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ManintheMiddle
Joined: 20 Oct 2008
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 Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject: PALIN PUSHES BACK and RESIGNS: Whereto Now? |
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Sarah Palin is finally pushing back. Keep a stiff upper lip, grinning and bearing it, and striving to be gracious sadly no longer holds sway with the entirely cynical and even vicious mainstream media in the U.S.
Let be emphatic on one point: Were any liberal politician to receive the same treatment, I would be not only sympathetic but upset as well. And any decent person who gives others the benefit of the doubt and who abhors attacks on the families of politicians should as well.
Even in the article I post here, the writer refers to Palin as the "controversial hockey mom" as if this defines her role in life. Aside from the fact that Palin's children aren't playing hockey anymore, it reveals a sexist undertone, a feeble attempt to belittle the Governor. Any woman in particular should find it offensive. Yet in all of the slings and arrows sent her way, the National Organization of Women (NOW) has been noticeably silent (save for David Letterman's rape joke), revealing the double standard they hold on gender issues.
The most egregious attack was on SNL and got almost no air time. In a skit, Palin's husband Todd was shown as having incestuous designs on his older daughters. The skit was even (briefly) posted to the NBC website. This was an unconscienable display of perverted humor directed at the spouse who kept silent throughtout the campaign.
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PALIN STEPS DOWN
By MARK THIESSEN
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) � Outgoing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday laid the groundwork to take on a larger, national role after leaving state government, citing a "higher calling" with the aim of uniting the country along conservative lines.
A day after surprising even her closest friends by announcing she would step down as Alaska governor more than a year before her term was up, the controversial hockey mom was still keeping details of her future plans under wrap. But in a statement posted on Palin's Facebook account, she suggested that she had bigger plans and a national agenda she planned to push after she resigns at the end of the month.
"I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint," she said.
Palin also cast herself as a victim and blasted the media, calling the response to her announcement "predictable" and out of touch.
"How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it's about country," the statement said. "And though it's honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make."
Palin's personal spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, confirmed to The Associated Press that the Facebook posting was written by the governor.
The abruptness of her announcement and the mystery surrounding her plans has fed widespread speculation. But Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein on Saturday warned legal action may be taken against bloggers and publications that reprint what he calls fraudulent claims.
"To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as 'fact' that Governor Palin resigned because she is 'under federal investigation' for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation," Van Flein said in a statement. "This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law."
Palin has kept a low profile since her abrupt announcement Friday at a hastily called news conference at her home in suburban Wasilla, outside Anchorage. All of her public communication since then has been on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, or through statements released by her office.
At the same time, Palin informed her spokesman David Murrow early Saturday that someone using the name "exgovsarahpalin" on Twitter was spreading a false rumor that there was to be a party at her suburban home in Wasilla, outside Anchorage. Palin was afraid her home would be mobbed, and security was dispatched, Murrow said.
With only a few weeks before she steps down on July 26, and Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell takes her place, the governor spent the Fourth of July weekend in the state capital, Juneau, but was only spotted briefly on the sidelines of the city's parade.
She had been invited to ride in a convertible, as she did last year, but never told organizers whether she would attend.
Juneau parade director Jean Sztuk said officials drew up banners in case Palin showed and was willing to take part.
As the last of the parade's clowns and marching bands headed past her, Sztuk gave up on Palin. "What governor wants to be at the end of the parade?" she asked.
Her low-profile and vague Internet messages left mounting questions about her plans for the future shrouded in mystery. Will she lay the groundwork for a 2012 presidential bid? Will she find a high-profile place in the private sector, maybe on the speech circuit? Will she drop out of the limelight and focus on her five children?
Her constituents, for one, wanted to know, especially in Juneau, where she has struggled to win over residents.
"I think she owes it to Alaskans to tell us why," said state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, the son of Alaska's first governor, Bill Egan.
Egan, hosting a 50th anniversary statehood ceremony, said he was disappointed Palin decided not to finish out her term, which was scheduled to end in 2010.
"It's sad she abandoned us at this critical time," said Egan, who was appointed by Palin to an open seat on the last day of the legislative session in April, after a protracted battle with Senate Democrats.
Palin's departure can't come soon enough for Laurel Carlton, a waitress at the Capital Cafe in the Baranof Hotel, where the city's political movers and shakers meet every morning before walking a few blocks to the Capitol.
"I think she has a game plan that's not Alaska, and hasn't been for awhile," Carlton said.
She noted Palin has a book deal, and seems headed for the national stage.
"If you're really not going to stay and do your job every day, you should leave anyway, and so the sooner the better so somebody can step in and actually do the job," Carlton said.
And as far as Carlton is concerned, Palin doesn't need to explain why she's leaving.
"We don't care. We just want her gone," she said.
Palin, whose popularity in Alaska has waned amid ongoing ethics investigations, gave many reasons for stepping down: She didn't want to be a lame-duck governor; she was tired of the tasteless jokes aimed at her five children, including her son Trig, who has Down syndrome; she felt she could do more in another, still-to-be-defined role.
Sen. John McCain didn't rule out a return to politics for his former running mate, saying Saturday he believes "she will continue to play an important leadership role in the Republican Party and our nation." He gave no other details.
Even Parnell, who plans to run for re-election after finishing out Palin's term, said he was shocked at first when he learned of his boss' decision.
"But then as she began to articulate her reasons, I began to understand better," he said. "And nobody � unless they've been in her position and understood what she has gone through and dealt with and who she is as a person � really understands." |
So what do you think Palin's plans are?
Although I'm not a card-carrying Republican, I'm hoping she becomes the next RNC chair, as the current one seems inept. She'd be far better in that role than as a presidential candidate--unless she bones up on foreign policy (although Obama wasn't himself exactly seasoned in that arena).
One thing for sure: she has more common sense than most of those inside the Beltway. |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: PALIN PUSHES BACK and RESIGNS: Whereto Now? |
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| ManintheMiddle wrote: |
So what do you think Palin's plans are?
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Hopefully campaigning for Republican candidates while making many, many more speeches of the same calibur as her resignation speech. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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I'm betting Rupert announces 'The Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann Show' any day after Michael Jackson's funeral.
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| of the same calibur as her resignation speech |
I was impressed that she was able to quote her mom's refrigerator magnet. That gives a lot more cachet than say, Montesquieu or whoever. |
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ManintheMiddle
Joined: 20 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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Ya-Ta Boy chortled:
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| I was impressed that she was able to quote her mom's refrigerator magnet. |
I'll be impressed when you react in other than a liberal elitist knee-jerk manner. Oh, but then your cronies in the current White House press secretary's office wouldn't approve.
Tell me, YaTa Boy, do you hold the same contempt for Biden and his endless gaffes? The last time he had something erudite to contribute to the political dialogue, he plagiarized a British socialist and lost his first shot at being President.
But then it's always easier to dismiss out-of-hand than address in earnest, isn't it?
I look forward to the day some smarmy reporter has the balls to insult Sarah with her husband president and he wallops the sucker. Anyone who is a world champion snow mobiler and former musher can handle himself just fine. These mucks in the press need a good old fashioned Innuit welcome to set them straight. |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:50 pm Post subject: |
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Quote from her letter:
"To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as 'fact' that Governor Palin resigned because she is 'under federal investigation' for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation," Van Flein said in a statement. "This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law."
In other words: don't speculate about this woman who continually acts to remain in the public eye, or we'll try to sue you. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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| she defines herself as a 'hockey mom' and milks it in her speeches |
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NAVFC
Joined: 10 May 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:25 am Post subject: |
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| ManintheMiddle wrote: |
Ya-Ta Boy chortled:
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| I was impressed that she was able to quote her mom's refrigerator magnet. |
I'll be impressed when you react in other than a liberal elitist knee-jerk manner. Oh, but then your cronies in the current White House press secretary's office wouldn't approve.
Tell me, YaTa Boy, do you hold the same contempt for Biden and his endless gaffes? The last time he had something erudite to contribute to the political dialogue, he plagiarized a British socialist and lost his first shot at being President.
But then it's always easier to dismiss out-of-hand than address in earnest, isn't it?
I look forward to the day some smarmy reporter has the balls to insult Sarah with her husband president and he wallops the sucker. Anyone who is a world champion snow mobiler and former musher can handle himself just fine. These mucks in the press need a good old fashioned Innuit welcome to set them straight. |
Atleast when biden gaffes its in such a way as he knows what hes talking about, just says something messed up.
Where when Palin gaffes its out of ignorance. Case in point.
During the 08 campaign when katie Couric asked Sarah Palin what her opinion of the bail out was, and she went off on a tirade about health care reform, and then swung bck and talked about job creation.
And thats not the only instance. All the interviews she did, she showed a general lack of knowledge..
Also, in the vice presidential debate she refused to answer ANY of the moderators questions, she instead said what had been prepared for her. WHY? because the campaign handlers knew she was know where up to speed to debate someone as experienced as Biden. and he didnt even gaffe then.
Then Palin had the audacity to get into comments about family responsibility with Biden, causing her to look like an asshole when Biden got teary eyed into the story about losing his wife.
Biden gaffes, yes but Palins are in a league of their own. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:39 am Post subject: |
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| with her husband president and he wallops the sucker. |
You really think Todd has the stuff to be president? I'm not too surprised you don't care about his 7-year membership in AIP, but a lot of people do.
On the other hand, I suppose that could have been a gaffe on your part due to your poutrage. 
To be completely honest, I don't believe you chose the right expression in your thread title: push back. I'm about half convinced Palin got pushed out of the governor's chair. See my post on the other Palin thread.
I really was impressed she quoted her mom's refrigerator magnet. I would have expected a bumper sticker, but that's what you get when you put lipstick on a Whig. |
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WendyRose
Joined: 10 Dec 2008
Location: hanam-si, seoul
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:15 am Post subject: |
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http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2009/08/sarah-palin200908
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"It Came from Wasilla"
Despite her disastrous performance in the 2008 election, Sarah Palin is still the sexiest brand in Republican politics, with a lucrative book contract for her story. But what Alaska�s charismatic governor wants the public to know about herself doesn�t always jibe with reality. As John McCain�s top campaign officials talk more candidly than ever before about the meltdown of his vice-presidential pick, the author tracks the signs�political and personal�that Palin was big trouble, and checks the forecast for her future.
QUOTE: "The pattern is inescapable: she takes disagreements personally, and swiftly deals vengeance on enemies, real or perceived. "
more... |
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RJjr
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Location: Turning on a Lamp
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 5:14 am Post subject: |
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Some "pitbull". 
Palin comparing herself to pitbulls is an insult to pitbulls. None of Michael Vick's pitbull bitches would've thrown in the towel and gone out with a whimper like this.
She's more like a yapping Chihuahua. |
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ManintheMiddle
Joined: 20 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: |
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VanIslander noted:
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| she defines herself as a 'hockey mom' and milks it in her speeches |
Yes, but you well know there's a difference between using it as a form of endearment and using it to disparage. The press is all about the latter.
NAFVC discerned:
| Quote: |
| Biden gaffes, yes but Palins are in a league of their own. |
I never said Palin was ready to be President but I think she'd make a good RNC chair, assuming she would be willing to do more than rally the base. Biden is far from an original thinker regardless. And let's not forget that Biden has had a lot more practice speaking to the national press.
correction:
Wish I could say it was a malapropism but, alas, it was a "senior moment."
YaTa Boy persisted:
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| I really was impressed she quoted her mom's refrigerator magnet. I would have expected a bumper sticker, but that's what you get when you put lipstick on a Whig. |
Ya know, you sound like a White House intern for Gibbs. Same thinly veiled unearned condescending tone. Need to get Helen Thomas to give you a real tongue lashing.
To all:
It's easy to label Palin a quitter but if one gives her the benefit of the doubt (and few posters to this forum do) or looks at her decision from another angle, one might see it as a gutsy move. She'd rather not play the game of lame duck as governor, or give more time to future pursuits on the state taxpayers' dime. Or maybe she's just being a protective mother tired of warding off the withering media fire. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| It's easy to label Palin a quitter but if one gives her the benefit of the doubt (and few posters to this forum do) or looks at her decision from another angle, one might see it as a gutsy move. She'd rather not play the game of lame duck as governor, or give more time to future pursuits on the state taxpayers' dime. Or maybe she's just being a protective mother tired of warding off the withering media fire. |
Easy to label her a quitter? She did it herself: "It may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down [and] plod along [doing the job you were elected to do for four years],"...That's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out." So she quit.
Play the game of lame duck? She wasn't a lame duck until she announced her resignation.
I like the attempt to blame it on the media. The lastest firestorm was from an article reporting what fellow REPUBLICANS were saying about her. Where were the complaints about biased media when she was the 'most popular governor in the country'?
The most likely scenario is that she was jealous of Michael Jackson getting more attention than she was. |
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RufusW
Joined: 14 Jun 2008
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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I'm devastated.
Yet another 2012 candidate out. |
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Pligganease
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: The deep south...
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| PALIN PUSHES BACK and RESIGNS |
How do you equate folding under pressure to "pushing back?" Isn't the title of the thread an oxymoron? |
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