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Palin's departure leaves GOP'weaker'

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Bloomberg News

Published: July 6, 2009

Sarah Palin's decision to quit as Alaska governor makes her the third Republican in less than three weeks who may have derailed a promising political career, adding to the woes of a party struggling to redeem itself with voters.

Palin's surprise announcement that she will leave the governorship later this month presents an entirely different challenge than the two other Republicans, U.S. Sen. John Ensign of Nevada and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. They admitted extramarital affairs and remain in office, though their political futures are tarnished.

Palin's decision to resign "just leaves you weaker," said Republican strategist Eddie Mahe, adding the party needs to find new stars. "The hope has to be that there's some folks out there somewhere who are contemplating getting involved in public life."

Palin, 45, was GOP presidential nominee John McCain's running mate when he lost to Democrat Barack Obama last year.

Palin ran as a fresh alternative for her party. Supporters say it's too soon to rule out a political future for her.

"It is totally premature to interpret Sarah Palin's announcement as a withdrawal from American politics," said Gary Bauer, president of Washington-based American Values, which opposes abortion and gay marriage. "A year from now, a lot of pundits may be eating their words."

Former McCain adviser John Weaver said the GOP failed to adapt to changing demographics and has not come up "with a message that resonates ... beyond our core base."

"We've entered into a rudderless period" with no clear leader, he said.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will assume the top job, told "Fox News Sunday" that Palin had indicated to him that ethics complaints impeding her ability "to just move forward Alaska's agenda" were a big factor in her decision to resign.

NO INVESTIGATION

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - An FBI spokesman took the unusual step Sunday of declaring that Gov. Sarah Palin is not under investigation, an announcement prompted by rumors to the contrary on many Web sites.

"We are not investigating her," said FBI spokesman Eric Gonzalez. "Normally, we don't confirm or deny those kinds of allegations out there, but by not doing so it just casts her in a very bad light. There is just no truth to those rumors out there in the blogosphere."

His statement follows a Saturday letter from Gov. Sarah Palin's personal attorney denouncing rumors Palin resigned because she is under criminal investigation, and threatening legal action for publishing "defamatory" material about the governor.

"I can say definitively I am aware of no criminal investigation whatsoever involving Sarah Palin. Zero," Palin's attorney, Thomas Van Flein, said.

Rumors Palin steered contracts for the 2003 construction of the Wasilla Sports Complex before leaving office as Wasilla mayor the previous fall, in return for work building her home about the same time, have been around at least since the vice presidential campaign last fall and have resurfaced on many Web sites following her abrupt announcement she will resign from office in three weeks.

McClatchy-Tribune

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