Confident Palin: 'You Got to Read the Report'

Sarah Palin says she did not abuse her power as governor, despite the findings of an ethics investigation, CNN reports. “If you read the report, you will see that there was nothing unlawful or unethical about replacing a cabinet member,” she said. The report, however, did not fault Palin for firing her public safety commissioner; it criticized her for using her office to try to get her ex-brother-in-law fired as a state trooper. She did not address that issue in brief remarks to reporters.

Walt Monegan, the man Palin fired, is pleased. "I was terminated because I did not fire (Mike) Wooten,” he said. “These findings say that that's what happened, so I feel relieved.” The Democratic chairman of the state panel that released the report said “these findings may help people come to a conclusion on how they should vote.” Palin’s lawyers claim that panel members, not the governor, “have abused their government power.” (More Sarah Palin stories.)