Interesting move...

It has to be a politically calculated move. Just from what I've seen from Sarahcudda, she wouldn't do it to "hide" anything!

I don't think it is a third party thing either. Palin is a winner and you won't win with a third party - at least not yet, anyway.

As Lewis Carrol migh say, "Curiouser and curiouser..."

To say you are quitting half way through your term because you suddenly realize that you are a lame duck governor is about the most bizarre excuse I have ever heard.

Some Conservative supporters are patting her on the back for her "wise political move so she could better position herself for a presidential run". That's like congratulating a general for abandoning his troops in the middle of the battle so he can "spend more time with his family."
So, Sarah. Here's what I usually tell my kids when they get bored with one project and want to move on to something else more exciting. You finish the first job before you go on to the next one.

A lot of her supporters spent a lot of time and money to put her into office. She’s betrayed all of them.
Not that Parnell won’t be a good Governor…but then she should have been campaigning for Parnell instead of running herself.

This is political stupidity.

Perhaps it’s just as well McCain/Palin ticket went down to defeat.
Had they won Palin might got tired of playing "VP" , and quit half way through to start working on her next goal...president.

CY, it's real simple. As long as she holds public office, Demorats will continue to file false ethics charges over anything she does that's remotely political. Alaskan state law requires her to use her own money to defend herself. Even though she's 15 for 15 in getting them dismissed, the cost was bankrupting her and her family.

Sure, she could start a legal defense fund.... which only opens her up to more charges. That doesn't even count the time they eat up from being governor.

Finally, the Rats are wetting themselves over the possibility of criminal charges from the O! administration. That wouldn't surprise me; after all, they have the crack career DOJ (which donated to O! 2-1 in the last election) prosecution team from the Sen. Stevens case. They're in place, and now they know who to avoid talking to when it comes to anything resembling exculpatory evidence...

Yeah, Morris, like O! did? Of course, he stayed in office and collected the salary and bennies without actually doing the job....

I think its more likely that Sarah is just fed up with the massive unrelentless left wing media smearing of her and her family. She has committed no crime. She has served her state well. Yet she has been treated worse than William Jefferson. Why do they hate an All American Girl who happens to be White ,Chrisian , and Heterosexual? I just answered my own question.

Yes, indeed, time will tell. Rumors and speculation are all that we have at the moment. I suspect that a health issue has nothing to with it, unless, of course, mental health would be included.

One this is for sure: The biggest political mistake that John McCain has ever made in his notable political career was having chosen this woman to be his running mate. Many of us who consider ourselves to be independents in the voting booth are STILL asking ourselves WHY on earth would McCain have made such a foolish choice. The answer, of course, is that he was trying to appeal to the far right wing of the GOP, the so called "base".

In reality, that base is becoming more and more irrelevant in American Politics. If the GOP ever hopes to become a national party again, they're going to have quit pandering to the far right minority.

Palin's political career is finished.

How does the Palin Movement handle this question, which will NOT go away:

”If she can’t handle criticism from bloggers, then how could she handle al-Qaeda?”

Self-pity will destroy the GOP. The move does strengthen Rudy Giuliani and others who would rather fight than quit. But too many Republicans act like ACORN and the MSM leave them no choice but whining and crying and quitting.

America hates quitters. Plain and simple. Don't complain, get back in there and fight.

Come on, kids. A legal defense fund in March, and a sudden resignation on the Friday before the 4th of July. There's an indictment coming. The investigation started during the Bush administration, and both she and her husband will be nailed in connection with that house of theirs in Wasilla, which was built by the same outfit that built Wasilla's sports complex that Palin supported and which nearly bankrupted the town.

Ensign. Christian "Promise Keeper." Affair with staffer, payoffs to husband and kids. Strike one!

Sanford. Family values, sanctity of marriage, blah blah blah. Argentinian mistress. Trips to see her financed by taxpayers. Lovesick blather upon return. Strike two!

Palin. "A servant's heart" and associated evangelical dog whistling. Unprepared to begin with. Erratic and wacky throughout. Personally corrupt. Steeeeerike three, YOU'RE OUT!

Do you people realize just how foolish and phony you look? Do you have any idea what the voters are going to do to you in 2010 and 2012? Hoo boy, is your day ever coming, and it couldn't happen to a more deserving pack of freaks!

Dude,
McCain also was too old and refused to really campaign against Obama. I personally only voted for and donated to him because of Palin and I am no right wing extremist. The independents that Mac was supposed to appeal to voted overwhelmingly for Obama, even his long time friend, Colin Powell. No, the biggest mistake McCain made was calling Republicans racists for being against his illegal immigrant scheme, bending over for the Democrats throughout his career, calling us "my friends" and being a maverick, which meant sticking it to his party whenever it pleased him. Oh and suspending his campaign and that he-he laugh didn't help him. Without Palin it would have been a disaster of Walter Mondale proportions, my friend!

Amusedashell: I have seen the identical post on several comment threads today. Please tell where you got the information and the source. If it is true it would be devastating. If it is only more rumor and Andrew Sullivan truthism, then it is typical progressive procedure, throw some crap out there and then the monkeys will spread it around. Just like the banned books that didn't happen, the other previous ethics investigations that cost the state plenty and the stimulus will save or create a bazillion jobs!

She explained her reasons at length. Makes total sense to me and I think a wise move for both her and her family. She accomplished more in half a term than most governors do in two terms. She just announced she is going on offence. Like that Yankee soldier said of Grant after getting roughed up by Lee in The Wilderness, "(S)he don't scare worth a damn."

Dude's post is nonsense. There is no FBI investigation, and they have confirmed that. I think Dude is really Jason Leopold.

People have a tendency to forget the people in the public eye are -- human.

Everybody - supporters and detractors alike - are guessing what the ulterior, political motives must be.

The scientific method states in part that the researcher should accept the simplest answer that fits until it is proven wrong before we insist on more complex and complicated causes...

Why do we do the reverse and assume someone like Palin isn't telling the real truth when they explain why they are doing something?

The woman is human. She has the big demands of a new baby with down syndrome and another "child" who just had a baby of her own and is unwed.

It is very easy to understand that people in such circumstances often see to relieve pressure through change.

Like when Michael Jordan first retired from the NBA. Nobody seemed to think about the fact his father had been killed in the recent past. His making a life-altering decision as part of his reaction to that personal stress was normal - not terribly surprising.

With Palin's family situation - and the press constantly seeking to destroy her and her political opponents seeking to financially ruin her --- her decision is not a very hard one to understand...

Well, I'm shocked and disappointed. I hope the reason makes sense for her, that she does well, and that we haven't seen the last of her.

Amused As Hell: I found the answer to my question without your input. I should have KNOWN that you were spreading Huffington blog rumors with NO basis in fact. Remember comrades, only good Democrats like Barack and Michelle are allowed to get deals from convicted felons like Tony Rezko without impunity when they buy houses and land below market value. But that is not the point since the FBI has stated that no investigation is ongoing, NO indictment is forthcoming and that no wrongdoing was uncovered. Typical of the left, throw out crap and roll in it. Then, finally impugn the integrity and insult anyone who doesn't follow your political ideology. Tell a lie often enough and people will believe it. I am also " Amused As Hell" that you people think you are in control forever. Enjoy it while it lasts, which in politics is not a lifetime. Just ask the Clintons how well their "people" treated them, him being the "FIRST" Black President and her the smartest woman in the world. It must really sting to be called racists and giving up her hard won (she deserved it for being humiliated!) seat and all to be marginalized by Obama like they have been. Pretty crowded under Barack's bus!

I still think they'll be nailin' Palin for something juicy and criminal, but maybe not the sports complex.

Either way, it doesn't really matter too much. If they nail her, it's fantastic entertainment. If they don't nail her, then she's still a wacko coward who couldn't stand the heat. Her actions won't win her a single new supporter, but her cult followers will stick with her until the end, and make the Republicans all that much more electable!

There is absolutely no downside for the Democrats on this one! Want to lead with your freak show? Have at it!!

AmusedasHell ... To begin with, what the heck is "a servant's heart?" And why is it a bad thing? We are all servants of something, beginning with the folks we love and care for, and continuing with our fellow citizens in this unique country. If you would stop parroting the party line and listen, for a change, you might learn something. Try, for instance, putting yourself in Sarah's shoes. She has a tough job, which she has carried out with outstanding success, and has a constituent approval rating which exceeds 70%. Have you ever been a governor of a state? It's not an easy job. Alaska is the largest state in the Union, in landmass, and has many demanding needs to be met by its government and its governor. In addition, she has a large and loving family which deserves and gets a generous amount of her time.

To add to the mix, there has been a flood of frivolous law suits directed at her by the liberal left which hates her for her efficiency in governance, her intelligence and her beauty. None of these suits has had any merit and none of them have been adjudicated against her. But they have cost money in lawyer's fees to defend against -- $500,000 so far. That's a big financial hit for any family. Additionally, they of course have been a distraction from her real job -- governing Alaska.

Add to this her efforts to keep her husband and family from fighting back to defend her against constant insults from the ignorant left, and her life has been quite exhausting since the election.

I think her move is a wise one. Why should she suffer a thousand cuts from smartasses like yourself who have never run a company, never run a city, never run a state.

Next time you want to insult an achiever like Sarah, sign your own name, like I'm signing mine.

Marianne Matthews

I think everyone needs to take a few deep breaths and relax. Sarah has a speech scheduled in California for August 8, I think, and it is likely that her intentions will start to become clear in the days before and after that event.

I have no way of knowing, but I'm hoping and praying that she will be launching a major offensive against Zero and the insane policies he and the 'rats in Congress are shoving down this country's throat.

Am I with her, if that is her plan? You betcha!

I supported her until this, I hate a person who quits, I thought she was a fighter, I was wrong.

I wish her a happy life, I will not vote for her ever, I will vote for 3rd party folk who can take the attacks of the libs.

what the heck is "a servant's heart?"

It's one of those Christian crapola dogwhistle things that the nutcases use to signal each other.

Try, for instance, putting yourself in Sarah's shoes.

I don't even call the ones I support by their first names. I call my friends by my first name, and I have never once considered any politician my friend. If you consider "Sarah" your friend, then I pity you.

She has a tough job, which she has carried out with outstanding success, and has a constituent approval rating which exceeds 70%.

I don't think she's done a good job. And you are wrong about her approval rating. It was 54% in May. Stop making things up.

Have you ever been a governor of a state? It's not an easy job.

Have you been a governor? How would you know how difficult it is?

Alaska is the largest state in the Union, in landmass, and has many demanding needs to be met by its government and its governor.

Well golly gee!!

In addition, she has a large and loving family which deserves and gets a generous amount of her time.

I think her family is a white trash mess, myself. Her husband knocked her up before she was married, and had at least one affair while they were married. One of her daughters was knocked up. The one son in the Army was a druggie, a vandal, and a drinker in high school. The Palin family is a mess.

To add to the mix, there has been a flood of frivolous law suits directed at her by the liberal left which hates her for her efficiency in governance, her intelligence and her beauty.

The lovely Sarah filed an ethics complaint against herself last year. No one hates her, but many don't respect her. She's kinda hot in a stripper porn star sort of way, but she's not intelligent. She took five years to graduate from a fourth-rate college, and she was stupid that the McCain campaign did everything it could to shut her up last year.

Additionally, they of course have been a distraction from her real job -- governing Alaska.

And traveling around the country giving speeches to wingnut conventions. Let's face it, Sarah couldn't stand the heat, so she quit her job. I suppose you'd like her to be president so she can quit that job when the critics are too mean.

Why should she suffer a thousand cuts from smartasses like yourself who have never run a company, never run a city, never run a state.

You have no idea what I have done or haven't done. And how about yourself? Mary Kay cosmetics distributor, maybe? Amway on the side?

Coorection: I call my friends by their first names.

I'm hoping someone from the Republican side of the field is finally going to try and be a leader against the O-socialism juggernaut that's rolling down the highway unabated. We have no leadership right now, and frankly, if she steps up and create a focal point to rally around in opposition to the various socialist programs coming out of D.C. rapid fire, I'm all for it.

Marianne, you're too classy to get in the mud with the likes of these- just let them display themselves, and be seen for what they are.

I'm not sure WTF she's she's doing but in her defense from those calling her a quitter think on this.

If you had the deep pockets of those like George Soros and Warren Buffet pitted against you could you prevail? I personally think it was the endless lawsuits that were bankrupting her family and interfering with her ability to act as governor that propmted her to step down. There aren't many who could afford to defend themselves against that kind of assault indefinitely.

If she was being sued for actions arising from her duties as a municipal or state employee, the state has to pay for her lawyer. I don't believe her story about half a million in personal legal fees.

Actually abusedinhell, the state does't pay her legal expenses for those "ethics" abuse charges. So why don't you head back over to the huffin' puffers and bring us back your next talking point?

@emdfl ... prove it, wingnut

Hah! the irony!

Perhaps she is going to run for AIP. After Alaskas secedes from the Union she can be President and Todd can be vice-president,(or vice-versa) of Alaska.

Pablo,

It's time for you to take your meds. It's fine with me if you think that my post is nonsense. However, I made no mention of an FBI investigation.

I don't know Jason Leopold nor who he is. Rest assured, I ain't him.