Sarah Palin resigns as Alaska governor

[daniel green]

"In a sit down with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, the Alaska Republican said she had made no decision on her political future, whether in-state or nationally. "I'm not definitely going to do anything yet," she said. "What I'm trying to get done for Alaska right now is to get that Alaska gas line built. We need those energy sources flowing through North America. That's what my focus is." Palin's hesitancy in declaring her 2012 plans is expected. But her declining to commit to running for reelection could spark additional speculation that she is clearing her calendar with eyes on higher office. Several weeks ago, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said he would not seek a third term in office, leading to suggestions that he would seek the Republican Party's nod in 2012"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_214816.html

Just as Ortiga predicted!

[theal3]

Tough decision for her, as in Alaska her popularity has fallen and the risk would be losing election to a 2nd term, which would throw her out for 2012 candidate, and many GOPers say it's too soon for her to run in 2012, still not enough credentials. But if she won a 2nd term, and it was successful, she'd be in line well for 2016. Then if she wins the Gov. seat, does she give it up to run in 2012? Catch 22 for her, IMHO. And if she doesn't run for a 2nd term, and doesn't run in 2012, what to do in2016, she'll have been a has been.

[SeeksJustice]

Originally Posted by daniel green

"Governor Sarah Palin is sleeping with the enemy of many Alaskans. Her trip to Houston, Texas to discuss a merged project with TransCanada and Exxon Mobil betrays Alaskans still reeling from last year's devastating Supreme Court verdict. It flies in the face of anyone with a memory of 20 years let alone last June. Exxon promised to "make Alaskans whole" and they never did; just another broken promise piled on top of all the others."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shanny..._b_214472.html

I thought she showed all those Oil Companies who was the boss...did she claim something like that when she first got elected and "worked the deal" with them?

[Lady_Jean_La]

No comment. No commitment. Pretty typical for a politician. I imagine she would save any announcement for the appropriate time. imo

[daniel green]

"Governor Sarah Palin is sleeping with the enemy of many Alaskans. Her trip to Houston, Texas to discuss a merged project with TransCanada and Exxon Mobil betrays Alaskans still reeling from last year's devastating Supreme Court verdict. It flies in the face of anyone with a memory of 20 years let alone last June. Exxon promised to "make Alaskans whole" and they never did; just another broken promise piled on top of all the others."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shanny..._b_214472.html

[YoYo]

Originally Posted by Lady_Jean_La

No comment. No commitment. Pretty typical for a politician. I imagine she would save any announcement for the appropriate time. imo

Exactly.....

[ortiga]

Originally Posted by Lady_Jean_La

No comment. No commitment. Pretty typical for a politician. I imagine she would save any announcement for the appropriate time. imo

If she wanted to be governor again, she would announce that right away, IMO. There are several people (R) that want the job if she doesn't run, and she would be helping the party if she announced one way or another. Because, in the meantime, the dem contenders are gaining force from all her questionable battles and skirmishes.

IMO

[Lady_Jean_La]

Originally Posted by ortiga

If she wanted to be governor again, she would announce that right away, IMO. There are several people (R) that want the job if she doesn't run, and she would be helping the party if she announced one way or another. Because, in the meantime, the dem contenders are gaining force from all her questionable battles and skirmishes.

IMO

I think it is typical to not announce an intention to run. It is also good to announce an intention not to run once everyone has been made aware confidentially. I think the public will be the last to know. imo

[Alliekat]

A non sequitur...or is it word salad.

[YoYo]

[daniel green]

Originally Posted by ortiga

If she wanted to be governor again, she would announce that right away, IMO. There are several people (R) that want the job if she doesn't run, and she would be helping the party if she announced one way or another. Because, in the meantime, the dem contenders are gaining force from all her questionable battles and skirmishes.

IMO

But, of course.

Seems you called this one 100% right, Ortiga.

I don't know that she could win again, and seems like she knows it.

[ortiga]

Originally Posted by daniel green

But, of course.

Seems you called this one 100% right, Ortiga.

I don't know that she could win again, and seems like she knows it.

I sense a kind of turning point this week though. After that business with "will she won't she" "she won't come unless she gets to speak" early in the week, it seems like more moderate republicans are starting to state their case against her, publicly albeit hesitantly. ie Scarborough, Peggy Noonan, more whose names I don't remember. (I believe the turning point was the Palin camp leaking to Politico). Before it seemed like there was kind of a hermetic seal that no one would say, in effect, she's still not ready. But now they are after this week of bizarre appearances and news. But she may be so tone deaf as to not notice...and may give up running for the next term in AK. But I don't think the republicans will choose her, if they were going to, they would keep that seal on their opinions instead of leaking them out.

Such a dilemma, she has to give up running for gov BEFORE knowing if they will choose her.......


IMO

[daniel green]

Originally Posted by ortiga

(I believe the turning point was the Palin camp leaking to Politico). snipped
IMO

Interesting. You know what? I bet you are absolutely right about that.

[Alliekat]

Originally Posted by ortiga

I sense a kind of turning point this week though. After that business with "will she won't she" "she won't come unless she gets to speak" early in the week, it seems like more moderate republicans are starting to state their case against her, publicly albeit hesitantly. ie Scarborough, Peggy Noonan, more whose names I don't remember. (I believe the turning point was the Palin camp leaking to Politico). Before it seemed like there was kind of a hermetic seal that no one would say, in effect, she's still not ready. But now they are after this week of bizarre appearances and news. But she may be so tone deaf as to not notice...and may give up running for the next term in AK. But I don't think the republicans will choose her, if they were going to, they would keep that seal on their opinions instead of leaking them out.

Such a dilemma, she has to give up running for gov BEFORE knowing if they will choose her.......


IMO

Peggy Noonan has never been a Palin fan from day one. Remember when Noonan was caught on tape bashing McCain's choice of Sarah Palin on MSNBC after she thought the mic was off. Because Palin is able to draw a crowd for the Republicans like a side circus does not qualify her for running for President......and they know this too! Palin will not be re-elected Governor either should she run.

[LisaM22]

Originally Posted by daniel green

"In a sit down with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, the Alaska Republican said she had made no decision on her political future, whether in-state or nationally. "I'm not definitely going to do anything yet," she said. "What I'm trying to get done for Alaska right now is to get that Alaska gas line built. We need those energy sources flowing through North America. That's what my focus is." Palin's hesitancy in declaring her 2012 plans is expected. But her declining to commit to running for reelection could spark additional speculation that she is clearing her calendar with eyes on higher office. Several weeks ago, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said he would not seek a third term in office, leading to suggestions that he would seek the Republican Party's nod in 2012"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_214816.html

Just as Ortiga predicted!

I think she knows if she runs there is a good chance she will lose, tough call for her to make imo

[YoYo]

Originally Posted by feelings

What's the obsession with Sarah Palin?

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/105964

To deflect from the disappointing job Obama is doing. MO

[ortiga]

Originally Posted by Sunshine@SC

I agree. She needs to sit down and study the issues facing the country and the world. Every time she rears her head to make a statement about a molehill she makes it into a mountain. If she seriously wants
to be a politician she needs to learn what's important, when to speak
up and when to shut up. The first thing she needs to do is know what she's talking about before she adds to her laughingstock image. She just keeps on and on and on about non-consenquential things just to get her name in the paper and her face on the talk shows.

"For that to happen, though, Dowd thinks Palin needs to move beyond celebrity. She can do that, he said, by advancing a substantive values argument in her upcoming book. Another option, he suggested, would be to host an academic forum on economics in which she puts forth her own opinions. She's bright and charismatic but needs to prove substance, he said.

"She's got to get back in the news sections and out of the style sections and People magazine coverage," he said."

Matthew Dowd opinion (republican strategist)

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/poli...y/1096716.html

[ortiga]

http://www.adn.com/palin/story/830200.html

And long, balanced report today from Alaska's major paper:

"But as in the presidential campaign, Palin continues to be very polarizing. On the national level, many seem to either love her or deeply dislike her. Her supporters will hear a Palin speech or interview and declare her brilliantly in touch with regular Americans and their values. Critics dismiss her as not being presidential material -- and worse.

"She has crossed the line from political figure into celebritydom," said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "But she's also demonstrated how polarizing and controversial she is, even with the Republican leadership."

[ortiga]

Originally Posted by benwatchin

IMO, she doesn't want to, and won't. I think it's human nature to avoid what you don't understand

I don't know if she would define celebrity as her goal, but that's been the result of her political methodology. I think she may have been partly undermined by having an unprofessional staff, who encouraged her to respond to each and every headline that would get HER a headline, such as weighing in on the runner up to Miss USA, trashing Levi, yesterday saying that Obama was "the candidate who must be obeyed" then rambling on about the "ticket", as though she were still campaigning, but in the LAST election. etc. So we'll probably never know if it was her staff that encouraged the celebrity or if she got her staff to jump on any chance for a headline.

In any case, IMO it's pretty hard to back up and take another fork in the road toward a substantive image. Reagan did it, but all he really had to overcome was a hollywood background, not what she has decided to make a stand on, ie being a victim.

IMO

[joolz]

Originally Posted by Sunshine@SC

I agree. She needs to sit down and study the issues facing the country and the world. Every time she rears her head to make a statement about a molehill she makes it into a mountain. If she seriously wants
to be a politician she needs to learn what's important, when to speak
up and when to shut up. The first thing she needs to do is know what she's talking about before she adds to her laughingstock image. She just keeps on and on and on about non-consenquential things just to get her name in the paper and her face on the talk shows.

A forty-five year old politician with national political aspirations should not have to start to study and learn the issues facing our country. You don't wake up in your mid-forties and suddenly decide, "gee, it would be cool to be president." If she doesn't know the major issues inside and out by now, if she hasn't been strongly interested and involved in them for many years, she's not qualified to be a leader, not in my book. Playing catch-up is not acceptable. jmo

[joolz]

Originally Posted by Bunny54

I totally agree. I was really surprised the other day when I heard Chris Mathew's say 'she needs to crack open some books'. She has never shown to me that she was intellectually qualified to even be in the office she holds now..let alone President of the United States.

imho

ITA Bunny. I have a huge problem with people not expecting more depth of knowledge and intellectual curiosity from their elected officials. IMO, "cracking open some books" should have started oh, about forty years ago for her. As for the office she holds now, that's Alaska's problem to handle as they see fit. Re-elect her, don't re-elect her, not my concern. But on a national level? No way, now how! jmo

[FallenAngel♥]

Originally Posted by YoYo

To deflect from the disappointing job Obama is doing. MO

LOL.........do you think Palins doing a good job as Gov or helping her party?

[Lady_Jean_La]

Originally Posted by Sunshine@SC

Comedy relief from all the serious stuff going on in the world.

Another Ross Perot! Maybe she can start her own party. imo

[YoYo]

Originally Posted by FallenAngel♥

LOL.........do you think Palins doing a good job as Gov or helping her party?

Good job? As "good" as Obama has so far, yes.

[FallenAngel♥]

Originally Posted by YoYo

Good job? As "good" as Obama has so far, yes.

honestly do you know how to stay on topic?
this threads NOT about Obama.
So i'll ask you again...........do you feel like Palins doing a good job in Alaska and do you think she's helping her party?

[YoYo]

Originally Posted by FallenAngel♥

honestly do you know how to stay on topic?
this threads NOT about Obama.
So i'll ask you again...........do you feel like Palins doing a good job in Alaska and do you think she's helping her party?

And here I was thinking you and I had reached a new level of understanding.

[FallenAngel♥]

Originally Posted by YoYo

And here I was thinking you and I had reached a new level of understanding.

ohhhhhhhhhhh yes i understand you love to change the subject.
i'm NOT putting Palin down. I'm just asking your opinion of her and you only want to talk about Obama. I just don't get that.

I said months ago i didn't think Palin would be re-elected. In fact i'm starting to think she wants to get closer to DC so she might want to run for Congress in 2010.

[ortiga]

Originally Posted by joolz

A forty-five year old politician with national political aspirations should not have to start to study and learn the issues facing our country. You don't wake up in your mid-forties and suddenly decide, "gee, it would be cool to be president." If she doesn't know the major issues inside and out by now, if she hasn't been strongly interested and involved in them for many years, she's not qualified to be a leader, not in my book. Playing catch-up is not acceptable. jmo

I don't think it's possible to be thought of as a real leader without a background in history. Not enough for her to be up on the latest issues and offer a "stump the candidate" game to quiz her on the name rulers of other nations. She can study up, and should ANYWAY, whether or not she runs, just for her own benefit in life. But one question from a normally qualified journalist will throw her off as she hasn't paid much attention to national issues in the past, IMO. For instance, Blitzer asked her what she thought about the president's mid east speech, after a pause came up with something about wishing he would have said what great friends we are with Israel, some kind of answer/no answer but fill up the space. Obviously she hadn't read it or not retained what was in it. Neither did I, but I'm not trying to be president.

In the last election it was stated by many in her base that they would vote for her because she is like them, she is like us, however it was put. Honestly, the LAST person I want in office is someone who has suddenly discovered national politics and "is like us".

IMO

[Lady_Jean_La]

Originally Posted by benwatchin

The party of 'wink' maybe?

Oh, I love it!

[YoYo]

Originally Posted by FallenAngel♥

ohhhhhhhhhhh yes i understand you love to change the subject.
i'm NOT putting Palin down. I'm just asking your opinion of her and you only want to talk about Obama. I just don't get that.

I said months ago i didn't think Palin would be re-elected. In fact i'm starting to think she wants to get closer to DC so she might want to run for Congress in 2010.

I'm not sure what Gov. Palin's aspirations are at this point in time. I think her rating fell as a result of all of the negative media she rec'd during and post election, and I'm not not sure recent rating reflect how the people of Alaska feel about her. In any event she's still has a 59% approval rating - which is my opinion is very good .....and plenty of time to improve that based on her continued positive contributions to the welfare of her state before 2010. My personal choice - 2012.

[dinojen]

I sincerely don't get it..

There are 38... count them THIRTY EIGHT... gubernatorial contests between now and Nov. of 2010 and the only concern this board has is if Gov. Palin is going to run for re-election... just amazing...

http://innovation.cq.com/atlas/gov2010

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cf...FQ6jagodzRnPoQ

There are other states in the country besides Alaska... and they have just as big of issues as some on this board like to think only Palin has..

JMHO

[ortiga]

This is what happened in the election when the VP candidate became better known by national voters:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/31/us...cs/31poll.html
----------------------------------------
This is what happened in Alaska when the governor became better known: (Oct 3-6 08)

http://washingtonindependent.com/109...-hits-new-high
59% down from approx 89%.
--------------------------------------------
And here are the most recent figures after she became even better known in Alaska: (5 May 09)
http://www.haysresearch.com/oc050509.htm




Note it is not 59%.

[ortiga]

Originally Posted by dinojen

I sincerely don't get it..

There are 38... count them THIRTY EIGHT... gubernatorial contests between now and Nov. of 2010 and the only concern this board has is if Gov. Palin is going to run for re-election... just amazing...

http://innovation.cq.com/atlas/gov2010

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cf...FQ6jagodzRnPoQ

There are other states in the country besides Alaska... and they have just as big of issues as some on this board like to think only Palin has..

JMHO

Why don't you start some threads about other races where the governors are thought to be running for president or governor?

Do you think that any governor elected in 2010 will be running for president in 2012?

Which other governor would be running for reelection in 2010 that has a PAC, a defense fund, an ethics violation, etc?

[ABC]

Originally Posted by dinojen

I sincerely don't get it..

There are 38... count them THIRTY EIGHT... gubernatorial contests between now and Nov. of 2010 and the only concern this board has is if Gov. Palin is going to run for re-election... just amazing...

http://innovation.cq.com/atlas/gov2010

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cf...FQ6jagodzRnPoQ

There are other states in the country besides Alaska... and they have just as big of issues as some on this board like to think only Palin has..

JMHO

Well, thats the thing. The Governor is so outstanding and connects to the people so well, she IS the only game in town. 53% or 59% approval rating. You Go Gal!!!!

[ortiga]

Palin is the subject of the CNN interview referred to in the OP.

[ortiga]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMwv7...eature=related

Here's what she said about her possible plans for 2012 even before the election was over. McCain aides characterized as "speechless" when read her quote by a CNN reporter.

[ABC]

Originally Posted by ortiga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMwv7...eature=related

Here's what she said about her possible plans for 2012 even before the election was over. McCain aides characterized as "speechless" when read her quote by a CNN reporter.

I don't put much stock in McCain's aides as they helped run the worse Presidental campaign in my memory. I am okay with them being "speechless".

[ridrea]

Originally Posted by YoYo

To deflect from the disappointing job Obama is doing. MO

Exactly! If the left didn't feel so threatened by Sarah they would not be so obsessed with trashing her!

[ortiga]

Originally Posted by Happy~Mom

http://sarahpac.com/news/news31.aspx


I smell fear. JMO

What I smell is dishonesty in the sources, and posters, that keep insisting that she has not been found guilty of an ethics violation. She sure WAS found to have violated the Alaska Branch Ethics Laws, re troopergate. And the governor was actually telling a lie when she said: ""The truth was revealed there in that report that showed there was no unlawful or unethical activity on my part."

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-me...d-ethics-laws/

""Finding Number One" of the report is "that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Branch Ethics Act."

Specifically, the statute reads: "The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust."

Her response drew a rare "pants on fire" rating for the gov:

" Those all may be legitimate arguments, or not. But the issue here is Palin’s characterization that the report concluded that she did not do anything ethically wrong. The report concluded just the opposite. The report says she did abuse her authority and she did violate state ethics laws. By saying otherwise repeatedly, in what seems to be a deliberate attempt to mislead or confuse voters who don't know the facts, Palin isn't just wrong, she's Pants on Fire! wrong."

[Lady_Jean_La]

Originally Posted by dinojen

I sincerely don't get it..

There are 38... count them THIRTY EIGHT... gubernatorial contests between now and Nov. of 2010 and the only concern this board has is if Gov. Palin is going to run for re-election... just amazing...

http://innovation.cq.com/atlas/gov2010

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cf...FQ6jagodzRnPoQ

There are other states in the country besides Alaska... and they have just as big of issues as some on this board like to think only Palin has..

JMHO

It would be interesting to see a poll but I'm guessing Governor Palin is the most hated governor and hate is very powerful. imo