Just when we thought the Fourth of July weekend was going to be dominated by continuing coverage of Michael Jackson’s death, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stepped in to give us something else to talk about — her sudden and unexpected announcement that she will resign before the end of the month.
You can watch the full speech which was a little on the bizarre side, especially the part about only dead fish going with the flow. She said she’s not wired like a normal politician and doesn’t want to advocate for Alaska in the usual manner and so is starting down this new path for Alaska? Palin compares herself with a point guard in her decision? She sure seemed like an overly caffeinated point guard to me and the people of Alaska have to be asking themselves, “What were we thinking when we elected her governor?”
These are some really concerning ramblings by a woman who came awfully close to being the Vice President of the United States. And after reading the Vanity Fair article about her just today, I have to believe she still has political aspirations — but if so, her actions make absolutely no sense. Maybe in her mind she is carving out a new path to political fame, but it seems like it will be a winding and unlikely path.
Palin says this decision has been in the works for a while, partly because some have mocked her son Trig? Really? I haven’t heard any of that. To be honest, her ramblings made no sense and really made me question what is really going on here. And, if she had become vice president, would she be resigning that office today? Or is there some oddly crafted plan to run for the Senate in 2010 or the White House in 2012? And why would anyone vote for her again if she can’t even last four years in the Governor’s office of a sparsely populated state?
There’s sure to be a lot of speculation and analysis over the coming days and I, along with many others, definitely want to be there to see how this unfolds.
My biggest hope is that the very strange tale of Sarah Palin doesn’t dissuade other mothers of small children from running for office. There’s something to be said for having that perspective in state houses, governor’s offices and in Washington, D.C. I hope the strange path that Sarah Palin seems to be on doesn’t keep other moms away from the political world.
I think there’s more to explore and examine on this story and I am looking forward to writing about it in the coming days!
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Re: The "mean" "mocking" of Trig: The governor is referring to an issue that originated with an image posted on an Alaska blog — a photo of herself holding Trig at the RNC, which had been Photoshopped to replace Trig's face with the face of a local radio host who is deeply embedded in Camp Palin. Since returning from the '08 campaign, the Gov has been unable to let any slight pass without a histrionic press release, and naturally she issued one in response to the "desecration" of Trig's image. (This despite the fact that a pro-Palin site had doctored the same image to replace Trig's head with David Letterman's just one week prior, with no comment from the governor's office.) SomethingAwful and Wonkette got hold of it and a Photoshop frenzy ensued. Just one of the nonstop series of non-issues blown up into moral crises that have monopolized politics here since, oh, the first Wednesday in November. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
As a woman, I share your concern about Palin as a poor model for political moms. As an Alaskan, though, I'm mostly just terribly relieved the ride is coming to an end.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Also — if you'd like to see a magnificent example of the spin/untruth that's a substitute for reality in this administration, check out the headline on the official press release regarding this morning's announcement.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Hopefully this will set Romnety up better for gop candidate in 2012.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:04 pm
More information on “grassroots” supporters gathering across the nation to support Sarah Palin for President in 2012 can be found online at http://www.palin4pres2012.com
Note, the website is in danger of crashing due to the flood of readers and supporters signing up to show their interest in a Palin Candidacy. The GOP establishment had better watch out, Sarah Palin and Ron Paul combined with the power of the internet will remove the stranglehold of GOP special interests and the elites who have brought the party to its knees in defeat in the 2008 elections.
July 4th, 2009 at 6:59 am
I just don't understand how she intends to parlay a little over 2 years as Alaska's governor in to being pres. I understand not seeking reelection but resigning? How can she be portrayed as anything but a quitter? Just seems like a really dumb move to me.
And the speech was terrible. Disorganized, all over the place, and made no sense. She was speaking so fast and at time seemed on something.
July 4th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I totally get her decision. I liked her speech, especially the aside about prayerful consideration. If she can rally more political support in a talk radio type venue than through the rigors of political office, it only makes sense that she resign, work on her book and continue her public appearances.
She also made it clear that she'd had enough of her children being sacrificial lambs. I just wish she'd taken a cue from Colin Powell (who dropped out of politics early when they went after his daughter), rather than subjecting her little ones to this long drawn out hate fest. Also? I would have punched Letterman in the nuts, which is why I would not make a good politician.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I just had the opportunity over the weekend to see the speech in its entirety – I had to watch it again today thinking the fireworks rattled my ability to comprehend. If this woman, who has embarrassed womenhood, ever runs for anything again, I can only hope it is for the hills.
Your post echos my sentiments.
Seriously, should she decide to further her aspirations, she might start with a basic Public Speaking course, take a few classes on current events, regional geography, hire a press agent/speech writer (PLEASE LORD no MORE "Turkey slaying speeches" or whacked out references) and start all over.
PS "Anonymous" must be using something highly illicit.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I thought the pundits on "This Week" yesterday made some really good points: 1) how can she tout any experience when she couldn't even complete her first term as Governor? 2) hasn't she let her supporters down by not living up to the obligations that got her elected? 3) She's had less than a year of the so-called media-bashing, unlike -ahem- some other females in the political spotlight. Not really an endorsement for her stamina.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I find the whole Sarah Palin ride to be rather surreal. She is no example of a sound mind working mom. She is clearly unfit for political life, but I’m afraid that won’t stop her. That speech was a train wreck. Even my husband, who is the king of giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, laughed and smirked and shivered. Here is a woman who could not fulfill her *promise* to the people who voted for her. So much for any experience she brings to the game (in her point guard position).