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.
What’s on Tap – Monday, July 06, 2009
Here are the big stories on the agenda today:
- The lottery to say goodbye to a legend. Late last night, only a few thousand die-hard Michael Jackson fans got an email telling them they'd won two tickets to his huge public memorial. With tickets or not, they're coming, by the tens of thousands, and they'll be watching, by the tens of millions. This morning, we're asking: is the LAPD ready for this? We’re also talking to two fans who were lucky enough to win tickets to the memorial. Hear why they feel they have to be there. And American Morning will be live from Los Angels, starting at 6am eastern tomorrow.
- Hitting the “reset button” with Russia. Right now, President Obama is meeting with President Medvedev in Moscow. On the agenda: nuclear weapons and thawing icy relations. But the real test could come later when he's face-to-face with Russia’s former president, who may still have more muscle. Our Suzanne Malveaux is in Moscow tracking every development.
- Many in Washington still saying, "she what??” – about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's decision to step down. The man known as "the architect" of two successful White House runs was baffled by the move. One conservative even called her – a quitter. What could this mean for her chances in 2012, if she chooses to run? We want to know what you think about Governor Palin's early exit from office. Sound off right here, or call our hotline at 1-877-MYAMFIX.
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