....Sarah...


JUNEAU, Alaska - Outgoing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday laid the
groundwork to take on a larger, national role after leaving state
government, citing a "higher calling" with the aim of uniting the
country along conservative lines.

A day after surprising even her closest friends by announcing she would
step down as Alaska governor more than a year before her term was up,
the controversial hockey mom was still keeping details of her future
plans under wrap. But in a statement posted on Palin's Facebook account,
she suggested that she had bigger plans and a national agenda she
planned to push after she resigns at the end of the month.

"I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together
with our values of less government intervention, greater energy
independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal
restraint," she said.

Palin also cast herself as a victim and blasted the media, calling the
response to her announcement "predictable" and out of touch.

"How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it's about
country," the statement said. "And though it's honorable for countless
others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without
finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different
standard applies for the decisions I make."

Palin's personal spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, confirmed to The
Associated Press that the Facebook posting was written by the governor.

The abruptness of her announcement and the mystery surrounding her plans
has fed widespread speculation. But Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein on
Saturday warned legal action may be taken against bloggers and
publications that reprint what he calls fraudulent claims.

"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," Van Flein said in a statement. "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."


Palin has kept a low profile since her abrupt announcement Friday at a
hastily called news conference at her home in suburban Wasilla, outside
Anchorage. All of her public communication since then has been on the
social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, or through statements
released by her office.

At the same time, Palin informed her spokesman David Murrow early
Saturday that someone using the name "exgovsarahpalin" on Twitter was
spreading a false rumor that there was to be a party at her suburban
home in Wasilla, outside Anchorage. Palin was afraid her home would be
mobbed, and security was dispatched, Murrow said.

With only a few weeks before she steps down on July 26, and Lt. Gov.
Sean Parnell takes her place, the governor spent the Fourth of July
weekend in the state capital, Juneau, but was only spotted briefly on
the sidelines of the city's parade.

She had been invited to ride in a convertible, as she did last year, but
never told organizers whether she would attend.

Juneau parade director Jean Sztuk said officials drew up banners in case
Palin showed and was willing to take part.

As the last of the parade's clowns and marching bands headed past her,
Sztuk gave up on Palin. "What governor wants to be at the end of the
parade?" she asked.

Her low-profile and vague Internet messages left mounting questions
about her plans for the future shrouded in mystery. Will she lay the
groundwork for a 2012 presidential bid? Will she find a high-profile
place in the private sector, maybe on the speech circuit? Will she drop
out of the limelight and focus on her five children?

Her constituents, for one, wanted to know, especially in Juneau, where
she has struggled to win over residents.

"I think she owes it to Alaskans to tell us why," said state Sen. Dennis
Egan, D-Juneau, the son of Alaska's first governor, Bill Egan.

Egan, hosting a 50th anniversary statehood ceremony, said he was
disappointed Palin decided not to finish out her term, which was
scheduled to end in 2010.

"It's sad she abandoned us at this critical time," said Egan, who was
appointed by Palin to an open seat on the last day of the legislative
session in April, after a protracted battle with Senate Democrats.

Palin's departure can't come soon enough for Laurel Carlton, a waitress
at the Capital Cafe in the Baranof Hotel, where the city's political
movers and shakers meet every morning before walking a few blocks to the
Capitol.

"I think she has a game plan that's not Alaska, and hasn't been for
awhile," Carlton said.

She noted Palin has a book deal, and seems headed for the national stage.

"If you're really not going to stay and do your job every day, you
should leave anyway, and so the sooner the better so somebody can step
in and actually do the job," Carlton said.

And as far as Carlton is concerned, Palin doesn't need to explain why
she's leaving.

"We don't care. We just want her gone," she said.

Palin, whose popularity in Alaska has waned amid ongoing ethics
investigations, gave many reasons for stepping down: She didn't want to
be a lame-duck governor; she was tired of the tasteless jokes aimed at
her five children, including her son Trig, who has Down syndrome; she
felt she could do more in another, still-to-be-defined role.

Sen. John McCain didn't rule out a return to politics for his former
running mate, saying Saturday he believes "she will continue to play an
important leadership role in the Republican Party and our nation." He
gave no other details.

Even Parnell, who plans to run for re-election after finishing out
Palin's term, said he was shocked at first when he learned of his boss'
decision.

"But then as she began to articulate her reasons, I began to understand
better," he said. "And nobody -- unless they've been in her position and
understood what she has gone through and dealt with and who she is as a
person -- really understands."

Here's the complete message, posted at 4:55PM today:
* * * *

Happy 4th of July from Alaska!

On this Independence Day, I am so very proud of all those who have
chosen to serve our great nation and I honor their selflessness and the
sacrifices of their families, too.

If I may, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the last 24 hours
and share my thoughts with you.

First, I want to thank you for your support and hard work on the values
we share. Those values led me to the decision my family and I made.
Yesterday, my family and I announced a decision that is in Alaska's best
interest and it always feels good to do what is right. We have
accomplished more during this one term than most governors do in two -
and I am proud of the great team that helped to build these wonderful
successes. Energy independence and national security, fiscal restraint,
smaller government, and local control have been my priorities and will
remain my priorities.

For months now, I have consulted with friends and family, and with the
Lieutenant Governor, about what is best for our wonderful state. I even
made a few administrative changes over that course in time in
preparation for yesterday. We have accomplished so much and there's much
more to do, but my family and I determined after prayerful consideration
that sacrificing my title helps Alaska most. And once I decided not to
run for re-election, my decision was that much easier - I've never been
one to waste time or resources. Those who know me know this is the right
decision and obvious decision at that, including Senator John McCain. I
thank him for his kind, insightful comments.

The response in the main stream media has been most predictable, ironic,
and as always, detached from the lives of ordinary Americans who are
sick of the "politics of personal destruction". How sad that Washington
and the media will never understand; it's about country. And though it's
honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher
calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some
reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make. But every
American understands what it takes to make a decision because it's right
for all, including your family.

I shared with you yesterday my heartfelt and candid reasons for this
change; I've never thought I needed a title before one's name to forge
progress in America. I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this
country together with our values of less government intervention,
greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed
fiscal restraint. I hope you will join me. Now is the time to rebuild
and help our nation achieve greatness!

God bless you! And I look forward to making a difference - with you!

Sarah



- - -

HK wrote:

...Sarah...


JUNEAU, Alaska - Outgoing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday laid the
groundwork to take on a larger, national role after leaving state
government, citing a "higher calling" with the aim of uniting the
country along conservative lines.

A day after surprising even her closest friends by announcing she would
step down as Alaska governor more than a year before her term was up,
the controversial hockey mom was still keeping details of her future
plans under wrap. But in a statement posted on Palin's Facebook account,
she suggested that she had bigger plans and a national agenda she
planned to push after she resigns at the end of the month.

"I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together
with our values of less government intervention, greater energy
independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal
restraint," she said.

Palin also cast herself as a victim and blasted the media, calling the
response to her announcement "predictable" and out of touch.

"How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it's about
country," the statement said. "And though it's honorable for countless
others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without
finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different
standard applies for the decisions I make."

Palin's personal spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, confirmed to The
Associated Press that the Facebook posting was written by the governor.

The abruptness of her announcement and the mystery surrounding her plans
has fed widespread speculation. But Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein on
Saturday warned legal action may be taken against bloggers and
publications that reprint what he calls fraudulent claims.

"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," Van Flein said in a statement. "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."


Palin has kept a low profile since her abrupt announcement Friday at a
hastily called news conference at her home in suburban Wasilla, outside
Anchorage. All of her public communication since then has been on the
social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, or through statements
released by her office.

At the same time, Palin informed her spokesman David Murrow early
Saturday that someone using the name "exgovsarahpalin" on Twitter was
spreading a false rumor that there was to be a party at her suburban
home in Wasilla, outside Anchorage. Palin was afraid her home would be
mobbed, and security was dispatched, Murrow said.

With only a few weeks before she steps down on July 26, and Lt. Gov.
Sean Parnell takes her place, the governor spent the Fourth of July
weekend in the state capital, Juneau, but was only spotted briefly on
the sidelines of the city's parade.

She had been invited to ride in a convertible, as she did last year, but
never told organizers whether she would attend.

Juneau parade director Jean Sztuk said officials drew up banners in case
Palin showed and was willing to take part.

As the last of the parade's clowns and marching bands headed past her,
Sztuk gave up on Palin. "What governor wants to be at the end of the
parade?" she asked.

Her low-profile and vague Internet messages left mounting questions
about her plans for the future shrouded in mystery. Will she lay the
groundwork for a 2012 presidential bid? Will she find a high-profile
place in the private sector, maybe on the speech circuit? Will she drop
out of the limelight and focus on her five children?

Her constituents, for one, wanted to know, especially in Juneau, where
she has struggled to win over residents.

"I think she owes it to Alaskans to tell us why," said state Sen. Dennis
Egan, D-Juneau, the son of Alaska's first governor, Bill Egan.

Egan, hosting a 50th anniversary statehood ceremony, said he was
disappointed Palin decided not to finish out her term, which was
scheduled to end in 2010.

"It's sad she abandoned us at this critical time," said Egan, who was
appointed by Palin to an open seat on the last day of the legislative
session in April, after a protracted battle with Senate Democrats.

Palin's departure can't come soon enough for Laurel Carlton, a waitress
at the Capital Cafe in the Baranof Hotel, where the city's political
movers and shakers meet every morning before walking a few blocks to the
Capitol.

"I think she has a game plan that's not Alaska, and hasn't been for
awhile," Carlton said.

She noted Palin has a book deal, and seems headed for the national stage.

"If you're really not going to stay and do your job every day, you
should leave anyway, and so the sooner the better so somebody can step
in and actually do the job," Carlton said.

And as far as Carlton is concerned, Palin doesn't need to explain why
she's leaving.

"We don't care. We just want her gone," she said.

Palin, whose popularity in Alaska has waned amid ongoing ethics
investigations, gave many reasons for stepping down: She didn't want to
be a lame-duck governor; she was tired of the tasteless jokes aimed at
her five children, including her son Trig, who has Down syndrome; she
felt she could do more in another, still-to-be-defined role.

Sen. John McCain didn't rule out a return to politics for his former
running mate, saying Saturday he believes "she will continue to play an
important leadership role in the Republican Party and our nation." He
gave no other details.

Even Parnell, who plans to run for re-election after finishing out
Palin's term, said he was shocked at first when he learned of his boss'
decision.

"But then as she began to articulate her reasons, I began to understand
better," he said. "And nobody -- unless they've been in her position and
understood what she has gone through and dealt with and who she is as a
person -- really understands."

Here's the complete message, posted at 4:55PM today:
* * * *

Happy 4th of July from Alaska!

On this Independence Day, I am so very proud of all those who have
chosen to serve our great nation and I honor their selflessness and the
sacrifices of their families, too.

If I may, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the last 24 hours
and share my thoughts with you.

First, I want to thank you for your support and hard work on the values
we share. Those values led me to the decision my family and I made.
Yesterday, my family and I announced a decision that is in Alaska's best
interest and it always feels good to do what is right. We have
accomplished more during this one term than most governors do in two -
and I am proud of the great team that helped to build these wonderful
successes. Energy independence and national security, fiscal restraint,
smaller government, and local control have been my priorities and will
remain my priorities.

For months now, I have consulted with friends and family, and with the
Lieutenant Governor, about what is best for our wonderful state. I even
made a few administrative changes over that course in time in
preparation for yesterday. We have accomplished so much and there's much
more to do, but my family and I determined after prayerful consideration
that sacrificing my title helps Alaska most. And once I decided not to
run for re-election, my decision was that much easier - I've never been
one to waste time or resources. Those who know me know this is the right
decision and obvious decision at that, including Senator John McCain. I
thank him for his kind, insightful comments.

The response in the main stream media has been most predictable, ironic,
and as always, detached from the lives of ordinary Americans who are
sick of the "politics of personal destruction". How sad that Washington
and the media will never understand; it's about country. And though it's
honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher
calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some
reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make. But every
American understands what it takes to make a decision because it's right
for all, including your family.

I shared with you yesterday my heartfelt and candid reasons for this
change; I've never thought I needed a title before one's name to forge
progress in America. I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this
country together with our values of less government intervention,
greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed
fiscal restraint. I hope you will join me. Now is the time to rebuild
and help our nation achieve greatness!

God bless you! And I look forward to making a difference - with you!

Sarah



- - -



Whoops...the above came from Huff Post and the AP.