I actually held off on commenting on this because I wanted to think about it and hear a couple different perspectives on it. My initial thoughts were concerning her money troubles stemming from the ethics complaints. I also thought she might be planning a run for the Senate.

Stephen Green at Vodkapundit sums his thoughts up:

I can describe this move in three words: Stupid, stupid, stupid. And the reason doesn’t matter.

Joy McCann says:

…to the unending distress of the militant left, she is not the idiot that Katie Couric attempted to make her into, so there likely is some reason Palin wanted to “bury” this news, or at least keep the political paparazzi at bay for a little while.

Dan Riehl offers his two cents:

My take – she’s not done and will look to go national in some way setting up for a possible 2012 run.

Jon Henke at The Next Right:

Her Presidential prospects are done, and it’s hard to see how Republicans will still consider her a potential leader of the movement.

But perhaps that’s best.

Curt at Flopping Aces:

Not sure I get it. She could be planning to spend 2010 campaigning for true conservatives for 2010, forcing the party back to its roots and then onto 2012. Or she could be tired of the lawsuits and crap she takes from the media and the left.

Confused.

The Troglopundit:

Not having read any other commentary yet, I’m unsure what the conservative marching orders are. So I’m gonna wing it. If she’s doing this in order to free herself for more national travel – for a presidential run – then she’s making a mistake.

John Hawkins at Right Wing News, writing on his first day of “vacation”:

She may intend to run for President in 2012 and feels like it’s to her advantage to resign now. It will mean no more phony ethics complaints. She’ll be able to raise money and campaign for Republican candidates without having it used against her as governor as well. On the downside, it would hurt her in her weakest area: experience.

Little Green Footballs:

Hmm. This is a pretty standard way to downplay something and keep it out of the news cycle as much as possible— release it late Friday on a long weekend.

Betsy Newmark at Betsy’s Page:

I’m deeply sorry that she and her family have undergone this battering in the public eye, but I’m not going to miss her. And I’m certainly not going to miss all the ugly Palin jokes on late night TV and the internet. This has not been a pretty chapter in the annals of American politics. I can’t help wondering what the contrafactual path would have been for Palin if McCain hadn’t picked her and she’d still been that promising-sounding governor that conservative writers, but no one else, were beginning to take notice of. Unfortunately, we can’t put that toothpaste back in the tube.

The Conservative Political Report:

Here is another take, maybe she has just had enough of the BS. If that is the case I can’t actually blame her for stepping down. Either way good luck to the Governor in all her endeavors.

McQ at Q and O:

My guess? She’s been tired of the moonbat attacks for a while, and the final straw was the McCain bunch. She’s most likely figured that in today’s poisonous political atmosphere, national exposure and national office just aren’t worth the price.

Jim Geraghty at The Corner:

If Sarah Palin wishes to someday be President of the United States, then she had to serve at least one full term in statewide office. (Yes, Obama had been in the Senate for about two years before running for president, but he had a lot of stars align for him at the right moment. Beyond that, at some point, “but Obama did it that way” isn’t a persuasive argument.)

The Anchoress:

I’m thinking…an ambitious woman like Palin would not do something so seemingly reckless and yes, career-damaging, unless politics is no longer an issue for her.

It’s wrong to speculate, but Palin is forcing speculation.

The American Pundit:

She will be absolutely slammed from all sides during any run for failing to fulfill her obligation to the citizens of Alaska. She abandons her elected post once something better opens up for her personal advancement? Like I said, not the best imagery.

Ace of Spades:

And that is that.

It’s over. You can’t resign from a governorship and then run for higher office. Barring some strong reason, like needing treatment for cancer.

Kathryn Jean Lopez at The Corner:

If she is stepping down because of what politics has done to her family, because of something in her family life she doesn’t want to see as David Letterman fodder, because it’s impossible to be governor, a star, and a mom to an infant . . . this is good. It demonstrates good judgment and priorities.

American Power:

The conservative base will be looking for the most genuine conservative around, and Palin’s youthful vigor, and canny ability to raise the passions of the conservative stalwarts, may be too much for even the most well-organized primary challenger that year. All of this depends on Palin indeed taking the time to polish her resume and skills. Being out of office, and free from the endless attacks – what Palin called “the politics of personal destruction” – may well be an asset in launching a presidential bid from the outside.

Allahpundit at Hot Air:

The most charitable possibility is that she’s so eager to run for president that she can’t be bothered with the governorship anymore, and even that possibility ain’t too charitable. This has taken an ominous turn.

Nice Deb:

It doesn’t seem like a great political move, to me. Why so fast?

I think she was just worn down…sick of having a target on her back. She can go out now, and start earning some money to pay for her legal bills.

Personally, I think that last one is the winner. The Palin’s were taking a financial beating from all the ethics charges filed against them. Now, they can start raking in the cash from the speaker’s circuit. Who needs the abuse from that job when you can start building massive bank giving speeches?

And as for the idea this is the end of her political career, I find that a bit over the top and reactionary. If this woman spends the next few years traveling the country giving speeches, either for cash or in support of conservative candidates, she can reach a lot of people.

This isn’t the last we have heard from Sarah Palin.

I hope that’s it. Whatever it is, I wish the best to Gov. Palin and her family. None of them deserved the treatment they received from the left and the media.

Or, you can listen by starting the widget in the sidebar. Either way is cool with me.

What’s great about this is the use of Democrats in the video, especially Obama saying that energy prices will “necessarily skyrocket.”

Hat Tip: Gateway Pundit

Whew! Busy lady!

The show will be on RFC Radio today at 5 pm Eastern.

I was very happy I went. Rep. Graves voted against the cap and trade bill. He voted against the stimulus bill. He said during the question and answer period that he supported the FairTax. He is a co-sponsor of the bill, after all.

Sam came across as a fiscal conservative and said exactly what other Republicans need to be saying. I have his portion of the town hall below for you to listen to, and I recommend it. Sam has some great insights on how the House works.

For the record, I recorded this on my iPhone, using the iTalk app from Griffin. I was sitting under a speaker and I had to boost the audio a little using Audacity.

I still think it sounds pretty good for recording it on a phone.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. During the questions from the audience portion, I asked the second question. It was on getting the Republican party to come together on the FairTax. I thought his answer was decent.

But when Israel wants to build settlements, he has no problem voicing his opinion.

And when Honduras fights against a leftist leader who wanted to lead longer than was legal, he calls it illegal.

So, why is it meddling to support freedom in Iran? It’s like “The Princess Bride,” really.

Obama: “I don’t want to meddle.”

Iranian Protestor: “You keep using that word. I do not think you know what it means.”

It would be funnier if it wasn’t true.

Dear Friend,
In the past, you have contacted me with your concerns regarding our nation’s spending. I wholeheartedly believe that Washington cannot spend, borrow or bail its way to economic prosperity. Congress must show the same fiscal restraint to balance our budget that Missouri families are using to balance their checkbook.

I believe we also must reform the way we tax our citizens. We need a tax system that is simple, fair and promotes economic growth. I want individuals and small business owners to live their lives, rather than spending their valuable time filling out forms.

Our current tax code is outrageous. At more than 54,000 pages, the current tax code is burdensome and difficult to comprehend. There are better ways to fund our government and end the confusion and unfairness that is our current income tax code.

I want to invite you to a couple tax reform town hall meetings that I am hosting to discuss these critical issues facing our nation.

Monday, June 29, 2009
5:30 p.m.
Missouri Western State University
Leah Spratt Hall
4525 Downs Drive
St. Joseph, MO 64507

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

5:30 p.m.

North Kansas City’s Dagg Park
Iron Street and Armour Road
North Kansas City, MO 64116

I hope to see you at one of my tax reform town hall meetings. Because the June 30th meeting will take place outside, we will have a rainout location at North Kansas City’s City Hall Council Chambers, located at 2010 North Howell Street, North Kansas City, MO 64116.

Please contact Sarah Woodward in my Liberty office at 816.792.3976 or Sarah.Woodward@mail.house.gov for questions, directions, or updates on location the day of the meeting. I look forward to seeing you later this month!

Sincerely,
Sam Graves Signature
Sam Graves

That’s right. Sam Graves considers me a friend.

What I found really cool was what I found towards the bottom of the email. I took a screenshot.

See that little blurb after the graphic? It reads:

–
FairTax.org

- Restore power to the people
- Repeal the 16th Amendment
- Abolish the IRS
- Keep what you earn
- Demand transparent taxation
- Enjoy financial freedom and privacy

FairTax.org

One good reason to support Sam Graves. One of many reasons I voted for him.