IMPEACH BUSH

Sarah Palin has been hit by a corruption scandal as the Republicans lose ground in the race for the White House.

An ethics inquiry found the US vice-presidential candidate abused her position as governor of Alaska when she sacked the state's public safety commissioner Walt Monegan over a family feud.

Palin, 44, had tried to pressure Mr Monegan into firing state trooper Michael Wooten, who was embroiled in a messy divorce with her sister.

The inquiry found that while it was within the governor's authority to dismiss Monegan, she violated public trust by pressuring those who worked for her to advance her personal wishes.

"Governor Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda, to wit: to get Trooper Michael Wooten fired," the report said.

The finding cast a cloud over John McCain's controversial choice of running mate for the November 4 election as Barack Obama's Democrats surge ahead in the polls.

The McCain-Palin campaign had dismissed the report, saying it was a "partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters".

A Newsweek poll gave Mr Obama an 11-point lead over McCain at 52 per cent compared to 41 per cent. A month ago the same poll had the two candidates tied at 46 percent.

Mr McCain has toned down his attacks on Mr Obama, to the consternation of his supporters.

Republicans booed at a Minneapolis rally when Mr McCain said Mr Obama was a "decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared (of) as president of the United States".

Mr McCain added: "We want to fight and I will fight. But we will be respectful. I admire Senator Obama and his accomplishments."

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