In an article published by National Review, Mitt Romney points out the need for Republicans to lead the way “A Republican Stimulus plan.” This I agree. If we let the Democrats have their way, it will be the same old tax and spend.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NTdlNDlmMGYzYWJlMzFkMDhiOTE4YWMyYmUyNDA4ZTQ=

What a Republican Stimulus plan should look like.

1. Cut taxes. The more money in the average American hands the better.

   a) Middle Class tax cut

   b) Eliminate taxes on Savings for middle class

   c) Eliminate taxes on Dividends for middle class

   d) Eliminate taxes on Capital Gains for the middle class

2. Align Corporate Taxes with other nations.

   a) The fair tax would be the best thing

   b) Alternatively lower Corporate Taxes to expand growth

3. Stop Unions from forcing employees to join them

   a) we should have a right to work nation

4. Federal Spending

   a) Spend on infrastructures (Roads and Bridges)

   b) Spend on updating Military Equipment

5. Fund basic research into

   a) Improving Fuel production

   b) Sensible alternative Fuel sources

   c) Nuclear Reprocessing

   d) Cleaner Coal plants

   e) Practical Batteries for Electrical Cars

6. Federal Projects should be initiated by responsible Federal Agency (Not congressmen/women) who want to direct projects to their constitutes.

   a) Eliminate Ear Marks

   b) Agencies should justify expenditures.

   c) Greater scrutiny of Omnibus bills

   d) Line item veto for spending bills

7. Reduce and eliminate as many entitlements as possible.

   a) Work fare, not welfare

   b) Eliminate Corporate Welfare

   c) Stop bailing out irresponsible corporations.

   d) Stop trying to save corporations simpling because many of their works are loyal voters (I.e Union workers)

   e) Scale back entitlement for government works.

8. Congress should lead the way

   a) insist on a tax cut for the congress themselves

9. Scale back government employment.

   a) institute a government Hiring freeze

10. Immigration.

    a) Stop bringing in cheaper works to replace American works. (This is especially true in the Information Technology areas.

    b) Stop illegal immigration. Institute temporary worker visas for areas needed (like farm labor)

11. Equalize the playing field with other nations

    a) Nations that don’t allow the US Citizens to buy property in their country shouldn’t be able to purchase property here (aka Mexico)

    b) encourage foreign investment, especially in real estate. (see A above for exemption). Individuals with financial resources should be given preference with long term visa’s.

However, Huckabee has all but taken himself out. The normal way a future candidate waits things out, is they hits the lecture circuits, put together PACs, etc. However, in Huckabee’s case, he has decided to go for the money. He has his own show on Fox News and is now working on a deal for Radio. This means he is going to have to express opinions that would come back to haunt him should he run for president again. Now, there is nothing wrong with going for the money, but that all but puts him out of 2012. He will not have the time to start up a campaign, and do all the things a candidate needs to do to run for President. Huckabee will however remain a powerful voice for Social conservatives and that is where his future is.

Some argue that Palin is the likely choice. But there are several problems with this. #1, she has been badly beaten up by the press (rightly or wrongly). #2. She has to run for re-election in two years. That doesn’t give her time to organize a campaign for President. #3, where is she going to get the money? Any money she raises will go for re-election for Governor. She may not even be a shoe in for that. Surely the Democrats will try to target her. If for any other reason than to take out a potential Presidential candidate. So for practical reasons, it is unlikely she will run in 2012. It is more likely she will mount a future campaign for Senate. Since it looks like Steven’s is going to lose when all the ballets are counted in the Senate race, Palin has a perfect scenario for getting re-elected for Governor, then in six years, running for Senate. Giving her plenty of time to launch a future run for President.

Some say Jindal is a likely presidential candidate, and certainly he has all the makings of a future president. But like Palin, he needs to run for re-elect in two years, and will have not have time to mount a campaign. He is young enough that he has time. There is no doubt that Jindal will be a powerful voice in the Party for years to come, and frankly one the best governors the Republicans have.

Some voices say Gingrich. There is no way Gingrich has pray after his affair during the Clint scandal. Gingrich will remain an idea man for the Party, but nothing more. He has no future as a candidate.

Then there is the cadre of other potential candidates. Pawlenty being one. Mark Sanford being another. These guys are well known to those who keep close tabs on politics, but for those who don’t, they are unknowns. We are likely to see a few candidates run for president in 2012, not that they think they can win in 2012, but so they can get their names out there for a future run.

This leaves Romney, who will have the organization, the money, and the name recognition for 2012. He is likely to take the air out of any other candidate. Social Conservatives will have to come into line for a couple of reasons. After 2 years of Obama, suddenly winning will be more important than religious differences (which is really why most Huckabee supports where so anti Romney). Secondly, Huckabee, who is now a TV commentary and radio voice, will have no choice but to support a Romney campaign. He will not be able to afford to buck the trend of a Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, etc. Third, with no other horse in the race, they will need to back someone or risk losing any voice at all.

Finally, once Romney secures the nomination, he will need a strong running mate who shares the republican values and who will be hard for the media to destroy. He/she also must be a seen as a potential future president. Right now, that person is Bobby Jindal.

Now a lot can happen between now and 2010/2011 where campaigns for presidents usually start, and certainly a candidate could come out of the wood work like an Obama, but in republican circles, this is unlikely.

So, looking at the crystal ball, all things for now, point to a Romney/Jindal nominee.

The question I find myself asking is this, what is more important to Social Conservatives (Evangelical Christians), Social Issues like abortion or Religious purity?

Unless ALL Social Conservatives stick together regardless of religious belief, there is little chance of Conservative Social Issues will be successful.

Yet I see a petition to call Republican Lepers if they dare be critical Sarah Palin. What is more important, Rumor mill about Sarah Palin, or Social issues like Gay Marriage?

Big Loser: John McCain and Moderate Republicans

Its time for the Party to return to it’s Conservative Roots.

Big Winner: Conservatisim.

While it will hurt our nation while we experience a hard left turn, in the end, Conseravatism will re-emerge as the dominate political position. The experiment with Moderatism should be over. Moderates have lost every time they have tried.

Big Winner: Obama and Moderate Democrats.

Even though Obama is a radical leftist, he ran as a centrist. Also, the majority of Democrats elected ran as Centrist. Liberals lose elections, so they must disguise who they are.

Big Loser: Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid

They where the head of the Democrat power base, they now must play second fiddle to Obama.

Big Winner: Mitch McConnell (New Head of the Republican Party)

Who is now the voice of the Republican Party until a new leader is chosen in 2012. As the Minority Senate leader, he is the only republican in place who can slow down the onslaught of Liberalism we are about to face by virtual of the filibuster.

Big Losers: The Clintons

They are history, they can no longer hope to return to the white house. The most they can now hope for is a Senator Clinton.

Big Loser: The American Economy.

Looks like the Jimmy Carters years all over again.

Big Loser: Republican Congress for the years 2008-2010
Big Winner: Republican Congress for the Years 2010-2014

If History is any judge, the Democrats will mess things up so bad that the Republicans will get a chance to redeem themselves in two years.

Small Loser: Palin

Just like other VPs of defeated Republicans Presidential hopefuls, she will take a hit. Right now she needs to return to Alaska and complete her term as Governor. In two years, she can re-evaluate her position. Should she seek the Presidency in the future, she has a small base of support she can draw from. Its not nearly enough to get her nominated, but it is a starting point.

Small Loser: Huckabee

Because of the Rise of Palin among Social conservatives, Huckabee may have to compete with Palin for this important republican group.

Small Winner: Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, and to a smaller extent, Fred Thompson, Jeb Bush, and Palin.

The race for 2012 has just begun. These are the top 5 candidates who have to be on the top of the list. There will be little room for any other candidates. If the primaries where to being held today, it Would be Huckabee against Romney. But 2 Years (thats right 2 years), is a life time. In two years, candidates who intend to run must start building support. If Palin does decide to make a run, then she and Huckabee must fight for the Social Conservative (Evangelical vote). The fiscal conservative Vote will likely go some where else. And of course, we may yet see the emergence of another candidate, but that is unlikely. History in the Republican party shows that 2nd place winners in the nomination process usually get their shot the second time around. Now, one could argue who was 2nd, but there is little argument that Romney and Huckabee where (2nd and close 3rd) regardless what order you put them in. Of course, there is always a chance that one or both of them may decide not to run in 2012.

However, I prefer to do my own research. The issue that concerns me the most is the TrooperGate. Below is chrononigical list of events. Its obvious not complete but it is as good as I can make it. I have determined not to comment much so that the reader can make up their own mind.

Sarih Palin gives Reference for Wooten (Before Sarih’s Sister Divorce)

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site163/2008/0721/20080721111415PalinLetterofRecomend.pdf

I have witnessed Mike’s gift of calm and kindness towards many young kids here in Wasilla. I have never seen him raise his voice, nor lose patience, nor become aggitated in the presence of any child. Instead, Mike consistently remains a fine role model for my own children, and other young people in Wasilla.

I believe the United States Air Force has been fortunate to have the services of Mike these past 10 years. His work ethic, his American Patriotism, his obvious dedication to traditional values, and his strong faith in God and truth is witnessed in Mike’s everyday living.

Monegan fired by Palin’s

http://www.adn.com/politics/story/463340.html

Gov. Sarah Palin appointed Walt Monegan as commissioner of public safety shortly after her election in 2006. On Friday, Palin’s chief of staff told Monegan he was being replaced.

The news came “out of the blue,” said Monegan, a former Anchorage police chief.

“If the governor was upset with me for one thing or another, it had never been communicated to me,” he said in an interview Saturday evening.

The big question — why?

Palin denies accusation over firing of Monegan

http://www.adn.com/politics/story/468174.html

A feud within the family of Gov. Sarah Palin spilled into the public Thursday with accusations she tried to get a state trooper fired and she then fired the trooper’s boss because he wouldn’t act on her request

In an interview Thursday, Palin vigorously denied that her dismissal last week of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan had anything to do with her dislike of state trooper Mike Wooten, her sister’s ex-husband
“To allege that I, or any member of my family, requested, received or released confidential personnel information on an Alaska State Trooper, or directed disciplinary action be taken against any employee of the Department of Public Safety, is, quite simply, outrageous,” Palin said
Later in the day, a spokesman for the troopers’ labor union, the Public Safety Employees Association, held a press conference saying Wooten has been unfairly targeted by the governor’s family
The spokesman, John Cyr, also released a several-inch-thick file of the troopers’ own investigation into charges from Palin, her husband, Todd, and other members of her family that Wooten committed unethical and illegal acts, which they said included drunken driving and illegal hunting
The charges were made in 2005, as Wooten and Palin’s sister were divorcing and before Palin ran for governor. They concerned Wooten’s behavior in the preceding years. The acrimony continues today.
For the most part, trooper investigators found that the accusations were unsubstantiated, but in at least two cases — Wooten’s illegally killing of a moose in 2003 and his Tasering of his 11-year-old stepson — were confirmed. The troopers later disciplined him for them.
Wooten and Palin’s younger sister, Molly McCann, initiated their divorce in 2005 and finalized it that same year. But their case remains open as they battle over the couple’s two young children, child support and visitation rights.
Sarah and Todd Palin became involved after the couple separated.

Palin was protective of her sister, according to court documents
Regarding the Taser, Cyr said Wooten was teaching the child about what if feels like to be hit by the stun gun.
On Thursday, the governor held little regard for the trooper. She and her husband said they do not believe Wooten has what it takes to be a state cop.

Monegan says he was pressured to fire cop

http://www.adn.com/politics/story/469135.html

Former Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan on Friday said that since Gov. Sarah Palin took office, members of her administration and family pressured him to fire a Palmer Alaska State Trooper to whom her sister was involved in a bitter child custody battle
Monegan said phone calls and questions from the Palin administration and the governor’s husband, Todd Palin, about trooper Mike Wooten started shortly after Monegan was hired and continued up to one or two months ago.
The governor herself also had a brief conversation with him about Wooten in February, Monegan said.
But Monegan says pressure came from those around Palin, including former Palin chief-of-staff Mike Tibbles, Department of Administration Commissioner Annette Kreitzer, and director of boards and commissions Frank Bailey
“They weren’t getting the message.” Monegan said. “The fact that they tried for better than a year while I was there is kind of indicative that somebody was trying to pressure something. Because they were trying different venues and different people.
Todd Palin called a meeting with Monegan to specifically talk about Wooten shortly after his wife took office in December 2006, Todd Palin said on Friday
Todd Palin showed Monegan the work of a private investigator the Palins hired. The Palins accused Wooten of drunken driving, illegal hunting and child abuse, among other charges.
Bailey was the latest to contact him about Wooten. He called a trooper commander, and several others, before the calls ended up in Monegan’s lap. Monegan called him back.

Lawmakers may look into Monegan firing

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/469137.html

State legislators are talking about hiring a special investigator to dig into the circumstances surrounding Gov. Sarah Palin’s firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.
“That’s the only thing I can think of, if you want to get to the truth and be unbiased,” said Senate President Lyda Green, a Wasilla Republican. “Otherwise, speculation just continues.”
Senate Judiciary chairman Hollis French said he agrees with Green that “there is a problem in the (Palin) administration” and legislators should look into the firing

Legislators vote to have independent investigator look into controversial firing.

http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/478090.html

Alaska legislators on Monday voted to spend up to $100,000 to investigate Gov. Sarah Palin’s controversial firing of former state Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.
The decision came from the Legislative Council, a bipartisan panel of state senators and representatives.
On Monday, the council voted 12-0 to spend up to $100,000 “to investigate the circumstances and events surrounding the termination of former Public Safety Commissioner Monegan, and potential abuses of power and/or improper actions by members of the executive branch.”
Supporters as well as detractors of the Republican governor generally agreed the legislative investigation is needed into the circumstances leading up to Monegan’s dismissal

Bombshell in commissioner controversy

http://www.ktva.com/ci_10195264

after weeks of denying she, or anyone from her office, pressured former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire state trooper Michael Wooten, Wednesday, Governor Sarah Palin had to backtrack.
She admitted a member of her administration had made calls that could be perceived as pressure. On Wednesday afternoon Governor Palin released a recording of a phone call that she says she was just made aware of.
specifically, most disturbing, is a telephone recording apparently made by the troopers and preserved documenting a call that was placed to the Dept. of Public Safety manager by my boards and commissioners director Frank Bailey.

Now that entire conversation was over twenty minutes long. The phone call was between Frank Bailey and Trooper Rodney Dial who was at the time the legislative liaison for the state troopers
“There is a gentleman by the name of Mike Wooten who is a trooper in the Valley,” said Bailey to Dial. “There is a family tie with the Governor there. And because of that, my understanding is that Walt has been very reluctant to take any action. But there is some very clear facts out there.”

Bailey continues to say, “So you just got some inside on the other stuff. It’s going to be interesting. The general feeling is we don’t know why this guy is still working.”
Palin has said there was at least 24 phone calls made to the Department of Public Safety by at least six members of her staff, including one by her husband Todd.

Despite VP nomination, Palin investigation continues

http://www.ktva.com/ci10339580?source=mostviewed

Trooper in Palin probe tells his side

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/05/palin.trooper/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Mike Wooten, Palin’s former brother-in-law, also denies some of the biggest allegations against him, including drinking while driving.
“I made mistakes. I fessed up to them. I was punished appropriately, and I’m moving on,” said Wooten, 36, who went through a long, messy divorce and custody battle with Palin’s sister.
Speaking Thursday to CNN’s Drew Griffin and Kathleen Johnston, Wooten gave his account of the Taser incident but denied ever drinking while driving.

He said that he was a new Taser instructor, and his stepson was asking him about the equipment. “I didn’t shoot him with live, you know, actual live cartridge,” Wooten said.

Instead, he said, he hooked his stepson up to a training aid “with little clips. And, you know, the Taser was activated for less than a second, which would be less than what you would get if you touched an electric fence. … It was as safe as I could possibly make it.”
He said his stepson was on the living room floor surrounded by pillows, that he “was bragging about it,” and that the family laughed about it.

Asked whether it was a dumb decision, Wooten told CNN, “absolutely.”,

The 2006 report called the incident an example of “extremely poor judgment,” and noted that he has been trained in “the risks associated with use of the weapon on a child.”
The father of three, who was married four times, told CNN, “I’m trying to move on and be the best dad I can to my children. Be the best trooper that I can be. You know, I love my job. I love this state.”

]]> There have been a lot of outrages attacks on Sarih Palin, at the same time many in the Republican circles seem to think that Sarih is a combination of Snow White and Ronald Reagan.

However, I prefer to do my own research. The issue that concerns me the most is the TrooperGate. Below is chrononigical list of events. Its obvious not complete but it is as good as I can make it. I have determined not to comment much so that the reader can make up their own mind.

Sarih Palin gives Reference for Wooten (Before Sarih’s Sister Divorce)

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site163/2008/0721/20080721111415PalinLetterofRecomend.pdf

I have witnessed Mike’s gift of calm and kindness towards many young kids here in Wasilla. I have never seen him raise his voice, nor lose patience, nor become aggitated in the presence of any child. Instead, Mike consistently remains a fine role model for my own children, and other young people in Wasilla.

I believe the United States Air Force has been fortunate to have the services of Mike these past 10 years. His work ethic, his American Patriotism, his obvious dedication to traditional values, and his strong faith in God and truth is witnessed in Mike’s everyday living.

Monegan fired by Palin’s

http://www.adn.com/politics/story/463340.html

Gov. Sarah Palin appointed Walt Monegan as commissioner of public safety shortly after her election in 2006. On Friday, Palin’s chief of staff told Monegan he was being replaced.

The news came “out of the blue,” said Monegan, a former Anchorage police chief.

“If the governor was upset with me for one thing or another, it had never been communicated to me,” he said in an interview Saturday evening.

The big question — why?

Palin denies accusation over firing of Monegan

http://www.adn.com/politics/story/468174.html

A feud within the family of Gov. Sarah Palin spilled into the public Thursday with accusations she tried to get a state trooper fired and she then fired the trooper’s boss because he wouldn’t act on her request

In an interview Thursday, Palin vigorously denied that her dismissal last week of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan had anything to do with her dislike of state trooper Mike Wooten, her sister’s ex-husband
“To allege that I, or any member of my family, requested, received or released confidential personnel information on an Alaska State Trooper, or directed disciplinary action be taken against any employee of the Department of Public Safety, is, quite simply, outrageous,” Palin said
Later in the day, a spokesman for the troopers’ labor union, the Public Safety Employees Association, held a press conference saying Wooten has been unfairly targeted by the governor’s family
The spokesman, John Cyr, also released a several-inch-thick file of the troopers’ own investigation into charges from Palin, her husband, Todd, and other members of her family that Wooten committed unethical and illegal acts, which they said included drunken driving and illegal hunting
The charges were made in 2005, as Wooten and Palin’s sister were divorcing and before Palin ran for governor. They concerned Wooten’s behavior in the preceding years. The acrimony continues today.
For the most part, trooper investigators found that the accusations were unsubstantiated, but in at least two cases — Wooten’s illegally killing of a moose in 2003 and his Tasering of his 11-year-old stepson — were confirmed. The troopers later disciplined him for them.
Wooten and Palin’s younger sister, Molly McCann, initiated their divorce in 2005 and finalized it that same year. But their case remains open as they battle over the couple’s two young children, child support and visitation rights.
Sarah and Todd Palin became involved after the couple separated.

Palin was protective of her sister, according to court documents
Regarding the Taser, Cyr said Wooten was teaching the child about what if feels like to be hit by the stun gun.
On Thursday, the governor held little regard for the trooper. She and her husband said they do not believe Wooten has what it takes to be a state cop.

Monegan says he was pressured to fire cop

http://www.adn.com/politics/story/469135.html

Former Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan on Friday said that since Gov. Sarah Palin took office, members of her administration and family pressured him to fire a Palmer Alaska State Trooper to whom her sister was involved in a bitter child custody battle
Monegan said phone calls and questions from the Palin administration and the governor’s husband, Todd Palin, about trooper Mike Wooten started shortly after Monegan was hired and continued up to one or two months ago.
The governor herself also had a brief conversation with him about Wooten in February, Monegan said.
But Monegan says pressure came from those around Palin, including former Palin chief-of-staff Mike Tibbles, Department of Administration Commissioner Annette Kreitzer, and director of boards and commissions Frank Bailey
“They weren’t getting the message.” Monegan said. “The fact that they tried for better than a year while I was there is kind of indicative that somebody was trying to pressure something. Because they were trying different venues and different people.
Todd Palin called a meeting with Monegan to specifically talk about Wooten shortly after his wife took office in December 2006, Todd Palin said on Friday
Todd Palin showed Monegan the work of a private investigator the Palins hired. The Palins accused Wooten of drunken driving, illegal hunting and child abuse, among other charges.
Bailey was the latest to contact him about Wooten. He called a trooper commander, and several others, before the calls ended up in Monegan’s lap. Monegan called him back.

Lawmakers may look into Monegan firing

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/469137.html

State legislators are talking about hiring a special investigator to dig into the circumstances surrounding Gov. Sarah Palin’s firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.
“That’s the only thing I can think of, if you want to get to the truth and be unbiased,” said Senate President Lyda Green, a Wasilla Republican. “Otherwise, speculation just continues.”
Senate Judiciary chairman Hollis French said he agrees with Green that “there is a problem in the (Palin) administration” and legislators should look into the firing

Legislators vote to have independent investigator look into controversial firing.

http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/478090.html

Alaska legislators on Monday voted to spend up to $100,000 to investigate Gov. Sarah Palin’s controversial firing of former state Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.
The decision came from the Legislative Council, a bipartisan panel of state senators and representatives.
On Monday, the council voted 12-0 to spend up to $100,000 “to investigate the circumstances and events surrounding the termination of former Public Safety Commissioner Monegan, and potential abuses of power and/or improper actions by members of the executive branch.”
Supporters as well as detractors of the Republican governor generally agreed the legislative investigation is needed into the circumstances leading up to Monegan’s dismissal

Bombshell in commissioner controversy

http://www.ktva.com/ci_10195264

after weeks of denying she, or anyone from her office, pressured former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire state trooper Michael Wooten, Wednesday, Governor Sarah Palin had to backtrack.
She admitted a member of her administration had made calls that could be perceived as pressure. On Wednesday afternoon Governor Palin released a recording of a phone call that she says she was just made aware of.
specifically, most disturbing, is a telephone recording apparently made by the troopers and preserved documenting a call that was placed to the Dept. of Public Safety manager by my boards and commissioners director Frank Bailey.

Now that entire conversation was over twenty minutes long. The phone call was between Frank Bailey and Trooper Rodney Dial who was at the time the legislative liaison for the state troopers
“There is a gentleman by the name of Mike Wooten who is a trooper in the Valley,” said Bailey to Dial. “There is a family tie with the Governor there. And because of that, my understanding is that Walt has been very reluctant to take any action. But there is some very clear facts out there.”

Bailey continues to say, “So you just got some inside on the other stuff. It’s going to be interesting. The general feeling is we don’t know why this guy is still working.”
Palin has said there was at least 24 phone calls made to the Department of Public Safety by at least six members of her staff, including one by her husband Todd.

Despite VP nomination, Palin investigation continues

http://www.ktva.com/ci10339580?source=mostviewed

Trooper in Palin probe tells his side

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/05/palin.trooper/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Mike Wooten, Palin’s former brother-in-law, also denies some of the biggest allegations against him, including drinking while driving.
“I made mistakes. I fessed up to them. I was punished appropriately, and I’m moving on,” said Wooten, 36, who went through a long, messy divorce and custody battle with Palin’s sister.
Speaking Thursday to CNN’s Drew Griffin and Kathleen Johnston, Wooten gave his account of the Taser incident but denied ever drinking while driving.

He said that he was a new Taser instructor, and his stepson was asking him about the equipment. “I didn’t shoot him with live, you know, actual live cartridge,” Wooten said.

Instead, he said, he hooked his stepson up to a training aid “with little clips. And, you know, the Taser was activated for less than a second, which would be less than what you would get if you touched an electric fence. … It was as safe as I could possibly make it.”
He said his stepson was on the living room floor surrounded by pillows, that he “was bragging about it,” and that the family laughed about it.

Asked whether it was a dumb decision, Wooten told CNN, “absolutely.”,

The 2006 report called the incident an example of “extremely poor judgment,” and noted that he has been trained in “the risks associated with use of the weapon on a child.”
The father of three, who was married four times, told CNN, “I’m trying to move on and be the best dad I can to my children. Be the best trooper that I can be. You know, I love my job. I love this state.”

]]> http://www.redstate.com/edgeofthestorm/2008/09/05/palin-vs-wooten/feed/ 5