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CBSNews /

CBS/ June 2, 2010, 7:31 PM

Analysis: Palin Was Fed Up

Special contributor Shushannah Walshe and CBS News' Scott Conroy were embedded reporters on Sarah Palin's campaign plane and are writing a book about the governor.

With the stunning news of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's sudden resignation, it is easy to jump to the conclusion that there is "something else out there" that has forced her to make this decision. There might well be, but ever since her return to Alaska after her electoral defeat in November, it has been very clear that she has loathed the new dynamic that has greeted her there.

The recent Mark Sanford saga and other political scandals have trained us to assume the worst, but as a former campaign aide who remains close to Palin cautions, "It's a sad commentary when people jump to negative conclusions."

During her first year-and-a-half as governor, Palin seemingly could do no wrong as she frequently reached across the aisle to Democrats, racked up a string of high-profile legislative successes, and caught the eye of John McCain when she challenged the Republican presidential nominee's views on drilling in ANWR during their first face to face meeting in February of 2008.

But her beloved Alaska has been anything but accommodating since the McCain/Palin campaign's electoral defeat in November. She has been under a constant barrage of attacks there from critics, who have been joined by many of the same people who had once been her political allies.

More coverage of Gov. Sarah Palin:
Sarah Palin Resigns
Is Palin Eyeing a 2012 Presidential Run?

Until November, Palin was used to winning in everything she did and achieving career success in a startlingly rapid manner. She does not like to lose, and criticism continues to weigh heavily on her, as her skin has not seemed to thicken since the campaign.

During the election, Palin obsessed over her media coverage, often spending hours on her campaign jet watching cable news and becoming exasperated over what critical commentators had to say about her. Since then, she has continued to voice her annoyance with what she sees as a constant stream of unfair attacks. Often, she has seemed unable to exercise enough restraint to avoid getting dragged down into the mud with everyone from Alaska bloggers to a late-night comedian.

Even after a series of public relations disasters, no one in her inner circle has shown a willingness to prevent Palin from engaging with her critics large and small.

As Palin takes the next step in her remarkable political career, she is poised to travel the country, helping Republican candidates and making political friends along the way. She will be received by thousands of adoring supporters wherever she goes-a much more appealing prospect than what she currently faces in Alaska.

Until evidence surfaces to the contrary, it seems apparent that Sarah Palin simply decided enough was enough. Though this unorthodox move will raise further questions about her judgment, her conservative base will continue to support her no matter what she does next.

Palin has been underestimated many times before in her career, and anyone who assumes that she has dug her own political grave does so at their own peril.
Copyright 2010 CBS. All rights reserved.
184 Comments Add a Comment
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jesuscoming says:
the bible speaks of a man that will come a wolf in sheeps clothing he is charsmatic very well spoken looks good but his words are lies this is the anti christ we have to ask is this he or leading us to him the book of revelations is coming out meaning the church age will be done jesus will take the church home obama gets in we have to pray that lots of people get saved because the worst is coming god spoke of birthing pains it starts small then gets stronger .obama has approved witchcraft and other evil in the military wants god's name out of the military as well as other places he wants crosses covered is this the nation you want besides living his fathers dreams his father was a communist and he still talks and had his reverend paid off to not talk .read amateur and watch obama 2016 is this what we want back because it is all talk with him just like before he is following his muslim way and we will become like britain conqured by muslims and broken.his bible quran read surah they hate all jews and americans and they tell you they now hate americans we were added later. obama wants to bring trials of terrorist here why they should be put to death a mosque built means muslims conquered that area watch jack van imp and hal lindsy for bible prophecy news aren't looking for truth why have news people seek truth not the lies that are being thrown out come to jesus for all others left behind will see far worst and the things you cannot see you will be able to see like the fallen angels from heaven they were kicked out with satan one third for defying god .sarah please know that god is with you pray for guidence and wisdom jesus time is coming soon
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salabluitt says:
Informative article no matter what. Palin's trip across the US is just what the article states. I agree, folks are underestimating Palin and she is doing the rope a dope, like Ali, getting paid.

Dems are never with the times. In, 3 years we are going to be confused when she is sitting on 40 million and the entire Republican/Tea Party to fight against.

I have two questions. Why are folks not calling her out for no name gold digging typical republican politician she is (Dems as well). Finally, I read today that Bristol Palin is asking $15,000 - $30,000 to speak and make appearances. Why? To teach advocate for planned parenting and common birth control I hope. I did.

I mean, she can reach out to all those sponge heads who will believe whatever "a Palin" will say.
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ricmarc2001 says:
she wants to be the next randall terry or alan keyes and show up at abortion protests and get paid for it. sarah is going to be in for a shock shortly. she has a chubby cute little baby who can't take care of himself in any way shaper or form who is going to be getting a lot bigger and still won't be able to take care of himself.

her political ploy of having this child is soon going to come home and roost. retarded is for life. they do not get better.
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ricmarc2001 says:
SARAHG PALIN TOURED A HOME IN INDIANA WHERE THEY WAREHOUSE RETARDED BABIES. IT IS WHERE SHE IS GOING TO DUMP TRIG. HE ISN'T TODD'S KID AND HE IS PROFOUNDLY RETARDED. AND SHE THINKS THE WORLD NEEDS MORE OF HIM.
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ricmarc2001 says:
THAT KID AIN'T TODD'S. SHE HAD AN AFFAIR!
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dsmffar says:
Call it quitting or call it moving on, the end result is the same. Every one of you who are bashing her should stop and think about all the bashing her family has and is taking. Not one of you would stand by and let someone else call your daughter, son, or spouse such ridiculous names. Are you not ready to do whatever it takes to stop such nonsense. Some of you are "STUPID CRAZY HYPOCRITES" because we all know you would.

Since when do we accept and think it's okay to make fun of her child. What would you do if you had idiots doing just that about her son Trig! Her daughter got pregnant, so what...how many other thousands or millions of teenage girls have??? Do I want that for my daughter? Of course not but neither did Sarah or Todd or any other parent who's daughter OR SON make this reckless mistake.

If you have an issue about her politically then fine but stop judging her as a mother and wife for doing what is right for her family. 'LET HE WHO BE WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE" - by all these remarks it looks like there must be a lot of non-sinners amongst us...WRONG!

You self-righteous, sinless, heartless, hypocrites need to stop and think before you speak. You are the very reason there are on many crimes in America. Leave her family out of this, ridiculing a down's syndrome baby, how dare you! I hope you don't have teenagers or up and coming teens - God Bless them. Poor kids. love to Sarah, Todd and all of their families...God Bless them all!
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ricmarc2001 replies:
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SHE STARTED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! and she pals around with witch hunters!
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bassinapple says:
Did'nt Pres Obama just take a swipe at FoxNews? Why can Pres. Obama obsess over one network, while Gov. Palin gets bashed from the rest of the media?
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endurorob says:
The hateful left is really all over this one.
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clandesdun says:
Palin was fed up? She's so thin skinned she quits and the right makes excuses for her? You excuse makers are as pathetic as she is and yet you are trying to convince the world she is a brilliant tactician. She a quitter and those making excuses for her are losers. Make sure you tell your kids it's OK to quit if you don't like the way thing are going. Pathetic.
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mejordelahistoria says:
Time for her to go....... too much of a clown. All one has to do is watch her interview with Katie Curic to see what a scumbag she really is.
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