Gov. Sarah Palin says she will resign from office July 26

Bizarre.

There's got to be more to the story than simply wanting to focus on a race that doesn't happen really for a couple years yet.

It's never too early to be laying the groundwork for 2012. Mitt Romney has been doing it since the election, whether Team Mitt aknowledges it or not.

I suspect the answer is something along the lines of "heat and kitchens."

I'm willing to be that the Palin 2012 logo doesn't look anything like Obama's :)

according to some of the articles showing up on drudge, it frees her up from the continual "ethics charges" and financial drain the democrats keep attacking her with.

Ready to contribute a healthy amount to her presidential run.

I just heard her speech. Good for her. The press and the liberals are savaging her, costing her money and taking her time away from the state she loves. 15 ethics allegations, 15 dismissals. She's putting principle above politcs. How unusual for a politician. I love the way she irritates the elitists among us.

Best wishes to her and her family.

Palin Announces No Second Term

http://gov.state.ak.us/images/GovPalin_ExecColumn03.jpg
No Lame Duck Session Either

Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly TO you, the people I serve, as your Governor.

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.

I want Alaskans to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln's cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He boldly looked "North to the Future". But he endured such ridicule and mocking for his vision for Alaska, remember the adversaries scoffed, calling this "Seward's Folly". Seward withstood such disdain as he chose the uncomfortable, unconventional, but RIGHT path to secure Alaska, so Alaska could help secure the United States.

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska.

Alaska’s mission – to contribute to America. We’re strategic IN the world as the air crossroads OF the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold visionaries knew this - Alaska would be part of America's great destiny.

Our destiny to be reached by responsibly developing our natural resources. This land, blessed with clean air, water, wildlife, minerals, AND oil and gas. It's energy! God gave us energy.

So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my soul that Alaska is of such import, for America’s security, in our very volatile world. And you know me by now, I promised even four years ago to show MY independence… no more conventional “politics as usual”.

And we are doing well! My administration's accomplishments speak for themselves. We work tirelessly for Alaskans.

We aggressively and responsibly develop our resources because they were created to be used to better our world... to HELP people... and we protect the environment and Alaskans (the resource owners) foremost with our policies.

Here’s some of the things we’ve done:

We created a petroleum integrity office to oversee safe development. We held the line FOR Alaskans on Point Thomson – and finally for the first time in decades – they’re drilling for oil and gas.

We have AGIA, the gasline project – a massive bi-partisan victory (the vote was 58 to 1!) – also succeeding as intended - protecting Alaskans as our clean natural gas will flow to energize us, and America, through a competitive, pro-private sector project. This is the largest private sector energy project, ever. THIS is energy independence.

And ACES – another bipartisan effort – is working as intended and industry is publicly acknowledging its success. Our new oil and gas “clear and equitable formula” is so Alaskans will no longer be taken advantage of. ACES incentivizes NEW exploration and development and JOBS that were previously not going to happen with a monopolized North Slope oil basin.

We cleaned up previously accepted unethical actions; we ushered in bi-partisan Ethics Reform.

We also slowed the rate of government growth, we worked with the Legislature to save billions of dollars for the future, and I made no lobbyist friends with my hundreds of millions of dollars in budget vetoes... but living beyond our means today is irresponsible for tomorrow.

We took government out of the dairy business and put it back into private-sector hands – where it should be.

We provided unprecedented support for education initiatives, and with the right leadership, finally filled long-vacant public safety positions. We built a sub-Cabinet on Climate Change and took heat from Outside special interests for our biologically-sound wildlife management for abundance.

We broke ground on the new prison.

And we made common sense conservative choices to eliminate personal luxuries like the jet, the chef, the junkets... the entourage.

And the Lt. Governor and I said "no" to our pay raises. So much success in this first term – and with this success I am proud to take credit... for hiring the right people! Our goal was to achieve a gasline project, more fair oil and gas valuation, and ethics reform in four years. We did it in two. It’s because of the people… good public servants surrounding the Governor's office, with servants' hearts and astounding work ethic... THEY are Alaska's success!

We are doing well! I wish you'd hear MORE from the media of your state's progress and how we tackle Outside interests - daily - SPECIAL interests that would stymie our state. Even those debt-ridden stimulus dollars that would force the heavy hand of federal government into our communities with an “all-knowing attitude” – I have taken the slings and arrows with that unpopular move to veto because I know being right is better than being popular. Some of those dollars would harm Alaska and harm America – I resisted those dollars because of the obscene national debt we’re forcing our children to pay, because of today’s Big Government spending; it’s immoral and doesn’t even make economic sense!

Another accomplishment – our Law Department protected states’ rights – TWO huge U.S. Supreme Court reversals came down against that liberal Ninth Circuit, deciding in OUR state’s favor over the last two weeks. We’re protectors of our Constitution – federalists protect states’ rights as mandated in 10th amendment.

But you don’t hear much of the good stuff in the press anymore, do you?

Some say things changed for me on August 29th last year – the day John McCain tapped me to be his running-mate – I say others changed.

Let me speak to that for a minute.

Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. 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.

Every one – all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We’ve won! But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted THOUSANDS of hours of YOUR time and shelled out some two million of YOUR dollars to respond to “opposition research” – that’s money NOT going to fund teachers or troopers – or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the “politics of personal destruction” … Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills in order to set the record straight. And what about the people who offer up these silly accusations? It doesn’t cost them a dime so they’re not going to stop draining public resources – spending other peoples’ money in their game.

It’s pretty insane – my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with THIS instead of progressing our state now. I know I promised no more “politics as usual,” but THIS isn’t what anyone had in mind for ALASKA.

If I have learned one thing: LIFE is about choices!

And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose NOT to tear down and waste precious time; but to build UP this state and our country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people!

Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and “go with the flow”.

Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".

No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to BUILD UP.

And there is such a need to BUILD up and FIGHT for our state and our country. I choose to FIGHT for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and LIFE... I'll work for and campaign for those PROUD to be American, and those who are INSPIRED by our ideals and won't deride them.

I WILL support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the RIGHT reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska – or Outside Alaska.

But I won’t do it from the Governor’s desk.

I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to make a difference... to HELP people. So I choose, for my State and my family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around... so that Alaska may progress... I will not seek re-election as Governor.

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! ? That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it.

It’s not what is best for Alaska.

I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable.

With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election… I’ve determined it’s best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell; and I am willing to do so, so that this administration – with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future – can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success.

My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.

Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me – sports… basketball. I use it because you’re naïve if you don’t see the national full-court press picking away right now: A good point guard drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping her eye on the basket… and she knows exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can WIN. And I’m doing that – keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities – smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it’s time to pass the ball – for victory.

I have given my reasons candidly and truthfully… and my last day won’t be for another few weeks so the transition will be very smooth. In fact, we will look to swear Sean in – in Fairbanks at the conclusion of our Governor’s picnics.

I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that you TRUST me with this decision – but it’s no more “politics as usual”.

Some Alaskans don’t mind wasting public dollars and state time. I do. I cannot stand here as your Governor and allow millions upon millions of our dollars go to waste just so I can hold the title of Governor. And my children won’t allow it either. ? Some will question the timing. ? Let’s just say, this decision has been in the works for awhile…

In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: "Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from OUTSIDE the Governor's office?" It was four "yes's" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah" sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we ALL could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities RIGHT – that time is precious... the world needs more "Trigs", not fewer.

My decision was also fortified during this most recent trip to Kosovo and Landstuhl, to visit our wounded soldiers overseas, those who sacrifice themselves in war for OUR freedom and security… we can ALL learn from our selfless Troops… they’re bold, they don’t give up, they take a stand and know that LIFE is short so they choose to NOT waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than SELF... and to build up their families, their states, our country. These Troops and their important missions – those are truly the worthy causes in this world and should be the public priority with time and resources and NOT this local / superficial wasteful political bloodsport.

May we ALL learn from them!

*((Gotta put First Things First))*

First things first: as Governor, I love my job and I love Alaska. It hurts to make this choice but I am doing what’s best for Alaska. I’ve explained why… though I think of the saying on my parents’ refrigerator that says “Don’t explain: your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe you anyway.”

But I have given my reasons… no more “politics as usual” and I am taking my fight for what’s right – for Alaska – in a new direction.

Now, despite this, I don’t want any Alaskan dissuaded from entering politics after seeing this REAL “climate change” that began in August… no, we NEED hardworking, average Americans fighting for what’s right! And I will support you because we need YOU and YOU can effect change, and I can too on the outside.

We need those who will respect our Constitution where government’s supposed to serve from the BOTTOM UP, not move toward this TOP DOWN big government take-over… but rather, will be protectors of individual rights - who also have enough common sense to acknowledge when conditions have drastically changed and are willing to call an audible and pass the ball when it’s time so the team can win! And that is what I’m doing!

Remember Alaska… America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. It'll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family - to ALL Alaska - you have my heart.

And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean Parnell. And Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume the role of Lieutenant Governor. And it is my promise to you that I will always be standing by, ready to assist. We have a good, positive agenda for Alaska.

In the words of General MacArthur said, “We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/exec-column.php

Sorry, but if she really wanted to irritate the "elitists," she'd stay in office.

Nobody is going to take her seriously for a presidential run when she's quit the gubernatorial position in her first term.

I just happened to turn on the tv to MSNBC when the announcement came on and my reaction was the same as Dan's. Then I watched David Shuster, who looks more constipated than he usually does when he's attacking Palin, just go on another tirade about her statement. I listened to how he described it. And then I watched it. Two totally different things.
Contrary to Shuster's description of it being "rambling," I thought the statement was lucid. While I'm not sure I agree with it, I at least see her logic in it.
And from what I could gather, she spoke the whole time without a teleprompter. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this particular observation.

Sens. McCain and Obama are two examples of politicians elected to office, who continued to serve in the U.S. Senate long after they were spending over 90-percent of their time running for U.S. president. Sen. Lieberman is another example. There are many, many examples of politicians who fit that mold.

I hear Gov. Palin saying, "I'm not going to to do that. I'm not going to double-dip."

Good for her.

skf

It's hard to imagine that anyone would take this woman seriously as a presidential candidate. She's all emotion, zero intellect. Not what we need to lead this country. Mitt or Huckaby would both be far better candidates.
Something is odd here, though. Why quit in 2009 for a 2012 election?? She had a great platform to run on, especially if she could rack up some more accomplishments. Why not wait at least until Jan/March to announce she wasn't running - or why not run, win, and run as Governor as many others do? This is very strange.

I truly hope she runs for President as the Republican candidate.

In the Middle,
Here are a few reasons I take her seriously. And this comes from someone who was a Democrat, who worked for Democrats, and who has spent the past 15 years as an Independent:
1) because she's probably the most genuine national politician I've seen in well over a decade
2) because she had to work her way through college/s and knows what it's like to work
3) because she knows what it's like to run a family business
4) because the criticism of her being "all emotion" is unfounded, if you consider Pres. Obama's desire for Supreme Court justices to judge with empathy
4) because Ivy League degrees don't necessarily mean you have an intellect; conversely someone who doesn't have an Ivy League degree doesn't mean they don't have an intellect
5) because as many speaking mistakes she has, they aren't due to teleprompter malfunctions; she speaks from the gut. She's honest
6) because the media detested her when they didn't know her and detested her more when they disagreed with her.
7) because Hollywood detests her
8) because there have been and continue to be passes given to VP Biden that never would have been given to her
9) because she knows what it's like to have a member of her family in military and actually cared enough as Governor to visit her Guardsmen overseas
10) because she decided to try to make a difference despite the odds in running for Mayor and in running for Governor

There can be disagreements on policy issues, but the above is what I've observed.

The way the liberals and RINO's (no difference) savage her, she'll be our saving grace in 2012. Everything said about her is the same they said about Reagan. Pretty high marks when your enemies hate (really fear) you that much. PALIN '12!!

Oh my God, she's a democrat!

Why now? the timing just isn't right, far too early to be thinking about 2012.

charlie

I wouldn't say she was zero intellect; in fact, quite the opposite. Unfortunately, however, she is now officially a "quitter."

Something no presidential candidate can expect to survive, and still be taken seriously.

Goodbye, Sarah. Your 15 months of fame are over. Good luck in your new venture. Call us when you find work.

Thank you, Claude, for articulating pretty much my own thoughts about Sarah Palin.

I have no idea why all the speculation by the press and by those who, for whatever reason, don't want to see her succeed in life, let alone politics.

I do know, however, that I am so revolted by the numerous suggestions by talking heads that her "special needs child" is at the center of it, I could spit.

I take her at her word. Nothing in her history leads me to believe that she does not believe what she said in her speech.

But the buffoons on both sides of the aisle, as well as the press would rather debate her chanced of winning a presidential election than address the issues she championed and/or the principles she displays.

Now wait a minute Michelle; you mean you take her as "real?"

How can you be so naive?

"You can't go around hoping that most people have sterling moral characters. The most you can hope for is that people will pretend that they do."

-Fran Lebowitz

Claude and Michelle, you both nailed it. I'm disgusted with the press coverage. She does have a life outside politics and I applaud the fact that she recognizes that. I wish her well and hope she emerges on the polltical scene again in short order.

I wish her well. Sorry to hear this...I don't think this will do much for her career.

I agree with Scott..I'm glad she won't be double dipping..That ALWAYS irritated me when others have done it.....If she irritates the RINO's and Libs on here she must be doing something right..PALIN ' 12...I can't wait....I LOVE how she scares the heck out of the libs...Everytime she does something they fall all over themselves to TRY to belittle her while wetting their panties...ROFLMAO....

She apparently irritates Fox as well. I was napping at the time she held the press conference, but Ken tells me that Fox anchors spent about 30 minutes before the announcement, speculating about what she was going to say.

He says that they carried a few minutes of her speech and then cut away to engage in speculation about the reasons she is resigning.

I was emotionally staggered when I heard about this earlier today.

My heart tells me that she is adopting an unconventional strategy in a bid for the White House. A bid that should not be underestimated because Sarah is not a conventional candidate. I hope this is the case.

My head tells me that she's had enough of the nonsense, and is returning to her family, to leave politics and governing to the knaves and charlatans currently running our country.

I am old enough to remember Kruschev promising to bury us. I took him seriously at the time, and thought we had beaten him when the Wall fell and the Soviet Union disintegrated.

And then we elected a Utopian-One World-Socialist who promised the proletariat Bread and Circuses, and realized that I was wrong, and freedom had lost.

Sarah Palin is/was our last, best hope. I pray that, like MacArthur, she will return.

wsj.com
JULY 3, 2009, 8:34 P.M. ET

Palin to Quit as Alaska Governor, Won't Seek Re-Election
Source Says Palin Was Bogged Down by Opposition by Democrats and Fellow Republicans
By JIM CARLTON and YUKARI IWATANI KANE

A source close to Palin said ...[r]eturning to Juneau after her national run, she has been bogged down by opposition from Democrats seeking to undermine a possible national leader.., and by fellow Republicans irked by her attacks...against the state's political establishment...

"She was tired of being boxed in, of not being able to push her agenda forward," the person said. "It was clear her agenda could not move forward."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124664889369093021.html

Hopefully those are just opinions, not her real motivation. That would label her a quitter. I'm amazed that some here think that liberals/Democrats are afraid of Palin. Just the opposite - they hope and pray that the Rs will be silly enough to nominate her. All they'll have to do is rerun some of the SNL skits to sink her. At least her look-alike comedian will have a resurgent career. She was in over her head before as a VP candidate. This would be worse.

I haven't seen anyone I would support over Governor Palin. Romney? Jindal? Pawlenty? Kantor? I don't think so.

I like what she stands for. Smaller government for one.

She has more experience than the current occupant. And has accomplished things through pure grit and hard work.

Note that the current occupant lived a charmed life, surfing the wave of affirmative action and liberal guilt.

I can identify with Palin. The eastern establishment Republicans make light of her, but I think she is a force to be reckoned with in the heartland, in the west and in the south.

I would be pleased to help her in any way in the state of Maine. Even if OJS and Susan sign on, which I feel would be very unlikely.

As she said, "life is too short.." There are rocks in her way. Barking seal Democrats, a sexist media, moderate elite Snowe-Collins Republicans, welfare types with the government feedbags strapped on, are in her way but she will tap into working America, who will be very frustrated by the Chicago machine Reds that are led by the current occupant in a year or so.

I like her chances.