Post-Palin Alaska Heads for Less Glitz, More Substance

'First Dude' had say in virtually every aspect of Sarah Palin's administration

(NEWSER) - Todd Palin had a massive amount of power in his wife’s administration in Alaska, recently released emails confirm. The missives, obtained by NBC through the state’s public records law, show the “first dude” was heavily involved in judicial appointments, contract negotiations with public employees, and state board appointments. He also received background checks on a corporate CEO, and passed financial information marked “confidential” from the oil company that employed him to a state attorney. More»

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin plans to unburden herself on Twitter more freely after she leaves office next week, the AP reports. “Elected is replaceable; Ak WILL progress! + side benefits10 dys til less politically correct twitters fly frm my fingertps outside State site,” she Tweeted today. And, she promises, “I’ll stay in touch w/whomever wants via personal twtr site,” to launch July 26—the day she vacates Alaska’s governorship. More»

Soon-to-be-former Alaska governor focused on upcoming book

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin has no plans to take a new job, her lawyer tells the Washington Post. Though the departing Alaska governor has received “hundreds of credible offers”—including a pitch for a gig as a talk-show host—she hasn’t pursued any of them except a previously announced book deal, Thomas Van Flein says. More»

(NEWSER) - The governor of Alaska and the architect of the Vietnam War both make fine examples of how not to quit a government post, David Broder writes in the Washington Post. Robert McNamara waited 28 years to explain that he stepped down as defense secretary because of his grave doubts about US strategy, and "the public reaction was harsh"—many believed untold numbers of lives could have been saved if he had gone public sooner. More»

Scandal speculation gives way to new theories

(NEWSER) - When Sarah Palin made her sudden exit, many expected a scandal to break. But "in the days since, it has become clear that no other shoe is likely to drop," writes Jay Newton-Small of Time, who offers five likely reasons she resigned Alaska's top job:

• For the good of the state: Palin was lauded for resigning in protest from Alaska’s oil and gas commission. She painted her gubernatorial resignation “in the same way: a selfless act that should earn her kudos for saving taxpayers' money.”