Sarah Palin resigns.
Wow. I didn't see that coming. But I have to say I think it's a great chess move on her part. Honestly, if only Palin's intellectual abilities matched her political instincts she would be truly formidable.
Here's how I read it:
There's a huge void in the Republican Party and she's moving to fill it. So watch out Rush! Sarah Palin vs. Rush Limbaugh. What can this resignation mean except a frontal assault on talk radio? Because she can't seriously be thinking she can one day win the Republican Party nomination and maybe take on Barack Obama.
Before that happens, Newt Gingrich will savage her. Yes, I know he defended her during the election, but that's when she didn't have a chance of winning. He fully expected her to go back to Alaska and become irrelevant. Psyche! She's making a power play. Bobby Jindal will talk her into a coma (like he did the rest of us) and Mitt Romney will go toe to toe with her on the issue of who is prettier. And his family is photogenic as all get-out. If she thinks she can out-folksy Mike Huckabee, well, he'll teach her the meaning of 'gosh darn.'" I just don't see her surviving the gantlet.
But it's still a smart move. She got a ton of money with that book deal, so she doesn't need the job. And now she avoids the charge of shirking her duties every time she flees the state to attend a fancy dinner in the lower 48. I bet Alaska didn't have a chance of keeping her after floods forced her to stay home and be gubernatorial while Todd had a ball at the White House Correspondents' dinner. You know she just hated missing that.
While I simply cannot believe Palin would make a serious run at the presidency, I'm certainly hoping she will. And if she's resigning to start her presidential campaign, then I'm more than pleased. It brings us one step closer to my dream ticket for 2012:
SARAH PALIN/MICHELE (Obama is going to put us all in re-education camps) BACHMANN!
Seriously. I can think of nothing that would yield more hilarity.
And speaking of humor, I hope Tina Fey's contract -- the moral one she has with the entire country -- links automatic SNL appearances with Sarah Palin gaffes. I've really missed her.
Photo: Robert DeBerry / AP
here's how I read it: We sent up prayers to God to deliver us from all our woes. In our entertainment driven society, we lifted up superficiality and scorned a woman filled with God's Holy Spirit. Shame on us. Perhaps God is giving us a second chance to choose Him and elect the only true conservative who proclaims His Name and not her own. May the wind be at her back and may God lift up the leader this nation needs. An anti-abortion, Holy Spirit filled leader is the kind of fruit I will look for in that leader, so naturally, I hope Sarah Palin is preparing for a run so we can get back to be One Nation Under God.
Posted by: David T. Kessler | July 03, 2009 at 05:22 PM
QUITTER FOR PRESIDENT!
Posted by: John Frum | July 03, 2009 at 07:44 PM
Amen brother!
She is a Holy Spirit filled fruit!
Praise Jesus and vote for the fruit!
Posted by: Tim Hites | July 03, 2009 at 07:44 PM
She costs McCain the election, her folkyness, accent and winking do not ring true, her intellect is below par (we already had a bad experience with one who delegates and follows), but lets face it with the right marketing it can be sold to US, history tends to repeat itself. God help us!
Posted by: Benito | July 03, 2009 at 08:37 PM
I can't think of a more effective way that she could have shot herself in the foot than resiginig early. She can't finish one term as governor and she wants the single toughest and most taxing job in the world? And think of what this says about her resolve and follow-through. Well, lack thereof. Sarah Palin just provided a fabulous gift to both political parties and comedians everywhere.
Posted by: Phyllis | July 03, 2009 at 08:39 PM
It is interesting how we bring God into the mix when our comfort levels are not where we would like them to be. What is more interesting, is the fact that we would want a person who cannot take full responsibliliy for their daughters teenage life and a child with special needs and place those needs above her personal aspirations. Motherhood requires we do multiply tasks daily. Ms. Palins family needs her more than the USA needs her leadership. If we look deep into the Bible we will see that all of the female leaders took care of their family first. I am sure the Republican Party has other female leadership who can run for the ticket in 2012. By the way, I am a Republican, surely, we can do better than Ms. Palin. Surely, there are highly educated, caring, well rounded individuals with high morals within the Republican party. These individuals may not look like our current Republican leadership but, I am sure they exsist. How about the party seek them out and groom them for 2012.
Posted by: Angela Mackey | July 03, 2009 at 09:05 PM
It is funny how liberal / progressives do a better job in picking out a winning republican ticket, than republicans do. The tickets you say have no chance of winning, and laugh at, always come through. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Nick | July 03, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Quitting is not her style.
There is way more to this story.
Posted by: sinclair phillips | July 03, 2009 at 11:13 PM
wtg LA Times, you have all of four people commenting. I don't agree with Palin and I don't even like her but after Letterman's comments and Matt Lauer's disgusting raking of her over the coals for something that was wrongly said about her and her children, I kinda felt bad for her and thought... this is getting out of hand.
The media is totally biased. They give Obama a cakewalk and grill her. At least Wolf Blitzer was nice and gave her a decent interview. Lisa - as a woman even if you disagree with her policies, you should be much more supportive of her and the unjust and sexist treatment she (and HIllary) received.
Posted by: lapowerplayer | July 04, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Palin/Limbaugh '012
Posted by: David T. Kessler | July 04, 2009 at 12:37 AM
I've lived over a half century and this is the first time I've seen the Democrats, liberals, socialists and closet communists run so scared. Along comes a woman who is capable, likeable, motivated, has integrity, is a wife, mother and also manages to win the office of governor of her state. She sees the issues as most sensible Americans see them. We want our freedom, our Constitution and our votes to be preserved and counted. We want the federal government small and out of our personal business. And did you notice how during the campaign the liberal Dems acted like she was running against Obama, constantly deriding her qualifications? They should have been talking about McCain since he was the one running against Obama. But, they saw the real danger. She could sweep in a new era of honesty, decency and patriotism and they were scared. "When the people fear the government it's tyranny, when the government fears the people it's freedom." Thomas Jefferson
Posted by: M.R. Dagan | July 04, 2009 at 01:16 AM
Get ready world... here comes one of the greatest American's of all times. You can talk trash all you wish, but Sarah has just blown the door wide open to lead America out of it's internal terrorist threat.
Posted by: Spot On | July 04, 2009 at 06:17 AM
People are funny. I read and re-read Palin's resingation speech, and it isn't clear to me what her rationale for leaving office was.
After stating she would not run for re-election as Governor, she said "...many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and 'milk it'. I'm not putting Alaska through that - I promised efficiencies and effectiveness!" It seems to me she promised Alaskans she would be the Governor.
One comment above said "Quitting is not her style." Well, umm, didn't she just quit?
Posted by: Jim Eslinger | July 04, 2009 at 08:57 AM
Palin is a small town mayor completely out of her depth.
The American citizen, with the exception of the few fools on this page who think it's a good idea to have a liar, race-riot inciter and war hawk (as well as a QUITTER) as the president of our nation, is well beyond the point of ignorance about this woman's pathological character flaws.
So go ahead, neo-cons, and show us once and for all that you've completely lost all sense of morality, intelligence and dignity by defending her for quitting.
Oh yeah, she deserves to lead us all.
Posted by: dzent1 | July 04, 2009 at 01:42 PM
One pesky little problem ya got there, David T. That creaky old advertisement flyer known as the US Constitution endorsing God as dispenser of all good things but declaring the government ‘hands off’ in establishing religion. Somewhat similar to what His Son said when exhorting us to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and not to confuse that with God.
It truly irks me when folks call down the power of our Creator solely for themselves and their particular agenda, insinuating that He is no more than some small town priest blessing the football team.
Not to mention Sarah’s own disingenuous belittling of her own faith (for political ends - can you imagine!) during a campaign interview: “I don’t really belong to any church. . .” (w/Gibbs, I think.)
I think you got the wrong gal, Pal.
Posted by: TurnedOff | July 04, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Dear TurnedOff: Right Gal. Likewise, constitutionally, one such as Sarah, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, can not be excluded from running whether you like it or not and, the True Church is the Church in the hearts of the believers which no (liberal) institution can destroy. Therefore, Sarah Palin does indeed belong to The Church. She was referring to the public place of worship where, as a Christian, membership is not required. Christianity is a relationship, not a religion and no form of government can save us. It is that relationship in each of us that can from the inside out. Sarah Palin knows this and I believe you do too. Sarah is for God's Kingdom and is a threat to Satan’s Kingdom to which the industry of entertainment and it seems the news media in general are won over to. God Bless You anyway. Palin/Limbaugh '012
Posted by: David T. Kessler | July 04, 2009 at 07:29 PM
K. Stop pretending that Christianity and the Holy Spirit belong to people like Palin. In case you hadn't noticed, we already have a spirit-filled Christian in the White House named Barak Obama, only his faith is biblically grounded and inclusive.
If you are going to talk about the Holy Spirit, then qualify it biblically. Otherwise its only what you think the Holy Spirit is, and I could care less what you think.
Oh yeah. Wrong gal.
Posted by: JimK | July 05, 2009 at 03:12 AM
Palin is loosing credibility very fast within the Republican party. It is becoming evident that she is extremely ambitious and wants to stay in the lime light by any means. After listening to the often incoherent, inconsistent, and disingenuous comments during Palin's resignation "speech" I am of the belief that this lady needs some kind of therapy. I am appalled at her continuing efforts to insult the intelligence of GOP voters. Republicans need better minds, and leaders who possess intelligence, integrity, and character. Palin is fast becoming a joke as a result of her obvious lack of these sought-after qualities.
Posted by: Gena | July 05, 2009 at 07:06 AM
By the way, the media went picnicing on Obama and still does. I'm not a Democrat, but stopped listening to Fox News after the mind-warped and hate bashing commentary of people like Hannity, Beck, et al.
Palin only has herself to blame for the media attention she garners. She simply doesn't know how to handle it. Another example of poor leadership.
Posted by: Gena | July 05, 2009 at 07:11 AM
I'd venture a guess that very few Democrats, liberals, socialists, or closet Communists are running scared of Sarah Palin. On the contrary, the more likely it becomes that she might actually be nominated by her party, the more gleeful we D/l/s/cc's get! Nothing would energize or entertain me more energized than watching Palin make her way through a campaign. Unfortunately, I think it is unlikely that Republicans will nominate her. If they do, I will buy everyone a beer at the commie-pinko bar in my neighborhood. Kidding.
Posted by: Terri Delebo | July 05, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Oops, sorry about the mis-typing above....I was cutting and pasting and forgot to cut. And I spilled all the paste. You'd think an English teacher would be smarter and more efficient. I think it is my closet commie side sneaking out. Kidding again. Communists are passe.
Posted by: Terri Delebo | July 05, 2009 at 10:33 AM
neo-cons and christian conservatives -- are you sure you want Sarah Palin and/or Rush Limbaugh? I'm sorry, you had your chance at the presidency; you got 8 years. I'm sorry that you elected GWB and he was horrible, and the country ended up dissatisfied with what he did, so we all swung the other way.
But you had your chance. If you want another, I would suggest getting candidate(s) that are intelligent and can hold the office of president without holding their spiritual views over the rest of us.
Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin are pompous blowhards. Is that really who we want with their finger on the trigger? Don't be so silly. Find someone else to lead the party, there are plenty of others btw, then come back and debate. But as it stands, "liberals" or anyone who doesn't agree with you cannot take you seriously when you endorse such people to be the legitimate leaders of a political party.
Posted by: Rebecca | July 05, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Now Mrs. Palin can take care of her own family. She has own 2 year old child plus a teenage daughter with a baby and no husband.
Leave her alone.
Posted by: I Salty | July 05, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Fair enough response, DTK, and you will get no argument from me on your main point. But I distrust any politician that at once 1) behind the scenes strenuously courts the religious vote, and then 2) once on national stage cheekily disavows her faith so as to be more ‘acceptable’ to the voting public at large.
Palin blew a rich opportunity to put a new face to, shed a new light on, Evangelical Christianity - oft reviled and made fun of by the MSM (which hacks away in ignorance on most matters religious in any case). She should have stood up and said, Evangelical Christian, you betcha! But she didn’t.
Instead, she winked and slid the ‘servant’s heart’ code word into her nomination speech, a phrase only ‘those in the know’ would recognize.
Sorry, she flunked the Gesthemane Test for This Gal.
Posted by: TurnedOff | July 05, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Palin/Limbaugh '012
Posted by: David T. Kessler | July 06, 2009 at 02:18 AM
Dear TurnedOff,
Please reconsider because, there are no perfect Christians, only a Perfect Savior-- and an almost perfect AM radio host (laughing)... Have a great evening, pal.
Dave K.
Posted by: David T. Kessler | July 06, 2009 at 05:37 PM
When she accepted the VP nomination, she knew she needed to bring her professional game up to another level, she never did. She knew that her family would get attacked as did Hilary and Chelsea before her (by even her twin maverick brother McCain in 1998), let face it she knew her family affairs would come out. But now she plays the victim card again, a card she played after those comical first extended interviews that we all enjoyed and SNL immortalized. But for the icing on the cake, she quits, because she does not want to be a lame duck governor, because the lawsuits keep coming, because it was the media’s fault, because seeing Russia from her house finally got to her, because its not fair that Alaskan’s paid her salary while she was running for the VP position, take your pick. So what does she tells us? Dear Mr. President, when things get tough, quit. Dear military men and women, if you are not having fun, quit. Dear son or daughter, if things are not going your way, quit. Sure, I agree when she first was introduced and gave a descent speech, sure the polls went up, but after the extended interviews, they went where they ended, down. She showed her true character, I real hope the book deal, Radio/ TV shows and the speech circuits make up for what her party has lost by her actions.
Posted by: Benito | July 06, 2009 at 09:28 PM
When she accepted the VP nomination, she knew she needed to bring her professional game up to another level, she never did. She knew that her family would get attacked as did Hilary and Chelsea before her (by even her twin maverick brother McCain in 1998), let face it she knew her family affairs would come out. But now she plays the victim card again, a card she played after those comical first extended interviews that we all enjoyed and SNL immortalized. But for the icing on the cake, she quits, because she does not want to be a lame duck governor, because the lawsuits keep coming, because it was the media’s fault, because seeing Russia from her house finally got to her, because its not fair that Alaskan’s paid her salary while she was running for the VP position, take your pick. So what does she tells us? Dear Mr. President, when things get tough, quit. Dear military men and women, if you are not having fun, quit. Dear son or daughter, if things are not going your way, quit. Sure, I agree when she first was introduced and gave a descent speech, sure the polls went up, but after the extended interviews, they went where they ended, down. She showed her true character, I real hope the book deal, Radio/ TV shows and the speech circuits make up for what her party has lost by her actions.
Posted by: Benito | July 06, 2009 at 09:30 PM
You are a waste of time
Posted by: Ozonator | July 07, 2009 at 12:41 AM