State rep seeks witness-tampering probe in Palin inquiry

A Democratic state representative in Alaska asked state troopers Wednesday to investigate possible witness tampering in a legislative investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin's decision to fire the state's public safety commissioner.

Since Palin became Sen. John McCain's running mate, at least three witnesses have declined to cooperate despite receiving subpoenas in the investigation, Rep. Les Gara said Wednesday in a letter to the director of the Alaska State Troopers.

The McCain campaign dismissed Gara's letter and reiterated its position that Palin will cooperate with a state Personnel Board investigation instead of the legislative probe, which the campaign has described as being "tainted" with partisan politics.

"This is nothing more than an absurd political maneuver from a partisan Democrat working with the Obama campaign," McCain spokeswoman Meg Stapleton said in a statement.