Sarah Bails on Governorship
03 July 2009 3:33 pm by Taylor Marsh
–updates below–
Buchanan analyzes; Palin’s statement
Sarah Palin is not only not seeking re-election, but she’s stepping down as governor at the end of July, not finishing her first term.
This is the latest wacky turn for Sarah Palin whose explosive entrance on to the national scene has been anything but graceful.
What’s the back story?
“Faith and family are more important to her at this time in her life,” was the quote offered by MSNBC.
Many people have been analyzing openly that she needs to step off the national stage and go study. This reads to me for the moment as her version of just that, but doesn’t preclude another road in politics down the line. She’ll now become the mystery person everyone wants to interview, as she selectively chooses where she turns up. I see nothing but calculation here, but that’s because I believe Palin has an ego of a big show politician. Time will tell.
But bailing the governorship?
UPDATE VII: Bill Kristol, one of her big fans from the start, someone who said she’d be a great veep pick, thinks it’s a “high wire act.” …or is it denial?
UPDATE VI: The wackiest post of them all, from where? “Conservatives4Palin,” of course.
UPDATE V: From Andrew Mitchell, the most surprising take of all. Mitchell’s sources have to be very good, because she’s way out there all alone.
“…She has told her supporters that she is out of politics, period. Shes fed up with politics. She doesn’t like her life. … She’s sick of the commute…. She really does not want to run for higher office. This is not a case where she’s stepping down to clear the way for a presidential run. In fact she’s told some her biggest backers in the national Republican Party that they are free to choose other candidates for 2012. …” – Andrea Mitchell
UPDATE IV: Rumbling from the rumor mill: Did a Scandal Sink the U.S.S. Palin? However, at this point there is no hard evidence of anything except another wacky Palin performance. (Brad Blog also runs with it.) But here’s the gist of the scuttlebutt:
Many political observers in Alaska are fixated on rumors that federal investigators have been seizing paperwork from SBS in recent months, searching for evidence that Palin and her husband Todd steered lucrative contracts to the well-connected company in exchange for gifts like the construction of their home on pristine Lake Lucille in 2002.
UPDATE III: Another reaction, from djjl’s “In the News” diary:
It’s refreshing to hear someone speak without the use of a telepromter. She speaks from the heart which so many polititions have forgotten how to do. – marilyn538
UPDATE II: Some are suspecting a scandal. The reaction from some adoring fans has been swift, in my email box, but also re: the video posted above. Here’s just one:
Wow! Did not expect that! Sarah is selfless and fearless! I bet Washington is very scared right now not knowing what this means! – kmartingirls
UPDATE I: Presser from Palin was a stump speech, pressing the point that this isn’t politics as usual. After talking about Trig being the brunt of jokes, her family being all for her leaving the governorship, Palin brought up Kosovo and the troops. Then she talked about McArthur, then said “We’re advancing in another direction.” To the study room. Oh yeah, she’ll be back. Bet on it. Last day will be July 26th.
