Palin Attorney Threatens Lawsuits

Outgoing Alaska Gov.'s Lawyer Warns of Legal Action Against News Outlets that Publish "Defamation"

(AP)  The abruptness of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's announcement and the mystery surrounding her plans has fed widespread speculation, but Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein on Saturday warned legal action may be taken against bloggers and publications that reprint what he calls fraudulent claims.

"To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as 'fact' that Governor Palin resigned because she is 'under federal investigation' for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation," Van Flein said in a statement. "This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law."

Palin has kept a low profile since her abrupt announcement Friday at a hastily called news conference at her home in suburban Wasilla, outside Anchorage. All of her public communication since then has been on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, or through statements released by her office.

At the same time, Palin informed her spokesman David Murrow early Saturday that someone using the name "exgovsarahpalin" on Twitter was spreading a false rumor that there was to be a party at her suburban home in Wasilla, outside Anchorage. Palin was afraid her home would be mobbed, and security was dispatched, Murrow said.

On Saturday, Palin laid the groundwork to take on a larger, national role after leaving state government, citing a "higher calling" with the aim of uniting the country along conservative lines.

A day after surprising even her closest friends by announcing she would step down as Alaska governor more than a year before her term was up, the controversial hockey mom was still keeping details of her future plans under wrap. But in a statement posted on Palin's Facebook account, she suggested that she had bigger plans and a national agenda she planned to push after she resigns at the end of the month.

"I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint," she said.

Palin also cast herself as a victim and blasted the media, calling the response to her announcement "predictable" and out of touch.

"How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it's about country," the statement said. "And though it's honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make."

Palin's personal spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, confirmed to The Associated Press that the Facebook posting was written by the governor.

With only a few weeks before she steps down on July 26, and Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell takes her place, the governor spent the Fourth of July weekend in the state capital, Juneau, but was only spotted briefly on the sidelines of the city's parade.

She had been invited to ride in a convertible, as she did last year, but never told organizers whether she would attend.

Juneau parade director Jean Sztuk said officials drew up banners in case Palin showed and was willing to take part.

As the last of the parade's clowns and marching bands headed past her, Sztuk gave up on Palin. "What governor wants to be at the end of the parade?" she asked.

Her low-profile and vague Internet messages left mounting questions about her plans for the future shrouded in mystery. Will she lay the groundwork for a 2012 presidential bid? Will she find a high-profile place in the private sector, maybe on the speech circuit? Will she drop out of the limelight and focus on her five children?

Her constituents, for one, wanted to know, especially in Juneau, where she has struggled to win over residents.

"I think she owes it to Alaskans to tell us why," said state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, the son of Alaska's first governor, Bill Egan.

Egan, hosting a 50th anniversary statehood ceremony, said he was disappointed Palin decided not to finish out her term, which was scheduled to end in 2010.

"It's sad she abandoned us at this critical time," said Egan, who was appointed by Palin to an open seat on the last day of the legislative session in April, after a protracted battle with Senate Democrats.

Palin's departure can't come soon enough for Laurel Carlton, a waitress at the Capital Cafe in the Baranof Hotel, where the city's political movers and shakers meet every morning before walking a few blocks to the Capitol.

"I think she has a game plan that's not Alaska, and hasn't been for awhile," Carlton said.

She noted Palin has a book deal, and seems headed for the national stage.

"If you're really not going to stay and do your job every day, you should leave anyway, and so the sooner the better so somebody can step in and actually do the job," Carlton said.

And as far as Carlton is concerned, Palin doesn't need to explain why she's leaving.

"We don't care. We just want her gone," she said.

Palin, whose popularity in Alaska has waned amid ongoing ethics investigations, gave many reasons for stepping down: She didn't want to be a lame-duck governor; she was tired of the tasteless jokes aimed at her five children, including her son Trig, who has Down syndrome; she felt she could do more in another, still-to-be-defined role.

Sen. John McCain didn't rule out a return to politics for his former running mate, saying Saturday he believes "she will continue to play an important leadership role in the Republican Party and our nation." He gave no other details.

Even Parnell, who plans to run for re-election after finishing out Palin's term, said he was shocked at first when he learned of his boss' decision.

"But then as she began to articulate her reasons, I began to understand better," he said. "And nobody - unless they've been in her position and understood what she has gone through and dealt with and who she is as a person - really understands."

[clancy49]

You go girl! Ferraro was just a brutally attacked to the point she had to step down and go away because she couldn't let her family suffer any more. How much more can Palin take? How much more should she take? What her reasons are for stepping down, I don't know. I can say the media, the Palin haters, people who fear her (she must really be a threat to the powers that be) won't stop slugging her. All the things she supposedly said where said by Tina Fey in comedy skit. I say its about time you swing back and don't disappear. Palin and her family are made of stronger stuff, and while other politicians can gaily go about lying, cheating, adultering, and murdering for their power status, why should Palin sit back and hide from the defaming lies? Its about time she and her lawyers swing back. You go Girl! It's about time the sisters understand the sisterhood and support not a gender, but capability.

[robh84]

I normally don't comment on these blogs. I usually just read them for their entertainment value. But the absurdity of this one compelled me to reply. Zboes would like everyone to believe that the ideology of the Obama administration, is the same as that of the 1964 Democrat party.

The Democrat party of today IS the party of change. That's not just a campaign slogan. The Republican party IS the party for bigots and hypocrites. I will gladly offer examples of each as proof.

In 1964 Robert Byrd and other Southern and Border state democrats did filibuster against the Civil Rights Act. They did so for 83 days and not 54 as written in Zboes post. Byrd actually filibustered for 14 straight hours. An act he now regrets and has written in letters to this. Byrd a former member, and Exalted Cyclops of the West Virginia KKK. Admits he was wrong as a young man about his views. He wrote, "I know now I was wrong. Intolerance had no place in America. I apologized a thousand times... and I don't mind apologizing over and over again. I can't erase what happened." He now says that young people need to be involved in politics, but to avoid organizations that promote racial and ethnic separation. Unlike other senators, and congressmen. Byrd, a lifelong democrat, did not switch parties when it's views changed from social conservatism to social liberalism. Byrd also voted IN FAVOR of the 1968 Civil Rights Act. You see, even and old dog can change.

On the other hand, Senator Strom Thurmond (name familiar)? Ran for potus in 1948 as a "Dixiecrat" or segregationist States Right Democrat. In 1964 all the former Dixiecrat's except Byrd switched to the Republican party. All were also opposed to the 1968 Civil Rights Act. You see, when these former democrats were unable to change with the times. They were welcomed with open arms by the Repugnant Party. The problem we have however is that, all the while Thurmond was promoting racial bigotry and separation. He was secretly making payments to his former black maid for the childcare of his bi-racial daughter which he fathered while having an affair with the afore mentioned black maid. A relationship and daughter he never acknowledged publicly. In fact this did not come to light until after his death in 2003. You see, in the case of this old Republican, he could not change. Which goes to show, that the Republican party has a long and esteemed history of bigots and hypocrites.

So in conclusion. The next time you want to give us a history lesson Zboe. Make sure you know your history first. Also, what the Hades does any of that have to do with Sarah Palin abandoning the voters of Alaska? You Repuglicans always throw up these smoke screens to hide the real issues that you can't defend or want to discuss.

[jedi0849]

Palin is going to stick it to her critics but it wont be in the courts. She will go out with force and campaign for all the republicans next fall. She will win them a majority of their elections and this will help take down the Obama spending suicide mission she is on.

palin wont run for president, but she will be huge the party and make a lot of money.

[hamiltongrad]

What really happened ? Ted, Time to Talk.

[hamiltongrad]

CBS: Time for Ted to talk.


Closure. Tears. Moving on. The last interview. When ? If not now.

[lakeside176]

Is it possible that Sarah Palin's "higher calling" is that she is going to start another political party?

[pvperson3]

I don't know about her being a *****, but we sure have proof she's stupid.

I see no actual malice on the part of the reporters of Palin's reasons for her early departure.

[antoniof123]

Is she gone now. I hope so.

[CBSName]

Wow, all this yelling insults at each other certainly has changed a lot of people's opinions.

NOT

I support free speech, but this stuff isn't useful in my opinion. It's just people trying to outshout one another as if the side which has the most vehemence means they're right. We all love our country, we just disagree as to what policies are best.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

[CBSName]

Wow, all this yelling insults at each other certainly has changed a lot of people's opinions.

NOT

I support free speech, but this stuff isn't useful in my opinion. It's just people trying to outshout one another as if the side which has the most vehemence means they're right. We all love our country, we just disagree as to what policies are best.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

[Kalvin007]

This woman has no future political career. She is a train wreck, that's the only reason she gets any media attention. She makes no sense at all. Take her comment about casting herself as a victim and blasted the media, calling the response to her announcement: "predictable" and out of touch. How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it's about country,"

Funny, Sarah Palin is married to a man who belonged to the AIP (Alaskan Independance Party) party whose agenda called for "votes giving Alaskans the option to secede from the United States". Todd was a member of this party for 7 years according to CBS news. This woman values "country"?
In my opinion Mrs Palin is mentally ill.

[dblbar1]

who cares..........good riddance, idiot.

[stevex47]

How long till the druggie limbaugh calls her a traitor, just like mccain?

[velma179]

Sorry, my last post addressed the broad range issue...

As far as the legal issue. There is no precedent for Mrs. Palin [as a political figure] to win a lawsuit and if she tries, she could be held accountable for slanderous statements she herself has made.

I would very much like to see her live up to what she asks of others on her own behalf!

[velma179]

I am struck by Mrs. Palin's assumption that if she were to remain governor, she would become like the "lame duck politician" she clearly described.

She wouldn't work as hard as she can for her state if she was not going to seek re-election?

Seriously and without party or ideology bias, I will stress: this is not a person who should be considered for national office ... ALL presidents on a second term are "lame ducks".... do they all just give up and say, oh well I can't run again, so I'll just quit.

I wish the Palin family well.

[woeisme1]

Sarah Palin is facing a major ethics violations probe for bribery among other things. How true it is I don't know but I would not be surprised in the least. She is a corrupt ex-government official and about as self-serving an individual as there could be. And she is not too bright at all.

Foe whatever legal trouble she may be in, she will be doing the show circuit raking in millions no doubt while continuing to make a fool of herself.

A woman, who was interviewed in Alaska today said on the news that she was glad Palin was leaving. She said just about anyone who replaces Palin would have to be empathetic to the people, something Palin obviously knew nothing about.

Is'nt that a typical Republican label? They do not care about the people, just their ideology and party. And any Republican who thinks Liberals are afraid of Palin are simply deluding themselves. Think what you want Palin supporters, but Palin will NEVER be elected POTUS!

[South-of-Heaven]

joule18 ,

Google Palin House Gate,

the House that was built for free.....

[ramos1129]

An additional comment - Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, Gibson, etc. get away with making wild statements about people they attack because they attack public figures. They know that these folks, should they wish to sue, would be wasting their money on lawyers.

[ramos1129]

Palin is a public figure and will most likely remain so. As such, the courts have already determined that she is fair game. All talk of lawsuits againist her critics is pure hype. She might file one or two lawsuits but, because she cannot afford such legal costs, that would be all. All would very likely never come to trial or be settled. The judge would simply dismiss them.