Good lord, that speech she just gave was horrible.

I've been reading speculation.. some say this'll open up her time to run for POTUS in 2012, others say she must have gotten a media deal - maybe FOX news?

My hubby just texted me regarding this. I think he heard it on NPR. He doesn't know why she's quitting, though.

Maybe she's a closet liberal and just can hold it in anymore. Watch them libs suddenly come flocking to her. Lordy, Lordy, she's free at last! No more mooseburgers ... just tofuburgers!

excuse me Pax, but have you been hitting the bong harder than usual?

? what?

Would like to watch the speech but Spongebob's on, and I have priorities.

She's entitled to run for President just like any one else,  but she's going to have to explain Todd Palin's membership to the AIP at some point.  An explanation without lies would be best.

Part of me wants her to run, just so that she can lose; but another part of me really fears the possibility of America being stupid...

I think I'd literally move to Canada the moment she sat down in the Oval Office.

Over at CNN they are saying she was unsure about seeking reelection~ if she needed to focus on her family or her state.

Putting politics completely aside~ as a mother who knows the toll ( and the joys) of having a differently-abled child...I hope it is her family she focuses on.

Nothing wrong with focusing on the family.

We'd help you pack FSG..lol

I've been wanting to move to Canada for several years, FSG.  Probably British Columbia.  I wonder what you have to do to get a visa.

I'm sure you would, Nancy.. and then I'd be able to watch the eventual destruction of my country from safety, instead of being instantaneously vaporized from the nuclear warfare that would ensue.

FSG, what was wrong with her speech?  Because she didn't read it from a teleprompter?  That she spoke from her heart?  Goodness, we can't have politicians doing THAT. 

Saying we'd be vaporized if she became president is overreacting a tad isn't it?

I don't recall ANY politician who  was ever so villified, brutally attacked, lied about, family SMEARED the way it's been with her.

Now, you Dems might become even more afwaid..vewwy afwaid.  ROFL.  I love it!

You may have unleashed the dragon.

Ted Kennedy.

Sarah Palin never murdered her mistress.

That we KNOW of.

I'm sure you would, Nancy.. and then I'd be able to watch the eventual destruction of my country from safety, instead of being instantaneously vaporized from the nuclear warfare that would ensue.

Holy fearmongering batman!

 I've been wanting to move to Canada for several years, FSG.  Probably British Columbia.  I wonder what you have to do to get a visa.

Unless you're a businessperson, doctor, lawyer, or have a Ph.D, it's very difficult to immigrate to Canada from the US. 

FSG, what was wrong with her speech?  Because she didn't read it from a teleprompter?  That she spoke from her heart?  Goodness, we can't have politicians doing THAT. 

For being such an important speech, I was a bit curious as to why it was unrehersed.  I don't mind if a politician speaks from the heart, and I realize that she was probably emotional when speaking.  However, she also seemed very nervous and edgy - much moreso than someone who's an experienced public speaker should. 

Her words tripped over themselves, and it felt almost as if she was a bit manic in her delivery.  It was jumpy - with no real connection between thoughts or ideas - much of what she said made little sense. To me, it seems as if this decision was not as well thought out or planned as she indicated - it seems more to me that the decision was more last-minute, which leads me to wonder what she's not telling the public.

Saying we'd be vaporized if she became president is overreacting a tad isn't it?

Based upon my knowledge and understanding of international affairs, I believe Palin as commander and chief would make George W. Bush look like a saint.   Whereas I thought Bush made a lot of stupid decisions and comments, he never scared me the way Palin has.

Do I really believe we'd be vaporized? Probably not, but I think she would destroy what credibility we have left with the rest of the world.  Someone with her ideology is just as dangerous as a terrorist organization, IMO.

But we *DO KNOW* that Kennedy did.

I believe the "dig up some dirt and toss it at them to see what sticks" started when Adams ran for President. An opinion piece called his sexuality "androgynous" I believe...or maybe it was hermaphrodite?

Anyway it is a time honored tradition...that stinks no matter who does it.

 Holy fearmongering batman!

Happens on all sides of the fence - your side isn't immune to fearmongering.

Figures, jfrancais.  Oh well.  Montana's ALMOST as good.

The primary thought I had on hearing this news is that she wouldn't need to resign at this point in the game to run for President in 2012 and she could just opt not to run for reelection if she wanted to focus on her family, so there must be something else in the works. I still don't have audio working on this machine, so I can't listen to the speach. But based on past political resignations, I would suspect there's a media deal, a deal with the GOP to get some sort of position within the RNC, an illness in the family (and I hope not this one because I don't wish her or her family any harm) or a scandal that's being shushed. I'm leaning towards the RNC idea based on the quotes given from her speach in the MSNBC article. Affecting political change outside of an elected position could be done from a position within the RNC.

 "Sarah Palin never murdered her mistress."

Did she kil her b/f the way Laura Bush did???

Good speech.  It reinforced my original perceptions of Ms. Palin.  She's a good person.

She is an idiot...if she was not extremely attractive, no one would care what she thinks!

You're wrong BakBub.  I care what hillary thinks.  I care what Sotomayor thinks.  I care what Michele Obama thinks.   

She stated that too much time is spent by her staff, and herself defending herself against the ethics issuess.  She said basically that it isn't fair to the Alaskans to continue to have to fund the defenses.  She said she feels the time should be sent on Alaskans and not on her personally. 

Almost all the attacks have been on a pesonally level since no one could fault what she said she wanted for this country.

On a personal level, we on the right were told to "get over it"  when the left stumbled.  We were told the presidents personal life should have no bearing on his ability to be president..but when it came to Palin, the left, and the media, went after her on a personal level with a vengence.

Hypocrisy?  Nahhhh..not the left.  OR the media.

Bakersfield Bubble...[edit.].  Laura Bush never ran for president, vice president or any other public office.   And  she never KILLED her boyfriend in any manner you are implying.  Try Ted Kennedy if you want to bring that sort of thing into play.  Watch out for glass houses, they'll get you every time.

Nancy - your personal attacks against fellow blogger let me know that you are True CONservative and someone who probably attends church on a regular basis...

She stated that too much time is spent by her staff, and herself defending herself against the ethics issuess.  She said basically that it isn't fair to the Alaskans to continue to have to fund the defenses.  She said she feels the time should be sent on Alaskans and not on her personally. 

I highly doubt that's her main reason.  The majority of the $300,000 spent defending herself against ethics issues went to troopergate:

www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/71151.html

I'm sure she could ebay her $150,000 worth of clothing from the VP stump, if she really felt like her investigations were a significant cost to the State.

Almost all the attacks have been on a pesonally level since no one could fault what she said she wanted for this country.

I find plenty at fault for what she wants for this country.  I think she would make a horrible commander in chief, and I disagree with her desire to shove her interpretation of Christianity down the throats of the citizenry.  I also think that "drill baby drill" is the wrong direction.

I could go on..

It's not all personal.

On a personal level, we on the right were told to "get over it"  when the left stumbled.  We were told the presidents personal life should have no bearing on his ability to be president..but when it came to Palin, the left, and the media, went after her on a personal level with a vengence.

I'll agree that there's been a media obsession with her, but at the same time, it seems rather ironic that every time the spotlight falls off of her (I haven't heard a thing about Palin in weeks), and then she puts herself back in national attention.  If you look back over the past 6 months, this has happened multiple times - she's an attention hog.

Reich-wing pundit Krauthammer thinks she is a joke...

She has to stop speaking in cliches and platitudes. It won't work. It could work for eight weeks if you're the No. 2 candidate, as she was last year. But even so, she got singed a lot in that campaign. You cannot sustain a campaign of platitudes and clichés over a year and a half if you’re running for the presidency.

 http://crooksandliars.com/d...

As of April, she had spent $500,000.00 of her own money on frivolous lawsuits. 

Note the words her own money.

BB, if you'd bothered to read the blogs that FSG put up for us to get to know each other you'd know you don't have a clue about me.   Whether or not I attend church has nothing to do with you making a totally non related statement.

Dril..true that.  Not to mention she doesn't even have the clothes the Republicaan party bought.

FSG..SHE'S an attention hog????  ROFL.  We have a president who constantly puts himself on TV ..not only that but he BOUGHT that time during the campaign.  Ooooh...that wasn't a good thing to try to use..HEH

Still chucklling here.

I think she has a pretty good handle on things.  I believe your (or whoever first thought it up) arm chair pseudo psychoanalysis that she is an attention hog is ludicrous.  As for "drill baby drill", drilling in ANWR makes perfect sense.  I've been there, and many other places on the North Slope where oil is already in production.  Here, I'll do a little analysis myself:  The animals don't mind sharing.   Just as valid.  

Nancy - I like the fact that Obama's willing to be on TV so much.  I don't always agree with how he goes about it, but I think it's a good idea, as the figurehead and leader of the country, to be in the spotlight. Is Palin either of those? No.

As an aside, I read the whole link you posted dril, and I think it's sad that people are willingly trying to bankrupt Palin.  It sickens me that politics can go so low.

I still don't think that's the reason she's stepping down.
 

Said it before, will say it agin. The way that some of you people think Palin's going to swoop down like Superchick and destroy them evil Democrats makes it obvious that YOU have found a "messiah" in her. That's what messiah's do, swoop down and wipe out "evil".

BB She is an idiot...if she was not extremely attractive, no one would care what she thinks!

so whatta you look like BB?? hahahaahahah  you must think your pretty dang *UGLY* if your using this type of analogy..

Her speech was all about Alaska.not the USA...maybe she will be involved with Alaska finally leaving our bankrupt sicko country..i mean what better timing or reason do they need?? After all the American public did treat her and her family like (edit) and continue to do so..I wouldnt blame her a bit..

IF I was an Alaskan and a HUGE movement was started..Id seriously consider the pros and cons of that action..after all look at all they could have in comparson to what they have now.. 

Sioux - here's the problem with any State trying to break away from the Union - the 14th Amendment.

I've wondered about that. What if a state WANTS to break away? Will we pull a Soviet Union on them like Chechnya and hold them prisoner?

Silly wabbit, no one thinks Palin is going to swoop down and destroy anything.  You guys just can't handle anyone who speaks well without a telepromptor.

I guess I missed the people mocking Trig lately, that's beyond dispicible.  I have no problem with anyone attacking a persons poliics but again, for the thousandth time, the family and the kids should be off limits.  I don't judge people like you folks here by the actions of your family...why should public office be any different?

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

- Section I. of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

To answer your question, Swallow - I highly doubt any State would ever be able to break away, and if they tried, I don't see why the Federal Government wouldn't take swift action to supress such rebellion.

Looks like its Romney V. Obama in 2012...

Actually, I am a very good looking man. If Sarah was single I would hit it!

 You guys just can't handle anyone who speaks well without a telepromptor.

If you think Palin speaks well without a telepromptor, you're obviously not keen on public speaking.  If I went to a Toastmasters meeting (and I haven't been in some time.. need to get back into it) and made a speech like she made today, I'd have pages of notes to review on how to improve myself.  Once again, for how often she's been in public making speeches, she should be much more polished by now, even when speaking off-the-cuff.

I guess I missed the people mocking Trig lately, that's beyond dispicible.  I have no problem with anyone attacking a persons poliics but again, for the thousandth time, the family and the kids should be off limits.  I don't judge people like you folks here by the actions of your family...why should public office be any different?

I agree with you on this.. though I admit that I did chuckle at Letterman's joke.  That doesn't mean I thought it was good form, nor does it mean that I support such a joke.

If anything, I wonder where they got the name "Trig" from?  

What swift action would they take? Would we hold them against their will like the Soviets? Would we invade them? Would it be like Israel and the Palestinians, and all the terrorism that goes on both sides of THAT divide?