The best of AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R)'s tweets from the weekend:
Grateful Todd left fishing grnds to join me this wkend; but now he's back slaying salmon & working the kids @ the site; anxious to join 'em! 7/5 3 PM
As has been the case for decades, family is commercial fishing in Bristol Bay-I look forward to joining the work crew for 1 day picking fish 7/5 3 PM
Trying to keep up w/getting truth to u, like proof there's no "FBI scandal", here's link http://tinyurl.com/nzlae8 Thanks, AK! 7/5 11:19 AM
Critics are spinning, so hang in there as they feed false info on the right decision made as I enter last yr in office to not run again....7/5 8:09 AM
To see full text of the letter from my attorney on baseless allegations of past 24hrs check http://tinyurl.com/mmhv4u 7/4 10:15 PM
Funny! In the words of my sis:Aren't the same ones w/fake twitter sites & blogs crying "she's 'abandoning' us" the same ones wishing u gone? 7/4 3:49 PM
Unfortunately fake "Gov Sarah Palin" twitter sites r doing their thing today:unscrupulous, untrue- so sorry if u recv false info @ fake site 7/4 3:12 PM
On Call aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared, grammar/spelling warts and all.
(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)
The AK GOP issued a statement this afternoon reflecting suprise about Palin's decision and "mixed feelings" about her departure:
Republicans across Alaska and the nation were surprised to learn today our Governor, Sarah Palin will be stepping down and not seeking re-election.
The party shares mixed feelings as we lose a valued public servant who raised Alaskan issues and concerns in the national consciousness in a way no Alaska leader had previously been able. While sadden to see Gov. Palin leave we are excited to see a conservative of Lt. Gov. Parnell's character enter the Governor's office.
Gov. Palin's decision not to run for re-election means there will be a vigorous race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010. Alaska has an impressive cadre of conservative candidates we are confident will vie for the office of governor and the party stands ready to fully support which ever conservative candidate our members choose to represent them in the general election.
The Alaska Republican Party has not been informed whether Gov. Palin plans another run for national office and as such cannot comment on that possibility. The party does feel, however, there needs to be a strong challenge to President Obama's attack on Alaskan values waged by his administration since taking office six months ago. If that challenge comes from Gov. Palin the party ready to support her as all Alaskans should.
Patti Higgins, chairwoman of the AK Dem Party, said Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) decision to step down reflects her "lack of commitment" to the job.
"Alaskans are dismayed yet not surprised that Governor Palin is abandoning her obligations to our great state. Sarah Palin's decision to step down as governor is a shock to Alaskans, coming at a time when leadership is needed secure a gas pipeline and address rising unemployment. Palin's lack of commitment to her sworn obligation to serve her term to the best of her ability is a betrayal to all Alaskans."
NBC's Andrea Mitchell reported today that her sources say AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R) is not just resigning her office but leaving politics for good.
"I know when it's time to pass the ball for victory."
-- AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R), resigning her office today, effective 7/26
Gov. Sarah Palin (R) Tweets her out-of-leftfield move to resign as governor:
Palin: 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 4:17 ET
(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)
In an at-times rambling statement that lacked a clear explanation for her decision, AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R) announced this afternoon that she will step down from her job in three weeks.
Speaking from her lakefront home in Wasilla, Palin said she doesn't want to be a lame duck governor and that she can be more effective in another role. She also said the move has been "in the works" for some time and came after "much prayer and consideration."
"We know we can affect positive change outside government at this moment in time on another scale and actually make a difference," she said, emphasizing her distaste for the "bloodsport" of politics.
Palin, the GOP's vice presidential nominee in '08, was not expected to run for re-election at the end of her term, to turn her attention, many speculate, to the '12 presidential contest. But after just two-and-a-half years in office, with serious questions still percolating -- especially following the Vanity Fair article out this week -- about her knowledge of the issues and savvy, the wisdom of this decision will be hotly debated in political circles.
Is this a smart move, an effort to break free from the shackles of her state responsibilities to instead deepen her understanding of national issues and plant the seeds of a presidential bid? Or is this an inexplicable -- irresponsible even -- abdication of her duties to the people of Alaska?
"I know when it's time to pass the ball for victory," she said. " ... It is no more politics as usual."
She added, "It hurts to make this choice."
For the Republican base, Palin remains an exceedingly popular figure. But her increasing tabloid presence -- the battles with the young father of her grandson -- and her disjointed relationship with national GOP officials have kept her on the outside looking in to the party establishment. That might be a fine place from which to launch a WH bid, but parachuting into the final stages of an already functioning campaign, as she did last year, is quite different than building a bid from scratch, as she would have to do next cycle. So perhaps she's hoping to get less coverage in the shorterm if she steps down.
Think again.
And let's not forget the timing of the announcement, the eve of the nation's birthday.
Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell (R) will take over 7/26. The NBC affliate in AK is reporting that he said he'll serve out Palin's term and run for re-election.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
