A quick reading of her biography on Wikipedia confirmed what I remembered learning about her when she first burst onto the national scene. Sarah has quit a political post before. This is just a repeat performance. She ran for Lt. Gov. and came in second in the primary to Loren Leman, who then went on to become the running mate of Frank Murkowski. They won the election in 2002. Murkowski, who was serving in the U.S. Senate at the time, resigned from the position in December of that year to become governor. For some reason, he is reported to have considered appointing Palin to replace him in the Senate but, instead, appointed his daughter, Lisa Murkowski, who still holds that seat. Murkowski then tossed a little bone to Palin by appointing her to the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, which she chaired beginning 2003. A year later, citing "lack of ethics" of fellow Republican members on the commission, she resigned

She's just trying out a strategy that worked for her before because she then went on to run for Governor, defeating Frank Murkowski in the GOP primary and then winning the spot by defeating democrat Tony Knowles.

But the stakes are much higher this time. And if she does make a move for the presidency (or even that Alaska Senate seat) voters need to be reminded that she's quit political office twice already and what guarantees do we have that she won't quit once again if she gets bored, or the heat becomes too intense, or she envisions fame and fortune elsewhere?

i don't think your post was for me...but it was interesting to me so i am answering. two previous posts of mine (and some answers to them) proceed this one. actually i am very much on your side. i am just so with you on all that you mentioned...i am an activist in just about every category you mentioned and am quite passionate about it. i still don't understand the productive nature of all the hate speech on salon. clearly, i have been a part of it...and it makes me literally sick to read my posts from the election. ranting feels so destructive to me at this point and salon feels so overloaded with it. i am on your side...which brings me back to salon because that is where my beliefs lie, i just no longer understand the need to malign people and it constantly pushes me away again.

yes...i get the "then don't read it" crowd...but i think that is an unfortunate response to someone who is on your side.

thanks.

Just got home -- 325 letters, the night before July 4. Readerreader is right about one thing: His girl is some kind of star, to left and right.

Thanks Paris Pace and Svutlov for your work in my stead. There is just a big yawning existential sort of divide here, between those of us who saw that speech and thought: Crazy? Crystal meth? Alaska really is different? Versus those who thought: Crazy like a fox, blaming (I'd say whining about) the "liberal" media. We'll find out the truth in due time, but I think "Crazy" will be the winning pick.

Okay, whatever that woman is on? I hope I never take any of it.

Seriously, this sounds like nothing so much as a woman hopped up on amphetamines rambling her head off. I'm reminded of the encounter I had with Brett Butler in the mid-90's, when I was working at a bookstore in West Hollywood. She rambled in just the same way, and had the same stare. It's very creepy. And it's not in any way normal.

I'm rather on tenterhooks to see just what this is all about. Could it have something to do with all that whackjob Domionist exorcism cult fuckery? Because that would be choice.

Nothing in Palin's speech gave any indication that she was starting her run for 2012 on July 26 of 09 (the whole idea sound absurd).

In fact it seemed more like she was saying that she was done with politics and elected office altogether.

If this is an act to further her ambition, then it was the wrong move to make.

No one can take her seriously as a statesman now that she has quit her responsibilities in the middle of her first term.

Alaska is going to suffer because of her resignation.

Granted I think she is stupid, but I doubt she is that stupid.

She must know that by resigning she has put her political career to an end.

She may still have ambitions, but they are certainly not political, unless she is stupider than anyone imagined.

My guess she knows some big scandal is about to break, and she is hoping to get out while she still can.

as written, as opposed to the video? I find the style revealing, by which I mean just this side of illiterate. Then again, I have high standards, and expect all minimally educated people to know when the punctuation goes INSIDE the quotation mark.

The first thing that popped into my head while listening to her rambling and more-often-than-not incoherent speech.

No wonder it took Sarah Palin 5 trips to 4 different colleges to get her B.A. in Journalism.

I included you on "our side".

In the later part I was trying to convey that in America there will always be debate (I think debate is good), but sometimes debate is going to get heated.

I mean no ill will to Palin or her family, but I dislike her, have no problem showing my dislike for her, and I am glad she is gone (or at least going away).

This lady is a nutcase !

Or "extremely stupid" if Bill Kristol is correct and this is Palin's way of launching her 2012 campaign.

To clarify, Joan Walsh,

I have had sex dreams about you, and only nightmares about Palin.

But that is just the kind of guy I am.

PS

I would put my money on "Disastrous Hypocrite" being the label Palin ends up with.

People can claim I bash Palin too hard, but she made her bed and now she is going to have to lie in it (no one of the left told her to resign, at least not in a way to be taken seriously).