Maybe she couldn't handle it herself, but it will surely survive as a meme. -- Split infinitive of "surely" dividing up "will survive"

No infinitive in the text cited. The infinitive form would be "to survive."

hupocrites

One can only wonder whether this was intentional.

Letterman knew who he was hammering with his alleged "humor" and a flimsy apology eventually came after he felt his millions threatened. Bitter bad news bastard. His ratings suffer because of his attitude.

I rather doubt that a significant portion of Letterman's audience would be offended enough by one joke of questionable taste to ditch him.

SP and the GOP say they're all for "family values". SP say's she's going to do things to help "all our kids".

She could always start with her grandson and allow the boy's father to form a real attachment to him.

Alislaura, I agree that John made a good joke on my reference to Palin's polling.

Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long to find out how the resignation will affect Sarah for 2012. USA Today / Gallup is out with the first post-announcement poll tonight, surveying 1,000 people and finding very good things for Palin.

70% say it has absolutely no effect on their view of her, but of the 30% that did find an effect, Democrats (a large majority of the 30%) say their opinion of her is worse, while Republicans say . . . the resignation improves their opinion of her.

So, a week ago we had Palin at number 1 in early presidential surveys, number 1 in fund raising, number 1 in grass roots support. Now, she's leaving office and her stock is rising in the party, while PAC contributions are also up post-announcement. She's free to be a national political force, and her supporters have her back.

Finally, I can't resist one short funny at CNN's expense. As mentioned recently, the Washington Post reports that Mike Huckabee's hopes could be the first casualty of Sarah's 7/3 announcement, and he might pivot to a Senate race instead. Given that Huckabee is number 2 behind Palin in the polls, a drop-out would substantially enhance her hold on social conservatives.

So, CNN put out a story (i) quoting its own "consultants" for the premise that Sarah can never hope to be the nominee; (ii) linking to the WashPost concept that Huckabee is now "out" in the hearts and minds of social conservatives in lieu of Palin; but then (iii) reverting back to hypothesizing a two group primary race between Huckabee on one hand and other GOP hopefuls on the other. In other words, CNN's copy writers are not capable of connecting simple dots within their own story . . . and imagining a favorable outcome for Palin. There is a mental barrier there they cannot seem to cross.

But why quibble over such silliness? She doesn't need their respect or affirmation, and it's not clear why she should want it. People respond to her self-confidence. That's more than enough . . . for everything that matters now, in turn one of the 2012 pony race.

So, as before, Sarah is high flying, adored. Higher, perhaps, tonight than ever.

Can you find something/someone else to write about? Or at least get a life. Then you'll have something to write about.

Palin is a Communications major who has upstaged John McCain, rallied thousands of freepers and shown that she can dish it out but can't take it.

What could Sarah have in mind? Move over Man Coulter, here comes Catibou Barbie. I expect Palin to sign for $10 million her first year and hit the airwaves around Labor Day.

Just watched it on Youtube. I feel guilty about my prior cynicism.

I thought it was very nice. She laid out in simple format that she wants to step aside and let her deputy take over to avoid frivolous legal expenses, put her energy to use campaigning for ANWR outside Alaska, and not have the state subsidize that effort, to the extent it requires divided time and attention.

What is everyone freaking out about? I didn't even think it seemed rushed, ill-conceived, or any other negatives. I read all these stories saying she is in pain, exhausted, hounded by probable scandals. I didn't detect any of that. (Though in fairness, I now have the benefit of knowing that the scandal rumors were disproven).

This is the way she speaks. It's simple, direct, effective. I always enjoy hearing her speak, and don't know why I was willing to believe the critics (including the Republican critics) who threw up all over it, as usual.

As for my prior assessment of this as a half-Nixon, I must adjust that too. It was, at most, a 1/16 Nixon. Much less schmaltz than I imagined. (Schmaltz is an indispensible ingredient in the American political cupboard).

It wasn't even very machiavellian. Although, I do believe she could pay off the legal tab to a much easier extent than she lets on. Even that, though, is debatable, because I'm not sure it is fair to impress that bill upon her supporters; i.e., what the Obamatons are doing is not fair to anyone.

What I see here is even more beautiful than what I imagined. Not only does her speech ring true; it is fair and just. She should be free to do her thing nationally, given that "plumbers" have abused the law to prevent her from doing it locally. It just so happens that those plumbers have given her a gift, inadvertently, because she needs that freedom to dual track her exploration of a presidential campaign.

Finally, what I heard was the outline of a presidential platform. The country needs more oil drilling; i.e., ANWR, to be independent and improve prosperity through lower energy costs. And it needs more people like Trig; i.e., fewer abortions. It needs less spending by politicians who have the guts to take risks; who is gutsier than Sarah? Who in the Republican party can sell energy, prosperity, fiscal prudence, and life values better than Sarah Palin? Those are the issues, after all. She is the best one to do it.

I've never been more supportive than I was after watching that speech. (In part, because her manuever is so bold and clever).