# Palin Resigns as Gov? WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 3, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843 "2009-07-03T19:53:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/501 "2009-07-07T18:48:36Z")
> [@Nametag](#): > > No, that’s the opposite of the point. **Begbert** was responding to **Onomatopoeia** :saying that it’s actually quite easy for most people to ignore naysayers, and that therefore he, **begbert** , would not predict that Palin will reassess her own actions or positions as a result of recent criticisms. For the record, you’re right. **RTFirefly** is misreading me. And I’ve got no idea what **cricetus** thought I was saying. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/502 "2009-07-07T22:19:47Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > Just a quick Wiki check makes it look as if that’s incorrect. She was on the Wasilla city council from 1992-1996. She was elected mayor in 1996 and it seems as if she served out two complete three-year terms. thank you. it was difficult to hear over running h2o and the exhaust fan. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/503 "2009-07-08T01:25:44Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > Just a quick Wiki check makes it look as if that’s incorrect. She was on the Wasilla city council from 1992-1996. She was elected mayor in 1996 and it seems as if she served out two complete three-year terms. Weeeeeel, Wasilla ain’t exactly NYC. City council was undoubtedly a parttime job and mayor probably was, too. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/504 "2009-07-08T13:17:03Z")
Plus she hired somebody to do all the basic Mayoral work, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Strassia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/505 "2009-07-09T01:19:15Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Weeeeeel, Wasilla ain’t exactly NYC. City council was undoubtedly a parttime job and mayor probably was, too. The [Daily Show](http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=188638&title=Understanding-Real-America-in-Wasilla) interviewed the current mayor and she couldn’t really think of anything that was actually the mayor’s responsibility. Jonathan ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/506 "2009-07-09T02:25:19Z")
> [@Strassia](#): > > The [Daily Show](http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=188638&title=Understanding-Real-America-in-Wasilla) interviewed the current mayor and she couldn’t really think of anything that was actually the mayor’s responsibility. So Wasilla is actually run by a community organizer? ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/507 "2009-07-09T02:33:41Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > So Wasilla is actually run by a community organizer? No, a community organizer can’t fire relatives they’re feuding with. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/508 "2009-07-09T04:04:03Z")
And I suspect a community organizer a) DOES have responsibilities and b) doesn’t have the option of hiring a “city manager” to do his or her job while s/he retains the title and credit. Surely the Wasilla municipal government must control _something_ (even if the current mayor couldn’t seem to come up with anything), or why are they cutting checks for anyone at all? ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/509 "2009-07-09T12:38:24Z")
> [@Oy](#): > > And I suspect a community organizer a) DOES have responsibilities and b) doesn’t have the option of hiring a “city manager” to do his or her job while s/he retains the title and credit. To be fair to Palin (and man, I really don’t want to be), the little town where I grew up has a part-time mayor and a full-time city manager. The mayor’s job is political–directing funds, managing staff, running council meetings, etc. The city manager does the physical work of running the city; for instance, if a traffic light isn’t working he’s the one who takes a screwdriver and fixes it, or if it snows he’s the one driving the snowplow. (He has two or three people working under him, but he keeps his hands dirty.) These are two different jobs with two very different skill sets. I don’t know that it works the same in Wasilla. Also of note, if backwater Alaska politics is anything like backwater Kentucky politics, being a small-town mayor requires a degree of corruption and cronyism that would make your average state or national politician vomit with disgust. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/510 "2009-07-09T13:18:03Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > Also of note, if backwater Alaska politics is anything like backwater Kentucky politics, being a small-town mayor requires a degree of corruption and cronyism that would make your average state or national politician vomit with disgust. That might perhaps explain everything I’ve ever heard about Alaska politics - not just Palin, but everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/511 "2009-07-09T15:17:16Z")
> [@Oy](#): > > That might perhaps explain everything I’ve ever heard about Alaska politics - not just Palin, but everyone. This will sound partisan, but the vast majority of political scandals in Alaska are by way of corrupt Republicans and their dealings with the oil companies. There are honorable pols up there, two of whom are presently serving in the U.S. Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/512 "2009-07-09T16:06:46Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > This will sound partisan, but the vast majority of political scandals in Alaska are by way of corrupt Republicans and their dealings with the oil companies. There are honorable pols up there, two of whom are presently serving in the U.S. Senate. I hope you’re right. You certainly know more about it than I. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/513 "2009-07-09T16:23:51Z")
She had to struggle. When Palin became mayor , Wasilla was a town of 6300. She only made 64, 000 dollars. When she left office it was at $68,000. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/514 "2009-07-09T17:46:35Z")
Sarah Palin isn’t running for President. I think she’s running for Fox’s Katie Couric. When Couric nailed her I bet she was thinking, "I may never be President, but I could _be_ HER. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/515 "2009-07-09T18:18:38Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > This will sound partisan, but the vast majority of political scandals in Alaska are by way of corrupt Republicans and their dealings with the oil companies. There are honorable pols up there, two of whom are presently serving in the U.S. Senate. Isn’t that mostly because Alaska is very Republican and oil companies are the only organizations with much money there? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/516 "2009-07-09T19:07:47Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Wow. When NewsMax – _ **News freaking Max!** _ – weighs in like this, you know she’s toast politically. [More from NewsMax](http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/sarah_palin_cpac/2009/07/09/233604.html): > [@](#): > > Sarah Palin needs to stop whining about unfair media coverage and get over the fact that some people don’t like her, Dave Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union, tells Newsmax. > > Palin doesn’t seem to get that politics is a tough game, says Keene, one of the country’s most astute political observers… > > At this point, Keene declares, Palin hasn’t demonstrated that she can handle a run at the presidency… “It’s like moving up to the major leagues, you can’t throw the same pitches . . . you’ve got to adjust to the rest of the players, and she has not to this point demonstrated that she’s able to do that.” ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/517 "2009-07-09T19:10:44Z")
> [@MeDrewNotYou](#): > > We’ll see tomorrow, but my guess is that its Obama’s fault. After all, [he was at fault for Sanford’s affair.](http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/6/25/165628/139) I know you were joking, but Palin is in fact [doing just that.](http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/07/09/a-final-palin-post/#more-14455) ---
**Author:** ![MeDrewNotYou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@MeDrewNotYou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeDrewNotYou)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/518 "2009-07-09T20:31:04Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > I know you were joking, but Palin is in fact [doing just that.](http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/07/09/a-final-palin-post/#more-14455) … Wow. I like the idea of an Obama “Enemies List” ala Nixon. Note to Sarah Palin: base your 2012 campaign at the Watergate! Sure you’ll lose the election, but Obama will eventually be forced to resign! ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/519 "2009-07-09T20:59:26Z")
I’m smelling lots of misdirected fear in this thread. I think Camille Paglia hit upon the reason in her latest column: _“She does her own thing with seat-of-the-pants gusto. It’s why she remains hugely popular with the Republican grass-roots base – as I know from listening to talk radio. Callers coming fresh from her rallies are always heady with infectious enthusiasm.”_ There is a reason there are umpteen jillion posts and thread views on the subject of this former VP candidate seven months after she was defeated. IMO, Palin serves much the same role as Rush Limbaugh, in that she provides a much-needed rallying point around which conservatives can coalesce and unify, and that’s the real reason so much effort is being expended in an effort to make her look crooked, dumb or lacking in accomplishment. [Link](http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2009/07/08/reader_letters/index.html) Paglia hits a few other nails on the head as well: _“Of course you’d never know that from reading hit jobs like Todd Purdum’s sepulchral piece on Palin in the current Vanity Fair. Scurrying around Alaska with his notepad, Purdum still managed to find comically little to indict her with. Anyone with a gripe is given the floor; fans are shut out. This exercise in faux objectivity is exposed at key points such as Purdum’s failure to identify the actual instigator of Palin’s extravagant clothing bills (a crazed, credit-card-abusing stylist appointed by the McCain campaign) and his prissy characterization of Palin’s performance at the vice-presidential debate as merely “adequate.” Hey, wake up – Palin cleaned Biden’s clock! By the end, Biden was sighing and itching to split.”_ _“She also needs a shrewder, cooler take on the mainstream media, with its preening bullies, cackling witches, twisted cynics and pompous windbags.”_ (The SDMB is part of the mainstream media now? :D) \*“The vicious double standard is pretty obvious. Only the tabloids, for example, ran the photos of a piss-drunk Chelsea Clinton, panties exposed, falling into her car outside London clubs a few years ago. If Chelsea had been the scion of Republican bigwigs, those tacky scenes would have been trumpeted from pillar to post in the U.S. as signals of parental failures or turmoil in clan Clinton.” \* _“As a Democrat, I detest the partisan machinations that have become standard in Northeastern news management and that are detectable in editorial decisions at major metropolitan newspapers nationwide.”_ Is this woman really a Democrat? She sounds a lot like what is referred to around here as “right-wing nutjobs”! ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843/520 "2009-07-09T21:01:12Z")
I don’t know about “right-wing,” but she’s definitely a nutjob. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-resigns-as-gov-wtf/501843.md?page=27)