Palin’s brother: The nonstop media blitz and frivolous ethics complaints weighed on her
posted at 6:20 pm on July 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
His sincerity’s obvious from the tremor in his voice, which I take as fairly compelling evidence that she’s really not running for president. If she was and this was merely the start of an exciting new chapter, he wouldn’t sound so shaken, would he? Even so, he does put a happy-ish face on things near the end by saying this frees her up to focus on national issues; similarly, a GOP source tells CNN that he thinks she’s “mapping out a path to 2012.” But that presents a new problem: If this really is all motivated by weariness from the brutal attacks against her, where does that leave voters in terms of judging whether her skin’s thick enough to be president? Rick Brookhiser puts it brusquely: “If you can’t stand the cold, get out of Juneau.”
For what it’s worth, I’ve been hearing rumbling among the nutroots for months now that a major scandal was coming down the pike to torpedo Palin. I’ve never believed it and still don’t, but it’s marginally more credible today than it was yesterday so here’s the latest iteration. File it away for future reference or discard as you see fit.
Blowback
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Geez I wish the left cared about the scandal that Obama and the democratic congress is doing to the American people.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:22 PM
allah, if it were true that scandal would have been known today
ousoonerfan15 on July 3, 2009 at 6:22 PM
She’s going to concentrate on taking down Obama, and she can do as much as anyone to do it, but she won’t run for President. Another Republican will win in 2012.
forest on July 3, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Some people dont want to be a career politican who sells their morals after several terms in office.
Maybe seeing how crappy Obama turned out being a president is enough pause for anyone to want the job. .
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:24 PM
When the going gets tough, the tough resign
e-pirate on July 3, 2009 at 6:24 PM
allah do you really believe that andrea mitchell report?? it was reported just once and NONE of the other stations have reported anything close to that. She is still in politics. Whether she will run again I dont know.
ousoonerfan15 on July 3, 2009 at 6:25 PM
It’s tough to stand up against the
mediapropaganda machine. Prayers with you and your family, Sarah.Princeps on July 3, 2009 at 6:26 PM
She’s thick skinned enough, she had to play second banana to a second banana and came through with flying colors.
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 6:26 PM
One thing occurs to me. The amount of crap heaped upon her by the left was not as bad as that from the right. The beltway insiders were and always will be, her greatest opponents.
The Republican party is its own worst enemy.
TCJ on July 3, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Sorry but all of the sudden I am suppose to believe that the Left had something on Gov. Palin and kept it under their hat for safekeeping? Because they have shown so much constraint? I’ll care when I have something to care about.
Cindy Munford on July 3, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Dear Democrats,
This is a case of be careful what you wished for. Your worse nightmare is about to be unleased on the 2010 mid-terms.
You Betcha!
Texas Gal on July 3, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Rick Brookheiser is a nice guy but WFB dumped him as CEO of National Review because he wasn’t leadershipt material. Nuff said.
gh on July 3, 2009 at 6:27 PM
If there is no scandal, the MSM will invent one.
Knucklehead on July 3, 2009 at 6:27 PM
I love how the moderates spout about “need a big tent” when they take the time to dump elephant dung on any conservative that enters “Their” tent.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Latest iteration? AP, there’s nothing to file, nothing to consider.
And to link to someone like Bradblog, oy.
SteveMG on July 3, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Not only did you characterize her as erratic and incoherent, but now you’re saying she’s emotional?
Rather sexist.
Enoxo on July 3, 2009 at 6:28 PM
I’ve got tears in my eyes. Tears of joy!
Terry Silver on July 3, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Her brother may be nervous about being in national media. How about that? Some people have shaky voices when nervous duh.
jencab on July 3, 2009 at 6:28 PM
It is strange that the MSM didn’t get so excited over the largest tax increase bill to pass the House…I’m just saying.
d1carter on July 3, 2009 at 6:28 PM
I did a little checking on Shannyn Moore, and she appears to be a nut. Obsessed with palin and she’s one of those people who’s so extreme she reported the tea parties as “flops” in spite of huge attendance. Don’t believe a word she says.
forest on July 3, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Sarah Palin is only cutting and running because she’s afraid… of Sarah Palin?!
e-pirate on July 3, 2009 at 6:30 PM
politico has an interesting new piece up. Mike Allen talked to one of her friends after the announcement. The way the friend talked I would be VERY surprised if Palin DOESNT run in 2012.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24501.html
ousoonerfan15 on July 3, 2009 at 6:30 PM
From the BRAD BLOG that AP linked:
I guess now people will begin to look into her affairs. I wonder what took ‘em so long. I’ll be waiting breathlessly for the results of this investigation that’s just about to begin.
Cripes.
cruadin on July 3, 2009 at 6:30 PM
And AP linked to Bradblog too?
Love you, AP (in the good way not the bad), but this is not wise.
SteveMG on July 3, 2009 at 6:30 PM
How does the media-blitz excuse jibe with a future Presidential run?
It’s not as if she’ll be under any less of a media spotlight as a Presidential candidate.
YYZ on July 3, 2009 at 6:31 PM
I can understand being upset at Sarah for not being a pinata because it means that the left will now see this as a viable campaign tactic.
The long nightmare will continue any GOP candidate is going to be hammered. Mitt is top of the list now look for lots of negative stories on him.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:31 PM
“forest on July 3, 2009 at 6:23 PM”
prolly the best scenario at this point …
Buckaroo on July 3, 2009 at 6:31 PM
The vitriol from the left was expected , the backstabbing from the right awful.
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 6:32 PM
You’ll have more tears when Sarah makes her first public speech castagating Obama’s policies.
Sara-Cuda.
Careful what you cheer for.
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 6:32 PM
There are so many incorrect facts in that ridiculous liberal blog you linked. Her family didn’t even know why they were standing by the lake? Her brother said this has been in discussion for weeks.
Utterly rubbish.
Enoxo on July 3, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Allah, the people or person at that scandal link are barely lucid.
myrenovations on July 3, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Either she’s a conniving Nixon, playing heartstrings like a fiddle, or she’s a whiner.
Pick your narrative, AP. The dissonance is starting to smell.
spmat on July 3, 2009 at 6:33 PM
She couldn’t stand the heat? People complaining about Sarah Palin taking the heat?
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Yep.
HornetSting on July 3, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Something “unconventional” is motivating this: The conventional perspective is that she’s only 45, would still be a viable candidate for at least 4, probably more like 6 election cycles. That presumes that there will be 4, probably more like 6 elections cycles on the nation’s current path.
It’s certainly possible that there’s some other factor involved. I certainly have no knowledge, but I don’t take that scandal-mongering at “Brad blog” seriously.
If the country is on a slip’n'slide to catastrophe and 2012 is a last historical point of inflection, then she needs to run starting now. On the other hand, if things are going to be “conventional,” then Obama will likely be re-elected anyway. If there’s some middle ground, conventional Obama alternative, Palin was going to be in a poor position to exploit it.
So, we’ll see how things develop. If she remains a huge draw, and rallies an army of conservatives to take the country back, that she “quit” will be a minor issue, and something that even helps confirm her outsider credentials. If there’s no army out there and no equivalent of a war to be won, then it would have been a waste of time for her to do things “by the book” anyway.
CK MacLeod on July 3, 2009 at 6:33 PM
If some type of scandal was behind this I don’t think she’d wait until the end of the month to quit. It’d be an immediate or near-immediate resignation.
Timing doesn’t make sense but then again nothing about this makes sense.
SteveMG on July 3, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Audio of Mark Levin’s opening monologue from minutes ago defending Palin, and audio of Savage vivisecting andrew mitchell.
V15J on July 3, 2009 at 6:34 PM
The people with the ethics complaints certainly did.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:34 PM
She’s not cutting and running. She’s joining the fight at full throttle for our Republic to be restored. Did you not hear what she said? The Democrats who attacked her constantly and the liberals especially the media hacks have just been out played. Sarah has never been about Sarah. She is a team player and damn the GOP just signed the best fund raiser, the best conservative principle spokesperson and the most popular Republican not to mention women.
Texas Gal on July 3, 2009 at 6:34 PM
She is removing the bullseye from her back and that means it must be placed elsewhere.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Exactly. Why he decided it was a worthwhile link is mystifying.
He’s usually excellent with sort of “sidebar” links; but this isn’t a smart choice.
I’ll now be quiet, AP.
SteveMG on July 3, 2009 at 6:36 PM
uh oh…somebody call the wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaambulance!
ernesto on July 3, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Not much point in staying in the fight when the very people who are supposed to be backing you up are taking pot shots at you. Can’t say I blame her for saying “F-ck it.”
If the RNC really gave a rat’s @$$, she wouldn’t have any legal bills.
Thanks loads, GOP. Hope you enjoy 8 years of 0bama.
CurtZHP on July 3, 2009 at 6:36 PM
But…But…her political career is over and she’s out of politics for good and there must be a MASSIVE scandal somewhere in the shadows.
joshlbetts on July 3, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Yes! I can’t wait.
IrishEi on July 3, 2009 at 6:36 PM
I sure as hell hope Jesus Christ doesn’t come back because He’d never survive the conservative blog-o-sphere.
Poor dude would give up, too, because you’re not worth saving.
Jaynie59 on July 3, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Allah’s having a joyous day in this…. Still hoping it’s worse for her Allah. Maybe you’ve started becoming the next Andrew Sullivan.
roux on July 3, 2009 at 6:36 PM
It doesn’t even matter if there is a scandal because thats all the MSM will spread anyway. If it never comes out, they will just say Palin bribed someone or something.
Speedwagon82 on July 3, 2009 at 6:37 PM
You lefties might want to worry about this
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:37 PM
This is exactly what you guys wanted. You sound shocked like you cannot believe that the constant bashing of her family would be a reason to resign. How many times has someone resigned to “spend more time with their family”. This time it is actually true.
The lies you people made up. The lies you people believed.
This website was at the top of the list touting the lies, slamming on Bristol, etc…
Not don’t you even dare make the claim that every other politician has had to deal with the personal destruction that you guys have put her through.
Don’t play innocent, because you are not.
If politics was the only issue at play here it would be one thing, but this website set out to destroy a woman and you used her family to do it.
How pathetic!
Don’t even give me this garbage that the posters on this website had nothing to do with attacking her family. Because that is garbage. This website set up post after post after post talking about her family and then watched as poster after poster trashed her kids and her family.
Remember all of the posts about Bristol? Remember all the posts about Levi?
You remember this stuff.
This website set out to destroy Palin and you may have accomplished just that.
That is too bad, because she was the only true conservative in the running for 2012.
Mitt Romney is John McCain on liberal steroids and you know it. Ever heard of RomneyCare? How about 10.2% tax increases in 4 years? That is Romney’s record and he has got no chance of beating Obama.
So enjoy the destruction of this country, because you guys brought this on yourselves.
kcarpenter on July 3, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Yeah, Obama’s gone a whole week without complaining about Fox News disagreeing with his policies. He’s really toughing it out.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 6:38 PM
The attacks were draining the family resources Clearly the democrats put their parties advancement ahead of the people’s business in alaska
EricPWJohnson on July 3, 2009 at 6:38 PM
The stupid Brad blog link says this has all come so quick she didn’t have time to prepare a decent statment but
a- RNC guy said this had been in the works for a while
and
b- if it were such a rush and due to scandal why wait 3 weeks?
Allah should know better to ever link to freaky conspiracy monger BradBlog.
Topsecretk9 on July 3, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Never forgive and never forget what Sullivan and the other Trig Truthers did here, because they will do it again to the next challenger.
Mr. Joe on July 3, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Capt. Ed a bit harsh, I would have expected this from Allah.
Mr. Joe on July 3, 2009 at 6:39 PM
No need, we’re used to your whining.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 6:39 PM
From where her house in Alaska? Or will she become just another pundit on Faux News? Either way she is irrelevant.
Terry Silver on July 3, 2009 at 6:39 PM
But he hasn’t resigned. Dick Cheney and George W. Bush were called every name in the book and they didn’t resign.
terryannonline on July 3, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Change your bib, you’re drooling all over your “O” t-shirt.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Heh. Nervous, aren’t we?
IrishEi on July 3, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Her brother said that the ethics complaints and constantly defending herself against lame attacks from the left is taking up about 80% of hers and her staffs time. I have to believe that she thinks it would be better for the State of Alaska if she steps down. She is thinking about the people and not herself, isn’t that what we want.
Sven on July 3, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Capt. Ed angling for a campaign position.
spmat on July 3, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Thank you! Spot on. Good grief this handwringing is getting tedious.
elduende on July 3, 2009 at 6:40 PM
She’s so irrelevant that we’ve had about 4,000 comments in 16 hours. Right. LOL!
joshlbetts on July 3, 2009 at 6:40 PM
So it’s Bradblog and HuffPo’s Shannyn Moore now to back up the premature speculation that her career is FINISHED?
I guess it’s settled then.
econavenger on July 3, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Nobody’s gone after his kids. He gets cranky when his policies are criticized, let alone his family.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Yeah, she’s so damn irrelevant that they are talking about her on all the news channels. Try again, asshat.
HornetSting on July 3, 2009 at 6:41 PM
And how would you sound the first time on TV??
Common … Romney care is a loser.
tarpon on July 3, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Not to the GOP she ain’t. She’s a gold mine.
Texas Gal on July 3, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Remember their campaign slogan “Country First”, she is putting “State First”. She is the real thing, all the nay sayers just need to get over it.
Sven on July 3, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Mitt’s Kids didnt get attack for their lack of Military service when Mitt was supporting the war in Iraq.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Were their daughters? Their infant children or grandchildren?
Is Palin either the President or Vice-President of the United States? Does her position on the national stage even come close to that of even Timothy Geitner?
Eh, no. Please stop equivocating the two cases. They aren’t even close to similar.
spmat on July 3, 2009 at 6:42 PM
In other news, Barack Obama’s campaign donors are all legit and accounted for. COUGH
TouchingTophet on July 3, 2009 at 6:44 PM
She is removing the bullseye from her back and that means it must be placed elsewhere.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:35 PMIf she was never heard from again, other than emotional capital, she hasn’t cost the country anything. She brought millions of us a ray of hope and that is more than Obama could ever do.
fourdeucer on July 3, 2009 at 6:44 PM
We’re thy 1/2 a million in the hole from lawsuits?
joshlbetts on July 3, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Well , it could’ve been worse , Obama could have been president.
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 6:45 PM
The ‘Cuda not tough? Oh, please. She’s tough. And she’s wise.
How will the GOP view her if she turns out the vote in key districts across the country in the mid-terms next year by making speeches on behalf of candidates?
Plus, she’s done Parnell a favor. He can run as the incumbent now.
NebCon on July 3, 2009 at 6:45 PM
On Obama, by her – if she really is going to assume national Republican leadership. That’s not something she could do as a governor sitting in Juneau.
Again, I urge everyone to keep their minds focused on what we’re really talking about. A conventional race in 2012 means Obama re-election in all likelihood. Even a conventional Republican victory in 2012 – the possibility of a merely conventional political campaign amidst a “return to normalcy” – means a re-election of the statist consensus, and a deferral of decisions for at least another 4 years.
If instead we’re going to be about turning the country around rather than making a few minor adjustments, then a “Palinist” movement – with or without Sarah herself, but possibly led by Sarah herself – will need to be ready to back a conservative president, Sarah or anyone else, taking a meat cleaver to business-as-usual.
Palin might be the exactly wrong person to be that president – great countries in dire fiscal straits sometimes benefit if the person who sets the house in order is a cold, unloved technocrat type – but her contribution between now and then might be just as important.
Not to say I’ve given up on her. I’m just saying the issues are bigger than any one person.
CK MacLeod on July 3, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Yet you can’t stop talking about her.
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Amazing seeing people dump on her toughness, like she is some kind of wuss. Sarah Palin is probably the most viciously attacked politician of the last 30 years. I’ve never seen someone so dumped on by both enemies and people who should be friends. It is especially galling seeing cheap shots come from those who never really liked her in the first place (AP, Quinn Hillyer). Her critics would last all of 2 minutes with the kind of vitriol she has dealt with for the last year. I don’t know what her future holds, but I wish her luck.
SAZMD on July 3, 2009 at 6:46 PM
This is what the liberal media wanted and now that they are getting it – they will take this opportunity to kick her a few more times on the way out….just to make sure that she doesn’t forget.
Next time, they will rape Willow….
The Liberal Media must be stopped. Quit watching anything on any NBC channel. Try not to watch any of the other crap either. Send a message that alienating 47.5% of the electorate might be a bad business model.
blaque jacques on July 3, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Yeah, recall all the media that bitterly complained that she was even politics with a young downs baby! Stay consistent there cowboy, know your mad she wants to be a good mom?
Topsecretk9 on July 3, 2009 at 6:46 PM
What Palin went through has been unprecedented. I’m sorry to say the actions of those on the right have only been a few cuts above the rest. Ironic, I suppose, that much of the coverage of this in the blogosphere has been critical of her choice to resign. Criticism passes as intelligence, for the reactionary horde, I suppose.
I wish her well. I hate to see her leave the political scene, but as Ann has said from time to time, ‘let the mean girl do the talking’.
I don’t, incidentally, buy at all the “scandal” meme. After O’s lawyers trampled the fair scenery in AK during the election, if there was something there, they’d have released it already.
Spirit of 1776 on July 3, 2009 at 6:47 PM
She can be a national cheerleader for conservative issues. That can be a more important job that President. Presidents only hold power for 2 four year terms and spend most of that time campaigning for re election.
I think for Sarah it has always been more about what she believes in rather than what she can gain from believing in it.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Good point there.
Spirit of 1776 on July 3, 2009 at 6:48 PM
She needs to build up a base for 2010, i think that will be what she do.
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 6:48 PM
No comedian was going to be lazy and make fun of a nameless Palin daughter again after the Letterman fight.
Speedwagon82 on July 3, 2009 at 6:48 PM
So a woman resigns to save her state millions of dollars from fightng frivoulous ethics charges and to save her children from being attacked by the national media and pinhead pundits and you call that bizarre.
But it’s not bizarre when a Senator drowns a young woman in his car, leaves her die and runs successfully for reelection for 40 straight years. It’s not bizarre when a governor runs off to Argentia to be with his “soul mate” mistress, leaving his state in the lurch. It’s not bizarre when a senator excuses his behavior in a bathroom stall because of his “wide stance”. It’s not bizarre when a governor resigns because of his affair with call girls. It’s not bizarre when congressmen vote for spending bills they haven’t read. It’s not bizarre when a Presidential candidate states that he must have missed the racist sermons that his pastor gave for 10+ years. It’s not bizarre when the head of the treasury can’t figure out to work his tax software.
Ed, get out more. Spend some time with normal people. Get away from the political blogging for a bit. We’re living in bizarro world and I guess that makes sane acts look bizarre to you.
PackerBronco on July 3, 2009 at 6:48 PM
If the media is not with us and they aren’t partial – they are against us.
Sic Semper Medianus!
blaque jacques on July 3, 2009 at 6:48 PM
They’ve said George Bush started a war for oil…. Purposely let black people die in Katrina….That he gets thrills when American soldier die…..They’ve blamed bush for a bridge collapsing in Minnesota. You can literally find pictures online of Bush with blood on his mouth! They’ve called Laura Bush a stepford wife & made Jenna and Barbara to be some kind of drunks. John Edwards purposely brings up Dick Cheney’s lesbian daughter when talking about gay marriage during a debate. Cheney gets compared to Darth Vader all the time. With all this neither Bush or Cheney resigned from office.
terryannonline on July 3, 2009 at 6:48 PM
The problem is that GOP insiders still supports the attacks.
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 6:49 PM
You wish ill on someone. It will come back to you ten fold. Karma is a bitch!
capejasmine on July 3, 2009 at 6:50 PM
why would you even bother linking to the nutroots?
rob verdi on July 3, 2009 at 6:50 PM
So irrelevant yet you’re obsessed with her.
Monica on July 3, 2009 at 6:50 PM
I’m sure Romney could use someone like Ed to shine his shoes and powder his nose.
Darth Executor on July 3, 2009 at 6:50 PM
+++
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 6:51 PM
That is not remotely comparable with the stuff she’s had to deal with.
And as any parent/spouse will tell you, animosity toward one’s self can be shrugged off (blood in Bush’s mouth etc), but to attack one’s family is far more personal.
Spirit of 1776 on July 3, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Sigh. Very, very sigh.
Not knowing anything about an upcoming scnadal, I am very sad. Sarah was my kind of politician. I don’t know the kind of pressures she deals with or how it effects her life, but I soncerely hope for the best for her and her family. I see Ed has dropped the hammer on her “you don’t lead by quitting” but whatever.
Here’s hoping others take up her spirit in national politics, those who can withstand the pressure.
(Secretly, I hope she is thumbing her nose at our entire ludicrious political process, and makes lots and lots of money in the future, having effectivly played the american political machine like a fiddle. I would do the same.)
Aquateen Hungerforce on July 3, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Palin’s quote about advancing in a different direction, and saying that Alaskans should trust her is enough for me to believe that she’s not done yet.
I don’t think there’s a scandal or some other mysterious reason why she resigned — I think she spoke the truth and fumbled the delivery (in the eyes of Ed) because she was so emotional. I don’t think she wanted to resign, but seriously, no politician alive today has been attacked and scrutinized more than Palin and her family.
I think she can handle the scrutiny, but it was affecting her job. She couldn’t get anything done. There are two years left on her term, and I’m sure she saw it as a neverending fight with the folks whose job it is to file complaints against her.
Are we so jaded that we have to call her a loser for doing what she believes is right? Others say this is stupid and political suicide, and maybe it will turn out that way, but I believe she did it because she believes it was best for Alaska.
And, I will trust her just as she asked until she gives me a reason to not trust her.
She’s not without her flaws, but I do think she’s a decent and extremely honest person. This may just turn out to be the most brilliant political move ever. I’m content to wait it out.
haikusrock on July 3, 2009 at 6:51 PM
She’s running.
LibTired on July 3, 2009 at 6:52 PM
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