NEW : Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan 's refusal to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten from the state police force was `` likely a contributing factor '' to Monegan 's July dismissal , but Palin had the authority as governor to fire him , the report by former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower states . Report : The New York Times WASHINGTON -- President Obama is expected to announce a new strategy for Afghanistan on Tuesday, and it will be the first time he has spoken publicly about his plans since taking office in 2009. NEW : McCain campaign denounces affair as `` partisan-led inquiry '' Legislative panel investigating July dismissal of public safety commissioner .
NEW : Report : The New York Times WASHINGTON -- President Obama is expected to announce a new strategy for Afghanistan on Tuesday, and it will be the first time he has spoken publicly about his plans since taking office in 2009. NEW : McCain campaign denounces affair as `` partisan-led inquiry '' Legislative panel investigating July dismissal of public safety commissioner .