Palin Leaves Voters, GOP Allies Perplexed

(CBS)  CBS News Correspondent Terry McCarthy reports that Sarah Palin's game of hide and seek with the media is frustrating some voters -- and even perplexing her allies in the Republican party.

"I don't think it's right for her to just disappear on us like that," said Iesha Beverly-Weasel, an Anchorage resident.

Today on CBS' "The Early Show", former aide to George W. Bush Dan Bartlett said, "She's left both supporters and detractors scratching their heads."

George W. Bush's former chief political aide Karl Rove said on "Fox News Sunday" that Palin's decision was personal, but it's a risky strategy.

"She marches to the beat of her own drummer, and its going to be very interesting how she pulls this off," he said.

Even the normally effusive Rush Limbaugh didn't know what to make of her.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you I know for sure what this means because I don't," he said, "'cause I haven't heard her say - I haven't heard anybody in her camp say - what this is all about and why she's doing it."

In fact, the only definitive statement we have today about Sarah Palin is from the FBI - which says she is not the target of a criminal investigation, dismissing one theory of her sudden resignation.

Palin has been targeted with numerous ethics complaints which friends say have worn her down - and cost the state some $2 million to defend.

"It's pretty insane," Palin said in a press conference. "My staff and I spend most of our day dealing with this."

In Palin's hometown of Wasila, one-time supporter Lyda Green, says Palin likes to shoot from the hip.

"I have never seen her take advice from others, and she seems very satisfied with her own judgement," said Green, the former Republican State Senate President.

Since Friday, Palin has communicated with brief messages by Twitter. On Sunday morning she attacked her critics for "spinning" and "feeding false information" - and then several hours later tweeted that she was going fishing in western Alaska.

This is a pretty big state - with plenty of places to hide. When CBS asked Palin's press secretary today when the governor was returning, he said "I wish I knew."

[ladypirate2]

Kristan Cole, Trustee
The Alaska Fund Trust
July 22, 2009


Thank you for being here today. My name is Kristan Cole, Trustee to the Alaska Fund Trust. And this is the Trust's attorney in Alaska, Jon Givens.

I am here to address the unusual letter that was leaked yesterday, the contents of which are unprecedented in the history of our country, suggesting that a legal defense fund could somehow be unethical. This is particularly notable, and concerning, in light of the fact that the Trust, on my instructions, has not paid even one penny to Gov. Palin or her lawyers. I issued that instruction because I was aware the Board was reviewing this matter.

This Trust was created by a team of expert lawyers from around the country. It was thoroughly vetted for compliance with federal and state law and trust law. So far Mr. Daniel is the only lawyer in the country who has questioned a legal defense fund despite the fact that his firm has set up legal defense funds for other office holders. Because his initial review was unprecedented and contained factual errors it was my understanding that Gov. Palin's legal team, including Mr. Van Flein, were in on-going discussions with Mr. Daniel. The matter was not final.

I want to be clear on a point that has been misrepresented: The Governor is not and was not involved with the Trust. The Governor has never worked on or with the Trust. The Governor has not even accepted or requested one penny from the Trust or quite frankly anything of me. And I have never expected anything from her. Really it?s quite the contrary; as I, and many other caring folks across the country have only sought to help with this legal burden.

The first and only time I have spoken with the Governor about the Trust was yesterday to alert her that I was responding to this violation of the law and leak of preliminary and confidential materials from the complainant.

There is a loophole in Alaska law. Alaskans can file frivolous complaints against the Governor - violate the law and alert the media they are doing so, all the complaints can be dismissed and yet the Governor has to personally pay for representation. Legislators covered themselves with a law that warrants automatic dismissal of a complaint if it is leaked to the public.

It has been quite obvious to me, and to other every day citizens like me, that over the last several months that something needed to be done to help the Palins with the overwhelming crush of frivolous ethics complaints.

In their own humble way, the Palins never asked for help. The Governor never even asked anyone to contribute to this legal expense fund. This trust, and the thousands and thousands of dollars raised, were the results of hard working Americans and their outpouring of support. It is disgraceful that anyone would assume that the thousands of people who sent in $5, $10 or $50 intended to "influence" the governor's official actions in Alaska! And this in a state where a half dozen legislators have been convicted of corruption as well as the previous governor's chief of staff. Not one ethics complaint was filed against these individuals who were convicted, but this governor is harassed for having her picture taken with a fish, wearing a jacket, answering press questions and giving a speech.

A few select people have abused our ethics act. The public release of a preliminary document in violation of state law follows that pattern. The people of this state are losing hope that the ethics act has any real purpose anymore and that?s incredibly sad as ethics are so important. Mr. Daniel's preliminary assessment, unprecedented in history and harshly criticized by legal scholars, does nothing to restore credibility to this process.

Numerous individuals thought to help the Palins - not just me. But when I was asked, I was doing research of my own and determined that I would put my name on a Trust already going through an intense legal process throughout the country to ensure that this one was airtight and complied with every possible law under the sun. And this one does. It is one of the most restrictive and transparent trusts of its kind. The validity of the Trust is strong. It is unprecedented in every way imaginable... all donations must be under $150, no donations from lobbyists, and nothing accepted from foreign nationals to name a few. No trust has ever been found to be a violation of ethical standards for any governor, former president, senator, or house member, or former member of Congress. But this Trust which has more severe donation and donor limits than any trust in the history of legal defense trusts might violate ethical rules?

[ladypirate2]

by o_the_potus July 6, 2009 6:30 PM PDT
by libscrytoo July 6, 2009 6:11 PM PDT
Lets see, Obama spent 2 years in Congress, and most of the time voted Present. He served as an Illinois State Senator but again he was mostly like a Community Organizer. So lets not go into credentials because by your standard, Obama does not qualify either

__________________________________________________________

Don't forget Obama has an advanced law degree vs. Sarah's serial community college work in journalism or general studies or whatever. Did she even complete her degree or did she quit that too?


Just because Obama has two law degrees does not mean that he has plain common sense! Without common sense all the law degrees in the world are not worth a dime! I'll take someone with common sense ANYTIME over someone with law degrees!

[ABM_21]

It amazes me at the number of ignorant uninformed people there are in this world.
bob-bob..you obviously dont know the definitition of Fascist...let me educate you...it is GOVERNMENT control of banking and industry...When has Sarah Palin advocated anything like this?
WAKE UP...look at what the Obama administration is doing...they now own General Motors...control the largest banks, are fighting to control Health Care...and have rammed legislation through congress to control Energy, via cap and trade. If this legislation makes it through the Senate, we will ALL pay.
bob-bob..please do some reading and educate yourself before it's too late. Your individual freedom (whats left of it) will be gone, along with any chance to fulfill any dreams you might have. (If you have any)
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I guess you don't really know the meaning of the term 'fascist', either. It is the government control of the banking and industry, true enough. But, when banking and industry went to the government asking for a bailout---the dispensing of public funds to them, private industry, in order to remain in business---the term doesn't quite fit. Also, since this bailout nonsense started under Bush, I guess we had TWO socialist presidents. Add to that the fact that, unlike Obama, Bush never won a presidential election, but served two terms. Look at the mess he and his fellow Retardicans left us. Now, that the medicine for this financial fiasco is unpalatable for many of you, you start throwing out accusations and untruths. How sad. So, if we would have had the geriatric and the quitter running the nation, things would have been better, right? Even though Republicans created this mess, you honestly think they were the party equipped to pull the nation out of this? How were they going to do that? More tax cuts for people who needed and deserved them the least? I don't think so...

[ladypirate2]

At least if the "geriatric and the quitter" were running the nation we wouldn't be fast becoming a communist nation!

[ladypirate2]

ABC had no trouble finding her! She's fishing with her family in Bristol bay on the western coast of Alaska just as she has every summer for the past 20 years! They showed an interview with her tonight on the evening news!

Personally I think she just got tired of the constant bashing and tired of politics in general and decided to take a break! She's human and can take just so much abuse! She will rest awhile and spend some time with her family and then she'll be back full force! I don't think there's any doubt about it!

She'll spend her time for the next year or two promoting her book and quietly gathering funds for her 2012 campaign When she has enough money she will announce her candidacy and she will come on strong!

This time, though, she will be read up on US foreign policy and be able to answer all questions. This time, though, I think she'll squelch all attacks on her family. Shw will make it VERY CLEAR that her family is off limits to the media and the late night comedians from the very start and she won't be very nice about it! She'll tell them in no uncertain terms to leave her kids alone! I think she's learned a lesson about that the hard way!

[jcr103]

Everyone is perplexed? Not as perplexed as Sarah Palin, on a daily basis.

[HGOODGUY]

SARAH PALIN IS PLAYING IT SMART BECAUSE SHE IS GOING TO GET A "LOTTERY" BOOK DEAL AND PROBABLY A TALK SHOW OF SOME SORT.

AS THEY SAY--"IT'S NOT THE MONEY-IT'S THE MONEY"!!!!

[tautomer]

I just think with Obama having his media goons lookin into her daughters bedroom window every night got to be tiring. Palin will make boatloads of money in the private sector, where Obama's culture of hatred and intimidation isn't tolerated.

Hopefully, the press will start treating Obama's daughhters the way he's had his people treat Palin's. It will be interesting to see his reaction.

[HGOODGUY]

YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THE SUN--COME INSIDE WHERE ALL THE SANE PEOPLE ARE!!!!

[tarylina]

Sarah, oh Sarah, where could you be?
Oh wait - you're out fishing with your faithful hubby.

Sarah, oh Sarah, why did you leave?
Oh, yes, I forgot, it's to lead the country.

Sarah, oh Sarah, please go away
You simply make a fool of yourself each and every day

Take the only choice you have now;
Speak to make money, you know how
It won't last for long and it's the easy way out...

Yes, Sarah, you are famous beyond belief
For all the wrong reasons, now please take your leave.

The Republican Party needs you like crack
The White Elephant they accepted - and can't give back.

[nearl451]

Blah Blah Blah. More coverage of beating a dead horse. Nothing new here, just Palin family in the news every two weeks....like clockwork.

[newerdeal]

People are calling her a quitter ?

That is too bad.

What is really too bad is that it appears our president has quit trying to get the economy going.

They bailed out Wall Street and the auto companies then quit ! ! !

They asked Joe about the economy way into the interview. All this other stuff came first.

The economy STUPID ! ! ! Remember ? ? ?