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Confident Palin: 'You Got to Read the Report'

She says she didn't abuse her power as Alaska governor

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 11, 2008 12:16 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sarah Palin says she did not abuse her power as governor, despite the findings of an ethics investigation, CNN reports. “If you read the report, you will see that there was nothing unlawful or unethical about replacing a cabinet member,” she said. The report, however, did not fault Palin for firing her public safety commissioner; it criticized her for using her office to try to get her ex-brother-in-law fired as a state trooper. She did not address that issue in brief remarks to reporters.

Walt Monegan, the man Palin fired, is pleased. "I was terminated because I did not fire (Mike) Wooten,” he said. “These findings say that that's what happened, so I feel relieved.” The Democratic chairman of the state panel that released the report said “these findings may help people come to a conclusion on how they should vote.” Palin’s lawyers claim that panel members, not the governor, “have abused their government power.”

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Reublican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. (AP Photo)

Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten. (AP Photo)

Stephen Branchflower, who was hired by the Legislative Council to investigate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. (AP Photo)

State Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, chairman of a joint Legislative Council, right, talks with vice-chair Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Anchorage. (AP Photo)

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Gov. Palin was cleared of the allegation of an improper firing, which is what this investigation was approved to look into. Lacking evidence to support the original Monegan allegation, the Legislative Council...overreached. - Meg Stapleton, McCain spokeswoman

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Confident Palin: 'You Got to Read the Report'