PALIN RESIGNS
3 07 2009Yes, it’s true. Governor Sarah Palin, at a hastily called press conference this morning, has announced that she will be stepping down from office on July 25, and turning the reins over to Lt. Governor Sean Parnell “for the good of Alaska.” She’s turning the state over to the guy she didn’t even trust to run things during her failed VP campaign. She chose to govern by Blackberry, while simultaneously speed reading “Politics for Dummies,” making rhetoric-filled speeches to hopped up conservatives, and being a full-time mom on the campaign trail. And still she didn’t leave the state to Sean Parnell. But now, apparently, something is different.
The media is all in a tizzy trying to figure out what’s going on.
Eddie Burke is busy talking to Sean Hannity telling him that Palin’s resignation is a brilliant tactical move cleverly hatched to thwart her enemies. Clearly this demonstrates her political smarts. “Now what will they do?” he wonders. “They won’t have anything to complain about!” Yes, brilliant. She’s really thwarted them now. Why didn’t George Bush use that strategy, we wonder?
Of course, those who have been follwing the Alaska blogosphere closely are aware of the rumors bubbling up that there’s something big…something really big that’s headed her way; the iceberg that’s headed for the S.S. Palin. We’ll see.
Meanwhile what we do know is that Palin has littered her bizarre resignation speech with references to ethics complaints, Photoshopping bloggers, the military, Alaska history, a recap of the administration and a hodge podge of other topics. She delivered the speech with the same adrenaline-filled jaw clenching intensity that she had when she returned from the campaign trail and settled back in to the governor’s office.
And we know that she delivered this speech from her own home, a few hours before the start of a holiday weekend. Not the time to announce something you want the media to focus on.
The news will be breaking for a while, and she will by no means fade out of the media spotlight. And as for Eddie Burke’s concern that those who oppose Palin will have nothing to do? I’m about to go enjoy a barbeque!
Leave comments here, and I’ll check back in as more news becomes available.
Apologies for server issues. The Mudflats was swamped!
>Clink< (that was my glass)
Idependence Day came a day early.
For a transcript of the speech, click HERE
*******************************UPDATES
Okay, I’ve now been able to get independent information from multiple sources that all of this precedes what are said to be possible federal indictments against Palin, concerning an embezzlement scandal related to the building of Palin’s house and the Wasilla Sports Complex built during her tenure. Both structures, it is said, feature the “same windows, same wood, same products.” Federal investigators have been looking into this for some time, and indictments could be imminent, according to the Alaska sources. From Brad Blog
“I don’t think this is buckling to pressure,” said Ayers. “I think this is her coming to the realization that the legislature in Alaska and that some bloggers and activists in Alaska are going to do everything they can to stymie her progress. This is a governor who didn’t run for the office because she wanted a title. She wanted to make significant change in the state. She realized that that was no longer going to be able to happen, because things had become so partisan there.” From HuffPo
Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse issued a statement characterizing Palin’s resignation as “bizarre behavior”:
Either Sarah Palin is leaving the people of Alaska high and dry to pursue her long shot national political ambitions or she simply can’t handle the job now that her popularity has dimmed and oil revenues are down. Either way, her decision to abandon her post and the people of Alaska who elected her continues a pattern of bizarre behavior that more than anything else may explain the decision she made today. From The Daily Beast
Watching the family scene at her house on the raw video running on CNN right now, it is obvious that little knowledge about this was shared ahead of time, no matter what Palin said in the conference itself.
What we are seeing here is either a preface to some indictment, or the final chapter in the career of what has been the biggest political joke of the 21st century. She is so obviously a combination of extreme narcissism and even more extremely bad advice by really, really pathetically bad advisors.
Andrea Mitchell is now being reported as claiming Palin has told some close to her that she is through with politics. From Firedoglake
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Article on Daily Beast by Max Blumenthal (I hate some of his articles so who knows) that housegate is the iceberg.
Sorry I don’t have the link but it should be easy to find. Also received a Twitter that an indictment is coming very very soon!
I hope this is all true and with Palin out of office, maybe people will not be afraid to tell the truth. So was Palins whole speech a BS lie?
If she indicted, will her supporters STILL defend her?
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:42 PM
CG Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Someone has offered her a really cool awesome opportunity. She isn’t going to blink – she’s taking it!
——————————————
I’d be inclined to think that if she was quitting her job to take up something ultra-lucrative and ultra-glam that she wouldn’t try to bury the news – and blow off all that publicity that she so likes to milk.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Beth, thanks for pointing out the obvious–She was so much like my brother when he was meth-addicted, I was transfixed watching her–that Trig was not visible for the majority of the –whatever it was Sarah Palin was doing up there.
Someone else mentioned Piper looked like she knew there was another shoe about to drop, and it is about the size of Kansas.
I can understand if Trig started fussing, taking him off stage where he could be more comfortable, but with Piper’s expression–something is up.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:43 PM
LMAO, poor SUCKERS who donated to Palin’s last minute GRABATHON. They are stuttering over one another trying to reconcile their abandonment feelings both emotionally and fincially…lol. So sad. They should have listened to Gryphen and kept their change.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Lea323, heck, look on the front page of the Anchorage Daily News and there is a story about the firing of the State Public Health Director. Of course, they tried to say she resigned, but the truth came out on the front page today.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 PM
That speech was very strange. Is something about to come out? Is she going to try and run for president now, that would be an ultra-bizare move. Does she have an offer from Faux News? Whatever it is it is totally about her and has nothing to do with Alaska like she says. I laughed so hard at the speech that I had to take some Ibuprofen for my back, it started spasming. Could this whole saga get any weirder?
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:47 PM
“Okay, I’ve now been able to get independent information from multiple sources that all of this precedes what are said to be possible federal indictments against Palin, concerning an embezzlement scandal related to the building of Palin’s house and the Wasilla Sports Complex built during her tenure. Both structures, it is said, feature the “same windows, same wood, same products.” Federal investigators have been looking into this for some time, and indictments could be imminent, according to the Alaska sources. ”
WoW!!! Losing her house, her income, her healthcare, her name, this is GRANDE!!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:47 PM
So Sarah fired a bunch of people just days before quitting her own job. That makes no sense at all.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:48 PM
“Palin Resignation: 10 Theories Why”
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-03/palin-resignation-10-theories-why/full/
Good reading folks!
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:48 PM
I just want to say thank you to all the bloggers that made today possible.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:49 PM
So, Housegate it is. I’m thinking of Lainey right now.
I’m snickering at this afternoon’s NPR report, which is focusing on the red herring of the presidential run.
Kudos to AKM, Celtic Diva, Gryphen, Shannyn, Phil, and all the other steadfast Alaska bloggers who held Palin’s feet to the fire.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:49 PM
# 23 chascates Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:06 PM
I betcha she’s going to look for the ‘real killers!’
=======
YEAH! She’ll never find them, either!
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:51 PM
What a great day for Alaskans. PARTY TIME. I know AKM will not let her guard down. Palin is not a person I would trust when she says or lets on she will not be in politics. I cannot see this woman walking away from the spotlight. BEWARE ALASKA. We haven’t heard the last of SCARY SARAH PALIN
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:51 PM
You know, this thing about some kind of tete-a-tete between Gov. Sanford and Governor Lame Duck is springing up in other places, too.
I was just over at http://www.somethingawful.com, wondering if they have ceased and desisted upon hearing the news…and they more or less have…
BUT, Mr. Bojangles came up with the same speculation the 3 Wonkette posters and I did, albeit put a bit more crassly:
“Wow, she’s straight up resigning. Hope she and Sanford go chill in Buenos Aires with that reporter chick for some family-values debauched lovin’.”
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:53 PM
WOW. John Harris didn’t waste any time announcing that he is running for Governor. Just saw an interview with him on Channel 2. Talk about not waiting until the body was cold.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:53 PM
sauerkraut Says: July 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 PM
yanno, ya alls… got a serious question here… with Palin outta da house, what the heck are we alls gonna be doing now???
That’s easy. Wait for all the juicy scandalous innuendos and criminal actions to come to light, then whip out the bubbly/beer/wine (without cheese!!!) and say, “yep, we knew that ages ago. What took so long?”
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:54 PM
@ bucfan
———————-
Yeah…..I spent quite a few hours over at ADN while the Flats was being hammered. The firing of the health director and Palin’s “Sitting Duck” Quackjob award were prominently listed on the front page.
While I was waiting for comment pages to load, my eyes wandered over to the right side of the ADN page where all those gagging galleries of the guv.’s fashion and style are located. I will be so glad to see this hokey, boot-lickin’ “Yearbook of Palin” finally taken down. Hopefully.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Just saw this update at “firedoglake”:
Palin: Criminal Indictment “Pending,” Reports Alaska Law Enforcement Official
By: EdwardTeller Friday July 3, 2009 3:59 pm
Update: This just in my in-box, from a source connected sometimes to CNN:
“Here’s a quote I got from law enforcement here in Alaska yesterday afternoon regarding Palin “a criminal indictment is pending authorization.”
Anyone know anything about this?
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 PM
LMAA @ the thoughts of what is going to become of Angry Meg. Surly Palin did not tell her before this announcement…hope someone is video taping her right now and puts it on Youtube.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Sauerkraut… we be waiting for the otha shoe to be droppin’… that’s what we be doin’ now. You betcha!
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 PM
I agree it could be something like Housegate, but the way she kept on about Trig and said the world needs more like him, made me wonder if she is pregnant again. And that might explain Todd’s early return home. But, please, can someone tell her that it’s not a good idea to keep having babies just because you can? Good grief.
I really hope it is one of the other reasons. Housegate would be entertaining.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 PM
@ 105 Isabella
————————
Where did that quote come from? Did I miss an earlier post on this?
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Does this mean I have to stop saying “also, too”? It’s getting to be a habit. You betcha. Will we relearn the English language?
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:00 PM
@ womanwithsardinecan
Yes! Also, too!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Lee323 “Where did that quote come from? Did I miss an earlier post on this?”
Up above love, AKM updates, right below original story on this page.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Her speech sounded like a word salad version of “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina!”
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 PM
This was, of course, the first place I turned to when I saw the news…so I figured we terrible out of state no-gooders meddling in Alaska politics (well at least lurking in the Mudflats) would bring down the servers.
We are all counting on the Mudflats to keep us updated with the good stuff.
My instinct is that this is about her ambition and not about any lurking scandal. If she was anticipating a scandal breaking, she would know that she had no future in the big picture, would hand onto her job like a pitbull and fight tooth and nail. Please. Save. US. from. this. woman!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 PM
BuffaloGal: All that hugging and drinking can be yours! August 1….. NYC…. check the forum!!!! Party!!!
I said this on the Hmmmmm thread… if it is indeed Housegate, she’s done. Tahd, too. My governor went to jail for steering contracts and having some work done on a cottage here. JAIL.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 PM
The camera person was given a poke, and quickly switched to a closeup shot of Sarah’s face. In addition to the duck and geese noise in the background,
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
…and don’t forget the seaplane!
I don’t have one…do all y’all?
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Housegate would be very entertaining, and it blow all those Bible Spice bots away. I do think funds being sent to her would slow down.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Buckle up ladies & gentlemen, our comedy has just begun!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Whoa – she just got back from visiting troops overseas, she rambled on and on about the troops and what they’ve shown/taught her about what’s important and all, and…
OMG, is Her Sarahness fixin’ to join the military?
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 PM
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/3/749721/-I-Think-Its-Housegate!
there is a lot about what could potentially be “Housegate” here!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Something God Smacked Palin cause if you look at her Twitters, she made no mention of anything like a resignation & we all know how she likes to tease.
I am daymn curious to know why prison commissioner was there to hear Palin’s goodbye. http://www.daylife.com/photo/05MF1GuglZ8i3 Who are the others standing there? Palin looks psycho!!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 PM
@ Isabella
——————-
LOL. Right in front of me. Thanks.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 PM
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/3/749721/-I-Think-Its-Housegate!
there is a lot more about “housegate” here. how interesting.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Who was the news crew covering? Local or national?
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:08 PM
She would have to run against Hollis French whose investigation of troopergate found her guilt of abuse of power. She must know the election would have been bloody for her.
She can now relax about taking the money for the book deal and doesn’t have to worry about another ethics complaint. The timing may have all to do with this.
She can travel wherever she wants, whenever she wants. She can support whatever cause she wants without infringing on her duties as GOV. Since she can’t seem to understand what is required of her in her position, this will ease her mind.
It will have to wait for the 2012 election for the dirt to come out. She will be clean until then as far as political races go.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:08 PM
My daughter-in-law just sent me this YouTube video. Good for a giggle!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR9V_aOCga0
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:08 PM
sorry for posting twice, my comment kept disappearing!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I still can’t figure out what in the hell ex-Governor-to-be Palin was talking about in her resignation speech. The woman was all over the place. I just hope she fades from view soon.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:09 PM
…and don’t forget the seaplane!
I don’t have one…do all y’all?
Cassie, want to see something interesting?
Head over to http://www.faa.gov, click on the link under Pilots > Search Airman Certificates. Next page, hit the link “Search Airmen Certificate Information”. Fill out some information, then when you finally get to the search page, enter Todd Palin and Wasilla. Should come up with just one item. And you’ll notice that Todd is only rated for “Single Engine Land”
That means every time he flies his float plane he’s committing an FAA violation, and it gets worse if he has any passengers with him.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Check this out:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-03/did-a-scandal-sink-the-uss-palin/?cid=hp:mainpromo2
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:10 PM
It’s kind of like Aliens. Heroine blasts the last of the aliens and thinks it’s all over…..it feels like audience is applauding and shaking hands, smiling laughing….then, ….then a real big alien does a pop-up. Don’t know if the Palin political saga is over – may be the unpopular governor really does have plans to do a pop-up for 2012.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:10 PM
ServerGuy, and I say this from the heart knowing I have the assent of every other Mudpuppie, WE LOVE YOU. Thank you ever so much for helping keeping AKM online, and for surviving through the astonishing news today! *kiss from afar*
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Hysterical video….
Sarah Palin Quits, at warp speed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kky_0BErWTA
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:12 PM
AKraven Says “She would have to run against Hollis French whose investigation of troopergate found her guilt of abuse of power. She must know the election would have been bloody for her.”
I am not even afraid of Hollis. Palin, doesn’t fear him. Although she threw him a bone with his bill he got passed on the child safety issue which he grabbed.
I never liked the guy personally. He seems wussy and whiny.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:14 PM
We all have reasons to be cheerful, non?
Reminds me of an Ian Dury video… here: http://run4chocolate.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-irs-going-after-palin-on-taxes/
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Ennealogic Says “ServerGuy, and I say this from the heart knowing I have the assent of every other Mudpuppie, WE LOVE YOU.”
Oh is ServerGuy to thank for being able to get onto Mudflats today? I kept getting kicked off earlier. LOVE ALL AROUND FOR SERVERGUY!!! XOXOXOXI!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:14 PM
I don’t believe we’re rid of her quite yet…she salivates for the golden ring…that oval office…a bigger and better purpose…her God’s work.
oh, that’s right, she signed as God, so she must think she is.
I pray to MY God that she goes in a celebrity direction…actress/anchorette/author/evangelical minister…….WHATEVER, but exit politics once and forever (she’s terrible at it) and leave us the hell alone!!!!!!!!!!!!! good riddens, hasta la vista, ciao, buh byeeeee