Jackson Free Press

Gov. Sarah Palin announced suddenly today that she will step down as governor of Alaska on July 26, only 30 months into her first term. The Washington Post:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) announced this afternoon she will resign from office on July 26 and return to private life, a stunning decision by last year's Republican vice presidential candidate to leave office before the end of her first term.

Palin, who has been plagued by scandal since hitting the national stage as a vice presidential candidate last fall, did not say why she is stepping down, or detail what she will do next, leaving the rumor mill on fire. The Huffington Post takes a guess: "Rumors of an "iceberg scandal" have been circulating."

Meantime, Vanity Fair has a long profile of Palin that leaves, well, less than a positive impression.

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Washington is wondering what else is behind the announcement, which seems to be timed to come out on a slow-news holiday: Bruce Bartlett, Washington-based author: Not running for re-election makes sense. Stepping down immediately makes no sense as a political strategy to get the GOP nomination in 2012. I strongly suspect there is more to her action than we know at this moment. There's always something with Palin, eh?

DonnaLadd

Jul 3 2009

I'm taking bets on when the pictures or emails or text messages turn up. Cause you know they will. This woman is far too ambitious to give it all up.

msgrits

Jul 3 2009

Is it the house her husband built himself? [...with a little help from his contractor friend (who was coincidentally awarded the Wasilla sports complex project)...] Have been wondering if that tid-bit would re-surface.

pjiv

Jul 3 2009

Heard some political type on NPR talking eariler that she has done the same thing before. When she lost her bid for Lt. Gov. in 2002 she was appointed to the cushy job as Chairwomen of Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and resigned after a year and drop out of sight until 2006 election for governor. He was saying that worked for her before so maybe that's what she is thinking now. Who knows. Maybe she is just sick of it all.

BubbaT

Jul 3 2009

I wonder if her resignation has anything to do with this 7/1 post at The Atlantic which IMHO pretty much nails it!!! "The Core Of Palin's Appeal A reader writes: Part of Sarah Palin's irresistible appeal to her fundamentalist base is her ability to look at the camera with utter conviction and declare black to be white. The ability to lie well is a valuable part of the fundamentalist psychology. My son isn't gay, he just hasn't found the right woman! Those rocks aren't 50 million years old, they just look like it as a test of our faith! My sexless marriage isn't foundering, it is filled with God's spirit! The minister isn't molesting little Maria, they're just very close! It isn't torture, it is being tough on terrorists! Fundamentalists can recognize a truly audacious and talented liar from miles away. Instead of running the other way, as you might expect, they gather around the powerful liar, for they know that their own lies will be respected and protected by a leader who understands the paramount importance of preserving their whole system of denial." Can you say 'cognitive dissonance'?

Macedonian

Jul 3 2009

What I love about Palin is she knows how to use that rifle. That's hot. If there is one woman I'm not worried about, it's her. She can fend for herself from the bloodsuckers. No worries here. I think she's a strong woman, and that frightens some "progressives." Hahaha... I love it.

LawClerk

Jul 3 2009

... And according to Politico, Palin invoked 'a quote that she credited to Gen. Douglas MacArthur: "We are not retreating; we are advancing in another direction."' I wish that I was good enough to make this stuff up! ... I am so glad that AlGore invented the interweb!

Macedonian

Jul 3 2009

Is it the house her husband built himself? [...with a little help from his contractor friend (who was coincidentally awarded the Wasilla sports complex project)...] Have been wondering if that tid-bit would re-surface. pjiv, did you see this Daily Beast link that was in a JFP tweet?

LatashaWillis

Jul 3 2009

I don't know that I'd put any credence in this, but BradBlog is bringing out rumors of a federal embezzlement indictment--that would indeed center on the "house Todd built himself," as well as the Wasilla Sports Complex. I figure it has to be something scandalous or she'd at least serve out the remainder of her term. She only has a year and a half left; she'd be out in January 2011, plenty of time to prep for the 2012 Republican primaries.

Tom Head

Jul 3 2009

Macedonian- Do you find it amusing she correctly quoted Gen. MacArthur or do you find it amusing she thinks resigning is the best thing to do in her presidenal ambitions?

BubbaT

Jul 4 2009

Is that pic from the actual resignation? LOL

WMartin

Jul 4 2009

There may well be a smoking gun that we don't know about; however, I think that she can parlay this to her advantage. She is free to travel and rub elbows with Barbour and the rest of the old guard. She also can make some money for the elephants.

Powerman

Jul 6 2009

I knew this thread wasn't done yet!.... Ubernut Tammy Bruce has posted a story about a Washington Times exclusive report that Sarah Palin is going to start an independent conservative movement of a 'Bull Moose' sort. (Go Figure!) h/t to Bruce Wilson of talk2action.org

Macedonian

Jul 12 2009

I saw Palin's daughter's "baby daddy" on the Today Show this AM. He said that he would not vote for her if she is the Rebub's candidate. He also said that her resignation was based on her financial calcalation that she could earn more money writing a book and campaigning for other candidates. It is also being floated that she is open to supporting certain Democrats. What a JOKE!

justjess

Jul 13 2009