Palin resigns as Governor of Alaska

[Michael]

Palin will not seek re-election

WASILLA, Alaska - At an 11:00 a.m. press conference today, Governor Sarah Palin announced that she would not seek a second term as governor. The governor continued, saying that by the end of the month she would resign from the governorship.

On a day that most public employees have off, Palin sent out an early morning press release indicating that she would be giving an announcement from her home in Wasilla. Joining Palin were her parents, family and state commissioners.

Palin announced that she will transfer power to Lt. Governor Sean Parnell. Parnell will be sworn in during the upcoming governor's picnic in Fairbanks on July 25. An emotionally choked-up Parnell said he plans to keep all state commissioners and continue to pursue a natural gas pipeline.

Palin did not field questions and would not give any indications as to her future plans.

Source (http://www.ktva.com/ci_12746301)

This certainly seems odd and rather unexpected. Resigning before completing one's term of Governor is a bad strategy if she's aiming for the White House.

However, if she's trying to dodge some big scandal in Alaska that hasn't become public yet, that would make much more sense...

[partofme]

Source (http://www.ktva.com/ci_12746301)

This certainly seems odd and rather unexpected. Resigning before completing one's term of Governor is a bad strategy if she's aiming for the White House.

However, if she's trying to dodge some big scandal in Alaska that hasn't become public yet, that would make much more sense...

I hope it's a scandal. I don't say things like that often but I really have a strong disliking for her.

[KSigMason]

I don't think it's a scandal. She's gone through many of them within the last year and hasn't resigned. Maybe she is going for another government position or she is just tired of the "lime light" and wants to relax.

[Michael]

I don't think it's a scandal. She's gone through many of them within the last year and hasn't resigned. Maybe she is going for another government position or she is just tired of the "lime light" and wants to relax.

As a general rule, one doesn't resign office mid-term to run for another office. That just looks bad.

As for her wanting to avoid the limelight and relax, she could have done that after the November election but instead, she chose to get more involved in national politics than previously. Thus, this 'reversal' seems odd.

It is to be noted that this press conference is occuring on a Friday before a US long weekend. That's also quite suggestive that there is more to this resignation than meets the eye.

I suppose we'll know more about this issue in a few days.

[Donkey]

Wtf? Scandal or talk show.

[Evangeline]

She said being a lame duck governor isn't much fun. So she quit because she wasn't having fun.

Now that's LAME!

[Americano]

Senate.

[Evangeline]

Senate.

Fail

hopefully

[Lily]

How odd. And to announce on a Friday of a Holiday weekend... something is rotten in Denmark. If this is the kick-off to a 2012 run for president, it's not exactly a strike-up-the-band moment.

[dilettante]

That is curious. If it's scandal than it must be a doozy of one since she's shrugged off others in the past without resigning. And, as has been said, this is a lousy way to begin a run for higher office.

On the other hand, if she legitimately just wants to leave government office behind for good (which I doubt is the case), then this sort of move makes some sense even if the timing of it is bizarre. Putting the Lt. Gov. in office now avoids a lame duck governorship and will let him score some ever precious executive experience and gain the incumbent bonus for the next election.

[Michael]

She said being a lame duck governor isn't much fun.

Did Palin actually refer to herself as a "lame duck" halfway through her own first term of office? Lame duck is normally a term reserved for those who are facing a term limit and thus cannot run for re-election and consequently appear less influential of future events during their last term of office.

The usage of that term seems highly significant. Of course Palin probably doesn't actually understand the proper usage of the term, but that's not suprising, since she's shown very little ability to understand anything. In her ego-driven world, she would be a 'lame duck' if everyone knew/expected her not to run for re-election as Governor of Alaska.

Nevertheless, that statement suggests that she is aiming for a run at a some different political office and people in Alaskan politics know it or expect it.

[Americano]

"Sarah Palin Indictment - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin reportedly resigned because of a federal indictment pending in an embezzlement scandal that allegedly involves her receiving huge financial favors from Spenard Building Supplies.

If true, the upcoming Sarah Palin indictment would have crippled her ability to govern effectively.

Her resignation was said to be so sudden that her own children were not aware she was resigning until they heard her speak the words. Prior to the announcement, Palin had given every indication that she intended to complete her tenure as governor, including 36 hours earlier during a meeting with Senator Mark Begich.

The embezzlement scandal revolves around the large, $12.5 million sports complex that Sarah Palin pushed through during her last term as Mayor in Wasilla.


Federal investigators believe the cost of the sports complex was inflated to provide free building materials and labor for the Palin home being constructed close by. Both structures, it is said, feature the “same windows, same wood, same products.” The sports complex's architect and contractors reportedly have strong links and ties to Palin.
Spenard Building Supplies is the largest building supply company in Alaska - and they were also the supplier and contractor for ex-Senator Ted Stevens cabin.

Federal investigators have been looking into this since last October and now indictments on charges of public corruption and embezzlement appear to be imminent."


http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212241812.shtml


Palin's husband claimed he and a few buddies built the $1M home. Spenard Building Supplies also sponsors Palin's husband's snowmobiling competition.


If any of this is true hopefully we're done hearing about Sarah Palin in politics.

[Michael]

If that's true, I'm "2 for 2" this week in reading between the lines of these news stories! :D

(Sanford and Palin called successfully!!!) :rofl:

[Americano]

If that's true, I'm "2 for 2" this week in reading between the lines of these news stories! :D

(Sanford and Palin called successfully!!!) :rofl:

If true the party for family and moral values has sprung another huge leak in the hull.

[Donkey]

Oh please oh please. Christmas will come early.

[The Drunk Guy]

"Sarah Palin Indictment - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin reportedly resigned because of a federal indictment pending in an embezzlement scandal that allegedly involves her receiving huge financial favors from Spenard Building Supplies.If true, the upcoming Sarah Palin indictment would have crippled her ability to govern effectively.

Her resignation was said to be so sudden that her own children were not aware she was resigning until they heard her speak the words. Prior to the announcement, Palin had given every indication that she intended to complete her tenure as governor, including 36 hours earlier during a meeting with Senator Mark Begich.

The embezzlement scandal revolves around the large, $12.5 million sports complex that Sarah Palin pushed through during her last term as Mayor in Wasilla.


Federal investigators believe the cost of the sports complex was inflated to provide free building materials and labor for the Palin home being constructed close by. Both structures, it is said, feature the “same windows, same wood, same products.” The sports complex's architect and contractors reportedly have strong links and ties to Palin.
Spenard Building Supplies is the largest building supply company in Alaska - and they were also the supplier and contractor for ex-Senator Ted Stevens cabin.

Federal investigators have been looking into this since last October and now indictments on charges of public corruption and embezzlement appear to be imminent."


http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212241812.shtml


Palin's husband claimed he and a few buddies built the $1M home. Spenard Building Supplies also sponsors Palin's husband's snowmobiling competition.


If any of this is true hopefully we're done hearing about Sarah Palin in politics.
Fucking awesome.

I do think, however, that her resignation was from extreme pressure from the Republicans. I think they all agree now that she is detrimental to their viability.

[partofme]

"Sarah Palin Indictment - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin reportedly resigned because of a federal indictment pending in an embezzlement scandal that allegedly involves her receiving huge financial favors from Spenard Building Supplies.If true, the upcoming Sarah Palin indictment would have crippled her ability to govern effectively.

Her resignation was said to be so sudden that her own children were not aware she was resigning until they heard her speak the words. Prior to the announcement, Palin had given every indication that she intended to complete her tenure as governor, including 36 hours earlier during a meeting with Senator Mark Begich.

The embezzlement scandal revolves around the large, $12.5 million sports complex that Sarah Palin pushed through during her last term as Mayor in Wasilla.


Federal investigators believe the cost of the sports complex was inflated to provide free building materials and labor for the Palin home being constructed close by. Both structures, it is said, feature the “same windows, same wood, same products.” The sports complex's architect and contractors reportedly have strong links and ties to Palin.
Spenard Building Supplies is the largest building supply company in Alaska - and they were also the supplier and contractor for ex-Senator Ted Stevens cabin.

Federal investigators have been looking into this since last October and now indictments on charges of public corruption and embezzlement appear to be imminent."


http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212241812.shtml


Palin's husband claimed he and a few buddies built the $1M home. Spenard Building Supplies also sponsors Palin's husband's snowmobiling competition.


If any of this is true hopefully we're done hearing about Sarah Palin in politics.

I can't seem to find this anywhere else.

[Evangeline]

I can't seem to find this anywhere else.

I guess it came from the Village Voice. http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-10-08/news/the-book-of-sarah/5

[Americano]

I can't seem to find this anywhere else.

Nor could I. The link is an online effort by the San Francisco Chronicle, like other general news print publications, facing extinction. Being around for as long as the print edition has I'd think the web offering has some people in charge who have the seasoning to know about libel and loss of credibility.

I just can't imagine anyone publishing that opinion without a reliable source within the Justice Department. But if fools are in fact in charge of it they'll pay dearly. If false, Palin could have that done on a contingency basis.

[Americano]

I guess it came from the Village Voice. http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-10-08/news/the-book-of-sarah/5

That's much more detailed than what I've seen. Small town (state) politics are always 'good 'ol boy' (and now women) deals.

[Lily]

If this turns out to be true, if some scandal does break, it wil just be another in a long choo-choo train for Palin and her family. She told a Juneau crowd yesterday that she is following a "higher calling" and that "Washington and the media will never understand; it's about country."

Then her attorney pops up and starts throwing out warnings of legal action to media for what he termed "fraudulent claims," even naming specific people and outlets.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31737517/ns/politics-more_politics/

Say what? This woman marches to the beat of a different... band of banjos. I don't know.

[Michael]

The plot thickens! :popcorn:

[Americano]

Has to be far more to Palin's resignation than we're hearing. Palin's a hick-town politician with an ego the size of Texas, not someone who suddenly steps out of the limelight with some very lame excuses.

[Birdzeye]

If this turns out to be true, if some scandal does break, it wil just be another in a long choo-choo train for Palin and her family. She told a Juneau crowd yesterday that she is following a "higher calling" and that "Washington and the media will never understand; it's about country."

Then her attorney pops up and starts throwing out warnings of legal action to media for what he termed "fraudulent claims," even naming specific people and outlets.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31737517/ns/politics-more_politics/

Say what? This woman marches to the beat of a different... band of banjos. I don't know.

I was about to speculate that her resignation might have had something to do with the challenges of raising a mentally handicapped child (her son with Down Syndrome), but if her spokesman is hurling out threats of legal action, then I'm not so sure.

[Michael]

I was about to speculate that her resignation might have had something to do with the challenges of raising a mentally handicapped child (her son with Down Syndrome)...
If that was her officially stated reason for resigning halfway through her term as Governor of Alaska, I don't think anyone would say a word. Significant family obligations are a legitimate reason to resign from the obligation's of one's public trust.

But that doesn't appear to be the issue here at all. :shrug:

[Donkey]

She's whored her family enough that I think if that were the reason she would say so.

[Americano]

The FBI has stated they have no current investigation of Palin's activities. Does the FBI investigate public corruption? I thought that's always been the responsibility of federal district attorneys and their investigative staffs.

[Lily]

Why would the FBI pipe up and release a statement like that? Who asked them?

[Thomas Paine]

I can't help but think she lacks common sense every time she does an interview.

"I am not a quitter. I am a fighter," Palin told CNN on Monday, 3 days after announcing she was stepping down as governor. :lol:

[Michael]

Yes, only quitters finish out their terms. It takes a fighter to quit when the going gets tough. :ummm:

[Americano]

Why would the FBI pipe up and release a statement like that? Who asked them?

Got me. This thing just gets weirder and weirder.

[Michael]

Why would the FBI pipe up and release a statement like that? Who asked them?
I'd be guessing that the FBI would release that information after the 6000th request from the media for that information.

It means nothing of course. The 'alleged' scandal would be triggered by an IRS investigation, not FBI - same thing that brought down Senator Stevens.

[The Drunk Girl]

Palin conceded many people are still confused about why she made the decision to leave office.


"You know why they're confused? I guess they cannot take something nowadays at face value," Palin said.


But she said a major factor in the decision was the mounting legal bills she and the state have had to incur to fight ethics charges from her political adversaries. None of the accusations has been proven but, she said, the costs of fighting them have been enormous.


"You know conditions have really changed in Alaska in the political arena since Aug. 29, since I was tapped to run for VP. When that opposition research -- those researchers really bombarded Alaska -- started digging for dirt and have not let up. They're not gonna find any dirt," she said. "We keep proving that every time we win an ethics violation lawsuit and we've won every one of them. But it has been costing our state millions of dollars. It's cost Todd and me. You know the adversaries would love to see us put on the path of personal bankruptcy so that we can't afford to run."
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=8016906&page=1

[Michael]

Palin is consistent only about one thing - being a victim. She's always the innocent victim in every version of her life-story, her quest for political leadership and her resignation.

Seems rather tiresome story-line coming from the rightwing after they've spent the last couple of decades demonizing victims and identity politics. Sarah Palin is victimhood raised to the stature of identity politics in spades (and the rightwingers seem to be blind to the fact that their passion for Palin makes them look like complete idiots because of this).

Though, we shouldn't be surprised - the entire rightwing attack on Sotomayor seems to be driven entirely by rightwing 'identity politics'.