Sarah Palin officially resigned as Governor of Alaska. The 45 year old stepped down Sunday at a press conference, handing her duties to Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell. She told the crowd that she would exercise her freedom of speech and did so, wasting no time criticizing the media for “making things up.”
“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, ya quit making things up?”
She continued and promised to protect the people of Alaska despite her decision to step down. In typical Palin fashion she compared herself to an animal, this time a grizzly bear.
“When I took the oath to serve you, I promised, remember what I promised? To steadfastly and doggedly guard the interests of this great state like that grizzly guards her cubs, as a mother naturally guards her own. And I will keep that vow wherever the road may lead.”
Lieutenant Governor Parnell was sworn into office immediately following her speech. He is the second non-elected governor in Alaska’s history.
Sarah Palin is most known for being John McCain’s running mate in the 2008 Presidential election, and a temporary thorn in President Obama’s side. During the election Palin was constantly parodied and criticized for being less than knowledgeable on certain issues. In an interview with CBS News Correspondent Katie Couric, when asked to specifically name the newspapers and magazines she read, she stumbled for answer eventually saying:
“Ummm…all of ‘em. Any of em’ that have been in front of me all these years…”
In another incident, she raised political eyebrows and earned more than a few snickers during a 2008 Republican National Convention when she compared herself, a hockey mom to a pit-bull.
“You know they say the difference between a hockey mom and pit-bull? Lipstick.”
The “pit-bull” in a skirt recently made headlines for having over 20 ethics complaints filed against her by Alaska residents. She cited financial difficulties from the complaints as reason for her resignation.
According to Palin, the complaints have cost her more than $500,000 in legal debt. She will not have to worry about finances for long however, the former governor has a $7 million dollar book deal in the works with Harper Collins publishing for a tell-all read.
