Theories on Sarah Palin’s New “Stand Up for Our Nation”

Sarah Palin

From her “stroke of genius” resignation” to her Hong Kong economics lecture to her quip-friendly memoir, Sarah Palin has an uncanny gift for staying in the spotlight. Now word comes that the former ex-Alaska governor is forming a new political group, “Stand Up for Our Nation” just days after Liz Cheney launched her own group focused on national security issues. Pundits are pondering the curious timing of announcement. What does Sarah Palin have up her sleeve this time?

• She Must Be Running For President “SarahPAC wasn’t enough?” At Hot Air, Allahpundit can’t see any other reason to form a second political group. “Would someone set up two political action groups if they weren’t thinking seriously about running for president?” he asks. Allahpundit thinks Palin’s organization will be the “domestic policy equivalent” of Liz Cheney’s group. But he’s sorry the two women didn’t combine forces. “How come she didn’t end up partnering with Liz Cheney on Keep America Safe, anyway? It would have been an amazing force multiplier among the grassroots to see their two favorite hawkish women on the same team.”

John McCain’s Latest Sarah Palin Lie

GOP candidates Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin on the 2008 presidential campaign trail.

John McCain’s duplicitous defense of his 2008 GOP running mate Sarah Palin this past weekend is as dishonest as it is shameful. He knows better–but for reasons that are rooted deeply in McCain’s peculiar sense of chivalry and his political self-interest, he has refused to come clean about Palin with the American people.

“There are fundamental facts that cannot be denied,” he asserted on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “When we selected, or asked, Sarah Palin to be my running mate, it energized our party. We were ahead in the polls, until the stock market crashed.”

The implication is that the Republicans would have won were it not for the economic collapse that took place on September 15.

Many McCain and Palin operatives in the aftermath of the election have blamed the economy for their loss. That’s like blaming a lake in the middle of the 18th fairway for costing one a golf match. The lake doesn’t cost you the match–driving your ball into it does.

Hillary Clinton vs Sarah Palin? Not in Our Lifetime

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Our Capitolist friend Pat Murphy reports that Hillary Clinton has effectively posted a notice to PUMAs, and to the rest of us, she’s not running for president ever again. In effect saying she’s already a big girl in a big job and feels very comfortable with the way things have turned out (“maybe it’s a woman thing“), the past first lady and former U.S. senator told Ann Curry on NBC’s “Today Show” she will let the job of secretary of state be her career capstone.

Alaska: Rich in Resources, Poor in Educational Success

Anchorage Superintendent Carol Comeau

Challenges of education are arguably unique in Alaska. Though the state is rich in oil and gas, has no state income tax and boasts a vigorous economy, it has serious issues in education. In rural areas there is an almost constant struggle to find and retain qualified and dedicated teachers willing to live in remote areas where plane rides are the only travel option, and cold, dark winters in stark landscapes are the norm.

Both large and small communities have been adversely affected by the migration of families from small communities to larger towns and cities. Student populations in rural districts are decreasing, and with lower enrollment, funding is disappearing and services shrinking while larger communities strive to find the resources to serve the unexpected increases in student enrollment.

Cover Photo for Sarah Palin Memoir Was Last-Minute Choice

The "Going Rogue" book cover photos Sarah Palin turned down.

John Keatley, who photographed Sarah Palin for the cover of her upcoming memoir, wrote on his blog that he spent three days shooting the former governor before, at the last minute, he snapped the image the publisher eventually selected. The outtakes, published by Gawker, all show Palin smiling directly at the camera and posing in front of various scenic views in Alaska.

Rogue Palin Attack on Levi Johnston

Sarah Palin

Ex Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin‘s new memoir is nothing more than a vitriolic attack on Levi Johnston, the estranged baby mamma dada of teen Bristol’s child!

Sarah Palin’s soon-to-be published book is a “self-serving press release” – aimed largely at destroying her daughter Bristol’s ex-fiance, says a publishing insider with knowledge of the manuscript.

The former Alaska governor, 45 – who received a whopping $7 million advance – is using Going Rogue: An American Life to strike back at Levi Johnston, the teenage father of her grandchild Tripp, charges the source.

Due to be published in mid-November, Palin’s “tell-little” book whitewashes her controversial background and family life, according to the publishing source.

Sarah Palin: Is She Really Serious About Politics?

Sarah Palin

Recently, I asked a GOP consultant, who must remain nameless here, this question: Who advises Sarah Palin? His answer: No one. Really? I asked. Yes, he said, really.

So that explains it.

Palin’s actions keep defying rational explanation. Her sudden retreat from her job as Alaska governor made her seem a quitter — especially when she couldn’t coherently justify the resignation during her surprise July 4 weekend announcement. Even if Palin’s pullout had been a reasonable decision, it seemed as if she had not consulted anyone with PR or political sense on how best to handle the controversial move.

McCain Admits He And Sarah Palin Not A “Winning Combination”

Sen. John McCain acknowledged on Sunday tensions between his vice presidential choice, Sarah Palin, and his top aide, Steve Schmidt, during his failed bid for the White House last year, yet said that the former Alaska governor gave a boost to the campaign.

Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the Arizona Republican said: “When we selected, or asked, Sarah Palin to be my running mate, it energized our party. We were ahead in the polls, until the stock market crashed. And she still is a formidable force in the Republican Party. And I have great affection for her. Will Sarah and I – did we always agree on everything in the past? Will we in the future?  No. But let’s let a thousand flowers bloom. Let’s come up with a winning combination next time.”

Still Waiting for Sarah Palin Emails – One Year Later

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Public records requests made more than a year ago for Sarah Palin’s e-mails still haven’t been filled by the state, and the Alaska Democratic Party chairwoman alleges it’s an attempt to bury the past.

“I think they’re hiding something, I think this is a travesty of justice,” state Democratic Party Chairwoman Patti Higgins said Wednesday. “The law says they have 10 days to do it.”

Public records in Alaska are generally supposed to be provided within 10 days, although the state can extend the deadline for more complicated requests.

State officials say this is no cover-up, but rather a case of massive requests that have overwhelmed the state’s resources. Assistant Attorney General David Jones said the 11 largest public-records requests from last year remain unfilled; most of them, he said, require the review of between 2,900 and 30,000 documents.

Meg Stapleton: Bob McDonnell Personally Asked for Sarah Palin’s Help, then Changed His Mind

Republican gubernatorial candidate, former Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell along with his daughter Jeanine during the 2009 Virginia State Republican Convention.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell repeatedly and personally asked former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for help this summer in his campaign for Virginia governor, a Palin spokeswoman said.

But by late August, Palin learned that the McDonnell campaign no longer wanted her assistance, Palin adviser Meg Stapleton said in an interview tonight.

Earlier this week, McDonnell reacted with a bit of sarcasm when asked whether Palin would be campaigning with him. “There was a time earlier on when she was governor when I thought she would come here,” he said. “But I think she seems to be busy with books and other things like that. We’ve still got about 20 different events scheduled down the road and she’s not one of them.”