This was Sarah Palin on election night, 2008. She said goodbye again today, in Alaska. (Nov. 4 photo from Arizona by Jim Watson /AFP/Getty Images)
by Mark Silva
Sarah Palin, onetime mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, erstwhile Republican candidate for vice president and, as of tonight, former governor of Alaska, resigning 18 months before her term expires, bade farewell to public office today in Fairbanks.
She doesn't need the title, she said in a speech high on the American military and low on the American press, to pursue 'what's right and true.''
Palin rode in on a high: With six in 10 Americans liking what they saw in the suddenly national figure whom Sen. John McCain of Arizona named as his running mate last summer. But in the most recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, a majority of those surveyed voiced an unfavorable view of the resigning governor.
Palin wore black on the outdoor stage in Fairbanks today where she delivered her final speech as governor, a sort of reverse inaugural, a ceremony replete with prayer and an honor guard. The outgoing governor handed over her office to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell in a characteristically disjointed and rambling, TelePrompTed address slamming the press, praising the military and exuding boundless optimism.
Palin goes out with a book deal, a contract perhaps made more lucrative with this surprise move of hers. Yet, for the many Republicans who still hold her in high regard, her ability to pivot during this post-public period and return as a candidate for 2012 could outdo anything Bill Clinton ever achieved in a comeback.
"It is the best road-trip in America,'' she said of her appearance in the Denali range, with a poetic line for the nature around her. "In this last frontier, there is hope and opportunity.''
Palin spoke of pessimism and optimism, her abiding love for the American military and the "very brave Alaskan soldiers who gave their all for us.'' And she saluted that "freedom of speech, which, par for the course, I am going to exercise.''
She addressed the press: "What could and should be an honored profession... Democracy depends on you. That's why our troops are ready to die for you... So, how about, in honor of the American soldier, ya' quit making things up?''
She got a lot of applause for that line.
"Don't underestimate the wisdom of the people,'' said Palin, with advice for the media about her successor and his "beautiful family: Leave his kids alone'' - this, from a governor whose family has undergone months of public scrutiny.
She spoke of her achievements in Alaska. "We slowed the rate of government growth, and I vetoed hundreds of millions of dollars of government excess,'' she said, veering into a rant about Hollywood and the right to bear arms.
"You're gonna see anti-hunting, anti-Second Amendment circuses from Hollywood,'' the outgoing governor said. "They use Alaska as a fundraising tool for their anti-Second Amendment causes... Hollywood needs to know: 'We eat, therefore we hunt.''
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"What I promised, we accomplished,'' Palin asserted.
"We can resist enslavement to big central government,'' she said. "Beware of accepting big government largesse... melting into Washington's powerful arms..... I resisted the stimulus package.''
(And now that she's leaving, the Legislature is looking at a special session to recover the $26 million in federal energy funds that the outgoing governor rejected under the federal stimulus act.)
"Remember years ago, we sported the bumper-sticker: Alaska, we don't give a darn how they do it outside?'' the retiring governor said. "We're no longer a frontier outpost on the periphery of the world's greatest nation... We can attain our destiny in the promise of our motto: North to the future.''
The nation, she said, "must look north to the future'' for its energy independence.
Some still don't see why she's quitting, she said.
"It is because I love Alaska so much, sir, that I choose to avoid the typical last year, lame-duck session in office,'' said Palin, who had decided not to seek a second term when she announced on the eve of the Fourth of July that she would step down today. "I will be able to fight harder for you for what is right and true. I have never felt that you need a title to do that.''
Comments
I voted for McCain because I loved Palin during the election. This shows me that she is a quitter and I no longer support her.
Posted by: Jose | July 26, 2009 8:08 PM
The resignation ceremony itself was dignified yet highly emotional.
See:
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/sarah-palin-abdicates-hands-over-regalia/
Posted by: Mike Licht | July 26, 2009 8:24 PM
What a complete moron. The only people more stupid than her are the idiots who buy this hogwash. Conservatives must be so happy. This is your future?
Posted by: Dick Bacon | July 26, 2009 8:25 PM
I was going to write a comment, but I'd hate to be a lame-duck poster. I quit.
Posted by: Kevin | July 26, 2009 8:33 PM
And when she runs for president, she'll quit because she can't handle the pressure. Her political career is over.
Posted by: Rich K | July 26, 2009 8:35 PM
Oh boy, Sarah's poll numbers aren't what they use to be...well, she has every left wing news media outlet making up harmful stories about her and then of course, David Letterman joking about her minor daughter having sex with a professional baseball player.
But, she hasn't spent a TRILLION dollars on nothing, like obama did, nor is she responsible for a 9.5% unemployment rate that's still climbing under the helm of a community organizer.
Hmmm...when will the Swamp write about obama's sinking poll numbers and how the majority of Americans has lost faith in him??? Don't hold your breathe, you might turn blue waiting.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | July 26, 2009 8:38 PM
Palin is a quitter or as W.L. Iggiagruk Hensley describes her, a qiviter. There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588
Posted by: carly | July 26, 2009 8:44 PM
I thought she resigned on Friday. Is this her last speech?
Posted by: James | July 26, 2009 8:44 PM
quitter
""We're no longer a frontier outpost on the periphery of the world's greatest nation..."
And why does she hate the rest of America so much if she thinks we are the worlds greatest nation?
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | July 26, 2009 8:46 PM
I'll agree with her on one thing:
It is a good thing for Alaska that she resigned.
We differ on why, however.
Posted by: ornery | July 26, 2009 8:53 PM
So she can avoid the lame-duck year? This is like a ballplayer asking to be traded at the deadline with an expring contract. I've always admired her bravada and overlooked her Bush-iness, but this leaving office thing is going to dog her 'til the end.
Posted by: Steve | July 26, 2009 8:58 PM
The Abdication of Princess Sarah.
"We eat..we hunt...."
The royal we.
She's off to a private sanatorium to be treated for her hystrionic personality disorder. Q.v.
That "farewell address" was really a hoot.
Tina Fey could not have done it better.
Posted by: ornery | July 26, 2009 9:03 PM
A quitter is a quitter. Bye Bye
Posted by: paul | July 26, 2009 9:32 PM
"she speaks"
therefore she puts foot in mouth
Happy Hunting
Ex Gov Palin - you're fifteen minutes are more than over
Posted by: alison | July 26, 2009 9:33 PM
"It is because I love Alaska so much, sir, that I choose to avoid the typical last year, lame-duck session in office,'' said Palin..."
SHE'S IN HER FIRST TERM! This light weight doesn't even understand the term of 'lame duck'. What if all elected officials quit half way into their term because they think they aren't getting their way?
It's simple, Palin can't take the heat in the kitchen.
Posted by: DD | July 26, 2009 9:40 PM
I wonder if she'll still be able to see Russia from her front door step?
Posted by: Tommy Chong | July 26, 2009 9:43 PM
to those people who keep calling palin an idiot, i say, if you were so smart, how come you are not a governor?
if palin were an idiot, what does that make you? a more idiot?
even al franken is smarter than you (ok, that includes me, but i don't call them idiots). he made senator.
Posted by: mario - streamwood IL | July 26, 2009 9:53 PM
She quit. End of story. End of her political aspirations. Please let us know when she is finally gone. She doesn't deserve the fanfare and coverage.
Posted by: writerofwrongs | July 26, 2009 10:09 PM
We eat....We hunt....We chop down trees......We go to the lavatory....on wednesday We go shopping (Neiman Marcus) and spend gobs of money on MEEEEE!
Posted by: bill r. | July 26, 2009 10:09 PM
Now let's see mario, Albert Einstein never held political office. Neither have Warren Buffett or Bill Gates. Since you seem to held political office as the litmus of non-idiocy, that means... Gates, Buffett and Einstein are idiots and George Bush and Dan Quayle are not. Wow, that upside down world of yours must be like the funhouse mirror room.
Posted by: phylosopher | July 26, 2009 10:09 PM
Sarah WHO???
Oh yeah, the "I can see Russia from my kitchen" chick, with the awesome sexy legs.
SOOO last year....
Does anyone REALLY care???
Posted by: Rex | July 26, 2009 10:49 PM
So, I guess her successor is OK with being a lame duck?
Posted by: james | July 26, 2009 10:55 PM
A job well done. Not really though she quit half way through. Listening to Palin is like being on drugs without the high. Good bye and good riddance.
Posted by: Leonid Radzvilar | July 26, 2009 11:00 PM
The unbelievers will soon understand her words and stand witness to her power. Amen. She will lead us in vanquishing the forces of darkness and guide real God-fearing Americans back to our Lord and Saviour. The name Sarah is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "Princess". She is described as being exceptionally beautiful even into her older years.The Lord has anointed her and she will smite the unbelievers and the forces of darkness that have taken control of God's people. Amen.
Posted by: Believer | July 26, 2009 11:11 PM
If she quit two years after election to avoid her "lame-duck" status, she should have quit two weeks after election. Palin's reasoning is weird and those who swallow her reasoning are weird too. Bush's war, Bush's depression, Bush's incompetence = Conservatives
Posted by: canoer | July 26, 2009 11:20 PM
She's an idiot.
Posted by: john mccain | July 26, 2009 11:25 PM
"Never attempt to murder a man who is committing suicide." - Woodrow Wilson
Posted by: billp | July 26, 2009 11:40 PM
She eats...and she will hunt liberal, lefty Dems. Go Sarah!
Oh Mark, can we have an update on Obama's surging poll numbers? Haven't seen any lately, why not?
Posted by: bubba Porter | July 27, 2009 7:04 AM
For one, I just don't understand the hate for this Great American. I think you all have your heads up there where the sun don't shine. I think the Former Governor Sarah Palin is wonderful and wish her all the best in her future activities. If you don't like these thought, please post your opposition in the same place your head is currently.
Posted by: JWS | July 27, 2009 7:45 AM
She eats, she hunts (shouldn't it be the other way around?), then she vomits sound bites.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | July 27, 2009 8:07 AM
She makes “W” look brilliant. This idiot will only polarize American. You betcha, you betcha , you betcha…
Posted by: Tjb50 | July 27, 2009 8:26 AM
What a complete moron. The only people more stupid than her are the idiots who buy this hogwash. Conservatives must be so happy. This is your future?
Posted by: Dick Bacon | July 26, 2009 8:25 PM Which is worse-
Obama the racist
o
r Complete moron?
Posted by: Inky | July 27, 2009 9:04 AM
The unbelievers will soon understand her words and stand witness to her power. Amen. She will lead us in vanquishing the forces of darkness and guide real God-fearing Americans back to our Lord and Saviour. The name Sarah is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "Princess". She is described as being exceptionally beautiful even into her older years.The Lord has anointed her and she will smite the unbelievers and the forces of darkness that have taken control of God's people. Amen.
Al, is that you ?
Posted by: writerofwrongs | July 27, 2009 9:12 AM
You have to wonder why Democrats such as David Axelrod and his friend Mark Silva are so fixated on Gov. Palin.
What are they afraid of? Why do they level such personal attacks, calling her "disjointed and rambling", her speeches "rants"? Why the personal hatred?
Posted by: Bruce | July 27, 2009 9:25 AM
For one, I just don't understand the hate for this Great American. I think you all have your heads up there where the sun don't shine. I think the Former Governor Sarah Palin is wonderful and wish her all the best in her future activities. If you don't like these thought, please post your opposition in the same place your head is currently.
Posted by: JWS | July 27, 2009 7:45 AM
Also don't understand America having a Racist President.
Posted by: Inky | July 27, 2009 9:32 AM
How to impress the slow witted right:
"You dont need a title (apple pie) to do what's right."It is because I love Alaska so much, sir, that I choose to avoid (hotdogs) the typical last year, lame-duck(baseball) session in office,'' "We can(our troops) resist enslavement(freedom) to big central (god bless)government,''
Posted by: bill r. | July 27, 2009 9:42 AM
She addressed the press: "What could and should be an honored profession... Democracy depends on you. That's why our troops are ready to die for you... So, how about, in honor of the American soldier, ya' quit making things up?''
Like "palling around with terrorists"?
Posted by: bill r. | July 27, 2009 10:16 AM
CSpan is running her ridiculous "farewell address" again.
She's talking about 3 Alaska boys who got killed in the Service.
She doesn't seem to see the disconnect between their sacrifice and her quitting 18 month early to pursue $$$$$$.
Great American Sarahhhh----NOT.
Posted by: ornery | July 27, 2009 10:41 AM
We eat... we hunt.... we wink....we quit.
bye bye
Posted by: Flo | July 27, 2009 12:07 PM
You have to wonder why Democrats such as David Axelrod and his friend Mark Silva are so fixated on Gov. Palin.
What are they afraid of? Why do they level such personal attacks, calling her "disjointed and rambling", her speeches "rants"? Why the personal hatred?
Posted by: Bruce | July 27, 2009 9:25 AM
You forgot incoherent and unsophisticated (hick-like). Not "hatred", bruce, just valid observations. As long as Cons want to pretend she is Presidential material, her measurables will be scrutinized.
America, and the world, can't afford a repeat of the Bush debacle.
Posted by: dt☢ | July 27, 2009 1:38 PM
Sarah Palin eats wolves?
http://www.salon.com/env/feature/2008/09/08/sarah_palin_wolves/
Posted by: Jim | July 27, 2009 1:45 PM
I just hope the word palindrome doesn't take on any new meaning because of her.
Posted by: John W. | July 27, 2009 2:39 PM
Is it just me, or is Sarah Palin starting to look like Tina Fey instead of vice-versa...
That can only help her!
Palin Political Cartoon Compiled:
http://www.newsy.com/videos/sarah_palin_good_bye_for_now
Posted by: IHeartUrbanPlanning | July 27, 2009 5:48 PM
This crackpot post from above is why I hope she runs for president in 2012,2016,2020 and beyond. She's the gift who keeps on giving. Just when you think it couldn't possibly get any better, she manages to lower the bar--even further underground. God bless her....
Oh boy, Sarah's poll numbers aren't what they use to be...well, she has every left wing news media outlet making up harmful stories about her and then of course, David Letterman joking about her minor daughter having sex with a professional baseball player.
But, she hasn't spent a TRILLION dollars on nothing, like obama did, nor is she responsible for a 9.5% unemployment rate that's still climbing under the helm of a community organizer.
Hmmm...when will the Swamp write about obama's sinking poll numbers and how the majority of Americans has lost faith in him??? Don't hold your breathe, you might turn blue waiting.
Paulo
Posted by: gibster | July 27, 2009 5:53 PM
Hey, Done with small time gov. stuff on to the BIG time are next Lady President. It's about time we get real CHANGE in the White House. Enough of these lyres we keep getting. Sarah polls will increase and Obama are on the decline. Everyday more promises he keeps on breaking. Not like we thought he could be trusted anyway.
Posted by: We the people | July 27, 2009 7:58 PM
We eat, but many does NOT hunt. She says she's pro-life, but thinks nothing of killing.
Posted by: Naomi | July 27, 2009 10:44 PM
"We run, therefore we quit.''
Posted by: It all makes sense to me now. | July 27, 2009 11:34 PM
Sarah Palin is a wart that glitters like a jewel. A, diamond in the rough, she is not!!!
Posted by: Lori | July 28, 2009 11:22 AM
She wasn't tricked in to this ridiculous comment. I actually like this woman until I heard her say something this stupid. I too eat but vegetables, fruits, and grains don't run from me so I wouldn't call it hunting. Someone should tell this woman that more than 10% of America has chosen not to eat dead animals and she just lost a lot of votes. Not bright.
Posted by: Carol Duron | July 28, 2009 6:10 PM
"Hollywood needs to know -- we eat, therefore, we hunt,"
...umm yeah I'm not sure if she knows this but there are Vegaterians out in the world today right? In fact I use to be one and so are some of family. Eh she's so disrespectful and she sounds like a hillbilly. Oh and I agree with you Carol
Posted by: Tullsi | August 7, 2009 2:08 AM