Opinion: Statements by Sarah Palin, her successor, Sean Parnell, Michael Steele

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NO SECOND TERM; NO LAME DUCK SESSION EITHER

July 3, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin announced today that she will not seek a second term as Governor of the State of Alaska and will relegate the power of governor to Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell in order to serve Alaska’s best interests. Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will move into Parnell’s current role.

“People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing’s more important to me than our beloved Alaska,” said Governor Palin. “Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.”

Standing outside her home in Wasilla, Alaska, Governor Palin reflected upon some of the administration’s accomplishments for Alaska as she approaches her final year in office.

I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is not the easiest path,” said Governor Palin after the announcement.

Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional ‘Lame Duck’ status in this particular climate would just be another dose of ‘politics as usual,’ something I campaigned against and will always oppose.

It is my duty to always protect our great state. With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is....

...best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, so that this administration, with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future, can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success.

I look forward to helping others – to fight for our state and our country, and campaign for those who believe in smaller government, free enterprise, strong national security, support for our troops, and energy independence.”

The transfer of power will occur following the Governor’s picnic in Fairbanks on July 26. At that point in time, Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell will be sworn in and Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume his role as Lieutenant Governor. Gov. Palin will spend July 4th in Juneau. ###

General
• Transferred more control of public issues to the local level
Natural Resources
• Created the Petroleum Systems Integrity Office to oversee responsible development
• Held the line for Alaskans on Point Thomson that encouraged drilling
• Restructured the state’s oil taxes to create a clear and equitable valuation formula for our oil and gas
• Initiated and implemented the largest energy project in the world through the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act
• Removed government from the dairy business and put it back into private-sector hands
Ethics
• Ushered in ethics reform
• Cleaned up previously accepted unethical actions affecting development
Fiscal Notes
• Slowed the rate of government growth
• Worked with the Legislature to place billions of dollars in savings
• Vetoed hundreds of millions of dollars in capital budget line items
• Reduced Alaska’s dependence on federal earmarks by nearly 85%
• Eliminated state-funded personal luxuries like the jet, the chef, and junkets
• Refused a pay raise, along with the Lieutenant Governor
Education
• Provided unprecedented support for education initiatives
Public Safety
• Filled long-vacant public safety positions over the last year
Corrections
• Broke ground on the new state prison
Fish and Game
• Maintained biologically-sound wildlife management for abundance
Environment
• Established first sub-Cabinet on climate change
Legal
• State’s rights protected in two recent victories handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court

Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell has released his prepared remarks in response to Governor Palin’s announcement:

Thank you, governor. It is with a heavy heart that I hear these words. I so appreciate what you have done for our state and your sacrificial serviceYou have been a strong leader for our state, you’ve inspired a nation, and you’ve ignited the fire of real hope around the world.

I profoundly respect your decision for I know the depth of character and integrity from which it springs. Rare, indeed, are such selfless acts seen in the public arena.

Governor Palin has recounted well the achievements of the last two and a half years and I want to take a moment to assure Alaskans of the good team in place to move Alaska forward and to speak briefly about what Alaskans can expect.

We’ve got an extremely talented team of commissioners and I intend to keep them working hard for our state. I will work with the governor to coordinate with the cabinet and staffs on a seamless, stable transition. And, I will work closely with legislators, community leaders, and individual Alaskans to accomplish these ends.

I came into office believing and still strongly believe that the power, rights, and responsibilities of our government belong to the people. Alaskans can expect me to focus on positioning Alaska for economic growth by creating legacy opportunities for our people and future generations.

My top priority is to get a gasline. I will continue the course set by the governor that has produced such forward progress these past two years. I will continue to support and promote responsible resource development and energy development of all kinds for Alaskans.

State government will live within its means and we will provide a stable investment climate for job creation. We remain committed to education, safe homes, and transportation. We proudly and resolutely support our military, veterans, and their families, and we will protect second amendment rights. Perhaps most importantly, we cherish life and liberty.

I thank Governor Palin for holding fast to these principles during her service. Personally, I thank her for the confidence she’s placed in me, for her trust, and for her friendship. As Alaska celebrates her 50th year of statehood, I believe history will look back on Sarah Palin as one of Alaska’s great gifts to all peoples. You have served honorably, Governor. God bless you. ####

I plan on talking to Governor Palin very soon. She is an important and galvanizing voice in the Republican Party. I believe she will be very helpful to the Party this year as we wage critical campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey. I am certain this has been a difficult decision for her to step down as Alaska’s governor. She has been a good governor for her state and I wish her and the Palin family the best during this transition. ###

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