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July 8, 2009
Time to move past Palin distraction
Posted: 12:38 PM ET
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John Feehery says Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's resignation is a good sign for the Republican Party.
John Feehery says Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's resignation is a good sign for the Republican Party.

John Feehery
Special to CNN

Editor's note: John Feehery was a staffer for former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and other Republicans in Congress. He is president of Feehery Group, a Washington-based advocacy firm that has represented clients including the News Corp., Ford Motor Co. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He formerly was a government relations executive vice president for the Motion Picture Association of America.

It shouldn't have surprised anyone that Gov. Sarah Palin would surprise everyone by announcing that she was quitting her job by the end of July.

Everything about her career has been a surprise.

I remember distinctly when Arizona Sen. John McCain selected Palin to be his vice presidential running mate. It was, to say the least, a surprise.

I had just taken the red-eye from Denver, Colorado (and the Democratic convention), and friends were calling me, concerned that McCain was going to pick Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman.

One friend, in particular, was pushing for a little-known governor from Alaska, of all places, who seemed to hit all the right buttons for conservatives. This governor was pro-life, pro-gun and anti-tax, had high popularity ratings in the state, and best of all, she was a woman. The thought was that she could help with that all-important female voting demographic.

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17 Comments
More about: Raw Politics •  Republicans •  Sarah Palin
17 Comments
Enough   July 8th, 2009 11:45 am ET

Is their a point to this story? sounds like nothing more than a personal opinion which is of no interest.

Melissa   July 8th, 2009 12:05 pm ET

No, it isn't. Not until we are sure that she isn't going to run for 2012. People are already forgetting the Bush nightmare, when they shouldn't be. They should not forget the Palin catasrophe.

Arachnae   July 8th, 2009 12:14 pm ET

Shorter John Feehery – "Nothing to see here. Move along."

michael moore   July 8th, 2009 2:44 pm ET

I'm so sick of hearing about this woman. The only one with any interest is Tina Fey.

RLWellman   July 8th, 2009 2:53 pm ET

It's about the same that Barrack Obama quit his job as Senator, right? You left can't pass up an opportunity to stick the knife in a little bit farther and then twist it. It's okay for him to quit, but Sarah is a quitter?

Is this all you can report on? You don't have any other news to report on except Sarah Palin and Michael Jackson? No wonder your ratings are down.

Maybe you should be reporting on how thw Government is ripping us off. Maybe you should report on how much money they are spending and how much control they are trying to get over our lives? Maybe you could even lie a little and tell how good these programs are going to be for us.

n.bashiir   July 8th, 2009 4:01 pm ET

The way Mrs Palin talks, makes me feel that she cuts and pastes the words orally. does anybody feel like that? Wak Wak like a duck!!!
No substance there is no way you can follow what she means.
She needs some rest I cant stand her breath, was she running or she was standing? Please advice the lady. to slow down and take a deep breath and talk like a lady in charge.Oops! she is not in charge, she let go one simple responsibility to carry a bigger heavier responsibility on her shoulders in the future. History will tell us how, later.............

Lala   July 8th, 2009 6:37 pm ET

sarah palin is Toast! By 'Quitting' the Govenorship she is no longer viable for the 2012 Pres Race other than to her Hard Core Right Wing – Perhaps she will do a Richard Nixon like return and reappear years later as she is still young.

SpicaSeven   July 8th, 2009 6:55 pm ET

She get's an "F" for not completing her assignment to the people, I think they (GOP) told her to step down and please kept your mouth shut! And, quiting in the middle of the game, lack of morals and values. She is an embarrassment to America.

Annie Kate   July 8th, 2009 7:14 pm ET

A GOP member saying he was mistaken about Palin. At least he has the wits to see it and the gumption to admit to it. I hope the rest of the GOP takes a leaf from his book.

Lampe   July 8th, 2009 9:53 pm ET

SpicaSeven: I agree with you that quitting in the middle of the game, shows a lack of morals and values. That is why I am so surprised that many more people aren't up in arms about Obama's behaviour. I mean after all he didn't finish his Senate position, and he continued to take a pay from the people of Chicago while he and his family were on the campaign trail, shows a real lack of morals and values. Wouldn't you agree? The bigger embarassment is what the Democrats in Washington are doing to this country starting with Obama and Biden.

Christy Lane   July 8th, 2009 10:32 pm ET

The charges against Sarah Palin have caused taxpayers time and money. It's ridiculous and should be dismissed. I'm sorry to see her go as Governor. I have never seen so much media attack against anyone before (except Michael Jackson). I give credit to Sarah Palin for standing up for herself and her family.

Elizabeth Kelly   July 8th, 2009 10:45 pm ET

For some reason this little lady drives you liberals insane.
I know of no other female world wide being talked about as
much as Governor Sarah Palin. The only person not talking
about her is David Letterman. Well, maybe he is as I don't
watch him anymore.

Jan   July 8th, 2009 10:47 pm ET

I am terrified that the people who elected W, not once but twice, could possibly elect Palin.

Sharon   July 8th, 2009 11:24 pm ET

Anderson, if you really want to dig deeper into those ethic complaints against Sarah Palin, why don't you interview her lawyer? Wouldn't that be more fair and honest ?

Carol Thomas   July 8th, 2009 11:41 pm ET

I love Sarah Palin! Please, God, give her the presidency in 2012.
Give this nation another chance, Lord.

g2   July 9th, 2009 1:48 am ET

I wish you all would learn to report the do's and don't's of the party and the ideas of the party, rather they are democrat or republican,
It's a sad case of affairs to say ugly things about her children as they have done in the past.
To all those who say such ugly things about any of our canidates and there families should spend time looking in there own closet.

RLWellman   July 9th, 2009 9:59 am ET

Wasn't it the last two years that the Democrats controlled both houses?
Wasn't the stock market at 14,000 in Nov. 2007 before the Democrats were in control?
Wasn't it the Senate that writes the bills?
Wasn't it Barney Frank that said Freddie and Fannie were okay?
Wasn't it Barrack Obama that helped write the first stimulis bill and told G.W.Bush to sign it and then complained it didn't have any stipulations in it about not paying out bonuses?

I'd say things were pretty good until the Democrats took over. Now, they have control of all 3-houses and look at the garbage they are passing now.

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