Reason on Facebook
Reason on Twitter
Reason on YouTube
Reason RSSAlaska's governor is resigning, citing her displeasure with "political blood sport." If you think that means she's through with politics, I have a bridge in San Clemente I'd like to sell you.
Reason Magazine
- reason.com
- reason.tv
- reason.org
- Donate
- Site Search:
Get Reason E-mail Updates!
Manage your Reason e-mail list subscriptionsadvertisements
← What's Next? Concerns About Fake Astrologers?
|
Main
|
Suze Orman's Personal Finance Advice: Quit… →
|7.3.09 @ 4:13PM|#
A moving tribute that is NSFW
http://fleshbot.com/5284781/hollywood-nails-palinand-we-get-to-watch
Snarky|7.3.09 @ 4:16PM|#
She did not want to waste time on "political blood sport"
and cited public criticism of her actions and her family since the
2008 campaign.
Yeah, that will stop now.
Lester Hunt|7.3.09 @ 4:19PM|#
The blood will continue to flow until she is absolutely no threat to Obama.
|7.3.09 @ 4:19PM|#
I agree that it's likely she won't leave politics for good, but I'd say that even if she just took a 10-year sabbatical to come back in for the 2020 elections I'd have a lot of respect for her. If she does stay out for good, the funny thing is nobody will care one way or the other.
jasno|7.3.09 @ 4:20PM|#
Really? I wouldn't be surprised if a scandal is about to emerge
and she ran for cover.
Maybe SHE's the one whose been sleeping with Sanford.. you know -
limited government love-fests inside the arctic circle... It could
happen.. really!
|7.3.09 @ 4:27PM|#
I've long held that I wouldn't wish celebrityhood on my worst
enemy. I can certainly sympathize with anyone being fed up with the
kind of attention that goes with running for national office -
especially since she has that mongoloid baby to take care of.
I really don't expect her to make a run for the presidency. Yes,
she has a sexy story of living up to her principles even when it's
inconvenient, but that's about all she has going for her. I really
don't think she has what it takes to win.
If she does run for president, then she'll instantly put lie to her
claimed reason for resigning. Besides, do we really want a
president who would resign because she can't take the heat? I doubt
she'd have any more credibility than Ross Perot at that
point.
Palin may still be a force in Alaska politics, but I doubt she'll
have any more impact on national politics than, say, Ron Paul.
|7.3.09 @ 4:28PM|#
I think she will have the same long term success as Dan Quayle. Remember when he ran for president in 1996? He had actually been vice-president, not just been a losing candidate for v-p, and he finished Iowa with low single digits. He was out days later. Palin will be the modern version of that.
24AheadDotCom|7.3.09 @ 4:32PM|#
Opponents might want to take a look at this partial list of smears against Palin and compare that to how things are done in certain other countries regarding those disfavored by the elites. Those are your friends.
Mad Max|7.3.09 @ 4:47PM|#
Former Governor Palin has just founded a conservative organization called the Movement for Individual Liberties and Freedom.
|7.3.09 @ 5:15PM|#
Per David Schuster: "If it's true that she's leaving the
governorship before her first term is complete, her national
political career is done."
I have no particular opinion on Palin as concerns Alaska, but I
don't want her anywhere near the presidency.
She's a typical conservative double-talking tool and her inevitable
hillbilly-ish scandals would no doubt dominate the news obscuring
her genuine federal policy ineptitude.
I'd love for this to be the nail in her political coffin but the
same numb-skulls that liked her in the first place are the same
idiots falling for the current batch of right-wing revisionism.
They'll see this as an opportunity for her to concentrate on a
presidential run.
the innominate one|7.3.09 @ 5:36PM|#
Really? I wouldn't be surprised if a scandal is about to
emerge and she ran for cover.
I said the same thing to a coworker when I read the headline,
jasno. Great minds think alike, I suppose.
GILMORE|7.3.09 @ 5:46PM|#
The fact anyone ever took her seriously for 5 seconds still
frightens me.
I can so see John McCain looking in the mirror every day for the
rest of his (short) life, saying, "jesus fucking christ, what was I
thinking"
The Mythical Canadian Libertar|7.3.09 @ 5:57PM|#
"You are naive if you don't see a full-court press right now
on the national level picking apart a good point guard," Palin
said, using a basketball analogy.
Thanks, Reuters! I would've been completely lost if not for your
poignant observation that she was using a basketball analogy.
Information seekers everywhere salute your dedication to thoroughly
analytical journalism.
|7.3.09 @ 6:15PM|#
Palin's going to serve as governor of five states in the process of completing a single term of governoring.
JB|7.3.09 @ 6:16PM|#
Gilmore, she brought far more votes to McCain than she took
away.
Who wants to vote for an old statist who hates the First Amendment?
Palin made the ticket much more palatable to various groups
(conservatives, family values types, libertarians, gun nuts,
etc.)
She pissed of the Democrats, but they were going to slobber all
over Obama's cock anyway.
|7.3.09 @ 6:21PM|#
MCL, tbf to Reuters Palin said she was going to make a
basketball analogy right before she made said analogy.
Reuters = Sarah Palin. Maybe everyone becomes dumber in her
presence.
matt2|7.3.09 @ 6:32PM|#
Of COURSE Chris Kelly loves Sarah Palin and feels like she got a
raw deal.
Lulz.
|7.3.09 @ 6:37PM|#
I've never heard so many sports anologies from a woman, it makes me think she's been caught with a woman.
|7.3.09 @ 6:38PM|#
Former Governor Palin has just founded a conservative
organization called the Movement for Individual Liberties and
Freedom.
__________________________________________
LOL since when did the Christian Right stand for freedom? Majority
of those fools still support the statist polices of Bush but only
scream about them now when the Democrat Oligarch is in power.
Whats funny about the lover affair the right has with Palin is they
are virtually silent on her immigration stance. There is an
interview in where she says that its impossible to deport illegal
aliens. The only statist to actually come out about it was that
cunt Malkin but that was it.
Xmas|7.3.09 @ 6:40PM|#
Reading the text of her speech, it sounds like she's leaving the GOP, not just the governorship of Alaska.
MattXIV|7.3.09 @ 6:41PM|#
jasno/t. i. o.,
Thinking the same thing. A suprise resignation on a Friday
afternoon definitely has the appearance of damage control.
MattXIV|7.3.09 @ 6:42PM|#
LibertarianBlue,
Look closely at the acronym of the group in question and all will
be revealed.
PETE|7.3.09 @ 6:54PM|#
Jon H: "Palin's going to serve as governor of five states in the
process of completing a single term of governoring."
BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!
Good one.
</|7.3.09 @ 6:55PM|#
Former Governor Palin has just founded a conservative
organization called the Movement for Individual Liberties and
Freedom.
The "movement" will no doubt oppose sacred libertarian beliefs on
gay marriage,amnesty for unskilled illegal immigrants,government
funded stem-cell research,and marijuana taxation.
B|7.3.09 @ 6:59PM|#
"The "movement" will no doubt oppose sacred libertarian beliefs
on gay marriage,amnesty for unskilled illegal immigrants,government
funded stem-cell research,and marijuana taxation."
Yeah, and your fucking point is?
EJM|7.3.09 @ 8:01PM|#
Look closely at the acronym of the group in question and all
will be revealed.
Or maybe it's a reference to the
southern Philippines' main Islamic rebel group. ;)
Ebeneezer Scrooge|7.3.09 @ 8:02PM|#
The blood will continue to flow until she is absolutely no
threat to Obama.
Didn't that happened last summer? She's gotta be bled dry by
now.
Or else there really is a scandal around the next bend.
|7.3.09 @ 8:14PM|#
Where is her birth certificate?
I haven't seen it.
Could it be that someone found out she's Kenyan?
the innominate one|7.3.09 @ 9:07PM|#
I know: Sarah has been having an affair with Joe the Plumber and she's carrying his love child.
Sarah Palin|7.3.09 @ 9:14PM|#
Well I'm glad all you libertarians here in the great country of America also are rootin' for me I sure will be around for many years outside tryin' to affect change in the Lower 48 here also.
Sarah Palin (no, really, she a|7.3.09 @ 9:15PM|#
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."
Les|7.3.09 @ 10:33PM|#
Guess she got tired of being a target. Can't blame her for
that.
Seems to me she very deliberately put that target on every piece of
her very, very expensive wardrobe, along with every lie and just
plain stupid thing she ever tried to pass off as folksy wisdom to
millions of people.
Hobo Chang Ba|7.3.09 @ 11:34PM|#
Anyone else betting she's one of the women with which Sanford "crossed lines"?
matthew|7.3.09 @ 11:36PM|#
if she can't stand the heat of being a (poor) politician, she
should get out of the kitchen.
Palin has brought literally every piece of attention to herself wit
her behavior. This is no conspiracy, she is not a victim.
Ken Barber|7.4.09 @ 12:33AM|#
I can't believe all the negative sniping from Left-wingers here!
What are they doing on a site dedicated to free minds, free markets
and reason?
Sarah Palin absolutely did NOT deserve any of the despicable
hate-crimes she has endured at the hands of the
Left-wing-controlled Press.
Listen, all of you: Just get off of this site. It isn't here for
you. It is here for people who believe in individual Liberty. Just
go back to the Kos or whatever other slime-hole you wormed out of,
OK?
|7.4.09 @ 12:53AM|#
Ken Barber, isn't this site here for thrashing out a wide variety of ideas, to see which ones hold up to critical examination? An echo chamber is not a good place to get one's opinions refined and clarified.
the innominate one|7.4.09 @ 1:11AM|#
Ken Barber - You're really demonstrating your free mind with
your "hate crimes" and "left-wing controlled press". Did we make
too much fun of the object of your masturbatory fantasies?
Unless you own the reason foundation, you've got no call to tell
people to go away from the site. Radley, Matt, Nick et al. have
that authority, not you.
Would you like to buy a vowel?
Nemo|7.4.09 @ 2:09AM|#
Christ, the fact that some of you guys couldn't even pick up on the joke acronym should destroy any credibility you have when you call Sarah Palin "stupid".
smartass sob|7.4.09 @ 4:03AM|#
The religious nuts will gladly all throw their support
behind her come 2012.
I'm not a religious nut - in fact I'm far from it, but I'd support
Palin in 2012 before I'd vote for the toilette bowl floaty that's
in the White House right now. That is, if we're still having
elections by then.
Art-P.O.G.|7.4.09 @ 4:14AM|#
but I'd support Palin in 2012 before I'd vote for the toilette bowl floaty that's in the White House right now.
Seems to me that's how two particularly shitty political parties keep their dual stranglehold on power.
|7.4.09 @ 5:41AM|#
Shorter Ken Barber: This site is dedicated to free minds, and
anyone who disagrees with me about any issue needs to leave
immediately.
Palin really is a remarkable figure. Watching her statement, I got
the sense that she decided not to run again and then was like,
well, if I'm not running again I guess I'll just leave now, that'd
be easier.
I do wish she had said she was going Galt in her statement, that
would have been even better.
As for 2012, after watching the insane run of great luck that
Romney's had---his successor Deval Patrick being a disaster in MA,
Jindal blowing the response address, Sanford hiking in Appalachia,
and now Palin saying "halfway done is good enough, you
betcha"---I'm considering conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints.
|7.4.09 @ 6:53AM|#
@Ken Barber:
I read this site every day, and know most of the names of the
regular commenters. Who the fuck are you?
Go back to FoxNews "or whatever other slime-hole you wormed out of,
OK?"
ed|7.4.09 @ 7:34AM|#
You Won't Have Sarah Palin to Kick Around Anymore
"You" meaning people with real lives? Because Palin's trainwreck of
a resignation speech is gasoline on the fire for the eternal
adolescents at MSNBC, CNN, et al. They keep saying, "Why doesn't
she just stop talking?" when of course what they really
want is for her to keep right on talking. The best we can hope for
is a crazy death like Michael Jackson's, a week of over-the-top
analysis, a public funeral, then blessed silence about the retard
from Wasilla.
Art-P.O.G.|7.4.09 @ 8:57AM|#
Self-absorbed tiresome nut.
Are you talking about any politician in particular? ::roll...snare:::
|7.4.09 @ 9:01AM|#
2008 - Because of John McCain's age and health history, it is
reasonable to assess the VP nominee's presidential
qualifications.
2012 - We need to assess the presidential qualifications of Sarah
Palin's VP choice because she might just up and quit.
zoltan|7.4.09 @ 10:28AM|#
As for 2012, after watching the insane run of great luck
that Romney's had---his successor Deval Patrick being a disaster in
MA, Jindal blowing the response address, Sanford hiking in
Appalachia, and now Palin saying "halfway done is good enough, you
betcha"---I'm considering conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints.
G-A-R-Y J-O-H-N-S-O-N.
Or Ron Paul, of course.
Joe|7.4.09 @ 10:42AM|#
I agree with both sides of the issue here:
1) Palin did receive an unfair amount of scrutiny and atacks.
2) She didn't handle the pressure well and isn't a strong candidate
for the presidency.
I have a feeling that Obama might also crack if he received a
scintilla of criticism. He has spent his whole life surrounding
himself with Marxists and fellow-travellers. He really has never
considered the case for liberty and freedom. This is his major weak
spot.
What the opposition (those who don't agree with Obama's college
humanities professor view of the world) needs is an articulate
spokesperson for liberty. Someone who can take Obama to task for
his dopey policies, while articulating a vision of liberty will
destroy Obama in 2012 in much the same way as Tyson exposed
Spinks.
Eliminating the dead wood and vunerable is a good thing, especially
as it is happening so early. The Republican party needs new blood
and the first step is to eliminate those who stand in the way of
its rebirth. Palin quiting is a good thing. Finding out that
Sanford would have been vunerable because of scandal is a good
thing. Now we need Romney and Huckabee to go away and the field for
2012 will be wide open. Maybe a Jeff Flake or Gary Johnson would be
motivated to run for the nomination if the current power-brokering
Republicans were weak. Let's hope anyway. The country needs a way
out of this mess.
mike|7.4.09 @ 11:07AM|#
"Many just accept that lame duck status, and they hit that road.
They
draw a paycheck. They kind of milk it. And I'm not going to
put
Alaskans through that," she said.
So.. if she were president and her re-election chances weren't
looking so hot, she would just up and leave so as 'not to put
Americans through that'?
She is *done*.
Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L|7.4.09 @ 11:17AM|#
Former Governor Palin has just founded a conservative organization called the Movement for Individual Liberties and Freedom.
LOL Nice one Max.
Ken Barber|7.4.09 @ 11:45AM|#
My beef isn't with "anyone who disagrees with me"; it is with
people who refuse to think.
Palin has been an indefatigable champion of smaller government,
lower taxes and individual Liberty -- all of the values that Reason
readers supposedly cherish -- and yet all I saw in the comments
previous to mine were snarky regurgitations of the same old lies
that the Left-wing-controlled Press has been feeding America ever
since she came onto the scene.
Newt Gingrich wrote a column back then titled "Why the Democrats
need to destroy Palin" and in hindsight he was 100% correct. Now
that they have done so, the country can continue its slide into a
collectivist Hell unimpeded.
John Galt, if he were real, would cheer the situation.
Alberta Libertarian|7.4.09 @ 12:45PM|#
//My beef isn't with "anyone who disagrees with me"; it is with
people who refuse to think.//
Scratch out 'think' and put in place support Sarah Palin.
//Palin has been an indefatigable champion of smaller government,
lower taxes and individual Liberty -- all of the values that Reason
readers supposedly cherish -- and yet all I saw in the comments
previous to mine were snarky regurgitations of the same old lies
that the Left-wing-controlled Press has been feeding America ever
since she came onto the scene.//
Really, is the record that great. I've heard her state she fought
against big oil. I've also seen that Alaska with it's "small
government bonafides" somehow manages to take an egregious amount
of money from the federal treasury.
As for President, I think most libertarians want a President who
will champion small government. How likely is that with a person
like Sarah Palin who would be willing to go war with Russia over
South Ossetia. A region which is 90% Russian and doesn't even want
to remain a part of Georgia.
//Newt Gingrich wrote a column back then titled "Why the Democrats
need to destroy Palin" and in hindsight he was 100% correct. Now
that they have done so, the country can continue its slide into a
collectivist Hell unimpeded.//
Newt Gingrich is also descending into eternal idiocy. Especially
with most of his recent foreign policy statements. The only way a
Republican can win the nomination is by repeating
jingoist/wilsonian rhetoric.
Would the GOP ever support Gary Johnson, a politician who actually
has a record of limiting government spending and expanding civil
liberties. Probably not.
zoltan|7.4.09 @ 1:30PM|#
So someone who wanted to spend millions of taxpayer money for
the "Bridge to Nowhere" is small government and fiscally
responsible? Or spending billions on the War in Iraq? Or thinks a
bailout is okay as long as her side is in power?
Or someone who uses tax dollars to visit/screw his mistress?
(Though I would have voted for Sanford had he not done this and if
Ron Paul and Gary Johnson were yet again ignored by the
idiot-brained Republican party.)
MNG|7.4.09 @ 1:32PM|#
My strong suspicion is that she dropped out because she was losing popularity during the process of, you know, governing. So rather than, you know, govern, which involves making tough decisions, coming down on certain sides (and upsetting the other side), etc., she decided to avoid that so that she can then later convince us that she is cut out to, you know, govern at a much higher level. It's appalling and insulting, but, hey, that's Palin...
MNG|7.4.09 @ 1:33PM|#
This is the political equivalent of her refusing to do interviews. Just like no future gaffes will appear if she never talks, no unpopular decisions can be attributed to her if she removes herself from the decision making process. Remember, this is all to convince us that she will ultimately be a great decision maker at the highest level. Incredible....
Trig|7.4.09 @ 3:58PM|#
Woooooo! More time with Grandma and less time with Ma while she neglects me to drink,drug and whore around!
|7.4.09 @ 5:47PM|#
"Palin has been an indefatigable champion of smaller government,
lower taxes and individual Liberty..."
I briefly considered refuting this absurdity. But if you can
actually say that with a straight face, you're already inoculated
against evidence.
Ken Barber|7.4.09 @ 7:33PM|#
I said, "Palin has been an indefatigable champion of smaller
government, lower taxes and individual Liberty..."
You replied, "I briefly considered refuting this absurdity. But if
you can actually say that with a straight face, you're already
inoculated against evidence."
Yes, I say it with a straight face because it's true. And you don't
have any "evidence" that refutes me, because there isn't any.
Alberta Libertarian|7.4.09 @ 8:36PM|#
//Yes, I say it with a straight face because it's true. And you
don't have any "evidence" that refutes me, because there isn't
any.//
"In June 2007, Sarah Palin signed into law a $6.6 billion operating
budget-the largest in Alaska's history."
http://sarahpal.in/
She made cuts to the construction budget, but I really don't see
how small government bonafides equal the largest operating budget
in Alaska's history.
"The famous congressional earmark called the Bridge to Nowhere was
what brought national attention to Governor Sarah Palin. The
background of the Bridge to Nowhere is this: In 2006, Ketchikan's
Gravina Island Bridge, a bridge serving a small island with out
many people became an issue in the gubernatorial campaign. Sarah
Palin initially expressed support for the bridge and ran on a
"build-the-bridge" platform, arguing that it was essential for
local prosperity."
Alberta Libertarian|7.4.09 @ 8:38PM|#
//Yes, I say it with a straight face because it's true. And you
don't have any "evidence" that refutes me, because there isn't
any.//
By the way, it's telling she's leaving Alaska right when the
revenues are beginning to drop and she'll have to choose between
actually making deep budget cuts or hiking taxes.
Ken Barber|7.4.09 @ 9:15PM|#
Uh-huh.
Let me know when you have some real evidence, OK? In the meantime,
my original point still stands: on a site where one would expect
intelligent, rational discourse we are now finding people who
prefer letting the DNC do their thinking for them.
I come here to get away from that kind of trash. It's distressing
to find it creeping in here too.
Happy Fourth of July, and may John Galt live long and prosper.
SIV|7.4.09 @ 9:48PM|#
I come here to get away from that kind of trash. It's distressing
to find it creeping in here too.
New here?
The regurgitation of lefty propaganda has declined considerably
with the ascendancy of Obama and the exit of so many cockroach-like
shill commenters.The libertarianism as cosmopolitan dope-smoking
atheism at a State-sanctioned gay wedding reception is still here
but hey, it's Reason. What do you expect?
Alberta Libertarian|7.4.09 @ 11:16PM|#
//Let me know when you have some real evidence, OK? In the
meantime, my original point still stands: on a site where one would
expect intelligent, rational discourse we are now finding people
who prefer letting the DNC do their thinking for them.//
Real evidence? How is looking at the operating budget of Alaska not
real evidence? What about pointing out that Alaska still receives
the lionshare of funding from the federal treasury, surely you must
find something problematic with that.
//I come here to get away from that kind of trash. It's distressing
to find it creeping in here too.//
It's ironic that you call anyone who disagrees with you irrational.
Do you prefer an echo chamber where we all mindlessly agree with
Sarah Palin on everything.
If you want a group that blindly follows the Republican Party and
is built around a cult of personality, I'll direct you to the
following:
http://forums.hannity.com/
Ken, do you have any actual defense of Sarah Palin. Or do you
always blindly follow a politician like some deranged Jim Jones
cultist.
I don't have much credence for Obama, but I don't have much love
for Palin either. The difference between me and you is I don't
follow a cult of personality, you do.
|7.5.09 @ 3:13AM|#
Ken Barber:
Happy Fourth of July, and may John Galt live long and
prosper.
When did Atlas Shrugged become the bible for the moronic right?
I've been seeing so many references to this lately often form
Christan's who I presume are not entirely familiar with Rand's
philosophy.
Wade|7.5.09 @ 8:55AM|#
I think she just basically quit her day job to become a rock
star.
Ditching your elected position when the heat gets turned up, just
doesn't sit well with me when considering qualifications for higher
office. And if it's for ambition, even more so.
I think she will be taking a shot at syndicated TV or radio.
Alberta Libertarian|7.5.09 @ 2:37PM|#
//When did Atlas Shrugged become the bible for the moronic
right? I've been seeing so many references to this lately often
form Christan's who I presume are not entirely familiar with Rand's
philosophy.//
I've been just as perplexed by that. I've never really grouped
Jesus Christ and Ayn Rand together.
Hobo Chang Ba|7.5.09 @ 5:43PM|#
Ken Barber,
I think most of us would agree that Palin is preferable to Obama.
Then again, Obama looked pretty damn good for a while there
compared to Bush in a lot of libertarian ways before he totally
broke open the national till and invited everyone to get their
grubby hands on a piece of the action. Whoever gets in power is
going to suck - all politicians are hypocrites. That's why I don't
have much of a problem voting third party or even voting for
fictional candidates (last year I voted for the Flying Spaghetti
Monster). Even conservatives' golden calf Ronald Reagan grew
government immensely during his time in office. Republicans are for
small government only when they aren't in power, just like
Democrats are for civil liberties and against war when they aren't
in power.
Palin would probably just do the same, and her record in Alaska may
be one of cleaner government but cleaner does not equal smaller, as
McCain-Feingold proves. There was a ton of crap to wade through
with Alaska politics, and all in all she did a decent job; however,
the Troopergate scandal just proved that she was just as willing to
abuse power to suit her own ends as any other politician.
I don't think she'll run for president. She's way too
media-oversensitive for that. The media was hard on her mainly
because she was often incomprehensible in her interviews, first and
foremost. She did not convey a very good understanding of national
issues. Obama may have been underqualified to be president, but he
did not talk like he was underqualified, so the media gave him a
pass.
I bet that she'll be either a commentator on Fox News or start a
PAC and become a star fundraiser. Either way she'll make more money
than being governor while allowing her family to not be subjected
to such a harsh media spotlight. Maybe she'll run for Senator or
something somewhere down the road, but 2012 is likely out.
Hobo Chang Ba|7.5.09 @ 5:53PM|#
Alternatively, she'll probably write a tell-all book about her
experience and rake in millions. Oh wait - she IS doing that:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908668,00.html
Old Republican|7.5.09 @ 9:59PM|#
She's not leaving the spotlight is she? I just took a Viagara and need to rub one out.
|7.6.09 @ 12:48PM|#
I never gave her much credit for intelligence, but one thing I
CAN believe is that she being a prima donna prom-queen type
DEFINITELY understands the currency of popularity.
Another two years in Wasilla and she could be completely off the
radar by then.
Strike while the iron is hot. If she quits her day job, she can do
a full-court press in the media (basketball metaphor
intentional).
ChrisO|7.6.09 @ 1:26PM|#
This is simply the first move in her 2012 presidential
candidacy. It now takes more than two years to run an effective
presidential campaign. In fact, by giving herself only three years,
she's already behind permanent campaigners like Romney and Huckabee
(shudder...) in terms of setting up organizations, fundraising, and
building a base in the early primary states. Moreover, being stuck
in the media no-man's land of Alaska until the end of 2010 would
have doomed any potential she would have in 2012.
I'm not saying I necessarily favor her campaign, though I have a
better feeling about her than either Romney or Huckabee. As a
libertarian, choosing among any Republicans or Democrats is
essentially picking among the lesser of evils. The current
maladministration shows us just how little being a slick campaigner
and Ivy League twit really has to do with being a good
president.
Site comments/questions:
Media Inquiries and Reprint Permissions:
(310) 367-6109
Editorial & Production Offices:
3415 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 391-2245