10 Republicans Who Should Go Away

**min0 lee** · 11-24-2008, 02:49 PM

THE DAILY BANTER.COM: 10 Republicans Who Should Go Away
With a new political era looming, veterans of the old political arena will scramble to redefine themselves in order to make a living. Politicians, media commentators and analysts may be ill equipped to deal with the changing electorate, increased power of the blogosphere and massive discontent with the status quo. Who will survive in the modern epoch? Here are 10 who should really think about calling it quits:

1. William Kristol

There's no need to go on about how wrong Bill Kristol has been on just about everything, and what a spineless shrimp of a man he is. Just read this quote from an article he penned on the eve before the war in Iraq:

We are tempted to comment, in these last days before the war, on the U.N., and the French, and the Democrats. But the war itself will clarify who was right and who was wrong about weapons of mass destruction. It will reveal the aspirations of the people of Iraq, and expose the truth about Saddam's regime. It will produce whatever effects it will produce on neighboring countries and on the broader war on terror. We would note now that even the threat of war against Saddam seems to be encouraging stirrings toward political reform in Iran and Saudi Arabia, and a measure of cooperation in the war against al Qaeda from other governments in the region. It turns out it really is better to be respected and feared than to be thought to share, with exquisite sensitivity, other people's pain. History and reality are about to weigh in, and we are inclined simply to let them render their verdicts.
Case closed.

2. Sarah Palin

Former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin is the poster child of vacuous Republican imagery - hollow, loud and crass with no discernable talents other than an ability to attract stupid middle American house wives. Palin exploded onto the scene as John McCain's campaign started to wither, only for the 'Hockey Mom' to be exposed as a know nothing fraud. Claiming that Russia's visibility to Alaskans gave her foreign policy credentials and using sentences that even 'Dubya' would cringe at sealed her fate, plummeting McCain's campaign into the unelectable abyss. Unfortunately, Palin is doing the rounds on the media circuit, pumping her stardom for all its worth and priming herself for a run in 2012. The last thing America needs is another Bush style Republican, and Palin would represent that, but much, much worse.

3. Michelle Malkin

The Asian, female version of Bill O'Reilly, Malkin makes a living spouting hatred and idiocy to Fox News viewers. Malkin wrote a book called: In Defense of Internment: The Case for 'Racial Profiling' in World War II and the War on Terror. The book essentially defends the internment of Japanese Americans during World War Two and argues for more racial profiling of Arabs, which would be a bit like a Jew making the case for the holocaust in the name of German unity (OK, maybe not, but you get the point). Malkin's offensive views have earned her a spot on Andrew Sullivan's blog, where people can win 'Malkin Awards' for bigotry, prejudice or downright meanness. Malkin's crusade against liberals, gays and minorities means she will have a spot on Fox for the foreseeable future. As Matt Taibbi writes:

Iâ€™ll say this about Michelle Malkin: she has a future in this business. I see her replacing Ann Coulter in that right-wing dipshit hierarchy. The last few times Iâ€™ve seen Coulter on TV, I havenâ€™t been able to take my eyes off her Adamâ€™s apple. By 2012 sheâ€™s going to be doing ping-pong ball acts at drag clubs in Reno. Malkin, though, sheâ€™s hardworking, dumb, and shameless, just like Sarah Palin, who I think has a big future four years from now. So get ready for more of this stuff. Itâ€™s only just started and theyâ€™ve got four long years of target practice coming.

4. Dick Morris

A former Clinton political consultant turned Fox News 'Analyst', Morris made his living selling political imagery to ailing politicians, using his skills in lying, cheating and distortion to their maximum capacity. Morris backed John McCain for President, and was seen salivating over Sarah Palin on a regular basis, unable to disguise his creepy obsession with the 44 year old hot mom of many. Morris does his best to cozy up to his corporate pay masters in the Murdoch empire, and regularly publishes idiotic books like 'Condi vs Hillary- The next great Presidential race' (great call Dick). Thankfully, Dinosaurs like Morris are becoming irrelevant in the new political era, mostly because his lies are so egregious they are damaging to his party. While defending Morris from his jeering audience, John Stewart deftly put it "In fairness, Dick Morris is a lying sack of Shit".

5. Dick Cheney

The 'Dark Prince' of the Republican party, Cheney's obsession with American military prowess and fanatical dedication to the oil industry has made him the focal point of most liberal's rage. Cheney exists to service the needs of the rich and powerful, and is unafraid to put other people's lives at risk to ensure corporate profits and American hegemony. Cheney has always remained largely behind the scenes due to a distinct lack of personality and aura of extreme evil, but wields his influence expertly with his nuanced understanding of the dark arts of politics. Cheney is the epitome of a political hack, a gutless grey blob of a man with a record of detached violence and personal greed. We won't see much of him after next January, and hopefully someone will have the decency to arrest him should he venture out of the United States.

6. Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney's speech at the Republican Convention this year said it all about the Mormon multi millionaire. Having lost the primary to John McCain (despite spending $47 million dollars of his own money) Romney tried to suck up to the base and pitch himself for 2012 with one of the worst speeches in history. Incredibly, Romney tried to claim liberals were responsible for the awful mess his party made, saying Washington was 'too liberal', and that "We need change all right. Change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington". Here's the transcript of the awful debacle (try not to laugh too hard). Romney clearly wants to run in 2012, but he had better start believing his own bullshit before he tries to sell it again.

7. Alan Greenspan

Former head of the Federal Reserve, 'St Alan' presided over the whole scale deregulation of the financial industry, and has his grubby paws all over the tragic state of the economy. Greenspan's pathetic appearance at a congressional hearing in 2008 had him basically admit his philosophy was wrong:

I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interest of organisations, specifically banks, is such that they were best capable of protecting shareholders and equity in the firms ... I discovered a flaw in the model that I perceived is the critical functioning structure that defines how the world works.

Very good of him to admit, but try telling that to the millions of people losing their jobs and homes. Thankfully, Greenspan is retired so won't be able to do any more damage.

8. Bill O'Reilly

Bill O'Reilly isn't a hack, or even a Republican. He is just an asshole. His show continues to dominate the airwaves where he essentially shouts at liberals and ignores his guests. God knows why he is successful, but I suspect it is partially because of people's obsession with train wrecks. Liberals enrage O'Reilly to the point where he could easily suffer a heart attack or physically assault one of them on his show. O'Reilly is no fool, just blinded by emotional retardation and a complex about his middle class upbringing (O'Reilly's entire persona is that of a working man - something not supported by facts). He shows no sign of slowing down, but as a part of the minority in the near future, his voice won't be anywhere near as important.

9. Sean Hannity

Fox News presenter Sean Hannity is the quintessential hack - no brain, just a vacant space in his head for GOP talking points. Hannity is a smooth presenter, articulate and emotive, the perfect frontman for the bankrupt ideology he is paid to promote. Hannity has gone from dreadful to absolutely nauseating since Palin ignited his loins, gushing over the re emergence of brainless conservatism and filling his head with dreams of a conservative comeback in 2012. The visible anguish Hannity now shows after the Democratic victory is a joy to watch, clearly karmic pay back for the years of gloating over the sorry state of Democrats. Hannity was sick to his stomach after Obama was elected, and may develop some serious ulcers over the next four years. However, luckily for him, he may get treatment for free if Obama institutes universal health care.

10.George Bush

I've saved the best for last. The 'Decider' will go down as the worst President in the history of the United States, and as Chris Rock put it "Bush is not just the worst ever president of the USA, heâ€™s the worst ever president, period. Of anything." It's hard to top the hyperbole commentators have used in describing just how bad Bush really was, because there aren't really words to do it justice. Bush has presided over monumental fuck up after monumental fuck up, groping his way through the president with the finesse of a 800lb gorilla. I tried to come up with a list of accomplishments he has achieved, and came up with the following:

1. He has increased financial support to Africa to alleviate AIDs and poverty.

2. ............

Uh, that's it.

He has presided over two disastrous wars, an increase in poverty at home, an increase in wealth inequality, an increase in the number of people without health care, a crisis in public education, the break down of national infrastructure, the literal drowning of a city, the use of torture as official policy, the biggest financial crisis in 80 years, and the irreversible decline of America's prestige abroad. Here is something to think about. Every ex President (aside from Ronald Reagan who had alzheimers) has a role to play in public life after office. They give advice, do lecture tours, write books, sit on boards of huge companies and head non-profit organizations. How many people do you think will be itching to receive advice from W? How many companies would have him on their board? Who would buy his autobiography? Who would pay to hear him speak? No one. And that pretty much sums it up.

**maniclion** · 11-24-2008, 06:31 PM

Every President has had people line up to do a book on them after their last term but I think I heard no one is jumping at the oppurtunity to do one for G-Dub that is sad......

**KelJu** · 11-24-2008, 08:28 PM

Michelle Malkin beat out Ann Coulter? What a crock of shit. Ann Coulter belongs on that list if not in the top 3.

**maniclion** · 11-25-2008, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by KelJu

Michelle Malkin beat out Ann Coulter? What a crock of shit. Ann Coulter belongs on that list if not in the top 3.

I think this list is those whose time has come, Ann still garners worship amongst the un-free thinkers of America

**fufu** · 11-25-2008, 08:15 PM

**busyLivin** · 11-27-2008, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

With a new political era looming, veterans of the old political arena will scramble to redefine themselves in order to make a living.

I couldn't stop laughing after this first sentence. Was this written before or after Obama stacked his cabinet with insiders?

"Change" looks pretty familiar to me.

This list is ridiculous.. nothing more than partisan hate. Anyone who takes it seriously is a sorry "unfree" thinker.

**busyLivin** · 11-27-2008, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by maniclion

I think this list is those whose time has come

Good point. O'Reilly & Hannity don't have the highest ratings on cable (by a landslide) & Sarah Palin isn't drawing crowds or ratings: we've forgotten about her ..

yeah, they are all washed up.

**min0 lee** · 11-27-2008, 10:32 AM

You still think Palin is a good choice?

Wow........

**min0 lee** · 11-27-2008, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

I couldn't stop laughing after this first sentence. Was this written before or after Obama stacked his cabinet with insiders?

"Change" looks pretty familiar to me.

This list is ridiculous.. nothing more than partisan hate. Anyone who takes it seriously is a sorry "unfree" thinker.

Then if it's the same I guess your happy with it.
I for one hope it's different, things are pretty bad now.

**busyLivin** · 11-27-2008, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Then if it's the same I guess your happy with it.
I for one hope it's different, things are pretty bad now.

Never said I was happy where we are at. I'm just saying that Obama went on & on about how we can't just "shuffle seats"... which is exactly what he's doing.

I hope he has a successful presidency, I just think people are fools for falling for "change".

**busyLivin** · 11-27-2008, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

You still think Palin is a good choice?

Wow........

Absolutely.

She's not at all the joke so many people make her out to be. She had a bad interview with KC, and people jump on that because they are afraid of her & what she stands for.

I'd rather lose with a Palin than win with a moderate.

**Prince** · 11-27-2008, 10:51 AM

I just really have to question her competency, with some of the idiotic things that she has said, and then her judgment on this public interview? (look at what is going on in the background)

**busyLivin** · 11-27-2008, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Prince

her judgment on this public interview? (look at what is going on in the background)

That's a where we disagree. To me Palin is real where so many politicians are fake. A career politician would have had the interview in a library with a flag waving in the background spewing lie after lie. Her interview was real life... not the fake bullshit so many of them do. That is her attraction to so many that the rest just don't understand. She gets her hands dirty & doesn't pay attention the pundits who would try to take something so ridiculous as this & use it to question her judgement... that's a stretch if I ever heard one.

She went there to pardon a turkey & was being interviewed... it's a terrible example to question her judgement.

The hatred for her I just don't understand... Disagree with her, fine.. but hate her? I think it's more fear.

**Prince** · 11-27-2008, 11:15 AM

Top 10 Dumbest Sarah Palin Quotes
Idiotic Quotes by Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin

By Daniel Kurtzman, About.com

1. "As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where– where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border." --Sarah Palin, explaining why Alaska's proximity to Russia gives her foreign policy experience, interview with CBS's Katie Couric, Sept. 24, 2008 (Watch video clip)

2. "We believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. ... We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation." --Sarah Palin, speaking at a fundraiser in Greensoboro, N.C., Oct. 16, 2008

3. "Ohh, good, thank you, yes." --Sarah Palin, after a notorious Canadian prank caller complimented her on the documentary about her life, Hustler's "Nailin Paylin," Nov. 1, 2008 (Read more about the prank call, watch the video and see the transcript)

4. "Well, let's see. There's ― of course in the great history of America there have been rulings that there's never going to be absolute consensus by every American, and there are those issues, again, like Roe v. Wade, where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So, you know, going through the history of America, there would be others but ―" --Sarah Palin, unable to name a Supreme Court decision she disagreed with other than Roe vs. Wade, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Oct. 1, 2008 (Watch video clip)

5. "All of 'em, any of 'em that have been in front of me over all these years." --Sarah Palin, unable to name a single newspaper or magazine she reads, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Oct. 1, 2008 (Watch video clip)

6. "They are also building schools for the Afghan children so that there is hope and opportunity in our neighboring country of Afghanistan." --Sarah Palin, speaking at a fundraiser in San Francisco, Oct. 5, 2008

7. "[T]hey're in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom." --Sarah Palin, getting the vice president's constitutional role wrong after being asked by a third grader what the vice president does, interview with NBC affiliate KUSA in Colorado, Oct. 21, 2008 (Watch video clip)

8. "I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere." –Sarah Palin, who was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it

9. "If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations then I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media." --Sarah Palin, getting First Amendment rights backwards while suggesting that criticism of her is unconstitutional, radio interview with WMAL-AM, Oct. 31, 2008

10. "I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't.'" --Sarah Palin, as quoted by former City Council Member Nick Carney, after he raised objections about the $50,000 she spent renovating the mayor's office without approval of the city council.

Dumb Sarah Palin Quotes - Top 10 Stupid Palin Quotes

**Prince** · 11-27-2008, 11:16 AM

McCain and Palin In Their Own Words: 25 Laughable Quotes

1. "Our economy, I think, is still ― the fundamentals of our economy are strong." ―John McCain, Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 15, 2008 (Source)

2. "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book." ―McCain, as quoted in the Boston Globe, Dec. 17, 2007 (Source)

3. "As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where ― where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border." ―Sarah Palin, explaining why Alaska's proximity to Russia gives her foreign policy experience, interview with CBS News's Katie Couric, Sept. 24, 2008 (Source)

4. "[Sarah Palin] knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America. ... And, uh, she also happens to represent, be governor of a state that's right next to Russia." ―McCain on Palin's foreign policy experience, interview with WCSH-6, Portland, OR, Sept. 12, 2008 (Source)

5. "They are also building schools for the Afghan children so that there is hope and opportunity in our neighboring country of Afghanistan." ―Palin, speaking at a fundraiser in San Francisco, Oct. 5, 2008 (Source)

6. "Well, let's see. There's ― of course in the great history of America there have been rulings that there's never going to be absolute consensus by every American, and there are those issues, again, like Roe v. Wade, where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So, you know, going through the history of America, there would be others but ―" ―Palin, unable to name a Supreme Court decision she disagreed with other than Roe vs. Wade, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Oct. 1, 2008 (Source)

7. "I think ― I'll have my staff get to you. It's condominiums where ― I'll have them get to you." ―McCain, after being asked how many houses he and his wife, Cindy, own, interview with Politico, Las Cruces, N.M., Aug. 20, 2008 (Source; take a Google Earth tour of the McCain residences)

 8. "I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you." ―Palin, asked by Katie Couric to cite specific examples of how John McCain has pushed for more regulation in his 26 years in the Senate, CBS interview, Sept. 24, 2008 (Source)

9. "All of 'em, any of 'em that have been in front of me over all these years." ―Palin, unable to name a single newspaper or magazine she reads, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Sept. 30, 2008 (Source)

10. "I think if you're just talking about income, how about $5 million?" ―McCain, after being asked by Rev. Rick Warren to define "rich," Lake Forest, California, Aug. 16, 2008 (Source)

11. "Maybe a hundred...That would be fine with me." ―McCain, to a questioner who asked if he supported President Bush's vision for keeping U.S. troops in Iraq for 50 years, Derry, New Hampshire, Jan. 3, 2008 (Source)

12. "Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending soldiers out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan." ―Pailn, on the Iraq war, speaking to students at the Wasilla Assembly of God, June 2008 (Source)

13. "You know that old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran? Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." ―McCain, breaking into song after being asked at a VFW meeting about whether it was time to send a message to Iran, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, April 18, 2007 (Source)

 14. "There was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies, and it was sponsored by Bush and Cheney. You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one." ―McCain, pointing to Barack Obama during the second presidential debate, Nashville, Tennessee, Oct. 7, 2008 (Source)

 15. "I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere." ―Palin, who was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it, multiple speeches (Source)

16. "I was looking at the Sturgis schedule, and noticed that you had a beauty pageant, so I encouraged Cindy to compete. I told her [that] with a little luck, she could be the only woman to serve as both the First Lady and Miss Buffalo Chip." ―McCain, on the annual Miss Buffalo Chip Pageant, which features topless (and occasionally bottomless) contestants, Sturgis, South Dakota, Aug. 4, 2008 (Source)

 17. "I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't.'" ―Palin, as quoted by former City Council Member Nick Carney, after he raised objections about the $50,000 she spent renovating the mayor's office without approval of the city council (Source)

18. "I'm very, very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing ... any hint of any kind of unethical activity there. Very pleased to be cleared of any of that." ―Palin, after an Alaska legislative report found she had broken the state's ethics law and abused her power in the Troopergate scandal, conference call with Alaska reporters, Oct. 12, 2008 (Source)

19. "She's a partner and a soul-mate." ―McCain on Palin, whom he had met only once before selecting her to be his running mate, "FOX News Sunday" interview, Aug. 31, 2008 (Source)

20. "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c*nt." ―McCain, to his wife, Cindy, after she playfully twirled his hair and said "You're getting a little thin up there," as reported in the book The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter (Source)

21. "That's exactly what we're going to do in a Palin and McCain administration." ―Palin, elevating herself to the top of the ticket, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sept. 18, 2008 (Source)

22. "We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty and sincerity and dignity." ―Palin, in her speech at the Republican Convention, quoting the fascist right-wing columnist Westbrook Pegler, an avowed racist and anti-Semite who once lamented that Franklin Roosevelt's would-be assassin hit the wrong man and also expressed his hope that Robert F. Kennedy would be gunned down (Source)

23. "Honestly, I have to analyze our relationships, situations and priorities, but I can assure you that I will establish closer relationships with our friends, and I will stand up to those who want to harm the United States. ... I have a clear record of working with leaders in the hemisphere that are friends with us and standing up to those who are not. And that's judged on the basis of the importance of our relationship with Latin America and the entire region." ―McCain, after being asked if he would invite Spanish President Jose Rodriguez Louis Zapatero to the White House, casting an ally of the U.S. as a potential enemy while simultaneously confusing Spain for a Latin American country, interview with Radio Caracol Miami, Sept. 17, 2008 (Source)

24. "As for that VP talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day?" ―Palin, interview with CNBC's "Kudlow & Co", July 2008 (Source)

25. "Across this country this is the agenda I have set before my fellow prisoners. And the same standards of clarity and candor must now be applied to my opponent." ―McCain, Bethlehem, Penn., Oct. 8, 2008 (Source)

About.com: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-kurtzman/mccain-and-palin-in-their_b_134730.html

**min0 lee** · 11-27-2008, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

Absolutely.

She's not at all the joke so many people make her out to be. She had a bad interview with KC, and people jump on that because they are afraid of her & what she stands for.

I'd rather lose with a Palin than win with a moderate.

It wasn't just KC.

**min0 lee** · 11-27-2008, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

The hatred for her I just don't understand... Disagree with her, fine.. but hate her? I think it's more fear.

I think she's a nice person, just not someone I want leading our country.
I like McCain but he made the fatal mistake of choosing her.
Republicans were not happy they chose her.

It is fear, fear that she would fuck up.

That video is funny because she is clueless to her surrounding. Poor guy is like ..help!

**busyLivin** · 11-27-2008, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Republicans were not happy they chose her.

Where did you get this? McCain's campaign was dead before her.

**maniclion** · 11-28-2008, 02:17 AM

"At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c*nt." ―McCain, to his wife, Cindy, after she playfully twirled his hair and said "You're getting a little thin up there," as reported in the book The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter Wow realy? I'd never heard that one before, kinda harsh considering he's just a balding old man......

**busyLivin** · 11-28-2008, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by maniclion

"At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c*nt." â€•McCain, to his wife, Cindy, after she playfully twirled his hair and said "You're getting a little thin up there," as reported in the book The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter Wow realy? I'd never heard that one before, kinda harsh considering he's just a balding old man......

What's the relevance?

**KelJu** · 11-28-2008, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

What's the relevance?

Dude. You know damn well that what people say is a reflection of their character, and character is relevant for deciding who should lead a nation.

However, the argument could be made that McCain and his wife might have a strange relationship where those type of things can be said in a private joke humor sort of way. I have known friends who had terrific caring relationships with their other half, but would call each other fag and whore all the time in a teasing way.

**busyLivin** · 11-28-2008, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by KelJu

Dude. You know damn well that what people say is a reflection of their character, and character is relevant for deciding who should lead a nation.

However, the argument could be made that McCain and his wife might have a strange relationship where those type of things can be said in a private joke humor sort of way. I have known friends who had terrific caring relationships with their other half, but would call each other fag and whore all the time in a teasing way.

Regardless... the topic was Palin

**Prince** · 11-28-2008, 09:37 AM

Sarah Palin: The Swimsuit Model Years 1984

**Prince** · 11-28-2008, 09:41 AM

Ethics Investigation Finds Palin Abused Power
Legislative committee releases investigation into firing of public official

MSNBC.com news services

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded Friday. The politically charged inquiry imperiled her reputation as a reformer on John McCain's Republican ticket.

Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in a report to a bipartisan panel that looked into the matter, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain.

The inquiry looked into her dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, who said he lost his job because he resisted pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce and custody battle with the governor's sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.

Monegan's firing was lawful, the report found, but Palin let the family grudge influence her decision-making â€” even if it was not the sole reason Monegan was dismissed.

"I feel vindicated," Monegan said. "It sounds like they've validated my belief and opinions. And that tells me I'm not totally out in left field."

Branchflower said Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Lawmakers don't have the authority to sanction her for such a violation, and they gave no indication they would take any action against her.

Under Alaska law, it is up to the state's Personnel Board â€” which is conducting its own investigation into the matter â€” to decide whether Palin violated state law and, if so, must refer it to the Senate president for disciplinary action. Violations also carry a possible fine of up to $5,000.

Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein disagreed with Branchflower's conclusions. "In order to violate the ethics law, there has to be some personal gain, usually financial. Mr. Branchflower has failed to identify any financial gain," he said.

Palin and McCain's supporters had hoped the inquiry's finding would be delayed until after the presidential election to spare her any embarrassment and to put aside an enduring distraction as she campaigns as McCain's running mate in an uphill contest against Democrat Barack Obama.

After a court fight to block the report failed, the panel of lawmakers voted to release it â€” though not without dissension. The panel did not vote on whether to endorse its findings.

"I think there are some problems in this report," said Republican state Sen. Gary Stevens, a member of the panel. "I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye."

The report was made public the same day an Anchorage judge issued a temporary restraining order forcing the state of Alaska to preserve any government-related e-mails that Palin and top aides sent from private accounts in what critics contend was an effort to conceal that they were doing political business while working at state government jobs.

The state paid Branchflower, a retired state prosecutor, $100,000 to prepare the nearly 300-page report. He interviewed or accepted affidavits from about two dozen people in the eight-week investigation.

"Legislative Council seriously overreached, making a tortured argument to find fault without basis in law or fact," McCain campaign spokesman Meg Stapleton said.

The Legislature could vote next year to censure Palin, but committee members appeared divided over the report and Democratic state Sen. Kim Elton, the committee's chairman, gave no indication that would happen.

Stapleton also dismissed the report as "a partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters." The inquiry has been dogged by such criticism since Democrat Hollis French, who oversaw the investigation, predicted an "October surprise" for the McCain campaign.

Elton rejected the accusation of partisanship.

"When we began investigating this, we had no idea that Sarah Palin would be a part of the national ticket," said Elton, an Obama supporter.

The report notes a few instances in which Palin pressed the case against trooper Mike Wooten, but it was her husband, Todd, who led the charge. Todd Palin had extraordinary access to the governor's office and her closest advisers and he used that access to try to get Wooten fired.

**min0 lee** · 11-28-2008, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

Where did you get this? McCain's campaign was dead before her.

She brought back some excitement and then as soon as she was interviewed it went downhill from there.

I've posted before about how disenchanted her own people became with her.

**maniclion** · 11-28-2008, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

What's the relevance?

Relevance was I had never heard it before and it sounds like a harsh come back for a elderly man who's balding no matter how hard he tries to act like he's still 45, I could see a newly balding young man getting upset because he doesn't want to face the reality that he's gonna go bald but come on theres a point where you give up and grow old gracefully.....

**busyLivin** · 11-28-2008, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by maniclion

Relevance was I had never heard it before and it sounds like a harsh come back for a elderly man who's balding no matter how hard he tries to act like he's still 45, I could see a newly balding young man getting upset because he doesn't want to face the reality that he's gonna go bald but come on theres a point where you give up and grow old gracefully.....

Again, what's the relevance to the topic at hand?

**busyLivin** · 11-28-2008, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

She brought back some excitement and then as soon as she was interviewed it went downhill from there.

I've posted before about how disenchanted her own people became with her.

Not her own people.. bitter McCain people looking for a scapegoat. McCain lost the election.. Palin's addition gave him a chance.

I doubt your numbers. I think Republicans lover her.. pretty much every poll I've seen said the same thing. Unscientific as it is, an O'Reilly poll tonight had 87% of his viewers wanting her to run in 2012. Before I'm flamed.. yes, it's O'Reilly.. but it demonstrates how much Republicans like her.

I guarantee if the party nomination was right now she would win in a landslide. Whether or not it lasts, we'll see.. but for now she's a star.

**maniclion** · 11-28-2008, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

Again, what's the relevance to the topic at hand?

What topic? the Title Topic?, The Palin Topic or the Post of Quotes Prince puut up from which I extracted my tidbit of info?

**busyLivin** · 11-28-2008, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by maniclion

What topic? the Title Topic?, The Palin Topic or the Post of Quotes Prince puut up from which I extracted my tidbit of info?

good point

My bad.

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