The danger of saying nothing

Here is my explanation of Sarah's move... People have to first remember that when Palin brought the ethics complaint against Ruedrich, it wasn't because she actually was concerned he did anything wrong... In fact, she's shown time and again she can top him in Ethics violations... She reported him because SHE WAS TIRED OF THE DRIVE AND WANTED TO QUIT HER JOB!!! She used the ethics complaint as an excuse to quit... That's something insiders know, and the national media don't have a clue about... Then fate turned her "Ethics complaint" into a positive once all the Bill Allen corruption scams started hitting the Front Page... Sarah then rode in on a white horse and became Governor!! Sarah is pulling the same Quitting game again since her sights are now on 2012... She will concentrate on her book and her 2012 aspirations... She doesn't have time for Alaskans and hates her job... Sarah is a quitter... Thus far, being a quitter has helped her.. Let's see if her luck continues... God forbid she is successful... http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/background/story/513761.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 4, 2009 On July 3rd, 2009, Governor Sarah Palin announced her intent to resign her gubernatorial duties and transfer the powers of Governor to Lt. Governor Sean Parnell. Almost immediately afterwards, several unscrupulous people have asserted false and defamatory allegations that the "real" reasons for Governor Palin’s resignation stem from an alleged criminal investigation pertaining to the construction of the Wasilla Sports Complex. This canard was first floated by Democrat operatives in September 2008 during the national campaign and followed up by sympathetic Democratic writers.1. It was easily rebutted then as one of many fabrications about Sarah Palin. Just as power abhors a vacuum, modern journalism apparently abhors any type of due diligence and fact checking before scurrilous allegations are repeated as fact. The history of the Wasilla Sports Complex is publicly known. Contrary to the insinuation that as Mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin "personally" oversaw bidding, construction, funding and accounting for the project (and thus, the allegation goes, "embezzled" from the project), the truth is far more mundane, and publicly available: Curtis D. Menard was instrumental in spearheading the effort from conception to realization of the Wasilla Sports Complex. He directed the steering committee that was responsible for placing the issue before the voters of Wasilla and subsequently passed. He remained chairman of that committee through the design and construction of the facility. He was an ardent supporter and leader of civic, educational and athletic endeavors within the community as well as an advocate of the continued success of the Sports Center. http://www.cityofwasilla.com/... Thus, as any basic fact checker would learn, the Mayor of Wasilla is not listed as "chair" of the Steering Committee. As Mayor, Governor Palin did appoint the committee, another fact readily verifiable, and she was publicly on record supporting the need for such a facility—as was most of Wasilla. "Wasilla weighs sports facility" published December 6, 2001 and available at http://www.adn.com/... While her public support of this project was deemed pivotal by many, the actual construction, bidding, financing and other day-to-day management of the project was not in her scope of authority as Mayor. In addition, Sarah Palin was then criticized by some of not showing enough interest in the project. The Frontiersman reported that at a public meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, an opponent of the project "accused Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin of staying quiet about the arena because of her campaign for Lieutenant Governor." "Sports Arena Campaign gets Rolling" http://www.frontiersman.com/... (February 22, 2002). Further, this was a highly public project, approved by the voters, and subject to public bid requirements. As described by the City of Wasilla itself: The city uses competitive means for the purchase of all goods and services as required by Wasilla Municipal Code 5.08. The city also utilizes contracts and price agreements established by the State of Alaska, the Western States Contracting Alliance and other cooperatives or agencies when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City. The city believes in open, fair competition and strives to ensure that all vendors have equal opportunity to compete for city business. The City of Wasilla operates under a decentralized purchasing system. This means purchasing decision up to $5,000 is made independently by the departments in the city (with the exception of Management Information System purchases). When the estimated amount for goods or services is between $5,000 and $9,999, departments are required to obtain three quotes prior to purchase. The departments may utilize the services of the Purchasing/Contracting Officer (PCO) for this process or may do it themselves; however, when this processed is selected, the PCO must sign off on the final product prior to purchasing or contracting. For purchases beyond $10,000, the city requires all departments to contact the PCO who will utilize the city's bid process according to Wasilla Municipal Code 5.08. The bid process is initiated through either an Invitation to Bid (ITB), utilized when the city knows the specifications for the purchase; or a Request for Proposal (RFP), utilized when the exact specifications or process is unknown. http://www.cityofwasilla.com/... Accordingly, the Sports Complex was publicly bid, in accordance with City and state law, and was accounted for in the time and manner all public projects are handled. The Mayor of Wasilla, be it Sarah Palin, or her successor, did not handle the funds, or the materials, for this project. To thus suggest she "embezzled" is as false as it is impossible. The additional claim of "proof" of wrongdoing is the allegation that the Palins purchased building materials from Spenard Builders Supply—and that this company may have provided supplies for the Sports Complex. Prior to the construction of Lowe’s and Home Depot within the last few years in Wasilla, Spenard Builders Supply was the primary building supply company in Wasilla. It can hardly come as a surprise that it would sell materials to small homeowners or that it would also bid to supply commercial contracts. One would be hard pressed to find a home, cabin or outbuilding in the Mat-Su Valley in which Spenard Builders Supply did not sell at least some of the materials. The Palins built their Lake Lucille house using Todd as the general contractor. Todd’s family owns a hardware and building supply business in Dillingham. He is no stranger to construction, or to rolling up his sleeves and doing work. The Palins used a combination of personal savings, equity from the sale of their prior home, and conventional bank financing to build the house—like millions of American families. The deeds of trust are recordable public records. Basic journalism and fact checking would confirm this. The Sports Complex was built in 2002. It is now 2009. While the Federal Government has a process to follow, and that process sometimes takes time, we can categorically state that we are not aware of any "federal investigation" that has been "pending" for the last seven years. We are aware of no subpoenas on SBS regarding the Palins. We are aware that the Federal Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation have been helpful, responsive and diligent in prosecuting the email hacker and in cleaning up Alaska’s corrupt legislators. To be blunt—this "story" was alleged during the campaign, evaluated then by national media and deemed meritless. Nothing has changed. To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as "fact" that Governor Palin resigned because she is "under federal investigation" for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation. This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law. The Alaska Constitution protects the right of free speech, while simultaneously holding those "responsible for the abuse of that right." Alaska Constitution Art. I, Sec. 5. http://ltgov.state.ak.us/... These falsehoods abuse the right to free speech; continuing to publish these falsehoods of criminal activity is reckless, done without any regard for the truth, and is actionable. Thomas Van Flein, for Governor Sarah Palin

Like Ross Perot before her, the Governor always has been more of a phenomenon than a traditional politician. She was not a consensus builder that reached out and built a base -- she was just a one man band that played to her own tune and people followed. That wears personally and becomes tiring. After having many people come on board to support him, Ross quit the Presidential race weeks before the election. Sarah quits the Governor's job. That wasn't the last of Ross (recall that he tried to get back in the race after he had quit); this isn't the last of Sarah.

Hoarding information, with or without obfuscation and coyness, is too often typical in Alaska, with or without an accompanying disdain for the public's time. It is a demonstrable killer when it comes to working with the public. Gov Palin did this almost from day 1 when the pre-AGIA road trip went out to Bethel at the last minute, on Palm Sunday. It was a great mystery/disappointment to me when the Gov first took office (the AGIA-disaster occurred during one of her inaugural balls). The unorganized borough (which is essential to the rest of the state) suffers from info hoarding, as does the rest of the state. Maybe the focus can return to Alaskans? Can we at least get a cabinet that focusses on the now and future instead of the second coming?

Leave voluntarily! This is a woman who wouldn't let the Lt. Gov take over when she left the state. She stepped down b/c Thor's hammer aka the "iceberg" is about to hit. Maybe she thinks as a private citizen it will be easier on friends and family? *Housegate* I hope all the people who were afraid to speak up start doing so now! She is no longer gov and can't threaten people. You will see many of her current administration leaving suddenly, rats deserting a sinking ship....ss Palin.

Damn GOTCHA Bloggers!!

Yeah right, Sarah. I won't cry over you one bit - you did damage to good people and their livelihoods so I'm glad to see that you are moving on. Alaska needs a real governor. Don't change your mind, don't go mavericky, don't go rogue - just don't come back, period. Ever. Nada. Zip.

You are right in your comment about the point guard. She isn't passing, she's leaving the game, and maybe hoping to coach. I actually feel bad. I know she brought a lot on herself but I never wish ill will on anyone. I'm speculating I know, but it just feels like there is a bad wind brewing, and to come about so quickly that Todd has to come home, Lt. Gov. Parnell is told two days before, and no one else knows. Add to that it's released on a holiday weekend when the bloggers, news, radio, etc. will be out burning hot dogs, etc. Not all to be sure, but a great many people. This sounds like a "pack the minimal stuff and run quick" maneuver. Time to think about running again Andrew.