Palin steps down as governor of Alaska

[SimpleDreamer]

An interesting turn of events. I'm rather curious what the opinions of this community are.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin shocked the political word Friday by announcing that she will step down at the end of the month and transfer power to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell.

Palin made the announcement from her home in Wasilla, flanked by her husband, Todd, and family and state commissioners.

The announcement came on the same week that one of her top public health officials says she was forced out of office because Palin felt she wasn't in step on social issues.

Palin's decision now allows her to avoid the difficult task of running for president while serving as governor.

Todd Palin told FOX News that his wife will concentrate on "doing the things for Alaska and the country" that she is passionate about and can not do as governor with the limitation and constant opposition she deals with within the state.

Palin, who defeated incumbent Gov. Murkowski in a primary in 2006,.gained national prominence when GOP presidential candidate John McCain picked her as his running mate last year. But her approval ratings in the state have skidded in recent months.

Palin has been dogged in recent months by ethics inquiries. Her office last month announced the 15th dismissal of an ethics complaint against her or one of her staff.

On Wednesday, Beverly Wooley, who has worked more than 20 years in public health in Alaska, most of it with the municipality of Anchorage, ended her stint as state public health director.

She's the second top health official to leave within days. The state's chief medical officer, Jay Butler, left in late June after declining to take on Wooley's job along with his own. He now is in Atlanta, overseeing a U.S. Centers for Disease Control task force on a vaccine to protect against the H1N1 flu virus.

FOX News' Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Surgicalcric]

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Gov Palin in Slovenia while she and the Alaska NG TAG were waiting a connecting flight from Kosovo, where they had visited deployed Alaska NG soldiers, to Germany, where she planned on visiting wounded service members at Landstuhl AFB.

During our conversation, I made it a point to thank her for her continued service to our Nation and express how I hoped her vice-pres bid wasnt the last we would see of her. To wit she responded, that the past election was just the beginning and she had big plans and would be making some changes shortly so she could focus more on the future.

On a side note, she is the most down-to-earth politician I have met, traveling in jeans and a t-shirt and flying coach...

ETA: She is even more of a hottie in person

Crip

[SimpleDreamer]

Truly an American patriot. I believe that her methodology of politics would make our founding fathers proud. She still believes that it is publics service that drives government. Government action should not be praised and rewarded monetarily, but by the satisfaction of helping this great country grow and prosper. I'm deeply saddened to see her step down, and I surely hope that this is a step in the direction of that big White House.

-SD

[Gypsy]

There are already dims stating she can't take the heat of politics...yada yada yada.

I think anyone that underestimates Governor Palin is making a mistake.

Crip, very cool that you were able to meet her!

[Sigaba]

Hopefully, her stepping down is about gearing up for a run in 2012 and not an issue with her personal life or her health.

I'd like to see her address some of the areas that inspired concerns among some voters (e.g. her expertise in foreign affairs*) without changing those traits that inspired out right fear in others.

She is even more of a hottie in person.

Were this observation not offered by a QP, I'd not believe it. During her visit to France, the current first lady showed her green eyes as she sat next to Mrs. Sarkozy. When President Palin goes to France, Mrs. Sarkozy will return the favor.



__________________________________
* The extent to which ABC News butchered Charlie Gibson's "interview" of Governor Palin did not receive the attention it merited. Even so, she did not demonstrate in unfiltered footage a level of familiarity with foreign affairs sufficient enough to quell her more temperate critics. I believe she would have been up to speed on the issues within the first year of her vice presidency. Now, she'll be able to punch that card repeatedly and take the issue of expertise off the table.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Surgicalcric

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Gov Palin in Slovenia while she and the Alaska NG TAG were waiting a connecting flight from Kosovo, where they had visited deployed Alaska NG soldiers, to Germany, where she planned on visiting wounded service members at Landstuhl AFB.

During our conversation, I made it a point to thank her for her continued service to our Nation and express how I hoped her vice-pres bid wasnt the last we would see of her. To wit she responded, that the past election was just the beginning and she had big plans and would be making some changes shortly so she could focus more on the future.

On a side note, she is the most down-to-earth politician I have met, traveling in jeans and a t-shirt and flying coach...

ETA: She is even more of a hottie in person

Crip

Lucky bastard.....

I'd sure like to see her run for President...... I think she'd do a fine job.

TS

[Saoirse]

Cric, I had heard that about her. Lucky you, you got to meet her and spend a little time with her. WTG!

I think we are going to see a run for the WH in 2012. I support her and look forward to volunteering on that campaign. They will be throwing that whole "but she doesn't have any experience and has no qualifications to be president". To which the reply will be...............

Sigaba...EEK! That is a scary looking woman. Now I am going to have nightmares AGAIN and have to sleep with the light on, thanks alot.

[Red Flag 1]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Lucky bastard.....

I'd sure like to see her run for President...... I think she'd do a fine job.

TS

Luck indeed. His plastic surgery consult is still valid..see no reason to change that.

Agree! Gov Palin is a class act. I would like to see this as a prelude to a run for the White House. It will require a ton of work to rebuild the GOP to support her. IMHO, she can do that!



My $.02.

RF 1

[BMT (RIP)]

I'd say give her about 90 day's and she will comeout swing!!
'WE'RE NOT RETREATING. WE'RE ADVANCING IN ANOTHER DIRECTION'...

BMT

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by Gypsy

There are already dims stating she can't take the heat of politics...yada yada yada.

I think anyone that underestimates Governor Palin is making a mistake.

Crip, very cool that you were able to meet her!

Ed Rollins was on XM POTUS blowing his chunks about how she made a disastrous mistake by leaving her position and it would leave doubts in many minds because of her actions.

Personally speaking I'd take Palin over any of the stooges Rollins has helped put in seats of power any day. My gut tells me that with the lack of loyalty, corruption and attacks in the Republican Party Sarah is heading to a third party.

[Goggles Pizano]

Originally Posted by Paslode

Ed Rollins was on XM POTUS blowing his chunks about how she made a disastrous mistake by leaving her position and it would leave doubts in many minds because of her actions.

Personally speaking I'd take Palin over any of the stooges Rollins has helped put in seats of power any day. My gut tells me that with the lack of loyalty, corruption and attacks in the Republican Party Sarah is heading to a third party.

I could not agree more. In fact I'd say she is ambitious enough to create/lead a new alternative party (Conservative?) not simply become Independant or Libertarian.

[11B2V]

I saw Sen. Clinton in Haiti a couple of months ago, and she was even less of a hottie in person...some guys have all the luck!

I have to agree with Broadsword, this move seems a bit risky to me too. Then again, you know what our British friends say about "Who dares....."

[GratefulCitizen]

Carpe diem.

-The president's numbers went negative (Rasmussen) and will probably remain there.
-The economic recovery/stimulus has stalled.
-The media is starting to turn against the one.
-It's the 4th of July weekend.

People are looking for a new hope.
Her timing couldn't be better.

*************
*************
Next step:

The MSM will go on a rampage against Gov. Palin with a endless series of petty smears.

She will be put in the spotlight, where she will respond with grace not normally seen in a politician.
The president will not be able to stand not being the center of attention, and will start challenging her, rather than Rush or whomever.

She will respond with charisma which matches or exceeds that of the president and will become the de facto leader of the opposition.

The dims will lose ground in the 2010 elections (they would've anyway) -- Palin will get a good share of the credit.
Palin becomes the obvious conservative choice for 2012, and the MSM won't be able to push a "moderate" fence-sitter into the nomination.


She is the liberal's worst nightmare.
-She is charismatic.
-She triangulates them on identity politics.
-She is immune from attacks on the abortion issue.
-She is a true conservative who will absolutely mobilize her base.


2012 - I'm voting for hope and change.

[Surf n Turf]

My wife and I are strong Palin fans, and right now my wife is really pissed.
Where was McCain when Letterman attached her daughter (and Sarah).
Where are the “Republicans” in covering her “six, and helping with her legal bills for those phony ethics charges.
McCain, Romney and their respective staffs (whom they hired) have trashed Palin since the day she was nominated. The Democrat “politics of personal destruction” team has homesteaded in Alaska. Is there No one with honor?
If Romney is the only choice – guess I will sit this one out. It would be my first missed election since I cast my vote for Barry Goldwater.

If Sarah is the nominee, I will work, contribute, and campaign – and feel great about it
SnT

[Defender968]

Originally Posted by Surf n Turf

Is there No one with honor?

Unfortunately the answer is no there isn't, and IMO there hasn't been for a long time, we need term limits, they're just about the only thing that will stop the madness IMO.

Originally Posted by Surf n Turf

If Romney is the only choice – guess I will sit this one out. It would be my first missed election since I cast my vote for Barry Goldwater.

As for Romney, he's a sleazebag IMO, I won't be happy about voting for him, but if it's between him and the one I'll vote Romney because sitting the election out only helps the one.

As for Palin, I like her, but I think it was a mistake to resign the governorship. She needs the experience, and while I think she is a great person, I'd like someone with a little more experience in general, we're seeing first hand how bad things can go when the President has to do on the job training.

I would love however for her to start a viable third party, I've been thinking I'd like to see the common sense and personal responsibility party, I'd join in a flat second.

Personally I like Huckabee, liked him before, and I like him even more now, he's run a state, a church, and in general seems to be a classy guy who has great deal of wisdom and common sense. Do I think he can get elected, probably not, being a minister puts him in the way to conservative for the presidency category.