I will be so happy if the show is -truly- a mix of many different stories again. This Palin thing is huge; loving all of the political pundits' complete bafflement with it and hope you have more. Also I hope someone mentions those weird geese. What was up with that?

I listened to the Sarah Palin press conference and, quite frankly, she sounded like a person on the verge of a breakdown.

Her statement on why she was quitting made no sense – she just rambeled on and on.

Too bad SNL is on vacation – they could have a field day with this one.
Then again, maybe not. She sounded unstabel – sad.

Scary to think that this person came close to being potentially the President of our country. Wow!

I do not understand how Sarah Palin thinks she has the skills it takes to be President. I am sure she is a nice person, but there is no way she should ever be President of the United States. I think she does have a very big ego!

After that jaunty, I'm manic without my drugs, performance abdicating her title of Wacko of Wasilla, I had a headache and had to read the text to measure her insanity. The meter went off the chart. I eriously suspect that there's something coming down the pipe from Alaska and it's not oil. Do pundits pray for Mondays?

Anderson Cooper, I am very disappointed in your reporting of Sarah Palin. You pretended to be surprised that anyone ever made fun of her son Trig. Give me a break!! President Obama himself made fun of the Special Olympics. You cant honestly believe that we all fall for your "unbiased" reporting can you? Do your job and get off of your high horse...not all of us fall for your condescending style.

Looking forward to the coverage about Palin. Hope she will be gone from the public view for a long time after this. It would be interesting to hear the real reason she is doing this though.

Elephant vs. man – man probably. I would think the elephant would have more sense.

in my opinion, palin need to stop and think about what she says before she open her mouth. She was not clear on why she was stepping down, and to be honest I don't really care. If she is trying to do this so she can run in 2012 she will be forgotten very quickly. Beside I really have a problem with someone who kills animals for thier feet or anything else for that matter

Gawd, I detest this lying loser. Palin is so transparently dishonest it's a scream. Blithely lying straight out the day after making a snide reference to Joe Bidens's age during the campaign, making up some weak excuse, all the while with that disturbing smirk on her face. She wouldn't know the truth if it smacked her. So now regarding her governorship, "Many just accept that lame duck status, and they hit that road. They draw a paycheck. They kind of milk it. And I'm not going to put Alaskans through that," she said. What a crock! I'm sure many more people buckle down and do the best they can for their constituents, the people that voted for them, during their remaining time in office. What a laughingly lame excuse! Palin shows her true colors (again) and they're really not very pleasant to the eye. This person should not advance into our national government.

Come on......2 years ago she could barely give the name of a news paper and all she could see was her friend "Putin" and Russia from her house.......she's been out of her league since she was chosen to even be a part of the GOP leadership of this country as a candidate for VP, and now, the pressure cooked her down which I believe was created by her own swirl of her own lie-after-lie-after-lie. Before and after the Primary she never told the truth.......that grand "step down the the greater America" is something someone else wrote to made her sound good......it's just another purchase she didn't have the taste to make, just like the ga-thousands in clothing the GOP bought her for the campaign which to this day, she still denies. And could you imagine THIS running our country IF they had won?

I'm watching 360 right now (10 EST), and is it just me, or is Anderson a bit angry at Sarah Palin? I can see where he's coming from on his comments ("what's she going to do?! Tv shows?"). We need more of this, Mr. Cooper. Keep it up!

I wonder if she's going to head the RNC, there has to be something she is either running to or running from.

I think that she just real stupid and don't make no sense!

Wow, Palin's spokesperson sounds as rambling as the boss . . . thanks, Anderson, for trying to make her answer questions intelligently; sad that she couldn't manage to do it . . .

I do not blame her at all. Having served as a school board member, I learned just how dirty politics can be. The higher up one goes, it gets more cut throat.
Ever since Sarah was picked to run for VP, people have attacked her for everything. If that was not bad enough, the people attacked her kids. I have noticed a trend of the press and others who are attacking the families.
I think that is why Sarah is resigning now – she is making the right decision. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see that her family is tired of being the focus.
My point is – IT IS NOT OUR BUSINESS WHAT THE FAMILY DOES OR DOES NOT DO. MAKING FUN OF HER BABY? GET A LIFE.

She is running from something!! Not running for something

Palin just scare to make any mistake before next election.

Palin just scare to make any mistake before next election.

Palin just scare to make any mistake before next election.

How about we just talk about basketball... because that has something to do with politics. Oh great and I have to listen to her stupid hillbilly comments again. She is a dead fish that needs to be flushed down the toilet.

What is she talking about.

Did anyone notice that sarah palin's 14 year old daughter looks to be about 3 months pregnant. I watched her speech and they showed her daughter standing next to her and OMG she looks pregnant. I think this my be the reason why she is stepping down.

So tired of republican hypocrisy. the 2 words mean the same thing to me. she is in search of the 1st female pres.

What is she talking about..she sound real stupid

Where is Tina Fey when we need her!

Anderson, thanks for pointing out to Megan about the analogy of the basketball hoop and passing the ball! Sarah Palin is done! If she can't stand the heat as Gov, she certainly cannot run for President in 2012. She, like Gov Sanford, should shy away from making pblic statements. What a loser! She never had a chance to be President anyway!

I still don't understand why so many think that Palin is a viable candidate, now or in the future. Her press conference was an embarrassment to her constituents and to her family, and not to mention, her. She was erratic, breathing heavily, and making absolutely no sense. I am waiting for the scandal to erupt because this story has all the makings of an event that will make the Sanford debacle seem boring.

Who wants a point gaurd who's going to walk off the court in the third quarter?

Thank you Anderson for keeping Palin's spokeswoman on task. Its hard to believe that there are others in this world who subscribe to the same nonsense logic that Palin's camp promotes. How is the spokeswoman not present for such an important public event?
On another note, how is Palin to lead by not being a leader? How can someone who knows so little about geopolitics, history, geography and a plethora of other subjects, become president of the United States?
Quitter. That's what she is.

She's weak and can't take the heat

I was glad to see Anderson telling her spokesperson, "I dont know anything about basketball" "how can she be the leader when shes stepping down" all her spokesperson would do is refer to their basketball analogy...

Personally I think there is more behind her decision that what she said – quitting is political suicide in my opinion. I wouldn't have voted for her – but I gave her credit for being more dependable than she showed today.

Sure, Sarah Palin knows EXACTLY what she is doing. This is one smart cookie and there are fireworks in the making. Maybe a seat as Senator is in her future, or who knows what – but make no doubt about it – she knows!!! She would not have made this decision otherwise. And personally – she has lots more experience at this point than the man who occupies the White House, and is much more enthusiastic and speaks much better. She probably doesn't even need a teleprompter. And as for pork spending, I have a feeling we would not have spent billions on those ridiculous programs that were approved by the Dems and Nancy Pelosi. HATS OFF TO SARAH -

Sarah Palin's speech sounded like she was having a breakdown! Is it possible?

Omg! Is this woman really serious? First of all i think the reason she is giving that she for resigning is a crock a bull. Im thinking she has something 2 hide. But if she thinks that this stunt going 2 help her chances with running 4 a president she is truly an idiot! Who would elect a woman who quits because she doesnt want 2 b a lame duck? This is ridiculous!

Well of course I understand why Sarah Palin is stepping down as governor. She explained it quite plainly; for those who were listening! All of the false allegations that are constantly being lobbed at her were costing the state of Alaska and the Palin family personally, hundreds of thousands to a million dollars. As a leader of a great state, she knew that this was costing her state too much money.

Here's the big question... Anderson, why did you NOT hear this clear explanation?

Good riddence! She was the reason the Republicans lost. What would have happened if did become president and just decided to quit!? Strange folks out there in Alaska. So out of touch. Next....

I think Gov Palin quit because she can dish out accusations and outrageous comments but she she cannot take criticism. Have you ever noticed how she is forever blaming someone else for her problems:The Democrats, fellow Republicans, the public, the media etc? She has serious problems,some of which are dellusional and not cuused by anyone except herelf. She also probably has a chance to make big money someplace else. I hope people will remember her quiter spirit if and when she ever decides to riun for another office.

If she received half the criticism that Pres Obama does, she would not last 24 hrs so kiss goodbye any hope of ever running for that Office.

I don't know exactly what to make of Sarah Palin's resignation, but the look on Anderson's face just now on his call with her spokesperson Meg Stapleton was priceless! I'm with you Anderson, the basketball analogies are silly and rambling and don't make any sense. Meg probably gave her the green light to go ahead without her because she knew that SNL is on hiatus.

I read the comments posted and had to laugh. Not qualified to become President? How qualified was Obama? She has far more qualifications than he does. And for her announcement today...she's apparently a fast learner and did what the President and US Congress does ... 'do it in the middle of the night so no one has the chance to catch on to what we're doing'. Hooray for her for blindsiding all those who think leaking information is the political thing to do!

Anderson, I hope you'll follow up on Palin's claim that the ethics violations are costing Alaska $2 million. She said she was telling the truth but she never expects the MSM to research and hold her accountable. The Alaska Daily News has an article giving the actual cost to Alaska of only $296,000. $187,797 was for the complaint Palin filed against herself.

She claims her family has legal costs of $500,000. She has refused to give a breakdown of how that was incurred even though she has a trust to collect money from the public to pay her expenses. She could have been represented by the AK Attorney General but chose to hire a personal attorney.

I think she wants to run for President and realizes her state is about to release horrible numbers and she doesn't want to be tied to that, so she's handing off the poison pill on her Lieutenant Gov.

After watching what appeared to be Sarah Palin making a speech to her neighbors in her back yard, in an incredibly hasty and unprepared fashion, that something is clearly a problem. By the stammering and the horrible grammatical slaughter of her speech, that she is trying to quit before being fired or accused of something much larger and better proofed than she is prepared to defend?
Her claim of 'false accusations' leads me to believe that she is about to be investigated or prosecuted? Maybe this is her attempt to turn that around into a false accusation claim, or to be out of office and no-longer the Governor when the crap hits the fan?

Her claim that people are attacking Trig was ridiculous? No one has done so?

Very Sad.. I truly hope that she will retire from the spotlight.. if only to spare the rest of us the insult of her Ill spoken, barely qualified, overly cutesy speeches, framed in a constant grading tone that makes the listener feel as though they are being whined to.

How all of you can't figure out why she is doing this is hysterical! It is very simple, and the fact that all the "experts" are "confused" as to why she would do this is the reason why she did it. Think outside the box people and it will come to you. I look forward to hearing all of you try and guess. I will let you know if your hot or cold. LOL, this should be fun!

I think that Governor Palin made a good decision to step down today. Ever since the somewhat disastrous campaign ended in November 08, Palin has recieved some of the most brutal and unneccessary bashing in the world of politics this year. The national media has destroyed the image of a good woman, and she is ready to be finished and save her and her family from these crude attacks. Though I am a fairly concervative person and have many of the same views as Palin, I have no problem with democrats and the Obama campaign because I think they have some very interesting ideas for our country. No one seems to be able to just look at people and only judge them by their policies and ideas. I believe that Sarah Palin is being presecuted because she is a Republican, and that's it. It also seems that democrats and left wing liberals (practically the entire CNN news squad) cannot seem to get past the drama of politics and see her pure ideals and plans for our nation. I feel bad for Sarah Palin because she doesn't deserve this harsh criticism from the media, and she only hopes to make a positive difference in our country, and obviously she can't do that with frivolous lawsuits and bloodthirsty democrats jumping down her throat 24/7. I don't expect Palin to run for president in 2012 because she has seen how the media can affect an election, and with the media opposing her, she is smart enough not to put herself and her family through that humiliation again.

Bi-partisanship will NEVER be achieved unless EVERYONE, including Sarah Palin, is treated equally and not judged sololy on party lines. I am so happy for President Obama and his family, but most of his democratic followers are disgraceful Americans. Stop snapping at her her for five seconds and give her a chance to do what she plans on doing.

Glad she didn't win office of U.S. President and then decide to quit. An Army veteran, I attended a leadership course called Ranger School. There, I learned that leaders never quit. No matter how you slice it...she's a quitter and a joke.

It feels very obvious to me. She will be working for one or more big oil companies within 4 months. She's going to "work for Alaska" and "for the nation"...that sounds like oil to me.

I don't know where to begin, but I was surprised to hear that she was resigning in what many would consider as poor timing. This not only makes her look bad, but it adds to the chaos that is erupting in the Republican party. It first started with Governor Sanford, and now its Governor Palin. There is no telling what the future holds for the struggling Republican party, as for Governor Palin it looks like she is not the type of point guard that a coach would want to lead their team.

I have never heard so much venom and hostility directed at someone who has done NOTHING to harm ANYONE!? My goodness. Sarah Palin may be lacking in her grasp of foreign & domestic policy, and she may even be deficient in some other areas, but the way people attack her, you would think she was another Bernie Madoff. Mrs. Palin is "down home" and has possibly some naive ways of thinking about things, but I just can't see where she has done anything to deserve the vicious slandering she has gotten. No one knows what her plans are, and I honestly don't believe she is doing this in order to run for president in 2012. But here's a suggestion: How about, rather than make all your snide assumptions in which you take great pleasure in then smearing, why don't we all just step back and wait to SEE what she does next? How childish is it to assume she is going to run for president and go ahead and slam her for something she hasn't even DONE yet? I have always said that Democrats worry an awful lot about a woman who they claim is so incompetent. If she is really as stupid as you say she is, why is she even on your radar? It would be like me spending even an ounce of energy worrying about Al Franken.

Well the more I listen to this woman the more I am ashamed that she is trying (not very hard at that) to represent professional woman in professional jobs. Professional woman do not quit when the going gets tough, they do just the opposite, try harder.

I know its going to sound odd, maybe not, but she is hiding something. I dont know what it is but I kind of have an idea. There were crazy rumors going around when she was running...

Something is up here.

And, I hate listening to her go on and on about stuff that does not even relate to Politics. This is not a baseball game or a football game or a basketball game, it is Politics. She is major flakey. I think she has ruined any chances of anyone, republican or demarcate, taking her serious as a Politician. Can you imagine if she would have won Vice-Presidency only to quit within a few days.

Blows me away...

I have a question to ask her representatives. If she's leaving the Gov'ship then what is her PAC raising money for? Maybe I'm wrong or naive, but don't you have to be running for something to be raising money? Shouldn't she have to say she has her eye on some prize? Or is that an ethical delema? Thanks, Sandy in NYC

Something is really wrong, even though I didn't vote for the Republicans I have sympathy for her & her family. I'm stunned, she talks about "country first", talks about what is best for Alaska , but steps down as governor 2 ½ years later. She made a commitment to the people of Alaska to serve 4 years & breaks that promise in my opinion she makes herself a bit weak. The press conference was really pathetic & her spokeswoman made herself an idiot who didn't seem to know what was going on (while she's in another state) & Sarah Palin as rambling woman who is about to have a really bad breakdown. Thank goodness for Anderson for clamming down on her spokeswoman, her anlage of basketball was trying to switch the subject & it didn't make any sense. I do give a lot of kudos to Sarah, she's a wife & mother,grandmother, a governor, former VP candidate, and has a disabled child. But now hopefully she doesn't intend to run for '12 as some people think, my opinion is that it's to early. Instead I think she needs to put all that energy and focus on her family & friends.

Remember the Thrilla from Manilla? Well, how about the Quitta from Wasilla? It is kind of catchy.

Sarah Palin in her announcement today, finally said something that i can agree with, she said her leaving will be good for Alaska!! i am sure she did not mean it to sound like it did, but that only adds to her
continual display of her lack of intelligence. As she rambled on, she also offered no details in how she promises to better serve the needs of Alaska by her leaving after she promise to serve for 4 years, and neither did her spokesperson who chatted with Anderson Cooper – no surprize in either case... The word "EGO" in the dictionary should show her picture next to it – cross referenced to the word "Moron". I wish her well.

JORAYE from TEXAS If Palin 'has lots more experience at this point than the man who occupies the White House', this country wouldn't have made it through the first 30 days. Better speaker? A matter of opinion & most don't share yours. Her basketball illustration didn't apply either. If a player passes the ball, he continues in the game, helping his team. He doesn't walk off the court & quit. She was elected to this office & has a responsibilty to those who voted for her unless she's done something to disqualify herself (hum?). A seat on the Senate? Do you really think that she stands a chance of being elected to any public office in AL when she walked off the court in this one? What would have happened if McCain had been elected? Would she have stepped down as VP because she couldn't take the heat & there would be more heat as a VP than a governor. It goes w/the territory in politics that not everyone is going to like & support you & you have to be able to take the heat or you're in the wrong career. What's this about Trig? Did some research & couldn't find anything negative there. And Kimberley, we all heard this 'clear explanation as to why she's leaving office. But it was hollow & made no sense. Sounded more like an elementary school student who gets mad & pouty and picks up his marbles and goes home. Grow up, Sarah.

I think she is about to announce she is joining the WNBA or even the NBA, "stay focus now Anderson, keep your eyes on the ball ??? or is it the hoop??? What ever?

She obviously doesn't understand basketball as much as she pretends, because that analogy is garbage! The point guard passes the ball to team-mates in the best position to make a positive play for the team and may go to the bench for a short time to rest, but the point guard DOESN'T leave the game and go to the locker room/home before the game is over!!!

For those that don't find a problem with this act or the lame explanation that was given, I submit that you all have fallen victim to one of the biggest problems in this country today...Party Affiliation!!! We as a country, have become so caught up in Party Affiliation that we've lost sight of RIGHT and WRONG!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

Palin like Kobe Bryant are great leaders. Kobe has learned to pass the ball and the Lakers win the NBA title. Palin and Kobe have been double and triple teamed by their opposition. She is now making a different move to bring the best to her team. The team wants energy independence and integrity.

Whether one agrees with Governor Palin's policies or not is not the issue
here: It is the constant derision she and her family have endured
during the past year. As a mother I, too, would choose to shield my
children from the hatred her family has experienced. Think back
to the tax dollars spent during the investigation of President
Clinton and her comment on the state of Alaska spending
Alaskans' money to defend charges against her make more
sense than most will allow as just. I have never seen a politician
more viciously attacked, unless it is Hillary Clinton. Wake up
American women.

If anyone is wondering why Sarah Palin is stepping down, the Governor is eyeing The Capitol. She has bigger aspirations.
She was beeing accused of ignorance in the arena of internationalPolitics,and lack of knowledge in bigger matters that the nation is facing.
She is being groomed and prepared to step on the national stage.
She certainly has the thick skin of an Alaskin Bear, the smoothness of the Glacier, she just needs to inhale lots and lots of information, and sound like she cares,without sounding robotic, reading fromascript.

Lookout Americaaaa. here comes the Republican Hillary Clinton. Except Hillary is 4000 miles ahead.

dont be so hard on Sarah Palin ,and her her vast knowledge of politics.you can be hard on her for the lack of it in basketball,that regardless what team you are on,after making a 2 pointer (getting elected governor) then attempting a 3 pointer (vice president) and failing.the answer is not to just become a passer that is no way to win the championship(the President of The United States of AMERICA)

cant understand all the hate for this lady, she is human, she has a soul, she has feelings. Ya shouldnt talk is you dont have anything nice to say..hope all has a blessed evening..

Pass the ball! She left the court in the middle of the game.

Go, girl! How come the media is not concerned about the $2 million of tax payer money wasted on frivolous accusations!! I applaud Sara Palin – she can do more for Alaskans and the rest of the US being on the outside.... and shame on us for all the negativity and personal attacks – rather than focusing on the issues facing us.

Re: Sarah Palin
Calgon............take her away!!!
PLEASE!

I knew it. She makes perfect sense! Look: let me use the pacman analogy so we all understand. She is tired of all the gobbling up of resources she was doing to get to the next stage. And all the running away! Tiresome. For what? So she can eventually be caught n destroyed. Game over for her.

I was on the fence about her, but if she cannot handle being the governor of Alaska, a state that has so much money that it gives money back to each and every resident every year, it is the richest state of the U.S. She did not have to deal with the economy like the rest of the country. How in the world could we ever expect her to run the U. S.? She must not be able to handle the stress like the rest of the governors are under. I will not be voting for her in the future after quitting on the Alaska people.

The unfair reporting and current bias reporting of Sara Palin and others is what is currently lowering the CNN ratings. Come on and report fairly regarding all candidates. No matter how hard people tried to dig up dirt on Sarah Palin, the press couldn't. She would make a fine candidate for President. At least she will walk the walk and not just talk the talk as did President Obama. All he as done is talk...no actual walk of not being caught up in government as usual. He has all kinds of pay backs for those who gave him money just like the unions. Let's have an honest decent person like Palin in office. Go ahead and put down Palin Mr. Cooper and see how your ratings do. If it is all about business, you are making poor business and ratings choices. Keep your .5 million viewers!!!
Do some fair reporting and your ratings may go up. But honestly that probably won't happen.
Good luck with your viewers that can't spell on the blog!!!!

Mr.Ferrara--It's stable, not stabel. Yikes no wonder you don't know what you are talking about.

republican party hopefuls 2 cheaters 1 quitter. Democratic Party 1 repeater,and he knows how to play basketball,yes pass the ball but stay in the game til the final outcome whatever it is ,thats how you win the BIG ONE.

As someone else wrote recently, . . . would Palin's supporters still love her if she looked liked Susan Boyle? This completely sums up her popularity and the mentality of her supporters.

What in the world was Palin talking about-hoops,toss the ball,dead fish? Something is fishy for sure. Most of her problems she brought on herself by being dumber than a fish(oh-there's the fishy stuff.) She can see Russia from her house, she can't name the newspapers she reads & doesn't know Africa is a continent. I'm still shaking my head.
Please CNN-haven't we heard enough from Palin to last a lifetime.

I voted for Obama...nevertheless, the sight of this beautiful, strong, loving mother, just nominated for VP, accepting her nomination, and then throwing a baby on her hip, was perceived by many women as a gorgeous sight. It was a powerful statement to all men and women about what a woman can do – the glass ceiling shattered with Palin and Clinton this year. Women stepped forward many squares. It sent a strong message to women all over the world (i.e.:Iran) . Today's statement, though supposedly motivated to aid her children from poor publicity and from ridicule from schoolmates is sad. Certainly it is true, however, I don't recall one president's children escaping their father's term unscathed by the Enquirer and other yellow journalism. Today, I believe Palin aided women in stepping back many squares. What ever truthfully motivated her it is a sad day for many women all over the world.