that thinks she’s coming out of this investigation unscathed, I wouldn’t put to much money on it.
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 10:34 PM
DOWNTOWN:
An abuse of power investigation, is not just about the Democrats picking on her. I doubt that anything will come of it. And I would not rule out her speaking at the convention, but this might not just be about partisan politics either.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:34 PM
We need either PA or Ohio to have a shot at winning. If we win both, then I think it’s a lock. If we lose both, we can’t afford to lose any states in the west that we took in ’04 or any states in the south (like GA or VA). I think we are probably the favorite in OH…not sure about PA. PA is so diverse in terms of rural and urban that the dynamic is different from most other states. I live in a liberal college town in a mostly conservative part of the state, so my viewpoint is a little blurred. But my final verdict is that winning PA is going to solely rest on turnout for Obama in urban areas. And in my honest opinion, I don’t think it’s going to be much more than a point or two higher for him than it is for most Democrats (this would be ideal IMO). Either way, PA is going to be very close. Winning a blue collar, big union state that went 52-48 for Kerry and probably would have gone 60-40 for the Dems if Hillary was the nominee would be great.
BTW, the ratio of McCain ads to Obama ads I’ve been seeing here is like 3:2 in favor of McCain. They’re really making a play up here. My TV market is split between the 10th and 11th PA CDs (both occupied by vulnerable Dems with strong GOP challengers) and the Dems dominate the airwaves with ads for the incumbents. This one (can’t find video) is probably the most annoying. It wouldn’t be so bad and I’d just ignore it if they didn’t play it so damn loud.
malan89 on July 31, 2008 at 10:36 PM
jerrytbg:
If McCain picks her for VP and then there are some unforseen complications in that investigation, it might not seem like such perfect timing. Besides, who says she wants the job?
I just think that it might be a good idea to kind of see what happens here.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Why do you doubt anything will come from it?
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 10:38 PM
BTW, I am a woman. I might see Palin differently from some of the men. If you know what I mean.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:39 PM
If this were a Democrat she’d be a socialist, pro-abortion, and only in power because of who her father was or who she was married to. So it wouldn’t matter. But the facts are with her on this. And the way this would play would actually help us. Seriously. “The Dems don’t want a strong woman in the White House if she’s not a democrat. And even when they had a woman who was a Democrat they threw her overboard.” That would be the narrative to push. It would appeal to PUMAs.
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:40 PM
lowandslow:
Because it sounds like there will be enough he said/she said kind of accusations to muddy the waters. I hope so anyway.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:40 PM
this investigation is much to do about nothing…
Didn’t you see the glean in her eyes…
she was saying ,bring it on.
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 10:42 PM
DOWNTOWN;
This investigation is not about whether or not the woman is a socialist or something. It was ordered by the state legislature. Are they controlled by Democrats or Republicans? And haven’t there been some other problems in Alaska here recently?
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Think positive if you can or are allowed to……
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Agreed. She’s a fighter. She likes the hunt and the kill. But she’s also unflappable. They can’t make her lose her cool.
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:45 PM
jerrytb:
A lot of politicians have said bring it on, and some of them have lived to regret it.
It is just obviously risky to put someone under investigation on the ticket. It could complicate things for her and for McCain as well. I don’t think it will be seen as a plus, not with Stevens under indictment. It just looks bad. It might not be fair. But then again, she is young and if there is nothing to it all then she might be wise to wait. Just for herself.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Holy crap that host is annoying.
Water off a duck’s back. I don’t believe it for an instant. Stevens goes down, and all of a sudden Palin is in the crosshairs. They want to take her with them.
MadisonConservative on July 31, 2008 at 10:48 PM
This investigation is about Palin’s history of cracking skulls and standing up to her fellow Republicans in order to get things done and live up to her principles. As Stevens the Appropriator and his long career of pork, corruption, and favors show there are many pols who don’t like that. That’s why Stevens is being prosecuted by law enforcement and Palin is being “probed” by politicians.
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:48 PM
She’s shaking up Alaskan politics…Just what is needed in Washington. Oh yea…
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 10:49 PM
And she did create the situation, she fired the guy when she did and the way she did. I am not saying she did the wrong things, but she does not seem to care all that much what the effect might be. That just makes me think she is not really interested.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:49 PM
I can’t even believe what I’m reading, nothings going to come from it because she has a glean in her eye? Well there you go, lets shut down the investigation, she has a glean in her eye.
Doesn’t anyone care to find the truth?
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Change!!!!
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 10:50 PM
It’s just a Convention speech.
terryannonline on July 31, 2008 at 10:50 PM
HOPE!
terryannonline on July 31, 2008 at 10:51 PM
My thinking positive has nothing to do with it, if she abused her position, I’d like to know about it. If she didn’t, great, but let’s see what comes out.
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 10:53 PM
The truth is she fired someone she has every right to fire because she wanted someone else. She never said he was a bad person or had committed some crime. He wasn’t doing the job the way she wanted. So she got someone else. That’s something you get to do when you’re the Chief Executive.
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:53 PM
DOWNTOWN:
So you are saying that the state legislature of Alaska is investigating her just because she is fearless? I am sorry, but I don’t buy that. There has to be more to it than that. Alaska has been a Republican state for years, but right now thanks to Stevens they will probably lose a Senator. I doubt that those Republicans would go out of their way to go after a popular Republican Governor just to mess with her.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:53 PM
I’m so humiliated …gleam was the word…
My guess is…you don’t know any strong women…what a pity…
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Internal state politics can be rough. She defeated Murkowski to become Governor. Murkowski was the incumbent of her own party.
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Yea baby!!!
(I just got punched in the arm) lol!!!
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Man, they’re going after this good woman up in the frozen north, while down here in Illinois we can’t even get an investigation open on Blago.
Hannibal Smith on July 31, 2008 at 10:57 PM
jerrytbg:
I am a strong woman, sorry but even strong women can be put under investigation if there is an appearance of impropriety. Palin is the Governor of Alaska, if the state legislature decides to investigate her administration that can not just be ignored.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 10:59 PM
DOWNTOWN:
Yes, they can be rough. That is what I am saying. This is a presidential election we are talking about. If there is something hanging over Palin’s head it complicates things. At least for now.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Well evidently her state legislature thinks there’s more to it. That’s why there’s an investigation.
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Good night all.
Terrye on July 31, 2008 at 11:03 PM
To all of you all up in arms about this:
This “scandal” is about her FIRING A GUY, who SHE HAD FIRING AUTHORITY OVER.
If the worst case turns out to be true, that she did in fact fire the guy out of spite, SO THE F*CK WHAT?
Is that a crime?
I’d say it’s arguable whether it’s even unethical. If she was crossways with the dude and she wanted him gone… Too bad. That’s life in politics. You piss off the boss — for WHATEVER reason — you get fired.
She’s generating too much good buzz, and someone wants her down. It’s either the Dem machinery or the corrupt Republican AK establishment, or maybe vengeance from some humiliated legislators (and she’s humiliated a few). If this is the best they’ve got, I’m with Sarah. BRING IT.
This woman doesn’t have a corrupt or disingenuous bone in her body.
Purple Fury on July 31, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Well I can see I am in the distinct minority here in thinking she’d be the best choice. I guess we’ll go with the Tim “the Mullet” Pawlenty and shock the world. Or Mitt, who I like, but who will drive the Huckabee people abso-friggin-lutely crazy. I’d rather be fighting some silly charges with a powerful team of candidates and an energized, excited, devoted base. But I guess I’m just a dreamer. McCain-Whoever ’08! Yeah!
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 11:06 PM
I think it would be a fair bet that the ones going after her don’t want things to change… we need change…away from the “old boy” network.
People I know that thought themselves as DEMS…live their lives as conservatives…amazing…
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 11:06 PM
And you know this how?
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 11:07 PM
I guess its back to my Jack Daniels and http://getdrunkandvote4mccain.com/
D0WNT0WN on July 31, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Her track record, her biography, her family, her demeanor, her poise, and the fact that she has all the right enemies.
Purple Fury on July 31, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Sorry about that last line, I went off on a tangent …
With my better half…
The point is, it doesn’t matter why “they “ are going after her…
The fact that they are tells me she’s more viable then we thought….
This woman represents TRUE change…
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 11:13 PM
McCain / Palin has a good ring to it.
Facing Obama / Kucinich, one hopes.
profitsbeard on July 31, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Then if the investigation doesn’t come out in her favor I’m sure you’ll change your mind.
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 11:14 PM
so true so true!
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 11:14 PM
I won’t…She is a threat to the establisment…
I thought we wanted CHANGE…
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Wouldn’t that be a hoot…
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Of course.
Purple Fury on July 31, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Precisely. Senator McCain, call this woman, now! You have no idea how many women and men will relate strongly to her when they get to know her. We don’t need another old white guy, and certainly not another Senator, on the ticket, capice?
drunyan8315 on July 31, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Fair enough.
lowandslow on July 31, 2008 at 11:29 PM
You’d never make it as crew on my boat…
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 11:33 PM
You bought into L&S’s diatribe…or more accurately …HOPE…
jerrytbg on July 31, 2008 at 11:41 PM
The assumption is it’s an impartial investigation that uncovers actual wrongdoing and it’s not just a political witch hunt — something I find laughably unlikely.
That said, if it does turns up something, we have to change our minds to reflect new facts, right? Otherwise we’re no better than Obama on the surge or any other lefty who refuses to change their opinion in the face of new information.
Purple Fury on July 31, 2008 at 11:42 PM
I haven’t seen anything yet that gives valid legs to the investigation. So far, I like what I see.
Connie on July 31, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Hey, guess where Gov. Palin has been that Obama hasn’t? Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany. Good for her. Her oldest son, Track, enlisted in the Army on the 6th anniversary of 9/11 and is currently serving in Iraq, I believe.
aero on July 31, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Jindal/Palin 2012 YES! YES!YES!!!!!!!!
Winebabe on July 31, 2008 at 11:51 PM
I am pretty shocked that nobody has yet mentioned how much she’d add to the ticket BECAUSE of Cindy McCain.
The two of them would play so well off each other it’s scary. One adopts foreign children with medical conditions and the other raises her own with a medical condition.
John could take the “for the children” high ground mantra from the sleazes just by letting those two talk about the true love they live.
Cindy could have said it’s not my world. Sarah could have said my world is too full as it is.
But that’s not what these two strong Republican women did. Each one said, in the true spirit of the Messiah (the real one), I choose to accept this.
We are so blessed to have their example.
platypus on July 31, 2008 at 11:54 PM
So L&S’s hypothesis is more than likely correct?
You know this is a hunt and WHEN she is vindicated…
She will be the Chosen One…
We all know what the timing of this is about…
Left or right makes no difference, they can’t stand it!
She is a threat to the old boy network…
If McCain doesn’t pick her….
jerrytbg on August 1, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Correction: Track Palin is still in training and has not yet been deployed.
aero on August 1, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Agreed!!!
jerrytbg on August 1, 2008 at 12:05 AM
No, I don’t think so. I said I think it’s laughably unlikely. But I’m leaving room for the possibility I’m wrong.
Purple Fury on August 1, 2008 at 12:06 AM
What is with you people and the timing? The timing of this was by Palin, nobody else.
lowandslow on August 1, 2008 at 12:11 AM
My better half…is 99.9999999999 percent accurate when reading people…it’s scary…
There’s nothing here that is inappropriate…trust her…
I do, even 100 miles offshore…best natural navigator I’ve ever had.
jerrytbg on August 1, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Is it possible the Hyped Up media coverage is what is being referenced here…for what would be otherwise a simple stroke of an administrators pen… give it a rest.
jerrytbg on August 1, 2008 at 12:23 AM
I’ll give it a rest when the investigation is over but right now things aren’t all a rosy as you may think and this interview shows it. Lets recap, she told Kudlow that this investigation was because “a couple lawmakers that are angry with me”. Yet it was a bipartisan Legislative Council that voted 12-0 to start this investigation. It was a conservative blogger that brought this whole issue to light. She’s already being a little misleading as if it’s some partisan witch hunt, which isn’t the case at all.
lowandslow on August 1, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Hey L&S,
Maybe you’re right…She’s too good to be on McCain’s tictet!
Damn, I hate being wrong!
jerrytbg on August 1, 2008 at 12:45 AM
You just can’t bring yourself to address the actual issue can you? Just mindless cheerleading.
lowandslow on August 1, 2008 at 12:48 AM
She said herself that she welcomed the investigation so that the truth would come out and prove that she has done nothing wrong. What more do you want?
mrsmwp on August 1, 2008 at 12:56 AM
How many times does this have to be said?
She is a threat to the “old Boy” network.
bHo has set the stage for HOPE & CHANGE…
I agree…But for it to have any validity there must be strong leadership…and just as strong a backup…
Palin gives us that leadership in waiting and HOPE for 2012…
If there is any chance for this Republic to survive…
We must keep the liberals out of the WH….Appeasement didn’t work in the 30′s and it won’t work now, and for the record it never did.
If you think that is hyperbole then you don’t know the real danger we’re in and you’re just wasting my time.
jerrytbg on August 1, 2008 at 1:11 AM
Apparently McCain is thinking about Sarah
ConservativePartyNow on August 1, 2008 at 1:11 AM
Even I don’t think vouchers are the ideal solution. I consider them an interim solution. I’d like to see the end of the Dept. of Education.
Connie on August 1, 2008 at 1:13 AM
Is it safe to assume that you’ve looked at the curriculum that’s being used in our schools today?
In my view …deplorable.
jerrytbg on August 1, 2008 at 1:58 AM
Janice Rogers Brown!
SouthernGent on August 1, 2008 at 2:02 AM
I do like her liberterian leanings but how many people know her? Besides, I’m not so sure she would protect the 2nd amendment…
unknown quantity…
jerrytbg on August 1, 2008 at 2:20 AM
I’m being draged to the berth…nite
jerrytbg on August 1, 2008 at 2:27 AM
Agree!
Connie on August 1, 2008 at 3:21 AM
I didn’t say I am for public schools. I just said vouchers are only an interim solution. I want the government out of schools completely.
Connie on August 1, 2008 at 3:22 AM
… seriously, you don’t need to spell check your weak ad hominem attacks when it’s all you’ve got
SilverStar830 on August 1, 2008 at 4:03 AM
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