The Guardian’s Michelle Goldberg reflects on the nasty, petty spirit that gave rise to Troopergate: “Yet given that there is still a chance – albeit a diminishing one – that Palin could soon be in a position of national political power, it’s worth looking at how she has exercised power in the past. As a window into how Palin might rule, Troopergate’s very pettiness is what makes it so troubling. We’re used to politicians who do favours for campaign contributors, who are too cozy with lobbyists and who resort to underhanded tactics against political foes. What we are not used to are politicians who use their offices to intervene in family quarrels and punish their relatives’ personal enemies. For the last eight years, we’ve suffered under an administration that sees no difference between politics and governing. Palin is something arguably worse, a person who sees no difference between her private life and her public duties. Even Dick Cheney, after all, hasn’t used his office to torment disfavoured former in-laws.”

Family Values

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