Reading Sarah Palin’s resignation statement, it is impossible to take at face value. There really is an unhinged quality to it. So what is really going on here? Is she really resigning to spend more time with her family, and more time campaigning for other Republicans? Is (as is speculated in the New York Times and elsewhere) a major scandal about to hit? Here’s the speculation from the Times:
Her decision follows a week of extraordinarily bad publicity, from within her own state over ethics inquiries and across the national landscape as top aides on her vice-presidential campaign and supporters have been engaged in a highly public feud that has spilled out in vociferous tones online on blogs and on television. Bloggers in Alaska, critics of the governor as well as former Palin supporters, suggest also that pending releases of e-mails among the Palins were about to expose her to further questions about her finances and governance issues.
Here are a couple of articles I just read that discuss and make some of the same points and observations that I made in my first post in this thread.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2009/07/maybe_she_doesnt_want_to_be_pr_1.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/06/opinion/06ross.html?ref=opinion
Sorry Afotl, But I’ve neither the time to reference nor the desire to bring you up to speed on “Bible Spice”, my initial point about the Republicans in Alaska being the ones raising the most hell about her was that some people, especially those who keep defending her, need to do some research before speakin’ out. Sorry, but I’ve got deliveries to make. Later, gators
“I’ve neither the time to reference nor the desire ….. ”
That’s what all the sheep say.
She lost. Most VP candidates who lose go back to obscurity. I don’t understand why media and bloggers continue to hound her.
If she is indicted, it may be that shc could be presumed innocent.
Some of the negative comments about the woman are ridiculous.
AFOTL: I’ll bite: Here’s what she has gotten herself into all by herself from Jan — April. It started on Jan. 8th when she lashes out at the media (I couldn’t find anything between Nov. 5 and Jan. 6).
Jan 6, 2009 – Authorities in Alaska have been accused of delaying the arrest of a woman connected to Governor Sarah Palin until after the November election. A drug investigator said that the arrest of Sherry Johnston ? whose son Levi Johnston is engaged to Mrs Palin’s daughter, Bristol – was stalled …
From … delayed arrest of woman connected to Sarah… – Related web pageswww.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/4144146/Alaska-authorities-delayed-arrest-of- woman-connected-to-Sarah-Palin-drug-investigator-claims.html
Jan 8, 2009 – From Sarah Palin Lashes Out at ‘Very Scary’ Media… – Related web pageswww.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/08/AR2009010803620.html
Jan 19, 2009 – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and the wives of two former US Border Patrol agents whose sentences were commuted by President Bush Monday will appear as exclusive guests in today’s debut of Fox News Channel’s Glenn Beck program. Palin will be among the first guests and during a live interview …
From Tonight on Glenn Beck: Gov. Sarah Palin, Wives of… – Related web pageswww.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,480754,00.html
Jan 22, 2009 – The former GOP vice presidential candidate is reportedly working with Robert Barnett, who brokered deals for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Some reports say she is seeking as much as $11 million. By Michael Muskal. If you thought being governor of Alaska and a new grandmother would …
From Sarah Palin may be shopping a book – Related web pageswww.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-palin23-2009jan23,1,1876511.story
Jan 28, 2009 – Alaska governor Sarah Palin greets supporters at a rally during her time as John McCain’s running mate in the 2008 presidential election. Photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images. Alaska governor Sarah Palin opened a political action committee yesterday, a move that may not outright …
From Alaska governor Sarah Palin opens political… – Related web pageswww.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/28/sarah-palin-political-action-committee
Jan 31, 2009 – Sarah Palin is out of town, though Palin’s staffers say so far their boss has been there for most of the legislative session that began Jan. 20. It’s a small matter, but it’s part of the buzz around the Capitol among lawmakers who are seeing less of their governor than in years past …
From Alaska lawmakers question Sarah Palin’s focus – Related web pageswww.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2009-01-31-175061919_x.htm
Feb 5, 2009 – Palin said of Judd’s ad: “These audacious fundraising attempts misrepresent what goes on in Alaska.” Actress Ashley Judd and Governor Sarah Palin are going at it tooth and nail over Alaska’s wolf hunting laws. Judd taped a web video for the Defenders of Wildlife foundation that blasts …
From Ashley Judd Hits Sarah Palin Over Alaska’s… – Related web pageswww.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,488571,00.html
Feb 7, 2009 – Todd Palin and nine of the governor’s employees ignored subpoenas to testify in an investigation. The Senate said it wouldn’t seek punishment. They eventually gave written statements. Associated Press. Juneau, Alaska — The Alaska Senate on Friday found Gov. Sarah Palin’s husband and …
From Alaska Senate finds Sarah Palin’s husband, aides… – Related web pageswww.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-palin-trooper7-2009feb07,0,2733181.story?track=rss
Feb 24, 2009 – This is a rush transcript from “The O’Reilly Factor,” February 23, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. Watch “The O’Reilly Factor” weeknights at 8 pm and 11 pm ET and listen to the “Radio Factor!” BILL O’REILLY, HOST: In the “Factor Follow-up” segment …
From New Documentary Chronicles Media’s Treatment of… – Related web pageswww.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,499585,00.html
Feb 25, 2009 – Article from: Australian AP. ALASKA Govenor Sarah Palin has agreed to reimburse the state for the costs of nine trips for her children, in an agreement that settles an ethics complaint filed in October. The charges that Palin has agreed to reimburse include the cost of her daughter …
From Sarah Palin to reimburse state of Alaska for… – Related web pageswww.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25104609-2703,00.html
Mar 14, 2009 – By Yereth Rosen, ReutersDecember 30, 2008. ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s 18-year-old daughter Bristol, whose pregnancy briefly became a side issue in the presidential campaign, has given birth to a son, People magazine reported on Monday. …
From Sarah Palin’s daughter gives birth to son: report – Related web pageswww.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Sarah+Palin+daughter+gives+birth+report/1126243/story.html
Mar 21, 2009 – Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, has criticised President Barack Obama for making “degrading” remarks on the “Tonight Show” regarding the Special Olympics. In his bantering with host Jay Leno on Thursday night, the Mr Obama made the biggest gaffe of his presidency by comparing his …
From Sarah Palin: Barack Obama’s Special Olympics… – Related web pageswww.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/sarahpalin/5025638/Sarah-Palin-Barack-Obamas- Special-Olympics-gaffe-on-Leno-was-degrading.html
Apr 19, 2009 – At her first solo campaign stop outside Alaska, Sarah Palin inspired Republicans to embrace her lock, stock and barrel. “She represents me.” Editor’s note: You can find Salon’s complete coverage of Sarah Palin here. By Katharine Mieszkowski. AP Photo/Eric Risberg …
From Sarah Palin Nevada GOP | Salon News – Related web pageswww.salon.com/news/feature/2008/09/14/palin/
Flashback: Palin said that women complaining about ‘excess criticism’ don’t ‘do us any good.’
Since announcing that she would resign as governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin (R) has been blaming her decision on the “main stream media” and political operatives who accused her of “all sorts of frivolous ethics violations.” However, last year, Palin pointedly criticized Hillary Clinton during the presidential election for complaining about “excess criticism” and being put under “a sharper microscope”:
Dastardly dangerous woman. Indeed. Burn her at the stake. Surely you are not suggesting that the examples of Palin “putting herself out there” actually justify the mistreatment she and her family have received over the last few months.
And if you want to get into previous statements and reversals, I could give at least 50 examples of Obama doing the same thing, just 6 months into his first term. They all do it from time to time.
The obsession continues. Exhibit A: Bellesouth
Hey Afotl, got your hipboots????….Bwaaaaaaa!!!!!
OK Afotl, I’ll bite, since you are settin’the stage on how this goes, please list those 50 instances, but you’ll have to put away the hip boots…
I’m going to bet that NOTHING said on this thread changes anyone’s views on Sarah Palin. Unless Ms. Razor moves out and she moves in, I’m over her.
P.S. Ms. Razor has approved this message. And adds, “Why are they even bothering to talk about her? And I liked her…a little bit. But she couldn’t possibly be President.”
“Most VP candidates who lose go back to obscurity.”
I don’t think so. I immediately thought of one obscure vp loser, Franklin Roosevelt (nominated in 1924). But that was a long time ago.
Leaving losing incumbents out of this, lets see
Edwards (2004) made a run at the presidency instead of disappearing (2008)
Lieberman (2000) didn’t go away but I wish he’d done so.
Jack Kemp (1996) I guess faded away– that was some sort of last hurrah
Lloyd Bentsen (1988) went on to be Secretary of the Treasury, not entirely an obscure position
Geraldine Ferraro (1984) obscure wins on that one, but she annoyingly showed back up last year
Dole (1976) stayed a powerful senator, later a Presidential nominee (1996)
Muskie (1968) made a run at the presidency instead of disappearing (1976)
William Miller (1964) disappeared, in a big way, to the point of being in an AmEx “do you know me” commercial
Henry Cabot Lodge (1960) lots of ambassador positions. Estes Kefauver (1956) and John Sparkman (1952) stayed powerful senators. Earl Warren (1948) surely some of you remember him being chief justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1954 until about 1970?
I don’t think it can reasonably be said that VP losers fade away, particularly those who crave attention (Edwards, Lieberman), or who have longstanding national ambitions (Dole) or achieve that Senator-senior-statesman status (Bentsen, Sparkman, Kefauver). The ones that go to some level of obscurity (Miller, Ferraro) are the rarer ones.
I think Sarah Palin’s implosion may make her go the way of William Miller, but that’s not what she wants or intends, and may be wishful thinking on my part.
CNN article has Palin’s spokeshuman stating that “the governor needed a break after being on duty two and a half years solid.”
Who woulda thought that getting elected to a four year term would be longer than two and a half years? The devil is in the details.
Well, I suppose no matter how many times you get up in the morning to do it, putting lipstick on a pit bull never gets any easier.
This thread was posted July 3rd, and it’s still active on July 8th. See what I mean? Sarah Palin creates a buzz. People love to read about and talk about Sarah Palin. And in the media, that means money.
Someone! Please deliver us from Levi Johnston! This public obsession with Sarah Palin has now evolved to the lowest level. Ann Currie on NBC’s Today show just did an interview with Levi Johnston as the “expert” on all things about Sarah Palin. A main accusation of Levi about Palin was that she quit her job as governor to make money from her fame. Johnston doesn’t think Palin should be President because she can’t handle the stress of the job. He said all the attention she got as VP candidate went to her head, and she wants that attention again.
By the way, Levi appears in photo shots in the current GQ Magazine, has just accepted some modeling offers, and is considering appearing in some reality tv shows. He said he’s had numerous offers in acting and modeling since he starred in real life as the nineteen year-old who “knocked up” Palin’s daughter, Bristol. (So far as I know, that’s his only claim to fame. Did he even graduate from high school?) He says he’s considering the many modeling and tv offers he’s received since he starred in Palin’s VP race. (Wasn’t it Palin he just accused of cashing in?) Oh, he’s also planning to write a book about Sarah Palin! He’s writing the book about Palin because he thinks everyone should know about Palin and who she is.
It is astounding to me that this guy is now being courted by the national media as the authority on Sarah Palin. I also learned that he called his own press conference several days ago to give his personal opinion of why Palin left the governorship. His press conference was covered by the Associated Press and written coverage of his press conference was printed in newspapers throughout the U.S. Amazing!
What has this society come to when we allow a nineteen-year-old whose only known achievement is impregnating a young female to become a national spokesperson!
Meanwhile, I wonder if NBC is interested in the fact that Sotomayor is beginning her confirmation hearings today for U.S. Supreme Court Justice?