Palin's Dereliction of Duty

The American Spectator ^ | July 3, 2009 | Quin Hillyer

[EveningStar]

Knowing that many, many conservatives will absolutely dump on me for saying this, I can't help myself: Sarah Palin's resignation is an appalling dereliction of duty and a highly cynical move to set herself up for a presidental run for which she is manifestly unqualified.

[The Good Doctor]

"I think were "qualified" to be president in the last election. Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, and Bill Richardson."

As long as Mr. Richardson would promise to discontinue his practice of absconding with classified documents by stuffing them down his trousers.

[wtc911]

When she did that, there was no offer on the horizon to run for vice president, an event and surrounding conditions that changed everything. She's not out. She's not even down.

______________________________________

Oh, so her oath to the people of Alaska was only good until things changed? And, she is out...sorry.

[wtc911]

On the contrary, if someone believes their replacement could do a better job in the position, then resignation is the most ethical thing they can do.

________________________________________________

If she believed that she wouldn't be up to the task as well as her Lt. Gov. would be then she never should have taken the job.

Her attitude of 'don't explain' is dead wrong in this case. If I were a resident of Alaska I'd damn well want more than "trust me".

[FTJM]

And you think it will stop if she wins a Presidential election? She'll quit then too using your logic. She gave her word and needed to keep it. Beating back ethics complaints and staying in office does more for the voters than quitting ever could.

She had no chance of winning a national election now. I assumed a guy like you would would be able see that. My mistake...

[battletank]

Couldn’t have said it better. I agree with you completely.

[ReagansShinyHair]

Yeah, she should have just stayed Governor and voted “present” all the time.

[battletank]

They’ll have to flame me too. I agree with every word you’ve written. I hate to be pessimistic, but just up and quitting with two week’s notice, half way through a first term, just isn’t going to be looked upon well with alot of people who would normally be in her camp IMO.

[fours]

Yeah, she should have just stayed Governor and voted “present” all the time.

Governors don't vote "present" — they govern. They're elected to run the state's business, handle emergencies, and implement policy. I think part of the reason she quit is that Palin must just not have enjoyed doing her job.

This makes it hard for me to see her as a President and easier for me to see her as a conservative campaigner, organizer, or commentator.

[Lauren BaRecall]

Her attitude of 'don't explain' is dead wrong in this case. If I were a resident of Alaska I'd damn well want more than "trust me".

She *did* explain. You didn't hear it.

[GOYAKLA]

Sarah has more ethics than any one I have ever known from your state of New York. Would you compare her to Hillary, Spritzer, Giuliani or any other politician from your neck of the woods?

[okie01]

As long as Mr. Richardson would promise to discontinue his practice of absconding with classified documents by stuffing them down his trousers.

You are confusing Bill Richardson, the indicted governor of New Mexico, with Sandy Berger, the indicted chief-of-staff of the Clinton White House.

An understandable mistake...

[okie01]

Quin Hillyer sounds like J. Coddington Voorhees III. An effete, elitist snob.

A 22-year old effete, elitist snob, at that.

[slowhandluke]

Sorry, had a typo.

http://www.alaskatrustfund.com/

[LadyDoc]

maybe she decided her family was more important than being president.

[Huck]

That was my thought too. That Romney’s going to win in the end by being the only guy who doesn’t screw up.

[publana]

I flush before dumping. Consider yourself flushed.

[The Good Doctor]

"You are confusing Bill Richardson, the indicted governor of New Mexico, with Sandy Berger, the indicted chief-of-staff of the Clinton White House."

Yes, thanks. Bill Richardson didn't actually do the pilfering of classified information, he held the door open while the Chinese did!

[gogogodzilla]

Then you file countersuits against those that are doing so, with the lawyers working on contingency (ie: they get paid from the award proceeds).

After bankrupting a few of the Democratic partisan hacks... they will stop using the legal system. Of course, they'll probably ramp up the press coverage, but at least you've halted the offensive on one front.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

War? Huh? What on earth are you talking about?

[Two Ravens]

I'm extremely disappointed by her decision. Unless there are some health and/or family reasons she hasn't mentioned or perhaps some ethics charge we don't know about, she has no defense for not finishing the term she was elected for. The spin that this is a good move politically for her doesn't make any sense.

You're right on the money. I just watched her speech on YouTube, and she definitely looked and sounded scared. That, combined with the fact that she anounced on Friday July 3, practically guarantees that another shoe will drop sometime soon.