Sarah Palin Steps Down as Governor: Let the speculation commence

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:59 pm

[url="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/palin-to-resign-as-governor-of-alaska/?partner=rss&emc=rss"]Palin to Resign as Governor of Alaska[/url]

Update | 5:30 p.m. Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced Friday that she would step down by the end of the month and not seek a second term as governor, fueling speculation that she is seriously weighing whether to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

Ms. Palin, who was Senator John McCain’s vice presidential running mate last year and solidified the support of the party’s conservative base, explained her decision at a news conference at her home in Wasilla, Alaska, accompanied by her husband, Todd, and other family members.

“We know we can effect positive change outside of government,” she said in making the announcement.

Known as Sarah Barracuda when she played basketball in high school, Ms. Palin used point guard analogy in explaining her decision, saying she knows “exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.”

She said that she planned to hand over the reins of the state government to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who would be sworn in at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks later this month.

“This decision came after much consideration,” Ms. Palin told reporters gathered at her home, and added, “I really don’t want to disappoint anyone with this announcement.”

There had been wide speculation that she would seek to be the Republican Party’s presidential candidate in 2012. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, who is also considered to be a leading Republican candidate for president in 2012, announced last month that he would not seek re-election.

By leaving office early, Ms. Palin, a 45-year-old mother of five, will be able to travel around the country more freely and not be constrained by the duties and responsibilities of being a governor.

“Some are going to question the timing of this, and let me say this decision has been in the works for quite a while,” she said.

Ms. Palin arrived on the political scene in Alaska in 2006, a self-described “hockey mom” and small-town mayor who ousted the incumbent governor to become the youngest person and first woman to hold the post.

Two years later, Senator McCain drafted her as his running mate. During the fall campaign, she was by far the most polarizing figure on the trail, drawing huge, devoted Republican crowds, but deeply negative reactions from Democrats and many independents.

In addition to Ms. Palin and Mr. Pawlenty, several other Republicans are being viewed as potential candidates, including some who have seriously damaged their chances through self-inflicted wounds.

Gov. Bobby Jindal of Lousiana, 38, considered a rising star in the party, was sharply ridiculed in February after delivering a flat Republican response to a speech by President Obama to a joint session of Congress. And two others with presidential aspirations — Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Senator John Ensign of Nevada — both admitted that they had been involved in extramarital affairs.

Oh, and this article in [url="http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2009/08/sarah-palin200908"]Vanity Fair[/url] is worth the read for anybody interested in more.

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:59 pm

She's running for president. Simple as that. Not sure its the smartest idea to quit your duties as an governor in order to start fundraising, but I suppose she might argue that she's doing what's best for her constituents.

Honestly, I hope she gets the GOP nomination, because I don't think she has a chance of winning a general election. I don't think the democrats could possibly screw up enough over the next three years to make people think she's somehow qualified to be president.

sexyhotgamer09 · Post by **sexyhotgamer09** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:54 pm

Nightmare wrote:She's running for president. Simple as that. Not sure its the smartest idea to quit your duties as an governor in order to start fundraising, but I suppose she might argue that she's doing what's best for her constituents.

Honestly, I hope she gets the GOP nomination, because I don't think she has a chance of winning a general election. I don't think the democrats could possibly screw up enough over the next three years to make people think she's somehow qualified to be president.

I totally agree with you.. This is a terrible decision that she made coz quiting your duties while your still in the position can make people's mind that she's not a responsible being.. If she want to be a president, she need to become a role model first by doing her duties as a governor.. Well this is only my opinion

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:03 pm

sexyhotgamer09 wrote: coz quiting your duties while your still in the position can make people's mind that she's not a responsible being..

Except that she started demonstrating her complete lack of responsibility LONG before this....

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:52 pm

It would be interesting if the GOP ran her as a candidate.

She certainly was a "polarizing" figure in the election. Some people really love her. However, many conservatives fear her and all she represents.

Her nomination could drive a wedge between red and blue conservatives. The highly educated among the Republican elite certainly don't like her or what she represents.

If you haven't watched it, view Powell's endorsement of Obama. YouTube - Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama

He's a man that is universally respected, and he is troubled by how far right the GOP is going, and the selection of Palin.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:26 pm

dragon wench wrote:Except that she started demonstrating her complete lack of responsibility LONG before this....

Yes, Palin is one of a handful of governors that has been grandstanding by refusing all federal funds. Which means half or more of the monies needed to pay for mental hospitals, police and fire departments, road upkeep, public schools, etc. Tens of thousands of jobs that would be lost--but she wanted to put her ambitions for the 2012 GOP presidential candidacy first.

She's also been tainted by several scandals involving the misuse of state funds, harassing state employees, and nepotism in supposedly merit-related contract awards. Not to mention the vast ignorance she has displayed upon any number of issues.

One of the most interesting and thoughtful of political blogs, Washington Monthly, run by a longtime thinktank type and activist, has this to note:

My unfounded speculation: I do not believe for a moment that this is about taking time off to prepare for 2012. Nothing I know about Sarah Palin leads me to believe that she would give up power voluntarily, let alone for something that is such a long shot, and in such a transparently self-destructive way.

He is has a very good point. Meanwhile, there's this very recent post on another site, from Shannyn Moore, who's considered a Palin authority by some:

Okay, I've now been able to get independent information from multiple sources that all of this precedes what are said to be possible federal indictments against Palin, concerning an embezzlement scandal related to the building of Palin's house and the Wasilla Sports Complex built during her tenure as Mayor. Both structures, it is said, feature the "same windows, same wood, same products." Federal investigators have been looking into this for some time, and indictments could be imminent, according to the Alaska sources.

Then, there's this, up at The Daily Beast:

One logical place to start looking is the affair that has Alaska political circles buzzing: an alleged scandal centered around a building contractor, Spenard Building Supplies, with close ties to Palin and her husband, Todd. Many political observers in Alaska are fixated on rumors that federal investigators have been seizing paperwork from SBS in recent months, searching for evidence that Palin and her husband Todd steered lucrative contracts to the well-connected company in exchange for gifts like the construction of their home on pristine Lake Lucille in 2002.

All this is of course speculation, but it will be interesting to see if anything breaks, and soon.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:25 pm

Dont' know much about local American politics - but that woman scares me.
Anybody who can present themselves so dumb, so ignorant and still get a following .... *shudders*

Off the top of my head I did at first think it was to start focusing more on the president candidacy, and because she wanted to take a much more profiled place in the opposition to Barack Obama, but something doesn't really add up.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:53 pm

It wouldn't surprise me at all if Palin is planning to make a bid for 2012. No doubt there are a certain coterie of Republicans keen to take advantage of her ambition, while exploiting her lack of wits to their own ends...

It is also probable, I'd think, that Alaska probably isn't the best springboard from which to launch a nomination bid.. given that it's pretty remote. Presumably she wants the freedom to travel across the country rather than be tethered to the most northern reaches of the continent.

Loki[D.d.G] · Post by **Loki[D.d.G]** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 1:14 am

Cool! An airhead running for president. I wonder what she can promise to the average voter to gain their vote... Very unflattering and silly things come to mind
[QUOTE=dragon wench]
It wouldn't surprise me at all if Palin is planning to make a bid for 2012. No doubt there are a certain coterie of Republicans keen to take advantage of her ambition, while exploiting her lack of wits to their own ends...[/QUOTE]

An interesting point. And one i am inclined to agree with

Ode to a Grasshopper · Sat Jul 04, 2009 1:40 am

Got the net back for a while at least...

Nightmare wrote:She's running for president. Simple as that.

Oh please oh please oh please...

Nightmare wrote:Honestly, I hope she gets the GOP nomination, because I don't think she has a chance of winning a general election. I don't think the democrats could possibly screw up enough over the next three years to make people think she's somehow qualified to be president.

What I wouldn't give to see the Obama/Palin TV debates. Watching McCain was like watching Grampa Simpson run for President (i.e. too pathetic to make for truly entertaining viewing), but Palin...Quite besides gems from last time like "Say it ain't so, Joe" and "I can see Russia from my house!", just watching Obama try to keep a straight face would be worth the price of admission alone. That and more Tina Fey airtime...oh please oh please oh please.:laugh:

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:59 am

She actually does surprisingly well in debates, since expectations are so very low for her. I was expecting her debate with Joe Biden last October to be a slaughter, but she held her own in the eyes of the public despite blatantly saying she wasn't really going to answer the question for one near the end. But in a general, she's too nuts and too hateful of the media to be successful in any right.

I think one reason why she's resigning so soon is to dodge any ethics charges and allegations. If she quits now, they go nowhere and no one will remember in 3 years. If she stays, they might stick and be key points about how she might be a corrupt politician in power. She has something like 15 ethics charges pending right now, not counting ones that have already transpired.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:05 am

Nightmare wrote:She actually does surprisingly well in debates, since expectations are so very low for her. I was expecting her debate with Joe Biden last October to be a slaughter, but she held her own in the eyes of the public despite blatantly saying she wasn't really going to answer the question for one near the end.

She only "held her own" because 1) Biden is a well-intentioned but tongue-tied idiot, and 2) the DC pundit class ignored content and focused on telling the audience how good she looked. Gods, Matthews practically needed a change of pants.

But in a general, she's too nuts and too hateful of the media to be successful in any right.

She hates a lot of people, and she's singled out many groups for vicious attacks. Not for nothing was she nicknamed in high school "Barracuda."

I think one reason why she's resigning so soon is to dodge any ethics charges and allegations. If she quits now, they go nowhere and no one will remember in 3 years. If she stays, they might stick and be key points about how she might be a corrupt politician in power. She has something like 15 ethics charges pending right now, not counting ones that have already transpired.

Complete and utter agreement.

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:21 am

fable wrote:She only "held her own" because 1) Biden is a well-intentioned but tongue-tied idiot, and 2) the DC pundit class ignored content and focused on telling the audience how good she looked. Gods, Matthews practically needed a change of pants.

Biden doesn't quite know when to shut his mouth, but he learned to be quite a good debater during his run for president. A number of people were expecting him to get angry and exasperated at Palin, and he didn't. In terms of content, he creamed Palin, but because of the expectations game, Biden only had a soft victory (if that). And while I do agree about the pundits, I can't really blame them for focusing on what most of their viewers cared about.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:27 pm

We'll just have to agree to differ on Biden. He's made stupid, run-off-the-top-of-his-mouth comments regularly for decades. IMO, he didn't win because he was too busy giving his usual impression of being Mr. Nice to go for the jugular, even when he repeatedly had Mrs. Einstein against the ropes. Her performance was abysmal. So was her performance as governor since returning from the campaign trail. To quote the law wonk site Lawyers, Guns and Money:

It's hard to overstate how badly she performed in Alaska this year. She lost fights with the legislature over stimulus funding, the state budget, and cabinet appointments, and she fought against the residents state capital by pushing a succession of unqualified goofballs into line for an interim job as Juneau's state senator.

The latter refers back to a scandal of mishandling that Palin did, earlier this year:

Meantime, Palin is engaged in a less nationally-visible effort to deny a state senate appointment to a highly popular and competent state house member -- Juneau Democrat Beth Kerttula -- who happened to voice the uncontroversial view last August that Palin was "not ready" to be Vice President. When state Sen. Kim Elton resigned last month to take a job with the US Department of the Interior, Palin was obligated by state law to name a registered Democrat to replace him; the local party organization forwarded Kerttula's name to Palin as its sole recommendation -- a decision that was reasonable, given Kerttula's surpassing qualifications for the job and given the near-certainty that she'll win the seat outright next year during the fall elections. Palin, however, opted instead to nominate a conservative legislative aide, Tim Grussendorf, who had actually switched his party affiliation to qualify for the job. Palin wasn't required by law to accept the local party's recommendation; by the same token, the senate Democrats weren't required to accept her choice. And so yesterday, the senate Democrats rejected Grussendorf by a majority vote in closed session.

Vindictiveness, petty-mindedness, and a narrow concern for one's constituents are a hallmark of politicians, everywhere. Where Palin slips the moorings is that she acts spiteful all the time, against enemies and friends. She also has alienated the national GOP, and caused many highly placed members of her own GOP in Alaska to denounce her. In short, she has only one real constituent whose concerns she cares about, herself.

Nightmare wrote:And while I do agree about the pundits, I can't really blame them for focusing on what most of their viewers cared about.

This is a game the DC pundits love to play:

"Hello, we are incredibly smart and savvy about DC goings-on."

"Then why do you never show your intelligence, and always sound like idiots, never questioning what you're told by politicians and political spokesperons?"

"Because our audience isn't intelligent enough to want us to question anything. They only want us to report exactly what's said whether or not it's truthful, and comment on clothes, etc."

"Then what makes you different from stenographers and gossip columnists?

"Because we're DC pundits. Hello, we are incredibly smart and savvy about DC goings-on."

For eight years under Bush they simply reported whatever his administration stated (with the exception of Helen Thomas, who was routinely ignored during Q&A sessions by the White House). Now they ask about such important issues as taking a weekend vacation and Michael Jackson's death. These pundits are intellectually craven and lazy people who desperately want attention as national hangers-on. They aren't chosen for their posts because of knowledge, but because they can put up both paws and bark on command. And as you can tell, I don't buy their argument about dumbing the goods down because people want it that way, because it's self-serving and illogical even on its face.

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:50 pm

Palin probably will run for President. I figure the next election may well be a "substitute teacher" situation for the Republican party. She seems like the perfect sacrificial lamb to offer up to lose next go round. She could be going on advice that is telling her she needs to step down now so she can get out from under the Alaskan issues and let things die down. I don't see how that helps, because it paints her as a quitter, but she seems dense enough to think it would work out for her.

As far as those who may be advising her, what do they care? The Republican party is a mess right now. I think they probably know it's not actually gonna help her win a Presidential election, but I don't think they really are going to want to run a serious candidate anyway. Unless something changes at some point, they don't have much chance next election as far as I can see anyway. Palin gives them the option of running a candidate that they can pass off as being legit considering how much the party already had invested in her. And the kicker? She wouldn't even know she was being offered up to the slaughter.

Loki[D.d.G] · Post by **Loki[D.d.G]** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:07 pm

Just thought i'd post a [url="http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/04/alaska.parnell.palin/index.html"]CNN article[/url] with some reactions towards Palin stepping down as governor. I'll have to admit, the title really caught my eye and gave me a good chuckle. I'd say oil is Alaska's greatest gift to the US.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:59 pm

Bloodstalker wrote:Palin probably will run for President. I figure the next election may well be a "substitute teacher" situation for the Republican party. She seems like the perfect sacrificial lamb to offer up to lose next go round. She could be going on advice that is telling her she needs to step down now so she can get out from under the Alaskan issues and let things die down. I don't see how that helps, because it paints her as a quitter, but she seems dense enough to think it would work out for her.

As far as those who may be advising her, what do they care? The Republican party is a mess right now. I think they probably know it's not actually gonna help her win a Presidential election, but I don't think they really are going to want to run a serious candidate anyway. Unless something changes at some point, they don't have much chance next election as far as I can see anyway. Palin gives them the option of running a candidate that they can pass off as being legit considering how much the party already had invested in her. And the kicker? She wouldn't even know she was being offered up to the slaughter.

That actually makes considerable sense...
Further, it would achieve several goals at once. Palin would be the sacrificial lamb in a race the Republicans are likely to lose.. and once Palin had made an even bigger ass of herself than she did during the recent campaign... her political career would probably be over.. which would fall nicely into the plans of those party elites who view her as dangerous.

I mean, hey... If I were a member of the party brass... I'd be gleefully rubbing my hands together right about now and saying, "Let her run, let her run... Oh PLEASE let her run.."

Though, I do also suspect that part of her stepping down so abruptly probably is related to looming scandals..

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:49 pm

Further, it would achieve several goals at once. Palin would be the sacrificial lamb in a race the Republicans are likely to lose.. and once Palin had made an even bigger ass of herself than she did during the recent campaign... her political career would probably be over.. which would fall nicely into the plans of those party elites who view her as dangerous.

The Republican game plan, which they've stated through a variety of representatives here in the US ad nauseum, is that they firmly expect to win in 2012--because they believe the Obama economic stimulus program will fail, and all those independents voters will come back to them. They don't see themselves as a failure. They see the rest of the country as failures who have misunderstood everything over the last 8 years, and that they will make a resounding comeback.

Palin was an absolute disaster, but not to many of the 20% or so in the nation that furnish core Republicans, the people who get all their info from Faux News and believe Palin is being targeted unfairly by key elements in the Obama administration, and the "librul media" (if you can find anything like that). Palin was a leading contender for what they felt would be a campaign of vindication and triumph. If she's the nominee in 2012, they will make her so because they feel she can win. It's a kind of DC rule that the Republicans are never responsible for their losses, while the Democrats never seem to understand when they've won anything.

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:04 pm

fable wrote: For eight years under Bush they simply reported whatever his administration stated (with the exception of Helen Thomas, who was routinely ignored during Q&A sessions by the White House).

With the exception of the coverage of Hurricane Katrina, I'm in full agreement. There's a number of clips of various newscasters (from CNN, ABC, even FOX News) that were reporting on-site in the aftermath of the disaster that went completely bonkers in their coverage and almost openly called government spokespeople outright liars (as they were). It was quite refreshing to see, to be honest, since it is probably how the media should usually cover things.

On a side note, Helen Thomas' book about being pretty much blacklisted by the Bush White House and the media corps there is an excellent read, and I highly recommend it.

The Republican game plan, which they've stated through a variety of representatives here in the US ad nauseum, is that they firmly expect to win in 2012--because they believe the Obama economic stimulus program will fail, and all those independents voters will come back to them.

Some of the more centrist Republicans can see the danger somewhat, and that's why you see some people like Bobby Jindal and like being pushed to the forefront as moderate and young (and in many cases, a minority) to oppose the Obama Administration. However, you definitely still have the crowd that love people like Palin and Huckabee trying to control the party, which is why they'll likely fail in 2012.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:24 pm

With the exception of the coverage of Hurricane Katrina, I'm in full agreement.

Yeah, I think the blatant incompetence involved in that one even got through the DC pundits' mind control domes. And of course, regional newscasters got involved, which took the emphasis into the so-called heartland, which, surprisingly enough, didn't give a **** about the DC pundits and their opinions.

Nightmare wrote:Some of the more centrist Republicans can see the danger somewhat, and that's why you see some people like Bobby Jindal and like being pushed to the forefront as moderate and young (and in many cases, a minority) to oppose the Obama Administration. However, you definitely still have the crowd that love people like Palin and Huckabee trying to control the party, which is why they'll likely fail in 2012.

And when you get into looking in depth at the so-called "moderate Republicans," you find highly conservative people who are by no means moderate. Take Jindal: he voted to make the draconian Patriot Act permanent. He sponsored the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act, which ends the moratorium on offshore gas and oil drilling on the outer continental shelf--hell, even the Republicans for Environmental Protection issued him a "environmental demerit" (as they call it) for it. He supports teaching creationism in public schools, camouflaged by the euphemism intelligent design. He approved the Sex Offender Chemical Castration Bill. He's voted against hate crime legislation. Opposed the 2009 Obama Stimulus Plan. Opposes same sex marriage. Opposes abortion for any reason. Opposes stem cell research. Supported the Iraqi invasion. Opposes a Palestinian state.

In other words, by any standard, he's a raving off-the-deep-end conservative loony. He's received a 100% rating from the National Right-to-Life Committee, an A rating from Gun Owners of America, and The National Review--the premier neo-con magazine--has called him "the fast-talking conservative." He just looks mild, and smiles a great deal.