Audio: Ziegler explains Palin’s decision; Update: Link to O’Reilly Factor appearance added
posted at 5:55 pm on July 6, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
John Ziegler, who produced a documentary on the horrendously unfair media coverage given to now-departing Governor Sarah Palin, talks with Palin spokeswoman Meg Stapleton about Palin’s decision to resign. John has the closest vantage point of anyone in the media, and has spent the most time with Palin. He explains that the move isn’t about 2012 at all, or really even any future run at elective office. John argues that Palin is playing long ball. Click on the image to listen:
John and I had a conversation this afternoon, and he agrees that Palin couldn’t have done this with an eye towards a 2012 presidential run. Like Mark Tapscott, he sees Palin adapting herself for the foreseeable future to non-electoral politics — as an activist and a movement leader.
John also will appear on The O’Reilly Factor tonight at 8 pm ET. Be sure to catch John’s segment.
Update: RealClearPolitics has John’s appearance on the Factor. John dropped me a note, saying this segment from his show today explains it better, so be sure to listen to it.
Blowback
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It’ll be interesting to see if he’s right.
She set up Sarah Pac. She set up a foundation.
I can’t imagine that he’s right.
AnninCA on July 6, 2009 at 5:58 PM
He doesn’t know anything. Only Sarah knows what she is doing. She can’t trust anyone but her husband and family right now. We’ll know when she wants us to know.
suzyk on July 6, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Priority number one is to stop Obamunism, and she’ll do alot to get that done. It needs to happen right now because too much damage is being done way too quickly to wait for the next election cycle(s).
forest on July 6, 2009 at 5:59 PM
While Palin may have some of the Conservative credentials that Madame Thatcher possessed, Palin has 1/10th the the intellect …
Unless she is going to take on Michael Steele for the Republican chair, she is unelectable through 2016 (and potentially beyond) …
IrishSamurai on July 6, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Again, sounds like she was concerned about a.) her family (by extension, their finances) and b.) the people of Alaska.
Other than the experience angle, I don’t see the downside. And the experience issue isn’t a major issue, since it can easily be overcome.
“This isn’t the end, it’s the first chapter”, to paraphrase Meg.
Thunderstorm129 on July 6, 2009 at 6:02 PM
If she’s playing longball, why bunt with six months to go?
SteveMG on July 6, 2009 at 6:03 PM
The REAL reason the left hates Palin, graphed no less. ;)
http://sparks.brushfireoffreedom.org/post/2009/07/06/Liberal-Womb-Envy-and-Sarah-Palin.aspx
TCJ on July 6, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Because waiting another six months means 6 months more ethics complaints and waste of taxpayers dollars.
Thunderstorm129 on July 6, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Looks like Ed is trying to cover his ass.
WoosterOh on July 6, 2009 at 6:07 PM
what if she takes that Senate seat? doesn’t that put her right back in the game?
jp on July 6, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Nothing wrong with that.
darii on July 6, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Looks to me like he’s giving another point of view.
Very charitably and honorably.
SteveMG on July 6, 2009 at 6:09 PM
I have been thinking about this all afternoon. I’ve pro, con, wait & see, and have come to the conclusion that conservatives are so leaderless, so looking for for the anti-Obama that they have worked themselves rabid trying to figure out Palin’s move here.
A huge power shift happened July 3rd. Many will follow Palin. Some won’t. Some never did and wouldn’t if she hadn’t resigned. What is important, is that people have used Sarah Palin for their own political fortune. McCain used her. We used her. The media used her. The Liberals used her. Alaska used her. Her star shined bright, and people used it to find their way to reason to battle Obama. I hope we haven’t used her to the point that there is nothing left to give.
Has Palin gone Super Nova?
We shall see.
One thing that is getting lost in all of this. This ’12 election is going to be BIG.
I’ll vote for whoever runs against Obama.
I’ll vote for Romney
I’ll vote for Huckabee
I would work, volunteer,donate,campaign,post signs,door to door, etc. for Palin.
The GOP might have beat Palin, but lost the War to Obama.
portlandon on July 6, 2009 at 6:10 PM
I listend to Meg Stapleton and did I miss her saying that 2012 was NOT a possibility? I think John is maybe rooting for the Mittster in 2012.
Someone correct me if Meg did indicate that – I did not hear it.
stenwin77 on July 6, 2009 at 6:10 PM
It pays for travel.
Amadeus on July 6, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Seriously, we need a warrior who is not in office or running for office. She’s perfect.
The media will still savage her, but she can overcome the media in this new media age.
Rightwingsparkle on July 6, 2009 at 6:11 PM
I could imagine the scenario where she focuses on various conservative, activist movements such as the Tea-Parties. This gets here well covered nationally.
Meanwhile, she polishes up her knowledge of other issues. Maybe find a “mentor” in another possible candidate. Then in 2012, she makes a strong and PRINCIPLED endorsement of that other for President, such as Romney. He in turn picks her as VP again. If the two have a coordinated message for the year or so leading up the the election, it would provide a good Grassroots base for Mitt and the better intellectual heft for her. They could well learn from each other.
As has been pointed out by others, she is young enough to still be viable in 2020 as the head of the ticket.
OBQuiet on July 6, 2009 at 6:11 PM
my my
blatantblue on July 6, 2009 at 6:12 PM
6 months to go to what?
She has 18 to finish her term
Amadeus on July 6, 2009 at 6:12 PM
I’m with portlandon though, I will work my a** off for WHOEVER runs against Obama in 2012.
Rightwingsparkle on July 6, 2009 at 6:12 PM
I lol’d and lmao’d – thanks for the link
Ann on July 6, 2009 at 6:13 PM
ohhh how i love Meg….she will make a great Press Sec.
alexraye on July 6, 2009 at 6:13 PM
And what you should you post as a comment next to cover your ass about being a whiny little douche?
frankj on July 6, 2009 at 6:13 PM
hopefully its someone exciting
im afraid we’ll be the kerry scenario in ’12
blatantblue on July 6, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Ziegler isn’t “close” to Sarah. I refuse to buy that one.
AnninCA on July 6, 2009 at 6:14 PM
I just really don’t see Romney winning. I’m sorry, he couldn’t beat McCain or Huckabee. Why are they only running re-runs?
deidre on July 6, 2009 at 6:14 PM
RINOS listen up !! Your time is up !!
She might possibly do some (fantabulous) fundraising in the 2010/12 elections, but it ain’t gonna be for YOU !!
Yay, Sarah !! :-)
pambi on July 6, 2009 at 6:15 PM
We don’t know what Gov. Palin is thinking, or her real decisions yet. Maybe she entirely doesn’t want to do another campaign run for the White House. Maybe she does. Simply put, we don’t know.
It’s best to just sit back and wait and see what she has in store. She’s not an idiot. And she often takes the riskiest paths to get where she wants to go. And up to this point–short of the McCain boondoggle (which wasn’t her fault), she has been successful.
So everyone just chill out and wait to see where it ends up.
Enoxo on July 6, 2009 at 6:15 PM
im waiting for someone to come and trash ziegler.
blatantblue on July 6, 2009 at 6:15 PM
We’re looking at Reagan in 1976 here. It’ll be 2016 before she runs for President.
Here’s how I see her strategy (and I have nothing to back this up):
1. Become a fundraising titan who is willing to travel to endorse conservative AND libertarian candidates, to win back grass roots power.
2. Sharpen her knowledge, speaking talents, etc.
3. She doesn’t want to run against an incumbent (Obama). I think she wants to be part of an open field.
4. I think she correctly surmises that the GOP will be in the wilderness until after the midterm elections. It will take that long for the bitter taste to leave the mouths of conservatives, and for moderates to become completely disgusted with how the liberals have tricked us all into Marxist policies.
5. She wants to give candidates like Romney, Huckabee, etc. a chance to fail for a second time.
frode on July 6, 2009 at 6:16 PM
While Palin may have some of the Conservative credentials that Madame Thatcher possessed, Palin has 1/10th the the intellect …
Unless she is going to take on Michael Steele for the Republican chair, she is unelectable through 2016 (and potentially beyond) …
IrishSamurai on July 6, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Ironic you should be commenting on someone’s intellect when they have accomplished a great deal and we’ve never even heard of you. Can you spell arrogant? How about bozo?
wtng2fish on July 6, 2009 at 6:17 PM
yea, shes just SOOO dumb
can you come up with something better?
blatantblue on July 6, 2009 at 6:17 PM
You’ll be waiting for awhile. Those that you think “worship” Palin won’t trash Ziegler (I don’t think anyway) as he has said nothing but great things about Sarah and also stood up for her on multiple occasions.
deidre on July 6, 2009 at 6:18 PM
I haven’t read most of the long discussions on this topic, but I’m wondering if the possibility of a third party has come up?
I’m leaning toward this explanation:
forest on July 6, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Ziegler is a Rino McRino with Rino sauce covered in Rino sprinkles.
Enough? =)
portlandon on July 6, 2009 at 6:19 PM
The above appears to be the unsubstantiated ramblings of an elitist Washington troll.
Palin outsmarted both political parties and several major oil companies, and got a 60 Billion dollar project which has the potential to save the rest of America from energy shortages started without spending a dime of Alaska’s money!
Talk about a stimulus which actually worked!!! She has already demonstrated that she is a whole lot smarter than this Administration, the previous Administration, and the entire Congress combined.
landlines on July 6, 2009 at 6:20 PM
By the way, on August 8th Sarah Palin will be giving a speech at the Reagan Library.-Techo
portlandon on July 6, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Don’t worry – you’re still the king of whiny little douches. And, you appear to be illiterate, too.
Blake on July 6, 2009 at 6:21 PM
“That’ll do, pig. That’ll do.”
*babe, the movie!*
blatantblue on July 6, 2009 at 6:21 PM
I wish FOX would give Sarah her own show! Can you imagine the ratings?!?
DanaSmiles on July 6, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Burn the heretic traitor RINO Palin-hater!!!
Seriously though- how was this not fairly obvious from the moment she resigned? 2012 is not an option for Palin as a presidential candidate, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be completely off the national stage.
Hollowpoint on July 6, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Is Ziegler swallowing the “MSM meme,” too?
blatantblue on July 6, 2009 at 6:24 PM
I just listened to the whole interview, Palin is so running in 2012.
Firebird on July 6, 2009 at 6:24 PM
What a squish!
blatantblue on July 6, 2009 at 6:25 PM
She is more than welcome to become the face of the Tea Party movement (which really needs a singular presence at this point).
michaelo on July 6, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Dude… RAM in in Anchorage!
upinak on July 6, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Well, a little unfair to compare a great politician to one of the great minds of the 20th century…Bush was also 1/10 of Reagan.
Reagan//Thatcher were two of the most brilliant statespersons in this century.
But….Palin connects with people, in the same way Margaret also connected.
The first thing a politician has to do is “fill a room” with their presence, and Sarah does that, and Margaret Thatcher, all 5′few inches of her could do that.
Then you have the ability to delegate, and both have that, then you have the conservative values, and they both have that, and then the ability to make tough decisions, and they both have that, many more similarities, then differences. You also saw Margaret thatcher at her seasoned best. Sarah hasn’t “peaked” yet…
right2bright on July 6, 2009 at 6:27 PM
I agree. I think it’s completely obvious.
AnninCA on July 6, 2009 at 6:27 PM
“he sees Palin adapting herself for the foreseeable future to non-electoral politics — as an activist and a movement leader.”
Exactly. What the Republicans are lacking is someone out front holding the Democrats feet to the fire. Palin is, I believe, configuring things in such a way as to play that role. As for 2012, if it comes it comes and if not, then not. But the point is that the Republicans lack leadership. The current crop of Republican “leaders” seem timid as if they are afraid to say what is on their minds. Palin isn’t.
crosspatch on July 6, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Don’t most people running for President for the first time have the same amount of time as Palin has? BO went from nobody to a big Presidential pile of crap in no time flat. Clinton did the same.
Thunderstorm129 on July 6, 2009 at 6:30 PM
/facepalm
Forget about her as a candidate in 2012. Not. Going. To. Happen.
At this point, anyone suggesting that she’s setting herself up for a 2012 run really can’t be taken seriously.
Hollowpoint on July 6, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Dude… RAM is in Anchorage!upinak on July 6, 2009 at 6:27 PM
portlandon on July 6, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Zeigler did an excellent interview. The only issue I would take with him is that it was not as Alaska-centric as he proposed. It’s true that her main reason for leaving the governorship was about Alaska (as she could no longer be effective and was costing the state by having to fight the expensive insanity of the left) but she saw the bigger problems this nation faces, the immediacy of those problems, and that so few are really carrying any sort of effective fight against the junta in Washington. Like Zeigler said, though, all the questions are answered in her speech.
progressoverpeace on July 6, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Rather than act all shocked someone would think it, please provide a counter point as to why should can’t/won’t/shouldn’t.
Thunderstorm129 on July 6, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Ohhh Yeahhh. RAM is with Eddie Burke Today. You should meet up and say Hello! (I don’t know how I screwed up that last post)
portlandon on July 6, 2009 at 6:32 PM
The penultimate moment will come if Palin is trashed for saying that Palin is not running in 2012. It will cause a rip in the time/space continuim.
myrenovations on July 6, 2009 at 6:32 PM
put down the cheap georgi :p
blatantblue on July 6, 2009 at 6:33 PM
..why she can’t/won’t/shouldn’t….
typos…teh suck
Thunderstorm129 on July 6, 2009 at 6:33 PM
will the intertubez break as well?
what if that happened and MJ rose from the dead the same day?
or was discovered in Thailand building another Neverland Ranch near an orphanage?
blatantblue on July 6, 2009 at 6:34 PM
I suggest you ask Thatcher advisor and close confidante John O’Sullivan, who has a slightly different view on the comparison with Thatcher (Hint: He think Palin & Thatcher are very close)
Regarding her future plans: Give it a rest. Nobody knows for sure except herself and her family, but I would be surprised if she wasn’t front and center come both 2010 & 2012.
Norwegian on July 6, 2009 at 6:34 PM
.
You have been “my glass is half emty” as of late.
Americannodash on July 6, 2009 at 6:35 PM
That was my take too.
Norwegian on July 6, 2009 at 6:36 PM
+1 there is definately a need for a bigger echo chamber /sarc
gatorboy on July 6, 2009 at 6:36 PM
I am suggesting that, and I think she will win, let’s not forget there was no way Obama was beating Hillary.
Firebird on July 6, 2009 at 6:36 PM
But but but I thought she was doing it in for her Alaskan constituents?
crr6 on July 6, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Mabye she wants to tour around and see how much support she gets , before she decides that she runs 2012.
It could look arrogant if she presented it right off as a potus run.
the_nile on July 6, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Yep. The same people who said “Hillary’s nomination is a forgone conclusion” are now saying “Palin is done”.
Norwegian on July 6, 2009 at 6:38 PM
The fact Meg said SarahPAQ was doing so well since the announcement shows her strength.
Firebird on July 6, 2009 at 6:39 PM
*empty
Americannodash on July 6, 2009 at 6:41 PM
I suspect she will take every opportunity to jam their bias back in their faces for all to see, now that she doesn’t have campaign advisors trying to make her something she is not.
Patrick S on July 6, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Hollowpoint: That is dismissive, and assuming facts not in evidence.
Now, I tend to agree that those who say she _is_ running are making the same mistake, but they are not (openly at least) dismissing the alternate viewpoint.
Read what you wrote. ‘Anyone who thinks X cannot be taken seriously.’ You have just ended debate, not provoked debate. This shows a closed mind, not an open mind.
If you would like to discuss the possibilities (and the pros and cons of each), that’s certainly something else. Personally, I would love for someone to question Ms. Palin on her ‘quitting the post of Governor’. She has a perfect response.
“As I stated in my speech, I completed what I set out to do as Governor of Alaska. Politicians should be valued based on what they accomplish while in office, not how long they are in office.” –Possible Palin Response
Scott H on July 6, 2009 at 6:44 PM
That’s a great role for her. Give her a bullhorn, see who listens. If she has the skill as a politician to build a national following, her resignation won’t matter. She can win whichever office she wants on the strength of her ideas and her ability to communicate them.
RightOFLeft on July 6, 2009 at 6:44 PM
I signed up for a monthly donation this morning. As did my brother & wife, & a coworker.
Sarah Palin speaks for me.
portlandon on July 6, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Pointing at Obama 2012 , with a broken economy that he fully owns.
the_nile on July 6, 2009 at 6:45 PM
the_nile: You know, that kind of response _would_ be like firing a shot across Obama’s bow.
Now _why_ didn’t _I_ see that? =)
Scott H on July 6, 2009 at 6:47 PM
I listened to the interview, and I still do not get where Ziegler got the idea that this is about “long ball” and being “nonpolitical.”
I think minds are going to change when SarahPAC numbers come out.
jencab on July 6, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Steele is MIA and not a factor any longer. The RNC will become impotent.
All Sarah has to do is get up everyday and rebut what Obma is doing and showing how it is all so wrong for America.
izoneguy on July 6, 2009 at 6:48 PM
President GWB sat there and took ALL the media slime, trying to be above it all for years. We all begged him to fight back, but he didn’t. See how that worked out?
Palin is a fighter, as is her husband Todd, and they will take the fight to them. If she doesn’t run, than atleast she will show the national media that a conservative isn’t spineless, and will fight.
portlandon on July 6, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I had a response typed out, but then realised that trying to debate with completely naive, irrational people is pointless.
Just think about it rationally and objectively. It should be obvious that she’s not likely to run in 2012, and wouldn’t win if she did.
Hollowpoint on July 6, 2009 at 6:48 PM
That was my read of her statement and considering the context of all that has gone before it. It’s best for our party and, more importantly, our country, that those on our side to encourage her, not try to shut her out or shut her down by all the “constructive criticism” that has so ill-served her and the rest of us.
KittyLowrey on July 6, 2009 at 6:49 PM
So what did BO accomplish the last 18 months of his Senate career?
d1carter on July 6, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Hollowpoint: Again, you decline to discuss. Your argument is ad hominem and, thus, useless.
Scott H on July 6, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Many people thought Reagan was a dunce at the time… same with Thatcher….
Greatness is not really viewed in the present tense, but granted through the lens of history.
Romeo13 on July 6, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Hollowpoint….pointless. I get it. Your hollow inside. Project much?
portlandon on July 6, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Really? Things are so perfect in Alaska that there’s nothing else she could possibly accomplish in the next 16 months? People are going to buy that considering the content of her resignation speech?
Hollowpoint on July 6, 2009 at 6:52 PM
I think Palin could rattle the Rino cage by supporting Steel campaigning , while being independent.
the_nile on July 6, 2009 at 6:53 PM
2+2=5. Discuss.
Hollowpoint on July 6, 2009 at 6:54 PM
ehh… only Sarah Palin knows what Sarah Palin is going to do. I’m content to wait and see what her next move is.
Do I think she still has a political future nationally in some form? Yep, if she wants to be.
Do I think she’ll run for prez at some point? Sure, if she wants to.
Will her having resigned hurt her chances? Perhaps, but I maintain that it is debatable as to how much damage has actually been done by resigning. In the short term, certainly it would be a difficult hurdle. But time tends to heal all wounds (or so they say), or at least allows them to scab over. The conditions on the ground politically in 2012, 2016, or 2020 are still blank slates so it would be fairly foolish (IMHO) for anyone to catagorically assert that someone’s future political goose is cooked as of today. Ultimately I personally don’t think the resignation was a terminal wound. Reagan switched parties at age 51, was divorced, and was perhaps best known to the bulk of the country for having a chimp as a co-star in cheesy ‘B’ movies and his efforts seemed to work out pretty well. Am I saying that Palin is another Reagan? No. I’m just saying that other politicians have overcome potentially greater disadvantages to win high national office.
There have been less than congenial clashes from both sides of the ‘Palin Question’ here at HotAir. Equal measures of intolerance has been reveled in by the self proclaimed ‘aggrieved’ parties. To those zealots and martyrs on both sides of this ‘robust debate’ I say: Suck it up and agree to disagree. Stop trying to read the future. Stop tossing blame and recriminations. Stop trying spin, cajol, curse, and ‘convert’ your fellow conservative just because they don’t agree specifically with your particular viewpoint.
Maturely debate. Respectfully rebut. Don’t be so prideful that you can’t ‘agree to disagree’. But please stop this grotesque imitation of Kos Kids here at HA.
Stop.
Just stop.
There is only one group that benefits from this backbiting and they don’t hang out here at HotAir.
Drunken Angry Clown on July 6, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Exactly…and that is a problem. No matter what she does from this point out, she still botched her resignation beyond belief. I can’t even fathom how so many of you think it’s a plus that she’s left her future plans/reason for resigning up to the imagination. It’s almost like she’s co-opted Obama’s strategy of being a blank slate and allowing her sycophants to fill in the blanks however they want. I didn’t like that about Obama, and I don’t like it with Palin.
Other than that, I welcome the new leader of the conservative movement. It’s good to know that the party of principle and work ethic is about to be led by a quitter who abandoned the most important job she ever started.
Go team!
Interweb Troll on July 6, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Yes , she explains that the gridlock is centered around her and not her ideas , when she’s gone Lt Gov can implement those ideas.
the_nile on July 6, 2009 at 6:55 PM
So you’re whining that you’ve been victimized . so dad.
the_nile on July 6, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Ed has already said her political career is over. We can all go home now. Zeus has spoken and all Olympus trembles in his presence, except Hera. When she calls Zeus pees himself. Really, I didn’t know Zeus was bald.
SKYFOX on July 6, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Expanding on that, any Thatcher biographer will tell you that she wasn’t Thatcher-esque when she started out.
myrenovations on July 6, 2009 at 6:58 PM
So you’re saying that she couldn’t manage the gridlock as governor? I’m not sure that’ll make an effective presidential campaign ad.
Hollowpoint on July 6, 2009 at 6:59 PM
He co-sponsored that IG law that he is now breaking.
myrenovations on July 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM
It was penned in a letter by Thomas Jefferson that tells President Washington that the time is right for him to resign his post as Sec of State and call for another to serve in his stead.
.
And after he left the Washington administration Jefferson was of the mind to never return. That was a common thread from men in those days. Desire for high office was not to be sought by the candidates. Petitions were drawn by those who to were the servants of their considered intellects. As the mind thoughts lingered are the notations of James David Barber –>
No!,” but when he saw that he could not avoid the task, he resolved to do … “Jefferson became a candidate for the presidency in 1796 in spite of himself. He did not seek the office but the office sought him.
.
Thomas Jefferson Predicted
Predicting which presidential candidates will be good Presidents is like predicting the weather, and the results are equally unreliable. James David Barber, a well known presidential scholar, has developed a model to attain the elusive goal of political prophesy. He has simplified prediction by condensing the task to the placement of a candidate into one of four personality types. Once candidates are categorized, people can make informed predictions about future performance in the Oval Office.
.
by Ronald Terry Constant
.
.
History must be Sarah Palin’s forte’. Sarah is following Thomas Jefferson lead. Read the the full history of this man.
Americannodash on July 6, 2009 at 7:02 PM
I’m not whining; I (and others) have stated countless times the obvious implications of her resignation as regards a 2012 run.
Some people would rather live in fantasyland and ignore the blatantly obvious though, and will not be convinced.
As someone mentioned above, I suspect Palin herself could go on live TV and state in unambigous terms that she’s not running, and some of you would insist it was a genius move that proves she’s running.
Hollowpoint on July 6, 2009 at 7:03 PM
No and that’s not what was said. I took Palin to mean what Ziegler surmises but that does not rule out the potential she’ll gain influence and more supporters and indeed launch a run after all. But it’s not THE reason or her short-term goal.
KittyLowrey on July 6, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Watch her manage it, now she get the work done. This is the simplest solution. She’s stuck in Alaska fighting the full power of the white house.
the_nile on July 6, 2009 at 7:04 PM
I think she laid it all out in a speech. You might want to read it.
Here.
Here are some excerpts:
“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.”
“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.”
This sounds awfully fiscally conservative of her. I don’t know, it just might be me.
portlandon on July 6, 2009 at 7:05 PM
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