Palin to Resign as Alaska Governor on July 26

Updated Comments at the bottom.
Breaking News: Sarah Palin to Resign as Alaska Governor on July 26.
"I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is not the easiest path" In a stunning decision, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) announced this afternoon she will resign as Governor of Alaska on July 26 and return to private life. Palin made the surprise announcement from her home in Wasilla, flanked by her husband, Todd, and family and state commissioners.

Palin said: "I look forward to helping others - to fight for our state and our country, and campaign for those who believe in smaller government, free enterprise, strong national security, support for our troops, and energy Independence. We are not retreating, we are advancing in a different direction. We know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time."

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: "While many say this move was stupid, Sarah Palin has proven to be smart like a fox and as tough as a barracuda. She is a great speaker, rallies crowds and raises lots of money. If she plans to run for national office or even to just make a stand for the good of America, this may be the best move for all conservatives. I am not prepared to count her out of politics. She has a lot of faithful supporters throughout the lower 48."

U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford, NY) said the following on learning of her decision: "I don't know how you'd do it from Alaska. It's another world geographically, politically and media-wise... It would give her an opportunity to break loose from the chains of local politics and a very small population with a lot of ancient feuds, where you're bogged down by the Lilliputians there." She can be on a national stage more often, he said, adding: "She's a lightning rod. That can be good for her...We have a lot of boring people in the Republican party.... she certainly engages."

Updated 4:50 pm: Dr. Stephen Maloney, DraftPalin2012: Essentially, Sarah was being held "prisoner" in Alaska because of the endless whining that took place in The Anchorage Daily News and elsewhere whenever she ventured out-of-state. Sarah is a national figure with national aspirations, and it's in her best interest not to continue to serve as Governor. It's that simple folks. Some "conservative pundits," generally as idiotic as their liberal counterparts will express bogus horror that Sarah has "quit her day-job." Frankly, Sarah doesn't want to run for President on the state of Alaska's dime. Obama quit as his own day-job, as U.S. Senator -- or at least stopped performing it -- after serving less than a year. Nobody raised a peep.

5:46 pm: Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families: My reaction: Reports of her political death are greatly exaggerated. Yes, resigning as governor is high risk, and, yes, the Left's attacks on her have been savage enough to drive almost anyone out of office. But I don't believe she's running from a fight. This move frees her up to campaign in the lower 48 states, build a top notch political organization and improve her issue development work. In six months we will know whether the gamble worked, but I for one am hoping it does. Whatever happens, every day I am more convinced that working together we are going to get Barack Obama out of the White House.

Updated July, 4th: Pamela Geller - Paline in 2012! She did not quit. . . . Palin committed herself to fighting "for our state and our country, and campaign(ing) for those who believe in smaller government, free enterprise, strong national security, support for our troops and energy independence." . . . Palin, like all patriotic Americans, is shocked by what is happening. Obama is destroying this country. She knows it. We all know it. We need a leader.
Palin is that leader. On Friday she assumed the mantle. . . . She believes in and wants to fight for free enterprise, small government and national security. . . . . And best of all, she is not a product of the limp-wristed, spineless GOP of the Age of Obama. . . . She is outside the box. She has grit. She has guts. . . . She is principled, true, hard working, smart and honorable. She embodies all that is good and fine and decent – you couldn't have written a more charismatic, honorable character in a Victor Hugo novel.

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Tags: Alaska, Bill Smith, Chicago politics, Gary Bauer, Governor, Peter King, resigns, Sarah Palin, Steve Maloney To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!