Hm. It’s one thing to not run in 2010, setting yourself up for a presidential run instead. It’s another thing to quit before your current term is up. Maybe another shoe yet to drop?

When the dirt comes out, and it will, just in case I am sleeping or working:

I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!
I love when the sanctimonious trip over their own dicks.

Mrs Palin is gonna trip over her own dick? Those should be some interesting pictures

I believe Palin is resigning to run for the 2012 nomination rather than try to run a campaign and a state at the same time.

Admirable on her part but in the end fool hardy.

It's really Todd's, but she only lets him borrow it occasionally.

ETA: Somebody is no doubt furiously Photoshopping as we speak.

She's quitting because, in her own words, she "refuses to be a lame-duck governor"? Well, okey-dokey. When the going gets tough...

I never much cared for her, but this really is the very definition of "lame." You don't just quit because you don't feel like finishing. This seems like yet another stunt to get the spotlight, again.

maybe the ACLU will defend her?

Why do lefty's have to act like they are in middle school?


What is wrong with taking her words for what they are? Her kids want her back and they don't like being trashed by talk show hosts, so she is going home.

I didn't hear her say anything about another run for any office.

citydweller is hard at it, no doubt. (no pun intended)

She may be sadly mistaken if she thinks leaving office will protect her from ongoing investigations. Unless of course her Lt. Gov pardons her, which would be political suicide.



Sorry no photoshop on the store computer.

no hurry, I can wait for more Christ in a sidecar level funny.

Mrs Palin is gonna trip over her own dick? Those should be some interesting pictures

[attachment=5043:Bullwinkle1_1.jpg]

Thanks to NellaSelim at dKos.
<h3 class="byline">
</h3>

[attachment=5043:Bullwinkle1_1.jpg]

Thanks to NellaSelim at dKos.

What is wrong with taking her words for what they are? Her kids want her back and they don't like being trashed by talk show hosts, so she is going home.

Lefties just talk like it, unlike righties like, oh, let's see, Sanford, Newt, Mr. Wide-Stance-In-A-Stall, etc., who behave like they are in middle school.

nope, sorry, that "explanation" simply doesn't cut it with me.
there's something else going on.

Yeah right, What do you call clinton's behavior? Oh and what about the Kennedy, drinking, driving, and letting a beautiful young woman drown. I don't think the lefties have any room to talk.

Maybe Palin is protecting her kids from the attacks of the luntic left. Good luck to her, because I don't think her resigning will stop them from spitting out their poison aganst them.


and AGAIN- what would she have done were she NOW VICE-PRESIDENT?

honestly.

and just btw, kennedy was never president, and never really stood the chance of becoming one.
let's not just knee jerk to the tune of a label, okay?

That whole story about the amniotic fluid leak in Texas, two 4 hour plane trips, then traveling to a hospital other than the nearest one for delivery of Trig makes absolutely no sense. So that baby was likely Bristol's. And too many people know the truth. That's the big lie, the other shoe that's gonna drop.

http://www.palindeception.com/blog/

Yeah right, What do you call clinton's behavior? Oh and what about the Kennedy, drinking, driving, and letting a beautiful young woman drown. I don't think the lefties have any room to talk.





I have to admit that something else may be going on. Surely Palin knows that resigning isn't going to stop the left from continuing to attack her kids.

I don't think it's admirable, I think it shows her as a quitter. Elected officials ask for our vote with the assumption that, if elected, they will serve a full term barring any health issues of course. We don't elect them just to quit so that they can move on to higher offices.

It certainly would hurt if the truth were to come out about something. That should only happen to liberals, in your little world. Call the ACLU and complain about being portrayed unfairly; maybe they'll give you a fair hearing.

do you think she is hiding something?

It certainly would hurt if the truth were to come out about something. That should only happen to liberals, in your little world. Call the ACLU and complain about being portrayed unfairly; maybe they'll give you a fair hearing.

Maybe. Mostly I'm tired of Goldi pretending that conservatives are the only paragons of virtue.

I suppose the ACLU would defend Linda Kellen Biegel, the official Democrat Party blogger for Alaska, who doctored the photo of little Baby Trig Palin. Yes, Ms. Biegel’s First Amendment rights would dictate she can do that. But it speaks volumes of the lengths the left will go to, in order to attack Palin. Using her children as their means to attack is downright despicable.

What would your response be, were someone to doctor a picture of the Obama’a kids and make them look creepy?







I never said that. And I am tired of you pretending that liberals are the only paragons of virtue, as well.

As far as I am concerned, there isn't any room to talk on both sides.

Lefties just talk like it, unlike righties like, oh, let's see, Sanford, Newt, Mr. Wide-Stance-In-A-Stall, etc., who behave like they are in middle school.

nope, sorry, that "explanation" simply doesn't cut it with me.
there's something else going on.

Despicable. Just as it would be for anyone's kids. Of course, you think I'd approve of what happened to the photo of Trig. That's because you assume the worst of me. You know nothing. And I never said liberals were virtuous; if you bothered to read at all, I criticize both sides. Your mind is just closed and you see only what you want.

Your mind is just closed and you see only what you want.

Would this cat fight be worth watching? Pay Per View event? Ok, just kidding!!

*edited for spelling*

Would this cat fight be worth watching? Pay Per View event? Ok, just kidding!!

*edited for spelling*

My favorite part: "we can all learn from our selfless Troops... they're bold, they don't give up, they take a stand and know that life is short so they choose to not waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than self..."

I agree with everything she said about our troops.

Yet her actions, now and in the past, are directly antithetical to everything she is praising them for. She is not being bold, she is giving up, she is not taking a stand, and she has wasted her time (mostly whining about how the media has been unfair to her). And she is putting herself before her elected office.

And I love how she condemned the political climate as "superficial wasteful political bloodsport" when she was the first to talk about how she was the attack dog. "What's the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom? Lipstick." Yet she's about as thin-skinned as they come.

I tried to watch that press conference with a completely open mind. Wow. I just couldn't follow the thread of it; it had to be one of the most tangential political speeches I've ever seen. Had I not already known she'd resigned, I would have been totally gobsmacked.

I don't think she's doing herself any favors by resigning. It makes her look undisciplined, and that speech made her look a bit scatterbrained.

Mrs Palin is gonna trip over her own dick? Those should be some interesting pictures

Maybe she's coming out of the closet?

What do you think of this?

http://www.breitbart.tv/virginia-tv-statio...p-cap-trade-ad/

Obama: "Under my plan of a cap & trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket."

Good riddance to bad trash. How she ever got to where she is shows how anyone can be elected to office.

I don't think that would hold out, unless Bristol's gestational cycle is different from all other women on this earth. Wasn't Bristol about 4 or 5 months pregnant when Palin started her run for Vice President. And wasn't Trig about 4 or 5 months old at that time as well?

LOL! What's wrong with a "wide stance in a stall" and tapping your foot?


Maybe she's coming out of the closet?

Did WGAL send Susan Shapiro to Wasilla Alaska on special assignment?

She was reporting live from there regarding Palin's resignation.

WGAL spending big bucks for this...................

I never said that. And I am tired of you pretending that liberals are the only paragons of virtue, as well.

hmm..

Palin campaign slogan for 2012:

I CAN'T ruin a STATE, but I CAN ruin a COUNTRY!

Couldn't the whole thing really be a political distancing from Alaska's economic problems? We are inundated about California's deficits... Alaska is in worse shape. To resign and remove herself from Alaska's economic problems could be in prep for 2012. Schwartzenegger is losing favor with everyone because of the economic woes. And Palin's state is in worse shape. I personally feel this is a political ploy. As for it being 'personal'

Liberals and Lefties don't go around moralizing while practicing the same thing they preach against.

Really? Could have fooled me. See it every single day.

I don't think it's admirable, I think it shows her as a quitter. Elected officials ask for our vote with the assumption that, if elected, they will serve a full term barring any health issues of course. We don't elect them just to quit so that they can move on to higher offices.

Liberals and Lefties don't go around moralizing while practicing the same thing they preach against.

That seems to be a conservative trait, although I am no sure if having gay sex and sex with young boys, like the republicans have done is considered adultery.

hmm..

Palin campaign slogan for 2012:

I CAN'T run a STATE, but I CAN run a COUNTRY!

Do you prefer mud or jello?

I've never heard a liberal rail against the evils of wall street, then make millions from some wall street firm.

Really, could you post some links to hard evidence, that Republicans were having sex with young minor boys.

Mark Foley. Republican. Florida
Google it if you like.

hmm..

Palin campaign slogan for 2012:

I CAN'T run a STATE, but I CAN run a COUNTRY!

That has a fun ring to it!! Are ye interested in printin' up some shirts with that on!?! Hats would do right nicely! Or how about on the seat of some sweat pants, we want the young girls to get in on this, too!

-said with in my best Tina Fey voice!

hmm..

i may just do it on a white tee with red LETTERS
or a bumper sticker:

Palin 2012:

i CAN'T run a STATE, but i CAN run a COUNTRY!

Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. Over the past nine months I've been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations – such as holding a fish in a photograph, wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and answering reporters’ questions.

Every one – all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We’ve won! But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted THOUSANDS of hours of YOUR time and shelled out some two million of YOUR dollars to respond to “opposition research” – that’s money NOT going to fund teachers or troopers – or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the “politics of personal destruction” … Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills in order to set the record straight. And what about the people who offer up these silly accusations? It doesn’t cost them a dime so they’re not going to stop draining public resources – spending other peoples’ money in their game.

It’s pretty insane – my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with THIS instead of progressing our state now. I know I promised no more “politics as usual,” but THIS isn’t what anyone had in mind for ALASKA.

If I have learned one thing: LIFE is about choices!

And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose NOT to tear down and waste precious time; but to build UP this state and our country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people!

Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and “go with the flow”.

If I have learned one thing: LIFE is about choices!

And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose NOT to tear down and waste precious time; but to build UP this state and our country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people!

Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and “go with the flow”.

Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".

No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to BUILD UP.

And there is such a need to BUILD up and FIGHT for our state and our country. I choose to FIGHT for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and LIFE... I'll work for and campaign for those PROUD to be American, and those who are INSPIRED by our ideals and won't deride them.

I WILL support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the RIGHT reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska – or Outside Alaska.

But I won’t do it from the Governor’s desk.

I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to make a difference... to HELP people. So I choose, for my State and my family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around... so that Alaska may progress... I will not seek re-election as Governor.

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! ? That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it.

It’s not what is best for Alaska.

I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable.

With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election… I’ve determined it’s best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell; and I am willing to do so, so that this administration – with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future – can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success.

My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans

Palin can't run her own life let alone be governer or vice president of the US. As a women I'm embarrased that this is the example we have running for government office. Too many intelligent women in office for the right reasons to have them focus on Palin.

Ya gotta luv it.
The "progressives" on Talkback speculating on the vilest of reasons for Sarah Palin's bombshell of an announcement Friday.
As to the economic woes (suffered by every state in the union) at least Alaska has a budget.
Where's ours?
Some have characterized her speech as incoherent and rambling, I guess her teleprompter was on the fritz. Just like Obunko's in his finest moments.
Remember she doesn't have a cardboard cut out groping speech writer to put hope and change in her mouth.
This is, or was, a governor that wants to end same sex benefits for the employees of her state but when she had the chance vetoed legislation because her Attorney General said it was unconstitutional. How many other governors would have the courage to pizz off a large part of their constituency to do what is right?
Think back to Obunko's stint in the Illinois legislature and all his "Present" votes on controversial issues.
Is there a sacandal brewing?
I don't know, I'm not a mind reader like some of you O-bots posting here.
Is she stepping away from an upcoming fiscal train wreck in Alaska?
I'm not a finance or budget expert so I don't know the answer to that either.
What I do know is that you O-bots are having a field day. Just remember what goes around comes around. As been pointed out republican hypocrisy has bit them in the men's room stall and karma can be nasty. Pat Fitzgerald's investigation into the sewer of Chicago Machine politics has snagged two of Obunko's associates, Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich and he isn't finished.



So can Obunko, run a state that is. Into the ground.

... and just where did Palin fail so badly in her personal life?
But then you are parroting another political figure:


What upsets the female O-bots so much about Sarah Palin?
Is it because she is living the feminists dream?
She has a family, a supportive husband and a career.
Isn't that what "Progressive" women celebrate?
Or is it that the Cult of Obunko trumps gender loyalty of the Obunko Girls.
Oh and BTW, Chance, you had an opportunity to support a Democrat woman of intelligence but supported the empty suit of a man instead.

Palin already had a deal with publisher HarperCollins to produce her memoirs, with publication planned for next spring. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Six-figure book deals are common for high-profile political figures."

Oh please. Sara Palin thinks only of Sara Palin and her personal ambition.
Read what the McCain people thought of her before you start calling everyone who disagrees with you an "O-bot".

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/feature...rah-palin200908

By the time Election Day rolled around, the staff had been serially pummeled by unflattering press reports about the gaps in Palin's knowledge, her stubborn resistance to direction, and the post-selection spending spree in which she ran up bills of $150,000 on clothes for herself and her family at high-end stores

WASHINGTON - When the Republican Party decided to coordinate expenses with John McCain's presidential campaign, who knew it would be color coordinated. The Republican National Committee spent about $150,000 on clothing, hair styling, makeup and other "campaign accessories" in September for the McCain campaign after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin joined the ticket as his running mate.

The McCain campaign now says the clothing will go to a "charitable purpose" after the campaign.

The top McCain aides who had tried hard to work with Palin—Steve Schmidt, the chief strategist; Nicolle Wallace, the communications ace; and Tucker Eskew, her traveling counselor—were barely on speaking terms with her, and news organizations were reporting that anonymous McCain aides saw Palin as a "diva" and a "whack job."

Read what the McCain people thought of her before you start calling everyone who disagrees with you an "O-bot".

Palin book deal about her political life .... baaaad!
Obama multiple book deals about his life goooood.
Gee, ya think Sarah will get help from Bill Ayers?


A few disgruntled McCain staffers looking to excuse their failures with a hit piece on Palin.

The Vanity Fairy Tale:

The Reality:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27320899/





Those are direct quote from the from the aids or speculation of someone fail-bot with an axe to grind?
Anonymous aids is news speak for "We want to write a hit piece on Sarah Palin to please our master, Axlerove, but we have nothing of substance so we will make it up on the fly.

Barack Obunko ... O-bots ...

So, Hillary made the better choice because she's a woman? How is that any less "robotic" than those O-Bot sobriquets you love to toss out so much.

You're a broken record. It's a shame you're letting personal bias get in the way of your ideals.

Do you get your opinions from Limbaugh or is it O'Reily?

... and obunko is doing so well what with keeping all those campaign promises and siding with Joe Sixpack against corporate America and the Wall Street Banksters.

Speaking of speculation, you have been engaged in a never ending broken record of speculating about Obama.

What a sour grapes person you are. Bummer

Did you want Hillary to win because she was the best candidate on the field? Or because the was the closest to being the first female President? Your frequent postings suggest that you're every bit as robotic as the "O-bots" you so roundly criticize.

why did she quit?

i'm waiting for Palin to say...

"LETTERMAN made me do it!"

And you, sir or madam, are a never ending record of beeps and moans in defense of the empty suit.

The only speculation directly about Obunko is when Pat Fitzgerald names him as a "person of interest" in his investigation into Chicago Machine politics and just what was he prepared to do for Tony Rezko in return for the Hyde Park mansion deal.

The indirect speculation was what did Axlerove promise the print and broadcast media to lay off his candidate.

Sour grapes would indicate Obunko is keeping his promises and I have no real reason to oppose him.

My attitude is more "I told you so" and it galls the O-bats.


Given what has transpired under Obunko ?

A few disgruntled McCain staffers looking to excuse their failures with a hit piece on Palin.

The Vanity Fairy Tale:







Those are direct quote from the from the aids or speculation of someone fail-bot with an axe to grind?
Anonymous aids is news speak for "We want to write a hit piece on Sarah Palin to please our master, Axlerove, but we have nothing of substance so we will make it up on the fly."

Do you not realize that name-calling is juvenile and just diminishes whatever argument you may wish to win? You're never going to convince your audience to see your point of view.

I'm not a big fan of name-calling, so don't take this the wrong way. Your tactics are incredibly puerile. You're like a child. Hillary lost, so I'm going to take my ball and go home. And call lots of people lots of names.

Presenting an argument is more than just posting links, coming up with cute nicknames, and an endless line of emoticons.

I get the feeling we agree more than we disagree, but your presentation is just so grating.

If I had any respect for my critics I'd be concerned about what they think of me.

hot tea:

THANKS for the heads up:

OK-- it is the AUGUST issue of VANITY FAIR about Palin. I didn't get that issue yet!

Todd S. Purdum on Sarah Palin | vanityfair.com

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/feature...rah-palin200908

Politics

It Came from Wasilla

Despite her disastrous performance in the 2008 election, Sarah Palin is still the sexiest brand in Republican politics, with a lucrative book contract for her story. But what Alaska's charismatic governor wants the public to know about herself doesn't always jibe with reality. As John McCain's top campaign officials talk more candidly than ever before about the meltdown of his vice-presidential pick, the author tracks the signs—political and personal—that Palin was big trouble, and checks the forecast for her future.
By Todd S. Purdum August 2009

Do yourself a favor before you go any further and read my post in answer to dogbutt in post #78.
If Puredum can lie about who bought the wardrobe he can lie about other things as well.
You know,"Lie to me once ..."
The thing is Doghead, like so many others, wants to believe Purdum's hit because it jives with his Obama kool-ade influenced view of her.

hot tea:

i get VF so i will read the article soon.

psssst..

I do like the caricature of Palin in the article.

can you download it for the chatters?

thanks

****************

Don't Blame V.F. for Sarah Palin's Resignation : Vanity Fair | Vanity Fair

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/...esignation.html

More from Palin's speech. A personally admire what she is saying in her decision to step down. Say what you will, she has a conscience that very few legislators have.

And you, sir or madam, are a never ending record of beeps and moans in defense of the empty suit.

hot tea:










THANKS for the heads up:

OK-- it is the AUGUST issue of VANITY FAIR about Palin. I didn't get that issue yet!

Todd S. Purdum on Sarah Palin | vanityfair.com

Do yourself a favor before you go any further and read my post in answer to dogbutt in post #78.
If Puredum can lie about who bought the wardrobe he can lie about other things as well.
You know,"Lie to me once ..."
The thing is Doghead, like so many others, wants to believe Purdum's hit because it jives with his Obama kool-ade influenced view of her.

What are you talking about. I am notan "O-bot" as you call them. I support him and hope he succeeds but that is a far cry from moaning and defending him.



Bustina didn't read the article. It was not a few disgruntled staffers, it was McCains top people.
Such speculation......

When she is indicted next week I will grant you an opportunity to apologize.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1...ent_feared.html

Oh but that 's the media to blame because she may have gotten a free house in exchange for graft.
That woman's resignation speech was rambling and erratic, she looked scared.
Don't forget to apologize teabag and I'll give you a bone. ARF

[attachment=5049:sarah_pa..._0908_01.jpg]

My daughter hunts too, so did one of my aunts so I have no problem with this even though it was meant to be derogatory.
It says more about the artist than the subject.

edited to add:

She isn't the type to shoot someone in the face either, literally or otherwise. (Bill)

Reporting from Washington -- A day after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin resigned, a federal official in her home state dismissed one potential explanation for her sudden and unexpected resignation: a rumored FBI investigation into the former Wasilla mayor on public corruption charges.

Despite rumors of a looming controversy after the Republican governor's surprise announcement Friday that she would leave office this month, some of them published in the blogosphere, the FBI's Alaska spokesman said the bureau had no investigation into Palin for her activities as governor, as mayor or in any other capacity.

Almost immediately afterwards, several unscrupulous people have asserted false and defamatory allegations that the "real" reasons for Governor Palin's resignation stem from an alleged criminal investigation pertaining to the construction of the Wasilla Sports Complex. This canard was first floated by Democrat operatives in September 2008 during the national campaign and followed up by sympathetic Democratic writers.^1. It was easily rebutted then as one of many fabrications about Sarah Palin. Just as power abhors a vacuum, modern journalism apparently abhors any type of due diligence and fact checking before scurrilous allegations are repeated as fact.

The history of the Wasilla Sports Complex is publicly known. Contrary to the insinuation that as Mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin "personally" oversaw bidding, construction, funding and accounting for the project (and thus, the allegation goes, "embezzled" from the project), the truth is far more mundane, and publicly available:

To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as "fact" that Governor Palin resigned because she is "under federal investigation" for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation. This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law. The Alaska Constitution protects the right of free speech, while simultaneously holding those "responsible for the abuse of that right."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...0,7018263.story

http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2009/07...al-counsel.html




Gee, I hope some of you have deep piggy banks.

Hey, doggy, you're the one willing to put money on the indictment.
Now that the FBI says no deal you skip on to accusing her of whining without skipping a beat.
Why the obsessive hatred of women?

Hey, doggy, you're the one willing to put money on the indictment.
Now that the FBI says no deal you skip on to accusing her of whining without skipping a beat.
Why the obsessive hatred of women?

Hey, doggy, you're the one willing to put money on the indictment.
Now that the FBI says no deal you skip on to accusing her of whining without skipping a beat.
Why the obsessive hatred of women?

And now she is threatening to sue journalists? Didn't she say in her rambling, incoherent speech that she was leaving office to "support freedom"?

So much for the first amendment.

As Palin makes her way slowly across the crowded ballroom—dressed all in black; no red Naughty Monkey Double Dare pumps tonight—

Palin is at once the sexiest and the riskiest brand in the Republican Party.

What does her prominence say about the importance of having (or lacking) a record of achievement in public life?

Her first trip to Washington since the election was to attend the dinner of the Alfalfa Club, an elite group of politicians and businesspeople whose sole function is an annual evening in honor of a plant that would "do anything for a drink.

McCain had spent only a couple of hours in Palin's presence before choosing her,... The difficulties began immediately, with the McCain team's delivery of the bad news that the pregnancy of Palin's daughter Bristol, which was already common knowledge in Alaska and had been revealed to the McCain team at the last minute