Palin links her resignation to ‘higher calling’ / LJWorld.com

Archive for Sunday, July 5, 2009

By Mark Thiessen - Associated Press Writer

July 5, 2009

Juneau, Alaska — 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.

‘About country’

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 Web sites, 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.

July 4 celebrations

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. “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.

Discussion

LJWorld.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

5 July 2009
at 8:39 a.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Zoe:
How do you write women so well?

Melvin Udall:

I think of a man and take away
reason and accountability.

–As Good As Is Gets
5 July 2009
at 8:58 a.m.

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jaywalker (Anonymous) says…

Oh sweet Lord. Can anyone say ka-boom?
5 July 2009
at 9:11 a.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

When all else fails, she just quits and claims “victimhood.” Ain't that special.
5 July 2009
at 9:16 a.m.

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cait48 (Anonymous) says…

I'm sorry, Multi, but I find your quote very sexist. There have been a tremendous number of women, starting as far back as Eleanor of Aquitane and further who have served in government and in the public interest with grace, reason and accountability. This woman is a loon and she makes headlines because of it not because she's a woman. After the escapades with Blagojevich and Sanford are you going to say the same about men?
5 July 2009
at 9:33 a.m.

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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…

I'm so glad she is taking off the gloves and now has the financial ability to fight these Obama propagandists in court when they portray her through defamatory remarks in order to further their Marxist agenda.
5 July 2009
at 9:40 a.m.

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slowplay (Anonymous) says…

“This woman is a loon”,
She's also the front runner for the Republicans in 2012. Obama will be declared the winner before the polls open.
5 July 2009
at 9:45 a.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

If she's the best the Republicans can get for 2012, The Democrats won't have to waste time and money campaigning, just start planning for their next term.

5 July 2009
at 10:28 a.m.

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esteshawk (Anonymous) says…

Unite the country along conservative lines? If the country wanted to be united along conservative lines, we would have elected McCain last November.
5 July 2009
at 10:28 a.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

Looks like it could be case of embezzlement connected with the Wasilla hockey-rink deal this hockey mom (and former Wasilla mayor) swung in the direction of her political supporters, who in turn supplied campaign donations along with most of the materials (and labor) to build her new house in Wasilla.

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7280
5 July 2009
at 10:36 a.m.

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texburgh (Anonymous) says…

Palin is indeed a whiner. Every time anyone says anything she doesn't like, she threatens and proclaims herself the victim.

If you want to play in politics, then you had better have a thick skin. If you have nothing coherent to say about your resignation, then it is fine for people - yes, even bloggers - to speculate. If you don't say, don't expect people to leave you alone.

And the last thing this country needs is for a loon like Palin to set the agenda. The conservatives may love her but she's not good for them either.
5 July 2009
at 10:39 a.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

Where *not* serving your full term is the best you can possibly do.

T-shirts, anyone? http://www.cafepress.com/patriotboy/6…
5 July 2009
at 10:39 a.m.

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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

Wow. I can see it now……………………
Palin for President 2012
Governance via Facebook
5 July 2009
at 10:55 a.m.

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KEITHMILES05 (Anonymous) says…

Palin is the one who brought on whatever it is she complains about. She is a horrible example of a politician and a bad one at that. She is nothing but about her self and only herself. She even through her entire family into the political arena and then cries foul. She is dumb and whenever she opens her mouth she verifies such.

It's too bad Alaskans had to endure her crap. It is in their interests she leave and search for herself.
5 July 2009
at 10:56 a.m.

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logicsound09 (Anonymous) says…

Dear ex-Governor Palin,

Until you give specific and valid reason for walking out on the taxpayers of Alaska, no one gives a flying f*** what you have to say.

Sincerely,

Sane people everywhere
5 July 2009
at 11:16 a.m.

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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…

I understand that an apparition of Sarah leaping from a building top has appeared in Lourdes.

5 July 2009
at 11:51 a.m.

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frwent (Anonymous) says…

Ah, the wailing witch of Wasilla is heard from again. This woman is adequate justification for the feelings that “Things cannot get much worse” and then they do. The mental lapse that aflicted John McCain in selecting this most irrational and afflicted person for a running mate will be a topic for discussion for years. She is obviously a few (?) bricks short of a full load, and totally and completely devoid of any common sense and ability. The Republicans, already on the decline with the likes of Rush Limbaugh and other “righteous Republicans” dragging them down to the dregs for candidates, promoted their demise with the selection of this brainless air-head on their ticket at a heartbeat away from the President. It is an amazing consideration to imagine how so many people can be so completely taken in by this “candidate”. Now, when she just needs to go back to her igloo and clean her moose gun, she continues to drag the party, kicking and screaming into oblivion. Wonder if Gov Sanford has ever been to Wasilla??
5 July 2009
at 12:16 p.m.

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dulcinea47 (Anonymous) says…

If she's doing this b/c of fabulous future plans and not b/c of something bad, why did she do it on a holiday weekend when fewer people are paying attention? Hm? Seems like a pretty weak start if she's really aiming to become a national leader. Plus it doesn't give her many points in the experience department- partial term as governor and then quitting makes you qualified to be president?

Also, as previously mentioned, she's a loon.
5 July 2009
at 12:33 p.m.

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jaywalker (Anonymous) says…

” Plus it doesn't give her many points in the experience department- partial term as governor and then quitting makes you qualified to be president?”

Worked for someone else.
5 July 2009
at 1:04 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

What a bunch of uninformed yahoos.

SHe is quitting the Gov. chair, because this “moose hunter” is going to go after the National Women's and feminists groups and the national media.

She could not do that as a Gov., and she knew she had no chance in the Presidential Election, that is just antional “talking head” spin.

She is going after the media and after the so called
woman's support groups” that ignored all the stuff thrown her way.

Pretty easy to figure out, this woman is not duplictous, nor does she back down from a fight.

ALL of you shold know that by now, even if you think she is stupid, and not Presedential material, you have to give her due that she is a fighter and does not misrepresent facts.
5 July 2009
at 1:06 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

If you don't get it, just think:

“Radio Show”.
5 July 2009
at 1:07 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

Let's see, Gov. Salary, or

Radio Personlaity salary of say “millions”.

If just shows you how well the media is doing these days.

They aren't doing their jobs.
5 July 2009
at 1:10 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

“The Sarah Palin American Woman Radio Hour”.
5 July 2009
at 1:19 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

5 July 2009
at 1:23 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

“Your theory actually makes her out to be a vindictive and selfish bitch.”

Nice try but I thought the b-word would get one's post deleted. SO if I call yiou a “bitch” that would be OK then?

The rest of you post is your opinion which you are entitiled to,

it doesn't make that opinion correct though.

It means she is going to take on the crooked media, which is corrupt. Since when is taking on something corrupt “vindictive”?
5 July 2009
at 1:24 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

Oh, that is right:

Republicans aren't allowed to:

“Talk truth to power”.

That what you are saying? That is only reserved for democrats?
5 July 2009
at 1:27 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

Here is a”vindictive name” or two for you:

Rachel Maddow
Ed Schultz
David Schuster
5 July 2009
at 1:38 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
5 July 2009
at 1:43 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

“You have. You also have said my vag was dried up & old & have told me to F off so feel free with the classy behavior you have displayed.”

Please repost where I have posted anything like that.

You are a liar.

“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“
“First, it would be your burden of proof to show that the media is corrupt. ”

Pew Research and Helen Thomas to name just two high vislible entities.

You are such a PO'ed loser.
5 July 2009
at 1:48 p.m.

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pity2bu (Anonymous) says…

Here goes the self-righteous O'Mama supporters gloating again….

The main thing is that she has done more for Alaska in her short term than O'mama Hussein has did since January…… I'm sorry since he has been in politics.

Sounds like a Donkey Dung competition and they are making an A** of themselves…….
5 July 2009
at 1:52 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

asbestos (Anonymous) says…

“You have. You also have said my vag was dried up & old & have told me to F off so feel free with the classy behavior you have displayed.”

Please repost where I have posted anything like that.

You are a liar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I will look for the comments. IIRC, the dried up old vag comment was on a discussion about 401ks and I don't recall what the topic was on the F you comment but I did notice that someone had it removed. Frankly, I was surprised that LJW continued to allow you to post with your continual verbal abuse of those who disagree with you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“First, it would be your burden of proof to show that the media is corrupt. ”

asbestos (Anonymous) says…
Pew Research and Helen Thomas to name just two high vislible entities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Really? Both have said the media is corrupt? You know you will need to post the links that show both have said that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
asbestos (Anonymous) says…
You are such a PO'ed loser.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Stay classy, asbestos. Keep showing you are above the fray with the name calling. ;)
5 July 2009
at 1:59 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

cait,
Turn your own post around and you will have the point of my posting the quote. In fact, the very reason it was written into the movie. She is making headlines because she is a loon. You are absolutely correct. It's actions like Palin's that make some people have thoughts and make statements such as the fictional Udall. We all know there are mistakes made by both sexes. By highly intelligent people. But she is doing this with deliberation, and in the public eye.
I just read this..and there was Jack's voice talking in my head. Damn him. I'll try to find his number for ya.
:)

5 July 2009
at 2:01 p.m.

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beatrice (Anonymous) says…

A radio host? Seriously? The woman has difficulty completing a sentence. If it isn't written down, she rambles. (Reading particular posts above, it is clear that her problems with the English language won't bother some of her supporters.) No, radio will not be kind to Palin.

My guess is that a book-deal is in the works — yes, there will be a co-author. Then she will run for President, even though she knows herself that she doesn't have a chance at winning. Republicans will be smart enough to not nominate her. Just running, however, will be enough to get the zealots to donate a ton of money. After she withdraws from the race, anything left in her war chest she gets to keep. Repeat every four years. She will be the female version of Pat Buchanan.
5 July 2009
at 2:15 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

Oh asbestos?

“asbestos (Anonymous) says: Maybe you are pissed because Palin actually used her vagina, and yours is empty and dry, I do not know.”

http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/kansa…

Ironically on another Palin thread.

I will be awaiting your apology not only for calling me a liar on this thread but for the insult you made back then as well.
5 July 2009
at 2:22 p.m.

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logicsound09 (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
5 July 2009
at 2:25 p.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

She winked at me!
And she's hot!
http://dummidumbwit.files.wordpress.c…
5 July 2009
at 2:42 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

Sorry Logic, but the LJWorld blog is a leftist steaming pile of excrement on it's own, and needs no help from me.

Let me post the post in context:

“asbestos (Anonymous) says…

“Are you saying that the only reason women should vote for her is because she is a woman? Not vote on her policy positions? Because your post definitely leads one to that impression that you are saying women who disagree with her policy positions are traitors to their sex simply because they disagree with them rather than voting because she has a vagina.”No but most vagina owners are interested in their offspring. Clearly you are not one of those vagina owners. And NO, McCain appointed her for lots of reasons, and her vagina was not the reason, her maverick spirit was, YOU may not accept that, but that is the reason.As for other outraged vagina owners, I suggest you left Howeird Dean and the Obama idiots know just how freaking stupid they are. Nice try at spn, but with that much spin, you mad an idiot out of syourself.Maybe you are pissed because Palin actually used her vagina, and yours is empty and dry, I do not know.But the Media, and left wingers and the blogs are simply sexist.You guys ought to be ashamed, but you have no character, so you aren't.”
5 July 2009
at 2:44 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

Still taking sexist shots at Palin and ignoring the sexism involved.

That is the point elluding you so called “intelligent lefties”
5 July 2009
at 2:49 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

asbestos, since you brought it up, wonder how recently empty and recently dry Palin's was? As in not used for personal advantage.
5 July 2009
at 2:55 p.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

sorry bea, You know she hasn't got a chance of winning, many others may know, hell, I may even be pretty sure she can't win. But the people she surrounds herself with aren't there to tell her she's a loser. She'll actually have to lose to believe it. And who knows, you may even be sick enough of our current POTUS policies by then to say “Anybody but Obama!”

5 July 2009
at 2:56 p.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

“As in not used for personal advantage.”

So from you comment I guess you believe that the only women can get ahead is by sleeping with a powerful man?
5 July 2009
at 2:59 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

Asbestos, you can't explain away that you said that my vag is empty & dry, which is incredibly sexist. The quote was in no way shape or form out of context. I had also posted the link so all can see how the discussion flowed on that particular thread.

Further, you accused the female posters of being anti-woman and sexist on that very same thread simply because we did not agree with Palin. You went even so far as to call us “traitors to our sex” because we don't support a candidate based on her genitalia.

You have no right at all to speak of sexist behavior because yours screams of sexist anytime you post about a female.
5 July 2009
at 3 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
5 July 2009
at 3:02 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

asbestos (Anonymous) says…

“As in not used for personal advantage.”

So from you comment I guess you believe that the only women can get ahead is by sleeping with a powerful man?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That is absolutely hilarious!!!! Did you forget about what rightwingers said about Kerry and his marriage to Teresa Heinz?
5 July 2009
at 3:03 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
5 July 2009
at 3:19 p.m.

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

I sometimes forget how pleasant life is on my blog. I obviously need to get out more and then run home again…. ;)
5 July 2009
at 3:41 p.m.

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logicsound09 (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
5 July 2009
at 4:17 p.m.

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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…

I suppose if I was a conservative, I would think she was all that, but uuhhmmmm, no, I still probably would not.
To each his own, but I think she appears very fake, and ungeniune, especially when she talks down to people, with you betcha.

5 July 2009
at 5:46 p.m.

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disgustedagain (Anonymous) says…

” 'Palin’s spokeswoman, Meg Stapleton, says, “The world is literally her oyster.'

Not so fast, we are going to mussel up on her. We are not a bunch of shrimp. We are crabby, and we are not as happy as clams. ” from Balloon Juice, posted by ThymeZonethePlumber
5 July 2009
at 6:04 p.m.

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beatrice (Anonymous) says…

Maybe asbestos is right — I mean, nobody in the media has ever said a mean thing about Hillary Clinton, now have they?

In my opinion, Asbestos should have been removed long ago for his comments to Katara. I'm glad Katara called him out for being a liar.
5 July 2009
at 6:05 p.m.

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disgustedagain (Anonymous) says…

Another choice gem from Kung Fu Monkey:

“She's going to transfer to the governor's office of a couple other states, and eventually rack up enough credits to complete the term.”
5 July 2009
at 6:30 p.m.

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Newell_Post (Anonymous) says…

There is just no way she made a considered decision to resign to “pursue a higher calling,” and then announced it in this manner. If so, it is the least skillful and least credible announcement of this type I have ever heard in many decades of following politics. That alone should disqualify her from any serious future consideration. She doesn't have the political skills, natural intelligence, or emotional stability to be entrusted with high national office.

Please, please, please neocons; go ahead and nominate her for president. Lots of reasonable people, both Democrat and Republican, have now had a peek into the void between her ears, and she doesn't have a snowball's chance of election.

In one of the other threads, Nancy Boy called her “attractive and articulate.” In the matter of “attractive” we can only fall back on the ancient principle of “de gustibus non est disputandum.” But when it comes to “articulate” she is definitely not. Glib, yes. Articulate, no. She strings words together fluidly some of the time, but they rarely make much sense. Listen to her announcement. It is complete gibberish.
5 July 2009
at 7:26 p.m.

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akt2 (Anonymous) says…

Watch how much money she is getting ready to raise over the next couple of years.
5 July 2009
at 7:38 p.m.

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Newell_Post (Anonymous) says…

Swell. Give her money. You'll never see anything out of it.
6 July 2009
at 9:08 a.m.

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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…

BigPrune (Anonymous) says…

“I'm so glad she is taking off the gloves and now has the financial ability to fight these Obama propagandists in court when they portray her through defamatory remarks in order to further their Marxist agenda.”
_________________________________________________

Yeah, I'm sure such lawsuits would really hold up, too…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York…