The opening paragraph of the previously reported letter of grave concern lays into Palin's political cronies:
I have great respect for you, Todd and your family. You are wonderful Alaskans. Unfortunately, in my opinion, you have had very naive unprofessional counsel on the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Law. Your “political advisors" have given you poor counsel; the situation is now grave.
Shea goes on in the letter to identify a series of dramatic steps that Palin could take to accept responsibility for the situation and discipline state officials who had acted improperly.
A second letter from the cache dramatizes Shea's concerns. That letter, dated July 26, and titled "Re: Character, Integregy & Honor - Federal, State, & Local Law Enforcement" makes the case about poor counsel in much greater depth, but rather than being sent to Palin it was addressed jointly to:
- Chief Rob Huen, Anchorage Police Department
- Colonel Audie Holloway, Alaska Department of Public Safety
- Special Agent in Charge Kevin Fryslie, FBI
The body of the letter is worth quoting in full:
Each of you know personally my admiration and respect for your leadership. The unique interrelationship of each of your departments/agencies for the success in Alaska law enforcement and criminal prosecutions is without parallel nationwide. Your commitment to Alaska and our nation is exceptional. I firmly believe Governor Sarah Palin received "incompetent counsel" on kep law enforcement issues.
Your character defines your leadership and law enforcement/prosecutions can never be political. Sadly, politics at times ignores character and certain political advisors fail to understand they are "servants" of the public. Governor Palin and her key advisors have made errors. However, she is correcting past mistakes. They should not occur in the future. I emphasized "liars/do not re-callers" must go "now."
I had the privilege of meeting with Mrs. Kris Perry, a close adviser to Governor Palin whom I respect on Thursday July 24th. I delivered my enclosed letter defining my specific concerns. I do not believe I could be more candid. The character, integrity, and unique integral role of the Troopers must not compromised. Mrs. Perry was quite understanding; my letter was going directly to Governor Sarah Palin.
The enclosed letter of the final paragraph is the letter of grave concern mentioned above.
A third letter in the cache, dated August 4, is addressed to Governor Palin and lays out what Shea takes to be very strict limits on the Governor's legal authority to resist the investigative powers of the legislature.
To put all of this in context, it might help to review the timeline. Monegan was fired in mid-July. At the time of Shea's July 24th letter and July 26th letters, allegations were being aired that Monegan's firing had been related to his refusal to fire Wooten, and the Legislature was considering, but had not yet authorized an independent investigation. However, by the time of Shea's final letter, Monegan's replacement had resigned under a cloud and the independent investigation had been authorized. Notably, Palin did not direct her Attorney General to begin his spoiling investigation until August 13.
The picture that emerges is a struggle for the governor's soul. Shea, who clearly did not win, thought that her actions regarding Wooten and Monegan had included serious improprieties, and that the Governor had no legal shield against punishment for those improprieties. Nevertheless, Shea also very clearly supported the Governor strongly and believed that ultimate responsibility for missteps lay with advisors who had provided her with poor counsel. Seeing things as he did, Shea offered a plan by which Palin could recover from the scandal by apologizing forthrightly, repudiating her previous practice, and and purging her administration of individuals who had participated in the campaign against Wooten.
Two things ring out in this. First, Shea's apparently sincere belief that Sarah Palin has been led astray by wolves is yet another testament to her incredible personal charisma. I mean, Wooten himself is on record saying enthusiastically that Palin is an "amazing choice" for the VP slot. Second, however tempting it is to give Palin a pass, the truth of the matter is that at the end of the day she didn't take advantae of the off ramp that Shea offered her. The campaign against Wooten, the firing of Monegan, and the Cheney style cover-up establish a clear pattern of improper executive overreach. Whatever consequences this might have in Alaska, the real scandal is that Governor Palin has been put on the GOP ticket.
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