The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Martinez and Palin

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Since, like Quin, I was one of those who criticized Sarah Palin when she quit as governor, I'd like to weigh in to clarify something. I didn't have a problem with Palin quiting per se, I just expressed my belief that her decision meant that she wouldn't be a credible presidential candidate, and I wanted to push back against some of the commentary suggesting that her resignation could actually help her presidential prospects. Since there's not much of a movement afoot to argue that Martinez should be president, I don't think the resignation is as big of a deal.

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Caroline| 8.7.09 @ 2:15PM

Oh, I get it, Klein: You bashed Sarah Palin for us, the great unwashed who support her; so we wouldn't get our hopes up for her presidential chances. You were just trying to protect us.

Thank you for your courageous efforts on our behalf.

Quin| 8.7.09 @ 2:32PM

Phil,
In that case, you may have missed my point. I don't give a flying fudge bar if Palin is running for president, or if Martinez is running for president. I think it is ALWAYS a big deal when an elected official reneges on his commitment to his CURRENT constituents by resigning before his term is finished. It matters not whether the resignation has an effect on future plans for office; what matters is leaving constituents in the lurch.

Roy| 8.7.09 @ 2:33PM

You could also just respond: Criticize Martinez? Why bother?

JP| 8.7.09 @ 2:38PM

I wonder if Martinez will be returning all the campaign money he has collected since 2005. One of the nice perks of office is that when a congressman leaves office he keeps his war chest -all tax free, of course.

Personally I was never a big fan of Martinez (too much like Crist and Bush43).

Dixie Pixie| 8.7.09 @ 3:44PM

What is the problem with quiting a job you find intolerable. If the conditions you labor under become so bad it makes life hell, why stay. The founding clauses of this nation are “ the right of happiness” not “the duty to endure”. If Palin and Martinez want to quit, I say go for it. For what it is worth, both have my blessing to find happiness where ever they can find it. The best of luck to both.

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.7.09 @ 4:08PM

Phil and Quinn
You both disapoint me. Obama quit, Senator Clinton quit
.....Oh it's better to leave your constituents in the lurch while you campaign for a better job?

Occasionally, guys, your sanctimoy gets a little hard to bear.

Nobama| 8.7.09 @ 4:34PM

Was Mel's family being attacked and pilloried by filthy liberal thug-bloggers? Was his 14 year old daughter subjected to public ridicule at the behest of an ugly, bitter has been comic? Was he under assault by numerous bogus ethics charges? How much personal debt did he incur for these bogus ethics law suits?

What politician EVER has been treated as shamefully as Sarah Palin and what did she do to deserve it?

You're a joke.

Patriot| 8.7.09 @ 4:37PM

Ha ha! Quin threw Phil under the bus.

That's what you get for trying to hide under Quin's skirt, Squish.

Dixie Pixie| 8.7.09 @ 6:02PM

To: Philip Klein and Quin Hillyer

Gentlemen, Your souls have been consumed by two twisted sports adages, specifically “ Quitters Never Win “ and “ Winning Is The Only Thing “.
Gentlemen you need to adjust your meds.
I suggest starting out a jaunty Sangria followed by Merlot that speaks of dappled moonlight and fruit orchards. To finish the treatment stay away from any sports channel for two weeks.
Best wishes Gentlemen.

Danny Crow| 8.8.09 @ 2:05AM

Unfortunetly our state's new ethics laws gave too much power to frivolous ethics complaints that distracted from good governing. With Palin gone the drama has subsided. After spending the last couple years w/ Sean Parnell I'm sure she knew we were being put into the hands of someone who could heal the divisiveness that came about after her national candidacy. Her days prior to that had seen unprecedented bipartisanship. It's too bad the rest of the nation only perceives her as right wing, when in actuality her governing showed middle ground.

R. A. Mansour| 8.8.09 @ 2:08AM

Klein, quit while you're ahead.

Scottie| 8.8.09 @ 2:24AM

Amazing, isn't it Danny? But, when the MSM uses misfit leftist Alaskan bloggers with axes to grind as their primary research sources on our governor, what would you expect?