Palin: A new ethics policy is needed in Alaska

Governor Sarah Palin has hopes that at least one good thing will come out of the latest ethics complaint filed against her. The governor wants the filing of the complaint, even after she had announced that she will resign her office later this month, to be a "wake-up call" that a new ethics policy is needed in the state:

"The only saving grace in this recent episode is that it proves beyond any doubt the significance of the problem Alaska faces in the 'new normal' of political discourse," Palin said in a release that was posted online through her Twitter account.

"I hope this will be a wake-up call -- to legislators, to commentators and to citizens generally -- that we need a much more civil and respectful dialogue that focuses on the best interests of the state, rather than the petty resentments of a few," Palin said.

The most recent complaint, which was filed Friday, alleges that Gov. Palin has been paid for media interviews, a charge Mike Nizich, her chief of staff, says is absurd.

- JP