Jul 03 2009
“Four yeses and one hell yeah”
Even on a slow news day the G.O.P. managed to grab headlines. At least for the struggling Republicans there were no affairs or sex scandals involved this time but the story was pretty shocking all the same.
In a surprise and possibly presidentially-motived move, Alaskan governor and former Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin announced that not only was she not seeking re-election as the governor of Alaska, but she would be stepping down at the end of the month, leaving with two years left in her term.
The move is controversial for a number of reasons, but depending on who you talk to it’s either crazy or ingenious.
“Alaska is an isolated stage from which to operate if you want to figure in American national politics. I don’t know what she has in mind. Some TV show or some national radio show. There are opportunities for her, I’m sure,” said Jerry McBeath, a political science professor at the University of Alaska.
Others, like political analyst Larry Sabato, don’t understand the move at all.
“It’s absolutely bizarre, and I think it eliminates her from serious consideration for the presidency in 2012,” said Sabato.
I’ve got to side with Sabato partially on this one, the move is crazy, but is it crazy enough that it might work? Sarah Palin, for better or for worse, went from a nobody to being one of the most prominent faces of the G.O.P. when she was selected as a running mate by John McCain. Despite her recent Vanity Fair appearance Palin hasn’t gotten near the attention that she got during the campaign as governor of Alaska.
… and we all know how those divas need attention…
“I polled the most important people in my life, my kids, where the count was unanimous,” Palin said of the move. “Well, in response to asking, ‘Hey, you want me to make a positive difference and fight for all our children’s future from outside the governor’s office?’ It was four yeses and one ‘Hell, yeah!” And the ‘Hell, yeah’ sealed it.”
Four yeses and one hell yeah, huh? You Betcha!
Editors Note - David Gerard of Not News has a hilarious post on this - “Quitters stick it out, but winners quit! For victory!”
Let me start by saying welcome back; you have been missed. I will e-mail you to get more details. On to your post. This seemingly irrational decision may have a hidden agenda. At least Howard Fineman, someone I have a great deal of respect for, seems to think so. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31727978/ns/politics-more_politics/?GT1=43001. I read his essays and op-eds in Newsweek and read his book: The Thirteen American Arguments; Enduring Debates That Define And Inspire Our country. A book I strongly recommend for anyone who is interested in history or politics.
My take on the whole circus is that this is another indication of just how deep the shit is that the GOP finds itself in. I will save any further comment on Palin until after the fallout has subsided. You betcha-great close. Check your e-mail; we have some catching up to do.
skwguiar,
Good to have ya back.
Isn’t that a great AP file photo? That cheesy grin was just begging to have a red high heel put into it.
There’s an even better one I found on the Vanity Fair article. I’ll be using it when the scandal that prompted the resignation - and it’s got to be a scandal, the facial expressions in the video were like our younger teenager when she’s trying and failing to preemptively cover up a really big one - comes out.