Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Sarah Palin steps down as Alaska governor
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Sarah Palin steps down as Alaska governor
By MATTHEW DALY,Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, July 27
FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Sarah Palin stepped down Sunday as Alaska governor to write a book and build a right-of-center coalition, but she left her long-term political plans unclear and refused to address speculation she would seek a 2012 presidential bid.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a fiery campaign-style speech, Palin said she was stepping down to take her political battles to a larger if unspecified stage and avoid an unproductive, lame duck status.
"With this decision, now, I will be able to fight even harder for you, for what is right, and for truth. And I have never felt that you need a title to do that," Palin said to raucous applause from about 5,000 people gathered at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks.
Her first order of business as a private citizen is to speak Aug. 8 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. She also wants to campaign for political candidates from coast to coast, and continue to speak her mind on the social networking site Twitter, one of her favorite venues to reach out to supporters.
Free speech was a theme of her farewell speech at a crowded picnic in Fairbanks, as the 45-year-old outgoing governor scolded "some seemingly hell-bent on tearing down our nation" and warned Americans to "be wary of accepting government largesse. It doesn't come free."
She also took aim at the media, saying her replacement, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, "has a very nice family too, so leave his kids alone!"
And she told the media: "How about, in honor of the American soldier, you quit makin' things up?"
She didn't elaborate, but Palin said when she announced her resignation July 3 that she was tired of the media focus on her family and felt she had been unfairly treated by reporters and bloggers.
Later Sunday, Palin posted her final message on her official Alaska account on the social networking site Twitter.
"Thank you Alaska!" she wrote. "I love you. God bless Alaska. God bless the U.S.A."
Friend and foe alike have speculated that Palin may host a radio or TV show, launch a lucrative speaking career or seek higher office in Washington.
Palin hasn't ruled out any of those options, and her political action committee, SarahPAC, has raised more than $1 million, said Meghan Stapleton, a spokeswoman for the committee and the Palin family.
Stapleton said Palin, of Wasilla, is still deciding what her future will be.
"I cannot express enough there is no plan after July 26. There is absolutely no plan," she told The Associated Press.
Palin's surprise announcement she was stepping down 17 months before the end of her first term pushed her favorability rating down to 40 percent, according to a Washington Post-ABC poll. Fifty-three percent of those polled gave her an unfavorable rating.
Last summer, almost six in 10 Americans viewed her favorably. The latest poll was taken July 15-18.
Nearly 20 ethics complaints had been filed against Palin, and the outgoing governor cited the resulting investigation's financial toll _ both on her and the state _ for stepping down. An independent investigator looking into the complaints found evidence she may have violated ethics laws by trading on her position as she sought money for lawyer fees, according to a report obtained recently by the AP.
Parnell, 46, of Anchorage, was sworn in Sunday as the state's new governor.
"I'm firmly convinced that Alaska's greatest days are ahead," Parnell said in pledging to continue Palin's policies, which he said "put Alaska first."
Palin received a warm welcome Sunday, both during her speech and as she served food at the annual Governor's Picnic.
Among those present was Donna Michaels, 57, of Fairbanks, who wore a red T-shirt that said: "Palintologist."
The T-shirt defined a Palintologist as "someone who studies Palin and shares her conservative values, Maverick attitude and American style."
Michaels also held a poster board sign showing the front page of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner when Palin announced she would resign. Michaels altered the banner headline "Palin steps down," replacing the last word with "up."
"She's really not stepping down. She's stepping up to do something bigger and better," said Michaels, who attended the picnic with her daughter and two granddaughters, one of whom who wore Sarah Palin-style eyeglasses.
Larry Landry, 51, of Fairbanks held up a red, white and blue sign that that read, "Quitting: the new American value." The other side read: "Thanks for the laughs."
Landry, a registered independent, said he respected Palin when she ran for governor in 2006, but he felt she changed during last year's presidential campaign.
"She turned into a vicious vixen," he said. "She descended into ugly, divisive politics."
Alaska's first female governor arrived at the state Capitol in December 2006 on an ethics reform platform after defeating two former governors in the primary and general elections. Her prior political experience consisted of terms as Wasilla's mayor and councilwoman and a stint as head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
Unknown on the national stage until Republican John McCain tapped her as his running mate, Palin infused excitement into the Republican's presidential bid. But she also became the butt of talk-show jokes and Democratic criticism, especially after it was revealed that the Republican Party spent $150,000 or more on a designer wardrobe for Palin.
Former state House Speaker John Harris, a Republican with sometimes chilly relations with Palin, said he thinks Palin will run for president in 2012, although he has no inside information.
Stapleton said the answer will emerge in the coming weeks.
On Monday, "we'll sit down and say, 'OK, here are your options. How do you now want to effect that positive change for Alaska from outside the role as governor?'" Stapleton said.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
4 cousins, mom, 3 others die in NY wrong-way crashAP - 2 hours 4 minutes ago
New AP bureau chief appointed in TokyoAP - 2 hours 45 minutes ago
IV tube chemical linked to preemie liver woesAP - 2 hours 47 minutes ago
No end to violence in blood-soaked Mexican stateAFP - Monday, July 27
Mexico police name suspect in border agent deathAP - Monday, July 27
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Harry Patch, last veteran of World War I trenches, dies at 111
Lost love letter reunites couple after 16 years
Swine flu virus has spread to almost every country: WHO
Massive quake moves NZealand closer to Australia
Ex-boxing champ Forrest shot in back and killed
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Monday, 27 July 2009 Richest woman's 'visions' claim amuses Israelis
Six dead in Chechnya suicide bombing: officials
Sarkozy rushed to hospital after jogging collapse
WITNESS
American Apparel Retailer Targeted For Selling "Legalize Gay" T-Shirts
First results due Monday in Iraqi Kurd election
Amy Winehouse Found Not Guilty Of Punching Dancer
Australian Actors Vote To Strike Against Producers
Revolutionary Guard tightens hold in Iran crisis
Afghan vice-presidential hopeful survives attack
Nigeria clashes kill over 50 in northeastern city
| International
|
Johnny Depp Surprises Fans With Unplanned Appearance At The Comic Con
Castro hints at more belt-tightening for Cuba
| International
|
Nas Ordered To Pay Kelis $44K A Month For Spousal And Child Support
U.S. wants Syria help in Israel-Palestinian talks
Michael Jackson's Doctor Being Investigated For Manslaughter
Angelina Jolie Revisits Iraq To Meet With Displaced Families
Foundation Bares 2 New Mozart Piano Compositions
Patrick Swayze Denies Heart Attack Reports
VH1's "Lords Of Revolution" Documentary To Feature 20th Century Icons
Clinton says 'no, never' to a White House bid
Envoy: US favors overall Mideast peace accord
Petraeus: US will support Yemen anti-terror fight
Analysis: Fed in the middle of push-me, pull-me
HARD TIMES: School budgets dip, class sizes grow
AP INVESTIGATION: Main Street's soaring sour loans
New direction in terror fight may stem from case
US on verge of closing anthrax probe after 8 years
'Bird racing' at NYC park under federal scrutiny
Southwest flight makes unexpected LI landing
China tightening control over steel industry
China, India can help, not save world economy
India's billionaire Ambani brothers slug it out
Indian farmers fear rain gods may play truant
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office
| Entertainment
|
Next week decisive for future of Lacroix
New film shows pranksters battling companies
James Cameron talks tech, "Avatar" at Comic-Con
Ex-'Idol' contestant struck, killed by car in NJ
70-Foot Whale Stuck To Cruise Ship's Bow
Palestinians Take on Israelis in Imaginary Game of 'Wall Soccer'
Opposition in Iraqi Kurd elections claims gains
Sarkozy 'doing well' after jogging collapse: aide
Apple, labels work on plan to boost album sales: report
Iraqi Kurd opposition hails poll breakthrough
Clinton urges North Korea to return to talks
| International
|
GM crop trials start again in Britain in 'secret': report
Rich countries corner supplies of swine flu vaccine
Ousted Honduran president sees U.S. support waning
| International
|
Lending slowdown in US: report
Traders, managers to face British watchdog tests
Iran plunged into fresh political turmoil
NATO, Afghan soldiers among 22 killed in unrest
Ex-boxing champ Forrest shot in back and killed
Mediterranean rim battles to contain wildfires
Forty-two dead as sect, police clash in Nigeria
Afghanistan strikes Taliban truce in remote area
| International
|
Russia frees crime boss wanted by U.S.: report
| International
|
Myanmar court hears final arguments in Suu Kyi case
| International
|
France's Sarkozy to leave hospital after dizzy spell
| International
|
Water crisis uproots Syrian farmers
| International
|
4 cousins, mom, 3 others die in NY wrong-way crash
New AP bureau chief appointed in Tokyo
IV tube chemical linked to preemie liver woes
Mexico police name suspect in border agent death
Mexican, U.S. Authorities Announce Arrests Of Suspects In Killing Of U.S. Border Patrol Agent
Apple, labels work on plan to boost album sales: report
| Technology
|
Conn. home-invasion survivor faces court ordeal
NY 3 Car Crash Kills 8, Including 4 Children
Weak oversight mars success of Iraq hotel project
Sarah Palin Steps Down As Alaska's Governor; Parnell Sworn In
Sarah Palin steps down as Alaska governor
Palin issues final Tweet on state account
China venture exchange gets 108 IPO applications
Korea Hot Stocks-Online game issues fall; retailers,Hynix up
China wants 108 firms to list on local 'Nasdaq'
Japan's Nikkei index climbs above 10,000
S.Korea to check bank loan, liquidity data -report
S.Korea June consumer sentiment at near 7-yr high
US seeks action with China on economy
Clinton, Geithner seek action with China on economy
Taiwan gov't fund mulls stock sale -paper
South Korea bonds edge down early, exit talk eyed
Fans get first look at star-studded Iron Man 2
| Entertainment
|
TV panels at Comic-Con kept fans intrigued
| Entertainment
|
Study: HBO leads on TV in showing gay characters
French presidents keep health a 'state secret'
Lost bringing back characters from 1st season
| Entertainment
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"Lost" bringing back characters from 1st season
Fans get first look at star-studded "Iron Man 2"
'G-Force' guinea pigs scramble to box office top spot
Timberlake christens eco-friendly golf course
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office
Israel confirms first swine flu death
VW may raise 4 bln euros for Porsche deal: report
Kabul hails local truce with Taliban ahead of vote
Afghanistan says strikes Taliban truce in remote area
| International
|
Gates reassures Israel on U.S.-Iran strategy
| International
|
Kurd opposition party eyes big gains in Iraq vote
Report: Israeli settler population crosses 300,000
Chechen separatists to halt attacks on police: report
Gunship strikes kill 20 militants in NW Pakistan
| International
|
"American Idol" Wannabe Killed In An Apparent Homicide
US envoy reaches Cairo on whirlwind Mideast tour
Anna Friel Not Likely To Give Up Acting For Motherhood
Muslim rebels expand Nigeria attacks
| International
|
Iran's Mousavi says protests will continue: website
| International
|
EU extends Georgia mission, holds off on U.S. joining
| International
|
SKorean firms to jointly develop new chips
German far-right leader charged with incitement
| International
|
Hezbollah's Nasrallah warns Israel over future war
| International
|
South Africa council workers strike, services crippled
| International
|
Cambridge police: Race not mentioned in 911 call
US eyes Iranian nuclear response by autumn: Gates
Bikini-clad woman accused of carjacking in Miss.
GOP eyes fate of the `serious sin' senator in La.
Moderate quake strikes N Pakistan; no injuries
Summer bummer: Dude ranches lack dudes, dudettes
NZ signals likely to raise Afghanistan troop level
Obama's Day: It's diplomacy and sports
NZealand woman rescued from overly playful dolphin
Israel's Barak: 'No option' off table on Iran
American al-Qaida to be resentenced for Bush plot
Media moguls rethink Web advertising in downturn
| Technology
|
Islamabad investigates pro-Taliban cleric
Senate warns against concessions on nuclear treaty
Nepal PM thanks British actress for Gurkha campaign
Dems alone can't deliver Obama health care win
Death toll rises to 10 in Japan landslides, floods
CD shop bombed in northern Pakistan; 2 wounded
Japan man "admits selling trucks" to North Korea
UN chief discusses climate change in Mongolia
NKorea hints at disarmament talks with US
Deadly riot by China steelworkers scuttles merger
Shanghai's first IPO in 11 months shares suspended
Nissan gives preview of its vaunted electric car
Cambodia gets national carrier with Vietnam's help
Cambodia launches national airline
Sikhs, Hindus dread Taliban tax in Pakistan
Seoul shares post longest gaining streak in over 3 yrs =2
Seoul shares post longest gaining streak in over 3 yrs
Hitachi said to take control of key businesses
Audi to open new plant in China in September: report
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights