Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin didn't wait long to give some hint of what her political life might look like after she leaves office at the end of the month.
After staying out of the public eye for most of Saturday, a day after abruptly announcing she would soon give up her job as governor, Palin indicated on a social networking site that she would take on a larger, national role, citing a "higher calling" to unite the country along conservative lines.
"I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint," the former Republican vice presidential candidate wrote in a posting on her Facebook page. Palin's spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, confirmed Palin wrote the entry.
Palin shocked even her closest friends on Friday when she announced she would resign July 26, more than a year before her first term ends. But the controversial hockey mom has not revealed many details of bigger plans and national agenda.
Palin instead cast herself as a victim and blasted the media, calling the response to her announcement "predictable" and out of touch.
"How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it's about country," the statement said. "And though it's honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make."
The abruptness of her announcement and the mystery surrounding her plans have fed widespread speculation. But Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein on Saturday warned legal action may be taken against bloggers and publications that reprint what he calls fraudulent claims.
"To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as 'fact' that Governor Palin resigned because she is 'under federal investigation' for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation," Van Flein said in a statement. "This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law."
He also told the Anchorage Daily News that Palin wasn't in any criminal legal jeopardy.
"I can say definitively I am aware of no criminal investigation whatsoever involving Sarah Palin. Zero," he said.
The FBI reiterated that claim Saturday, telling the Los Angeles Times for a story Sunday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was not investigating Palin's activities as governor, a former mayor or in any other capacity.
There is absolutely no truth to those rumors that we're investigating her or getting ready to indict her," Special Agent Eric Gonzalez, the bureau's Alaska spokesman, said.
Palin has kept a low profile since her sudden announcement Friday at a hastily called news conference at her home in suburban Wasilla, outside Anchorage. All of her public communication since then has been on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, or through statements released by her office.
At the same time, Palin informed her spokesman David Murrow early Saturday that someone using the name "exgovsarahpalin" on Twitter was spreading a false rumor that there was to be a party at her suburban home in Wasilla, outside Anchorage. Palin was afraid her home would be mobbed, and security was dispatched, Murrow said.
With only a few weeks before she steps down on July 26, and Alaska Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell takes her place, the governor spent the Fourth of July weekend in the state capital, Juneau, but was only spotted briefly on the sidelines of the city's parade.
She had been invited to ride in a convertible, as she did last year, but never told organizers whether she would attend.
Juneau parade director Jean Sztuk said officials drew up banners in case Palin showed and was willing to take part.
As the last of the parade's clowns and marching bands headed past her, Sztuk gave up on Palin. "What governor wants to be at the end of the parade?" she asked.
Her low-profile and vague Internet messages left mounting questions about her plans for the future shrouded in mystery. Will she lay the groundwork for a 2012 presidential bid? Will she find a high-profile place in the private sector, maybe on the speech circuit? Will she drop out of the limelight and focus on her five children?
Her constituents, for one, wanted to know, especially in Juneau, where she has struggled to win over residents.
"I think she owes it to Alaskans to tell us why," said state Sen. Dennis Egan, a Democrat from Juneau and the son of Alaska's first governor, Bill Egan.
Egan, hosting a 50th anniversary statehood ceremony, said he was disappointed Palin decided not to finish out her term, which was scheduled to end in 2010.
"It's sad she abandoned us at this critical time," said Egan, who was appointed by Palin to an open seat on the last day of the legislative session in April, after a protracted battle with Senate Democrats.
Palin's departure can't come soon enough for Laurel Carlton, a waitress at the Capital Cafe in the Baranof Hotel, where the city's political movers and shakers meet every morning before walking a few blocks to the Capitol.
"I think she has a game plan that's not Alaska, and hasn't been for awhile," Carlton said.
She noted Palin has a book deal, and seems headed for the national stage.
"If you're really not going to stay and do your job every day, you should leave anyway, and so the sooner the better so somebody can step in and actually do the job," Carlton said.
And as far as Carlton is concerned, Palin doesn't need to explain why she's leaving.
"We don't care. We just want her gone," she said.
Palin, whose popularity in Alaska has waned amid ongoing ethics investigations, gave many reasons for stepping down: She didn't want to be a lame-duck governor; she was tired of the tasteless jokes aimed at her five children, including her son Trig, who has Down syndrome; she felt she could do more in another, still-to-be-defined role.
Sen. John McCain didn't rule out a return to politics for his former running mate, saying Saturday he believes "she will continue to play an important leadership role in the Republican Party and our nation." He gave no other details.
Even Parnell, who plans to run for re-election after finishing out Palin's term, said he was shocked at first when he learned of his boss' decision.
"But then as she began to articulate her reasons, I began to understand better," he said. "And nobody — unless they've been in her position and understood what she has gone through and dealt with and who she is as a person — really understands."
Harley-Davidson Naples Freedom Ride 2012
Punta Gorda Prostitution Arrests…
Collier County arrests 05-22-2012
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 70
Ironage writes:
If this women is ever elected to higher office it will be game over for the Untied States. If you thought things were bad under W then those 8 years will be like a church picnic compared to what Palin could and would inflict on us. We lose the little credibility we are just managaing to reclaim with the world and be reduced to the status of Coco the Clown Chavez crossed with the junta in Burma. We would be reduced to a very dangerous laughing stock.
If you are a Rebublican then you should be afraid very afraid. If you think this woman can be manipulated and controled like the puppet Bush then think again she's a hand granade waiting to go off and if you chose here as the nomination for 2012 then I can safley say you have zero chance of ever regaining the Whitehouse before 2016.
If you are a Democrat then you have as much to fear. Palin is a nightmare. She is 'popular' with all the crazy wacko's out there, of which we have a lot. If by some fluke she was ever lected then, even as a non religious observer, I'd say the end of days will have arrived.
Remember the 'Old Soviet Union'? That will be our fate. We'll be the 'Old United States'.
dooley writes:
Palin is not seeking "greener pastures." She read the Vanity Fair article and freaked out; it was the last straw. Everyone attacked her in that article except Todd.
Realize that all she's ever been is an intuitive, but poorly- educated, impulsive, grandiose, provincial politician. She has been ineffective in every public position that she's held, including Mayor of Wasilla, because she can charm, but she can't govern. People with her personality issues don't learn or administer; they promenade and, when they don't get what they want, bully and retaliate.
I'm willing to bet my fifty cents that the Vanity Fair article tipped the scale.
And Mitt Romney is pleased!
swampbuggy writes:
"Remember the 'Old Soviet Union'? That will be our fate." That is becoming our fate, but don't blame Palin. The laughing stock is the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
BobbyD writes:
Ole swamp wants to own blacks not be led by them. sounds about right eh cracker...?
WAAAAAHHHHH!!! A black man is my president...waaaaahhhhh!!!
BobbyD writes:
Palin 2012!! Yes sir. just what we need. It will assure the presidency stays out of the reps hands for another 4 years. Go Palin!! Woo hoo!!
swampbuggy writes:
Wow, played the race card in the 4th post. I guess it is the only card you have.
joeartgilv writes:
Why I don't see that much support for Palin like she had before??even repubs agree that she didnt care about her constituents,its all about herself.
BenG writes:
Hey Ironage , You think Palin would make a mess of things?
WAKE UP and look around. We are in SERIOUS trouble with Obama!!! All the libs yelll that Palin has little experience- How about Obama??? Palin can give a dynamic speech with no notes. Obama messes up READING the teleprompter!!! It is scary to think of the damage he will do in the next 4 years.
4corners6 writes:
It's the women Libs that are most affraid of her. Can't be a successful woman in politics or anyplace else unless you are a clone of Hillary and go through what she did. A "Stand by your MAN" type of woman who blames the right-wing for her Bill's propensity to do the down and dirty.
RXT writes:
Obama isn't black, he's half black BobbyD.
grouper25 writes:
post #9 dead on. Palin on her worst day couldn't do the damage this idiot has done already. When all is said and done he's gonna make Bush a forgotten word.
I wonder how the liberal media would have reported if she was habging with rev wright, bill Ayers, Acorn, The ol chicago crooked politicians, and the far left idiots in here?
Want to see how bad the dems are doing? watch 2010 and see how many from congress return!
Cap and tax has sealed their fate
tried_n_true writes:
#11 corn- LOL. nice theory, totally wrong.
thedudesview writes:
Obama could drop an A bomb on Atlanta and he would still pound Palin in 2012. She's an embarrassment to humans.
progressivedem writes:
Almost every poster here repeats the crap they heard on RW radio about Obama. It's sad isn't it? Ignorance and fear mongering will be what brings our nation down. Obama is the antidote the sick patient that is the USA needs. If an uninformed, intellectually inadequate politician like Palin can get as far as she already has, we should all be scared. We saw the same thing with Reagan and Bush 2 - the triumph of image over reality. We must have brains in the White House not a front person for a failed ideology. Reagan was photogenic and could deliver a speech thanks to his acting ability. Bush had name recognition and a swagger many admired. Palin is photogenic but nothing else. Our judgment must be questioned if we allow her or others like her to to become this powerful in our political system.
4corners6 writes:
#14 or tried etc. Sounds like a typical liberal female comment.
dixielee writes:
she's still got something that Nobama hasn't got...A U.S.A. birth certificate..Still haven't seen that yet from Obama..Hope that the Supreme Court continues to pursue it.
RunSilentRunDeep writes:
This "head case" needs hormone treatments and the action she just took may, just may, be a hint of something extremely personal and embarrassing to come. I hope I'm wrong but, as a FORMER REPUBLICAN, this would just be the "icing" on the cake.
Time for "Centrist" to step up and make their voices heard! America needs to return to the values our Founders sacrificed their lives and sweat for. May we all be so deserving...
tried_n_true writes:
#17 corn- which means what? She's as smart as a pile of bricks.
titanbite writes:
I'm no fan of the Bomba or the lib's in this country that think giving it away to anyone who has gotten a raw deal in their own country will somehow save ours.The Dem's have just as much,if not more,responsibility for handing"Global"Corporations a cheap struggling workforce to exploit as any Republican't,and if you think Sarah Palin will change that your nut's.Palin is no different than any other politician,she can quit and break a promise to her constituents for the off chance of a"higher calling"for herself,what does that tell you?
If she can't take the heat in one job,whats to say she'll finish the next?Does she really think moving onto the national stage is somehow going to improve her skills as a leader?She's delusional,like those who would waste their vote on her,she'll NEVER win,EVER.
I suppose those who have"Faith"in Sarah truly believe in miracles because that is exactly what it would take for Palin to win national office.
If for some whack reason Palin ends up on the republican'ts national ticket one can start ringing the Republican't party death knell,their days will be numbered and all that will be left of the republican't party will be Sheriff Scott and all the other Islamophobic,hypachritstian fear mongers who post their fear and paranoia daily on this site,I don't need to name names,you know who you are.
Although if she somehow does make it on the ticket,which would mean your imaginary"higher power"has returned,she'll be the laughing stock of the world.If she thinks the US media is tough wait until she gets a taste of the world media,now THAT will be hilarious!
P.S.If anyone is truly interested to read what really drives our Afghan policy here's a link,Pay close attention to those involved,especially all of those Demorat's and republican'ts,you'll both be unpleasantly surprised to see who is involved and why we're really there,and don't forget to click on the Iraqi time line link that is also provided.Oh and good luck absorbing the truth about your"leaders"!SUCKERS!!! http://www.ringnebula.com/Oil/Timelin...
artrules writes:
After Palin's failed run with John McCain, in my opinion, she needed to go back to Alaska, stay out of the limelight, hunker down and do her job, maybe educate herself and prepare herself if she wanted to be taken seriously on a national level. But, instead she did none of that and did a disservice to her state, and in my opinion, to women in general. She had something to prove and she proved herself a quitter.
Sarah Palin is not presidential material and that "lame duck" speech was a lame excuse!
410 writes:
Quitters never win and winners never quit.
Sarah is a quitter, she can't even claim to be one term Governor any more.
tried_n_true writes:
Even Huckabee and Rove think she is shooting herself in the foot. She is a loser and a quitter.
amuser writes:
Oh ye Obama bashers... You sound so ignorant when you do that... Does not matter who is in that position, you would bash them anyway... Booooring.
Now Palin as President, just the thought sends chills through me. Lee County Sheriff would vote for her though. Getting chills just thinking of that too!
outsidethebox240 writes:
This bat s*#@ crazy wingnut couldn't be elected Wasilla dog catcher these days...with apologise to the dogs.
thedudesview writes:
She's dumb as a rock. That make the party dumb as a rock, since they endorsed her. The party is generationally finished.
RainMan writes:
ROTFLMAO, man oh man, anyone that brings all the cockroaches out of the wall spewing more hate and inuendo than carter has liver pills, has my vote :)
Anyones mere presence in the media that brings the koolaid drinkers out from both the democratic and the republican party, is someone to pay attention to.
She must really scare you boys and girls. Oh my GOD its a woman with Morals. LOL
Oh my GOD its a cute woman with Morals. LOL
Oh my GOD its a woman that can shoot dinner, bring it home, and put it on the table with Morals. LOL
Oh my GOD its a woman that don't abort babies regardless of defects with Morals. LOL
Oh my GOD its a woman that just doesn't give a crap what you think about her with Morals. LOL
Oh my GOD its a woman that believes in a GOD with morals. LOL
Not being a holy roller myself, I do find it interesting that her beliefs scare the crap out of some of you.
I've noticed that the zealots from either side, holier than thou or the anti christ worshipers or the atheists, just flat out fear this woman.
_________________________________________________
http://www.fairtax.org <--- Something that would save this once upon a time country of ours.
joeartgilv writes:
Its amazing how Hannity spin things around to make it look like the way he wants,now he is comparing the quitter with other elected officials who quit to run for a higher office,the difference is those officials were trying to get a better job and Palin just throw the towel and went home,big difference but moron Hannity don't see it that way (what a shocker}that is why this moron don't have any credibility at all or either way he is so stupid or he pretend to be,he even blame Obama for no quitting as senator before running for president.Of course clown hannity don't point out the difference between leaving office to look for a higher office and ditch your job and go home because those mean spirited evil media are calling you names.Oh poor cry baby.
RainMan writes:
You seem to be the one crying there jagv0565.
Lets look at one thing here in a real perspective.
If I wanted to change jobs, would it be ethical of me to hunt for that other job while on the clock of my curent job.
It wouldn't be ethical of me now would it?
Perhaps that is what this young woman is doing, maybe not, only time will tell.
_________________________________________________
http://www.fairtax.org <--- the one an only true stimulus that would benefit Americans no matter of their party affiliation in America.
pauls writes:
Going for a higher office is one thing, but Obama already had an office. And, if I'm not mistaken, didn't he take that office after leaving his previous office in the Illinois state senate before his term ended?
I do find it fascinating to see so many people attack Palin and try to make her to be irrelevant expending A LOT of effort in the process.
RainMan writes:
I think Obama kept taking his paycheck, kinda like Joe Biden, neither of them were ethical enough to let someone spend their time actually doing the job that they were away from, while campaigning, on our tax dollars.
Hmmm... ethics aren't very important to these two evidently.
joeartgilv writes:
So Palin went for a higher job?what she is running for?hot mama?wifey of the year??cry baby idol?the only excuse for quitting your job as an elected official if for illness,running for other office,wrong doing or being taped for another job.PS and death.nothing of these apply to her.so there is just one word quitter,and quitters never win winners never quit.
RainMan writes:
Still crying there I see jagv0565.
ROTFLMAO, she definitely has all the whack jobs going crazy.
Lets see, its been three days since she anonced her stepping down from the office of Gov. of Alaska.
And the liberals are still going on and on about it. LOL
I think I might have to vote for this woman, if for no other reason than she gets them all scurrying out of the cracks in the walls :)
_________________________________________________
http://www.fairtax.org <--- the one and true stimulus that would work for all Americans :)
p.s. - even you jag
tried_n_true writes:
It's just that we were waiting for the republican governor of S.C. to resign, not this republican governor. Kinda makes ya giddy.
titanbite writes:
Rupert Murdoch,the owner of the Fox Infotainment network just signed a check for 11 million dollars as a bonus for Palin's book,personally I think she wanted to go on a shopping spree to get rid of the old Republican't bought and paid for wardrobe she was sporting or a few new"snow machines"
Palins book will be placed right next to the book written by that woman who once was a man,Ann Coulter,did I see an Adam's apple or was she trying to purge her last meal?Who cares?
Back during my school days I had the opportunity to read some rather difficult books to follow,Shakespeare,Nabokov but Palin?If her books are anything like her interviews than I guess I can expect a very laborious read.Would it be worth it,probably not,perhaps for the entertainment value I can't think of any other reason I would want to read her opinions she wears them on her sleeve enough already.
My Wife would never have an abortion,she can bring home the bacon and fry it up too,she gets paid more than I do and I think that's great more the merrier.My Wife also not only possesses morals but she actually displays them and yes as much as I tease her about how I believe in the skunk ape and aliens she still has a hearty faith in God,unlike what we see from Gov.Palin of late,hypocrisy IS immoral and not very Christian.
Yet I don't fear my wife nor does anyone I know.That's because my Wife has some of the most common sense values I've ever seen in a woman.She would help those who decide to abort a child with financial help to make sure that isn't a reason for women to terminate their pregnancy,you know do things that ACTUALLY HELP LOWER abortion rates,not just whine about those "Lib's"who"love"abortion,sound familiar?.
So I'll ask the question again.Why should anyone fear Sarah Palin?And please make your answer more coherent than Palin's Couric interview.Thanks
joeartgilv writes:
I just want to know why did she quit?still scratching my head.I'm sure neither does she,but who cares that tell us that she was not a leader.
Leaders know what they are doing,where they are going and don't let things half way done.
joeartgilv writes:
The only thing that I can think of is geez those reps are nuts.And that is an understatement.
naples759 writes:
could you imagine palin running a large u.s. company? let's say ibm, gm, at&t, motorola, macys, mcdonalds, or any large public utility or oil company? although i'm a dem, i think someone like mitt romney would be a hands down better choice than her. if he ran instead of mccain/palin, things would have probably been different, maybe better, maybe not. i.e., i wouldn't waste time or money on her.
naples759 writes:
spending most of my time up here in chicago, i see classy, powerful, professional women daily. no way could palin ever come across as powerful, professional and command the respect these women command daily in the business world. maybe in collier and lee she sells well, but in the real world, she's a joke among these women.
joeartgilv writes:
The problem is reps don't live in a real world,they are living in fantasy land.you got to hear Hannity saying that Honduras "did the right thing" ousting a democratic elected president,taking him in the middle of the night to a foreing country is in hannity view " the right thing"?He even said that Obama don't support "the rule of law" because he don't support the illegitimate Honduran regime.WTF???rule of law kidnaping a president and throw him out of the country without a judicial process???is that the definition of the rule of law for reps and Hannity?ah! I see that is exactly what reps wish they could do with Obama,too bad this is the US and here we respect the rule of due process and the rule of law.
swampbuggy writes:
Naples759 is sitting in Chicago of all places giving commentary. From the land of Blagovich, Rev Wright and Daley!
Are you a writer for SCTV?
naples759 writes:
hannity is just the media's version of a carnival barker. anyone who listens and takes his serving of soup to heart cannot have a high opinion of their own ability to listen and judge all the facts presented in this connected world. they let hannity, limbaugh and others do their thinking for them.
naples759 writes:
swampbuggy, you failed to mention thompson, kerner, walker and stratton, former gop ill govs who did time or are still doing time. this is a corrupt state, but it runs pretty well and a certain amount of corruption is widely accepted. by the way, your school sup is from rockford, a mere 90 miles from chi-town. and the people mentioned have nothing to do with comparing palin with business women with CLASS.
joeartgilv writes:
When Plain Speak remind me of that beauty contestant who said that Americans don't know where the US is in a map because Americans don't have no maps.and she said "such as this,such as that etc.what dumb a......s
swampbuggy writes:
CLASS, like Jane Byrne?
naples759 writes:
swampbuggy, fyi i'm a homeowner and taxpayer in both naples and chicago. it's funny, when in naples, i miss chicago. when in chicago, i miss naples. go figure. by the way, you have more corruption than you realize down there in that little republican corner of the world. trust me. but still, it runs pretty well, right?
swampbuggy writes:
Hmmm, Illinois unemployment rate 10.1%
Alaska 8.4%
Now go ask the 15 million unemployed whether they would rather have a job or class.
naples759 writes:
swampbuggy, jane byrne could kick some serious a-- with the big boys, just like hillary, who is from park ridge, which borders chicago on the nw side. byt he way, ever been to rosemont il? full of rep corruption and clout (with only 4500 residents), but it works hand in hand with the city and rebates their residents 50 to 60 percent of their county property taxes back to them every year. homes are never advertised for sale as they are sold by word of mouth. i.e. both parties are corrupt up here but work together very well and they respect each other.
naples759 writes:
what's florida's unemployment rate? how does it compare with alaska?
naples759 writes:
hey, i gotta run, meeting with some other retired buds for coffee. gotta take advantage of summer, it's way too short up here. it's been fun... maybe talk later if you're still on.
RainMan writes:
Hmmm... Palin sure does bring you out of the cracks :)
Hmmm... all these ethic charges which have been filed against her, have been DIS MISSED. But, have cost her and her family around $500,000.00 .
It has cost the citizens of Alaska millions.
Hmmm... her leaving office lets her not have to worry about the peronel evaporation of her families wealth. And saves the Alaska tax payors millions more.
Seems pretty ethical on her part to me, and inteligent on her part. Cause she is gonna make millions now. Books and talks, she should send you libs a thankyou note :)
Now take our own local elected officials, the county commissioners and Brock. Constantly wasteing our tax dollars on a simple thing as opening their books to be audited.
The ethical thing for them to do, would be either to step down or open the books. Not gonna happen in Collier County now is it. Just tax em some more and stand our ground, no one needs to look at the books, right bubba.
I think I will have to send Palin a little of the change in my pockets, cause that is all I will have left after CAP and TRADE.
_________________________________________________
http://www.fairtax.org <--- would put the power back into the hands of WE THE PEOPLE :)
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.