Sarah Palin

Fishtacular: Palin Gives First Interviews Since Announcing Resignation

Rachel Slajda | July 7, 2009, 12:39PM

In interviews released this morning, Sarah Palin repeated that the reason she is stepping down is to spare Alaska from spending more time and money investigating ethics claims against her.

She blamed the ethics complaints on the "opposition research" flooding into Alaska after John McCain named her his running mate to "dig up dirt."

Palin gave a slew of interviews last night at her husband's family's fishing spot in western Alaska. During the photo op, in which she wore overall waders and full makeup, she gave 10 minutes to each news outlet: CNN, NBC, ABC and Anchorage Daily News. (FOX was also there, but hasn't aired the interview yet.)

She noted that she now has $500,000 in legal bills and, although she tried to keep the focus on the state's expenditures, she let loose this key point:

The adversaries would love to see us put on a path of personal bankruptcy so we couldn't afford to run.

That almost seems like an acknowledgment that she had to leave office in order to be able, financially, to run for higher office.

More highlights, and video, after the jump.

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AK-GOV

Bill Kristol Stands By Palin

Eric Kleefeld | July 3, 2009, 5:42PM

Here's Bill Kristol's analysis of Sarah Palin's resignation:

Kristol: A Contrarian Take

If Palin wants to run in 2012, why not do exactly what she announced today? It's an enormous gamble - but it could be a shrewd one.

After all, she's freeing herself from the duties of the governorship. Now she can do her book, give speeches, travel the country and the world, campaign for others, meet people, get more educated on the issues - and without being criticized for neglecting her duties in Alaska. I suppose she'll take a hit for leaving the governorship early - but how much of one? She's probably accomplished most of what she was going to get done as governor, and is leaving a sympatico lieutenant governor in charge.

And haven't conservatives been lamenting the lack of a national leader? Well, now she'll try to be that. She may not succeed. Everything rests on her talents, and on her performance. She'll be under intense and hostile scrutiny, and she'll have to perform well.

All in all, it's going to be a high-wire act. The odds are against her pulling it off. But I wouldn't bet against it.

AK-GOV

Alaska Dems Blast Palin's "Lack Of Commitment"

Eric Kleefeld | July 3, 2009, 5:36PM

The Alaska Democratic Party has released this statement on Sarah Palin's resignation:

"Alaskans are dismayed yet not surprised that Governor Palin is abandoning her obligations to our great state. Sarah Palin's decision to step down as governor is a shock to Alaskans, coming at a time when leadership is needed secure a gas pipeline and address rising unemployment. Palin's lack of commitment to her sworn obligation to serve her term to the best of her ability is a betrayal to all Alaskans," said Patti Higgins, Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party.

AK-GOV

A Trip Down Memory Lane: Sarah Palin's Campaign Wardrobe

Eric Kleefeld | July 3, 2009, 5:30PM

Check out this slideshow we made back in 2008, of a great memory from that campaign: The super-expensive campaign wardrobe that Sarah Palin wore on the RNC's dime:

AK-GOV

Alaska GOP: We Will Still Support Palin For President If She Runs

Eric Kleefeld | July 3, 2009, 5:25PM

The Alaska Republican Partry released this statement on Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-AK) resignation:

Alaska Republicans Grateful For Palin's Leadership, Excited For Soon To Be Governor Parnell.

Republicans across Alaska and the nation were surprised to learn today our Governor, Sarah Palin will be stepping down and not seeking re-election.

The party shares mixed feelings as we lose a valued public servant who raised Alaskan issues and concerns in the national consciousness in a way no Alaska leader had previously been able. While sadden to see Gov. Palin leave we are excited to see a conservative of Lt. Gov. Parnell's character enter the Governor's office.

Gov. Palin's decision not to run for re-election means there will be a vigorous race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010. Alaska has an impressive cadre of conservative candidates we are confident will vie for the office of governor and the party stands ready to fully support which ever conservative candidate our members choose to represent them in the general election.

The Alaska Republican Party has not been informed whether Gov. Palin plans another run for national office and as such cannot comment on that possibility. The party does feel, however, there needs to be a strong challenge to President Obama's attack on Alaskan values waged by his administration since taking office six months ago. If that challenge comes from Gov. Palin the party ready to support her as all Alaskans should.

AK-GOV

Republican Govs. Association Looks On Bright Side: Alaska Will Still Have GOP Governor

Eric Kleefeld | July 3, 2009, 4:56PM

The Republican Governors Association released this statement on Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-AK) resignation:

Republican Governors Association Executive Director Nick Ayers issued the following statement in regards to Sarah Palin's announcement today that she will not seek reelection in 2010 and will step down from the governorship on July 25th.

"While we regret the news announced by Governor Palin today, Alaska will continue to have a Republican governor through 2010 and we are confident the state will elect a Republican in next year's election.

The RGA's focus remains firmly on the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia this year, and the 37 gubernatorial elections that will take place in 2010. We know that winning these races is the most important task facing our Party over the next two years."

DNC

DNC: Maybe Palin "Simply Can't Handle The Job"

Eric Kleefeld | July 3, 2009, 4:35PM

Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse has put out this statement about Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-AK) resignation -- taking what might just be the final opportunity to rip into her:

"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."

AK-GOV

Palin's Resignation Speech

Eric Kleefeld | July 3, 2009, 4:29PM

Here's Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-AK) rather...interesting resignation speech:

AK-GOV

In Big Shocker, Palin Resigns As Governor

Eric Kleefeld | July 3, 2009, 3:22PM

Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), the unsuccessful 2008 nominee of the Republican Party for Vice President, has announced that will resign her office, effective at the end of the month.

Initial reports had been that she simply wasn't going to run for a second term in 2010, seemingly setting up a 2012 campaign for the White House. But this sure is something...

Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), the unsuccessful 2008 nominee of the Republican Party for Vice President, has resigned her office, effective at the end of the month.

Initial reports had been that she simply wasn't going to run for a second term in 2010, seemingly setting up a 2012 campaign for the White House. But this sure is something...

Late Update: Reporter Andrew Wellner from the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman just appeared on CNN after attending Palin's press conference. She said, Wellner reported, that she could be more effective outside of government.

And she wholly blamed the national press, saying they were creating national distractions that cost the state money. Palin said: "You are naive if you don't see a full-court press on the national level, picking apart a good point guard."

Late Late Update: Here's the video. Part 1:

And Part 2:

AK-GOV

Report: Palin Not Running Again In 2010

Eric Kleefeld | July 3, 2009, 3:11PM

CNN reports that Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) is set to announce soon that she will not run for a second term as Governor in 2010.

There are any number of reasons she might not be running again -- but it's worth pointing out that Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) also recently announced his retirement, which most people see as a step towards a potential run for President in 2012.

And given the huge distances involved, it's hard to travel all around the Lower 48 while also being an actual Governor of Alaska. Palin had to essentially leave the state during the two months that she ran for Vice President back in 2008.

Could we be seeing a Palin/Bachmann ticket in 2012?