CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
July 3, 2009 – 4:06 p.m.
Palin Resigning as Governor of Alaska
By Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff
Sarah Palin , the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, said Friday that she will resign her job as Alaska’s governor July 26, acknowledging that her foray into national politics has turned her home state into something of a sideshow.
“You are naive if you don’t see a full court press right now on a national level,” Palin said, likening her position to that of the basketball point guard she once was. “I know when it’s time to pass the ball for victory.”
In a rambling press conference, Palin alluded to a future in national politics even if she abdicated the one office she has held that is above mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.
“We know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time on another scale and actually make a difference,” she said.
As far as not finishing out her term as governor, Palin said, “Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand ’Sit down and shut up’, but that’s the worthless, easy path; that’s a quitter’s way out,” she said. “And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and ‘go with the flow.’
“Nah, only dead fish ‘go with the flow.’”
The remarkable decision to hand power to Lt. Gov Sean Parnell takes the pressure off of Palin to win re-election amid worsening poll numbers in Alaska. A defeat in 2010 might have dealt a death blow to any hopes of winning the 2012 presidential nomination, and some Republicans say it would have been impossible for her to run for re-election in 2010 while preparing for a presidential bid.
Pat Buchanan, a former aide to President Richard M. Nixon, said Palin should follow the path Nixon took during the 1966 mid-term elections.
“We traveled all over the country on behalf of Republican candidates, built up this enormous good will,” Buchanan said on MSNBC Friday afternoon. Nixon, of course, won the Republican nomination and the presidency in 1968.
But others wonder how plausible a presidential run would be after Palin has relinquished her responsibility as governor.
“Bizarro World: Sarah Palin just committed national political suicide by resigning as governor of Alaska.” University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato wrote in a Twitter message Friday afternoon.
Palin quoted Gen. Douglas MacArthur: “We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction,” she said.
She also communicated with her national followers via Twitter.
“We’ll soon attach info on decision to not seek re-election ... this is in Alaska’s best interest, my family’s happy... it is good, stay tuned,” she wrote.
Parnell, a longtime Palin ally, is slated to take over Alaska’s reins in three weeks. Spokesman Dave Murrow said Parnell will be inaugurated at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks at the end of the month. After Parnell is sworn in as governor, Craig Campbell, head of the state Department of Military Affairs and National Guard, will become lieutenant governor.
The political left has reveled in poking fun at the folksy Palin since 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain made her the surprise pick to be his running mate last August, as Republicans were heading to their quadrennial nominating convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Her brightest moment on the campaign trail was during her acceptance speech a few days later, when she burst onto the national scene with a charismatic address to an adoring crowd.
She was an instant star with populists and social conservatives in the GOP, and her candidacy injected energy into a milquetoast McCain campaign.
But a series of Palin stumbles in national media interviews damaged her, and some McCain supporters have made clear in the months since the election they thought she wasn’t ready for prime time and might not ever be.
On Friday, Palin said that once she decided not to run for re-election that it would have been wrong for her to stay in office as a lame duck, enjoying the perquisites of the governorship.
“Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional ‘lame duck’ status in this particular climate would just be another dose of ‘politics as usual,’ something I campaigned against and will always oppose,” she said. “It is my duty to always protect our great state. With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, so that this administration, with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future, can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success.”
As for her future, Palin said: “I look forward to helping others — to fight for our state and our country, and campaign for those who believe in smaller government, free enterprise, strong national security, support for our troops and energy independence. All I can ask is that you trust me in this decision and know that it is no more politics is usual.”
Nick Ayers, executive director of the Republican Governors Association, said in a statement, “While we regret the news announced by Gov. Palin today, Alaska will continue to have a Republican governor through 2010 and we are confident the state will elect a Republican in next year’s election.”
Despite her allusions to affecting the national political process from outside of elective office, it is possible that Palin simply intends to remove herself and her family from the political spotlight for good.
Comments
I expect a book and syndicated radio show in her near future, as she prepares for 2012.
Palin should be staying and Sanford should be resigning. GOP all messed up
This episode is so surreal on so many levels. Does this woman live in the real world? Her "statement was a concoction of contradictions and nonsense. ["Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand 'Sit down and shut up', but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out," she said. "And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and 'go with the flow.'] What the hell is that, it doesn't make sense??? ["You are naive if you don't see a full court press right now on a national level," Palin said, likening her position to that of the basketball point guard she once was. "I know when it's time to pass the ball for victory."] A sports analogy? More idiocy. Not ready for prime-time is being nice. Now, after quitting, she expects to be embraced by voters in 2012??? I for one, am embarrassed for her. If any GOP voter votes for her in a primary, they ought to be expelled from the country. Another bone-headed move by McCain, thanks alot.
By Paling's logic, why would anyone run for reelection if they're going to be term limited out? Why then would Barack Obama run for reelection if he's just dead fish going with the flow? She makes absolutely no sense.
The FBI just recently raided Spenard Building Supplies and took out boxes of records. SBS was the contractor that Palin selected to build the over budget Wasilla Sports Complex that bankrupted the town. Both the Sports Complex and and a half million dollar house supposely built by Todd Palin and a "few of his buddies" in 3 months were completed at about the same time before Sarah Palin left being Mayor to run for governor. There is an investigaiton into whether the expensive house that seem to have similar building materials such as windows as the Sports Complex were a payoff for getting the multi-million dollar construction job on the Sprots Complex. Financially it would seem the Palins could not been able to afford on their income to build such a house. Everyone is now assuming that it getting to hot so Palin is exiting. Google in Google News "SBS Palin" or" Spenard Building Supplies Palin" and see what being said in Alaska. Also: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-03/did-a-scandal-sink-the-uss-palin/?cid=hp:mainpromo2
Palin may indeed wish to step out of the political klieglights, particularly with a new son and grandson in tow, both of whom have recently bore the brunt of collateral attacks. The question is: Would the diehard Sarah-philes/Palin-bots let her?
Those who are able to read the Scriptures and understand the meaning within them may want to look closer at the events that are happening here in the American soil, and do some deep praying regarding the future. Take a strong look at what the pres. is trying to do, and then read again in Revelation, Daniel and places that describe what the leader to come will be doing as well and ask yourself what is happening now. The reasons that she may have made her decison could very well be based on the future that she sees as well. For that I am praying for God's will to be done. There may be a prototype, or there may be a time of hidden meaning for those who don't know what the future has in store for them. But do take the time out to read. The Scriptures will give you the full story, and they don't lie !
I wonder how many politicians male or female could stand what this woman is going through. Like her or not I guarantee most would have fallen by now. When she shows up in 2012 as a presidential candidate don't be surprised about the outcome.
Just for the record - re Palin's MacArthur cite: as noted by the NY Times, "the remark was actually said by Maj. Gen. Oliver Prince Smith."
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