Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin has been found in an inquiry that she abused her power as governor to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper. This is going to hurt the already struggling McCain/Palin ticket. The story is growing as I type, and I’m noticing the major media networks are in a frenzy to give you the good news. I think it’s interesting that’s it’s already huge news. Why did it take the media nearly a year to finally start talking about Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s past work with ACORN, and his radical ties?

Here’s the AP story reported by CBS News.

Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded Friday. The politically charged inquiry imperiled her reputation as a reformer on John McCain’s Republican ticket. Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in a report by a bipartisan panel that investigated the matter, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain.

The inquiry looked into her dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, who said he lost his job because he resisted pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with the governor’s sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute. The report found that Palin let the family grudge influence her decision-making even if it was not the sole reason Monegan was dismissed. “I feel vindicated,” Monegan said. “It sounds like they’ve validated my belief and opinions. And that tells me I’m not totally out in left field.” Branchflower said Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

Palin and McCain’s supporters had hoped the inquiry’s finding would be delayed until after the presidential election to spare her any embarrassment and to put aside an enduring distraction as she campaigns as McCain’s running mate in an uphill contest against Democrat Barack Obama. But the panel of lawmakers voted to release the report, although not without dissension. There was no immediate vote on whether to endorse its findings.

“I think there are some problems in this report,” said Republican state Sen. Gary Stevens, a member of the panel. “I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye

The nearly 300-page report does not recommend sanctions or a criminal investigation.

The investigation revealed that Palin’s husband, Todd, has extraordinary access to the governor’s office and her closest advisers. He used that access to try to get trooper Mike Wooten fired, the report found.

Branchflower faulted Sarah Palin for taking no action to stop that. He also noted there is evidence the governor herself participated in the effort.

Did you notice that the AP report failed to mention that this state trooper tasered a 10 year old child? When that type of stuff happens in cities like NY, activist Al Sharpton would hold a protest to demand the firing of the officer. This is pretty big news to me, but so is another story. This story broke today, but the media didn’t pay much attention to it. Next week is going to be a fun week to follow the world of political news!