On the "countless" politicians who leave office early
In her second attempt to clarify the rationale behind her decision to resign, Gov. Palin makes the following claim:
"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."
This claim prompts at least two questions:
1) Can anyone name even two politicians holding major office who left that office early for a "higher calling" other than a political appointment, and not for reasons related to alleged criminal activity or personal/family health matters?
2) Does anyone know of a commentator on t.v. or radio who has asked some verson of the above question, and so holding Palin and those who support her decision to account?
The most bizzare element of this entire affair is Palin's unwillingness to give a reason for her actions. She does not even identify the "higher calling" to which she now feels called. She claims that she is following a path that many have already blazed ahead of her. Yet, unless she can actually give examples of the "countless" others who have followed this path, only two conclusions seem to remain; either she is not being honest and some more traditional reason for leaving office is actually motivating her, or she has lost all sense of direction.
Palin should be left to the dustbin of political history.
July 5, 2009 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the 1st question is interesting as well. As in so many of her statements you can sort of hear the caterwauling that led up to it. Obviously her and Meg and Todd probably sat around bemoaning why they are being bashed while so and so got a free ride? But who are the so and so's? I, like you, am stumped.
But then, given her frequent sports referencing and her inability to differentiate between two unlike things, I began to think that she might not be limiting her thoughts on this to politicians. (I know she says "finishing a term," but that's her secondary point, classic finessing of a bait and switch.)
So if we include sports figures who might've retired a few years earlier than expected to be with family or maybe business figures who retired early or left to join religious groups or whatever, maybe we can see better what she's referencing. And any insight into her psyche is worth the price of admission, yes?
July 5, 2009 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
"And any insight into her psyche is worth the price of admission, yes?"
Have you ever gotten off a ride at an amusement park and immediately barfed?
July 5, 2009 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden unless you consider elected to higher office being an appointment. In this case I think you should. Aside from election or appointment, I've racked my brain and picked many minds for the answer to her statement and com up with nothing. Thank you for asking the question. It will be interesting to see if MSM picks up on this to provide needed clarity.
July 5, 2009 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe it's biblical?
July 5, 2009 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus resigned, and HuffPo didn't persecute him.
July 5, 2009 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
lmao
July 5, 2009 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am sure that there is an example of people leaving office early without it having been scandal, health, or family issues, unless they ran for higher office.
The questioning public has nothing to do with persecution in my book. I can't think of anyone making such an announcement without then using is as an opportunity to announce their new endeavor.
July 5, 2009 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
... only two conclusions seem to remain; either she is not being honest and some more traditional reason for leaving office is actually motivating her, or she has lost all sense of direction.
I don't see why these two conclusions have to be mutually exclusive. Palin can certainly be dishonest and at the same time lose all sense of direction. The Vanity Fair article that caused much of this commotion was quite clear on those points.
July 5, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Susan Molinari (R-NY) left for a TV job. I can't think of anyone else.
July 5, 2009 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
A poster at DKos has done the research -
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/6/750429/-Puddnhead-Palin-Has-Bad-Hair-Day-and-sez-I-Quit-
July 6, 2009 8:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks. This is good.
July 6, 2009 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink