The 263 pages of the report show a co-ordinated application of pressure on Monegan so transparent and ham-handed that it was almost certain to end in public embarrassment for the governor. The only surprise is that Troopergate is national news, not just a sorry piece of political gristle to be chewed on by Alaska politicos over steaks at Anchorage's Club Paris.
A harsh verdict? Consider the report's findings. Not only did people at almost every level of the Palin administration engage in repeated inappropriate contact with Walt Monegan and other high-ranking officials at the Department of Public Safety, but Monegan and his peers constantly warned these Palin disciples that the contact was inappropriate and probably unlawful. Still, the emails and calls continued — in at least one instance on recorded state trooper phone lines.
Monegan consistently emerges as the adult in these conversations, while the Palin camp displays a childish impetuousness and sense of entitlement.
This is a point that I made in an earlier post. Rather then be insubordinate it appears obvious that Walt Monegan tried desperately to keep the Governor, her husband, and her staff from potentially breaking the law, or bringing negative publicity their way.
Another amateurish sign: Todd Palin's outsize role in the mess. Branchflower said it was out of his jurisdiction to pass judgment on the First Gentleman, but his report paints an extralegal role for Todd Palin that would have made the Hillary Clinton of 1992 blush. In the report, the head of Gov. Palin's security detail says that Todd spent about half of his time in the governor's office — not at a desk (he didn't have one), but at a long conference table on one side of the office, with his own phone to make and receive calls. It became a shadow office, the informal Department of Getting Mike Wooten Fired.
There is no doubt in my mind, that the reason Walt Monegan was terminated rested solely with the fact that he was called upon to play the parent to a group of adolescents and they resented him for it.
In my opinion Walt Monegan would have made a much more competent and productive Governor.
just as I read your last sentence I thought, "Monegan should run for Governor" he'd win in a landslide. he's probably too modest a man to put himself out there...but someone ought to point out that Alaskans deserve better than what they are getting. we here in AZ impeached Ev Mecham in...goodness, 1988 (?). Rose Moffard unseated him. So it can be done. I say get Halcro on him. Lyda Green, too. Boy howdy. That'd make one hell of a welcome home fiesta.
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