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Sarah Palin's Public Farewell Barbeque
Sarah Palin formally stepped down as the Governer of Alaska 18 months before the end of her term at a public barbeque in Pioneer Park, Fairbanks Alaska where 5,000 people had gathered. Palin made an impassioned 20-minute public speech that directly preceded new governor Sean Parnell's oath-taking ceremony. She used the opportunity to take a few blunt jabs at the media - what Palin described as 'some straight talk':
"You represent what could and should be a respected, honest profession that could and should be a cornerstone of our democracy," she said. "Democracy depends on you, and that is why-that's why our troops are willing to die for you. So how about in honor of the American soldier, you quit makin' things up."
People stood in line to be served hot dogs and potato chips by Palin and her successor Parnell.
At 1 p.m. at the governor’s picnic at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, about 40 people stood in line to get a hotdog and a bag of potato chips from then-Lt. Governor Sean Parnell
Obliquely referring to a several-weeks-old feud Palin had with David Letterman over a flippant late-night joke he made about her daughter who is an unwed mother, Palin made another stinging remark to the media:
"One other thing for the media, our new governor has a very nice family, too, so leave his kids alone."
Palin unleased her anger upon the American press, saying that it was: 'hell-bent on tearing down our nation'. Palin's speech was met with overwhelming applause, and seemed more like an attempt to gather political support than formally make way for her successor. Palin is not attempting to pretend that she is stepping back into obscurity.
Friend and foe alike have speculated that Ms Palin may host a radio or TV show and launch a lucrative speaking career or seek the presidency in 2012 or beyond. Ms Palin hasn’t ruled out any of those options, and her political action committee, SarahPAC, has raised more than $1 million.
However, even though there was a huge crowd at the ceremony, not all who attended were Palin supporters:
Among those at yesterday's picnic was Donna Michaels, 57, who was wearing a red "Palintologist" T-shirt. “She’s really not stepping down. She’s stepping up to do something bigger and better,” Ms Michaels said.
But Larry Landry, 51, was less convinced. He wore a red, white and blue sign that read: “Quitting: the new American value”. The other side read: “Thanks for the laughs”.
Fox News took a viewer's poll on what Palin's next occupation will be. Here are the results.
Crowd Power
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TheCameraObscura
Los Angeles, California, United States -
albertacowpoke
Canada -
Alyzee
Vancouver, Canada
Recommendations (6)
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158
St. Louis, Missouri, United States -
sivakaran
Toronto, Canada -
albertacowpoke
Canada








Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (7)
at 12:56 on July 27th, 2009
In her statement to the press the main punch line was "Quit making things up".
She also had a message for her friends in Hollywood. The message was "We eat therefore we hunt"
The poll in the link is interesting. I doubt that Sarah would be happy being only a homemaker, she is too driven and probably wants more. I doubt she is going back to the PTA.
at 13:14 on July 27th, 2009
thanks for the media albertacowpoke!
at 14:50 on July 27th, 2009
You're very welcome Alyzee
at 19:19 on July 27th, 2009
She may be out of office but she is still a news maker.
at 19:32 on July 27th, 2009
I hear she is a Russian spy - or that she see Putin's head - I could be very wrong though.
at 19:36 on July 27th, 2009
"Don't accept anything government largesse(d)...[...]"
"Last year we (government of Alaska) gave you the enrgy rebate (free money!)...
Bye Sarah - you were a larf!
at 11:10 on July 28th, 2009
What...? She's still here? Didn't she resign about a month ago?! Why doesn't she just go!