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Palin KO'd by Political Backlash, Personal Strains

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 13, 2009 7:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – Sarah Palin’s return to Alaska from the national stage was not a pretty one, the New York Times reports in a look at the series of personal problems and political missteps that led to her surprise resignation as governor. Beset by a suddenly hostile legislature, ethics investigations, and strains at home, Palin’s allies pleaded with her to spend more time with her family and build a home-state agenda centered around creating jobs. But Palin, never one to take direction, instead dove into public feuds with Levi Johnston and David Letterman.

Palin told the Times her VP run inspired a backlash in Alaska that paralyzed her work as governor. “It’s like, ‘Ooh, not so good anymore, because it’s got Sarah’s name on it.’ ” Politically isolated and struggling at home to help care for her daughter’s baby, as well as her own, Palin looked anxious and underweight, friends say. “When she came back it was pretty clear it was not a trip with any light at the end of the tunnel,” says one family friend. “It was a spelunking trip that had no light and no end.”

Sarah Palin's resignation was practically a foregone conclusion from the time John McCain picked her as his running mate, reports the NY Times.
Sarah Palin's resignation was practically a foregone conclusion from the time John McCain picked her as his running mate, reports the NY Times.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
In this Oct. 18, 2008 photo, Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, signs autographs for supporters during a rally in Lancaster, Pa.
In this Oct. 18, 2008 photo, Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, signs autographs for supporters during a rally in Lancaster, Pa.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Sarah Palin's resignation was practically a foregone conclusion from the time John McCain picked her as his running mate, reports the NY Times.
Sarah Palin's resignation was practically a foregone conclusion from the time John McCain picked her as his running mate, reports the NY Times.   (AP Photo/Joe Burbank, Pool, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 28 comments
youngblood
Nov 3, 2009 5:45 AM CST
Why show us how really stupid you are Mrs.K
Wisconsin
Nov 3, 2009 5:05 AM CST
Mrs. K; How dare you! Sarah is tough!! How soon we forget. She made it perfectly clear last year how tough she was keeping her state safe from Canada and Russia. Leave Sarah alone!
Shannonals
Nov 3, 2009 4:09 AM CST
MrsK, only an ignorant person such as yourself thinks the media truly cares about Palin. Palin continues to maintain her presence in the media, drawing attentuion to herself. Seriously, if she stated that she is struggling at home to help care for her daughter’s baby, as well as her own, why go all around the world versus caring for her family? Palin prefers to be in the media, thrives off of the attention, so shed no tears or have any concerns for her.

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