[LypeReexy]

And the GOP just gets weirderer and weirderer...


July 3, 2009, 4:01 PM
Palin to Resign as Governor of Alaska
By MITCHELL L. BLUMENTHAL


Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced Friday that she would step down by the end of the month and not seek a second term as governor, which would allow her to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012. Ms. Palin, who was Senator John McCain’s vice presidential running mate last year and solidified the support of the party’s conservative base, explained her decision at a news conference at her home in Wasilla, Alaska, accompanied by her husband, Todd, and other family members. “We know we can affect positive change outside of government,” she said in making the announcement.

Known as Sarah Barricuda when she played basketball in high school, Ms. Palin used point guard analogy in explaining her decision, saying she knows “exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.” She said that she planned to hand over the reins of the state government to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who would be sworn in at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks on July 25. “This decision came after much consideration,” Ms. Palin told reporters gathered at her home, and added, “I really don’t want to disappoint anyone with this announcement.”

There had been wide speculation that she would seek to be the Republican Party’s presidential candidate in 2012. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, who is also considered to be a leading Republican candidate for president in 2012, announced last month that he would not seek re-election. By leaving office early, Ms. Palin, a 45-year-old mother of five, will be able to travel around the country more freely and not be constrained by the duties and responsibilities of being a governor.
“Some are going to question the timing of this, and let me say this decision has been in the works for quite a while,” she said.

Ms. Palin arrived on the political scene in Alaska in 2006, a self-described “hockey mom” and small-town mayor who ousted the incumbent governor to become the youngest person and first woman to hold the post. Two years later, Senator McCain drafted her as his running mate. During the fall campaign, she was by far the most polarizing figure on the trail, drawing huge, devoted Republican crowds, but deeply negative reactions from Democrats and many independents.

Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced Thursday that she would step down by the end of the month and not seek a second term as governor, allowing her to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

Ms. Palin, who was Senator John McCain’s vice presidential running mate in last year’s election and rallied the party’s conservative base, explained her decision at a news conference at her home in Wasilla, accompanied by her husband, Todd, and other family members.

“We know we can effect positive change outside of government,” she said in making the announcement.

Ms. Palin, who was known as Sarah Barricuda when she played basketball in high school, used point guard analogy, saying she knows “exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.”

She said that she planned to hand over the reins of the state government to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who would be sworn in at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks on July 25.

There had been wide speculation that she would seek to be the Republican Party’s presidential candidate in 2012. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, who is also considered to be a Republican candidate for president in 2012, recently announced that he would not seek re-election.

By leaving office early, Ms. Palin will be able to travel around the country more freely and not have to deal with the constraints of being a governor.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...-of-alaska/?hp

[Eromaveabeara]

[Mediconlinee]

Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced Friday that she would step down by the end of the month and not seek a second term as governor, which would allow her to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

Well, she's better looking than Obama.

Wasn't much of a job, anyway.

[RLRWai4B]

The political message she gave for resigning hinged on her being a lame duck governor and wanting Alaskans to have someone (her lieutenant) working for the state and earning reelection - rather than just taking a paycheck. It's savvy to bestow some of the incumbent's privilege upon the endorsed successor - and in that regard, handing over the bully pulpit takes the cake.

This is probably more significant to Alaska than the nation.

[Vipvlad]

If Palin is the Republican candidate in 2012, I will be astounded.

[12Dvop4I]

This is probably more significant to Alaska than the nation.

Well, as I said:

Wasn't much of a job, anyway.

[tobia]

Palin to Resign as Governor of Alaska
By MITCHELL L. BLUMENTHAL


Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced Friday that she would step down by the end of the month and not seek a second term as governor, which would allow her to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012. Ms. Palin, who was Senator John McCain’s vice presidential running mate last year and solidified the support of the party’s conservative base, explained her decision at a news conference at her home in Wasilla, Alaska, accompanied by her husband, Todd, and other family members. “We know we can affect positive change outside of government,” she said in making the announcement.

Known as Sarah Barricuda when she played basketball in high school, Ms. Palin used point guard analogy in explaining her decision, saying she knows “exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.” She said that she planned to hand over the reins of the state government to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who would be sworn in at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks on July 25. “This decision came after much consideration,” Ms. Palin told reporters gathered at her home, and added, “I really don’t want to disappoint anyone with this announcement.”

There had been wide speculation that she would seek to be the Republican Party’s presidential candidate in 2012. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, who is also considered to be a leading Republican candidate for president in 2012, announced last month that he would not seek re-election. By leaving office early, Ms. Palin, a 45-year-old mother of five, will be able to travel around the country more freely and not be constrained by the duties and responsibilities of being a governor.
“Some are going to question the timing of this, and let me say this decision has been in the works for quite a while,” she said.

Ms. Palin arrived on the political scene in Alaska in 2006, a self-described “hockey mom” and small-town mayor who ousted the incumbent governor to become the youngest person and first woman to hold the post. Two years later, Senator McCain drafted her as his running mate. During the fall campaign, she was by far the most polarizing figure on the trail, drawing huge, devoted Republican crowds, but deeply negative reactions from Democrats and many independents.

Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced Thursday that she would step down by the end of the month and not seek a second term as governor, allowing her to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

Ms. Palin, who was Senator John McCain’s vice presidential running mate in last year’s election and rallied the party’s conservative base, explained her decision at a news conference at her home in Wasilla, accompanied by her husband, Todd, and other family members.

“We know we can effect positive change outside of government,” she said in making the announcement.

Ms. Palin, who was known as Sarah Barricuda when she played basketball in high school, used point guard analogy, saying she knows “exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.”

She said that she planned to hand over the reins of the state government to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who would be sworn in at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks on July 25.

There had been wide speculation that she would seek to be the Republican Party’s presidential candidate in 2012. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, who is also considered to be a Republican candidate for president in 2012, recently announced that he would not seek re-election.

By leaving office early, Ms. Palin will be able to travel around the country more freely and not have to deal with the constraints of being a governor.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...-of-alaska/?hp[/QUOTE]

And the GOP just gets weirderer and weirderer...


July 3, 2009, 4:01 PM
Palin to Resign as Governor of Alaska
By MITCHELL L. BLUMENTHAL



Known as Sarah Barricuda when she played basketball in high school, Ms. Palin used point guard analogy in explaining her decision, saying she knows “exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.” She said that she planned to hand over the reins of the state government to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who would be sworn in at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks on July 25.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Ms. Palin, who was known as Sarah Barricuda when she played basketball in high school, used point guard analogy, saying she knows “exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.”

She said that she planned to hand over the reins of the state government to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who would be sworn in at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks on July 25.



http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...-of-alaska/?hp

Odd repetition.

[apannamma]

If SP plans a career in TV / Radio she really needs to work on her vocal support.

The unending breathlessness during her rambling speech, complete with audible gulps of air before each and every phrase, were really annoying.

Not that she isn't anyway.

[stunnyravytal]

She's not the type to take suggestions to heart.

[feAilei1]

If SP plans a career in TV / Radio she really needs to work on her vocal support.

The unending breathlessness during her rambling speech, complete with audible gulps of air before each and every phrase, were really annoying.

Not that she isn't anyway.

Reminds me of Anderson Cooper's reporting during hurricane Katrina.
It's a wonder the guy didn't pass out.

[paralelogram]

The humorless are often frantic.

[Rategbee]

I think Alaska, should keep the tradition of having a hot babe as Gov., and give that title over to Jewel.

[DadaSeeva]

SP is such a light weight.

Now that she's "passed the ball" she went and got all lawyered-up:


Sarah Palin attorney warns press on 'defamatory material'

Politico.com

Alaska-based attorney Thomas Van Flein warns of severe consequences should speculation that until now has largely been confined to blogs about whether Palin embezzled funds in the construction of a Wasilla, Alaska, sports arena find its way into print.

“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,” Van Flein warned, citing Alaska liberal blogger Shannyn Moore.

Much like Palin did in her Facebook statement Saturday, Van Flein savages the news media in his letter. The full text of the letter from her legal counsel:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 4, 2009

On July 3rd, 2009, Governor Sarah Palin announced her intent to resign her gubernatorial duties
and transfer the powers of Governor to Lt. Governor Sean Parnell.

Almost immediately afterwards, several unscrupulous people have asserted false and defamatory
allegations that the “real” reasons for Governor Palin’s resignation stem from an alleged
criminal investigation pertaining to the construction of the Wasilla Sports Complex. This
canard was first floated by Democrat operatives in September 2008 during the national
campaign and followed up by sympathetic Democratic writers. (1) It was easily rebutted then as
one of many fabrications about Sarah Palin. Just as power abhors a vacuum, modern journalism
apparently abhors any type of due diligence and fact checking before scurrilous allegations are
repeated as fact.

The history of the Wasilla Sports Complex is publicly known. Contrary to the insinuation that
as Mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin “personally” oversaw bidding, construction, funding and
accounting for the project (and thus, the allegation goes, “embezzled” from the project), the
truth is far more mundane, and publicly available:

Curtis D. Menard was instrumental in spearheading the effort from conception to
realization of the Wasilla Sports Complex. He directed the steering committee that was
responsible for placing the issue before the voters of Wasilla and subsequently passed.
He remained chairman of that committee through the design and construction
of the facility. He was an ardent supporter and leader of civic, educational and
athletic endeavors within the community as well as an advocate of the continued
success of the Sports Center.
(1) Wayne Barrett, a writer for the left wing Village Voice, published these insinuations,
on October 7, 2008 in a story entitled “The Book of Sarah” available at
http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-10-...-book-of-sarah.
This was written in the style of one pretending to be amazed that so many people
in a small town like Wasilla appear to know one another, support one another,
and take on big projects together. Apparently that is uncommon in New York.
Rather than recognize that leaders of a community often mobilize to accomplish projects,
the writer offered this up as an unusual and questionable association of special interests.
http://www.cityofwasilla.com/index.aspx?page=114. Thus, as any basic fact checker would
learn, the Mayor of Wasilla is not listed as “chair” of the Steering Committee. As Mayor,
Governor Palin did appoint the committee, another fact readily verifiable, and she was publicly
on record supporting the need for such a facility—as was most of Wasilla. “Wasilla weighs
sports facility” published December 6, 2001 and available at http://www.adn.com/sarah-
palin/background/story/517370.html. While her public support of this project was deemed
pivotal by many, the actual construction, bidding, financing and other day-to-day management
of the project was not in her scope of authority as Mayor.

In addition, Sarah Palin was then criticized by some of not showing enough interest in the
project. The Frontiersman reported that at a public meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, an
opponent of the project “accused Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin of staying quiet about the arena
because of her campaign for Lieutenant Governor.” “Sports Arena Campaign gets Rolling”
http://www.frontiersman.com/articles...2/21/news6.txt (February 22, 2002).

Further, this was a highly public project, approved by the voters, and subject to public bid
requirements. As described by the City of Wasilla itself:

The city uses competitive means for the purchase of all goods and services as
required by Wasilla Municipal Code 5.08. The city also utilizes contracts and
price agreements established by the State of Alaska, the Western States
Contracting Alliance and other cooperatives or agencies when it is deemed to be
in the best interest of the City. The city believes in open, fair competition and
strives to ensure that all vendors have equal opportunity to compete for city
business.

The City of Wasilla operates under a decentralized purchasing system. This
means purchasing decision up to $5,000 is made independently by the
departments in the city (with the exception of Management Information System
purchases). When the estimated amount for goods or services is between $5,000
and $9,999, departments are required to obtain three quotes prior to purchase.
The departments may utilize the services of the Purchasing/Contracting Officer
(PCO) for this process or may do it themselves; however, when this processed is
selected, the PCO must sign off on the final product prior to purchasing or
contracting.

For purchases beyond $10,000, the city requires all departments to contact the
PCO who will utilize the city's bid process according to Wasilla Municipal
Code 5.08. The bid process is initiated through either an Invitation to Bid (ITB),
utilized when the city knows the specifications for the purchase; or a Request for
Proposal (RFP), utilized when the exact specifications or process is unknown.

http://www.cityofwasilla.com/index.aspx?page=360#82. Accordingly, the Sports Complex was
publicly bid, in accordance with City and state law, and was accounted for in the time and
manner all public projects are handled. The Mayor of Wasilla, be it Sarah Palin, or her
successor, did not handle the funds, or the materials, for this project. To thus suggest she
“embezzled” is as false as it is impossible.

The additional claim of “proof” of wrongdoing is the allegation that the Palins purchased
building materials from Spenard Builders Supply—and that this company may have provided
supplies for the Sports Complex. Prior to the construction of Lowe’s and Home Depot within
the last few years in Wasilla, Spenard Builders Supply was the primary building supply
company in Wasilla. It can hardly come as a surprise that it would sell materials to small
homeowners or that it would also bid to supply commercial contracts. One would be hard
pressed to find a home, cabin or outbuilding in the Mat-Su Valley in which Spenard Builders
Supply did not sell at least some of the materials.

The Palins built their Lake Lucille house using Todd as the general contractor. Todd’s family
owns a hardware and building supply business in Dillingham. He is no stranger to construction,
or to rolling up his sleeves and doing work. The Palins used a combination of personal savings,
equity from the sale of their prior home, and conventional bank financing to build the house—
like millions of American families. The deeds of trust are recordable public records. Basic
journalism and fact checking would confirm this.

The Sports Complex was built in 2002. It is now 2009. While the Federal Government has a
process to follow, and that process sometimes takes time, we can categorically state that we are
not aware of any “federal investigation” that has been “pending” for the last seven years. We
are aware of no subpoenas on SBS regarding the Palins. We are aware that the Federal
Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation have been helpful, responsive and
diligent in prosecuting the email hacker and in cleaning up Alaska’s corrupt legislators. To be
blunt—this “story” was alleged during the campaign, evaluated then by national media and
deemed meritless. Nothing has changed.

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. 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. The Alaska Constitution protects the right of free speech, while simultaneously
holding those “responsible for the abuse of that right.” Alaska Constitution Art. I, Sec. 5.
http://ltgov.state.ak.us/constitution.php?section=1. These falsehoods abuse the right to free
speech; continuing to publish these falsehoods of criminal activity is reckless, done without any
regard for the truth, and is actionable.

Thomas Van Flein, for
Governor Sarah Palin Sheesh.

Defamation my moose.

[zithromaxlinks]

I really tried to read the whole thing but,
Much like a Palin speech, I just couldn't
wade through it, and drowned in the tide
of words
Stick her with a fork- shes done!

[Aozozbag]

I love unhinged women. Now she's suing everyone. That's always the next step.

When I was a child during WWII my favorite actress was a woman named Betty Hutton.

Number one box office. She was found decades later working as a cook in a Catholic rectory on Long Island.

--

[rhybrisee]

If SP had just 1/10th of Betty's sense of humor then she'd be more worrisome, in regards to a future public life.

I agreed with scum: Mrs. Palin is done.

Anybody still thinking THIS?

[Payodcapy542fro]

It's funny the speculation about a TV show. She can't talk unscripted. The only thing that would work would be a reality show... but imagine her trying to conduct an interview.

[eFDMBwKH]

When in doubt, follow this...

$


Palin's salary as governor is $125K, and she owes about $500K in attorney fees.

She's still popular in Alaska, but she's no longer viewed as a "maverick governor," battling special interests. The office doesn't hold much clout in the Lower 48, so she is largely ignored by Washington insiders.

Her far-right base is going to support her no matter what, so the governorship serves no purpose as a platform, and may be a liability.

I see Fox News in her future. She'll make a ton of money. She can "quit" in a couple of years if she decides to run for office, or...

take the money and run.

[viagradiscounttt]

Real Alaskans aren't quitters ...

Threatened by Palin, a Blogger Speaks Out.
Shannyn Moore, Meet the Press.

The Mudflats
July 5, 2009



On the last bright sunny day of a holiday weekend that was jam-packed with unexpected politican maneuvering, blogger Shannyn Moore had the last word. She stood before reporters and television cameras and read a prepared statement.

On the Fourth of July, when Americans everywhere were celebrating our most sacred national holiday with parades and barbeques, Governor Sarah Palin was busy having me, Shannyn Moore, declared an Enemy of the State.

In a rambling quasi-legal letter, the most powerful person in this state accused me of defaming her for pointing out the fact that there have been rumors, - rumors - of corruption, rumors that have been around for years.

When Sarah Palin gave her three-weeks notice to the people of Alaska, aborting her term as Governor, a lot of people wondered why she quit. Mid-level managers turn-in their notice, not elected public officials. It didn’t make sense. It still doesn’t. People have been trying to guess why she really quit, and everyone in Alaska has been playing the guessing game. They’re rumors. There are a lot of rumors. And with all the corruption we’ve had here in Alaska, of course we wonder what’s really behind her resignation.

Governors don’t just quit. But Governor Palin did.

The governor’s massive overreaction - on the Fourth of July no less - should make any reasonable person wonder what’s wrong with her. The Lady protests way too much. Eventually we’ll all find out why she really walked off the job.

Sarah Palin is a coward and a bully. What kind of politician attacks an ordinary American on the Fourth of July for speaking her mind? What’s wrong with her? The First Amendment was designed to protect people like me from the likes of people like her. Our American Revolution got rid of kings. And queens, too. Am I jacked-up? You betcha.

Sarah Palin, if you have a problem with me, then sue me. Shannyn Moore will not be muzzled!


During a question and answer session, Moore assured the press that this was not going to affect “how she blogged,” stressing that she had reported that rumors existed, not the validity of any such rumors. The story has already ignited the blogosphere, and has just been picked up by the Associated Press, in addition to local news media.

It’s fireworks on the 5th of July for Governor Palin, and a celebration of the first amendment for the rest of us. Thanks to a true patriot for being brave and refusing to be bullied.

***

NOTE: HuffPo is also following the fracas.

Something to carry us through the summer

[vulikox]

A Starter, Not a Finisher

By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, July 7, 2009

What can you say about a public official who ridicules those who would take the "quitter's way out" -- as she faces reporters to announce that she's quitting? A governor who claims that "the worthless, easy path" would be to serve out the remaining 18 months of her term? An ambitious politician who says that "life is too short" to worry about, you know, boring things such as responsibility or duty?

You can say that all of us who ever took Sarah Palin seriously -- or pretended to take her seriously -- should be deeply ashamed. And you can say that John McCain should publicly apologize for putting the nation he loves at risk by choosing Palin as his running mate. Imagining Palin within a heartbeat of the presidency should be enough to make even die-hard Republicans shudder.

The reasons she gave for stepping down are not just contrived or implausible but literally nonsensical. She can most effectively serve the people of Alaska by ceasing to exercise the powers of chief executive? She worries that as a lame duck she would somehow be compelled to waste taxpayer money on useless junkets? In her "Don't Cry For Me, Alaska" news conference announcing her departure, the folksy non sequiturs -- "Only dead fish go with the flow" -- were like nuggets of Cartesian logic amid a tub of mush.

But I'm stating the obvious. The thing is, Palin's unsuitability for high public office has been obvious all along. Tina Fey got it right; the rest of us were far too reluctant to state plainly that the emperor, or empress, has no clothes.

There are basically two reasons the political class and the commentariat continue to speak and write about Palin as if she were a substantial figure whose presence on the national stage is anything but a cruel, unfunny joke. The first is fear -- not of Palin and her know-nothing legions, but of being painted as elitist and sexist.

From the beginning, Palin has been a master at maneuvering her critics into this trap. Like most Americans, she didn't go to an Ivy League school; like most women, she deals every day with the challenges of juggling work and family. She highlighted these aspects of her biography, then used them to portray herself as a victim whenever anyone had the temerity to criticize anything she said or did. The most recent illustration is what she posted on her Facebook page last weekend on the reaction to her announced resignation:

"How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it's about country. 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."

What is she talking about? Who are these "countless others" who supposedly have made the same decision to abandon governorships for no credible reason? The names don't come rushing to mind. Why is any criticism of Poor Little Sarah the result of the "different standard" that mean old "Washington and the media" always apply? Because blaming her favorite alleged persecutors allows her to ignore the bewildered reaction from her constituents in Alaska who are stunned and mystified at her decision to skip out.

The other reason Palin is taken more seriously than she deserves is that she has a constituency. Heaven help us.

Palin has far-right conservative views, and while I disagree with her on almost everything, there's certainly nothing inappropriate or illegitimate about her philosophy. But I feel sorry for conservatives who look to her as a champion because she's going to let them down. Articulating a political vision and inspiring people to believe in it are true accomplishments, and no one can take that away from her. But realizing that vision through legislation or executive action requires discipline, persistence and rigor. To return to stating the obvious, these are attributes that Palin lacks.

Anyone tempted to see her resignation gambit as a masterstroke, positioning her for a presidential run in 2012, is riding for a fall. She will flake out.

Sarah Palin is by nature more of a firebrand opinion-maker than anything else. I know one when I see one. She can deny it all she wants, but really she's -- gulp -- one of us.

eugenerobinson@washpost.com

© 2009 The Washington Post Company