Palin is stepping down.

[daddymention]

The only reason I voted for McCain was because of Palin on the ticket....but since she's been crucified by the media and now has "quit" her governor job, I'm afraid that her winning any future position is not going to happen....

I know I'm in the minority on this board, but I actually like her....

[The Remittance Man]

Palin could not win the republican nomination. She's gonna have the "quitter" title hung on her by her republican opponents.
But I don't think shes gonna run anyway.

I agree that she couldn't win the nomination - lots of GOP primary voters will listen to someone like that and indulge in the red meat, but then they'll quietly vote for someone who at least sounds less wingnutty, like Tim Pawlenty or Mike Huckabee. I, however, think she will run.

[sonofabeach]

rumor has it that she quit because nudie pics were gonna surface and it was part of a deal.
Hey, one can wish eh?

[Skibo]

The only reason I voted for McCain was because of Palin on the ticket....but since she's been crucified by the media and now has "quit" her governor job, I'm afraid that her winning any future position is not going to happen....

I know I'm in the minority on this board, but I actually like her....

This doesn't make sense to me. Were you hoping that McCain would win and die shortly after the election? Other than Dick Cheney, the vice president has done very little in the past, even Algore was just a guy in the background and his radical environmental policies were ignored.

I do believe that Palin may have been a reasonable candidate, if she had been a second term governor. Alaska being one of the smallest states, pretty much pays its way with its natural resources. She was able to win an election but she didn't get a chance for the people she served to validate her performance with a reelection. I do hope the Republicans regain control of one branch quickly, I won't survive long in a re-education camp.

[ph4ever]

Palin goes fishing after cryptic Twitter, Facebook messages
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
5:06 AM EDT, July 6, 2009

As surprised fans and critics of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin traded guesses behind her decision to resign more than a year before her term ends, the former vice presidential candidate offered few hints at her political future, except to say she'd gone fishing.

Palin has stayed out of the public eye since she made the announcement Friday, but said in a Twitter update Sunday she was looking forward to joining her family as they commercially fish in Bristol Bay. But to many Alaskans, Palin has been off the job for awhile already, acting as a disengaged presence around the state Capitol since she returned from the presidential campaign trail last year.

"She had a surprising amount of disinterest in state government after November," said state Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage. "This state has a lot of problems, and she showed a complete lack of interest in solving them."

MORE

[Lightning Bolt]

I am wondering, if you were an Alaskan, or if you are an Alaskan, would/do you consider this a slap in the face? I mean she couldn't even finish her term out. I can understand not running for reelection but to quit in the middle of a term seems odd.

She's gonna try to be the martyr.
She will claim it's about all of us, who've vehemently opposed her, now just beating up on her... and her poor family.

..and, today, the official blaming has begun.

Her attorney today starting throwing out lawsuit threats to those bloggers and pundits who raise questions
about the motivation behind her stepping down so swiftly... since her presser on Friday made it all SO CLEAR to all of no one

It's all about team play!! so....that is WHY you QUIT?!

You wonder why she's gets such (dis)respect from most of us down here in the 48

[The Lost Manatee]

The only reason I voted for McCain was because of Palin on the ticket....but since she's been crucified by the media and now has "quit" her governor job, I'm afraid that her winning any future position is not going to happen....

I know I'm in the minority on this board, but I actually like her....

I respect you for voting for someone that you like however I have to question the statement about her being crucified by the media. Don't you think it had more to do with the fact that she was so ill prepared for the interviews that she sort of imploded. The questions weren't that tough and she blew them. To a middle of the road guy like me, she came across as someone who didn't have a clue as to what she was doing there. I don't think it was the media, I think it was the McCain team that threw her to the wolves. And sadly, she hasn't done much since to engender confidence. Her cries about how foul it is to drag her family into the spotlight when it is something negative and yet she was willing to put them there whenever she felt it gave her an advantage, was, to put mildly, hypocritical. If she hadn't dragged her poor daughter into the spotlight, I would have agreed with her 100% that it was wrong for the media to talk about her kids, but she's the one who started that train wreck. I think she is her own worse enemy.

[Spider Johnson]

For those bragging about experience. Just what experience does Obama have? Granted Palin does not have anyone voting for her because she is or is not black.

Yet people still voted for him. So much for edcuated voters! And no riots or deaths! Oh-my-God BO was elected.

[ph4ever]

I don't see one person "bragging" about experience. I see people discussing it as a factor. I'm sure there were quite a number of people who voted for McCain because he wasn't black. Especially those in the south.

[ph4ever]

Sarah Palin: Why She Resigned
Sarah Palin Talks to ABC News About Why She Resigned
By KATE SNOW
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, July 7, 2009

After her bombshell announcement Friday that she was resigning as governor of Alaska 18 months before the end of her first term, and questions about her political future ricocheting from Alaska to Washington D.C., Sarah Palin packed it up, traveled more than 300 miles from her family home in Wasila and went fishing.

The Alaska governor sets the record straight on why she is stepping down.

More PhotosIt was there in Dillingham, Alaska, on the shores of Kanakanak Beach, that ABC News joined the former Republican presidential running mate on a salmon fishing trip. Dressed in a white T-shirt and overall waders, Alaska's governor was philosophical about politics and life, all the while plucking salmon from the family fishing nets aboard a boat her husband, Todd, and a buddy built 20 years ago.

Palin said she was surprised by the media storm that followed her announcement to leave office, saying she thought it would not have been "such a darn big deal." But she struck a determined, if vague, note about her future.

"I said before I stood in front of the mic the other day, you know, politically speaking -- if I die, I die. So be it," Palin said.

MORE

[Skibo]

I don't see one person "bragging" about experience. I see people discussing it as a factor. I'm sure there were quite a number of people who voted for McCain because he wasn't black. Especially those in the south.

Nobody running for president had proper experience IMO. Just because Obama didn't have experience doesn't excuse the Republicans for running an underqualified candidate. The election is over, rehashing the election is a waste of time. Obama did pretty good in the southern states and while there were people that voted based on race, I think there were just as many people that voted Obama only because he was black. BTW, I had to write in Alan Keyes because he was not on the ballot in my state.

[East Texas Parrothead]

When I heard the press conference in full, I thought it was rambling, disorganized and her body language was just odd. And, she seemed to be breathless, gasping for air between words at times. She seemed stressed.

She might be able to campaign for Republican candidates, but I don't think she can be a credible candidate for national office. She quit. The perception is that she can't handle the heat. The thing about how much it cost her to fight the ethics charges doesn't wash because she got a huge advance on her book and would have been able to join the speaking circuit when her term was up. Money is not the issue here, no matter what she says. Doing what's best for Alaska doesn't wash, either. She left Alaska to campaign for VP and that was okay as long as she was enjoying the spotlight. When she got back to Alaska and had to go to work, it wasn't as much fun. She lost some legislative battles and so she decided to take her toys and go home. Not presidential. Not even senatorial. Not even close.

She will make millions. She'll remain in the spotlight. She'll have a very nice life. I just don't think it will involve elected office.

Just what I think. Not golden, to be sure.

[ejr]

When I heard the press conference in full, I thought it was rambling, disorganized and her body language was just odd. And, she seemed to be breathless, gasping for air between words at times. She seemed stressed.

She might be able to campaign for Republican candidates, but I don't think she can be a credible candidate for national office. She quit. The perception is that she can't handle the heat. The thing about how much it cost her to fight the ethics charges doesn't wash because she got a huge advance on her book and would have been able to join the speaking circuit when her term was up. Money is not the issue here, no matter what she says. Doing what's best for Alaska doesn't wash, either. She left Alaska to campaign for VP and that was okay as long as she was enjoying the spotlight. When she got back to Alaska and had to go to work, it wasn't as much fun. She lost some legislative battles and so she decided to take her toys and go home. Not presidential. Not even senatorial. Not even close.

She will make millions. She'll remain in the spotlight. She'll have a very nice life. I just don't think it will involve elected office.

Just what I think. Not golden, to be sure.

agree entirely!

[lati2d]

When I heard the press conference in full, I thought it was rambling, disorganized and her body language was just odd. And, she seemed to be breathless, gasping for air between words at times. She seemed stressed.

She might be able to campaign for Republican candidates, but I don't think she can be a credible candidate for national office. She quit. The perception is that she can't handle the heat. The thing about how much it cost her to fight the ethics charges doesn't wash because she got a huge advance on her book and would have been able to join the speaking circuit when her term was up. Money is not the issue here, no matter what she says. Doing what's best for Alaska doesn't wash, either. She left Alaska to campaign for VP and that was okay as long as she was enjoying the spotlight. When she got back to Alaska and had to go to work, it wasn't as much fun. She lost some legislative battles and so she decided to take her toys and go home. Not presidential. Not even senatorial. Not even close.

She will make millions. She'll remain in the spotlight. She'll have a very nice life. I just don't think it will involve elected office.

Just what I think. Not golden, to be sure.

Well said.

[citcat]

Too many weird things in the news. I think I'll stop watching for a few days and see if the world can go on without my yelling at the tv screen.

[Wino you know]

Nobody running for president had proper experience IMO. Just because Obama didn't have experience doesn't excuse the Republicans for running an underqualified candidate. The election is over, rehashing the election is a waste of time. Obama did pretty good in the southern states and while there were people that voted based on race, I think there were just as many people that voted Obama only because he was black. BTW, I had to write in Alan Keyes because he was not on the ballot in my state.

GOD DAMN RIGHT!!!

White guilt in this country reigns supreme among those apologists.
I voted against Obama because I despise his far-left socilaist anti-American policies.
THERE! The secret is out.
If I wanted to live in Europe (or Russia) (or China), I'd take my overly ample ass over there.
I choose to stay in AMERICA because it's the freest (free-est ?) and greatest country in the world.
Or, at least, it WAS, until THESE people took over.

I do have to wonder, however, how many of the same mental midgets who think Sarah Palin is a "slut", inept, inexperienced, etc. VOTED FOR AL FRIGGIN' FRANKLIN in the People's Republic of Minnesota!

[UAHparrothead]

What are exactly these anti-American policies that you speak of? Just out of curiosity.

[Wino you know]

Hi, Brad.

I'm talking of things like the C.A.P. & Trade, the bailouts/stimulis package, government take overs of EVERYTHING (most notably, the auto industry-I.M.O., if any entity is "too big to fail," maybe they shouldn't be so big), the su.ck.ing up to dictators like Castro, "Little Joe" in Russia, the Venezuelan pimp, and their ilk.
I'm also talking about things like socialized medicine and the taxation of health benefits.
There are plenty of socialist regimes all over the world where people can go live, if they choose.
Leave the American culture alone and our way of life too.
If someone wants to drive a Cadillac Escalade instead of one of those CLOWN CARS, for God's sake, LET THEM.

ALL of these things will hurt working Americans and put many people out of a job.

[RinglingRingling]

and of course, there is always the diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder to be debated in this.

[UAHparrothead]

Hi, Brad.

I'm talking of things like the C.A.P. & Trade, the bailouts/stimulis package, government take overs of EVERYTHING (most notably, the auto industry-I.M.O., if any entity is "too big to fail," maybe they shouldn't be so big), the su.ck.ing up to dictators like Castro, "Little Joe" in Russia, the Venezuelan pimp, and their ilk.
I'm also talking about things like socialized medicine and the taxation of health benefits.
There are plenty of socialist regimes all over the world where people can go live, if they choose.
Leave the American culture alone and our way of life too.
If someone wants to drive a Cadillac Escalade instead of one of those CLOWN CARS, for God's sake, LET THEM.

ALL of these things will hurt working Americans and put many people out of a job.

Now allow me to translate everything you said the way I see it. Just for shits and giggles.

I'm talking of things like carbon output restrictions so that people, especially poor people, can breathe, the stimulus package that is providing money to renew our crumbling infrastructure and provide jobs and allow many people to keep the jobs they have, to allow people have lost their jobs to have a little more time to find a new one, to help businesses like GM and Chrysler stay afloat and revamp their companies to bring them into the new millennium and to keep thousands of Americans at work, to help banks stay afloat and many Americans in their homes, the opening up relations to foreign leaders that have been closed off for 8 or more years in order to make our nation and the world a safer place without compromising our ideals as Americans.

I'm talking about things like making affordable health care available to all people because access health care is a right not a privilege.

Making cars more fuel efficient to A) make us less dependent on foreign oil and B) make our air a little better to breathe.

ALL of these things will help working Americans and allow many people to keep their jobs or get new ones.

I always find it funny that spending billions of dollars to blow up brown people is fine and dandy, but if you try and help a poor person in American you are automatically a socialist and anti-American. I also find it funny that most of the Conservative commentators on this board and other places remain oddly silent at Glenn Beck's comment that what this country needs is another attack from Al Qaeda.

Garry you and I see things differently, obviously, but I respect you and your opinion, but remember that we're all in this thing together and we are going to have to learn how to compromise and discuss things openly and honestly if we are going to get out of this mess.