American Morning
Conservatives taken aback by Palin's decision to resign
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/06/art.palin.gi.jpg
caption="Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she will step down this month."]
(CNN) - Astounding. Risky. Quitter. And that's what fellow conservatives had to say Sunday about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her decision to step down with 18 months left in her term.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she will step down this month.
Democrats left it to Republican and conservative voices to assess what Friday's unexpected announcement by Palin means for her and a possible run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. For example, Vice President Joe Biden called it a personal decision, offering no analysis of why she did it.
By contrast, those on the political right acknowledged that they didn't know what to make of it.
Karl Rove, the "architect" of George W. Bush's successful presidential campaigns, said the resignation left many of Palin's fellow Republicans "a little perplexed."
"It's a risky strategy," Rove told "Fox News Sunday."
"Astounding," was the pronouncement by Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, and conservative columnist George Will said Palin was declaring herself a quitter.
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
It's so sad for Michael Jackson to die in this manner. Why was no one in his camp strong enough to just say "No!"? Diprovan? A $100,000 pharmacy bill? A traveling anesthesiologist and cardiologist? Seriously?! Why would they not say "This is unsafe and I cannot do what you're asking me to do outside of a hospital setting and if not for a medical necessity."? I know this is all alleged, but the writing is on the wall. We pretty much know what happened, and it's all so sad! Money is truly the root of all evil. Because those doctors were looking to get $$$ and didn't care about Micheal at all. My heart goes out to the family and I pray God's peace upon them. Although the King of Pop has died, the King of Kings reigns forever. If we learn nothing else from this, let us find comfort and solace and salvation in Him! "We must bring salvation back." Michael Jackson / I'll Be There
Sarah Palin reminds me of a spoiled little child who picks up her toys and storms out of the roon because the other kids won"t play by HER rules!
I wish you well. I hope for the best for you.
I'm not an american,i'm from what is known as a third world country,in the develop world.i luv reading all the comments here cause it makes me LOL never the less i feel compelled to leave a few lines abt the topic. I know see why the president always talk abt the educational system been broken, Palin a typical example,i need not say more cause its astonishing ppl actually take her seriously,other than to LOL when there SAD...:)
@ amy: good luck with your Latina crusade. Fortunately American women of all backgrounds know stupid , low IQ, getting by on my
looks, women when they see one. With this final blunder the good Governor can finally be silenced now that she will not have the cache of being a Governor to spout her rhetoric from.
There has to be a scandal brewing that she knows will not go away with a you bethca and wink . This woman frankly would go to the opening of an envelope if it guaranteed favorable coverage on Fox. Too give all that up so suddenly doesn't pass the smell test. She was a small fish playing in the big pond during the GE. Now she's viewed as a quitter, who considers herself first. Her rambing Mark Sanford type press conference made little sense. If she didn't want to milk the state for junkets the answer was simple don't go on them.
How much time has she spent governing Alaska between Fox News appearances and visiting the lower 48?
Palin is now ready to speak out against OBAMA and call him on his radical american-destroying policies of his administration. Hope she starts making appearances to the TEA parties. WE will LOVE it. She will be our HERO.... oh yes:)
Just like you OBAMANITES love your socialist president. We conservatives LOVE our PALIN politician(true AMERICAN). Too bad AMERICA will remain divided, but oh well....thats what happens when you have a radical socialist (dictator) president 🙂
I am a Hispanic professional....and I support Palin 100%. Palin has become stronger and more loveable for bucking the ELITIST northeasterners media. My goal is to continue to explain to hispainic women how Palin shares the same values as hispanic women god, family, and support of their hunting-loving husband. VIVA PALIN.
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH......BAIL.This sarahs legancy...... she brought this all on herself. She can't hide any more for her own distruction.She is her own worse enemy
Before I give my opinion on Palin stepping down, I want to hear HER say exactly why she made that decision. Whatever the reason, it is her decision and her life. If it does turn out to be to have more time to devote to running for president in the next election, then why wouldn't the media follow her and support her 100% the way they did Clinton and Obama when they started campaigning, (how many months, or years, ahead of time?) The only difference I see, is they continued to collect taxpayers money for salaries while spending their time campaigning, and Palin would not be making the taxpayers of Alaska pay her salary while she was running for another office. We all paid for Clinton and Obama's campaign (the first year or so) (via Senate salary) even if we did not support them for office.
We need more WOMEN in office. Palin....is our GIRL. We look forward to 1012. Our GOP Girl is on the rise. Hispanic women for Palin.
Palin seems to have trouble talking. I never know what she is saying her conversations are never on the point she is making. This women is a idiot. She would not make a good President if she quits being when things get tough how will she handle being President. She needs to grow up and act like a adult instead of a child.
who cares if sarah resigns? her career in politics is over. she is very personable but that doesn't make a good presidential candidate. based on the fact that she has spent a large percentage of her time out of the state Alaska probably won't miss her.
Media elitist just don't get it....Palin is a conservative lst, then Republican 2nd. Republicans had better start backing her up, or they will loose again. Conservatives LOVE Sarah, and YES, she is dam smart. * Botox Pelosi has nothing on SARAH(a true american!).
Just like in the VP debate when Palin refused to ask questions, Palin wants to set the rules. Her claim to fame during the campaign was she could take on people and deliver a blistering. attack speech.
Over and over again it was proven she exaggerated or oitwardly lied about her "accomplishments". She also insulted all governors who have got their heads down and are trying to do what they can to correct the horrendous economy their constiuents are facing.
She is constantly playing the victim while she was the one who dragged her family all across the country taking them out of school and making them stand there like stage props.
Pres. Obama only had his children with him on weekends and always let them go backstage after they were introduced. He has kept his children out of the limelight as much as possible and has withstood all of Palin's attacks.
The people supporting Palin are the ones who are drinking the Palin koolaid in their feeble attempt to justify a woman who left her small town in massive debt and now her state with half finished problems.
She is playing herself as a victim and using her sex to achieve this. She in fact attacked Hillary Clinton when she complained about her treatment by the press including the constant attacks on her daughter.
She is a hypocrite.
How long will it take for Sarah Palin to get a show on the Fox 'News' Network?
I personally think that she may as well stay in Alaska,she would not make a good president. Just becuse she showed up on the National stage for Vice president I guess she feels very popular, I don't think so! She loves the spotlight .Just say no
At last we are rid of Sarah Palin. I hope she crawls back under the rock she came out from under. If you can't handle the heat from the media then you sure can't handle the president's position. Look at how the media is crucifying Obama. He didn't turn tail and run while crying about how "mean sprited" the big bad media is. Palin had only one agendy and it SURE wasn't the good of the country or even the state of Alaska it was what ever is best for Sarah. She doesn't have the brains to run anything. If she won't ever make it as an independent. We are WAY to smart for her.
What happened to Sarah Palin 'The Maverick', that attempted to give the impression that she was so dedicated to fighting for the people of Wassilla, Alaska, as well as the rest of America?
Now, she decides she's resigning, partly because of the 'personal attacks on her by the media'.
News Flash for the soon to be ex Gov...before the election, most of America had never heard of Sarah Palin. When she decided she wanted to play in the Big Leagues, she found out that the big boys play hard-ball; pitches are thrown over-hand at 90mph., so to speak.
Sarah Palin is simply the latest, behind Blagojevich, Ensign; Sanford...That I would like to ask, 'What happened to the concept of holding political office in the name of 'public service?'
It is amazing how this one story has taken on so many faces. Let's try to break it down.
Sarah Palin was chosen to run for VP in order to stimulate the base. She did that. However, all other criteria for holding a national political office were ignored. She proved she has none of them.
Sarah Palin cries foul when her family is brought into her story. However, she took her children out of school to campaigning with her last Fall. This is hypocrisy.
Sarah Palin acquired the position of Governor of Alaska and pledged to serve her term for the good of Alaskans. She did not fulfill her commitment...she quit. I hear people equate her resignation to that of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton leaving their Senate seats to the same scenario....COME ON. What did John McCain, George Bush, Dick Cheney, and just about every politician elected to highert office do? They did not quit...they were elected into greater political responsibilities.
The Republican party is confused. Everyone is confused. She seems to leave this feeling with others no matter what she does. What I don't understand is why some of the Republican hierarchy is stepping so lightly around this move. She QUIT...She is a LOSER....She can't communicate in an UNDERSTANDABLE manner...FOGET about her.
If her honest reason for leaving is she can't take the heat...well, she is taking the long standing advice given to so many...IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT GET OUT OF THE FIRE. For that she should be congratulated. However, if she shows her face on the politician scene again those who support her have got to be the STUPIDEST and the most FRIGHTENING group of people on the face of this earth.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU SARAH....NOW STOP FILLING OUR NEWS TIME WITH YOUR CHILDISH ANTICS.
Sara Palin will be known as "BALIN PALIN" FROM NOW ON..
I am surprised at the possible fbi interest in sarah palin, but who can figure out what is going on there. I am glad the internet story did not mention john roberts, that could have created problems.
Jackson you made me live under imagination all my live. I can't believe that your death is real because you are too young to die.Jackson, I don't miss playing your music every day because it gives me a special joy in my heart, it heals me when Iam lonley. If it is true you'r dead, REST IN THE BOSSOM OF GOD,YOU GIVE PEOPLE JOY AND SO, YOU WILL GET JOY FROM GOD. I'M SORRY I CAN'NT SAY BYE, BECUEASE I STILL FEEL YOUR PRESENCE.
I know you back home in, NIGERIA.
Remember what happen to Nixon, he left politics in an unfavorable way, just to be Elected as President years later. Palin will be be one of our Future presidents...no denying that. You go PALIN
I've read a number of comments by those who preceded me that I agree with, and some I didn't. I can't see how former Governor Palin can be thought of as anything but a flake. Not long after she was elected to office in Alaska, she went on the campaign trail with McCain, effectively putting her governorship on hold. Nationally, she showed that she pretty much didn't have a clue about issues a candidate should be all over. The election ended and rather than quietly returning to her duties as the political executive of Alaska, Palin demanded to hang onto the national journalistic bully-pulpit with silly yammer after silly yammer. Nothing that held any significant political importance, just personal carping and complaining. Do I care Sarah? Not in the least. I'm looking at they who offer themselves up as candidates as to how effectively they can represent their constituencies. I don't give a hoot about the candidate's self sympathy if that's all she/he has to say. If I am to support someone as a candidate, what can that person do for me? Palin made clear, she doesn't have a clear notion of leadership on political issues, so all I can see of Sarah Palin is that she momentarily has the national attention so we might all watch her self-destruct.
I feel that Sarah Palin needs to hold a press conference and dispel those rumors of embezzlement investigation. She and Todd in no way used materials from SBS to build their homes. If not, she will continue to be investigated by everyone
I applaud Palin for stepping down. I think she would be a great RNC chairman. She would get the CONSERVATIVE base become stronger, and would rally the women vote. We also need her in the lower 49 to pound on the socialist government we have in the W.H. WE LOVE YOU PALIN. Keep the government run media in disarray, YEA!!! Viva the Hispanic women's party.
People, why talk about her day and night? Are we all scared that she will handily beat our favorite pretender to the Presidency come 2012 campaign? Or we simply are struck by this lady's charisma which has left many leading women in politics and media green, if not red, with envy!
She's getting free publicity from us people! She must be grinning with approval!
very disappointed in cnn coverage of palin. cnn reporters know how to give balanced coverage, but when it comes to palin there is a blind spot. anderson cooper asked a guest if he thought palin's actions were untoward. when the guest ( i think the Lt gov of alaska) answered that he thought palin's actions were ok. cooper asked again looking for the answer he wanted. t j holmes did something similar.
i believe palin is a bit to conservative for the america of 2009, but she is not a villain anderson cooper went so far as to suggest that he did not understand her basket ball analogy because he understood only politics. he did not hit a "home run" with that comment. fortunately mr. cooper will not be insulted by this as he will not understand the analogy.
Frankly I couldn't get past Palin's initial remark that she had finished the list of things she had to accomplish as Governor. For that reason alone, I thought, "What a schmuck!" The job of any elected position is bigger than the person occupying the big chair. Especially since Alaska (per her own stump speeches) is as big a player in the overall economic and defense strategy of the nation at large, to just quit is completely inconsistent with any real leadership of the state or any ambition for higher office. When I called her on the carpet for this in my blog on Friday,(bit.ly/6fNTT) I could not believe the deluge of comments, most of whom began very robust discussions amongst themselves. Her quitting has really touched a nerve. Also, I was intrigued by Karen Tumulty's chronicle of Palin's propensity to "quit" in her blog (bit.ly/jAzpO) on Time.com.
Sarah Palin should go back to her little home town and run for a seat on the city council because she has neither the intellect, education or ability to govern Alaska much less the United States. Her analogy of the basketball games resembles that of a two year old that wines and cry and takes his ball home when he doesn't win. If she goes on a speaking tour and people pay to attend, that tells me we have a bunch of idiots in this country
Carol, once you make the decision to run for any Political office, you essentially give the public, (especially those who voted you into office) the right to comment and question everything you do and say. It comes with the territory.
The comments she has had to face are NOT any worse than any other elected public servant Regarding those comments on her personal life and family, it was she who chose to bring her family into the spotlight...no one forced her whatsover. If you chose to do so, for what apparently seemed to be attempting to garner public sympathy, you and your family has to be strong enough to take the hits.
I am surprised you have chosen to consider her courageous as no way are quitters courageous people. The men and women who are fighting in Iraq in an unneeded war are couragous, firemen and policemen are courageous, doctors and nurses who fight for the health of millions of Americans are couragous....do you see any of them throwing in the towel when things get a bit rough?
NO.
If anything they are motivated and driven by challenges.
That is the true meaning of Courage...and Palin does not have an ounce of this trait in her body.
Why is everyone surprised that Sarah is stepping down?
Her running mate who chose her wouldn't even speak to her after HE lost the election.
From the time they announced her name as a running mate to McKaine, the country made fun of her. (she was too smart for them)
After McKaine lost, they continued to slander her and her family.
When Obama got in office, they still continued to bring her name up in the press, by jealous Democrates.(and you know who you are!)
They went after her daughter who was expecting a baby, and her boyfriend made a fool of himself talking about Sarah on TV shows.
David Letterman took the icing off her cake when he made a terrible slander about her younger daughter.
We the people, have done this to Sarah.
How much could you take if this was you & your family being talked about on a daily basis?
Good for you Sarah.
A faithful fan.
Ashley
Why would anyone think she is up to the job of being President? First and foremost she has not been spectacularly successful as governor of Alaska. The people of Alaska don't seem particularly upset about her leaving, more like a collective "good riddance". She has had more ethics complaints filed against her than any other sitting governor....including Edwin Edwards of Louisiana. Shopping at Neimans and Saks with campaign funds, funds that came from a campaign fund that accepted public assistance. Poor judgement or lack of ethics? Or both?
I think that this is just another person that is only interested in making money for herself than help the people that she said she would help.Why must we always put up with these people of both sides that do nothing for the people.I think we should get rid of everybody and start all over with reg. people not those who have money and nothing too lose and see what happen it can"t be any worse than it is now.
I do not see what all the fuss is about over Sarah Palin. Yes, there were tons of good laughs at her expenses during last election. Love Tina Fey!
Sarah Palin, through her actions/behavior provided the material. I do not believe her resignation had anything to do with her wanting to focus on her familly. Palin more than likely resigned as result of pending scandal about to me released, she is moving to Fox News to host her own show, or she realizes that she is NOT nor ever will be able to qualify herself for Office of President of US!
Looks like she wants to further her image as a maverick. She had an uphill battle as is to get the Republican nomination in 2012 before this move, now it is impossible. I can't wait until we stop hearing about her hopefully the media will let he die on the vine. Maybe she is going to get a late night job so she can compete against Dave Letterman or more likely she will join her good old buddy, Rush, on the radio trash talk circuit...
Bye, bye... baby
I believe anyone running for another office should give up the one they are in. Nobody wants a part timer.
This is one of the most pathetic 'pity plays' in recent memory. Whoa-Whoa-whoa, poor Sarah being picked on by all those lefty jornalists and social terrorists. This is the candidate who repeatedly slandered the opposition. As if the right wingnuts haven't viscously attacked the dems.from talk radio to blogs,with racial slogs and very personal attacks.
She chose to put her family on the national stage and use them as a politacl tool. But now they're supposed to be off limits. It's fine to demonstrate your family values, but is abusive to use the children as props for your political amibitions.
I don't know what could have been her reason for quiting on her state but it is an indication that she is not capable of being a leader in this tough world. She sould have been informed that entering into the world of politics is not a privacy affair.
Gov. Palin is leaving the political spotlight to end the mudslinging and negative media attention that has been placed on her and her family. She has strong family values and faith in Christ and is taking a stand for the "higher calling" for her strong moral character. She's simply tired of all the crap she been getting and will bee successful at whatever venue she choose to pursue.
My hope would be that we escape the soap opera that is the Palin Family but I am sure that is not to be. Having viewed the fiasco that followed after her being named the V.P. candidate I am sure we will be seeing plenty of the Palin’s. I can see them doing a reality show, some type of T.V. or joining the circus! Maybe she will oust Katie Couric as payback and take over her spot!
Obviously self serving political amibtion trumps her from doing the right thing for Alaska. However even giving herself even this long to prepare for the primarys won't help given her previously demonstrated lack of mental capacity !
Sarah Palin;
I think she is being blackmailed by someone promising to spill the news that her so called last child is really her grandchild and that her daughter is really a mother of two not one.
Great move and super timing by a clear thinker. She WILL be the next Pres.
I believe that with this ill timed departure as the Governor of Alaska is the final nail in her coffin. I cannot start to think what the supporters who voted her into office think now. If she is unable to and cannot be trusted to fulfill her term as Governor, what would she be like as our President? Nothing says weakness more than a quitter. Overall though, I am not the least bit surprised that she made this choice though. All throughout her time in the limelight, she has made a long string of poor choices be they personal or professional. Bye Sarah, enjoy your early retirement...does this mean we will not hear any more stories from you and any member of your family?
The Alaskan Attorney General announced yet another 10 day extension for the deadline to release Palin's emails as Governor of Alaska. The emails were requested before the 2008 Presidential election under public information disclosure laws. They have yet to be released. The current extension granted will push the release date of the emails to July 31, one week after she leaves office.
Nothing suspicious there. Nothing. Right?
Sarah Palin probably missed less of her medication on the campaign trail. Since being back in Alaska, looks like she's not taking any at all. What a nut! The sad part is that 1/3 of the American people thinks she is a genius!
RE: Sarah Palin...I believe the words used on your program this morning was Sarah "walked away", well I didn't hear all you talking heads ranting and putting Arlen Spector down when he WALKED AWAY from the Republican Party. With Arlen, what you vote for is NOT what you get. I think this is a gender issue because Sarah is a woman.
I would have preferred her to hold out till the end of her term, but GO SARAH! I can't wait to see what her next steps are
More proof she's a NUTJOB.
Something fishy here, someone has something on her (IRS maybe?) and she is jumping ship in anticipation of the news breaking. Her rambling, incoherent speech was pretty typical.
I am a life long Republican, age 55 , who now thinks she has demoted herself to TALK SHOW host only. Her political arena is over but she has mass appeal to conservatives...maybe a female Huckabee type now. So very, very sad.
Palin's speech on Friday was an insult to women who can speak clearly. She rambled as if she hadn't completed her thoughts until she stood there. She is an embarrassment to women who have worked to get to the top of their professions. I am a 50+ woman who would not vote for her for any position! Please move on to other more urgent topics!
Sarah Palin did the honorable thing by stepping down! She said plainly that the constant and frivolous lawsuits by the leftist haters were costing HER state in excess of $2 million dollars, and her personally $500 thousand dollars! She could NOT do her job while constantly having to deal with those lawsuits...She is NOT a quitter, but very savvy in that she turned the 'business' of her state over to her Lt. Governor so that things could get done!
The facination with Palin seems relegated to the media. Not even the good people of Alaska care. Why do the media think they should be trying to decide or even influence a possible future election? This is a delicate balance the media must walk and I do not envy the task but you must remain impartial.
I think Palin was smart resign. I feel the move will give her better control over her personal and political future. Maybe in 2012 the American people and not the press will decide who will be elected. Elections have turned into a popularity contest as opposed to issues. I think the people should elect the congress and then let the majority party choose the President. There would be a more cohesive legislative and executive branches. I feel this way elections would be more about the issues and less about the canidates and their personal traits.
Thanks
Guy
I think that Gov. Palin's decision to quit is the best one she could have made; it tells us a lot about her. Her announcement shows us the clarity of her mind and of her thought process. She ran in an election against someone who was dedicated to representing the interests of Alaska's citizens, won, finished her agenda, and left Alaska's citizens high and dry when the going got tough. I imagine that being President of the United States is tougher than being Gov. or Alaska - how long would it take her to quit that office if, heaven forbid, she was elected? I would suggest that she go into basketball coaching, considering that seems to be what she thinks about most. Unfortunately for her, not even a basketball team wants a quitter.
No one called Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama a "quitter" when they effectively abandoned their Senate seats to run for President. At least Palin's honest and is not going to fake working at the "old job" while really running for higher office.
Coming from a 3rd world country 20 years ago , I thought to be considered a politician you have to know lots of things about your country first and then the happening and Geography of the world. I Think I was wrong especially about Pallin. I totaly was shocked when first Pallin was shocked when she was chosen to be the running mate of McCain. I almost died when i found out how much information Sarah Pallin does not know about anything.
She might have a better shot running a 3rd world country as they will be taken by her beauty.
Palin's basketball analogy is just another example of her misguided reality. She, as Alaska's governor is not the team's point guard. She is the coach for crying out loud!!. She should be strategic, not tactical. And even as a point guard, you don't pass the ball and walk off the court, or in her case, quit the game.
Why is it so hard to understand that Palin has just had enough? The outrageous bias of the media has been nothing short of disgusting! When Palin's family was attacked time and again, the media salivated rather than protested. In the end, we are left with what we deserve...Slick, shallow, waffling politicians who read the words of well-paid speech writers from hich-tech telepromptors. They promise everything, deliver little...What were those jobless numbers last week?
Either theTruth-o-meter guy in american morning is lying through his teeth or the meter needs to be shredded. Which Hawaiian paper publishes a birth of a child ( to confirm birth cert) because the child would become pres 47 years later. Total bull
When our nation starts to listen anymore to Karl Rove, the man that "destroyed" the Bush presidency what do we expect?
Maybe she simply did not want Karl Rove to run her future aspirations into the ground as Mr. Rove did with President Bush?
Mr. Biden summed it up,personal decision,meaning accept it and get over it.
Someday,she may wish to explain in more detail if you do not badger her?
Hopefully this is not a ploy to run as an independent. The democrats are amused and the republicans do not know what to think. I wonder, what if? Nothing would surprise me.
I wish the Palin's the best of luck and hope that they do focus on their family as politics is not their cup of tea.
This woman is a major FLAKE; and the thought that she, with her mercurial temperament, might even be in the same room or building as the "RED BUTTON," scares the hell out of me. Being a "maverick" does not make one presidential material. Heck, it does not even make one a dog walker. The Republican party and John McCain should be ashamed for their part in opening this Pandora's box and unleashing her ineptitude on the U.S.
Sarah Palin has been subjected to the most severe attacks I have ever seen in US Politics. Disagreement with her pollitical views and positions is expected. But, the viral attacks on her personally, on her children, her husband, and her extended family are shocking. No male candidate or sitting governer would ever have been such a target, nor have they ever been. I can't blame her if this is her reason for resigning. I hope she can find some peace, and also find her way forward. She is very courageous.
Stepping down voids the votes of the public that elected her. And to that end, if you can't stand the pressure of being the Governor of the most remote state in the Union... There is no chance of surviving the presidency.
I think Ex-Governor Palin should come govern New York, as we are already accustomed to dysfunctional leadership.
Last week she wanted to be president.
She's a flake, like so many oother Republicans.
I'm glad this country was wise enough to vote them down in the election.