Palin "not a quitter"
Michelle Malsbury, BSBM, MM
July 07, 2009
July 3, 2009 Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced her resignation effective on the 26th of July 2009. She gave no reason as to why she was stepping down at that time. However, Drew Griffin from CNN tracked her down and managed to get a short interview. The revelations from that interview are highlighted below.
Governor Palin mentioned that the enormous number of law suits that had been filed against her had become an expensive distraction for the government of Alaska, as well as, a source of personal tragedy. Most accounts state these law suits have cost her personally upwards of five hundred thousand dollars and the people of Alaska close to two million dollars to defend. Sarah Palin called those law suits part of the "political bloodsport", stating that as one reason why we was not running for a second term as governor. She also mentioned that she believed that the "media held her to a different standard" than her competitors.
Sarah Palin said she was "doing what is best for the people she serves….and also right for her family." Drew asked if the vice-presidential campaign was tough for her to which she said "…the decision was tough….but it is tough to take the less popular road…." To which she was referring to his question about her "quitting". She continued to say "…it is more comfortable to be in office….I don´t need a title…" . Drew queried her again as to the status of being called a "quitter". She finally said "I´m no quitter. No. I´m a fighter. My administration was paralyzed by these law suits about my ethics violations….they are ridiculous….it is not a matter of retreating or regressing….we are as unconventional as Alaskans." She tended to ramble, but sort of stick to the topic of discussion in what has become her usual fashion.
Drew asked if she was going to make a run at the office of the president in 2012. Sarah Palin said "I can´t see being out of public service….I will keep all options on the table….and that includes helping people in or out of office regardless of party….I am getting back to my roots….time to look forward." She pointed out that she was enjoying fishing with her family and not tending to the problems her office was overrun with while she was the sitting governor. She went on to say that she "was fighting for what is right….and that is smaller government and energy independence so we can be free from terror….without the distraction of the law suits." Drew said that some of the people inside her office had mentioned that she selected July 3rd as a time for her personal independence from the trial and tribulations of her state office. She said that she had deliberately selected that date, but did not reveal anything further.
I would sum her interview up as follows. She was nervous and pensive when Drew approached her. She clearly wanted to rush it to end and saw this move, out of office, as a new beginning. What is unclear is if the republican party will continue to embrace her in their fundraising endeavors or if they will shun her for stepping out of office before the end of her term. Interviews with the people of Alaska also tended to range from dismay or total surprise to relief. I guess time will tell.
On a personal note, I was never a fan of Governor Palin. I also do not believe the media was unfair in their quest to find out more about the woman behind the nomination as vice-president in the 2008 elections. Don´t the people of America deserve to know all they can about our leaders? And doesn´t her decision to quit mid-term in her governorship bear more inquiry, especially into her character and/or lack thereof and ability to complete her job if she should select to run for higher office? I say it does.
Reference;
Drew Griffin interview with Sarah Palin on site in Alaska, CNN News. 7/7/09.
Governor Palin mentioned that the enormous number of law suits that had been filed against her had become an expensive distraction for the government of Alaska, as well as, a source of personal tragedy. Most accounts state these law suits have cost her personally upwards of five hundred thousand dollars and the people of Alaska close to two million dollars to defend. Sarah Palin called those law suits part of the "political bloodsport", stating that as one reason why we was not running for a second term as governor. She also mentioned that she believed that the "media held her to a different standard" than her competitors.
Sarah Palin said she was "doing what is best for the people she serves….and also right for her family." Drew asked if the vice-presidential campaign was tough for her to which she said "…the decision was tough….but it is tough to take the less popular road…." To which she was referring to his question about her "quitting". She continued to say "…it is more comfortable to be in office….I don´t need a title…" . Drew queried her again as to the status of being called a "quitter". She finally said "I´m no quitter. No. I´m a fighter. My administration was paralyzed by these law suits about my ethics violations….they are ridiculous….it is not a matter of retreating or regressing….we are as unconventional as Alaskans." She tended to ramble, but sort of stick to the topic of discussion in what has become her usual fashion.
Drew asked if she was going to make a run at the office of the president in 2012. Sarah Palin said "I can´t see being out of public service….I will keep all options on the table….and that includes helping people in or out of office regardless of party….I am getting back to my roots….time to look forward." She pointed out that she was enjoying fishing with her family and not tending to the problems her office was overrun with while she was the sitting governor. She went on to say that she "was fighting for what is right….and that is smaller government and energy independence so we can be free from terror….without the distraction of the law suits." Drew said that some of the people inside her office had mentioned that she selected July 3rd as a time for her personal independence from the trial and tribulations of her state office. She said that she had deliberately selected that date, but did not reveal anything further.
I would sum her interview up as follows. She was nervous and pensive when Drew approached her. She clearly wanted to rush it to end and saw this move, out of office, as a new beginning. What is unclear is if the republican party will continue to embrace her in their fundraising endeavors or if they will shun her for stepping out of office before the end of her term. Interviews with the people of Alaska also tended to range from dismay or total surprise to relief. I guess time will tell.
On a personal note, I was never a fan of Governor Palin. I also do not believe the media was unfair in their quest to find out more about the woman behind the nomination as vice-president in the 2008 elections. Don´t the people of America deserve to know all they can about our leaders? And doesn´t her decision to quit mid-term in her governorship bear more inquiry, especially into her character and/or lack thereof and ability to complete her job if she should select to run for higher office? I say it does.
Reference;
Drew Griffin interview with Sarah Palin on site in Alaska, CNN News. 7/7/09.