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Sarah Palin hangs up her boots as Alaska governor
by Jamie Anderson - July 27, 2009 - comments
In her parting speech the outgoing Alaska governor thanked the people of Alaska for their unflinching support towards her. She said, “I do want to tell you sincerely that I love you, I appreciate you and your support, the support that you've shown my family. God bless you and God bless America."
Alaska, July 27: One and a half years before her term in office was to end, former U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, formally resigned as the governor of Alaska late Sunday.
She had announced her resignation early this month. Speculations are rife that she would stand as a presidential candidate in 2012.
She officially handed over her job to Alaska's Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell at a ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Sarah’s future plans kept secret
Sarah’s exit is shrouded with mystery. The decision to quit has bamboozled some of her most loyal critics as well. There are numerous questions that have been left unanswered. Why did she step down as governor and what are her plans for the future, is what the world is keen to know.
The answer was not even forthcoming from her husband Todd, the so-called ‘first dude’. He said, “It's been an awesome experience and she's very happy to serve the residents of Alaska and onto the next chapter of life.” "I guess well just have to wait and see," said Todd when he was questioned about Sarah’s plans.
Chuck Heath, father of Sarah, too appeared clueless, "I'm sure she has something else in mind," Heath said. "[But] I don't know. I spent two days with her over the Pale River, and she'd be a good poker player -- she didn't lead on to what she wants to do."
Words from the outgoing governor
Sarah’s abrupt exit was vociferous to say the least. At the farewell function she delivered a blistering 15-minute long speech to a crowd of supporters. She minced no words in lambasting the media.
She also ballyhooed about Alaska's history of energy independence. The outgoing governor talked at length of what she accomplished and did for the natives of Alaska.
"I promised that we would protect this beautiful environment while safely and ethically developing resources, and we did. We built the Petroleum Oversight Office and a sub-cabinet to study climate conditions.
"And I promised I'd govern with fiscal restraint, so to not immorally burden future generations. And we did...we slowed the rate of government growth and I vetoed hundreds of millions of dollars of excess and with lawmakers we saved billions for the future," she said in her rambling speech.