Video: Palin resigns; Video: Andrea Mitchell says sources tell her Palin’s out of politics
posted at 4:48 pm on July 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
There’s a lot of video coming but this should tide you over for a bit. I don’t follow her logic at the beginning here: Essentially, she says that once you’re a lame duck, the responsible thing to do is to get out of the way rather than go around milking the office while your influence diminishes. Does that mean presidents in their second term should quit early too? Instead of quitting, why not redouble your efforts to be an effective governor despite the lame-duck pressures working against you?
The crux of this is that she’s quitting because it’s in Alaska’s best interest, not her own. If it turns out this was nothing more than a way of clearing her schedule to start early on running for president, her primary opponents will make her eat those words.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Update: Given the source, take this not with a grain of salt but a boulder of it.
Some have speculated in the past that Palin may be interested in running for president in 2012, but she did not mention running for another office at her press conference. Sources told NBC’s Andrea Mitchell that Palin is out of politics for good.
If it’s true, there must be a major scandal somewhere in the shadows here. If it’s not true, well, that’s MSNBC for you.
Update: Real Clear Politics has video of Mitchell’s report, including the detail that Palin’s allegedly told her top backers to go ahead and commit to other candidates for 2012. Bill Kristol thinks resigning now could actually be a bold gambit to free herself up for an intense presidential campaign, but I think she’s following more of a Nixonian strategy here. I.e. it could be she’s burned out on politics and dispirited by all the crap she’s put up with it and wants to get away at an opportune moment. If, as is likely, The One wins a second term, the GOP will be so dejected that it’ll happily give her a second look as a potential savior in 2016, much as it did with Nixon after he lost the 1960 presidential election and 1962 California gubernatorial race. The question is, what does she do with herself in the meantime?
Blowback
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MSNBC’s wishful thinking. They’re terrified of her.
Iblis on July 3, 2009 at 5:07 PM
FIFY AP
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Allahpundit bashers….on Twitter it appears that Ed Morrissey is more harsh on Palin than Allah, so make of that what u will.
terryannonline on July 3, 2009 at 5:07 PM
I am betting you will regret this.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Allah, why don’t you just say what you mean? You want her to fail and to be publicly humiliated. Be honest for once and drop the passive-aggressive mask.
kvader on July 3, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Will you be wearing a waiter’s apron?
HornetSting on July 3, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I don’t think this means there is a ‘major scandal’ underneath everything. Maybe she’s just sick of having her family dragged through the mud and having her daughters pressured to abort their offspring just so she can have a political career.
Ever think about that?
ILB on July 3, 2009 at 5:08 PM
You’re challenging a girl to come fight you, you realize.
BadgerHawk on July 3, 2009 at 5:08 PM
If she’s running for Pres she may feel that splitting her time, political capital, and umph between national and Alaska is cheating Alaska.
- The Cat
P.S. The basketball analogy is spot on.
P.P.S. If she is getting blocked in the Alaska legislature because of her `08 run, then her Lt. Gov can get more of what she wants done.
P.P.P.S. Any bets on it being Piper who said, “Hell yeah!”? Megan McCain has a lot to answer for for that one.
MirCat on July 3, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Obama is going to rue this day. Only she can galvanize opposition to that dirtbag. Major headache for Obama when she begins showing up at anti Obama rallies around the country.
elduende on July 3, 2009 at 5:08 PM
For me it gives me more time to hold President zero’s feet to the fire. Its time to bring down the worst US President in history.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Anyone else think that Levi is Trig’s father?
simplesimon on July 3, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I’ve always gone straight to MSNBC for reliable Palin coverage…
myrenovations on July 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
I think she is gone for good, and there is good reason.
Just look at her history. She just wanted to do what was right. She ran for mayor and won…and she cleaned house. Then she ran for governor, and won. And, still was trying to do what was right. Then…she hit the national stage.
You see, Sarah is different. She got pushed into a class where she did not belong. She is a real person, not one of the political elite. In that class you have the most slime ball, hypocritical, nasty, dirty, vain, evil, sub human self preservationist creatures that lurk on this earth. Once she hit the national stage, the said creatures declared an all out war in her and her family. Because, she is different.
I think I would start feeling quite dirty myself after a while, having to deal with the scumbag class. And I believe it could deteriorate relations with my family. What would mean more to you? Preservation of your political career or your family?
She is different.
lsutiger on July 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
MSNBC talking points:
“erratic”
“throw in the towel”
“selfish, abandoning the state”
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
BTW: FU Charles Krauthhammer; FU and everyone like you. Instead of standing up for this lady and her family, you chose to belittle her integrity along with the Liberal scum you hand out with.
Shameless…
Keemo on July 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
I don’t think its a scandal because if there was one…we would of heard it already. Too many people wanted to see her destroyed.
Rather she was given an opportunity to be more effective. I don’t know what that opportunity is.
Conservative Voice on July 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Wether she runs for 2012 or not, this action by Palin will not get the media off of her back. We all know what is going to happen now. She will be called a QUITTER, etc etc etc. She will continue to get beat up and bashed.
I hate to admit it, she will never have a chance to be elected on a national ticket. The media/hollywood are far too powerful. Her reputation was ruined long ago and it cant be repaired. I wish that were not so but it is.
It isn’t that she is dumb and corrupt like they want to make her out to be, the difference between her and the rest of the politicians is the fact that the media has chosen to go after her from all angles. Meanwhile, ignoring most of the crookedness of the Congressman, Senators across the country.
Take note that they have already began to bash her and calling her a quitter and selfish. She will NEVER get a break and as long as the media/hollywood controls things in this country, her political career is over. No shot what so ever to become President. I would vote for her but Id rather she not try. It would guarantee a win for Obama.
bucsox79 on July 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Agreed
Wade on July 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Palin’s announcement was political but not staged politically as would have been consistent with a presidential bid.
If she is giving up elective politics forever, wouldn’t she have said so to stop her opponents from trashing her and her family daily?
My guess is that she will be testing the waters, making some money, speaking out on her pet issues on her own terms.
Terrie on July 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Sarah Palin, 2012.
.
She’d pick up 100,000,000 votes if she bitch slapped Katie Couric on national TV. I’d pay to see it even.
Metanis on July 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
I think Andrew Sullivan is. Or did I just blow your mind?
Siobhan on July 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
You know Colonel Obama and his minions are behind pecking her to death with the legal stuff … My take is Colnel Obama is about to get the moose back in his shorts.
tarpon on July 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
simplesimon: No one likes you. Go. A. Way.
Yossarian on July 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
If you believe that Bristol’s the mother it fits.
BadgerHawk on July 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Really? After all the crap her kids have been through?
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
So we’re getting gifts for the Fourth of July too, now, huh? That’s a nice liberal mentality you’ve got going on there…
TouchingTophet on July 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
WIth Sarah no longer around to kick the Press is starting in on Obama
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
I don’t know if you’re a bigot, but that is a racial insult. I suspect that if you are willing to call Whites “trash” you would be willing to denigrate other people based on their race too.
The phrase cuts both ways in that it insults Whites directly and non-whites indirectly by casting by default as “trash.”
The Race Card on July 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
No, but I do think your mother is a wh*re.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
This means she’s running in 2012 – not 2016.
Let’s get this party started.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Cool. I hope she’s been having an affair with me, and I just have amnesia.
Daggett on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
She makes a great point about what it was costing Alaskans to fight all those ethics charges.
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
How many governors would have won reelection if the vote was in their 3rd year and not the 4th? Could Sarah be setting a new trend in how to keep Republicans in office by letting their LT’s out of the shadows?
journeyintothewhirlwind on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Maybe she’s starting another party.
Darth Executor on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
I can’t believe there is a scandal brewing and I pray there is a very bright star about to shine just over the horizon.
fourdeucer on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
What I take away from this is that she does not intend to run for national office. But I could be wrong.
Where you get this, I have no idea. If it’s true, I’d say she’s already told us why – she talked about how brutal life has been for her kids since last August, and how they were all especially horrified when some Demotwit decided to use Trig’s image in yet another smear campaign.
ProfessorMiao on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Think SarahCOUGAR, not SaraCUDA. Raarr!!
simplesimon on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Must be two for one at the gubmint cheese office.
HornetSting on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Yep.
The Race Card on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Major scandal, huh?
How about this as a possibility:
She and Todd will never have to work again. They’re in their 40′s and can live the rest of their lives off her speaking fees alone.
When Palin was picked as VP she won the lottery. She just cashed in her ticket. Good for her. I hope she makes a million dollars for every rotten op-ed ever written about her.
Jaynie59 on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
P.P.O.E.S. Just as the President speaks for America and on the world stage (like it or not) speaks for all Americans, she now speaks for Alaska and All Alaskans. She can not speak as freely against The President as Governor as she will be able to once the Lt Gov takes over.
- The Cat
MirCat on July 3, 2009 at 5:11 PM
We posted this on the other thread. I disagree for a few reasons…
Palin Today [Rich Lowry]
I think I have pretty well-established credentials when it comes to being charmed by Sarah Palin, but that statement, as a statement, was simply terrible. Rambling and not at all persuasive as an argument for her decision. More Gibson/Couric than GOP convention speech. She shouldn’t have said a thing without getting Matt Scully—or some similarly talented speechwriter—on the case first. As to how this decision plays out ultimately, we’ll see. There’s plenty of time if (as I assume) she wants to run in 2012, and she obviously has plenty of capital with Republicans. But not an auspicious start.
Upstater85 on July 3, 2009 at 5:12 PM
I haven’t seen it noted: this was her Checkers speech.
Palin talked about apathy.
She’s going on the road, and she’s going to start kicking a**es.
We ain’t see nothin’ yet.
BuckeyeSam on July 3, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Maybe a lawn jockey…
Wade on July 3, 2009 at 5:12 PM
She is a smart person (not a wpolitician). She is going to run as an independent and will make the Rep and Dems spin as a top. Here is to you Barracuda. You will have my vote for the heart of Texas.
alovera on July 3, 2009 at 5:12 PM
LOL!!!
+1000
Daggett on July 3, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Hey, she’s only trying to make some money. She said her price is $5 bucks round the world.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Most politicians are pretty extreme on the narcissism scale. Palin doesn’t seem to fit that profile. She is behaving in ways a narcissist never would behave. What she is doing would be seen as career ending for a narcissist or someone who is used to seeing narcissistic behavior, but there seems to be something of the Tao at work here.
Her Lt. Gov now goes into the next elections with a track record and a policy regimen that is popular with the people. Her work continues after she is gone. Now she is free to hold the Democrats’ feet to the fire as a very charismatic force that a lot of people listen to. So her work as governor actually continues in her absence and she can take a different stage and continue the overall work from a different angle.
Doesn’t sound at all dumb to me. It sounds like someone with a plan that is larger than themselves and whose plan isn’t all about themselves. Maybe she really DOES want to do what is best for the people, even if it isn’t what is “best” for her career at every step of the way.
crosspatch on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Allah, seriously? We kick out a lot less than this…
Upstater85 on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Groundless speculation.
My guess is she’s just had it with the relentless character assassinations upon herself, and probably more importantly, on her children.
Can’t say I blame the lady.
Hesiodos on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Allahpundit, if you have a shred of decency, you will BAN this Troll to the outer limits.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Good for her. I’m glad she took a stand for principle. The MSM is fearful of a woman who is principled. I like her even more.
pjean on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Bravo William! Very well stated…
Keemo on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Well, now we all know the real reason! I notice you said would make instead of does make, are you unable to accept your gift gracefully? Go, enjoy, check back with us next week and tell us if it was everything you hoped for.
Cindy Munford on July 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM
What an unfair attack AP. I expect that from the libs, but not from one of our own at one of our own. It must be a scandal right? Not that you care, but you’ve really disappointed me as a conservative.
kerrhome on July 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM
LOL – you got ripped off. She only charged me $1.
Daggett on July 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM
What a whiner.
SarahCOUGAR 2012!
simplesimon on July 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM
I have never seen so many trolls.
Checking out for now.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Second that!
Keemo on July 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Listening to her speech… I have a bad feeling about this, as they say.
Her reasons don’t add up to resigning. Not running again, maybe, but resigning? That is giving up for no other reason than she has critics. That just doesn’t make sense.
I think there is more to this. And I’m not saying that out of malicious at all. I like Sarah and was hoping she would get up to speed.
petunia on July 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Rupert Murdoch should give her a show on Fox. She’d kill in the ratings.
jimmy2shoes on July 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Do you ever stop to think how sad and pathetic a person must be that not even their own ideological bretheren can stand to be around them, and they have to hang out at a conservative site and make snide remarks that advance no argument.
I sometimes wonder.
BadgerHawk on July 3, 2009 at 5:15 PM
If she’s a Republican I expect her to stand up and throw down. I won’t leave any conspicuous bruising. Don’t expect me to go all wobbly just because she squats to pee.
The Race Card on July 3, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Here’s your official warning, simple. Next time the hammer falls.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Upstater85 on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Email him, posts are too fast to monitor them all.
Cindy Munford on July 3, 2009 at 5:15 PM
I think you are right. This may just be a masterstroke. But her reasons are commendable.
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 5:15 PM
And you would be the reason I would want to get out of the spotlight. Since you care soooooooooo much for special needs children, could you perform a retroactive abortion…on yourself?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 3, 2009 at 5:15 PM
If it’s sour grapes, it means you had a personal interest in bringing Palin down any way you could. Glad to see you finally admit you’re a partisan hack.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Lefties realize that soon Sarahcuda unleashed will be riding their backs 24/7, and they’re not happy campers.
petefrt on July 3, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Yes, you’re post was a winner for a disgusting implication.
Go you! You can try to back off with the Sarah is a COUGAR, but we all know what you wrote.
Now, please for the sake of Trig, don’t fantasize too much about what you wish was true…
Upstater85 on July 3, 2009 at 5:16 PM
After a bit of reflection, I believe she is out of politics for good. Our loss. The GOP bench looks abysmally shallow at this point. We’ve got to have somebody ready to stomp on Barry, politically speaking.
ElectricPhase on July 3, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Meh. Dude hits like a chick anyway.
The Race Card on July 3, 2009 at 5:16 PM
I take it back I will write in General Petraeus’ name for the 2012 nomination so I will be voting in the primaries
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 5:16 PM
BadgerHawk on July 3, 2009 at 5:15 PM
I have thought about that often lol
Pretty sad
bazil9 on July 3, 2009 at 5:17 PM
My cat could beat you down, race card.
HornetSting on July 3, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Why not? Her life has been reduced to battling one unfair attack after another. That has to be hell on her and her family, and it sure doesn’t make her job any easier.
I would have done it for the benefit of my family alone, no matter what I planned for the future, and no matter what kind of damage it did to my career.
Daggett on July 3, 2009 at 5:17 PM
One thing about this. The troll hunting is going to be good today.
Thanks AP
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 5:17 PM
No need…
I know we can get out of control on here, but this is worse than Trooferism…
Upstater85 on July 3, 2009 at 5:17 PM
I
Couldn’t help yourself could you Allah.
roux on July 3, 2009 at 5:17 PM
HotAir is and has been no friend to Sarah Palin. Ed’s in the tank for Pawlenty, and AP reflexively dislikes “cornpone” personalities.
Both have been largely fair in their coverage, but it doesn’t take a mind-reader to know that neither Ed nor AP particularly like her.
spmat on July 3, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Was she under some naive assumption that children are left out of attacks in politics when she ran for governor? Was she not paying attention for the past few, oh, decades?
amerpundit on July 3, 2009 at 5:18 PM
I think some people here are in denial. I think she is out of elected politics.
Now, she may go on to head some advocacy group on Down’s Syndrome or right to life or something along those lines that influences public policy, and she’ll probably make a killing on speech fees, but as to being re-elected anywhere – why bother?
Not to mention there’s more than a good chance that some crazed liberal would put a bullet in her head or in one of her family’s head somewhere down the line.
I would resign and rake in the money too. A majority of the American people at this point are hopeless, why waste your time and endanger your family?
Tabris on July 3, 2009 at 5:18 PM
My $ is on Hornet’s cat.
bazil9 on July 3, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Politics is Islam for Democrats, and their zeal for beheading infidels is just as powerful.
She’s a nice lady, but if you want to defeat these psychos, you can’t adhere to the etiquette of our increasingly Marxist government to do it.
TMK on July 3, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Isn’t it amazing that there are so FEW people right now who can actually BELIEVE that someone actually CONSIDERS sacrifice, in the benefit of others ?? Sad, eh ??
She’s ‘passing the ball’ so positive differences can be made in Alaska and this country !
I’ll back her (and her wisdom/heart) forever !
Go Sarah, in whatever you persue !!
pambi on July 3, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I owe you a case of your favorite adult beverage for that one, AP.
Thanks.
-Dave
Dave R. on July 3, 2009 at 5:19 PM
May happen. But she’s already such a strong draw, it’s also possible that she’d do better without it.
petefrt on July 3, 2009 at 5:19 PM
we should start a club.
I_C on July 3, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Oddly cant say that about Obama’s family. Heck just consider his brother and Aunt dont even cosider his kids.
William Amos on July 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM
“HotAir is and has been no friend to Sarah Palin.”
Or any Republican candidate as far as I can tell.
crosspatch on July 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM
That’s ridiculous. Every ethnic group has their underclass that the majority find worthy of scorn.
That’s all the label describes and any attempt to read into it further in absence of corroborating information is nothing more than intellectually dishonest race baiting. You said it yourself – you don’t know that he’s a bigot. But you’ll happily attribute bigoted overtones to his language so that you, the interpreter, can gain power over the narrative.
This trick gets pulled in the media and even nominal conservatives need to knock it off.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM
They are just getting started. Palin’s son is in Iraq.
http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/archives/2009/06/062909-Palin.aspx
I think her visit with the solidiers, Sanford imploding, The situations in Iran & Honduras and the way Obama has fumbled them….made Sarah look at America and the way the Republicans are fumbling around has put her in a position that demands immediate action….not after the 2010 elections – it could be too late by then. Sarah is the only one that can derail the Obama train.
izoneguy on July 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Was it “You won’t have Richard Nixon to kick around anymore.” Or “I am not a crook.”?
I hate to say it but… someone has too.
petunia on July 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Well, the difference is, the media were shocked and defended the children and said it was off limits for Chelsea Clinton, etc. For Sarah’s children, they just joined in and said they ‘basically’ deserved it.
HornetSting on July 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Pffft, that could happen just getting pumping gas. Just ask Michelle Obama
- The Cat
P.S. She said it.
MirCat on July 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Now it’s all coming together: Palin is Sanford’s misterious mistress. They’ve been meeting in South America to deflect suspicion. But now that Sanford’s been discovered, Palin saw the writing on the wall and is resigning.
factoid on July 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM
I’m thinking “major scandal” somewhere hiding about…
If I told y’all once, I told y’all a hundred times….FORGET PALIN!
Move on!
I lover her to death, she’s an inspiration, talented, and a good person.
She’s NOT the GOP mesiah-ette.
JetBoy on July 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Another example of the narrow view of the inside politics crowd. Unless you buy into their vision you are lost and that’s why we keep getting what we have in D.C. and those running major corporations for that matter. What a creepy bunch of people that make up those who run the world.
Cindy Munford on July 3, 2009 at 5:21 PM
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