This news is so new I have no link to post at this time but it's been announced that Sarah Palin will be stepping down as Governor of Alaska in a few weeks and will not seek reelection.
First it was announced that she wasn't seeking a second term but then moments later it came out that she's actually stepping down at the end of July. Of course, since she gave no reason, there is much speculation.
Any thoughts? Is there some scandal about to break, does she just want to "spend more time with her family" as they ALL say or is she going to concentrate on the national stage?
Annie
[question posted by anniepa]responses and comments:
If she plans on going National this is not the way to do it! Don't ya think? Who would vote for someone that left office with 18 months left! Lots more to come out on this!wink tdemex [tdemex]
She is bad. This adds to lack of dedication and the ability to complete and improve an area. Maintaining an area to help in this time is important. Why? Leave when she can help make a difference. Note no on pale palin. Ms untranparent [doggyhouz]
Yeah! I hope this is the end of the rebublican witch! Maybe she stepped down so she could do a playboy spread! I think she had something to hide and didn't hide it well and maybe this has come out, it should be interesting to find out why she quit. [whywiki]
The intelligent person would clearly see my comment was about the name calling, ran. If I were going to say something offensive about Michelle Obama I could come up with something a lot better than that. Now, you just go on and grow up. Try to get a bit of commonsense along the way. [irishidid]
if she had plans of going national than she would not be stepping down. She would not step out of the limelight just to try to get back in it later. I think her AND her family are sick of the media spot light. Especially for her kids. The media attacked them like no tomorrow. I think they stepped over the line with her kids several times. It is ok to go after an elected offical.....but no their family. But who knows if that is the reason. Maybe something else is going on we don't know about. Maybe a great job offer came up for her that would have her kids out of the media glare. Maybe there is scandel and she is stepping down BEFORE it breaks. Who knows. But I am sure we will find out sooner or later. [lilwonders456]
And about her 14 month old with Down's syndrome that you don't think anyone has attacked, please read this. The Huffington Post issued an apology Friday evening for an article about the resignation of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin posted at their website entitled, Palin Will Run In '12 On More Retardation Platform, written by HuffPo writer Erik Sean Nelson. They pulled the article, but here's a place you can read what was in it: http://www.thehotjoints.com/2009/07/03/huffington-post-palin-will-run-in-12-on-more-retardation-platform/ Now, let's put aside any partisanship or even stop thinking about Palin at all and discuss whether any mother should have to put up with people making fun of her disabled child in an effort to discredit her. This is the most shameful thing I have ever seen, I hope you think so too. Maybe now you will see why resigning for her family is not such a wild and crazy idea. Most mothers would do anything to save their children from this sort of disgusting attack. [Rollo1]
It's a little hard to believe that a person who likes to be in the limelite as much as she does would step down from a governorship. It wouldn't make sense at all if she is planning to run on a national ticket, to give up her position as a governor. Maybe she has decided that her family is more important and they need her to be at their side? [iriscot]
It's all very confusing to me, iris, I have no idea what's going on in her mind. I finally found the exact transcript of Andrea Mitchell's report from earlier this evening on MSNBC: "Talking to people who are very close to Sarah Palin, I have been told that she has told her supporters that she is out of politics, period. She is fed up with politics. She doesn't like her life. She feels like she has to raise her family. She's sick of the commute from Wasilla to the capital and she really does not want to run for higher office. This is not the case where she is stepping down in order to figure the way for a presidential run. In fact, she has told some of her biggest backers in the national Republican Party that they are free to choose other candidates for 2012." Palin spokesperson Megan Stapleton has said that isn't true so who knows what the truth is! Annie [anniepa]
This is very surprising to me. Either she is giving up any hopes of a future career in politics, or is trying to get out ahead of some damaging news. She is one of the last people I would expect to step down for almost any reason. [milkmaid]
I just watched it for the first time, (I know, how did I avoid it?!) and I totally agree. She did seem more scattered than usual. I am going to be nice, and give her credit and say maybe she was nervous because she realized she was killing the chances of holding a higher office. [milkmaid]
As a person, I like her. As a gop member, I will never vote for her. She has had sooo many different accusations, that were unfounded, she could have gotten to the point of "screw this, I dont need this headache anymore. [General_Spacey]
General, every politican gets called on the carpet from time to time. It is how you react that tells you about that person. This move doesn't make sense at all, she protected herself from any investigation by putting friends in position that could investigate her. And, she loved the spot light, so either she has a gig with FOX News, or something bad is out there, and she is getting out before it comes out. [thegreatdebater]
I can't speculate why she's stepping down. My guess would be her family means more to her than politics and she made the decision for them. I doubt there was any scandal seeing as she's already been run through the mud and she's clearly tougher than that. [irishidid]
It's always tough on the families of any politician and I feel for them, regardless of party and whether I support the political member of the family or not. Just being in the public eye and having your every move scrutinized is bad enough even if there aren't any actual "attacks". From hearing some political figures themselves talk about it I gather that it's harder on the family members and spouses than it is on the politicians themselves. Both of the Clinton's have said in separate interviews that it was worse for each of them when the other was being attacked than when they were being attacked themselves and I can understand that. That having been said, I also think most political families are well aware of what goes with the territory and while I don't doubt for one minute that Palin's family is everything to her it doesn't make sense that it would suddenly get to be too much NOW, at this point in time. Annie [anniepa]
Maybe she will run for the Senate. [K46620]
I think Sarah Palin knows exactly what she's doing and is saying to other 'I don't need you' this woman is very driven which to me looks very scary at times but I think she may have gotten an invitation in the Energy sector and she knows its not a wise choose to quit her term early so abruptly but I think she's fed up with politics and being told to keep quiet because its not in her nature and she's shown in her speech she's not giving lip service any more--phew [revellanotvanella]
I thought she was kind of scary today...lol! Her spokesperson said she's gotten all kinds of offers just today but she wouldn't elaborate on what they were. When Anderson Cooper talked to her she was rambling on almost as badly as Sarah had done. Annie [anniepa]
Sure there is lots to come, I'm a big Palin supporter but am suspect to this move and I can't wait to here more from her, not her bashers. [foursox212]
Well, her rambling speech was nervous and flaky. I think something is really wrong. You do think of some secret or looming scandal, but then that is how we're prone to think. Look at the continual b.s. about Obama. I don't think Palin will have much future on the national stage after announcing like this that she thinks she can do more good "out of government." The point guard quitting in the fourth quarter would not make sense. Now, I did not like Sarah Palin as a potential vice president because I disagree with her so much politically. But I would be concerned about her health or her family. I think something's really wrong and if so,I'd feel badly for her. [Apple1]
That it came from a blogger is why I said it was a blogger and posted the link to a blog. I am glad if there is no indictment. I feel sorry for her family. But I have to say I do think there is a shoe that has not dropped. This was very strange timing and a very flaky delivery. Anyone can see why it would trigger rampant speculation. [Apple1]
I do not htink we have heard the last of her. I Beleive she preparing herself for the presidental race. ABC News' Kate Barrett Reports: Sarah Palin announced Friday that she will step down from her post as Alaska governor at the end of the month, and will not run for reelection. In a press conference from her Wasilla home, the Alaska governor said this decision has been in the works for awhile, and said, I'm not wired to operate under the same old politics as usual. There's been speculation that Palin has had her eye on the 2012 presidential race, but it's unclear why she's leaving before the end of her term. Her current run as governor ends in 2010. Palin did not take questions after her announcement, but compared herself to a good point guard facing a full court press from the national level. She knows exactly when to pass the ball so that a team can win, Palin said. Earlier this week, Palin and her political operation was portrayed in an unflattering light in the new Vanity Fair. Lieutenant Gov. Sean Parnell is next in line to become governor when Palin leaves the job. http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2009/07/gov-palin-to-resign-at-end-of-month.html [whiteheather39]
Hi Anniepa, happyI think she is just plain tired of the garbage. No one even knew Sarah Palin until she came out of the woodwork for Vice President. I had never heard of her. Since then, all the haters did nothing other than try to make her life miserable, trying to dig up garbage about her and her children. Even going so far to say her baby wasn't hers. I think she may be stepping down to regroup and come back as a contender for the Oval Office. Maybe she doesn't want that.. maybe she just wants to be a normal woman, wife, and mother. Life is different up there. Many people don't even have bathrooms like we do. I had a friend and his wife who lived in Alaska for years. They had an outhouse. When they went to the 'toilet' they took a rifle with them to protect themselves from bears and wolves. God bless her! Whatever she does, I wish the best for her. [OreoCookie3]
OMG, to have to use an outhouse in a "normal" climate would be bad enough but in ALASKA...??? God bless anyone that has to go through that! It will be interesting to see what unfolds in the coming days. Those who said the hurtful things about the kids, especially the baby, are disgusting and they sure don't speak for me and I don't want them on "my" side. Annie [anniepa]
Well Annie, I believe that this is yet another one of Palin's stunning political moves that will all but guarantee her the White House in the future! Yessiree...when it comes to politics, give me someone who will cut and run...and leave a trail of excuses a mile long behind...every time! [spalladino]
Good point, spall, she never said she wasn't going to take any of the benefits she'll receive as a FORMER governor, did she? Annie [anniepa]
Gov Sarah Palin will always do what she believes in her heart is the right thing to do if it be her love of family or country. She has said in her speech today it is unfair to the people of Alaska who has paid 2 million dollars of tax payers money fighting these 15 ethical court cases. Gov Sarah Palin has been cleared of all charges filed against her,Gov Palin pay $10,000 to re pay the tax payers for her children plane tickets around the state of Alaska so no one could accuse her of any wrong doing. Gov Palin said she can not do the job the people elected her to do because 90% of her time and even her staff time has been stole away from the people of Alaska as they answer case after case filed against the gov by her enemies,Gov Palin said this is just wrong for Alaska. As well she said she will not be a lame duck governor nor milk the state she loves for a pay check,she is stepping down because for Alaska it is the right thing to do inher eyes. Gov Palin steps down with a approval rating in the upper 50's,she remains a popular governor. Whatever Gov Sarah Palin dose in the future she will remain a star,she is admired and love by many millions of middle class Americans all across the United States,I wish Gov Sarah Palin and all the Plain family,peace,love and joy. [kennyrose]
Milkmaid, Apple and Spall - thanks to you all for saying what I wish I'd have said. I try to reply to those who respond to me but you did it better than I could have. Rose, as always thanks for participating in my discussion but once again I must respectfully disagree with what you've written. Palin was anything but clear in her speech, in fact she was all over the place and made little sense. I got that she's quitting instead of finishing her term, she supports our troops who fight for their states and dead fish go with the flow...lol! Annie [anniepa]
Personally. I am just glad that she didn't become out vice president! Would she have quit and left us with no one to back up our Pres? I am surprised, though and I hope that it isn't a health issue! [PSmith721]
I havent heard this yet. I dont think she should let them get to her. However, she has made it very clear that her family comes first. I am sure she has her reasons. I dont think this will be the last we hear from her. dl [dloveli]
I think there is something bad coming. This is a women that has fought very hard to prove everyone wrong about all of the law suites and accusations of wrong doing. Then she comes out and leaves with very short notice? Something doesn't sound right here. [thegreatdebater]
My thoughts exactly! Annie [anniepa]
I bet the people of the "great state of Alaska" lol are breathing a sign of relief tonight. I think it's very strange and I'm sure that there is something big coming. I mean this is of course the "pitbull with lipstick" and a real pitbull doesn't give up because it's getting it's butt kicked. A real pitbull keeps fighting until the death. What a great pitbull LMAO [ZephyrSun]
Hi, Annie! Since their very popular governor made a total buffoon of herself in many ways during the presidential campaign and soon after, her popularity has plummeted. Her integrity has been questioned, and there's little question about her personal ideals, as she's shown herself to be wily but not very intelligent. Alaska must be very relieved. [cobrateacher]
I would suspect she wants to spend more time with her family, but I am not above of suspecting that the horrible insults she got from Democrats, the Media and some of the public (not to mention anti-Republians here on mylOT) that the general bad reception being accused of some many things that Democrats could get away with and felt it better to step down rather then let her anger increase and she explode. As a woman, I know how she feels. I will let something bottle up inside of me and then eventually I will explode. Sarah Palin did not want to come to that stage. No scandal, just common sense. When she feels that she can best answer her opponents, she may go back into politics. [suspenseful]
She did appear to be about to "explode" as she made her announcement. Annie [anniepa]
Didn't she say in her speech that she did not want to cost the taxpayers of Alaska more money? She could have done what most politicians do and milk the taxpayers while they politic. But she is not doing that. If she gets money to politic from book sales, donations or where ever, who cares??? It's not public moneyu anymore. IT'S HERS!! I think too, the as has been noted in a CNN discussion, her geographic location in Alaska, makes it impossible for her to travel as freely as it is in the lower 48. To that end, if she does not want to field critism for the travel and time, then she has done exactly the right thing in an honourable step down. She is being her own point guard and is simply passing the ball. She is every bit a winner. During the primaries last year I was taken to task for not supporting Hillary Clinton. I concluded that there was nothing wrong with a woman for president. Just not THAT ruthless biitch. Sarah is easily the least opportunist politician that I have seen. Some of you may disagree. Oh well... [BCMike]
One more thing... while i have my mind on it. This sense of entitlement that the dems have... why should a rich person be punished for their success? Sarah Palin isn't like that. She has shown over and over again that she cares about everyone's finances, not just the ones that have their hands out. We need the rich people of this country to keep jobs. If you try to hurt the rich over and over again with taxes for this and that you will actually cause job losses. Who ever found gainful employment from poor people? Not many. We need the wealthy for jobs, but we don't need to punish them for success. I think Sarah Palin would make a fine president, and would stop all the t*t sucking off the government. [OreoCookie3]
There's been a lot of state funds and her own personal funds wasted on spurious and unfounded complaints of ethics violations. There are groups that spend a lot of time trying to bring her down. They haven't proved anything that they have charged her with, but she has had to live through the personal and professional attacks as well as foot the bill for some of the legal services she's had to get in order to defend against them. Her children have been and continue to be targets for ridicule, she even spoke of some insults directed at her 14 month old son who has Down's syndrome. Whether she plans to enter politics on the national level or not is unclear. But at this time I think she feels that it's too much for her family to handle when she's not intending to seek another term. To go through all this just to stay on through the end of this term doesn't seem worth it to her. Naturally everyone assumes there's some huge scandal about to break, but they may be very disappointed. There's already been much ado about nothing. [Rollo1]
The point about being a lame duck is that it's costing a lot of money for her to defend her position as governor and this won't stop. Legal problems? Wouldn't you call 15 separate scurrilous complaints that had to be defended, 15 unfounded complaints that were ultimately dismissed, legal problems? She doesn't have to have done anything to have legal problems. One woman who has had her complaint dismissed is still pursuing further actions. These people who are attacking her are not going away just because they haven't found anything yet. Try to imagine for a moment that you don't know who Sarah Palin is and you were told that an elected official had gone through 15 legal battles to prove that her accusers were wrong and she was innocent of all their charges. Wouldn't you wonder if those who are doing this were just on a personal vendetta? It's a case of throwing enough sh*t and hoping that eventually some will stick. Maybe Palin is just sick of being a target. [Rollo1]
i know i cant belive it omg [sxebrian]
I think this is all fishy, and I personally think that maybe it is so she can focus on a 2012 run because I'm going to say it, and I know a lot of people are not going to like it, but I think she needs all the help and preparation she can get if she runs and has even a remote shot at it. But it also wouldn't surprise me if there was some sort of scandal. But bottom line, I think that her stepping down and the speech she gave, just makes her seem like a sore quitter in my eyes. [spicysweetie21]
The Anti Palin hyenas can crawl into holes and rot. Piss on everyone of the lying child abusing wastes of human flesh. She is a better person than any of them. Annie, may you and your entire family be treated with the same scorn and hatred you gleefully showed towards Sarah Palin and her family. May you never find happiness again. [ParaTed2k]
I always report people who tell others to be pissed on, lol, but I think admin takes weekends off. [Apple1]
I kind of think all this garbage about her kids got to her. Maybe she figures if she steps out of the limelight, the media will find some other target for their jokes in bad taste. If she has any sense, she won't be going for the national stage. We don't need someone who would cut and run. I am not feeling a scandal, either. [MuncheeLee]
We sure don't need someone who will cut and run! OOPS, now I'm going to get pissed on again...lol! Annie [anniepa]
Really? I have not heard a word about this until now. I bet she has drawn too much negative attention to herself and to her family and she wants out of the media. I think she wants out of the spotlight for a while. [stephcjh]
I think it's far to early to speculate on anything just yet. It is a bizzare turn of events to sat the least, but there is really not a lot to go on. I will say this how ever.....what this woman and her family has been handed in the last year is nothing short of shamefull, disgusting, childish and down right hatefull. I can honestly say, in my decades of piliticking, i have never seen the level vitriol leveled at a family as i have the Palin family. It goes far beyond even passionate partisan hatred, much of it was sheer baseless personal filth. I was reminded of the snarly, snarky snotty school girls I dealt with in junior high. Ok, that out of the way. I have a few thoughts. First, I have all but completely ruled out a run for president in 2012. It just doesn't make sense, she wouldn't have resigned, she would just have finished her term in 2010. MAYBE she might be considering a senate run, but I am still skeptical even of that There may be a health issue we aren't aware of. She may be making a move towards an advocacy role, too many variations in that to get in to detail, but something along the state's right's movement, maybe even joining up with the Alaskan seperatist movement. (wild speculation only) Perhaps a lucritive offer came up in either the energy or fishing industry. Maybe she is just sick of the meat grinder her family has been dragged through and wants to go back to simply being a mother and wife. [xfahctor]
X, I know I have to be extra careful here because there was a time not too long ago when I had quite a few friends here with whom I didn't share political opinions, but we could still get along fine and basically "agree to disagree", much like I've always done with my off-line friends. Now, and I really think it's mostly due to Sarah Palin, you're one of the very few who don't literally hate my guts! The honest to goodness truth is I don't see where Palin has been treated all that differently from any other political figure. I don't read the internet blogs very often at all but I do watch TV pretty much 24/7 and I read different news magazines on a regular basis. I've never once gotten one of those e-mail forwards about Palin but I've been getting several just about every day about Obama for about two years and they haven't been favorable! I realize that a lot of things have changed even since the 2004 Presidential election in the media. There are lots more 24/7 coverage than ever before with more appearing all the time. Even given that face, can anyone honestly say John Kerry was treated well during his campaign? Has ANYONE ever seen as much filth about anyone as there has been about Barack Obama? I'm really being honest here, X, and the fact is I've found myself put on the defensive whenever Palin's name comes up. Yes, I have started my fair share of discussions about her but that's what myLot is for, isn't it? If she didn't "make news" nobody would be posting about her, would they? I'm not a fan of hers, that's never been a secret, but to be fair I've posted that I didn't think it was right when people have said she should be home taking care of her kids or that someone with 5 kids have no business being in politics. I never agree with kids being attacked and I thought the rumors of Trig actually belonging to Bristol were ridiculous, although this was never reported in the MSM. I've also said it was unfair for people to criticize her as a mother because her daughter became pregnant. Heck, I was once a 17 year old single pregnant teen myself! Finally, anyone who would mock or make fun of a mentally challenged child is an absolute disgrace. OK, did I make you hate me, too? Annie [anniepa]
Hello, I heard about it last night on CNN. I dont think the reason is because she wants to spend more time with her family... She might has something else to do with her job, or may be it is too stressful for her to take it or something. But I will wait and see cuz the press will get more information for us. They will find out more about her and what is going on that cause her to step down so early. I was shocked too [smileonstar]
My guess would be she wants to press to lay off her and her family for a time while she gathers together what she needs to run for President. This woman may be inexperienced about national politics but she is a very fast learner. [savypat]
all of the above and more [savypat]
I think what she's trying to do is like other comments, she can make a lot more money with book deals and other ventures than being governor. Money seems like a motive. If she does want to run in 2012, I think she's taking a little time to get more familiar with politics, foreign policy, and some of the other things she didn't do well on during the past election. [ranitam22]
So you believe money is her main motivation? For some reason I don't see Sarah Palin as being as hungry for money as she is for power and fame, although I know they tend to go hand in hand sometimes. I know many people, even those who supported her, had said she should stay out of the headlines and run Alaska for the rest of her term while she learned more about the things she lacked knowledge and experience in during the 2008 campaign. Annie [anniepa]
The news did come as a big surprise, anniepa. One thought voiced by a newscaster on CBS this morning was that the timing of the announcement would lead us to believe that she did not want it to be given much attention for some reason. I wonder. With political scandals abounding it would not surprise me in the least if one follows.confused [worldwise1]
I know, it's always been said that when a politician wants a news item to be buried he or she will announce or leak it on a Friday and when they do it on a Friday of a holiday weekend it REALLY gets buried. Since Princess Sarah has always said she opposes "politics as usual", maybe she didn't know that or feels that doesn't apply to her...lol? The whole idea of her not wanting much attention is hard for me to swallow but there's something VERY strange about this whole situation. Annie [anniepa]
I am not an American, so i do not know much about her issue. However, i would like to be fair with her. I think that she has had enough of the storms that came to her. When she tried to run for vice-presidency of the US, it was more than just governing a state. It was vice-governing the greatest country in the world. There was a big difference in that aspect, and of course, problems were definitely greater than just of those from one state. Specially over the Letterman issue which attacked her daughter, i think that she is taking a breather. Then, since she has tried the flavor of the national scene, she may be up to something for the whole country, and not just for one state. Since she has tasted running for that powerful position, she has now a glimpse of what to do for the national scene, and i think she is headed to that direction. I think she will do well, and i think it is just fair to give her some room, and to hope for the best. Anyway, she has a cute smile. LOL... [safejunk]
Of course she has a "cute smile", she's a former beauty queen so she's spent a lot of time practicing it in front of a mirror...lol! Annie [anniepa]
Hey annie! Quite frankly I am so sick of hearing about Sarah Palin and her family that I don't even care why she is stepping down I am just glad that she is! And I don't think that this is a particularly brilliant move on her part either! She can't seem to take criticism well at all now so how does she ever expect to run for any office, especially that of one on a national stage? She has shown that she is weak and pathetic and not someone that would be able to deal under the scruntiny of the public eye! She should just stay out of the limelight and take care of her family! [Opal26]
I could certainly be wrong, and I really HOPE I am, but I really can't see her staying away from the limelight. She got a taste of the "big-time" during the campaign and she likes it too much. I think she likes playing the "victim" by picking apart anything that's ever said about her or someone in her family and turning it into a major incident. I couldn't agree more with all of those who say it's wrong for anyone to attack her minor children but instead of her refusing to dignify any of the jabs that pretty much go under the radar by responding and making a big deal out of it she insists on making sure the whole world knows about it; HOW is that protecting her children? Annie [anniepa]
it was too much for her, look like she wants to spent more time with Family. [marciascott]
wow. that's a shocker! i'm surprised because she was so proud to be the governor of alaska. maybe she does have bigger plans in sight... president. who knows. it's all in the future i guess. her daughter had a son recently so maybe she's stepped down to spend more time with the both of them! [laurahen]
Didn't you hear annie? She killed Michael Jackson and had to step down so she wouldn't get caught. http://newsrealblog.com/2009/07/09/al-sharpton-show-did-sarah-palin-do-something-to-michael-jackson/ [morethanamolehill]
I think she has had enough of the press. I assume she wasn't hounded until she hooked up with Mc Cain. Since then , her every move has been taped or at least covered. I am no Republican, far, far from it but I was happy for my namesake. Yo go Sarah! You don't need all this sh!t. [sarahruthbeth22]