Anchorage Daily News

Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd's motives were good when they led an extensive campaign pressuring former public safety commissioner Walt Monegan to do something about trooper Mike Wooten.

The governor and her husband were convinced Wooten should not be a state trooper. Palin had a clear impression of her former brother-in-law, the father of her niece and nephew -- and it was not a good one. There is plenty of evidence Palin's belief was justifiable.

Troopergate reminds me of how former President Ronald Reagan's motives were good when he abused his power in the Iran-Contra scandal. President Reagan's desire to stop the growth of communism in Central America led him to go outside the law.

Neither Palin nor Reagan benefited personally from their scandals. Either financially or politically. They were doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.

But does that justify their actions? What if Suzy Six-Pack had a former brother-in-law she believed was a bad trooper? Suzy and her family filed several complaints against the trooper and some of those complaints were found credible and punishment was rendered.

Suzy Six-Pack and her family didn't like the legal outcome resulting from their complaints. But they have to live with it just like the rest of us have to live within the confines of the legal system. We have no other choice but to accept the findings.

Before Monegan was commissioner and Palin was governor, Wooten was punished for his violations. Just like Suzy Six-Pack, Palin was not happy with the legal outcome of the case.

But Palin had a distinct advantage over Suzy Six-Pack. We, the voters of Alaska, entrusted her with immense power. We assumed by electing Palin, she would use her far-reaching authority to do what's best for Alaskans within the confines of the law.

That's what the local and national media are missing about Troopergate. It is not about whether Wooten should be removed from the force. He clearly should have. Troopergate is about Gov. Sarah Palin using the power we entrusted her with to go outside of the law to get her way in a family matter. Something the rest of us would not be able to do.

Troopergate is about power, privilege and undue influence. Troopergate is the antithesis of equal protection under the law. Troopergate violates the very fabric of our judicial system.

And based on her staffer Frank Bailey's recorded phone call, there seems to be ample evidence Gov. Palin fired Commissioner Monegan because he refused to assist her in breaking the law.

Bailey was caught on tape saying Palin really liked Monegan expect for the Wooten issue. Then there is Monegan himself who says he believes his refusal to do something about Wooten led to his firing.

Monegan says at one point he even warned the governor about pressuring him about Wooten saying, "Governor, we shouldn't be talking about this."

It could be the governor didn't realize she was abusing her power. She is a rookie and doesn't have a full understanding of how government works.

But once the story broke, Palin realized full well she messed up. She initially tried to cover up the scandal by saying neither she nor anyone in her administration pressured Monegan over Wooten, a statement she had to know was blatantly false.

When the Alaska Legislature launched an investigation into Troopergate, the governor promised full cooperation. Since being named to the GOP ticket, the cooperation has stopped. Staffer Frank Bailey is refusing to be interviewed by the independent investigator and the governor herself is not willing to talk.

Some will look at Troopergate and say Palin was just trying to do good. And there is truth in that.

But in America we operate within the confines of the law and we protect the rights of our citizens. Politicians can change laws but not break them. No matter how good their intentions are.

This is a lesson Sarah Palin must learn if she is to become a heartbeat away from the most powerful position in the world.

Dan Fagan is a radio talk show host on KFQD, 750 AM. E-mail dan@kfqd.com.

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