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WORLD> America
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Palin steps down as Alaska governor
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-27 08:18 Palin received a warm welcome Sunday, both during her speech and as she served food at Pioneer Park in downtown Fairbanks, where thousands gathered on a hot day. Among those present was Donna Michaels, 57, of Fairbanks, who wore a red T-shirt that said: "Palintologist." The T-shirt defined a Palintologist as "someone who studies Palin and shares her conservative values, Maverick attitude and American style."
"She's really not stepping down. She's stepping up to do something bigger and better," said Michaels, who attended the picnic with her daughter and two granddaughters, one of whom who wore Sarah Palin-style eyeglasses. Larry Landry, 51, of Fairbanks held up a red, white and blue sign that that read, "Quitting: the new American value." The other side read: "Thanks for the laughs." Landry, a registered independent, said he respected Palin when she ran for governor in 2006, but she changed during last year's presidential campaign. "She turned into a vicious vixen," he said. "She descended into ugly, divisive politics." Alaska's first female governor arrived at the state Capitol in December 2006 on an ethics reform platform after defeating two former governors in the primary and general elections. Her prior political experience consisted of terms as Wasilla's mayor and councilwoman and a stint as head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Unknown on the national stage until Republican John McCain tapped her as his running mate, Palin infused excitement into the Republican's presidential bid. But she also became the butt of talk-show jokes and Democratic criticism, especially after the Republican Party spent $150,000 or more on a designer wardrobe for Palin.
Stapleton said the answer will emerge in the coming weeks. On Monday, "we'll sit down and say, 'OK, here are your options. How do you now want to effect that positive change for Alaska from outside the role as governor?'" Stapleton said.
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