It has been announced that Governor Sarah Palin is stepping down as Alaska’s chief executive by the end of the month.  Is anyone really surprised? Sarah seemed inept, attention hungry, and full of hot air since the moment she stepped foot in the election.

In response to Palin’s announcement, DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse stated, "Either Sarah Palin is leaving the people of Alaska high and dry to pursue her long-shot national political ambitions, or she simply can't handle the job now that her popularity has dimmed and oil revenues are down” (CNN, 2009).

Do you agree with this comment?

I do. I feel that the moment Palin was no longer seen favorably in the media, she checked out. She basically abandoned her state before her term had concluded! Imagine if she WAS elected in the presidential election last November and served as our Vice President. One can’t help but think that she may have abandoned her post in that position, as well, if things became complex.

Honestly, I can’t help but believe that there has to be another story behind all of this… something else going on behind closed doors that we are unaware of. I mean, one just doesn’t quit with a year and a half to go!...Nor would one make such a decision as a means to run for Presidency….right?

I mean…right?

Well, astonishingly, a new USA Today/Gallup Poll found that Palin’s support among Republicans has not only remained strong, but has also slightly increased among her GOP constituents. The USA Today/Gallup Poll demonstrated that Republicans were unfazed by Palin’s move, reporting that 71% of Republicans would vote for her if she ran for presidency in 2012, while Democrat’s and Independent’s views of Palin remained the same with 75% of Democrats and 55% of Independents preferring she leave the national stage all together (Yahoo! News, 2009).

Palin’s supporters believe that she was a victim of media mistreatment, with 75% of GOP believing coverage of Palin was unfairly negative. While others would argue that her too many publicized blunders and controversial speeches are what ultimately led her to been seen as inexperienced and inept within the media (Yahoo! News, 2009).

Regardless of whether you support Palin or not, or agree/disagree that Palin was a victim of “media mistreatment,” in the end all we can do is look at the facts. People will talk a lot of talk, but you can really tell what a person is all about and what they stand for by looking at their actions. In my opinion, Sarah Palin’s action and decision to step down from her post early suggests that she is non-committal and undependable when things become complicated.

Cited Sources

Palin stepping down this month, CNN

Poll: Palin's support still strong among GOP, USA Today

Sarah Palin: Out, but not down, Yahoo News