First Term Quitters Hall of Fame
9 07 2009A number crunching Mudflatter sent the following:
On a hunch, I reviewed online lists of all the men and women who’ve been elected governor of their state since the year 1900. Pored over them for a few hours. Over 1200 politicians have taken that first-term oath of office. Some soon died in office. Many resigned to accept other positions in government, including Spiro Agnew who was “tapped” by Nixon after being the Governor of Maryland for about five minutes. On a handful of occasions, a first-termer was dragged off to the slammer or impeached. One was incapacitated by a nervous breakdown and one left just as impeachment came knocking on his door. So—how many out of over 1200 just up and quit before the end of their term?
Three: Jim McGreevy, Eliot Spitzer and Sarah Palin.
[h/t Mudflatter WalterNeff]
July 9th, 2009 at 6:21 PM
The fact is, not just anyone can grow up to be president. Hopefully we have enough people in this country who have a clue and would not elect someone who is poorly educated, woefully ignorant, and suffering from some kind of mental disorder. Just sayin’.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Isn’t it interesting that Grievey and Spitzer resigned but Larry Craig (convicted of having a wide stance), David Vitter (prostitutes), John Ensign and Mark Sanford either are still serving or left when his term expired. And if we go back and look, I will bet Craig and Vitter also called for Bill Clinton to resign. We already know the other two did. So obviously, if she did resign because of a scandal on the horizon, it’s not sexual in nature. Republicans never resign over sex. Course they will tell you who you should and shouldn’t have sex with….
July 9th, 2009 at 6:49 PM
[...] Mudflats checked out how many other first term governors pulled a Palin and quite: On a hunch, I reviewed online lists of all the men and women who’ve been elected governor of their state since the year 1900. Pored over them for a few hours. Over 1200 politicians have taken that first-term oath of office. Some soon died in office. Many resigned to accept other positions in government, including Spiro Agnew who was “tapped” by Nixon after being the Governor of Maryland for about five minutes. On a handful of occasions, a first-termer was dragged off to the slammer or impeached. One was incapacitated by a nervous breakdown and one left just as impeachment came knocking on his door. So—how many out of over 1200 just up and quit before the end of their term? [...]
July 9th, 2009 at 7:05 PM
It has been just one week since Palin announced her upcoming resignation. Stories have been all over the place, but HP stories are now getting the truth out. Did she really think her story would last? Everything she has said is being proven wrong/inaccurate.
GOP delegates in many areas do not want her campaigning for them. Even Levi has spoken up.
Oh my, I am starting to laugh. She is so ridiculous.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:05 PM
@10cats4me Says:
July 9th, 2009 at 5:36 PM
The Alaska Dispatch article is great. I recommend it to all. I remember reading part of this last Fall. It has been expanded greatly and explains a lot.
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An excellent illuminating article. I also recommend reading it.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:07 PM
You know you have a ridiculous situation when an 18 year old young man is coming out with a tell-all book on a 45 year old woman. Quite humorous and telling. I can’t wait. He is claiming she quit for $$$$$$$.
KO was hilarious tonight on this whole thing. He brought up all the lies and even poked fun at her shopping at the consignment store in Wasilla. LOL! He is relentless when he smells a great story.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Plato? Pluto? Play-dough?
Here’s a quote for Palin’s next tweet:
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” – Plato
Do you think she’d get it?
July 10th, 2009 at 1:13 AM
[...] The Mudflats: “On a hunch, I reviewed online lists of all the men and women who’ve been elected governor of their state since the year 1900. Pored over them for a few hours. Over 1200 politicians have taken that first-term oath of office. Some soon died in office. Many resigned to accept other positions in government, including Spiro Agnew who was ‘tapped’ by Nixon after being the Governor of Maryland for about five minutes. On a handful of occasions, a first-termer was dragged off to the slammer or impeached. One was incapacitated by a nervous breakdown and one left just as impeachment came knocking on his door. So — how many out of over 1200 just up and quit before the end of their term?” [...]
July 10th, 2009 at 6:53 AM
The first two in this list quit because of scandal. What’s Palin hiding? And when will Sanford be added to this list?
July 10th, 2009 at 8:15 AM
[...] company Filed in General on Jul.10, 2009 Since 1900, only 3 governors have resigned in their first term: Jim McGreevy, Eliot Spitzer, and Sarah [...]
July 10th, 2009 at 9:35 AM
[...] Jul 2009 11:28 am Who Quits In The First Term? A Mudflats reader went to work: On a hunch, I reviewed online lists of all the men and women who
July 10th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
10cats4me Says:
July 9th, 2009 at 7:05 PM
It has been just one week since Palin announced her upcoming resignation. Stories have been all over the place, but HP stories are now getting the truth out. Did she really think her story would last? Everything she has said is being proven wrong/inaccurate.
GOP delegates in many areas do not want her campaigning for them. Even Levi has spoken up.
Oh my, I am starting to laugh. She is so ridiculous.
Can you be very specific about “Everything she has said is being proven wrong/inaccurate”? That would be an interesting list to peruse.
Thank you.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
What!?? Is she reading Plato in her spare time. Nah, that must be a Starbucks cup. Line up Machevelli next!
To be fair to McGreevey and Spitzer (LOL) tehy were FORCED to quit (due to their own stupidty, ego and actions but forced nonetheless).
She quit of her own volition.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:08 PM
mlaiuppa: loved the quote. Perfect.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:30 PM
[...] 10, 2009 The Mudflats reports: Since 1900, about 1200 people have taken a first-term oath of office as governor of a [...]
July 11th, 2009 at 1:41 AM
[...] Mudflats, an Alaskan blog, on the topic of how many Governors have quit in their first term: On a hunch, I [...]