On Sunday, June 26, 2009, Sarah Palin stepped down as Alaska’s Governor and stepped into a world of speculation as to her plans for the future. She gave a fiery speech, but no confirmation about where she goes from here. Read about it, see photos and view the Palin farewell speech video below.
Sarah Palin
After her surprise announcement that she would be stepping down as Governor of Alaska two weeks ago, Sarah Palin did just that yesterday. She transferred power to her Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell and he was sworn in as the new governor in a ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska. In her farewell address she vowed to keep fighting for Alaska and Alaskans.
When Palin announced she would be leaving office on July 3, 2009, she cited the distractions of the continuous political attacks on her following her vice presidential campaign in 2008. She stated the frequent and unsubstantiated ethics complaints, legal actions and rising legal bills as preventing her from being able to perform her job with the focus the Alaskan people deserve. She is leaving the state in the very capable hands of Sean Parnell. She stated she felt it was her responsibility to avoid ‘unproductive politics-as-usual of a lame-duck session’. She also stated that she felt she could do more for Alaska and the United States without having to restrain herself as a representative of the State of Alaska.
Any of us who follow Palin know that many people still twist her words and claim they don’t understand what she very clearly stated as her reasons for stepping down.
“Some are still choosing not to hear why I made a decision to chart a new course to advance the state,” Palin said in a campaign-style speech laying out her achievements in office.
“With this decision, now I will be able to fight even harder for you, what’s right and for truth — and I have never felt that you need a title to do that,” Palin said.
In addition to listing the frivolous legal actions against her, she stated that she felt a ‘higher calling’ in which she could assist competent, ethical politicians of any party and help the country and Alaska on the national stage.
After having to deal with vicious attacks against not only herself, but against her family and particularly her children, she had a few words for the media in regards to the new governor.
“Democracy depends on you,” Palin said, “That’s why our troops are willing to die for you. So how about in honor of the American soldier you quit making things up?”
“Our new governor has a very nice family too, so leave his kids alone,” Palin said, drawing applause from the audience.
Other issues that Palin addressed in her parting address included the Second Amendment. She warned Alaskans to stand up against what she called the ‘anti-hunting’ message perpetuated by Hollywood celebrities:
“Patriots will protect our Second Amendment right to bear arms,” she said “Hollywood needs to know: we eat, therefore we hunt.”
She also warned about the dangers of big government:
“Be wary of accepting government largess,” she said. “It doesn’t come free, and often accepting it takes away everything that is free.”
We don’t know what Palin’s long term plans are. We do know that her first public appearance as a private citizen is scheduled for August 8, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California where she’ll give a speech. She’ll be writing a book, campaigning for candidates and gearing up for whatever her future plans are. Many of us hope that will be the Presidency in 2012.
Whatever her plans are, she maintains enormous popularity. Her earnest style, passion and charisma are exceptional. She’s intelligent, knowledgeable and has the courageous directness that is the stereotype of the American frontier woman. She’s not perfect, but she embodies many of the values, dreams, hopes and aspirations of the average American.
Without the restraints of holding public office she can do what she wants, or needs to do. There doesn’t seem to be limits to where she can go from here. As Sarah Palin steps down as Alaska’s governor, we’ll be watching to see where she goes from here.
Watch the Palin farewell speech video below.
Sarah Palin – Photos
Palin Farewell Speech – Video
Sarah Palin Steps Down As Alaska’s Governor – Video
