"Palin Truth Squad'

by Rebecca Palsha
Monday, September 29, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- After disappearing off the radar for a few days, the so-called "Palin Truth Squad' was back in action Monday, claiming there is more proof the Legislature's investigation into the Walt Monegan firing is political.

The McCain-Palin campaign said this past weekend's anti-Palin protest downtown is proof that the investigation is political.

"If there was any doubt that politics is at the heart of the Legislative Council's inquiry into Walt Monegan's replacement, that doubt was dispelled by the Obama rally held Saturday," said Meghan Stapleton of the "Truth Squad."

Hundreds of people, mad at Palin and demanding answers from the filled the Park Strip Saturday, some sporting signs that irked the McCain-Palin campaign.

"This investigation is no longer the unbiased inquiry at arms length from politics that Alaskans were promised," Stapleton said. "This is political theater intended to score points for the campaign of Barack Obama."

Democratic state Sen. Bill Willowkowski disputes that.

"There is no partisanship in this investigation," he said. "I know they want to try to get you to believe that, but that is simply not the case."

The "Truth Squad" also took aim at Rep. Les Gara, who last week asked the state troopers to investigate witness tampering.

"Rep. Gara's actions stink of police-state tactics and should be condemned by any one who supports the Constitutional right of free speech," Stapleton said.

Gara replied: "Everyday they go after a new Democrat, but they never mention all of the Republicans who support the investigation. It's sad, it's a fake pitch. What they've done is they've engaged in personal attacks against Walt Monegan, Steve Branchflower, the list goes on.

"I guess today it's my turn."

In related news, two of the Troopergate lawsuits merged Monday. One was filed by five Republican lawmakers, the other by Attorney General Talis Colberg.

Both are an attempt to get rid of the Legislative investigation.