Reporting from Fairbanks, Alaska -- As thousands of cheering supporters vowed to keep her feisty, down-home political legacy alive, Sarah Palin stepped down as Alaska governor Sunday, pledging to continue fighting for independence from Washington and for Americans' personal freedoms "as that grizzly guards her cubs."
The hand-over to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell at a family-style picnic marked an unexpected end to a brief but remarkable governorship in which the 45-year-old hockey mom turned the Republican Party on its head and propelled Alaska's frontier-style, moose-meat-picnic politics into the national dialogue.Palin -- who famously described herself as a "pit bull with lipstick" last year, when she accepted the Republican vice presidential nomination -- took the opportunity Sunday to fire a last official grenade at the media, which she has blamed for distorting her statements and fueling controversies that have surrounded her.
"You represent what could and should be a respected and honest profession, that could and should be a cornerstone of our democracy," she said. "Democracy depends on you, and that is why our troops are willing to die for you. So how about in honor of the American soldier you quit making things up?"
Those sentiments drew the loudest applause of her speech.
She added: "Our new governor has a very nice family too, so leave his kids alone."
After her addition to the national ticket, Palin endured frequent bad publicity about her family, including her unwed teenage daughter Bristol's pregnancy and Bristol's breakup with the baby's father.
Palin has declined to say what she plans to do next -- other than write a book and make public appearances, beginning Aug. 8 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley. She has not ruled out a bid for the presidency in 2012.
Sarah Palin hands over power in Alaska
God I hate this woman. PLEASE for the love of God and country do not run for the Presidency Sarah! And please GOP, do NOT nominate Palin as our candidate for president. Any thoughts on what Palin's next move could be?
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Originally Posted by Disaray
They also turn off moderate independents from voting Republican.
It won't happen!
ing, theorizing, gloating about politics, she did become governor of a state and ran for VP. Sure it was Alaska but most of us couldn't get elected to the local library board. Not bad for a non-political background.
