Palin's Troopergate scandal just won't go away: dirty politics at play

Yesterday, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Peter Michalski threw out a lawsuit filed by Republican state legislators in an attempt to halt the Alaska Legislature's investigation of Troopergate. (Remember, Palin is the one who asked to be investigated and then refused to cooperate). Today, lawyers for Palin filed an emergency appeal with the Alaska Supreme Court asking the court to decide by the close of business today whether it will hear their appeal.

Kevin Clarkson, the attorney representing the Republican legislators, wants the state Supreme Court to decide their appeal by Thursday. That's because investigator Steve Branchflower is scheduled to finish his report by next Friday, despite the fact that Palin, her aides and her husband refused to cooperate or testify under subpoena.

Lawyers working on behalf of the Republican legislators aruged if the investigation proceeded it would threaten their right to a "fair and just" investigation. They also said the Legislative Council overstepped its authority, even though Palin invited their investigation. The lawyers went on to say:

"The plaintiffs and Alaskans will suffer irreparable harm if the investigation at issue continues and if the resulting investigative report issues as planned on Oct. 10, 2008."

Supreme Court Judge Michalski, in dismissing their lawsuit Thursday, said the conduct of the Legislature's investigation did not violate the right to fairness. He ruled that most the anti-investigation arguments were for the legislative branch to decide, not the courts.

Palin and McCain are the only ones who will suffer if the investigation moves forward, and they are the ones not playing fair. If Palin has nothing to hide, she has a funny way of showing it. She has done everything possible, since being chosen as McCain's running mate, to subvert the investigation she initially agreed to cooperate with fully. Since joining Team McCain, Palin has recused herself from any responsibility to cooperate and has left the matter in the hands of McCain's attorneys and handlers.

We can only hope the Alaska Supreme Court will throw out today's appeal so we can find out what Palin is hiding - before Nov. 4.