Sarah Palen Resignation Options

[Spectatrix]

Surprised nobody has made a thread about this yet...

As most of you probably already know, Sarah Palin announced on July 3rd that she'd be resigning from her position as AK Governor, effective at the end of the month. Thoughts?

[cmac]

not surprised

[jonathan83]

not surprised

could you elaborate? did you predict that she would resign or something?

[Dogmeat]

I bet she's done as far as politics are concerned ..

I'd be willing to bet she got sick and tired of the media doing everything they possibly could to destroy her family because she's a Republican.

[cmac]

she's been under scrutiny since being selected to be mcain's vice president candidate.
i'm sure it gets a bit hard having people tell you over and over that you were a stupid choice for that. that you are a horrible governor. and that you're a horrible mother.

[impala454]

She had been governor of Alaska since November 2006. I highly doubt the heckling from the campaign which has been over for eight months plus is what caused her to resign that position. Plus, you seem to think that your opinions (and the rest of the lefties) are the only opinions of her. Conservatives everywhere have hailed her as someone who really represented their stance on issues and someone who could be a power in the Republican party. I'm sure she knows that and heard just as much of that as she did the sniveling crybaby lefties calling her a bad mother.

My guess is she just wanted to spend more time with family or whatever. Can't blame her for that, but would have been nice to see her take a bigger role in politics. We need every strong conservative we can get these days with the socialist movement in full swing.

[cmac]

Plus, you seem to think that your opinions (and the rest of the lefties) are the only opinions of her

i do?
i realize the right saw her as the second coming.

she was an easy target.

didn't watch her speech. what was her reasoning for resigning?

This post has been edited by cmac: Jul 6 2009, 11:17 PM

[jonathan83]

i do?
i realize the right saw her as the second coming.

she was an easy target.

didn't watch her speech. what was her reasoning for resigning?

she said she already had decided not to rerun in 2010, and didnt want to become a lame duck, so she wanted to let her Lt. Gov. take over, pretty much.

i'm sure she's got other things up her sleeves. most people assume she'll be running in 2012 so who knows.

[chook]

I didn't think she was great, but Obama was the Press' patron saint and Palin the Martyr in their hometown.

[Spectatrix]

She had been governor of Alaska since November 2006. I highly doubt the heckling from the campaign which has been over for eight months plus is what caused her to resign that position. Plus, you seem to think that your opinions (and the rest of the lefties) are the only opinions of her. Conservatives everywhere have hailed her as someone who really represented their stance on issues and someone who could be a power in the Republican party. I'm sure she knows that and heard just as much of that as she did the sniveling crybaby lefties calling her a bad mother.

My guess is she just wanted to spend more time with family or whatever. Can't blame her for that, but would have been nice to see her take a bigger role in politics. We need every strong conservative we can get these days with the socialist movement in full swing.

She's come under increased scrutiny and criticism in general, though, from a variety of ethics scandals. I recall reading in a couple of places that her popularity in Alaska has taken a nose-dive over the past year.

[woody]

She's come under increased scrutiny and criticism in general, though, from a variety of ethics scandals. I recall reading in a couple of places that her popularity in Alaska has taken a nose-dive over the past year.

that's cause she hasn't gotten naked for the mass audiences

[Mommy]

My mom told me she has 1/2 a million dollars in personal legal debt from defending herself against the investigations of fraud. All decisions were unfounded. She also told me that the investigations cost the state of Alaska $2 million dollars. I'm sure she is just sick of it all.

[impala454]

She's come under increased scrutiny and criticism in general, though, from a variety of ethics scandals. I recall reading in a couple of places that her popularity in Alaska has taken a nose-dive over the past year.

1. what ethics scandals are you referring to
2. why would these make her decide to resign?
3. what is causing her to supposedly lose popularity in AK? (if that is even true)

I think Jonathon is right in that she's bound to have something else up her sleeve. Just curious as to what.

Jessica: Yeah I had heard that too about the legal money piling up. Seems like bullshit to me that people do that, but I guess there's nothing you can do to stop it. IMHO if you pull these frivolous cases and lose you should be responsible for all legal fees, for both sides.

[cmac]

Her approval rating was 93% in June 2007 and 54% in May 2009.

[Spectatrix]

1. what ethics scandals are you referring to

Dude. Seriously? http://www.adn.com/palin/story/838912.html

Not saying that they had merit, but she has had a slew of ethics complaints filed against her. The biggest one was "Troopergate".

2. why would these make her decide to resign?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/0...w.html?wprss=44

3. what is causing her to supposedly lose popularity in AK? (if that is even true)

Scandals (whether legit or unfounded) generally have that effect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin#Approval_ratings

[impala454]

Dude. Seriously? http://www.adn.com/palin/story/838912.html

Not saying that they had merit, but she has had a slew of ethics complaints filed against her. The biggest one was "Troopergate".

Was not being facetious, was a serious question. I had heard of the first one, but didn't realize there was a "slew". I suppose I don't consider it a "scandal" unless there is truth to it.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/0...w.html?wprss=44


Scandals (whether legit or unfounded) generally have that effect.

Right but leaving because you're swamped with legal bills in the hundreds of thousands, and leaving because you can't emotionally handle the negative remarks and accusations are two completely different things IMHO.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin#Approval_ratings

(and to cmac's response too)
look at that data, the 93% and two other 80s % are from different sources than the others. These were during the height of the presidential campaign as well. I dont see how in hell logically, she could have seriously gone from that high of an approval rating to that low of one, with how popular she was during the campaign. Losing 10% since the campaign is nothing. Big deal. Losing a presidential election would probably do that. My guess is the 93% and others were bullshit. A number that high is probably pretty rare in politics. I also think approval ratings are a stupid statistic in the first place. They're just a situational number based on what's going on in that person's jurisdiction at the time. Look at Bush's approval ratings. They simply follow the events of the time, whether they were in Bush's control or not. It's like the quarterback. Most popular man on campus when you're winning, most hated when you're losing.

[THECHICKEN]

Palin is retarded... hope she's out of politics for good. Too bad nancy pelosi can't resign too.

[Psykopath]

To those who think she'll be a viable 2012 candidate:

She couldn't take the pressure/heat of public life or handle the workload for a 1 full term as governor of Alaska...yet you want her to be President of the whole damn country?!

wow

[impala454]

Somehow I'd imagine frivolous lawsuits and accusations against the President of the United States are handled a little differently. Not to mention, she did something that made financial sense, something that can't exactly be said for the current pres. All of that said, I don't really see her running for President in 2012. Running for some other office or working in Washington or doing something in politics, probably.

Anyhow, the 2012 election should be a cakewalk for anyone even remotely conservative.

[Spectatrix]

I think her problem was that she largely didn't know how to handle the press and other media attention. I personally think she couldn't handle the emotional strain of it all. I don't mean that as a criticism really... I know I couldn't handle the strain either. That's part of the reason you'll never see me in politics.

That said, I do see her getting back involved in politics after a break, but not to run for president. I don't know whether 2012 will be a "cakewalk" for conservatives... WAY too early to tell.

[impala454]

Well therein lies a huge problem with our country. The president is basically elected nowadays based on how well they handle the media. It didn't used to be that way.

[cmac]

Interesting stuff from gallup
http://www.gallup.com/poll/121514/American...ture-Palin.aspx

[impala454]

I still see polls like that as meaningless (see the "survey methods" at the bottom of the page) but either way, the Republican party would be idiots not to use her to their advantage.

[cmac]

i think at this point "using her" is mostly to their disadvantage.
she was their puppet during the election. a Hillary replacement
she may be seen as supreme to the far right conservatives, but the majority of American voters sit more towards the middle. i think they see right through the "using her" ploy.

[impala454]

but the majority of American voters sit more towards the middle.

I don't see that this comment has any basis whatsoever. YOU sit more towards the middle perhaps, but just like these 1,000 people polls (laughable) which supposedly determine the entire country's opinions, I don't see it as accurate. Sure Obama got elected, but that was because of minorities, plain and simple.

i think they see right through the "using her" ploy.

I don't mean using her as a ploy. I mean having her play a role in the party. And how could you think anyone would "see right through it" even if it was a ploy? That's sure not what happened during the presidential campaign. She boosted McCain big time. Whether you see this as a ploy or not is irrelevant.

[THECHICKEN]

I don't see that this comment has any basis whatsoever. YOU sit more towards the middle perhaps, but just like these 1,000 people polls (laughable) which supposedly determine the entire country's opinions, I don't see it as accurate. Sure Obama got elected, but that was because of minorities, plain and simple.


I don't mean using her as a ploy. I mean having her play a role in the party. And how could you think anyone would "see right through it" even if it was a ploy? That's sure not what happened during the presidential campaign. She boosted McCain big time. Whether you see this as a ploy or not is irrelevant.

Are you kidding? Most say that it would have been a LOT closer if that box of rocks hadn't pulled down mcCain. NO ONE wanted that air head to take over as president if McCain croaked. Using her to thier advantage would be giving her a ticket to Alaska and never hearing from her again.

and saying "Sure Obama got elected, but that was because of minorities, plain and simple" is pretty dumb and not really looking at how he got elected at all. I know you don't get any of your opinions from facts, but
seriously...

[impala454]

You've got to be smokin something good man... you honestly believe she pulled down McCain???

[cmac]

i thought that was common knowledge?

[jonathan83]

i think she pulled votes away from the moderate vote, but definitely gained it in the right-wing vote.

[THECHICKEN]

i thought that was common knowledge?

This


I mean I know she's a milf, but that was about her only redeeming quality.

[chook]

This


I mean I know she's a milf, but that was about her only redeeming quality.

I liked a bunch of her stances (guns, abortion, production). But she wasn't the type of person to lead and was too conservative for me.

[jonathan83]

i'm more moderate than right-wing, so for me i felt a bit uneasy with her as well. she was too conservative for me. she looks and seems just like my mom, and that scares me.

[blaarg]

A couple of things:

1. *sigh* Another argument about statistics with Impala... I think I'll just pass.

2. There was a great Vanity Fair article about Palin that was released before she resigned. It gave some good indepth insight all the way from her run for governor, to the VP, to post election stuff. Stuff I gathered from the article:

3. Her popularity was slipping because of numerous things: Gas prices were going down so the revenue from taxing the oil companies was decreasing (one of the reasons why she was so popular was that she raised taxes on oil in the state after she was elected). Granted, this is out of her control... She also was going to refuse 1/3 of the almost 1 billion federal stimulus "on principle" before she got rebuffed by both Democrats and Republicans. She settled for cutting 2% "to save face". Thirdly, she appointed an underqualified guy for Attorney General who said some pretty nasty things about homosexuals and drove a Hummer with the vanity license plate "WAR". He was the FIRST Alaskan cabinet appointee who was rejected their position by the state representatives. There was another reason, but I've forgotten it...

4. The biggest thing I gathered from the article was that her popularity was starting to tank, and in the word of several analysts they thought that hypothetically she could have one a reelection if she chose, but they said it would not be as persuading a victory. I think she decided to resign now at the beginning of her downslope with her reputation intact for the 2012 election. This is my personal opinion after reading the article.

5. Most McCain aides interviewed said that they think that she hurt just as much as she helped -- something I was personally startled to hear.

Anyways, that's all I got. I am ready for the parsing to begin.

[chook]

i'm more moderate than right-wing, so for me i felt a bit uneasy with her as well. she was too conservative for me. she looks and seems just like my mom, and that scares me.

haha, your mom is a milf!

[jonathan83]

actually i never thought of palin is a milf personally

[Inferia]

this place is starting to sound more and more left-leaning these days (probably just moderate by national standards). what happened to all the right wing folk, or do I just have the wrong impression of you all?

[impala454]

this place has always leaned left, with a few bleeding hearts for sure.

[impala454]

1. *sigh* Another argument about statistics with Impala... I think I'll just pass.

I have no problem with polls or statistics. As long as they accurately represent the numbers they're trying to convey. I.e. these approval ratings that were posted should not say "Americans approval of ______", it should say "1,000 American's approval who gave a shit or have no life enough to answer the phone survey we called them during dinner about". 1,000 people... that's 20 people per state, in a country with 300,000,000 people. I mean, seriously. And like I said, the stats yall are comparing are from two different companies... you're not even comparing the right numbers.

As far as Palin's popularity... it's pretty easy to see that you lefties don't like her and you're confusing that with the facts of what she did for McCain's campaign. Why else do you think the media was after her trying to grill the crap out of her? Was it because they thought she was bringing down his campaign? No, it's because they saw how she energized his ticket and had to do everything in their power to try to bring her down. Why on earth do you guys think all of these frivolous lawsuits are happening against her? Why would it be necessary to bring someone down if you didn't think they were a threat in the first place?

[Inferia]

this place has always leaned left, with a few bleeding hearts for sure.

I beg to differ, left of you perhaps, but in the greater sense of things, not that left.

[chook]

Majority of the people are on the left side of the line. Impalia is probably the most conservative person. I always thought liberal chicks give you better sex if you are a conservative guy.

[THECHICKEN]

I think my very first post on Rate a raider was something to the nature of: "I hate liberals, so if theres a club for that sign me up." It was in a thread for the liberals on rar to be liberal together.

So yeah, you'll never hear me claim to be democrat or liberal... and Palin was still a dumb bitch who brought down McCain with stupid remarks and a generally idiotic demeanor. McCain went for a "i have a female running mate", and failed horribly with his pick.

[Mommy]

I didn't really like Palin much. She didn't really seem anything special to me, but I still was all for voting McCain.

I think Christine hit this one dead on. The media just does not stop with her. I mean, how long ago was the election? Why are we still hearing about her family life? Then, the remarks that David Letterman made about a month ago were sooo inappropriate. I think she is politically done. It's sad. She seemed like a really down to earth woman who was doing a lot of good for Alaska before the whole election thing happened.

[impala454]

But that's exactly my point. Why would the media still be bothering her if they didn't think she was a threat politically?

[cmac]

cause she does shit like this. she's an easy target. same way they picked on bill clinton during his scandal. he was an easy target. it's the nature of the media.

[jonathan83]

this board has always leaned to the left. however there used to be more conservative members, and i think some people have changed in the past...7 years or so (me included). i think i joined in 2002, that's crazy to think about.

[impala454]

cause she does shit like this.

"Does shit" like what?

she's an easy target. same way they picked on bill clinton during his scandal. he was an easy target. it's the nature of the media.

Uh... ya think? The president of the united states takes a blow job from an intern? In comparison the media was easy on Clinton.

[cmac]

quitting mid-term.
Mark Sanford didn't even quit after his soulmate experiment.

[impala454]

cmac I don't really understand your response.

The circle of responses went something like this:

-Palin quits
-Semi-determined that she quit because of large amounts of lawsuits costing her half a million dollars plus, and/or media pressure
-I question, why would these things be happening to her if said people didn't think she was a threat
-Your response- "because she quit"



if she quit because of the media pressure and/or expensive court fees, then how could her quitting be the cause of the media pressure/expensive court fees?

[cmac]

yeah. doesn't make sense to me either...

i don't know why she quit, but she did, so that's why i'm saying the media has attacked her recently. kind of a wtf, you're an easy target, let's play with you for a bit. she seemingly quit for no reason. because she couldn't take the pressure.
i don't believe that she's been a threat at any point. i think she's been nothing but a thorn for the right from the moment she was introduced to the public. not counting her time as gov before mcain.

luckily for her michael jackson died and everyone pretty much forgot about it.

[impala454]

I would think the media forgetting about it has less to do with Michael Jackson and more to do with her quitting.

I seriously doubt she's done with politics though, whether you like her or not, whether you believe she's a plus for conservatives or not. So surely the media will be ready to get back on her, which also surely she already knows. So it will be interesting to see where she ends up.

[cmac]

yeah, i don't think that she'll be done with politics either. curious to see her timing of when she decides to resurface.

[Inferia]

I haven't paid too much attention who's left or right, especially since people keep changing their names. Anyway, my observation has been, either that a whole bunch of right wing people left or that a significant number of people are moving left. I remember I used to come on here to read the threads, and most of the poster would be right leaning the exception of the few left wings (most of the ones I can remember are no longer with the board). Anyway, just an observation...

[chook]

I haven't paid too much attention who's left or right, especially since people keep changing their names. Anyway, my observation has been, either that a whole bunch of right wing people left or that a significant number of people are moving left. I remember I used to come on here to read the threads, and most of the poster would be right leaning the exception of the few left wings (most of the ones I can remember are no longer with the board). Anyway, just an observation...

I'd have to say I was more conservative. After obama is done, the board will probably have a shift to the right.

[jonathan83]

actually i think in the beginning there was a lot more extreme liberals and a few extreme conservatives, but now a lot of people have mellowed and become more moderate.
i used to be more conservative as well, and i think jessica did too maybe? and i think zach may have become more moderate (i think i remember him being more liberal back in the day).

[Psykopath]

actually i think in the beginning there was a lot more extreme liberals and a few extreme conservatives, but now a lot of people have mellowed and become more moderate.
i used to be more conservative as well, and i think jessica did too maybe? and i think zach may have become more moderate (i think i remember him being more liberal back in the day).

I was indeed a hippie liberal back in the day.

Much MUCH more moderate these days.

[impala454]

i.e. aging

[Psykopath]

i.e. aging

Yeah, to an extent. Just became less of an idealist (for the majority of issues) and more of a realist.
Doing so just placed me firmly in the middle...no hard right or hard left pulls (well, for the most part again...lol).

This post has been edited by Psykopath: Jul 14 2009, 10:31 PM

[Spectatrix]

I'm still Libertarian, but more moderate in my views as well. While I could argue for the dissolution of the IRS, for example, I know it's not realistic to expect it to go anywhere.

[THECHICKEN]

RAR was extremely liberal (chomsky spouting liberal), with a few hardline right wingers. Then it went to moderate left. Now the i think its pretty even.

[FORSAKENR320]

yea, thinking about the majority of the people that posted on RAR, i can see that... several of those people haven't changed their ideals at all, or gotten even worse...

[jonathan83]

its mainly because we were all younger and had just come from high school. you believe what your parents believe for the most part (except people who are just the opposite like lance). then you go to college and start getting your own ideals and experiences.

[FORSAKENR320]

i can agree with that, though i'd like to add that we BLINDLY believe what our parents believed. we spout the ideals without realising the meaning behind them, thats why we always took such extremeties on the ideas...

but then again, i haven't changed much. but i always hated my parents beliefs anyway.

[jonathan83]

yeah i can agree to that.

[Inferia]

RAR was extremely liberal (chomsky spouting liberal), with a few hardline right wingers. Then it went to moderate left. Now the i think its pretty even.

I don't feel that way. I feel like I'm no longer liberal enough to be borderline communist, but I feel like I'm still one of the more left wingers on here. I remember in those days, I felt like I had to defend everything on the liberal agenda (there are a few more out there, but I think they're no longer with the board). These days, I feel like when I read the board, most of the time I don't have to post to see something I half way agree with. Perhaps the board is just less polarized these days. I guess that's a good thing, even if it just means that it will attract more posters. I think most people don't like reading a board where people are going at each other's throat with no one listening.

[cmac]

I'm still pretty far left, but I think I've matured by just not caring as much.
And I am more open to trying to understand the opposing arguments.

[chook]

I'm still pretty far left, but I think I've matured by just not caring as much.
And I am more open to trying to understand the opposing arguments.

Impalia still hates you liberal duche!

[cmac]

i'm ok with that. i get along with everyone in real life.

[THECHICKEN]

I don't feel that way. I feel like I'm no longer liberal enough to be borderline communist, but I feel like I'm still one of the more left wingers on here. I remember in those days, I felt like I had to defend everything on the liberal agenda (there are a few more out there, but I think they're no longer with the board). These days, I feel like when I read the board, most of the time I don't have to post to see something I half way agree with. Perhaps the board is just less polarized these days. I guess that's a good thing, even if it just means that it will attract more posters. I think most people don't like reading a board where people are going at each other's throat with no one listening.

I meant that there were far MORE liberals on RAR (per capita), not that they weren't attacked by the few right wingers constantly. Thats what made RAR fun, tons of extreme opinions clashing for tons of flame wars. Hell, thats when the war in Iraq was like one the the number one threads on the site.