Alaska Politics Blog : Palin future

Alaska Politics Blog

This is the place to talk about Alaska politics, state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has rarely been more interesting -- a full slate of federal and state elections, the influence of former Gov. Sarah Palin, the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. We encourage lively debate, but please keep it civil and stay on point. Don't use profanity, make crude comments or attack other posters. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will lose their ability to post comments.

Contributors

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He's worked for the ADN in Anchorage and Juneau, covered the legislature for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and covered Washington state politics for the Tacoma News Tribune. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers rural affairs, general assignments and politics for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously wrote for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com and also find him on our rural Alaska blog, The Village.

David Hulen

David Hulen, the ADN's state and local news editor, is responsible for political coverage. He has been an editor and reporter at the ADN for more than 20 years. E-mail David at dhulen@adn.com

Features

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Alaska political corruption

When the FBI raided state legislature offices in Aug. 2006, it publicly launched an investigation that ultimately reached the highest levels of Alaska politics, and continues to this day.

Palin future

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Anchorage Daily News

Posted: July 25, 2009 - 12:18 pm

From David Hulen in Anchorage --

Gov. Sarah Palin hands over the keys to the governor's mansion to Sean Parnell tomorrow, and, once again, there's a lot of national media attention coming our way. The bulk of it is around the question of what lies ahead. Some of it:

> The CBS Early Show this morning had three Republicans debating Palin's future. GOP strategist Bay Buchanan, commentator and author Ann Coulter and author and NewMajority.com founder David Frum argue over whether Palin's early departure does her in as a national candidate. (Buchanan: "There's a commitment you make when you run for elected office....she broke that trust." Coulter: "That's absolutely false. The voters of Alaska are delighted with what she did because they're sick of these investigations." Frum: "I think this exchange shows what a wonderful uniter Sarah Palin is. If this is the effect she has on Republicans, this is not what you need.")

Among the rest:

> Sarah Palin leaving governor's post amid confusion, criticism L.A. Times

Palin's departure -- she'll officially hand over power to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell at a community picnic in Fairbanks -- has left many Alaskans largely confused. And state legislators are scrambling to convene a special session to recover $28.6 million in federal energy funds that Palin rejected as one of her parting salutes to independence from Washington....

Supporters are struggling to improve on Palin's explanations: frustration over unfounded ethics complaints and a desire to "effect change" from outside government were among those she cited in her somewhat disjointed announcement...

> As She Steps Down, Palin Vows to Reclaim Ethics Fight Washington Post

> Palin faces questions as she exits Alaska politics The Associated Press

Palin picnic marks beginning of the end Politco

On Friday, Rush Limbaugh talked up Palin's future in an interview with Fox News Channel's Greta Van Susteren. "I think they, the Democrats, are telling us who they, right now, are most afraid of, who they think can beat Obama." Quitting, he said, "Doesn't matter...might be a very smart move." Video below.

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