There are a million snarky things I could say about this, and many of them are being said around the blogosphere. I have a feeling, though, that I’d regret it once the full story comes out. Because there has to be something else here — thinking about this decision and watching the video, I can only wonder what the rest of the story is. Palin is throwing away her political career; there has to be something serious at the bottom of it.
Here’s the video of Palin’s speech. She’s clearly flustered here; I can’t even begin to keep up. What’s going on?
Part I:
Part II:
Bill Kristol is trying to tap that. I expect he’s possibly involved.
Let’s review:
Why Friday afternoon of one the biggest holidays of the year?
Not reserved for GOOD news, but it keeps the jokes down for a few days.
No Nieman-Marcus in Anchorage?
She spent at least 2/3 of her time talking about Alaska!
She’s getting out while the getting’s good. Thus she doing is what is best for Alaska - by leaving.
Without having the record come down around her ears. A Bush tactic.
she not a quitter, which is why she’s quitting
collect some speaking fees
screwed up so bad already, that its time for “all in.” She cannot improve her experience level by
finishing her term.
the usual glassy-eyed reasoning: justify what you WANT to do!
The super odd thing is that people are still talking like this is part of a good strategy for her 2012 run. How can quitting be anything but terrible? Jeff, you are right not to be snarky, as it would be immature and a poor winner. Therefore can I start the poll?
Why is she resigning, pick at least one reason:
1.) Trig is not hers.
2.) Having an affair (bonus if it was with Sanford)
3.) Some donor built their estate for the cost of a fisher price doll house.
4.) Another one of her kids is preggers
5.) First dude is having an affair
6.) She regrets lying about bridge to nowhere and her conscience is eating her up
7.) She regrets associating Obama with terrorists
8.) Witch doctor mojo is wearing off
9.) Realizes she knows absolutely nothing except what Bill Kristol tells her to know
10.) Needs more time to read every published periodical known to man, except Lavender Magazine
From what I gather, a criminal indictment having to do with her house being built for her in exchange for a government contract to build the arena in Wasilla is about to be brought against her. It would seem that she isn’t a “new or refreshing politician” after all, just the same old-style political hack.
The only 2 things I sort of pity her for:
* If you start rich, you get away with scams like the house. Inequity of justice.
* She’s every bit as crazy as Michele Bachmann, just not QUITE as dislikable.
__________
And let’s not forget, they boosted the local economy when they bought her family new clothes at Nieman-Marcus.
While listing the accomplishments during her time in office, did she at any time recount
& take credit for the number of times the sun rose?
Lame Ducks & Loons?
She is “on a Mission from God” like the Blues Brothers!!!
(justify your boondoggles with divine attributions!)
Ducking what is dull & tedious but necessary, to do what you want to do MORE?
Give Me A Reason, Show Me A Sign… Take [me] to the Limit One More Time!
This might have been linked already, but the editorial board of the Anchorage Daily News had a pretty biting take on this turn of events. Let’s just say they are not buying it.
http://www.adn.com/opinion/view/story/852900.html
Taking a step back, and looking at the bigger picture: She was thrust into the bright light of national politics at a time when she was both untested and inexperienced. Poor vetting has resulted in what is no doubt a very stressful position for her. I’m not feeling sorry for her, but I’m not going to say I wish anything like what she’s experiencing on anyone.
In the end, she was a poorly calculated “Hail Mary” pass that failed. This is just a continuation of that metaphor. Like most Hail Mary passes, which are not completed, Sarah has now completed that metaphor by not completing her term in office.
And yes, I know that I’m forcing the whole complete thing. It’s worth a try.
While some are hoping that Palin did something terribly immoral or illegal, I don’t wish that on any of our public servants. Not Tom Coburn, not Dennis Kucinich, or anyone in the middle. As much as I disagree with some of them, I want them to personally be at peace and fulfilled. I thank them all for their service.
I think there is a good chance that her husband or her children came to her and said “we just can’t do this anymore” and Palin listened and responded. I also wouldn’t doubt that Palin has an opportunity to do something that makes more money, and you can’t blame her for taking that opportunity, just like I can’t blame Obama for using his prominence to become a multi-millionaire author. Use it if you got it.
Bristol Palin, who has never run for office, has twice as many Google search hits than Chelsea Clinton, the Bush twins, and the Obama girls combined. I wouldn’t blame Palin for trading a public life of media ridicule for a more comfortable life that she has more control over.
And I thank her for her service to Alaska.
“While some are hoping that Palin did something terribly immoral or illegal, I don’t wish that on any of our public servants.”
You make that sound like she is experiencing bad luck. I think people are speculating that is what is happening because Palin has already demonstrated that she is a corrupt hypocrite and liar.
You certainly are a partisan giver of the benefit of the doubt.
Andrew Sullivan sums up this speculation nicely:
“Can we all be grown up for a minute and concede something very simple? There are three explanations for the latest circus act: either Sarah Palin is so crazy she actually believes that what she just did is good for her political career; she has decided that her future is as a celebreality star and she’s pursuing the lucrative Coulter-style, long legs and fascist farrago strategy; or, a scandal of monumental proportions is about to hit.”
Bristol Palin, who has never run for office, has twice as many Google search hits than Chelsea Clinton, the Bush twins, and the Obama girls combined.
DtM, what’s your source for this?
Also, I would bet that anybody has more google hits than Chelsea had when her father was president, as Google didn’t exist yet (at least in the mainstream).
As for the reasons for her quitting, I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Is dtm making a case for Bristol Palin, or Sarah Palin?
I think he’s confusing the two. Or conflating them.
Last I looked, it was SARAH Palin that was shooting off her mouth.
What is he saying?
Did I miss something?: Chelsea Clinton was not running for office either.
And that grasp that Google did not exist as an entity in the early 1990’s is precious.
Google did not come into being until 1996 & took a bit to get where it is today.
Google itself. Just Google the name. Google goes out and fetches any website that exists as of the search moment. Doesn’t matter if it was written in 1995, 2000, or yesterday, so I don’t see the relevance of when Google came into being. Hell, Jimi Hendrix has 12,000,000 hits and he was dead 25 years before Google was born.
Bristol Palin: 6,350,000 hits
Mitt Romney: 3,300,000 hits
Mike Huckabee: 2,200,000 hits
So why is the daughter of Sarah Palin more popular on the internet than the two runners-up in the actual nomination process? If I were Sarah Palin, I’d give my family some privacy as well.
DTM your argument:
“Bristol Palin: 6,350,000 hits
Mitt Romney: 3,300,000 hits
Mike Huckabee: 2,200,000 hits
So why is the daughter of Sarah Palin more popular on the internet than the two runners-up in the actual nomination process? If I were Sarah Palin, I’d give my family some privacy as well.”
is absurd — that happens for all politicians.
Malia Obama has 11,600,000 hits — why does the 11 year old daughter of the President have twice as many hits as the 18 year old daughter of the biggest train wreck in the country, and 5 times as many hits as my favorite evangelical?
Sarah Palin can’t hack it — no matter how much Republicans may fantasize differently.
Malia Obama shouldn’t have 11,600,000 hits either. Leave the children of politicians alone. Obama’s, Palin’s, everyone’s.
Maybe he’s got a thing for Palin. LOL
Like Pat Buchanan, Bill Kristol & Chris Matthews!
Thanking her for her service to Alaska - is that in response to her quitting?
A lot of Alaska sounds as though they are happy to see her go from the governor’s mansion.
The woman needs to take a low profile & get off the national stage. Take care of her kids.
Where will her self-asserted mission from god take her next?:
Yea though I walk through the aisles of Nieman-Marcus, I will fear no E-ville.
Today on Sunday Morning TV:
“narcissistic personality disorder?”
Maybe that’s going a little far in diagnosing her reasons. But they were dead on comparing
her appearing as a small-time bitter Richard Nixon.
What a maverick.
Said Palin, “Over the past nine months I’ve been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations - such as holding a fish in a photograph, wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and answering reporters’ questions.”
Wow.
Answering reporters’ questions is now an ethics violation? Maybe through the eliminationist minds of dittoheads it is.
OOOOOOh. Its a nice point, Nitro.
Doing what is normal, is now E-ville?: They tricked her by asking questions!!!
She makes herself sound ludicrous. She’s done except as a headliner or opening act.
However, who would risk their candidacy on her mouth? If she is “mavericky.”
Let’s not forget, she all but incited crowds with obvious lies, etc. Without conscience.
Without apology.
When she played ruthlessly & tries to kick everyone else in the balls,
she can’t expect kindness & warm feelings in return.
I have heard one positive about her: she’s half a tick pleasanter than Michele Bachmann.
I was away over the 4th and just watched this. I think this is actually a weird sideways critique of Pawlenty, who’s announced that he’s not seeking a third term, but running out the clock on his existing term and “drawing down a paycheck” at the same time. The timing would suggest that as well. The Governor of S. Carolina falls into scandal, Pawlenty’s stock rises a little, Palin feels a little uncomfortable, so she “calls an audible.” I can see her raising this in Republican primary debates mere months from now.
If she is in fact trying to outflank Pawlenty with this maneuver, it’s the least logical, most desperate thing she could attempt. But then again, she might’ve picked it up from her running mate…
Interesting take.
For as much as I’ve defended the Palin family’s right to privacy during this grotesque 9 months of a media frenzy, I’m not a fan of Palin’s leadership skills. This audible (good word) proves it.
Unless she was 1) on the verge of a breakdown, 2) one of her children were on the verge of a breakdown, or 3) her marriage was days away from crumbling, I just can’t see the logic in not serving out your term.
Yep:
Celebrity Spokemodel Sarah Palin!
She doesn’t seem to be going away & retreating from the limelight after all!!!!!
She’s did morning interviews on 3 channels — - Michael Jackson funeral day. A low profile.
Pawlenty may have to grab her coattails, just to be noticed in the room.