Maybe this is one of those rare times that a politician really is resigning to spend more time with their family. If any politician would do that, it seems like this one would. In any event, I’m sure that the press and the Democrats are proud of themselves for chasing her out of politics.
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Usually politicians say that they want to spend more time with their family. But listen (or read) what she said. The overwhelming majority of what she said was focused on her political philosophy and her political aspirations (even if they were a bit vague). Only a few sentences of her statement were about her family, and of those sentences, one or two of them were about a poll of her children on whether she should fight for all of America’s children, rather than whether she should spend time with them. I’m not saying she will run for office again, but I don’t think she was saying that her family was the reason she is resigning.
When I heard the news, I wondered if there was a family or personal problem (like a health concern) that was driving her decision, but her statement made me think that this is a step in her career rather than a reaction to a family-related issue.
The vagueness says to me that this wasn’t well planned, but that she’s just tired of all the attacks, but doesn’t want to bow down to them. If you’re planning for a higher office, quitting one in the middle isn’t a great strategy. She may come back, and she may even be thinking of doing so in the future, but if so (like Nixon) it’s not any time soon.
She is taking charge of her life. The left is terrified of her. Removing herself from the governors office is Ju-Jitsu to free her of all the trumped up ethics violation charges. Now she can raise an organization and get some serious money for a run.
McCain taught her not to be so trusting and it will serve her well.
I still wish for FDT, but advisor to the CinC works for me.
I listened to her whole statement again from start to finish, and this time I did hear more references to her family. Her statement as a whole was disjointed – it was as if pages from three or four very different speeches had gotten jumbled together.
I have to admit I actually believed Gov. Sanford was hiking, and I believed President Clinton hadn’t had sexual relations with that woman. I’ll probably keep taking politicians at their word when it comes to their personal life (seems unkind not to), but in this case, I’m not sure what Gov. Palin wanted us to believe.
I think she can be a great fundraiser, but I don’t think this sets her up for a candidacy of her own. I said it last January and I still believe what she needed to do if she wants to move up to a national candidacy, was seek and win a second term.
I don’t like this, or what it says about her judgment if it is intended as a political step — but I didn’t think she could beat Tony Knowles for governor in 2006, so I’ll be happy to pass out grains of salt to anybody that wants one.
I think she resigned rather than subject her state and governorship (and her family) to more of the crap that’s been flung at her — for no reason, I might add. She wasn’t running for VP anymore, she was just continuing her term, and the Sarah haters wouldn’t stop. I can’t figure out why, really — I can’t think of any other presidential election year where the vice presidential candidate of the losing team continued to get attacked. Talk about dishonorable. Talk about being sore winners. There was no reason for anyone to trash her, but even washed-up night-time talk show hosts got into the act. How insecure are Obama’s fans that they feel they have to do this?
I think Sarah is about to take up bowling for pinheads.
I think it’s for the family in the sense that, once out of office, she can take advantage of her notoriety to quickly stack up some serious bucks for the Palin family “fuck you” fund. There’s nothing like millions of dollars in book advances, speaking fees and (perhaps) talk show syndication money socked away to give one a nice warm feeling of having seen to the needs of the brood. Also, neither Nixon nor Reagan was a sitting officeholder at the time of their respective successful presidential runs. Being out of office was a feature, not a bug, in both of their “long march” campaigns for the presidency. Palin is two years younger than Nixon was in 1960 and 18 years younger than Reagan was in 1974. She might have her eye in 2012, but, whether she does or not, she’s got the youth to be playing the long game here.
What? Over three hours and no comment from Jim?
Must be awaiting his marching orders.
The pinheads are gloating and negatively spinning as fast as their wicked hearts can. She may not run in 2012, but anyone calling her a quitter is wrong. We are going to see more of Sarah than we ever have before, including a significant impact on the midterms.
This development is extremely encouraging to me. She said the problem is apathy and she is anything but apathetic. The pinheads hope she fades away. That’s not going to happen.
Mabey Fox can put her on late nite opposite Lamerman.
Andrea hit the nail on the head. There were more jokes about Bristol in 6 months than both of the Bush girls in 8 years. Woe be to the late night comic that made any Chelsea jokes. It’s one thing to attack a politician but attacking the family is just beyond the pale. Then there’s Sully who is in a whole low, low class by himself
My own take is that all the toxic hatred the Lefties were spewing was harming her effectiveness as a governor and she wanted to do what’s best for Alaska, her family and herself. In that order.
Me, I’d like to see Letterman gone. The poisonous little git needs to retire. Like yesterday. That he hasn’t been fired is a disgrace. He hasn’t been funny since about 1976.
I sincerely hope Sarah is crazy like a fox.
Obviously, I have no real way of knowing, but I suspect we will see a lot of Sarah Palin as the 2010 midterms approach. She has the ability to draw HUGE crowds and attention wherever she travels. This is something VERY unique and VERY valuable for the GOP — particularly at this juncture. Something she herself is aware of. If Sarah manages to get credit for swinging a handful of close elections to Republican House and Senate candidates in 2010 she will be a powerful force to be reckoned, if not the presumptive nominee, in the run up to 2012.
If you think about it, this is something that would be awkward and very difficult to do if Sarah tried to stump for 2010 candidates without giving up the governorship. By resigning she can devote as much time as she cares to towards building her political base in the lower 48. As I said, perhaps she is crazy like a fox.
BTW, I would loving nothing more than seeing Sarah Palin have the freedom to needle the Obama administration for the next 18 months. We already know she can get under the guys skin and he can’t afford to loose his cool or look petty now that he is President. Perhaps she could even provoke him to respond to her criticisms directly which would increase here stature enormously. Of course, he’ll send his goon squad (aka the MSM) to do the dirty work, but as the whole fiasco with David Letterman proved even they can only go so far without risking a serious backlash.
I agree that the best thing Sarah could have done for her political future is continue the good job she has done running Alaska (note the pipeline deal) and win reelection. That would have set up in 2012 a marvelous contrast to what is likely to be a failed Obama presidency (return of stagflation).
However, since she has decided to not run for reelection, resigning now puts the Lt. Governor into office now, setting him up for winning the election in 2010. So by resigning she effectively decided who will be Governor through 2014, and maybe 2018.
So the real question isn’t why she resigned, but why she choose to not run for reelection.
So the real question isn’t why she resigned, but why she choose to not run for reelection.
That question has been answered. It’s the same reason she gave for resigning. The key is to understand what she said…
Life is too short to compromise time and resources…
You may say this is vague, but I say it’s real clear. She is effective. She knows the tactics the left are trying to smear her with will continue and not stop if she won another term as governor.
So she’s passing the ball. She’s going to have a huge impact on the midterm elections. Publicly she supports McCain, but that’s because she is a team player. Don’t expect her to support any RINOs for the midterm.
The left understands this. That’s why they continue the absurd claim that Sarah hurt McCain, when McCain didn’t have the slightest chance until he selected her for running mate. They continue to make the absurd claim that she and her family are trailer park trash. American’s are sick of the tactics of the left and she can focus that anger constructively. She’s going to. Her resignation is the best political news I’ve heard. Go Sarahcuda!
Over three hours and no comment from Jim?
Sorry to keep you waiting!
I don’t know what this means, and it doesn’t seem that anyone else does either. So perhaps we can agree that it was a very unexpected move, one with logic that isn’t obvious even in hindsight. Surprises like this aren’t very common in politics; the last ones I can recall were McCain’s suspension of his campaign, and McCain’s selection of Palin.
There is something exciting about a politician who does the unpredictable. It heightens interest, as people keep watching to see what comes next. Most potential presidential candidates can only dream of having her ability to seize the public and media’s focus.
That said, the downsides of unpredictability are great as well. Voters, especially in the center of the ideological spectrum, may be put off by the notion that they can’t predict what their possible president might do next. They may prefer a predictable president to an exciting one.
the absurd claim that Sarah hurt McCain
There’s new research from U. Penn that suggests Palin had more effect on the 2008 elections than any VP candidate in recent history. Click my name for more.
If you can’t stand the heat get out of the fire.
“Winners never quit. Quitters never win”
Jim, I don’t need anyone to research what I saw with my own eyes. McCain was shocked at the money coming in after he selected Sarah. Then everybody piled on Sarah with every cockeyed slander they could fabricate. Sarah helped McCain. The media did there usual wonderful job. That crap don’t fly Jim. There are lies, damned lies, statistics and Jim. All selectively ignoring the facts.
How pithy of you, Brian. In my life (mostly in my youth) I’ve quit many jobs. You’d be an idiot to call me a quitter. Calling Sarah a quitter is to be living in a fantasy universe. She’s not quitting, just changing the direction of her advance. But let her enemies think she’s a quitter. They remain useful idiots.
Sorry Ken, I must disagree. I watched the video of Palin announcing her resignation and it was pretty much all about resigning, not about why she choose to not run for reelection. I have also read that Sarah has said via recent twitter that she will explain her reasons for not running at a later time and to “stay tuned”.
Quit watching her body Brad (it’s understandable.) Try reading the text of her speech with this little bit of help (she means exactly what she says.) Ok,about reelection, in her words…
the State has wasted THOUSANDS of hours of YOUR time and shelled out some two million of YOUR dollars to respond to “opposition research” – that’s money NOT going to fund teachers or troopers – or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the “politics of personal destruction” … [snip] It doesn’t cost them a dime so they’re not going to stop draining public resources – spending other peoples’ money in their game.
What? You didn’t see anything about the reelection? Well, that’s because she knows something Brad, that you obviously haven’t figured out. IT WOULD CONTINUE AFTER REELECTION.
It’s part of the reason she’s resigning now and it’s part of the reason she is not looking to be reelected. She means what she says… which apparently throws people from both parties… telling us a lot about the nature of politics.
So Brad, you’re not disagreeing with me; You’re not believing straight talk. It’s understandable, most people think Biden and his fabrications won the debate too.
Ken, what is your malfunction? Is your best method of persuasion “who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?” And to top it off with personal insults? The all caps portions are a nice touch too. Good grief.
Sorry you don’t appreciate my humor Brad. I admit it’s an acquired taste. This is what you said…
it was pretty much all about resigning, not about why she choose to not run for reelection.
This is her answer, in her words…
so that Alaska may progress… I will not seek re-election as Governor.
What prevented Alaska from progress? What preceded this statement was the statement I posted above. I realize it’s not an easy read, but it’s all there if just read it.
No malfuction Brad. I apologize for whatever insult you perceive, it’s not intended. I’m just saying that this universal confusion that seems to have engulfed everyone (and Jim surprisingly gets it right when he says…it doesn’t seem that anyone else does either.) is cleared up if you just read with comprehension. She is saying exactly what she means. She tends to interject (something I do myself) which does make it a bit difficult to follow. But an adult aught to be able to follow it. If you start with the assumption she doesn’t mean what she says it makes it much more difficult to understand.
The all caps was for emphasis. Perhaps I could have chosen a different style?
Regarding ‘quitting’ in general – read (or listen to) ‘The Dip’ by Seth Godin, where amongst other things he says the “quitters don’t win, winners don’t quit” quote is some of the stupidest advice ever, and that you should quit *tactics* that aren’t working to concentrate on the bigger win.
That’s the first thing that came to mind when I digested this news.
I wish her well, and as for the pond life who have been attacking her, well they’re doing that because they’re terrified of her – pure and simple.
“I apologize for whatever insult you perceive, it’s not intended.”
I accept your apology. But do me a favor next time you reply to someone, before you hit the submit comment button, reread your entire post, out load, and without vocal inflection.
For example, this portion of your reply…
“She tends to interject (something I do myself) which does make it a bit difficult to follow. But an adult aught to be able to follow it.”
More of your “humor”? I pray you can see the problem with that segment without me spelling it out for you.
“that this universal confusion that seems to have engulfed everyone (and Jim surprisingly gets it right when he says…it doesn’t seem that anyone else does either.) is cleared up if you just read with comprehension.”
You should be alarmed that only Jim shares your understanding of what Palin meant.
Here is link to the Palin twitter
http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/statuses/2459182779
You should be alarmed that only Jim shares your understanding of what Palin meant.
He doesn’t. What struck me was how much effort this post of his seemed to put in being ‘reasonable’
reread your entire post, out load, and without vocal inflection. Good advice. We’re all a bit tone deaf at times.
>“She tends to interject (something I do myself) which does make it a bit difficult to follow. But an adult aught to be able to follow it.”
>More of your “humor”?
yes, a bit.
>I pray you can see the problem with that segment without me spelling it out for you.
I understand talking about maturity does offend people that lack it. A mature person is self critical and isn’t offended by stating the obvious. I’m afraid I must continue to support reading with comprehension. No insult to anybody is intended.
As for Palin, she has a way of expressing herself that confuses people. But carefully reading her statements you discover a profound intelligence that isn’t apparent in a casual read. For example, she was painted as a idiot by Charles in his interview with her, but when you read her statement you find she was exactly right and Charlie was the typical media moron. I’m not impressed by smooth talkers. Thinking causes hesitations that can easily be made to look stupid.
As an air traffic controller they recorded us. The self perception was that we were constantly talking… but when you reviewed the tape it had spurts of talk between long, long silences. Those silences were not perceived by the controller, but that’s when the major thinking was happening. Perception is not reality. This is especially true with a smart woman like Palin.
She is finally getting control of the situation where others are trying to define her. I’m listening to a lot of confused talking heads that just don’t get it. But they could if they just read with comprehension.
I’m sorry, but I’m astonished that anybody could defend Palin’s decision. The voters of the State of Alaska elected her for a 4-year term. They deserve to get what they voted for.
Regarding being “driven out of politics.” Bullshit. Every president and presidential candidate since George Washington has been criticized and called names. Letterman made a ton of money making fun of Bill Clinton’s sex life and food choices, so it’s a bipartisan thing even in recent memory.
Besides which, she gets criticized for saying stupid stuff. For example, her “”advancing in another direction” quote she ended her speech with. If she’d done 5 minutes of research, she’d learn that the quote was originally from Major General Smith, USMC and was his description of fighting out of a trap – a trap he was sent into by MacArthur!
If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
She served her state well and is leaving it in capable hands… so I have no problem defending her position. A position which she clearly articulates and many seem to ignore. The voters elected her governor and she’s been a good one. If the voters have any complaints it should be with the ones using state funds to attack her. She is taking charge of her future and the whiners can stupidly watch while they continue to try to define her with negative spin. She’s learned and is no longer having any of it.
You’re absolutely right. Nobody is driving her out of politics. If anything they are making her more determined to fight. Bowling for pinheads is going to be a joy to watch in the coming years.
Ok, wrong general, but that she plans to continue the fight is the point. Bet she knows we don’t have 57 states. To err (on a minor point) is human. To really screw up the country you need an Obama administration.
Letterman made a ton of money making fun of Bill Clinton’s sex life and food choices, so it’s a bipartisan thing even in recent memory.
However, Letterman didn’t snicker, make dirty jokes about Chelsea Clinton and get a pat on the back from the liberal media for a job well done. What part of the double standard don’t you see?
I’ll take Sarah’s word for it that she is leaving Alaska in capable hands and moving on to a “higher calling”. Time will tell what the calling is, but I suspect it will be pretty interesting.
“I understand talking about maturity does offend people that lack it. A mature person is self critical and isn’t offended by stating the obvious. I’m afraid I must continue to support reading with comprehension. No insult to anybody is intended.”
Good grief. Game over. In the future Ken, please do not address me I and I will do you the same courtesy.
My apologies to Rand for this clutter to his comment thread. Please feel free to delete this comment after a decent interval, (so that Ken has chance to see it).
What is the good grief about. What statement did I make that you disagree with?
I’m trying to understand if I’ve done something wrong. Rand has no problem putting me in my place if I do. In going back over comments and I note you said…
Is your best method of persuasion “who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?”
Which when you think about it (I didn’t much the first time) is very insulting considering almost all my posts herein included citations to support my points.
And to top it off with personal insults?
Show me just one personal insult. This board is read by many people so I write to that audience. If I direct an insult toward you, I’ll make it direct and I haven’t done that.
I still recommend reading with comprehension. If that statement offends you… I’m not sure what to say. /flame off???
Getting back to Sarah, there is something about the way she expresses herself that turns comprehension off and you can see it in the way she universally confuses people. I admit, I have to read what she says rather than listen to her to get a clear picture.
When I read what she says I see clear points intelligently presented in a logical order. I don’t perceive that in the same way when I just listen to her. She uses analogies that can easily lose people. Interestingly, understanding analogies and their application is a key part of many intelligence tests.
So I think my point may be that those critical of her intelligence are probably lacking in that area themselves. She is certainly one of those people that her opponents can easily ‘misunderestimate”
She’s taking on the entire filthy media. She has guts. I’m very proud of her and her family. She’s not going to get much help from any of the talking heads. She will be talking directly to the people without the media filter. That’s the lesson she’s learned.
I see a natural alliance with the tea party movement.
>..McCain was shocked at the money coming in after he selected Sarah. ..
More then that, watch his expresion in the speach where he introduces Palin. The crowd came alive for her in secounds in a way hes never been able to do – and he was upset.
As for why she left the govenorship. She said she was spending 80% of her and her staffs time answering attacks on her. So she couldn’t be a effective govenor, adn was to bogged down to spend anytime on the national stage. Now shes not pretending to be a gov, which she seemed to feel was cheating Alaskans, and shes not limited by her job as to what she can do to fight back.
To focus on her basketball analogy, you don’t plow throw a wall of defenders – you step around them.
On her own full time she can raise a hell of a lot of money to hire lawyers and staffs to fight the charges, and spend enough time speaking in the lower 48 to drown them out.
What she will do — we’ll find out.
“Getting back to Sarah, there is something about the way she expresses herself that turns comprehension off and you can see it in the way she universally confuses people. I admit, I have to read what she says rather than listen to her to get a clear picture.”
I’ve never had any trouble understanding what she’s said. In fact, that’s what impressed me about her when I first heard her speak: how clearly she expressed herself as opposed to the standard mush-mouthed politician who are the aural equivalent of trying to nail jello to the wall.
Andrea, I hope I didn’t give that impression (I am always frustrated that I am not a good communicator.) My point is while I love listening to her and what she says, when I read her comments I am amazed at the depth that I didn’t perceive just listening to her.
I love her. But even her supposed friendly talking heads seem confused and unable to comprehend what she clearly says.