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Sceptress
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:01 pm | #1

Yes, Jonah’s timing was awkward.

JP
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:05 pm | #2

So you’ll criticize her, of course, when it turns out that she in fact will now increase her public profile with a huge media tour for her book and more fund raising events, right? Should I hold my breath?

[hmmmm...If that's the case, I probably WILL criticize her - I have before - but I wonder if you can put your hate on hold until you know why she's doing this? admin]

Michelle Malkin » STUNNER: A Palin announcement: Resigning in weeks; “It hurts to make this choice. But I’m doing what’s best for Alaska”
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:07 pm | #3

[...] The Anchoress is wondering what’s really going on: Either she or someone in her family is ill, and she wants to keep it private and not subject it to the vulgarity of the Palin-hating beasts in the press, who savaged her last year, or…she and Todd are on the rocks, and she doesn’t want to subject her children and her marriage to the same vulgarity. [...]

Joel
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:10 pm | #4

I assume Howard Kurtz had no problem with Obama resigning as senator because Obama only resigned after he’d been elected president.

Palin’s simply resigning. Different.

[Yes, yes, yes...Obama voted present for TWO WHOLE YEARS in the senate than started his campaign. But he didn't "resign" - he traveled around the country and europe...serving the people of IL -admin]

DanGelmar
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:11 pm | #5

“Howard Kurtz, who had no issue with Obama resigning from his first term as Senator…”

What? Obama never resigned as Senator while he ran for President. Your comparison with Palin is lacking.

jbw
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:12 pm | #6

My guess is she’s had enough of the attacks from Letterman on her family, DNC bloggers going after Trig, and DNC hacks filing bogus ethics complaints against her; wasting government resources and time. So she’s hanging it up.

OCBill
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:13 pm | #7

Career is not over unless she wants it to be. The “career over” people already didn’t like her. People who like her, mostly because of her ideas, will back her when ever she wants to come back into public life. Unless it turns out that she has a soulmate in Argentina.

JP
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:20 pm | #8

I know, it’s so “hateful” that someone might substantively disagree. Maybe I should have speculated, based on zero evidence, about Mrs. Palin’s family and marriage, like Anchoress did?

Pray for Sarah. | Little Miss Attila
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:21 pm | #9

[...] don’t know what’s going on; we can’t know what’s going on. As The Anchoress points out, the most likely explanations are that there is a problem with her health, or that she [...]

Elizabeth Anne
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:24 pm | #10

I hope you’re wrong, Anchoress, only because I hate to hear of anyone’s ill health…

Linus
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:28 pm | #11

Oh come on. Obama resigned from the Senate *after* he was elected President. That makes a difference, doesn’t it?

[Does it really? He voted present for two years then hit the campaign trail. How is that "better" than this. The question is moot, as I say, I believe this is about more than politics, and that politics no longer matters to her - admin]

Mark
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:31 pm | #12

I wouldn’t say she’s made her base mad. This is unorthodox but perhaps she wants to help conservatives in 2010 and she obviously can’t do that with all the bogus ethics complaints being thrown at her because she was Governor. I really hope it isn’t something bad or that she wants to get out of politics, though who could really blame her for that.

William Chadwick
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:34 pm | #13

I think it’s amazing that so many commentators say this absolutely ends her chances at become President. History is filled to the brim with unconventional political wins and surprises. However, no matter what the reason for her choice, I firmly support her and wish her the very best even if it’s her goal to live a quiet life in Wasilla. A quiet life is after all a wonderful thing. For the most part, the press are after all the most ridiculously unfair and vicious group in our country and no one in their right mind would wish to be famous or a politician.

Rand Careaga
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:36 pm | #14

“Howard Kurtz, who had no issue with Obama resigning from his first term as Senator, declares that Palin’s resignation destroys her political career and forever keeps the WH out of her reach.”

If memory serves, when Obama left the Senate he had already been elected President, so it becomes perhaps more understandable that Mr. Kurtz might not conclude that this resignation would put the White House out O’s reach.

Over the past ten months Mrs. Palin has struck me as an erratic albeit vastly entertaining character (recall that in these very precincts I greeted her joining the McCain ticket with unalloyed delight), but if there’s not some very large shoe about to drop — if she imagines or has allowed herself to be persuaded that this gives her a leg up on the 2012 contest — then it’s very difficult to credit her as a rational actor at all.

[Right...Obama got up from his seat two years into his term after voting present a lot before starting his endless campaign...so he was certainly doing his job as Senator in Washington. Gave up his seat after he won. Of course. And how nice to see you, Rand, showing up in time to sneer, or something. -admin]

Leftist Christmas in July: Sarah Palin Resigns : The Sundries Shack
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:38 pm | #15

[...] The Anchoress also has a running thread. Keep your eyes there as well. She’s prone to outbursts of keen [...]

Sarah Palin Career Change; Sets Sights on National Level Politics; Will not seek new term as Governor of Alaska « VotingFemale Speaks!
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:45 pm | #16

[...] The Anchoress — A First Things Blog [...]

Julie
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:50 pm | #17

I don’t know….it might not hurt her too much if she calls attention to the fact that AK has had to put too much money into defending her from bogus charges….anyone know if the state covers her legal defense in these cases? There have been at least 15 bogus ethics complaints against her.

And LOL to Obama “not leaving the Senate until he was elected President.” As though he were able to actually do the job we (citizens of IL) were paying him to do while he was traveling around the country campaigning for two years straight. That’s funny!!

reg
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:56 pm | #18

maybe she’s just had enough or what with the distance of alaska from the lower 48, cortes deciede to burn her boats

vanderleun
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:56 pm | #19

Like the man says, “Nobody knows nuttin’.”

I think I’ll just hang back and see what transpires.

Sarah Palin resigns as Governor of Alaska. | Conservative Political Report
July 3rd, 2009 | 4:58 pm | #20

[...] The Anchoress | Palin’s announcement w/ Updates! [...]

Maureen
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:01 pm | #21

If her daughter Bristol is going off to college and there’s no husband, somebody has to raise little Tripp.

Mr. H
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:02 pm | #22

Wow!

That’s big news. Had not heard.

Mr. H
http://www.allhands-ondeck.blogspot.com/

DanGelmar
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:03 pm | #23

“Obama got up from his seat two years into his term after voting present a lot before starting his endless campaign”

You really ought to get your facts right — Obama’s “present” votes occured during his tenure as Illinois state senator, not as U.S. senator.

Kensington
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:04 pm | #24

There is an aspect to this story that’s really irritating me, and it’s this: if she’s running in 2012, she’s not only going to have to deal with the jackals in the media and on the Left howling over how this is the wrong way to do it, the jackals on the Right are going to seize upon it, too, probably howling even louder.

The urge to eat our own in certain segments of the Right annoys me to know end.

Of course, even suggesting such a thing is enough to get me labeled a “cult” member everywhere from Ace to Hot Air to Twitter. Getting pretty sick of it, too.

Piano Girl
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:05 pm | #25

I think it will be OK ~ at this point, she’s a lightning rod for all the hate that can be spewed out at her. She can step back, write her book, make some serious money, gather some foreign policy experience (like Zero has any!!!), and be a real spokesperson for energy independence. She was spending so much of her time fighting all of these ethics charges that were thrown her way, hoping something would stick, and like she said, she was spending money she didn’t have to defend herself, and taking resources from Alaska that could be better used elsewhere. I think she’s the same Sarah that so many of us fell in love with, and unlike some of the “elite republicans”, her message resonates with me. I’m pissed that not even FoxNews carried her entire speech without someone jumping in to say how “washed up” she was as a politician. To me, what she did today only elevates her in my estimation as a serious contender down the road. I think Obama is going to continue to sink as the economy falters and he tries to push us closer to the edge of a socialist/marxist country, pulling us down to third world status. The democrats always tried to spin the economy as being so awful (helped get Clinton elected), and making things seem as bad as possible during Bush 43’s 8 years in office. I think they overstepped with their rhetoric hoping to elect a democrat in 2008, and things started going into the tank that they weren’t able to control. The dems have used economic issues to try to further their party’s goals, and it just may come back to bite them in the rear end!!! They aren’t going to be able to pull out of this recession just by saying it’s over. When you see Helen Thomas & Chip Reid turn on Gibbs in the press conference the other day, THAT is news!!! Already the lefty trolls are out saying how Gov. Palin is finished in the political arena. Never, but never, count Sarah out…that’s what I’d bet on!!!

DanGelmar
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:07 pm | #26

“And LOL to Obama “not leaving the Senate until he was elected President.” As though he were able to actually do the job we (citizens of IL) were paying him to do while he was traveling around the country campaigning for two years straight. That’s funny!!”

Of course, McCain had a far higher absence rate than Obama while both ran for President, but I guess that doesn’t count.

CV
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:07 pm | #27

Under the best of circumstances (that is, WITHOUT being dogged by a rabidly hateful left and MSM who were determined to turn her into a laughingstock), it seemed to me to be an extremely tall order to run for vice president, govern a state, AND be a wife and mother to five children, one of whom is a teenage mother herself and another who is an infant with special needs.

She’s extremely energetic and gifted, and she has an incredibly supportive husband who holds down the fort at home. But there are only so many hours in the day, and as someone who clearly values family life (above all else) maybe she just decided that all priorities can’t be met at the same time and made some decisions. I wouldn’t blame her one bit. In fact, I’d salute her for it.

March Hare
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:08 pm | #28

Mrs. Palin and her family are in my prayers.

Fausta’s Blog » Blog Archive » Will Sarah Palin become the next Ross Perot?
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:09 pm | #29

[...] The Anchoress basically agrees. [...]

M. L. Martin
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:16 pm | #30

If it’s not a matter of health or family, then all I can do is ‘congratulate’ the Fourth Estate for the confirmation of their new position as Committee of Public Safety.

Maggie45
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:17 pm | #31

I’m with vanderleun and March Hare. God bless her. She and her family have been through HELL.

Palin Resigns My jaw is on the floor. « DaTechguy’s Blog
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:21 pm | #32

[...] of speculation and shock. She’s resigning to run for president, She’s resigning because of [...]

Sweetbriar
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:30 pm | #33

I just saw the video of her statement on Fox, then the news commentators came on and completely ignored what she said and started throwing up every gossipy deeper meaning that they could think of! IMO, the reasons Palin gave were sound – four years in office and her big goals achieved, with no desire to remain as a lame duck. Now she has time to take on whatever issues she wants on her own terms. She now has the opportunity to craft her public persona any way she wants, and she has the time to make a difference in the country any way she wants. She’s brilliant and not out of the game by even half! I think I like her even better now…

Scott Hebert
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:36 pm | #34

It makes me angry, to be frank.

One of the primary stated reasons for the resignation was the spurious ethics violations filed against her in Alaska eating up the state’s resources.

This, most likely, represents a victory for the Chicago machine now being employed by our President. I cannot fault anyone having suffered the attack that Sarah Palin has, to find a way to deflect the attack.

But what does this say about politics in this country, when, _right or wrong_, someone is eliminated from politics based on a slime campaign on the order that we have seen in the past year?

It almost makes me want to enter politics, just to show people that, no matter how tarred and weak I am, certain things should never be tolerated.

Dee
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:48 pm | #35

Anchoress, as you are speculating, I’ve often wondered if Trig would be one of those Down Syndrome babies who would have heart problems. I’ve known many who have needed surgery. He looks mighty robust, but could you imagine if she attempted to conduct state business while he was having to have a corrective surgery? I don’t think the press would be kind and lay off of her.

Other than that, if we take her at her word that she is doing something unconventional, haven’t we all been waiting for someone to take on Obama here and now as he is destroying the American way of life. Aren’t we all waiting for someone who is unafraid and willing to put themselves out there, “get in his face” and say “you, sir, are destroying everything we hold dear” and “we are mad as hell and not going to take it anymore”? Maybe she is on fire about what is happening and is going to do what the Romney’s Pawlenty’s, Ryan’s and Huckabees are afraid to do because it is unseemly and not good for their conventional careers. Maybe she is willing to sacrifice herself to the gods of the main stream media as the target she will be for the sake of our sinking country…our energy sources and national security are at stake and she knows first hand the urgency of stopping Obama and the democrats agendas.

No Joy in Mudville. Mighty Sarah Has Bowed Out. « Rosita the Prole
July 3rd, 2009 | 5:53 pm | #36

[...] me. We haven’t stood up for her, and now she’s silenced. She’s doing this for her family, it’s pretty [...]

Ok ok … Palin thread [Darleen Click]
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:04 pm | #37

[...] The Anchoress has the round-up. Posted by Darleen @ 3:12 pm | Trackback SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Ok ok [...]

Ralph
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:06 pm | #38

She is doing the right thing for the right reasons. She can’t govern properly because of the lefty loonies bringing spurious ethics complaints. She likewise can’t give her family the time it needs because of the fundraising to defeat this nonsense. And she can’t have an impact on the national political scene because every time she leaves Alaska she gets killed in the media for not doing her job or just for being alive. She also has to overcome the mishandling by the moronic McCain campaign of her national image, which is not a part-time job. She just concluded the previously undoable gas pipeline deal, so she’s being working effectively despite the all these handicaps.
However,in this sick, crazy age, that isn’t enough to insulate her from ridiculous amounts of criticism.
Our Dear Leader got elected to the Senate, served slightly more than a hundred days, gave himself a larger than normal staff with our tax dollars, and then began lying (oops!) running for president full-time, and that was virtually never criticized, except by a few of us crazy right-wingers.
Sarah Palin is a person of principle and when she acts in a principled manner, it is so unusual that the pundocrats don’t have a clue how to deal with it.
I hope she takes some time to refocus and then does whatever she damn well pleases, the pundits be damned.

Darleen Click
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:06 pm | #39

Palin puts Alaska’s interests ahead of her own, she puts her family’s interests ahead of her own … so in essense she is behaving exactly the opposite of Gov. Mark Sanford.

I say props to Sarah.

Horrible Leftist
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:07 pm | #40

Seeing as how you’ve invited speculation, here is some. There will be another shoe to drop on the scandal front. Recall that Sarah started a legal defense fund a couple months ago. People don’t do that just for the hell of it.

My guess is that it’s got something to do with the sports arena that was built in Wasilla when she was mayor. The same contractor built the Palins’ big new house, complete with windows that looked an awful lot like the ones in the arena.

Stay tuned! Oh, in the meantime, is it uncouth to note that this is the third Republican presidential contender to be knocked off in three weeks? Mitt Romney must be on his knees thanking Moroni for the latest events!

Bender
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:08 pm | #41

**But nothing else makes sense, does it?**

“I don’t need this @#$& and you can go *&%$ yourselves” makes a lot of sense, if you ask me.

smmtheory
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:21 pm | #42

Okay, so does this mean I’m not part of her base because I’m not ticked off about this, and I’d probably be happy to vote for her if she ran for President in 2012?

Rachel
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:23 pm | #43

“I don’t need this @#$& and you can go *&%$ yourselves” makes a lot of sense, if you ask me.

Amen, Bender. This is what I wrote on PJ Media:

Did she EVER say that she wanted to be president? NO! You guys Obama-ized her; you tried to make Gov Palin into what YOU wanted, not what she actually was. She may have been burnt out…have you seen the most recent Vanity Fair cover? Grayson Carter and others is STILL dissing on Palin and the Dems won last year! She is hunted down like an animal and has been placed into the Quayle Zone because she is not part of the hippest political party.

No, I think she’s burnt out on politics. People are still nasty to her, people who claim they are tolerant. And the side that she relied on for comfort were planning her future for her. Did anyone bother to ask HER what she wanted?

It’s no one’s business but her own, anyway. Besides, people are so busy trying to find a Reagan that they have forgotten about creating a solid alternative to the dreck Pres. Obama is allowing to happen ( I say “allowing” because I think he has no idea what he is doing and is relying on others to do the work for him).

I think it’s truly independence day for Gov. Palin. Good for her. She never deserved this nonsense from either side.

Mutnodjmet
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:28 pm | #44

Anchoress: My thoughts mirror your own. I have admired Gov. Palin’s dignity under the constant fire of the deranged media. I will be praying for the health and happiness for the entire Palin clan.

I am so weary of BIG news.

Bender
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:29 pm | #45

Let me clear, though.

By her telling those who have savaged her again and again to “go eat @#$& and bark at the moon,” I’m not saying that she will necessarily go away, never to be heard from again. But neither do I think that this is some gimmick to get out of office in order to run for president (or senator).

What may very well be the case, and makes a lot of sense for someone who cares about getting things done, about the principles of things, rather than merely political self-promotion, is to cut off elective office entirely.

If one is not in office, or running for office, then one is free to say and do things that otherwise could not be said or done. Not being in office and not running for office largely takes the target off of her. Leaving office and foreswearing higher office gives her freedom.

Freedom to speak plainly, freedom to say things that need to be said. Freedom for the barracuda to attack.

Not being in office and not seeking higher office makes it a whole nother ball game.

Bec
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:30 pm | #46

I agree with Piano girl although I do worry, too, about Trig’s health.

My first thought when I heard this news was that her pioneer roots are breaking through – and after watching her speech, I can see her joy for the fight: “This ain’t workin’ – time to try something else!”

She mentioned this “new political climate” and the desperate mud slinging and the making fun of Trig. Her base is furious, and with good reason. They understand her, even though it might seem like another language to others.

Never underestimate someone like Sarah. She gets the big picture, all right.

Just saw your comment, Bender. Agreed!

WB
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:36 pm | #47

“…Palin is forcing speculation.”

What?!!! Absolute bs.
Human pride & curiosity is responsible for the speculation.

Michael
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:38 pm | #48

“This ain’t workin’ – time to try something else!”

That may very well be, but she was elected to be governor of Alaska and now she just quits. Things get too difficult and . . . she quits. Having accomplished almost nothing in the state . . . she quits.

She’s obsessed with her celebrity. She wants to make money. She’s not going to be attending PTA meetings and spending time with the kids, she’s going to be off in the lower 48 giving speeches and continuing to try to be on the cover of People magazine and Runner’s World.

Darleen Click
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:53 pm | #49

Michael

:::Yawn:::

sexist much?

Sarah Palin’s Resignation–Updated « Blog Entry « Dr. Melissa Clouthier
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:56 pm | #50

[...] The Anchoress is covering everything. [...]

Michael
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:57 pm | #51

I’m just pointing out Darleen that the idea that Palin is doing this to spend time with her family just doesn’t hold up water. Like most politicians–male or female–she puts her career first and her family serves essentially as a prop. That’s not going to change with Palin.

Darleen Click
July 3rd, 2009 | 6:59 pm | #52

she puts her career first and her family serves essentially as a prop.

Really?

So she had Trig to enhance her career, is that your position?

You are one piece of work, Sully.

If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine. « Temple of Mut
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:00 pm | #53

[...] The Anchoress as a wonderful roundup of thoughts and comments, which should be read by clicking HERE. I’m sticking with my original thoughts. Either she or someone in her family is ill, and she [...]

Rachel
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:04 pm | #54

I see where you’re going, Bender.
It would still be nice if she said that, though.

Immanuel Goldstein
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:08 pm | #55

Two possibilities: 1. Either she’s fed up with politics for whatever reason and has decided to withdraw from the arena, or 2. She’s plotting something truly revolutionary. The Republican party is broken and can’t fix itself. Too many career politicians willing to compromise basic principles in order to retain personal power, which leaves the party impotent against the Democrats who have NO principles except political power and unlimited big government. The RNC is of no help because it is fatally enmeshed with said career politicians. So, experienced corruption fighter that she is, Sarah Palin is stepping away from the Republican political establishment to lead a grassroots insurrection of young conservative politicians to oust the careerists, and take back the party’s historic, small government, pro capitalist, pro defense base. We are way overdue for a revolution, and Obama is the last, the reducto ad absurdum of the FDR style chief executive. He’s trying to cram through as much collectivist programs before the inevitable crash. Sarah sees this, and is positioning herself and the political allies that will rally around her, to lead America back in the political chaos that is inevitably coming. Or maybe she just got a lucrative executive position with Halliburton.

Instapundit » Blog Archive » SARAH PALIN TO resign as governor? UPDATE: Thoughts from John Hawkins and The Anchoress. I do…
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:11 pm | #56

[...] UPDATE: Thoughts from John Hawkins and The Anchoress. [...]

Trebics
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:12 pm | #57

Mrs. Palin has probably recognized that she is not going to be Sulla to Obama’s Marius. The Republic is gone, and the country has lost the last decent and honest politician. Both parties are sowing the wind, Obama with delirious abandon, and what is coming will not be much prettier than the last days of the Roman Republic. What will come is a military man with ruthless purpose yet invisible.

Fran Meaney
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:26 pm | #58

She is an admirable person and we wish her well and pray for her and her family.

My guess is that the daily humiliation of her family has become too much.

She has put her family first. Good for her.

I hope she has a political future, but it may have to wait till her children get older, which is ok.

Sarah Palin Resigns | Axis of Right
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:32 pm | #59

[...] initial reaction was in line with those who think Palin is done with politics.  Who could blame her?  Her family has been subjected to the most vile attacks from the dregs of [...]

Spunky
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:37 pm | #60

I could be wrong but I just don’t see this move happening for Presidential aspirations. The obvious answer usually distracts from the real answer.

And why do this on a Friday which is usually reserved for bad news to be forgotten by Monday? Palin wants people to forget she left office this way and quietly, perhaps for a season, drift off. The answer to “why” will be known but my guess is not right away unless there is a huge demand for it, which isn’t likely given the news cycle and the day of the news.

BTW, Thanks for the updates Anchoress, I linked.

Joseph Marshall
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:41 pm | #61

If we assume that she does want to stay in politics, then this particular move has three advantages. First, there is absolutely nothing she could do as Governor of Alaska that would further any other political ambitions. All the credit from it has already been spent. Second, the resignation forestalls further ethics complaints whether frivolous or serious. Third, her time is now free to do the real things she must do to get nominated.

Her “followers” would never have enough clout to push her nomination over, and any temporary disappointment among them will not prevent her nomination either.

This is a very important point. The truly major hurdle is to get nominated, not to get elected. What Palin needs to get nominated is a foothold among the “other” Republicans–the corporate executive crowd and the party professionals.

A great deal has been written about how McCain failed to get elected, but the truly interesting thing is how he succeeded in getting nominated. He was a “compromise” candidate, just like John Kerry–on paper and in the imagination he had enough to be “electable”–pow, long career of public service, a capacity to ruffle fellow Republicans’ feathers in a mock show of “independence”. But it was all on paper only, just like Kerry.

And he was about as exciting as mutton soup for breakfast. Just like Kerry.

Palin has been exciting from the get-go. Her problem is to convince the “other” Republicans that she is capable of winning, which means persuading them that she is competent for the job.

This is why all the ruffled feathers about the “media harassment” are beside the point. The people she needs to convince really don’t pay much serious attention to the media and what it thinks.

What she needs to do is exactly what the McCain campaign tried to do with her–get educated for the national stage about national and international issues. The problem was that nobody could learn the large amount she needed to learn in that short of time.

She needs to go back and do it right.

In order to do this, she needs money, and this means she needs an “angel” among the corporate crowd to bankroll her. And the obvious place to look for one is in the corporate boardrooms of the oil industry.

The best way for this to happen is nominal employment for which the real job duties are to educate herself. Preferably not in one of the oil companies directly.

But a nebulous job in a K street energy lobbying firm would be perfect for it. It allows her to schmooze with the party professionals in Washington, it allows her to tap the issue resources that are concentrated in DC, and it allows her to gradually get on the speaking circuit to show her new capacities off to the state and local Republican parties.

Because that is what she must do, preferably without a lot of media attention while doing it. Her target audience is not the voting public in general, it is the Republicans who vote in the primaries and the party pros at the state level, particularly these last.

She generates enough excitement already to bring in lots of donated money at the state level, and the quid pro quo is help from the state organization come primary time.

In other words, she finally has to become a real Republican politician with a real political career.

Jack Okie
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:43 pm | #62

Anchoress:

I have admired you and read your blog for some time now. Your comment

” Either she or someone in her family is ill, and she wants to keep it private and not subject it to the vulgarity of the Palin-hating beasts in the press, who savaged her last year, or…she and Todd are on the rocks, and she doesn’t want to subject her children and her marriage to the same vulgarity.

Can’t say I blame her in either case. And I hope I’m wrong on both counts.

But nothing else makes sense, does it?”

is beneath you. Try this for sense: She is getting out in front of all of us who are disgusted with Imperial Washington DC, and who are pushing the tea parties and 10th Amendment movement. It’s time for something different.

Why don’t you just get a spot on the View or crank out a “concern” piece for People Magazine. All your religious writings are looking pretty smarmy now. You are not who I thought you were.

[I'm sorry that my daring to speculate offends you. I am not sure how anything I wrote is in any way sleazy. People get sick. People have difficulties in their marriage and don't want to parade it before the world. I am also not sure how my saying both that I hoped neither case was true, and that I would not blame her for not wanting to live either circumstance before a camera is denigrating to Palin; I thought it was applauding a dignified stance in either circumstance. Yes, it's probably unbecoming of anyone to speculate, but she is a public figure whom I ONLY YESTERDAY spent a great deal of time defending, so I think my curiousity - my human curiosity - is a LITTLE understandable. But by all means, you are entitled to your feelings. Admin]

Bender
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:50 pm | #63

You’re right Rachel. She never said she wanted to be president. And I’m sure it never even entered her mind before McCain picked her.

I don’t know that she has ever WANTED to be president (or vice-president) and I’m sure that she (rightly) believes that she does not NEED to be president (or vice-president) in order to validate herself or bring meaning into her life (unlike the One or her former running mate).

Likewise, George W. did not need to be president, and his want to be president did not stem from some Messiah-complex or political ambition, but rather from a belief that he could offer something to the office and do some good.

But president or not, governor or not, she does have something good to offer. And at the appropriate time, she will offer it. In the meantime, she does “not need this @#%&,” and her kids definitely do not need it.

Either way, whether she does or does not, she is not our savior, she never was our savior, and people should not have looked to her for salvation. And they should not look to any other politician (Romney, Jindal, etc.) for political salvation, anymore than all of humanity should bow down to Barack the Merciful. And folks in the party (the McCain camp, the GOP apparatchiks, the Noonan elites), in both parties, need to stop thinking that THEY are the answer, that they are ever-wise, that they will save us and provide for us.

christina5
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:51 pm | #64

She looks thin?

Is it possible she’s been praying and fasting before making a significant decision?

joseph
July 3rd, 2009 | 7:56 pm | #65

First of all this is a stunner. Whether on the right or the left this has knocked us all off our rockers and clearly has led to speculation.

What are the possible reasons for Governor Palin’s resignation:

A) She has simply had enough of the constant attacks on herself and her family and resigns to keep the heat off and may actually retire from politics completely.

B) There is some unknown such as a scandal, health related issue or even an issue of her marriage that is forcing her to either take a break or leave the political scene completely.

C) She has indeed determined that the work load and limitation of her role as Governor, the distance from the Lower 48s and other factors make it imperative that she resigns so as to concentrate on any possibility she has of running as a Presidential candidate in 2012. This is the impression one gets but the manner of the resignation has led to questions being asked.

In parsing the last possibility I get the impression from the media event she held in Alaska that she may have committed to the resignation because of larger ambitions but still has reservations as to what this bold move holds.

I honestly wish this exciting, bold, and wonderful conservative American woman all the very best and look forward to the answer to the question being as positive as it can be for her and her family

Bender
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:09 pm | #66

If you want parallels, this is not John Edwards, pulling out because of scandal, knowing he would never return. This is not “you won’t have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore,” but comeback lurking in the deep recesses of his soul.

This is Robert Bork, after have been repeatedly borked again and again and again.

Is she planning a 2012 run, is this a Nixonian ploy? If so, did she, does she, really think that she could win? Does anyone think that she could win?

Sadly, I think we (conservatives) must admit to ourselves that, in this political climate, if we were to find the greatest, most awesome and perfect candidate ever, he or she could not win. The people that this country needs at this moment in history would be and have been soundly rejected by a majority of the American people. This should not surprise us. Throughout history good people have often been and usually are rejected. And at this point in American history, the people have voted for national suicide.

The people we need in Congress cannot get elected. The people we need on the Supreme Court cannot get confirmed. The people we need as president cannot get elected. Because she is one of those who are needed, like Justice Bork, President Palin was always a long shot. I trust that she is smart enough to know that.

Thus, the presidency being out of the picture, what to do? Take your ball and go home? Or protect your family, put them out of harm’s way, and return to play the game . . . on your terms? Play the game you want to play, not the game that your opponents, foreign and domestic, Dems and Republicans, want to play.

Her opponents never understood her. They don’t understand her now.

Deacon John M. Bresnahan
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:13 pm | #67

The first thing my wife said was that Palin probably had really had it with the rotten, vicious, bottomdwelling liberals like pervert Letterman trashing her family to get to her.
Also, her family is not rich and corrupt Dem lawyers have dragged them into court to the tune of $500,000 in defense bills.
Unless there is something behind the scenes she is not telling, her stepping back is a total indictment of our vicious and bought and paid for political system.
Of course the liberals in the media won’t bring up the excremental way she has been treated —far worse than anything dished out to Dem families.

» Palin’s Shot Across the Bow of American Politics NoisyRoom.net: “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the face of tyranny is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:19 pm | #68

[...] Words cannot express how surprised I am. This woman is someone I truly admire. But take heart, what looks like political suicide, may not be at all what it appears. I will give points to The Anchoress, who is not only in G-d’s good graces, she may be psychic as well. Also from The Anchoress, Palin’s announcement w/ Updates! [...]

Palin Resigns « Obi’s Sister
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:26 pm | #69

[...] many round-ups (I was off at the movies, getting my Depp fix); all are good. Elizabeth has rounded them all up into one big [...]

Sarah resigns | BitsBlog
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:31 pm | #70

[...] Palin has resigned as governor of Alaska, effective 25 July.   The Anchoress has an excellent round up.   Best of luck [...]

And More About Alaska’s Soon-To-Be-Former Governor . . . | Little Miss Attila
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:37 pm | #71

[...] UPDATE II: The Anchoress stays with the story. [...]

Mutnodjmet
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:41 pm | #72

Truly, the left will be crowing about Palin’s resignation — as if that gives them the additional imperium to carry out their massive, liberty-crushing, economy-strangling programs. This is not the case.

I am a founding member of a Tea Party organization. We, and our sister groups and partners, have hundreds of rallies planned for July 4th and beyond. There are hundreds of newly-minted activists who will eventually evolve into civic minded politicians. So, to the these celebrating lefties and pimped-out media types, I say this:

If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.

Kim Zigfeld
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:46 pm | #73

Seems to me that what makes sense is she wants to run for president and knows she has to build her foreign policy chops and can’t possibly do so from Alaska.

Just_Saying
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:54 pm | #74

I am very disappointed in you, Anchoress, insinunating (hoping?) there may be a problem in the marriage. If it was true, it would be sad, but to bring it up out of the blue is more gossipy than I know you want to me.

You ought to be ashamed of that comment. (And I generally appreciate your comments and insight. That one, I believe, is beneath you!)

[Why in heaven's name would you for an instant think I am either insinuating or "hoping" this. I pretty specifically said, "I hope it's nether (illness or scandal) - all I'm guilty of is idle speculation, like most of humanity. I hope nothing bad on this woman or anyone - admin]

Just_Saying
July 3rd, 2009 | 8:55 pm | #75

Ooops — should have been “more gossipy than I know you want to be.” Sorry.

Janemarie
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:04 pm | #76

My first thought on hearing the news was: Now she will have lots more time to focus on writing her book (and making lots of money) and more power to her!

I’m feeling pretty optimistic about this; she COULD be a mega-fundraiser for conservative candidates, and study-up on issues, and be some sort of mover and shaker, if she wants to. On the other hand, if she wants to have more time for her family, well, then, it’s a GREAT decision also.

Somehow, I don’t think we’ve heard the last from her–why dontcha mess a little with your liberal and leftist friends–point out to them that she COULD be a much bigger problem for their causes if she hits the (opposition) fundraising trail, and does stints as a pundit on TV (which will give her experience … ), maybe they ought to be worried about this!

Michael
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:07 pm | #77

My guesses:

1. She knows Alaska has major problems down the road and she wants to get out before she can be blamed. (example: Alaska depends heavily on oil revenue, price of oil no longer sky high, could cause problems). Her approval ratings have been dropping quite a bit in AK. She simply feels that being Gov. will no longer add to her accomplishments, but can potentially damage her reputation, so out the door she goes.

2. Someone found out some dirt and/or a scandal/indictment is about to come to light.

The Wrong Governor is Leaving … Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Resigning from Office | Scared Monkeys
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:07 pm | #78

[...] DC insider. However, speculation is running ramped as to why she stepped down at this moment. The Anchoress thinks that maybe she or some one in her family is [...]

Before Gore Kneel
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:17 pm | #79

I hope that these newly hatched worries about Palin’s health are unfounded. And I doubt that there’s another bit of baggage that needs revealing.

I do take Palin at her word that the cost-free Democratic complaint machine (annualized cost: $4 million to the Alaska, $1 million to Palin, $0 to Democrats.) is one of her reasons for resigning. Her point about lame duck governors is sound.

On the other hand, every conservative candidate in the country has now a willing backer, one who can bring in thousands to a whistle stop in any clearing in the nation. Try that with Biden. Try that with any other republican front runner. Try that with any except perhaps Obama (who arguably has worn out his welcome entirely. Teleprompter man, anyone?).

It will be interesting to see if Rino Bailout supportors will get any of her support. I doubt it. Their opponents surely doubt it.

Dan
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:21 pm | #80

Geez… she can hardly do anything as Governor without some Dem joker filing an ethics complaint… my governor, Mitch Daniels, travels and gives speeches… but when Palin does, she ends up having to defend herself to the tune of thousands of dollars to fight these SLAPP ethics complaints (which have all, every one, been thrown out.

I think it’s a good move for her, whether she runs from Prez or not… now she’s free to travel, speak and be with those she loves.

kevIN
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:34 pm | #81

Speaking as a parent of an autistic child, I personally applaud her decision. Having a special needs child is a labor of love and the time to parent one is more time consuming than one could imagine. We went from a double-income family to just living on my earnings. We took a forty percent hit in our incoming money but believe this serves the best interest of our ‘little guy’.

Palin Soon to Be the Hottest Ex-Governor in American History | All American Blogger
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:39 pm | #82

[...] The Anchoress: I’m thinking…an ambitious woman like Palin would not do something so seemingly reckless and yes, career-damaging, unless politics is no longer an issue for her. [...]

saveliberty
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:43 pm | #83

I read the full announcement and I thought it was clear that she has a half a million dollars of debt due to frivilous lawsuits that is still costing the state millions of dollars. She talked about passing the ball to the Lt. Governor so that the team can win.

She’s more gracious than her detractors.

Twice Blessed
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:46 pm | #84

What if she is telling the truth? When viscious people continue to come after your children and family, maybe it is just time to say enough. I have admired Sarah Palin as a woman, politician and mother. I can totally see the mother in her taking precedence and deciding that her career aspirations do not come first. Wouldn’t that be a fresh change of pace? Considering all the philandering stories we have had to endure recently from male politicians, maybe this woman can really just got her priorities in order?

Roger C. M.
July 3rd, 2009 | 9:46 pm | #85

What is irritating to me is that no Republican ever stood up for her when these attacks were coming from all directions. Has “W” instilled a “punching bag” mentality in all of the GOP for the forseeable future? Yes, she’s able to take care of herself but it would be nice to know you have some allies out there who will stand with you. Imagine what the Dems would do if a conservative said Michelle Obama is uglier than 10 miles of bad road. Get the picture.
Well, at least that bitter little man, Juan McAmnesty is finished on the national stage. Too bad he had to take down a promising newcomer like Sarah with him, but at least he’s gone forever.

Roger C. M.
July 3rd, 2009 | 10:00 pm | #86

Test

Shane Vander Hart
July 3rd, 2009 | 10:20 pm | #87

I sincerely hope that she isn’t ill. It does seem like she is being selfless and putting others needs before her own, and that is something the political class doesn’t seem to understand.

This would hurt a 2012 run, but I like what Erick Erickson just recently posted, and what Krauthammer said tonight – down the road still has a lot of potential.

I think if it does come out that she is ill, many of these people who are calling her derelict of her duty are going to feel completely stupid. Besides, how is it derelict to resign? Being derelict would be campaigning for another office while still holding the office wouldn’t it?

Based on her speech, I don’t think she’s out of politics though. It could just be a non-elected role or a run for office later on.

kate camp
July 3rd, 2009 | 10:26 pm | #88

No one in recent history has suffered through the mud slinging Palin has and I don’t have a complaint with her resigning. If she decides to run in 2012 she’ll have my support and my $$.

Bender
July 3rd, 2009 | 10:27 pm | #89

Oh no.

OH NO!! As if things weren’t bad enough!

But there is breaking news. I am so sorry to say — I can’t hardly believe it’s true — the end of an era, truly — but there is breaking news that Michael Jackson is dead.

Enough with this talk about Sarah Who. Won’t somebody say something about the King of Pop?

Bender
July 3rd, 2009 | 10:27 pm | #90

More breaking news . . .

Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.

joseph
July 3rd, 2009 | 10:45 pm | #91

I was quite surprised today while listening to a show with Ann Coulter ( whom I admire as an intelligent, strong and sarky voice against the vicious and immature liberals). To my surprise there was a sequence of remarks from herself and the host of the show that were aimed at denigrating Governor Palin. One was to the effect that she was resigning to go and shoot moose. I mean why do we have to eat our young ?

It is so unfortunate that the MSM, Hollywood and the narrow minded academics still has its mental claws into us – even the best and brightest on our side.

Kim Priestap’s Political Insights » What’s behind Sarah Palin’s sudden resignation?
July 3rd, 2009 | 10:54 pm | #92

[...] Sean Parnell on July 26th was a shock to everyone.  Of course, everyone is speculating why. The Anchoress wondered if she or someone in her family is sick and she mentioned how thin she has become lately. Others [...]

joseph
July 3rd, 2009 | 10:57 pm | #93

In reading part of the transcript of Governor Palin’s press event today it indicates quite clearly why she has decided to resign.

She intends to challange the “empty suit” Obama because she knows that the reversal of his immature and myopic socialists policies will be required to bring back the USA to a semblance of sanity.
She has clearly read the mood of the real America outside of the liberal New York and California with their dried up liberal feminists who hate all that the Governor represents. Palin is on the right track.

She has thought about this for some time but again based upon the press event I think that she made a quick decision not to delay the decision to resign.

She has made the right choice and she must choose to go forward with her political instincts and make sure that she gets savvy and clear thinking support to help her chart the course.

Bec
July 3rd, 2009 | 11:52 pm | #94

I think she’s made a terrific choice. Sean Parnell will step in and will be an incumbent during the next election cycle. Without the distraction of frivolous lawsuits, he’ll be able to continue their work. She is putting Alaska first. This idea of her “not fulfilling her duty” is hogwash.

Did you hear her chide “lame duck” governors for spending their last days in office in jetting around and “milking it”? No wonder there has been in-fighting in the Republican party. Country clubbers vs. fiscal conservatives.

She knows what she’s doing. She’s going to boost her coffers, engage the electorate and fire up the grass roots.

Sarah Palin just screwed up my blog | The Skepticrats
July 4th, 2009 | 12:05 am | #95

[...] #2: With a link to Sister Toldjah, The Anchoress reminds us to maintain some perspective: Sister Toldjah: has links to important stories you’re missing, while you’re either crying [...]

Sarah’s exit | America Watches Obama
July 4th, 2009 | 12:14 am | #96

[...] The Anchoress (who has many more links): JUST IN — Sources close to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin tell MSNBC that [...]

newton
July 4th, 2009 | 12:28 am | #97

I don’t blame her. Not one bit. I think her family feels relieved that she has made this decision.

The constant abominations being thrown at her and her family must have had a toll on them all. What kind of kid can do well in school when she has to hear constantly from others that her mom is a “c***”, her sister a “whore”, and her baby brother a “RETARD”? A family man can indeed bite his tongue too much after hearing the same stuff, day-in and day-out.

This is a good thing for Sarah and her family. I think most Alaskans will understand this, and most of us will, too, especially if we put ourselves on the Palin’s shoes. I sure do. These are insane times. For her to do this is an indication that there are still some sane people in this world. Politics? Shmolitics! Who gives a rat about that? A family has been HARMED beyond anyone’s sense, for crying out loud! Besides, I know she did this because of her little boy. That little “inconvenience” those Liberals were so quick to diminish as a “good-for-nothing, carbon-emitting burden to society that would have better been gotten rid of” may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to Sarah and Todd Palin. Mark my words.

As for those who tormented Sarah and her family, I have one warning. I know there is a God in Heaven who has seen all of the pain those people have caused this family. I trust with all of my heart that God will make all of those people pay, in spades, for all of the evil things they have perpetrated upon her and her loved ones.

Further Reaction To Palin’s Resignation | Caffeinated Thoughts
July 4th, 2009 | 12:33 am | #98

[...] The Anchoress wins the award for the most updated post, and also speculates that Governor Palin may be ill or someone in her family is ill or there are some personal problems: Either she or someone in her family is ill, and she wants to keep it private and not subject it to the vulgarity of the Palin-hating beasts in the press, who savaged her last year, or…she and Todd are on the rocks, and she doesn’t want to subject her children and her marriage to the same vulgarity. [...]

Is Sarah Palin’s political career over? | Fire Andrea Mitchell!
July 4th, 2009 | 12:41 am | #99

[...] scary theory going around is, was this resignation because of health issues for herself, or someone in her family? The Anchoress floated this idea. 84 Total TweetBacks: (Tweet this post) en: RT @Iran_Translator [...]

On That Whole Palin Thing | Zero Sheep
July 4th, 2009 | 12:47 am | #100

[...] The Anchoress [...]

Sadie
July 4th, 2009 | 1:48 am | #101

Maybe it’s time we all remembered that politics really isn’t the most important thing in the world. And for most people in this country, it isn’t. It’s bizarre, all this speculation about her future, it’s over, no it’s not, she’s positioning herself for 2012, no 2016, she’s out of politics, no she’s in, she’s got a plan, she doesn’t have a plan, on and on. We’ll certainly find out soon enough what, if anything, she’s got planned.

As to her being a quitter, give me a break. Candidates essentially abandon one office to run for another all the time and nobody calls them a quitter. People step away from commitments all the time and usually try to do so with notice and an opportunity for continuity. That’s exactly what she’s done here. It’s not like she’s the only person capable of being the Governor of Alaska.

Dixie
July 4th, 2009 | 1:56 am | #102

I think Palin is doing the ethical thing. I think she feels called by God to speak out about the trouble America is in, and she can’t do that and serve fully as Governor at the same time.

That said, being out of the Governor’s office will provide relief for her children and for her husband. She probably also saw her departure as the best solution for her family.

My “take” on Palin is that she is ONLY thinking of speaking out, of showing solutions to our economic problems. To run for and win high office will be on her mind only if it is necessary as a means to the end of helping America turn away from this anti-God socialistic path.

GayPatriot » On Palin’s Intentions to Resign as Governor of Alaska
July 4th, 2009 | 2:19 am | #103

[...]  The Anchoress says she predicted this: Either she or someone in her family is ill, and she wants to keep it private and not subject it to [...]

The Wide Awake Cafe » “It’s Sickening, Lenny”
July 4th, 2009 | 2:29 am | #104

[...] The unending attacks on Sarah Palin have been sickening. After nearly a year of unprecedented attacks on not only Sarah Palin but also [...]

Brian Epps
July 4th, 2009 | 3:32 am | #105

Expect to see her on the rubber chicken circuit in September. October at the latest. Also expect an exploratory committee to begin work by the end of next year.

She has been in a situation where anything she does outside of her immediate duties as Gov generates an ethics complaint. At 20-50K per dismissal, she can’t afford to remain Governor and run for any other office. She did not inherit a fortune like Mitt, marry rich like McCain, or get rich by political self-dealing like Obama. She set up a legal defense fund, but that fund competes with her political fund raising and is a hammer for the MSM to use as evidence of “an ethical cloud” surrounding her.
She is not saying, “You won’t have me to kick around anymore.” If I read her statement correctly, she is shucking the creosote-soaked cotton oversuit in preparation of walking into the fire.

Ohio Granny
July 4th, 2009 | 7:19 am | #106

I love this. Everyone is talking Sarah. But no one is admitting that she is making the rules, she is deciding for herself. Like the statement or hate it? Tough. Those of us who get it, who read what she said, who understand what she means, who can read without a telepromter or a decoder, who are honest and real, are standing on chairs and cheering.

Was the statement polished enough? Heck no. Which is why it is real.

Here is something to put in your pipe and chew on…., the GOP needs more Sarah and less Arnold. The GOP, the Corner, the intelligentsia (you know, those “real” conservatives who threw up their hands in disgust and voted Obama, like the very very bitter son of Mr. & Mrs. Buckley), were not out there with outrage and conviction defending one of their own. Every announcement and pronouncement should have been, “In spite of horrific and undeserved attacks, our Sarah…..”

If Sarah decides to leave the GOP, I’m going with her. She might ramble. But she does it without a teleprompter. I give her future more hope and the future of Steve Schmidt.

Sarah Palin Unleashed; Socialist Party and Media scared and desperate « VotingFemale Speaks!
July 4th, 2009 | 9:09 am | #107

[...] The Anchoress — A First Things Blog [...]

Sarah Palin has Krytened the media… « DaTechguy’s Blog
July 4th, 2009 | 9:30 am | #108

[...] off to come to work and have to cover the person they most love to hate. The Anchoress put it well yesterday: Watching CNN & MSNBC: One gets the impression they really are dying of curiosity and [...]

JJM
July 4th, 2009 | 10:00 am | #109

Whatever the pros and cons of Sarah Palin herself, she exposed a particularly shameful and appalling side of American politics in the view of this Northern neighbour of yours.

Until she appeared on the scene, I had been following the US election closely, transfixed by the sight of Barack Obama coming almost out of nowhere to disrupt the cosy Clinton coronation. When Palin became McCain’s running mate, the dynamics of contest got even more interesting.

But ultimately, the vile and vituperative sneering not simply at Palin herself but at her family revealed a nasty, snobby and petty streak amongst her detractors. It more or less put me off the whole election.

I thought a smirking, senile David Letterman had sunk pretty low when he had to come up with jokes about raping her daughter to get laughs but, no, along comes Erik Sean Nelson in the Huffington Post:

“In Sarah Palin’s resignation announcement she complained about the treatment of her son Trig who always teaches her life lessons. She said that the ‘world needs more Trigs, not fewer.’ That’s a presidential campaign promise we can all get behind. She will be the first politician to actually try to increase the population of retarded people.”

As it appears that to me that Americans do indeed want your country’s political life to be dominated by a “nomenklatura of wonks” after all, I can only end this by quoting Mark Steyn:

“National office will dwindle down to the unhealthily singleminded (Clinton, Obama), the timeserving emirs of Incumbistan (Biden, McCain) and dynastic heirs (Bush). Our loss.”

Brown Line
July 4th, 2009 | 10:03 am | #110

I sympathize with Palin, as well as empathize with her. You see, my wife conceived when we were in our late 40s, when we already had a daughter who was of childbearing age. Some evil-minded relatives assumed that she was the one who was “knocked up”, and we were faking the pregnancy to cover up for her. Having had a taste of what Governor Palin went through, I can entirely sympathize with her wish to say “screw it all!” and go retire.

However, she is truly behaving naively if she thinks the Left will leave her alone. The ethics complaints will continue, the “investigations” will continue, the jokes will continue, the smearing will continue: the Left will not rest until she and her family are utterly destroyed. Her resignation simply hands them another weapon. To them, she is a heretic, and must be burned at the stake.

There is one other possible scenario which may also make sense – and bear in mind that this is just my fantasy: she’s decided to join the Democratic Party. Though I’m a staunch Republican myself, I must say that that would be highly amusing. It would be a thumb in the eye to the GOP establishment (and I’m looking at you David Frum, and you, Kathleen Parker) who despised the notion of a non-Beltway insider actually aspiring to national office. And it would be enormously amusing to see all the critics on the Left slam on the brakes and do a 180, and start lauding her to the skies as a “real woman” and “one of the people”. And frankly, as a Blue Dog Democrat, she probably could do more good in terms of slowing down the Obama Socialist juggernaut, than she could as a Republican.

As I said, this is just my fantasizing, and I doubt that she’d ever do any such thing. But she has to know that retiring isn’t really an option, that there’s no winding the tape back to March 2008, that placing herself at the mercy of her enemies of the Left is the height of folly.

soozie
July 4th, 2009 | 10:06 am | #111

Of course, McCain had a far higher absence rate than Obama while both ran for President, but I guess that doesn’t count.

The difference is Sen. McCain has been showing up pretty consistently since 1986

Mike O'Malley
July 4th, 2009 | 11:04 am | #112

Anchoress, I’m sure you will agree that time will tell, however can you or any of your readers provide examples in the history of American politics of where the minor children of a political figure have been so viciously attacked? Yes, family members of politicians need to be tough however the likes of David Lettermen should be run out of town on a rail.

Nonetheless do you doubt that the wall-to-wall media campaign of mocking vilification and abuse of the Palins was not at least initially orchestrated by David Axerod and crew? If so, why and when would this end? And why does it so resonate with the Left and MSM? And how much damage should these American children sustain because they are among Saul Alinsky’s targets/victims? That conservatives and Republicans have not united in exposing and resisting this cynical abuse of the children of citizen politician’s speaks poorly of their character.

On the other hand the Left seems to need some sort of “two-minutes hate” to maintain unity and purpose. Do you doubt that without Sarah Palin that the Left will have to designate another target to play the function of Emmanuel_Goldstein (1984)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmanuel_Goldstein I expect that in short order another victim/target will be served up and perhaps in time Gov. Palin can do her homework and return.

[I am not sure why you need to ask me that question. I've said repeatedly that this woman and her family have been savaged by the left and the press, unfairly, etc, etc. If you scroll down (probably need to turn the page) you'll see that just this THURSDAY I put a lot of effort into defending her. -admin]

JKB
July 4th, 2009 | 11:15 am | #113

I don’t see it as being due to marriage issues. First as she mentioned Todd flew in from the fishing grounds to be with her. That cost them money for the flight and lost manpower on the boat.

But more telling is when Fox News cut in live to the press conference, Sarah was standing around uphill from the podium. Todd was hovering in that near but far position people take so the person can be photographed. Sarah has a baby bottle in her left hand which is just hanging at her side. Todd ducks in to take the bottle from her hand, which she has forgotten about and is actually surprised when she realizes she has it. He did this just as she moves to the podium.

Now I ask you, is looking out for such little details for your spouse something that is done by a couple on the rocks?

[You know, I was working very fast yesterday, just throwing ideas out - I probably should have been more clear that I didn't especially think 'marital problems' were the issue; I've learned my lessons, and will be more clear next time -admin]

Bender
July 4th, 2009 | 12:03 pm | #114

when would this end?

At the end of time.

Again and again I come back to those passages in the Gospel where Jesus assures us that those people who work for good, those who are with Him, will be hated and despised by the world. And throughout history we have seen how the good (Christian and non-Christian) are frequently persecuted.

The “world” hates the light and prefers the darkness.

Setting aside the theology of that statement, and looking merely at practical human history, it cannot be denied that such is an accurate description of the reality of humanity.

Now some, like George W., understood this and expected it, but because of faith, it did not faze him. Others, like Richard Nixon, did not understand it, and because of that, it ate at him psychologically and destroyed him.

I expect that Sarah Palin is more of the W. variety. It is not something that you necessarily want to subject yourself to, much less your family, but if persecution comes, she can and will persevere and overcome.

As for future political aspirations, Dixie said in two sentences what I took paragraphs to try to expain — She will merely speak out and not run. If some folks down the road want to draft her and there is overwhelming demand that she run, she might consent to it, but she will not be the driving force of future office.

Brian Pendell
July 4th, 2009 | 12:20 pm | #115

“we wish her well and pray for her and her family.”

This is a sentiment I agree with completely.

I’m going to wait a week or two before guessing why she resigned; I’m sure more will come out about this story eventually.

FWIW, I suspect this will be a good thing for the GOP in the long run. I’ve understood the fixation with her as the only hope to defeat Obama — if she ran against Obama in 2012, she would have lost, barring some unforeseen circumstance. It is probable the next time the GOP can seriously compete for the presidency will be 2016.

Let’s use that time praying for and looking for politicians to elevate to the national stage who can successfully compete for president. I don’t believe any of the current crop have much of a chance.

The good thing about this is we can stop worrying about Ms. Palin and start looking for someone who can run for President. I dunno why, but my impression of Sarah Palin is of a second-string politician; someone who simply wasn’t up to national competition. I can’t say why I believe that, I just did from the moment I saw her introduced.

So let’s wish Sarah and her family well, and get on with finding a new standardbearer. The first step to embracing the new is rejecting the old.

Frankly, I *know* I could not have gone through what she did, or put up with David Letterman joking about raping my daughter on national TV. I’m not cut out to be a politician of any caliber. So I have to give her crops for attempting something I could never do.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

Janemarie
July 4th, 2009 | 12:23 pm | #116

The more I think about this the happier I am! Palin is a cheerful warrior with incredible charisma–I heard in the news this morning that contributions to her PAC jumped, and I made one also. I don’t remember when I last gave to the RNC–I hope her resignation puts the RNC on notice that some of us are still waiting for an effective opposition leader.

She will have more time now to write her book, and go on tour when it comes out next year as well as (hopefully) campaign for conservative candidates for congress.

JuliB
July 4th, 2009 | 12:44 pm | #117

Wow… I changed my mind several times while reading the comments.

Anyway, I see several possible outcomes, and most of them good for the country. While she announced it at the end of the week, perhaps it means something that she did it on July 3. She declared her independence! No more playing by the rules the elite has set.

Indeed – she quoted Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Once she said that, I turned to my SO and said – ‘could you imagine Obama quoting him?’. Nope.

I’m a strong supporter, and I am not angry or disappointed in the least. I believe she will do as she says, and fight for our country the way she wants to.

“Before Gore Kneel” brought up fundraising – what a good point. One of the problems now is that true patriots are kept out by the party elite. By helping them, Sarah can change the GOP across the nation.

soozie talked about McCain’s absence. I 100% agree. Once the party nominees are selected, they should resign from Congress or their state position. None of us could run for President and retain our day jobs, so why should the political elite? See soozie – we have common ground after all.

The Anchoress — A First Things Blog
July 4th, 2009 | 12:56 pm | #118

[...] the strategy – who knows? But after reading pretty much everything I linked to yesterday, listening to “experts” and even praying about this stuff while I was working out, [...]

Jeanette
July 4th, 2009 | 1:00 pm | #119

I dunno, my first thought was that she was resigning because all the lawsuits were breaking her family and the state.

My second thought is if she wants to run for president she needs to build up some favors by helping candidates for the 2010 race and if she did that while governor everyone in Alaska would be on her like stink on…well you know.

She did say Trig needs her and she needs him. I hope he doesn’t need heart surgery or something like that, that little guys like him need so often.

Whatever her reasons, may God bless her and I’m sure she’s satisfied with her decision.

Karen
July 4th, 2009 | 2:33 pm | #120

The speculation runs from health problems, marital problems to “can’t take the heat” baloney. Sarah’s tough. She can take it.

I haven’t read every post here so someone may have said it before me, but if I were in her shoes the only thing that would make me kill my career is my kids.

I am the the mother of 2 teens who go to a High School that experienced 2 suicides last year. This was incredibly traumatic for everyone. I can’t imagine raising teens in the kind of nasty despicable abusive environment the Palin’s have endured.

Brown Line
July 4th, 2009 | 4:48 pm | #121

“Anchoress, I’m sure you will agree that time will tell, however can you or any of your readers provide examples in the history of American politics of where the minor children of a political figure have been so viciously attacked?”

I cannot think of any time when minor children were attacked. However, when Andrew Jackson was running for president, the Federalists published a pamphlet – the 19th-century equivalent of a TV commercial – which claimed that Jackson’s mother was a prostitute who had serviced British soldiers during the revolutionary war, and that Jackson himself was the product one such encounter. President Washington’s opponents often claimed that he was insane; President Jefferson’s enemies ginned up the Sally Hemming scandal; President Lincoln was often called “Honest Ape” and “The Illinois Gorilla”. It was also said that JFK’s father was a crypto-Nazi and associated with the Mafia – although those accusations happened to be true. But no, I cannot think of any minor child of a public figure being so ridiculed. It’s all part of being “edgy”, I guess.

Frederik
July 4th, 2009 | 6:24 pm | #122

Her career over? For God sake people! Around 60 million people in this country have elected a guy who had zero executive experience, never ran anything in his life, never had a proper job, sat for twenty years in a racist church, called its racist pastor his spiritual adviser, bought his mansion from a convicted slumlord, launched his political career in the house of a former domestic terrorist etc, and you say Palin’s career in over??? My God… Sarah decided not to seek the second term. She finished her pipeline project and decided to give a year to parnell to make a name for himself to run for a full term in 2010. Nothing new, at leats not in Europe where minister and prime ministers resign a year or two ahead of elections to give their successors a boost.

soozie
July 4th, 2009 | 11:17 pm | #123

I have TDS (Trig Derangement Syndrome). Anytime anyone maligns the little guy I will take pen and checkbook in hand and do what needs to be done—write a check to Palin’s pac!

Fire away left wingers!

Syntax
July 5th, 2009 | 4:53 am | #124

The timing of this is so completely negative. If you wanted to be so “youbetcha mavericky” than she would’ve made this announcement on a Monday or Tuesday to maximize media reaction (making a higher run). A Friday news dump on a holiday weekend? Very bad indeed!

I compare this whole past year with Palin to Britney Spears. When Britney Spears’ life was a train wreck and she was doing incredibly stupid things, she was splattered all over the media in both print and broadcast. She provided so much “material” for the MSM to work with in which and intelligent public person knows better than to do. When she cleaned her life up and got back to doing what her consumers pay her to do, she is nowhere to be found. No longer news! Why couldn’t Palin do the same thing? The 2008 election is over. Go back to Alaska and do what the voters pay you to do. Do your freakin job! Instead she completely ignored her responsibilities to the people who elected her and threw herself in front of every camera she could find at any costs. Providing an endless stream of material for the Liberals, comedians and the MSM and plummeting her approval ratings in her home state by both Republicans a Democrats alike. How stupid is that?

It’s convenient to throw thumb-sucking tantrums about Liberals and Liberal media but you’re conveniently ignoring the repeated slash and burns that have been done to her by her own party for the past few weeks. The op/eds from Gingrich and his staff calling her a plagiarizer and an ineffective leader (and proving it). She was invited to the NRCC fundraiser and asked to speak, than uninvited, than re-invited but told she couldn’t speak and effectively was forced to sit in the far back of the room. Despite and effective conservative speech, Jon Voight speaking over Sarah Palin? How disrespectful was that? The slash and burn piece in Vanity Fair and the release of e-mails concerning Todd Palin’s 7 year membership with the Alaska Independence Succession Party (which has the exact verbatim views as Jeremiah Wright, Ward Churchill and William Ayers. Outrage? No?) and her blatant lies about it and her willingness to continue to tell lies. Ziegler’s video with the “How Obama Got Elected” banner across the bottom was a Liberal’s wet dream. I laughed for hours watching this video and when I went to the website, apparently Ziegler is a conservative. Are you sure?

Imagine the Republican primary debate with all the Republican candidates pointing out the obvious. If she abandoned her commitment to the people to govern a state than how can she be trusted to honor her commitment to govern a country? She can’t! The GOP and the NRCC has made it crystal clear that they had no intention of supporting her or fund raising for her at all. She didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell and the Liberals just lost their face to the opposition. That sucks! The Klondike puppy is back on her porch where she belongs. Good riddance.

Bob A.
July 5th, 2009 | 9:31 am | #125

Hey DanGelmar
July 3rd, 2009 |

“What? Obama never resigned as Senator while he ran for President. Your comparison with Palin is lacking.”

You are exactly right. Obama never resigned in fact Obama never did anything as senator. Well i guess he did vote present quite a bit and as a state senator was the champion of infanticide.

Stephanie
July 5th, 2009 | 7:31 pm | #126

To build on Brownline’s comment:
I’m not sure about minor children- I don’t recall anything so vicious. They did viciously attack Andrew Jackson’s wife, Rachel. Jackson and his wife had no children, or I bet they would have attacked them! The attacks against Rachel- for marrying Jackson while still married to someone else- were absolutely brutal, even though the scandal was nearly 40 years old by the time Jackson was running for president.

Mike O'Malley
July 6th, 2009 | 7:14 am | #127

Thank you Brownline and thank you Stephanie.

And not more than two posts above your comment Stephanie, Gov. Palin is mockingly dehumanized as the “Klondike puppy” (”back on her porch where she belongs”). If Barack Obama’s father was an American Black from the Old South wouldn’t we all know what to make of an insult tagging Obama as “porch monkey”? Yes (politically correct) racism lives in American politics.

Stephanie you may recall that when the press accused Jackson’s wife Rachel of bigamy that accusation was indeed true. Many of the charges against Gov. Palin and her family are without doubt insane. Last Summer and fall I was reading Rene Girard and found that raging and enduring theme of sexual transgression amongst and against Palin family members appeared to parallel the communal projections onto a sacrificial victim before a sacrificial execution.

Can any one else provide examples in the history of American politics of where the MINOR CHILDREN of a such a prominent political figure have been so viciously attacked? I don’t think so. Can anyone show me wrong?

Can anyone say why the wall-to-wall media campaign of mocking vilification and abuse of the Palins so resonates with the Left and MSM?

I’m thinking we have entered an anomalous time in American politics. In my humble appraisal, these vicious mocking vilification and abuse of the Palins are new thing … and may be part of a disturbing trend.

Mike O'Malley
July 6th, 2009 | 7:32 am | #128

I’m sorry Anchoress. It seems that I was be too clever by half … well actually be too clever by a quarter … I tried framing leading questions and failed.

It seems to me that the Democratic Party has long been reliant on scapegoating in-lieu of actual policy discussion and policy initiative. Moreover it seems to me that the American Left needs some sort of “two-minutes hate” (1984) to maintain unity and purpose. Without Sarah Palin that the Left will have to designate another target to play the function of “Emmanuel Goldstein” (1984) now that George Bush and Sarah Palin have left public office. This may allow Gov. Palin a necessary space in which she can begin again. IMHO Sarah Palin would be “Emmanuel Goldstein” until the Axerod and crew need invest another victim due to Gov. Palin’s absence.

Moralia - When are you going to blog about Sarah?
July 6th, 2009 | 2:06 pm | #129

[...] on the initial announcement, thinking there must be an illness or marital trouble brewing and Sarah just didn’t want to [...]

Grackle Black
July 6th, 2009 | 6:17 pm | #130

Local Dallas radio said this morning that the FBI is stating that they are not looking into Palin on any possible accusations of kickbacks form Wasilla construction companies. Following that FBI statement, her lawyer hinted at possible libel suits to come. Seems to me these could go in a wide variety of directions.

Much has been said about the nature of paybacks, but I think if I were a vocal enemy of Palin’s I might be digging a very deep fox hole at the moment.

Hell hath no fury…as they say.

Grackle Black
July 6th, 2009 | 6:21 pm | #131

I don’t see any health issues in the family, myself. I think the Vanity Fair article was the coup de gras. When her own party tosses her under the bus on the heals of the Letterman imbroglio, I thinks she’s had it.

Also, the little bit of foreshadowing with the reference of the “Hell, yeah.” statement from one of the kids, seems to me like there is nothing but a positive direction for the family.

On the Premature Judgment of Sarah Palin | Mere Orthodoxy
July 6th, 2009 | 10:55 pm | #132

[...] what strikes me is how premature such judgements are.  Consider:  what if it turns out that (as the Anchoress mused) her marriage is on the rocks?  Is it such a terrible decision then?  Conservatives, after all, [...]

jonna
July 7th, 2009 | 5:09 am | #133

OK, she is in debt and these ridiculous lawsuits are disrupting her governance in Alaska and costing the Alaskans (and the Palins) quite a bit of money. If she stays her term her effectiveness as governor will be affected (thanks to the dim-witted liberals) and if she were to run for governor again you’d better believe that her critics would raise that issue and make much political hay with it.

This way she leaves Alaska in the very capable
hands of her LT. Gov, also a conservative, she can pursue other options such as making money to pay off the stupid legal fees she has, thanks to the democrats. Remember she has no Johnny Chung or George Soros.
And she is inoculated from charges that she was unable to lead Alaska because of her legal/personal trials which have been greater than any other in my memory since Nixon and he brought those on himself.

She will be stronger, more confident, richer and will have a greater hold on issues other than oil/gas/energy.

Sarah Palin is a force of nature; she may not ever be POTUS, she may not even want it, but she will be a positive influence for years to come.

Thank you Sarah for daring to think out of the box!!!

jonna

Stop The ACLU
July 9th, 2009 | 5:00 pm | #134

Sarah Palin to Resign…

The news is a bit more shocking than the speculation she wouldn’t seek re-election. She is actually resigning within weeks!

In a stunning announcement, Gov. Sarah Palin said Friday morning she will resign her office in a few weeks.
Speculation…

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