For journalists, the Open Records Act affords an invaluable tool in obtaining information that public officials should but don’t generally make accessible to the public. Numerous misdeeds have been uncovered through the years, thanks to those who take the time to dig just a little deeper.

However, Open Records requests can also lead to, well, nothing. No scandal, no misappropriation, no misconduct. Nothing at all of any particular interest to the public. Such is the case with the emails of Sarah Palin.

The Associated Press and other news agencies came together in 2008, requesting her emails during her tenure as governor of Alaska. It has taken more than two years and countless billable attorney hours to sift through the thousands of emails, redact any information deemed a state secret, and then to release the 24,000 pages worth of emails she amassed during 21 months as governor.

And what do the emails reveal? Nothing. No smoking gun. No stupid statements. No conspriracies. Nothing noteworthy whatsoever.

The emails show Palin working. They detail those who began approaching her as a potential vice presidential candidate. They show her taking care of state business as the media scrutiny became nearly unbearable during and after the defeat of the McCain-Palin ticket.

Palin has certainly had her share of embarrassing gaffes, misstatements, and unfortunate lapses of knowledge regarding historical events. Regardless, she remains a strong potential contender for the 2012 ticket.

Those looking for a scandal are undoubtedly disappointed following the release of the emails. And no doubt, Sarah Palin is having the last laugh at the AP’s expense.You betcha.