We've got to put first things first. I love my job and I love Alaska. I am doing what’s best for Alaska,” Palin said at a televised news conference in her hometown of Wasilla.
Palin said she hoped people were not disappointed by the decision, which she said had been in the works for some time. She said she was taking “my fight for what’s right in a new direction.” She said she could be more effective and better serve Alaska and the country from outside the governor's office.
She's had a lot of bad press lately:
At home, she has faced new criticism that ethics inquiries surrounding her — including Troopergate involving her former brother-in-law — had cost upward of $300,000 in state money, according to The Anchorage Daily News.
And just this week, a new Vanity Fair magazine article exposing exceptional animus toward her by top aides to Senator McCain, her running mate, has revived questions about her political acumen and her political future.
I don't believe a word she says. She wouldn't time the announcement on such a slow news day if she weren't trying to minimize it. It's far more likely she's on a downward spiral than an upwards path.
Update: Wow, is she hyper during this announcement. Video part one here. Part 2 is here. The text of her statement is here.
Update: Two ethics complaints are still pending against Palin.
Jan. 26: Two complaints filed by McLeod alleged two of Palin's top aides misused their official positions for Palin's personal and political gain. The complaints said then-press secretary Bill McAllister and Kris Perry -- director of the governor's Anchorage office -- worked on state time to benefit Palin's interests during and after her vice presidential quest. Pending.
....April 27: Contends Palin is misusing the governor's office for personal gain by securing unwarranted benefits and receiving improper gifts through the Alaska Fund Trust. The fund was recently established by supporters to help Palin pay off more than $500,000 in legal debts stemming from other ethics complaints, including troopergate. Complaint filed by Eagle River resident, Kim Chatman. Pending.
Update: The Anchorage Daily News mentioned in an editorial last month there are two pending Freedom of Information Act lawsuits pending against Palin.
One case involves the governor's use of private e-mail accounts to conduct state business. She has said she stopped doing so, but the state continues to fight the lawsuit that seeks to end the practice.
...The second freedom of information case involves whether a governor can give a private citizen special access to official state information that is withheld from the rest of the public. The private citizen in question is Todd Palin, the governor's husband. He is also an employee of BP, one of state government's largest taxpayers, though he doesn't hold a managerial position.
The Alaska Report says a big, dirty scandal is coming. Another Alaska blog mentions an investigation into her finances and reports the money has been raised to pay for the release of the e-mails in the FOIA case, and it should only be a matter of days before they are released.
Update 7/4/09: The FBI says there is no investigation of any kind involving Sarah Palin.
