July 6, 2009
Palin Leaves Voters, GOP Allies Perplexed
Sarah Palin's Resignation As Alaska's Governor Has Frustrated Voters and Other Politicians
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Play CBS Video Video Palin's Elusiveness Sarah Palin's game of hide and seek with the media is frustrating some voters, and even perplexing her allies in the Republican Party. Terry McCarthy reports.
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Video Palin's Future in Question Sarah Palin's white house hopes are now uncertain after her resignation as governor, Terry McCarthy reports. Harry Smith spoke with political analyst Dan Bartlett about the G.O.P.'s stance.
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Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announces that she is stepping down from her position as Governor in Wasilla, Alaska on Friday July 3, 2009. The former Republican vice presidential candidate made the surprise announcement, saying she would step down July 26 but didn't announce her plans. (AP Photo/The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, Robert DeBerry) (AP Photo)
"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."
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See all 44 CommentsThe 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?
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
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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!
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...
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!
AS THEY SAY--"IT'S NOT THE MONEY-IT'S THE MONEY"!!!!
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.
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.
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 ? ? ?
Can you imagine her trying that if she were president?
This sounds like Sandford doesn't it we think he is hiking on the trial. "I wish I knew."
Sounds more and more like the reactionary party line I wish I knew I don't recall I don't know. More and more dumber than dirt responses. Even Rove says it is risky truth be known it is useless.
Not smart, SCB, to be so condescending when you are showing such glaring ignorance. (Or perhaps you are knowingly misrepresenting the facts. I don't know you, so I don't know which is more likely the case.) It's likely you cannabilized this mistake from those who made it before you, these last few days -- so original of you, to boot.
Unlike PALIN, Nixon NEVER QUIT an elected job mid-term, and never otherwise QUIT on his constituencies, up to being forced to resign by Watergate. Rather, in the timeframe you are referring to -- immediately after Nixon lost the CA governorship in 1962, which was on the heels of his barely losing the Presidency in 1960 -- Nixon claimed he was quitting politics in an outburst of emotion that was understandable by anyone's standards.
Unlike PALIN, Nixon was NOT widely disliked or disrespected. In fact, Nixon lost the popular vote in the 1960 Presidential race by one of the narrowest margins in history. (He later won his second term as President by one of the largest margins in history.)
In fact, much unlike PALIN, Nixon was admired and respected even by those who disliked him.
Unlike PALIN, Nixon was well qualified for National Office at the point he first ran for President in 1960, having spent a few years in Congress and then 8 years as Vice President.
Unlike PALIN, Nixon was considered qualified to be Vice President at the point he ran on the ticket with Eisenhower in 1952.
And finally, unlike PALIN, Nixon was NOT considered "wacky, crazy, shoot from the hip" in the period you are referring to, SCB.
It is you who have forgotten, SCB, or perhaps you have selective/delusional memory.
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
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Before you compare Obama's successful political career to Palin's failure to successfully complete her governor's term in an apparent attempt to head off an upcoming scandal that would have ruined her career as the governor of Alaska, perhaps you should go back and actually research the krap your posting about Obama. It's abundantly clear from your comments that you are a very LOW-INFORMATION VOTER...you're content with obsessively indoctrinating yourself with the hate speech and political smears of others to mask your ignorance of the facts....
The Republican base is filled with LOW INFORMATION VOTERS who are routinely duped into supporting political positons that will not serve them.....
Also, check out the superb movie, a surprisingly sympathetic story of his life, that Oliver Stone, of all people, did a few years ago ("Nixon", with Anthony Hopkins in one of his greatest roles), if you haven't seen it already. A real eye-opener to his inner demons, his hellaciously poor childhood, etc. He actually comes across as a (partially) tragic figure in the movie, but certainly not well-liked by much of anybody.
Although I am seriouly not a fan of either Tricky Dick or Caribou Barbie, it's not clear to me why Nixon's meltdown after losing in 1962 ("OK, fine, you won't have Nixon to kick around anymore!") was an emotional outburst that was any more "understandable" than was Palin's. Though I would surely agree that when Nixon could maintain in a more composed emotional state, he was massively more intelligent than Palin will ever dream of being -- he wrote (not ghost writing, he personally did the research and writing) a number of history and foreign policy books, beginning a couple years after he resigned, that were highly regarded, including by moderates and many Democrats. An interesting comparison, all the same. In fairness to Palin, though, she is a bit better looking than Nixon, gotta give her credit for that . . .
Before you compare Obama's successful political career to Palin's failure to successfully complete her governor's term in an apparent attempt to head off an upcoming scandal that would have ruined her career as the governor of Alaska, perhaps you should go back and actually research the krap your posting about Obama. It's abundantly clear from your comments that you are a very LOW-INFORMATION VOTER...you're content with obsessively indoctrinating yourself with the hate speech and political smears of others to mask your ignorance of the facts....
The Republican base is filled with LOW INFORMATION VOTERS who are routinely duped into supporting political positons that will not serve them.....
Oh this is rich! Where is my hate speech? Come on, where is my hate speech I want you to quote it word for word. You democrats do it all the time, every last one of your posts. Obama got elected, but to say he has been successful in his presidency is ridiculous. You still have the banking mess, which if you actually did the research you would see the democrats are involved in.
No Chitown,
There was no hate speech in my post, unlike yours. Secondly, since you say there is a scandle, what scandle?
"perhaps you should go back and actually research the krap your posting about Obama. It's abundantly clear from your comments that you are a very LOW-INFORMATION VOTER...you're content with obsessively indoctrinating yourself with the hate speech and political smears of others to mask your ignorance of the facts.... "
You want facts, I can give you facts.
Fact One:
Jermiah Wright who said "No No No No Not God Bless America, but God D__N America" Was Obama's Pastor for 20 years. FACT PROVEN
Fact Two:
William Ayers the UNREPENTANT DOMESTIC TERRORIST in the 1960's through a party at his house to kick off Obama's Political Career. Fact Two PROVEN.
Fact Three:
In 2005 Senator Richard Shelby (Banking and Finance chairman) wanted to put regulations on the banks. Chris Dodd said it was not needed. Chris Dodd became the chairmen of that same committee and told the people of this country that are banks were fine. They were stable and were in NO danger. They failed weeks later... PROVEN FACT
So now do you really want to call me ill informed? Do you want to say I am a racist when I have NEVER said anything racist. But you think you know me so well. Tell you what, stop trying to tell me to research my krap and do some of your own. I mean when you can prove to us all that NO democrats were involved then maybe we can sit and talk. But if you call me a racist one more time, you better be able to back that up and quote me word for word.
HE WAS A SLEAZY-SHIFTY EYED LIER AND EVERTONE KNEW IT'
HE WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT BECAUSE THERE WAS SIMPLY NO ONE ELSE AT THAT TIME.
THOSE OF US WHO WATCHED HIM KNEW THAT HE WAS "THE DARKNESS LOOKING FOR THE DARK"!!!
Is that why Obama voted Present while in the Senate. Now do us all a favor and shut up
So here we are -- just a few days after PALIN made that claim to taking a higher road -- on WorkDay 1 of PALIN's "lame duck" status -- and not even her closest State Aides know where she is.
I guess goin' fishin' doesn't count as "lame duck partying"...
On those fun trade missions that other "lame ducks" took, their constituencies at least knew where they were...
And who is carrying on PALIN's Alaska state business in her stead, while she's out-and-about to places unknown?
Walks/quacks/smells like another State ethics violation...
We have enough paitents running the asylum already!
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