On July 3, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin surprised the nation by announcing she will resign as Governor on July 25. Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell will become Governor. Palin announced this without taking questions, and without explaining why she is resigning.
Donald Raymond Lake, via news.yahoo.com :
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin surprised supporters Friday and announced she is resigning from office at the end of the month without explaining why she plans to step down – throwing into question whether she would seek a run for the White House in 2012.
The news rattles a Republican Party plagued with setbacks in recent weeks, including extramarital affairs disclosed by two other 2012 presidential prospects, Nevada Sen. John Ensign and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.
Palin hastily called a news conference Friday morning at her home in suburban Wasilla, giving such short notice that only a few reporters actually made it to the announcement. Security blocked late-arriving media outside her home, and her spokesman, Dave Murrow, finally emerged to confirm that Palin will step down July 26. He refused to give details about the governor’s future plans.
The former Republican vice presidential candidate said she had been considering leaving office since she decided not to run for re-election.
“Many just accept that lame duck status, and they hit that road. They draw a paycheck. They kind of milk it. And I’m not going to put Alaskans through that,” Palin said.
Palin spokesman David Murrow said the governor didn’t say anything to him about this being her “political finale.” Murrow said he interpreted Palin’s comment about working outside government as reflecting her current job only.
“She’s looking forward to serving the public outside the governor’s chair,” he said.
Political analyst Larry Sabato, in Charlottesville, Va., said Palin’s announcement left many wondering what her plans were.
“It’s absolutely bizarre, and I think it eliminates her from serious consideration for the presidency in 2012,” he said.
Palin hinted that she had a bigger role in mind, saying she wanted to make a “positive change outside government.” But she kept supporters in suspense, promising later Friday on 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.”
Jerry McBeath, a veteran political science professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, called the pending resignation a “smart move,” both for Palin and the state.
“Alaska is an isolated stage from which to operate if you want to figure in American national politics. I don’t know what she has in mind, some TV show or some national radio show. There are opportunities for her, I’m sure.”
“After all, Rush Limbaugh is getting old, and cranky, and the airwaves and the videowaves would benefit form a new present. She certainly is photogenic, and that is her area of experience. So I would say it’s a response to opportunity instead of ‘getting out before they get you,'” he said.
As for the state, he said Palin’s departure will reduce the distractions and return Alaska to normal politics.
Palin said her family weighed heavily in her decision.
“This decision has been in the works for a while. This decision comes after much consideration, prayer and consideration,” she said. “Finally, I polled the most important people in my life, my kids, where the count was unanimous. Well, in response to asking, ‘Hey, you want me to make a positive difference and fight for all our children’s future from outside the governor’s office?’ It was four yeses and one ‘Hell, yeah!” And the hell, yeah sealed it.”
Palin’s decision not to seek re-election was a familiar one for a potential presidential candidate. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney chose not to seek another term as he geared up for an unsuccessful 2008 presidential bid. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has announced he won’t seek another term, giving him plenty of free time ahead of a potential 2012 bid.
oh.
She’s going to TV.
Only thing that could possibly have any reasonable rationale in today’s video age…
Or maybe she’ll join the Green Party at it’s national meeting in North Carolina at the end of July…
Okay..shameless plug…
Just please, oh, please don’t tell me she’s going to run for Governor of California. She’d probably win.
One less AIRHEAD in a somewhat major office — Guv of a SMALL population State ???
Did some tropical disease (AIRHEAD disease) in McCain’s *brain* cause him to pick her to be the Elephant VP candidate in 2008 ???
NONPARTISAN A.V. NOW for executive / judicial offices — to perhaps even have less AIRHEAD candidates and winners.
The thing that hurts Palin the most is that she was McCain running mate. She does not have the credibility on some important issues that she once had.
Palin in the Green Party? When lipsticked pigs fly…
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Constitution Party tried to pick her up, though.
The resignation of Sarah Palin will mean at least two things for this country:
1) The media will have to find someone else to obsess about.
2) Americans will have to find some other obscure governor from a small state to become an expert about. Because most Americans are tuned into only pop culture and get their information from the media mentioned in point one, it will be ages before Americans have an opinion or can recite statistics about the governor of states such as Idaho, Wyoming, New Hampshire, or North Dakota.
Or Arkansas or Georgia …….
Donald Raymond Lake, I dislike Mister
Clinton and hate Jimmy, screw American
1980 Olympic team …………