July 5, 2009

PALIN'S RESIGNATION POLITICAL SUICIDE

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stunned the Republican Party   -- and puzzled everyone else -- by gathering friends to her home in Wasilla and announcing her resignation at the end of July.  She had 18 months remaining in her first term.

Gov.  Palin rose to national prominence last year as vice-presidential candidate with Sen.  John McCain in his unsuccessful race for the presidency.

Ms. Palin, 45, said she arrived at her decision -- in part -- to protect her family that had been the butt of snide mockery by television personalities.  Undoubtedly she had in mind the recent, crude, sexual innuendo about her youngest under-age daughter by a late-night television host.

“I love my job and I love Alaska, and it hurts to make this choice, but I’m doing what’s best for them.”

“As I thought about this announcement that I would not seek reelection, I thought about how much fun other governors have as lame ducks.  They may travel around their state, travel to others sates, maybe take their overseas international trade missions.”

“I’m not going to put Alaskans through that.  I promised efficiencies and effectiveness.  That’s how I’m wired.  I’m not wired to operate under the same old politics as usual.”

Palin stated she would relinquish the governorship to Lt. Gov.  Sean Parnell, also a Republican.

Sen.  John McCain, who pulled Palin from relative obscurity to be his running mate, said Saturday that he believes “she will continue to play an important leadership role in the Republican Party and our nation,.”

GOV.  PALIN’S CHILDREN

Palin said her children encouraged her unanimously to leave office.  In part because they were upset at seeing their little brother -- 14-month-old Trig who has Down's Syndrome  -- mocked and ridiculed by some pretty mean-spirited adults.”

“I polled the most important people in my life, my kids, where the count was unanimous.  In response to my asking: ‘Hey, you want me to make a positive difference -- and fight for all our children’s future from outside the governor’s office?’

“It was four yeses and one ‘Hell, yeah!’ The ‘Hell, yeah’ sealed it.”

Palin concluded her remarks with a quote she attributed to Gen.  Douglas: “We are not retreating.  We are advancing in another direction.”

OTHER CANDIDATES

Pam Pryor, a spokeswoman for Palin’s political action committee, said the group continues to accept donations on its Website and saw an up-tick in contributions Friday afternoon.

The Associated Press points out that Palin’s decision not to seek re-election is a familiar one for a potential presidential candidate.

Former Massachusetts Gov.  Mitt Romney chose not to seek another term as he geared up for an unsuccessful 2008 presidential bid.

Minnesota Gov.  Tim Pawlenty has announced he won’t seek another term, giving him plenty of free time ahead for a 2012 bid.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele, says Palin is “an important and galvanizing voice in the GOP and will help the party’s gubernatorial candidates this fall in Virginia and New Jersey.”

This is whistling through the graveyard.  Her detractors will constantly remind us that she quit under pressure – certainly no recommendation for a Commander In Chief.

The best she can hope for is an opportunity to raise money through speaking fees to pay off her debts.

LIBERAL PUBLICATIONS FADING

As your “Writer At Large” for this website, I stand with Sarah Palin.  She suffered a grievous blow by Vanity Fair magazine that recently characterized her as “pompous.”

How about the pomposity of Vanity Fair and other publications claiming to reflect the outlook of women as universally liberal?

It is no coincidence that the New York Times and Washington Post empires teeter on the verge of bankruptcy.

My view -- after 45 years of 2,000 columns on the “Passing Parade” – is that women are as varied as men in their political outlook.

If you don’t believe it, ask my wife.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist