Palin resigning as Alaska governor (Possible 2012 run??)

[jediagh]

SOURCE: Palin resigning as Alaska governor - Yahoo! News

WASILLA, Alaska – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said Friday she is resigning from office at the end of the month, raising speculation that she would focus on a run for the White House in the 2012 race.

The former Republican vice presidential candidate made the surprise announcement from her home in suburban Wasilla on Friday morning. She said she would step down July 26 but didn't announce her plans.

"Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional Lame Duck status in this particular climate would just be another dose of politics as usual, something I campaigned against and will always oppose," Palin said in a statement released by her office.

"It is my duty to always protect our great state. With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, 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," she said.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks at the end of the month, Palin spokesman Dave Murrow said.

Palin was first elected in 2006 on a populist platform. But her popularity has waned as she waged in partisan politics following her return from the presidential campaign. Her term would have ended in 2010.

[Bigum1969]

WOW!

I just saw that on the news. Very interesting...

[TopDog]

Yeah I just got a news flash on this as well. She says she can serve better outside the governess office. What does that mean exactly?

« Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she won't seek reelection | Main
Palin 'doing what's best for Alaska' in stepping down as governor

Sarah Palin picked a slow news day before a holiday to shake up the political world, saying she will step down as governor of Alaska but leaving open the question of her political future.
“We've got to put first things first. I love my job and I love Alaska. I am doing what’s best for Alaska,” Palin said at a televised news conference in her hometown of Wasilla.
Palin said she hoped people were not disappointed by the decision, which she said had been in the works for some time. She said she was taking “my fight for what’s right in a new direction.” She said she could be more effective and better serve Alaska and the country from outside the governor's office.
At a news conference before the Fourth of July weekend, Palin said she would step aside and be replaced by Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell later this month. She said the transition of power would be smooth and took no questions.
Palin, who is very popular with the GOP’s conservative base, was considered a possibility for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. Not being governor would free her to concentrate on accumulating resources for a national race. Palin did not say that’s what she intended to do.
Palin said she was willing to transfer power so that the current Alaska administration can continue.
“My choice is to take a stand and effect change and not just hit our head against the wall,” Palin said. She was surrounded by her family and top state officials.
“Millions of dollars go down the drain in this new political environment,” she said.
“Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government,” she continued and “actually make a difference.”
Palin criticized recent political attacks, including one from former campaign aides of Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was the top of the GOP ticket.
“You are naive if you don’t see a full-court press from the national level picking away a good point guard,” she said, referring to criticism of her campaigning style. The most recent attack was in a magazine article in Vanity Fair magazine.
-- Michael Muskal

[Prometheus]

God help us if they run that idiot in 2012.

My guess is some big scandal is about to pop up and by resigning she's hoping it'll go away quickly.

[Slim7]

Saw an interview that Romney is also gearing up already.
The Left attacks Palin a whole lot, they must really see her as a threat.

[jediagh]

Well the article says that she does not want to be a "lame duck" and that it would be better for the state if they did not have a 'lame duck" governor. We will see. I think she could kick I6BO's butt but she would need some help. Heck at this point they need some good reps and they are far and few...


Plus if she did run it would most likely bring Hillary back and I6BO would have to fight her again.

[Slab]

interesting... i guess ill watch the news for a few days

[winchester1]

Who knows. Maybe they want what would be an easy win for Obama. I hope not. But not many would vote for what looks like a quitter

Originally Posted by Prometheus

God help us if they run that idiot in 2012.

My guess is some big scandal is about to pop up and by resigning she's hoping it'll go away quickly.

[eatsnopaste]

She said "outside politics" I hope she isn't lying. I think we will see some sort of talk show...maye on Fox?

[SavageEagle]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

God help us if they run that idiot in 2012.

My guess is some big scandal is about to pop up and by resigning she's hoping it'll go away quickly.

THis was my first thought too.

Originally Posted by winchester1

Who knows. Maybe they want what would be an easy win for Obama. I hope not. But not many would vote for what looks like a quitter

I was thinking that maybe someone had been blackmailing her or is blackmailing her over something she did on the campaign trail. It seems the most logical explaination if this is the case. I really hope she doesn't plan to run in 2012. It wouldn't make sense that she would resign if she was going to run for an office that starts 2-3 years after she resigns.

My bet is still on blackmail of some sort.

Originally Posted by eatsnopaste

She said "outside politics" I hope she isn't lying. I think we will see some sort of talk show...maye on Fox?

God, I hope not. She's hot and all, but unless it's a hunting show I won't be watching it...