Posted on 07/03/2009 10:48:41 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sarah Palins jaw-dropping announcement that she is quitting her job as Alaska governor before finishing even her first term has divided Republican ranks and the wider political community in a very familiar fashion.
Many establishment GOP operatives and political commentators of various stripes were withering, both about the decision and the way she announced itin a jittery, hyperkinetic news conference that rambled between self-congratulation and bitter accusations at the foes she says are eager to destroy her.
The performance, by these lights, adds credence to the claims of some associates that Palinburned by the intense scrutiny on her and the crossfire that swirls around heris so fed up that she's ready to get out of elective politics. Even if it's only the small stage of Alaska politics she hopes to escape, skeptics say Fridays events also diminished and perhaps even demolished what was left of her viability as a 2012 presidential candiate.
But her defenders believed an unorthodox move, even if risky, has a clear logic and may only further increase her standing with conservatives who dont care what establishment figures in or out of the GOP think. Leaving the governors office at the end of this month leaves her free to travel the country, command large speaking fees, and begin the process of rallying her devotees without pesky home-state opponents criticizing every move.
These varied reactions were an echo of the debates that have followed Palin every step since her nomination as John McCains running mate ten months agoa surprise that turned out to be just the first of many surprises served up by one of the most colorful and polarizing American political figures in a generation.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
To the other side of the GOP. Join or get out of way, because we will fight, where they appease.
There is little split among conservatives, only the RINO's are running scared.
Bad link.
Wow... I didn’t know this. Too surprised to comment.
I smell fresh dog feces. Oh... It's just the Politico.
I must have been watching a different press conference.
Just go after the families of the libs and their allies in the press - file ethics complaints and lawsuits just to cost them money. The dem party and their press
can go to hell. Forcing any political leader out with these tactics is a disgrace. And how are the libs taking this? Do they feel any guilt? No - just high fives all around.
I smell more drivel from Politico. Ever notice this rag never reports about the Democrats in disagreement about anything? Never forget Roger Simon put this POS together.
The wife just told me that she heard on the news earlier today that the Palin’s are talking about moving to the lower 48. Anyone else hear or read about that?
If she couldn’t handle being attacked as Governor, what does she think being President will be like? Independent Counsels cost more than $2 million.
Hopefully here in Dallas/Fort Worth!!
Anything’s possible I suppose. I’m not convinced her stepping down split the party any more than she already had.
There was the McCain/Romney faction that seemed to be trying to nullify her popularity. I despised that. Then there was the side that though she wasn’t ready. Then there was the side who was defending her against all comers.
Some Republicans and even some Conservatives were adopting the left’s canard that she wasn’t ready to be President. I just took one of them to task this morning. What did I get for it? I got my lunch handed to me by none other than Sarah Palin herself.
In one fell swoop, she proved the critics right. I said she was a fighter. I said she was made of tough stuff. I said she was politically savvy enough to be President.
If a Democrat had done what Palin did this morning, I’d be making mince-meat out of them.
Now I’m just shaking my head and wondering how long this faction of devotees will cling to her like the McCainiacs did their loss leader.
I’d say that I’m going to support Bobby Jindal from now on, but I seem to be the kiss of death to Republicans I care for.
Good luck Bobby. I don’t support you bud. I’d never put a curse on you like that.
Good grief. What’s next in this party, 50% of the Republican women to announce they’re gay and leave their husbands for fat leftist chicks?
FTJM
Since Nov 5, 2008
Are you guys at least getting overtime from Axelrod? Holidays are double time and a half aren’t they?
Wishful thinking from the Politico and liberals. Eventually Obama is going to screw up things so badly that people will elect anyone who runs against him. So for liberals and Politico, your time to be crushed is coming, it is not a matter of if it only a matter of when. Enjoy your drunkenness in power while it lasts. At the end it is very f***ed to be a white liberal male Jonathan Martin and you know it.
A Conservative quits her job as governor after 2 years and 7 months and her supporters applaud it. Simple amazing. Let's have another speech about honor, duty and commitment!
Mit’s minions are on this in short order it smells like.
Who are you supporting ?
I do agree with the word “jittery”.
I found parts of her press conference to be a little on the jittery side. Her speaking style was really fast - almost as if she had way too much to say and so little time to say it.
I found it to be quite a departure from her previous speaking style where she always appeared so measured and self-assured. This speech did not have those characteristics.
For what?
what i smelll are corrupt Alaskan Republican politicans who who still hate her because ousted them. Before she ran for VP, her allies were mostly Democrats, but ever since the run the Alaskan Democrats turned on her, and with Alaskan Republicans out to get her, she had no allies up there
Maybe now she’ll come out & admit she’s a FReeper.
I smell mendacity.
Don’t give up just yet. There is a down to earth logic in what Sarah did today. The problem we have is that we have forgotten what it means to have common sense. What she did was absolutely common sense in a fashion my grandmother would have called quite honorable.
Damn. Just when you want Rush’s take on this, he takes off on a year long golf trip !
Your reply has the thoughtful tones of a eulogy about it which I suppose is inevitable when one contemplates the demise of a wonderfully promising political career. I hope the damage is limited to her career alone.
I wish her well. She’s telling the world to go pound salt. Good for her.
For the GOP nomination in 2012. And whom did you support last year for the nomination ?
What do we get...? Sarah suddenly quitting in the middle of her first term.
What really killed me were those ridiculous "point guard" metaphors.
With South Carolina's Governor imploding on the national stage, Palin's timing could not be better.
Palin had 18 months to go. She had already served 30. You couldn’t have drug me out of the state capital without me leaving fingernails on the door sills.
She just let the Democrats drive her from office. I don’t care what excuse is given. This is what it amounts to.
She’s not tough enough to take the arrows of our left, but she would be tough enough to take threats of war, nuclear blackmail, and whatever else the Chinese, Russia, Korea, or Iran dished out? “Oh, I never realized this could happen, I need to go. My family is more important.” Good grief.
Honorable, is taking the arrows of your enemies, riding it out and ending your tenure with your head held high. It’s not sticking your tail between your legs and darting for the exit.
There’s no honor in this. She asked the people of Alaska to support her. They did. Now she’s bailing.
Maybe he is going to Pow-wow with her. He did mention some sort of project going on.
Besides, we also have Mark Levine.
I see....so you dont live there? Who did you vote for the last election?
As do I. I have no animosity for her personally. She’s a mother and I wish her family well. Politically, I’m going to have to admit I’m rather pissed off right now.
I appreciate your comments. Take care.
Is this some sort of Conservative credential test? I've been asked this a couple of times now. I supported Fred Thompson for president in the primary until he dropped out then I supported McCain/Palin until Obama stole the election with McCain's help. And I'll put my disgust of Obama up against anyone's here. That's the reason I joined this site.
I absolutely will not support Palin for anything now. She quit on her state IMO. The Palinbots may not like it, but bet your money if it was someone else, they'd be all over that person.
Since the election, I have spoken with scores, probably, hundreds, of Republican Party people. A good number of them are committed to Romney to one degree or another. One thing that I have found is that people are going out of their way to leave the door open for Palin. To be honest, few think that Palin will be the nominee but they want her in the race. If lightning strikes they will support her unconditionally.
Are these so-called pundits and commentators unable to understand plain English?
I can't believe I'm being asked who I support 3.5 yrs before the next election! Esp considering she hadn't even declared her intention to run. Blinders off!
Patience DoughtyOne, all is not known.
Hey, noob! 2ndDivisionVet is a credentialed, reputable FReeper with lots of good posts under his belt. He knows what he's talking about. You don't. So shut up.
If she couldnt handle being attacked as Governor, what does she think being President will be like? Independent Counsels cost more than $2 million.I see a sleeper woke up......
I don’t suppose the constant attacks on her family had anything to do with it. How about the attacks on Trig? We might all believe that we can take it, but really, could we? Could you take someone constantly harassing your kids, and not being able to do anything, given where you are?
I sincerely doubt most of her detractors today could have been able to take all the abyse for as long as she has taken. All this crap has been having an effect on her children and her husband. She is a mother, first and foremost. I respect her decision to look after her family.
So to anyone around here questioning her decision, think about what you would do in her shoes. And don’t fantasize about it, be realistic. What would you do, if you had a negative media and a bunch of backstabbing rinos influencing what people read and see?
When was the last time you had to find half a mil to pay for defending yourself against constant ethics charges brought by the other party ? She left the governorship in good hands, and can get a breather with her family. The media has never let up on her. This last bit with Letterman and then VF with info from that snotty Steve Schmidt was too much. They have rendered her governorship useless to AK. She has already accomplished a lot for her state-now it is up to her to choose where to go.
Personally, the way the GOP bigshots have been disdainful and, literally, joined the media and Dems have turned me against them. I am a conservative, and when the Repubs want to join me, they can--til then, I despise McCain, his henchmen, and Mitt Romney's crew just a bit less than Dems.
I think turning off a huge base of Conservative Christians will help Mitt et al lose even bigger than Juan McC--there aren't going to be enough moderates to go around.
vaudine
Almost as bad as Reagan's football metaphors, right?
Are you guys at least getting overtime from Axelrod? Holidays are double time and a half arent they?
Neither do you for that matter.
DoughtyOne, you and I have never disagreed as far as I can remember, but lets not go wobbly now.
Ok I am going to make my point right here.
Who did you vote for the last election?
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