Meanwhile, Palin continues to stonewall. The latest attempt to stymie the investigation is a doozy. The Senior Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alaska, Michael Barnhill, sent a letter yesterday in which he argued, in part, that the Alaskan Constitution prohibits the issuing of these subpoenas.
I hope to have more to say about that argument later, but the really interesting quirk of Barnhill's letter has to do with the issue of Wooten's compromised personnel files:
At the same time, Barnhill outlined a potential compromise: If lawmakers agree that the governor has legal authority to designate staff to review confidential personnel files, the staff members will voluntarily speak with the Legislature's investigator -- no subpoenas necessary.
Lastly, we heard yesterday that Palin's own ethics advisor told her on July 24 that firing Monegan raised grave concerns. Don't that beat all.
Addendum: Need proof that the press is turning against Palin? Check out this picture that accompanied the CNN article. Note the Cheney-like expression.
...also, for those of you who prefer them thar primary sources, here's a pdf of Barnhill's letter.
...and a quick note about Barnhill's argument that the Alaska State Constitution insulates Palin's aides from the subpoena power of the Legislature. The relevant clause was adopted in the immediate aftermath of the McCarthy hearings, and was intended to protect state workers from anti-communist witch hunts. Gotta love the great white north!
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