
Oct 11, 2008 9:32 am US/Central
Viewer Comments: Palin 'Troopergate' Findings
We asked viewers if the findings of a bipartisan panel that Sarah Palin abused her authority change your opinion of the Alaska governor. These are your responses:
No, because compared to the character of Mr. Obama - this is a small thing. I don't presume to know or have an influence on who you may vote for in the upcoming elections. However, I do know these are frightening times and we're all taking this decision very seriously. - Sandra Glasscock
Doesn't the spin from the McCain campaign sound exactly like what the Rove denial apparatus has been voicing from the Bush administration for many years? The Alaska investigation was voted bipartisanly unanimous to proceed, long before her selection as VP candidate. So, where would Todd Palin be lobbying and exerting undue influence in DC next if McCain is elected? Scary! - Rick Tompkins
No. I think she will make a good VP and this issue doesn't affect us. Obama's connections with Acorn and lobbyists DO because that WILL affect the American people. He talks about change, but he is doing the same things the other politicians do, take money from groups that are against the American people. - Roberta Walker
It does not influence my opinion of Gov. Palin. In fact, as governor, it was her responsibility to get rid of a state trooper that isn't fit to be on the police force. Wouldn't want him on the streets of my town or state. - Diane Caples
Most politicians don't get indicted until after they're in office. Sarah Palin, the moose-killing revenge monger is not a person who should be a leader of our great country. She should throw in the towel and quit to spare us all the embarrassment of a trial. Think about it, she is only a McCain heartbeat away from being the President if they should win the election and McCain is not in that great of shape. I hope common sense prevails when the voters go to the polls and elect Obama. - Bob Warlock
I think the press has been giving her a pass and haven't looked in to many of her questionable activities and relationships. - Sandy Grogan
I wonder if Gov. Palin was the only person who said yes to be Sen. McCain's running mate. If he dies while still in office, do we want Palin to be our new president? I know I don't, she will have people fired just for looking at her wrong. - Sue Warso
No, no, no - sour grapes political stunt by the Democrats. Timing ??? - Lois Marchini
The panel's findings have strengthened my belief in Governor Palin's position as a no-nonsense executive. I think she is probably a fine governor, will make a fine vice-president, and a fine commander-in-chief if it becomes necessary for her to assume that role. I can't see how she abused her position in any way. Persons behaving the way Wooten has are unfit for law enforcement careers. Anyone who tolerates that kind of behavior in the law enforcement ranks is an unfit supervisor and leader. I believe Governor Palin and her husband acted correctly, in the best interests of their family and all families in Alaska, as all those who have loved ones in violent relationships should. If Sarah Palin had not been a political figure, or had been a man, the whole thing would have been a non-issue, a bad cop would still be on the force, and an unfit supervisor and pervasive "old-boy network" would not have been identified. Violence against women and children must be eliminated. It is shameful that more men, including the chief investigator of the charges, don't understand how the problem of domestic violence undermines not only the family structure, but our entire society. If more men understood how profound and pervasive the problem is, I suspect the outcome of the investigation would have been much different, if it had been conducted at all. - K. A. Tahiri
I think she ought to be the Chicago mayor or governor of Illinois, but she isn't close to being as corrupt as they are. Ted Tolle
No, this does not change my mind about Sarah Palin. I feel people are forgetting what Bill Clinton did when he was "in" the White House as well as what the Kennedys did. We have our problems with "our" governor, which to me is more than abuse to the state of Illinois. - Donna S.
I believe Sarah was acting in the best interests of her community by trying to fire her son-in-law. If he was a cop and he Tasered his son, his judgment is off. He would be a risk on the police force. If I knew someone would abuse their police authority at home, I would worry about what he could do to someone he didn't "care" about. - Karen R. Swanson
No. I think Gov. Palin was looking out for the best interest of her family as well as her state. The media should be spending more time on important thinks like the real story of who caused this financial problem - Barnie Frank, Chris Daud (sp) and Obama. Let's have truth and unbiased reporting. SUE
Palin was a joke from day one. My mother, who is 89, thinks McCain is too old for the job. What happens to the US if she ends up as president? We're already the laughing stock of the world thanks to George. Bin Laden got what he wanted - we're now a third world nation due to the Republicans. MB
No, it doesn't. What I find hard to believe is that CBS is focusing on something that wouldn't even be a blip on radar if it was Blago. How about actually talking about the possible voter fraud. There are currently 8 investigations going on because of Acorn, and Palin is the highlight, Please. Sure Obama says he isn't associated with them because he has a different firm getting the vote out, but it's funny that their board of directors is the same as the the Acorn board. John C
If our citizens of chicago do not care about what Obama does or whom he associates with or that he was raised in the most corrupt political machine in the United States who care's what Sarah Palin does. She is the type of personality I would like in the White House. sherry smith
Well this "Maverick" never impressed me in the first place. Palin was too busy trying to find flaws in Obama and not concentrating on her own views. Dee Dee Burchall
It doesn't change a thing. In fact I am appalled that there was even a panel. Why isn't there a panel investigating Obama and his affiliation with the Ayers, Rezko, Blojoe, etc. Don
It certainly does.McCain/Palin have been asking Obama about telling the truth, I guess it's a double standard for her & her husband. Shame on John McCain Charles Brown
we have seen this abuse of p power in washington with bush.she just proved that shes more of the same. and that we don't need. tom owens
No. From what I've been reading from various sources, Sarah Palin's ex-brother in- law was a troubled man and someone that probably shouldn't be carrying a gun and badge. Armand Ciabattari
Doesn't change my opinion at all. While I don't think it is right, she didn't abuse her "power" to get a freebie loan on a house, consort with terrorists, use Acorn as her campaign handler, take money from wrong people like Rezko, so maybe "using" her "power" as Governor to try to get rid of an officer who would taser a child, Isn't so bad compared to the abuses of Power other long time career politicians have done and even a mostly absent Illinois Senator has done. Give Sarah a break. We need more politicians like her!! Jean C. Mair
I do not give a hoot that she had a overbearing officer removed from the force.From what I understand the officer in question did not use good judgement on or off the job.Nip it in the bud !!!! Mike borowiec
Since my opinion of Sarah Palin couldn't be any lower, no, these findings do not change my opinion. Leah
The findings simply confirmed my already poor opinion of Governor Palin. Sandra Olson
Sarah Palin is a joke as the Vice Presidential candidate, wrongdoing in Alaska or not. All this finding does is cement what we already knew about this right wing mouthpiece -- she just ain't ready for the big time. Jim
Thank you for the troubling info from the Troopergate investigation. I have also heard that the Obama campaign has collected over 190 million from foreign parties. I am still undecided on my vote. Do you have any insight on the foreign contributions?? Thanks John Wellhausen
more proof that Palin is the perfect Bush republican - self-righteous and arrogant - totally unqualified to be Alaska Governor, much less V.P. of the United States Steve Rusk
I think there is more to the picture. The guy who was fired is looking for a reason why - he may need to look in the mirror. - Tim in Johnsburg
Yes..I've had enough of these republicans..I'm going for democrats. Dawn Timberland
You've got to be kidding! I had a zero opinion of her the first time that I heard her speak, and her ineptness at the debate confirmed that. If one's opinion of someone is already zero, it it impossible to go lower than that!!! Joseph Martinek
The findings about Sarah Palin don't change my pinion of the Alaska governor. There are other things going on in the election that deserve more attention like the economy,questionable campaign funds, and ACORN. Maybe people should focus on larger more significant issues. - LeNae
That isn't going to change ANYONE'S voting decision. If they disqualified every politician that abused their power the hallowed halls of Congress would be very, very quiet. Brian
That a "bipartisian" commission finds that she exceeded her authority does not surprise me. It is further evidence of how much she shook up the status quo in that state and makes me all the more eager to see her go to Washington. Frank
Not at all! Which politician ANYWHERE hasn't used their influence somewhere along the line? She's just got a higher profile because of the presidential race. Jim Richards
I think it is all trumpeted up and she did not abuse her authority. She is a great person and a wonderful governor. It's sour grapes.. Judy Yandura
No, it only affirms that she isn't the conservative right wing Christian she claims to be. She talks the talk (in circles) but doesn't walk the walk. Kim
Compared to Illinois and particularly Chicago Democrats it's hardly note worthy. Name a politician that hasn't used their influence. IE Alderman Mel Ken Stoltz
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