Palin Investigation Stalled By McCain Campaign, State Legislator Says

Is the McCain campaign afraid of an 'October surprise' involving vice-presidential pick Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska?

The Alaska state senator running an investigation of Gov. Palin says the McCain campaign is using stall tactics to prevent him from releasing his final report by Oct. 31, four days before the November election.

"It's likely to be damaging to the Governor," said Senator Hollis French, a Democrat, appointed the project manager for a bi-partisan State Senate Legislative Counsel Committee investigation of claims that Palin abused her office to get the Alaska public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, fired.

An Anchorage Daily News story suggests that Palin's lawyer is helping stall the investigation. He's trying to get the probe into the hands of a governor-appointed board:

The state has hired a private lawyer to represent Gov. Sarah Palin's office in the Legislature's investigation into the firing of former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The lawyer already has challenged whether lawmakers even have authority to oversee the inquiry.

...

Van Flein said the investigation should be handled by the state Personnel Board, not the Legislature, because it's "statutorily mandated" to handle ethics cases. The three-member Personnel Board is appointed by the governor.

And he's making it difficult for Special Counsel Steve Branchflower to interview Palin:

Branchflower hasn't been able to set up an interview with Palin. French said the state will fly Branchflower to wherever Palin is on the campaign trail if needed.

"Clearly the governor's new political role will make it more challenging for her to make time for this investigation," French wrote. But Palin needs to be interviewed sometime in September, he said.

Van Flein said the investigation is "bad timing" in the middle of a presidential campaign. He said he couldn't guarantee her availability this month.

Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic Sold Out

Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic, a three-day event culminating in a rally on September 2 in at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sold out. Over 10,000 tickets have been sold for $17.76 each. In response to the heavy demand for seats, The Campaign for Liberty has opened up two side sections and will give these final seats away for free on site at Target Center.

The schedule for tomorrow is as follows:
9:00 am - Media lounge opens for Press
11:00 - 11:30 - Press Conference with Dr. Paul
11:30 - Doors open
12:30 - Intro: Tucker Carlson
12:40 - National Anthem: Matt Colvin
12:50 - Invocation: Barb Davis White
12:55 - Howard Phillips
1:10 - Doug Wead
1:30 - Tom Woods
1:50 - Grover Norquist
2:10 - Lew Rockwell
2:30 - Bill Kauffman
2:50 - Special Guest
3:10 - Bruce Fein
3:35 - Gov. Jesse Ventura
4:05 - John Tate, Campaign for Liberty Presentation
4:25 - Gov. Gary Johnson
5:00 - Rock Music Star Aimee Allen
6:00 - Break
7:00 - Intro: Barry Goldwater Jr.
7:05 - Ron Paul
8:05 - Country Music Superstar Sara Evans
9:30 - End of Program
9:30 - Jimmie Vaughan After Party Parking

Press representatives are responsible for their own parking. Target Center does not have any parking that they control. There are numerous parking garages nearby.

Loading Area

We suggest that any press representative with a light load-in unload at the drop-off zone front of the main lobby doors on the First Avenue side of Target Center and enter through the main lobby.

Once you are unloaded you must move your vehicle. There will be signage and personnel there to direct you to the MEDIA ROOM for registration.

Press with larger gear load-in may unload in the loading dock. The entrance to the loading dock is on Second Ave. close to 6th street. Once any equipment is unloaded the truck must be moved immediately.

Coverage

There will be a media area on the floor, as well as desks with hard phone lines and internet access in the media lounge. There will also be media riders that can accommodate up to 12 cameras, as well as a pit camera for live feeds. In addition, there will be a bloggers lounge in a luxury box for live blogging and podcasting.

Registration

Press must check in and receive press passes. Please come to the MEDIA ROOM (look for the signs) at the Target Center. It opens at 9:00 am on Tuesday, 09/02. The first press event is a short press conference with Dr. Paul at 11:00 am in the Main Hall.

All press members will need to show either official press credentials or RNC press credentials if attending the other convention in town to receive their Campaign for Liberty credentials.

Letter; ‘Campaign for Liberty’ awaits you in Twin Cities

To the Editor:

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul’s candidacy for president through the Republican Party may be at an end, but the Texas Republican is still a thorn in the side of the Bush administration and the new world order. He’s also a thorn in the side of Barack Obama and John McCain, as his renowned “Rally for the Republic” grows

His rally initially set at the University of Minnesota’s 11,000 seat Williams Arena was changed to accommodate the enlarging crowd to the Target Center. The Target Center Sept. 2 will be the official launching of the “Campaign for Liberty.” This will follow two full days of events. For an agenda see campaignforliberty.com.

Shunned for the GOP Convention because he refused to endorse McCain, Paul — with the support of thousands — has prepared this “counter convention” to coincide with the Republican National Convention Sept. 1-4.

Paul is expected to deliver a dynamite speech Sept. 2. “If they expected us to retire quietly ... they’re in for a surprise,” Paul said. He pledges to “shake up the political establishment. This will be the largest organization for peace, freedom, the constitution and sound money in American history.”

In addition, there will be a booth in support of Chuck Baldwin, Baptist Church pastor, running for president through the Constitution Party. (The Constitution Party gave full support to Paul during his campaign.) Paul and Baldwin share a common message for restoration of this once great nation in a time of crisis. Both ask you to help to take back America for the American people: (973) 764-0923 or www.chuckbaldwinlive.com or www.constitutionparty.com.

Target seats are filling fast. Advance tickets for the Sept. 2 event from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. can be purchased at the center or Ticket Master.

Del & Charla Kusilek

Cannon Falls