You Won't Have Sarah Palin to Kick Around Anymore

Alaska'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.

Comments

[franz kafka]

yawn

[Jonas]

Love her or hate her, you gotta admit Palin keeps things interesting.

[jayjayhawker]

A moving tribute that is NSFW

http://fleshbot.com/5284781/hollywood-nails-palinand-we-get-to-watch

[Jonas]

For everyone except Mr Kafka, at least...

[Snarky]

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]

The blood will continue to flow until she is absolutely no threat to Obama.

[John-David (proud cisgendered]

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]

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!

[ktc2]

LOL. She'll be the death of the Rs run in 2012. I'd bet on it.

[Bramblyspam]

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.

[Elemenope]

Huh. Wonder what that means.

[Swede]

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]

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.

[Gene Berkman]

Apparently she lacks the resolve of Gov. Sanford.

[P Brooks]

Will she be spending more time with her family?

[Mad Max]

Former Governor Palin has just founded a conservative organization called the Movement for Individual Liberties and Freedom.

[nvs]

i would like to purchase said bridge.

[John-David (proud cisgendered]

CHRIS KELLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[madpad]

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.

[ktc2]

The religious nuts will gladly all throw their support behind her come 2012.

[the innominate one]

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]

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]

"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.

[Ken Barber]

A bridge in San Clemente? Don't you mean a bridge in Alaska?

[Jon H]

Palin's going to serve as governor of five states in the process of completing a single term of governoring.

[JB]

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.

[Jason]

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]

Of COURSE Chris Kelly loves Sarah Palin and feels like she got a raw deal.

Lulz.

[James Ard]

I've never heard so many sports anologies from a woman, it makes me think she's been caught with a woman.

[LibertarianBlue]

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]

Reading the text of her speech, it sounds like she's leaving the GOP, not just the governorship of Alaska.

[MattXIV]

jasno/t. i. o.,

Thinking the same thing. A suprise resignation on a Friday afternoon definitely has the appearance of damage control.

[MattXIV]

LibertarianBlue,

Look closely at the acronym of the group in question and all will be revealed.

[Xmas]

And the joke goes right over LibertarianBlue's head...

[PETE]

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.

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]

"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]

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]

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.

[Dave K]

Where is her birth certificate?
I haven't seen it.

Could it be that someone found out she's Kenyan?

[Episiarch]

Sarah who?

Seriously, aren't we done we her yet?

[juris imprudent]

...a bridge in San Clemente I'd like to sell you.

Town or island?

[the innominate one]

I know: Sarah has been having an affair with Joe the Plumber and she's carrying his love child.

[Sarah Palin]

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]

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 na?ve 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."

[Herman King]

Guess she got tired of being a target. Can't blame her for that.

[Les]

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]

Anyone else betting she's one of the women with which Sanford "crossed lines"?

[matthew]

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]

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?

[Axman]

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]

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]

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".

[Art-P.O.G.]

I think kafka summed it all up well with the first post.

[smartass sob]

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.]

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.

[JoshA]

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.

[isildur]

@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]

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.

[henry]

Self-absorbed tiresome nut.

Next.

[Art-P.O.G.]

Self-absorbed tiresome nut.

Are you talking about any politician in particular? ::roll...snare:::

[Lamar]

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]

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]

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]

"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]

Former Governor Palin has just founded a conservative organization called the Movement for Individual Liberties and Freedom.

LOL Nice one Max.

[Ken Barber]

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]

//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]

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]

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]

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....

[Alaska Victims of Patriarchal]

Wooooo! Now we get free rape kits!

[Alaska Library Patrons]

Wooooooo! Books about something other than Jesus!

[Trig]

Woooooo! More time with Grandma and less time with Ma while she neglects me to drink,drug and whore around!

[Alaskan Wildlife]

Booooooo! Now she has more time to shoot at us from airplanes.

[isildur]

"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]

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]

//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]

//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]

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.

[Fenimore Cooper]

San Clemente? Or Chappaquiddick?

[SIV]

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]

//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.

[Ayn]

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.

[Art-P.O.G.]

SIV | July 4, 2009, 9:48pm | #

:::hands SIV box of tissues.:::

[Wade]

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]

//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]

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]

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]

She's not leaving the spotlight is she? I just took a Viagara and need to rub one out.

[Ed]

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]

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.