Palin says she's resigning No word on next step
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By ADAM NAGOURNEY and JIM RUTENBERG The New York Times - Published: July 4, 2009
Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced Friday that she was quitting her job at the end of the month, a move that shocked Republicans across the country and fueled both renewed speculation about her presidential ambitions and criticism of her political competence.
Palin's decision, announced with her family in front of a lake at her home in Wasilla, set off widespread speculation in Republican circles that she is preparing for a run for the presidency in 2012. Palin, 45, was supposed to serve as governor through the end of 2010; on Friday, she said she would cede control of the state to the lieutenant governor, Sean Parnell, on July 25.
Palin announced the decision in an often-rambling press conference, in which she invoked the words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the rules of basketball, but offered few clues about her intentions. Instead, she said she had decided not to seek re-election when her term expires, and that she thought it would be unfair to her constituents to remain in office as a lame duck.
"As I thought about this announcement that I would not seek re-election, I thought about how much fun other governors have as lame ducks: They maybe travel around their state, travel to other states, maybe take their overseas international trade missions," she said.
"I'm not going to put Alaskans through that," she continued. "I promised efficiencies and effectiveness. That's not how I'm wired. I'm not wired to operate under the same old politics as usual."
Palin's announcement marked another unusual milestone in what has been a tumultuous year since Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., picked her as his running mate to initial acclaim by many in their party, which later turned into bitter recriminations with McCain's advisers over her style. The unusual press conference was also the latest in a series of disruptions for the Republican Party as it has sought to find its footing in the wake of continued Democratic gains.
As questions reverberated in Republican circles about what she had intended to communicate with the statement, she posted a note on Twitter that read: "We'll soon attach info on decision to not seek re-election ... this is in Alaska's best interest, my family's happy ... it is good, stay tuned."
Palin is one of a number of Republican governors who are considering seeking the presidential nomination in 2012 and whose terms expire in 2010. Many Republican strategists have argued that it would be very difficult for someone to run for governor in 2010 and turn around immediately, while running a state, to run for president in 2012. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota announced last month that when his term expires in 2010 he would not seek re-election, as he considers a presidential bid.
However, leaving office in the middle of a term is highly unusual. Palin's decision set off a round of speculation among her critics and bloggers that another embarrassing scandal may be about to unfold. It also empowered critics in both parties who said that this episode would only serve to reinforce doubts among many Americans about her stability, political competence and fortitude.
"Good point guards don't quit and walk off the floor if the going gets tough," said John Weaver, a former senior strategist for McCain. "Today's move falls further into the weirdness category; people don't like a quitter."
In Alaska, state Senator Hollis S. French, a Democrat who filed a letter of intent on Wednesday to run for governor, said, "The idea that 'The going got tough so I decided to quit' is inexcusable. That is not an Alaskan value. We celebrate the mushers who drive on through the storm despite the hardship."
But some of her supporters argued that the announcement could actually provide her an opportunity to recover from what has been a damaging year for her. Palin has been enmeshed in continuing battles with members of both parties in Alaska's state Legislature, and her supporters said that her decision to leave office would give her time to prepare for the 2012 race.
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The sheer size of Alaska complicated her ability to take care of the most basic kind of presidential preparation work: going to Republican Party state dinners, developing a network of fundraisers and supporters, and getting educated about the issues she might face as a presidential candidate. And Palin had also taken on another responsibility, having recently signed a lucrative contract to write a book.
"I think she is trying to determine how she can better get to where she'd like to be," said Alaska House Speaker Mike Chenault, a Republican from the Kenai Peninsula. "And she figures that if she resigns, people can't be taking so many potshots at her."
William Kristol, the editor of the Weekly Standard and a supporter of Palin, said that in the end, this could turn out to be a very smart move on her part.
"Everybody I've talked to thinks it's a little crazy," he said. "But maybe not. What is she going to accomplish in the next year as governor? Every time she left the state she got criticized for neglecting her duties.
"She'll take a little hit for leaving the job early, no question about it, " he said. "But if she writes this book and gives speeches and travels the country and educates herself on some issues, that's good. "
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