we do for all of us in alaska. -- for all of us in alaska.lause] some in this crowd may never understand what sarah palin did, but what she did is greater than herself. it is for our state and our country. this lady will go far, and america will be appreciative of what she brings. let me tell you why i feel that way. [applause] during her term as governor, we had the opportunity to work together on some very difficult issues. she advocated for state control of our national guard and demonstrated tenacity in the face of federal attempts to limit the power of the governor over her own national guard. she was a leading voice in what may congress reversed their mistake and return to governors full authority of the national that is sarah palin. [applause] governor, as you leave office today, please know that your cabinet greatly values the service you gave to us, and all you have done it for the state. the leadership you provided. you will be missed, and you will always be loved. [applause] now i would like to congratulate governor jon cornell, ou

i thank you, alaska. god bless alaska, and god bless america. [applause] >> thank you.hank you, governor palin, and thank you again for your service to the state. at this time, supreme court justice daniel winfrey will administer the oath of office to our new governor and a temporary of of office to our lieutenant governor. >> i, sean parnell, do solemnly swear that i will support and defend the constitution of the united states and the constitution of the state of alaska, and i will faithfully discharge my duties as governor of the state of alaska, to the best of my ability. [applause] >> i, craig e. campbell, do solemnly swear that i will support and defend the constitution of the united states and the constitution of the state of alaska and i will faithfully discharge my duties as delegated to me pursuant to alaska statute 44.19.026, as temporary substitute for lieutenant governor to the best of my ability. thank you, sir. [applause] >> and governor parnell and intent governor campbell will now sign their oaths of office. -- lt. governor campbell. ♪ [playing "america

alaska, you are a great people. alaska still has much more to offer. given today's economic climate, the stakes are high. you have my commitment to work with you and for you to position alaskas economy for growth and our children and families for opportunities in the future. on december 4, 2006, the governor sarah palin and i swore an oath. i placed my hand on the bible just moments ago and pledged once again to pull the constitution. to be here in fairbanks, today, it brings us back full circle. just over 50 years ago, on a hill not far from here, our delegates wrote alaskas constitution. today, we peaceful transfer power, a transfer envisioned by those delegates and i am delighted that a few of those visionary's remain with us. we think these zero wonderful people and their staff for their determination and their love of alaska. today, i also want to honor and say thank you to our friend and our governor, governor sarah palin. [applause] i want to say thank you to todd and to the palin family and to the heath family. i am thankful to have served alon

i thank you alaska, god bless alaska and god bless america. thank you, guys. [applaus [applause] >> thank you. thank you, governor palin. >> julie: there you have it, sarah palin resigning as governor, 17 months before the end of her first term. palin says for those who question why she decide today chart a new course for the state of alaska, she says to be obvious to you because i love alaska and with this decision i will be harder to fight for you and for the truth. she says she never felt the need to have a title in order to spread her word. now, we want to listen to the swearing in of the lt. governor as he accepts the role of governor of alaska. >> and i will support and defend. >> the constitution of the united states. >> the constitution of the united states. >> and the constitution of the state of alaska. >> and the constitution of the state of the alaska. >> and i will faithfully discharge my duties. >> and i will faithfully discharge my duties. >> as the governor of the state of the alaska. >> as governor of the state of alaska, so help me god. >> an

i thank you alaska. god bless alaska and god bless america. >> okay.l speech in fairbanks, alaska. very interesting some of the comments we are getting. a very interesting speech. it is almost impossible to lose your way in alaska because they have the great north star to guide them home and thanking her family. i'm bringing in candy crowley, chris welch is there on the ground. candy, she didn't really give any indication about where she's going and what she's going to do. she said some people don't understand why she's leaving. a gentleman shouted out why and she said you don't need a title to do that. >> which is what she said when she announced she was quitting. it is hard to believe because she is going to be a lame duck she doesn't want to saddle alaska with the lack of power a lame duck has. everybody is a lame duck at some point. if all the lame ducks quit it would be troubling for the government. i thought -- one of the things that struck me -- >> i want to tell our viewers they are swearing in sean parnell, the lieutenant governor, that is his

flew home to alaska, delivered her son trig the next day. she is one very stuff individual and yet she is very gracious as well. >> we were so blessed in april, todd and i welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named trig. and children with special needs inspire a very, very special love. >> greta: more just ahead on our fox news special on governor sarah palin an american woman. want to know how fast it took my stiff joints to feel better? one pack. 6 days. that's elations. new elations. clinically proven to improve joint comfort... in as little as six days. drinking it every day keeps it working. elations has clinically proven levels... of glucosamine and chondroitin, in a powerful form that's more absorbable... than joint supplement pills. tastes great. goodbye, horse pills. the color that changes everything. from clairol. >> age 45. >> struck, in -- >> on the eve of the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the palins are serving their country, inlandest son trek joined the army last year and was on his m

she said yesterday, in alaska, part of it was for her family.ey have been in the spotlight a lot lately. she wanted to take her family away from the criticism and mockery they have been facing. she's doing it to escape ethics probes. she's leaving to help the state out. it's in the best interest of the state. it will allow her to advocate her issues. she also said that once she decided not to run for re-election next year, she did not want to be a lame duck governor. if sarah palin wants to run for the presidential nomination 2012, does this help or hurt her? well, that is a good question. a lot of people are saying that this may hurt her. she's being seen as a quitter. one of the arguments against her was that she didn't have enough experience. she's leaving her job with a year and a half to go. she's been governor for two and a half years. others say it may help her. it will free her up now. she's known well enough across the country, she doesn't need to be governor of alaska. it will free her up to travel the lower 48 states to be much more v

alaska. mark her down as officially unofficial news. palin handed over the governorship sunday with more than a year left in her term but she did not leave without some measure of fanfare. saying good-bye to alaskans at a series of picnics across the state. in fact, she said a lot more than just good-bye but not much that actually made sense. >> together we do stand with gratitude for our troops who protect all of our cherished freedoms including our freedom of speech, which par for the course, i'm going to exercise. >> former governor palin has developed an odd love/hate relationship with the media. love that network cameras would even be there to see palin resign as they would not have been for any other small state governor leaving office for no good reason. hate, that with national attention has come national scrutiny. >> some straight talk for some, just some in the media, because another right protected for all of us is freedom of the press and you have such important jobs, reporting fa

anticipation in alaska. what will sarah palin say? is she saying good-bye or setting stage for a bigger political future. >>> a whirlwind weekend of picnics, good-bye speeches, you would almost think she's on the campaign trail again. she's been shaking hands, kizing babies and of course criticizing the media and her critics. her model throughout all of this -- you ain't seen nothing yet. her farewell, her future. sarah palin live within the hour right here on cnn. i'm don lemon live at cnn world headquarters in atlanta. politics taking the lead in the news this sunday. our senior political correspondent candy crowley is in washington tracking the palin resignation and all the day's big political stories. chris welsh is in fairbanks, alaska covering sarah palin's speech. there kate bolduan at the white house in washington, d.c. with administration reaction to the events in alaska and the latest on the battle over health care. >>> first there is some political fallout today from outside the box comments from vice president joe biden, o

inside alaska or outside of alaska.n's desk. >> it was one of the most surprising announcements the political world has seen since the day john mccain picked the then-obscure governor of alaska as his vice president. sarah palin deciding not to run for re-election and then resigning the governorship, a full year and a half before the end of her first term. >> i choose not to tear down and waste precious time, but to build up this state and our great country. >> outside her home in wasilla the day before the independence day weekend t timing of which was no accident, she gave a speech that was part state of the state. >> we aggressively and responsibly develop our resources. >> part sports analogy. >> a good paint guard, here's what she does. she drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping her headp because she needs to keep her eye on the basket. she knows when to pass the ball so enthat the team can win. and that is what i'm doing. >> and part some say just plain rambling. >> life is too short to co

and that's why it's specifically illegal in alaska. does the report make recommendations about that and is that, in fact, the discrepancy that makes this, potentially, an illegal act? >> reporter: that's the discrepancy that this independent investigator highlighted. he pointed that out. he noted that the alaska fund trust on its website likens itself to other federally set up defense funds, but also states in alaska law, there's no framework by which to enact something like that. so he offers this remedy to kind of address the situation, which is to say, look, palin, you know rejects the money from the fund, don't take it, dissolve the relationship to the fund, ask the state to reimburse you for those complaints which were dismissed and then maybe have alaska state legislature take a look at its ethics laws and rewrite them so that office holders aren't subject to having to pay for frivolous complaints out of their personal pocket. >> those are the recommendations on how to sort of remedy this, but there is this funding that she's use

i do not care what party they are in or any party at all inside of alaska or out of alaska, but i will not do it from the governor's desk. i've never believed that i or anyone else needs a title to do this, to make -- more freedom to progress, all the way around, so that alaska made progress. i will not seek reelection as governor be and i thought about, well, some governors have as lame ducks -- i will not seek reelection as governor. i thought about the funds some governors have as lame ducks -- the fun they have. they hit the road and drawing a paycheck, and they, of -- and drawing a paycheck, and draw a paycheck, and they kind of milk it, and i do not want that for alaska. greta: the governor is striking back to her critics online, using torture -- twitter. in a statement explaining her decision, she mentioned it senator john mccain. so why is governor palin stepping down -- she mentioned senator john mccain. what is she saying to you? >> hi, greta. i think she thinks it was the right decision. i did communicate with her yesterday. she feels good about the decision because she does

it's alaska.rder. >> what newspars and magazines do you regularly reabere you were tapped for this to stay infoed and to understand -- >> read most of them again with a great areciation for the press, for the med. >> what specifically, i'm curious. >> allf them. >> i'm going to k you one more me, not belabor the point. spific emples in the 26ears of pushing for more regulation. >> i'm trying to find yome and bring emo ya. >>nd now it belongs to the ages. >> can i cl you joe? palin v. biden. that was not a supreme crt verdict. >> i may not answer the questions the way you e modetor want to hear. say it ain'to, joe. >> drill, baby, ill. nuclear, nucle, nuclear. >> natural gas. >> maverick. verick, maverick. >> what do you expect a team o mavericks. that's what john mccmeant. i'm going to push him on aar today. my dad was in the audience today. hockey moms across theation, how long have i been at this? ve weeks? one of back obama's earliest supporters is bill ayers. a domestic terrorist. domestic ter

she can't even say she was the one-term governor of alaska because she didn't stand by alaska. i think it's -- she was in line, it seems to me, as one of the possibilities to run against lisa murkowski for the senate and murkowski can run ads repeating what she said in her statement, that governor palin abandoned the citizens of alaska who gave her the privilege of serving as their governor. the political class around here is thinking what could this be about because palin is the most popular publican right now. she's more popular than mitt romney. people don't know tim pawlenty, the governor of minnesota. if you're looking at republican opposition to president obama as he seeks a second term, you're thinking, oh, sarah palin might be the ticket, but sarah palin has taken away her platform as governor that was giving her the opportunity to respond to critics by developing not only experience, but demonstrating leadership, and, you know, it seems to me then so what's the answer? it has to be money. it has to be she's after book deals. >> she already had a book deal. >> she has a

she gave a fiery speech when she stepped down as alaska's governor. lui is digging into what is next for her. she didn't say too much really about it. >> she didn't, but we'll hear more from her here, robin. she will write a book and will speak at the reagan presidential library on august 8th as well. some speculate she might have a radio or talk show host as well, start a speech making career or running for higher office. she has not ruled out the options and her political action committee has raised more than a million dollars, robin. >> how popular is sarah palin after this move? >> there are polls we'll like at right now. palin elicited strong reactions from the moment she stepped onto the national stage. a new poll from "the washington post" and abc, they find that 53% of those surveyed view palin negatively, 40% view her positively. but her support among republicans appears much higher. 7 out of 10 suggest the poll of republicans have a positive opinion, robin, of palin. >> very much seems to be kind of on party lines. >> a lot of support from t

the rest of th, alaska cotituents. one of tm, she had to pay b the statefor the $8,000 she billed the state to travel her ds arod the country. sohese are, a, not frivolous. they are, b, not result of democratic bad guys snooping i in h garbage in wasilla, and c,hey're all alaska. they're former allies. i mean, this is not abt the bad -- big bad east coast nationaledia coming after her. this iabout somebody who sells her owpotical bed in alaska and s seen her popularity decline, and it's not millions of dollars. that iridiculous. >> let me say this, what fd most ridulous is we have a untry in very serious economic trouble. u saw in the previs segment, chuck todd was interviewing e prident. he verylearly displeased ab the way the economy is going and so much of the c conversaon is about governor palin. i think the mediwod would be better talking about whether the cose he set for the country is working. >> we're gng to that right now. is sarah palin the most talented potician in alaska? >> say that again. >> is sarah pali

neal karlinsky, in alaska tonight. neal, thank you. >>> it looks like that white house get-together with black scholar henry louis gates, the cop that arrested him, and the president of the united states, will happen sooner rather than later. that is according to the white house spokesman, robert gibbs, who was asked about it today. >> sergeant crowley said he was game. and i read that professor gates is the same way. hopefully we can get that done in the next several way days. >>> meanwhile, there's new details onhe phone call between the president and the cop at the center of this racial hi-charged case. >> reporter: this is sergeant james crowley on friday, taking an unexpected phone call. >> all these guys are looking at each other going, is this a hoax? >> reporter: he was here when the president called out of the blue, to verify comments about crowley's arrest of professor gates. the two spoke for five minutes. when he hung up, the bar went wild. >> people were high-fiving. sergeant crowley was probably the quiet

alaska governor sarah palin announcing she's quitting her day job.laska to find out more and wound up hearing it from the governor herself. andrea is with us tonight from anchorage, alaska. andrea, good evening. >> good evening, brian. we flew to a remote village to catch up with sarah palin and find out why she shocked the political world with her abrupt resignation. >> are you staying warm? >> i am. >> reporter: sarah palin re-emerged on the shores of bristol bay, alaska. >> will you ride with us? >> i'd love to. >> reporter: an annual retreat at the peak of the the salmon run in the village where her husband's family has been commercial fishing for generations. on this day a giant photo opportunity to rebutt internet speculation about why she quit. >> how does it make you feel being back out on the bay? >> it is awesome. it is beautiful. >> is that a typical size? >> yeah, yeah. you will see out here, some that are huge. >> she says resigning was not a snap decision. >> i knew i wasn't going to run for re-election. i knew everything changed august

inside alaska or outside of alaska. >> reporter: in that facebook posting, palin was looking forward.'m looking ahead an how we can advance this country together, she wrote. our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence. stronger financial security. and much-needed financial restraint. a source close to palin said she's made no decisio but some former advisers say she may no longer even have that option. quitting her current job, they say, isn't a path to the presidency. >> it would be apathetic to hunker down and go with the >> reporter: one former campaign official called her speech friday, incoherent. and says, palin has become, quote, a damaging figure on the republican stage. and analysts say, if she does want to run in 2012, she needs to up her game. >> she needs to be less "northern exposure," and more c-span. >>> and joining us from anchorage, alaska, with more, is larry presily, a former aide to the governor. good morning to you. >> good morning. >> very early in alaska this morning. i know there's still fireworks going on behind you there. let's tal

alaska governor is unclear about her political future. terrible toll, eight people are killed in a wrong-way crash on a new york parkway. >>> and stormy summer, dangerous hit-and-miss storms pummelled the atlantic coast. >> it's crazy. captioning funded by cbs >>> good morning and thanks for joining us. i'm michelle gielan. this morning folks from virginia to new england are cleaning up after a string of severe but fast-moving storms that left a trail of damage. susan roberts is in washington with the latest. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. we certainly felt it here in washington over the weekend. the storms were powerful but isolated. they made their way with damaging winds up through the coast over the weekend. >> oh, my god. i've never seen anything like this in my entire life, in this area specifically. like a monsoon came through. >> reporter: the worst of the storms roared through late yesterday. heavy flooding, rain, hail and gusting winds that toppled trees and power lines. four people were struck by lightning in new jers

she said alaska should look north with help to plan the future., palin does not say but as many others speculate it's for a presidential run in 2012. in fairbanks, alaska, cbs news. >>> this morning we'll have more on sarah palin and speak with political commentator and former bush speech writer. i'm michelle gielan and this is the "cbs morning news." diabetics on medicare! i'm a diabetic and i want you to know over 230,000 u.s. doctors have authorized their patients to receive their diabetic supplies through liberty medical. and that begins with the one touch®ultra2 meter. easy to use, fast results... at no additional cost! liberty helps keep you on track by delivering diabetic supplies to your door... and filing your claims. i never feel i'm going to run out of anything. with liberty i always have someone to talk to and now they refill all my prescriptions. call now to receive a diabetic cookbook free. call to receive the one touch®ultra2 meter at no additional cost and find out why 230,000 u.s. doctors and over a million people with diabetes tr

she basically came from alaska with todd. one mccain advisor said she was given a staff of 20, but it was probably too big of a staff. to be honest with you, she could not figure out who to trust. also, with young children traveling with her." arkansas, a republican line. caller: i enjoy c-span and it is the most information that you can get about everything that is going on in the united states. sarah palin would have made a wonderful president. why have heard other people say, she did not really have a chance. if she had been president, she would have never considered what obama has considered in medicare. i heard them say yesterday that anybody that is 70 years old, that was going to be the cutoff line for dialysis. that is horrible. there's no telling what else is in there. i am 72. i do not need dialysis yet. it is painful. host: you can read the article at "vanity fair" website for our web site, c-span.org. it is called "it came from wasilla." . it is by todd purdum. there is some infighting among the gop on it. caller:

i'm neal karlinsky for "nightline" in fairbanks, alaska. >> our thanks to neal karlinsky.ght back.

i think inside washington is missing how toxic the environment was for sarah pailen in alaska. we don't see or hear what she goes through every day. as for the mills out there, everybody close to her in alaska and everybody who would like to support her believes she can make a lost money doing speeches, write a book and tour that and use that to moat sate a great deal of political populism. in america, everybody talks about second acts in politics, whether it is 2012, 2016, 2020 or any 2024, she has 20 years of political years in her, and she is by far the most popular and charismatic republican in pollingite now. bret: thanks, carl. south carolina republicans have voted to censure governor mark sanford. they are upset over revelations of sanford's affair with an argentine woman and his disappearance last month when he went to see her. sanford's office responded "the governor fully appreciates the party's position and intends to work diligently to earn back its trust." there was fresh debates about what rights accused terrorists will have after guantanomo bay is closed and the

she will get tons more visibility than governor of alaska.build up personal finance and build up goodwill within the republican party and then she has got plenty of time to announce if she wants to run for president or not. where am i going wrong? >> you are right that she can go around creating chips by campaign for republican candidates. she can do that as governor. what she loses is control of her time. she does get the advantage of going out and being able to make a bunch of money paid speeches. probably limited under ethics laws doing that as governor. she could do the rest of that as governor and have the most important thing that a candidate at this point needs which is time to put together their own act, declare -- describe their own vision, educate themselves about the issues and get ready for a tough contest ahead. bill: she is not doing anything else. she doesn't have a full-time job. >> if you are governor of the state of alaska can you say look, i would love to come to your fund raising event but i can't because i'm governor. now

the state of alaska has spent millions of dollars. and by the way the lieutenant governor is a totally great guy so she's leaving alaska in good hands. the business of alaska won't be eaten up by all these itdyotic -- idiotic ethics charges and now she can go offer and write her book and give speesms and be what she's supposed to be, which is be a big star the >> she's not going to be able to accomplish anything on the national scene unless she's in the lower 48. barack obama stayed on the public payroll when he was running around the country 18 months running for president and he wasn't accomplishing a whole lot for the people of the state of illinois. did anyone criticize sebelius when she resigned to take a position? or did anyone criticize napolitano or rombo dead fish? >> right. did anybody criticize arlen specter or jim jeffords for letting down the citizens of their states by switching parties, withdrawing? no, it's a totally different standard for sarah palin. it is no surprise that the feminist movement came out of the left b

a live report from norah o'donnell from fairbanks, alaska. "the new york times," two big west bank settlements, a sign of hope for a deal. residents may be open to a compromise with the palestinians. "usa today," u.s. pulls $644 million iraq jobs program after concerns of misspending and fraud. "washington post," pelosi vows passage of health care overall, confidence grows as democrats plan to resume talks. and "the wall street journal," loans shrink as fears linger. the number of loans shrank 2.8% in the second quarter. today we start the dow at over 9,000. dow coming off its strongest two weeks since 2000. when we come back, an early check on business live from london. she's working on them right now, mika's must read opinion pages. and in a few minutes, pat buchanan, great unifier, talking about sarah. we'll be right back. we know why we're here. to redefine air travel for a new generation. to ensure our forces are safer and stronger. to take the world we share to tomorrow and beyond. announcer: around the globe, the people of boeing are w

the two-termayor of wasilla alaska?ernor who was r the bridge to nowhere befshe was againsit >> itold congress thanks but no thanks to that bridge to nowh e nowhe. >> every time she tells alie i will give $100 charity. thanks but thanks. >> the check tot alaska special olympics i the amount of $300. >> and our next vice president of the united states, sarah palin! >> i love those hockey moms, you know. they say the differce between a hocy mom and pit bull? lipsti >> pple who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like. >> don you think made the right choice for theext vice presidenof the united states? i went to an anti-palin rlly and a hoey game broke out. >> the sarah pan interview. >> and iraq, everhere like -- >> i'm sorry wrong tape. >> do you agr with the bush doctrine? >> in wh respe, charlie? >> the bush what do you interpret it to be? >> his world view. >> all political ffes will no ve to be put in historical context. b.p. or a.p.? fore payynn or after palin. >> you can platump the candid

is this something unique to alaska? in alaska, and ironically, it was championed by governor palin. we had one of the most corrupt legislatures in history, and we had a history of corruption. she champions in this reform, and there is a loophole here. -- she championed this reform did there are no ramifications for filing a frivolous one, and what has happened is that they have hijacked the process by filing these frivolous complaints in order just to get a headline, and yesterday, was just a perfect day. -- she championed this reform. there are no ramifications. this is how it is being used, and this is out it is being abused. greta: do you think this was part of some concerted effort by some group? what is the origin of these 15 that you have already spoken about? >> some are individual efforts, but we know that there is a group of left-wing associates who have publicly stated that this is a concerted action to undermine the administration. they blog about it and rejoice in it, essentially. it is a concerted effort, a

e e caot do it in alaska. itit'sot going to g it done. i i dot think this precludeseser runnnng g fooffice down t ro, , th presidencnc i i 202012t all. i think these people saying that she's an instant tartt b becses she quitsusus - -- that's j jus side the beltway formulaic, d she's not that. >>>> mk,k, dyou think the bibiddinwawais rereadunder way with t the tevevion networks ababouwho is going to landndarah palin? y y can count on it. tv, , books, all kindsds of ofo arpouring .. shjujustent through gshsh she's just been microwaved polititicay,y, wt she went throrough the last nn months and it's clelear e wasn't reae and she gogothrown in t t deep end t early. d i think at th botottom this she just wantnttoto step o and st backnd take some time to really plan out whatt the net ststep a going to be but thee opportununieies e endless. listen, rush limbaugas a great instininctororhat audience, f his dience. r ruswassasang eelilier there's 30%% ooref the country, a amajority, a a slim marity of republicans s who think that sasah h pan hungh

they are alaska's success. really wish you would hear more from the media of your state's good progress and how we tackle outside interests. special interests daily. even those stimulus dollars that would force the heavy hand of the government into our commounities. i have taken the gleans and arrows. to veto that is the right thing to do. i know being right is better than being popular. some of those dollars would harm alaska. they harm america. i resisted those dollars because of the obscence national debt we are forcing our children to pay. it's a moral. it doesn't even make economic sense. another accomplishment, our law department protected state rights came down against the liberal 9th circuit siting in our state's fafeyr protectors of our constitution. you don't hear much about the good stuff in the press anymore. some say things changed for me august 29 last year. it was an honor to stand beside a true american hero. i say others changed. let me speak to that for a minute. political operatives. the ethi

rick: critics and supporters of alaska gov. sarah palin are trying to figure out her reasons behind her big announcement that she made on friday, that she would be resigning. the former republican vice- presidential nominee said she will step down july 26. issue looking to get a headstart on a national campaign, or ricci leaving behind the increasingly hostile political climate in her home state? the washington correspondent joins us now. thank you for jeunesse. i know you've had reaction with the governor. what is your take on this? -- thank you for joining us. >> it is interesting how people are speculating. everywhere you go, someone grabs you by the sleeve and says what is going on the with the governor. until she gets some more hence, we are all in the dark. she talked about wanting to save money for the state of alaska because of all these ethics investigations. she talked about her family and concerns over attacks on them. just like everyone else, i'm waiting to see what happens next. the crux ofrick: this is a womat bec

>>s sarah palin the momo lented and able polititician in alaska? >> i think shehe's cerinly one of them,bviously. >> so you think itit a gooidea for that most t lentednd able polititician ialaska to walk away fm governing alaska, whwhen it i iin thieconomic crisis along with the r rest ofhe 49 states? you thk that's a good idea?? >> whahai saidas, a, she was one of the most tatalentednot e most talented. who is more talented ththan sarah palin inin your vi in alaskaka whwould be a better goveveor? >> i i'm not gng to go down the st. >> when she e its thjob, soone else becomes govererr. dodoou thi the lieutenant governor is gogoing to ba better gogornor tn her? do yououhink tt will be an upgre? >> i think he's s going be far mo equipped to deal with t the economic issues for r the ste of alaska withoututhe disaction ofhe media come into thehetate trying to muck rake e ainst e governor.. so much of this fafascinatio so much of thisis frankly think obsesession wi sarah palin obscures the f ft thatlaska is best repepsentedy someone who cacaaddresthe ne

i'm neal karlinsky for "nightline" in fairbanks, alaska. >> our thanks to neal karlinsky.ght back. if we don't act, medical bills will wipe out eir savings. we don't act, she'll be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. and he won't get the chemotherapy he needs. if we don't act, health care costs will rise 70%. and he'll have to cut benefits for his employees. but we can act. the president and congress have a plan to lower your costs and stop denials for pre-existing conditions. it's time to act.

the official swearing-in of the lead tenant governor of alaska -- of the lieutenant governor of alaska>> it is my honor to speak to all alaskans this last time as ruff governor. -- as your governor. in alaska, it is not an easy living, but it is a good living. and here, it is impossible to lose your way. >> with your paths still undetermined, many speculate pinpoint -- with her path still undetermined, many speculate. >> we will see what happens. >> the standoff started friday in rahm town where she helps serve food at one of -- in her home town where she helped serve food at one of the three picnics across the state. instead, words of gratitude. >> i do want to tell you sincerely that i love you, i appreciate you and your support. >> and nowlin -- unknown on the national stage until john mccain picture as his running mate, up sarah palin burst onto the scene b. >> there are more than nine lives in politics and she is only on her first. >> god bless alaska and god bless america. >> surrounded by family and supporters, most agree that her goodbye as governor looked nothing like a final

. >>> and alaska governor sarah palin steps down tonight. we will go live to alaska as she completes her last day in office. >>> and they got their man. the fbi tracks down one of its most wanted suspects, a cnn exclusive, and you can go a along. hello, everyone, i'm fredricks whitfield and you are in the cnn newsroom. >>> democrats say they are making progress but republicans say it is time to make over. kate bolduan has more on the fight for health care reform. >> reporter: all but certain to miss president obama's august health care deadline, the administration is pushing ahead, putting on the pressure and putting on a good face. >> the president believes we are making progress and as long as we are making progress, that is a very good sign on an issue we have been debating for 40 years. >> reporter: however, one key democratic senator acknowledges they can't go it alone. >> there are not the votes for democrats just to do this on our side of the aisle. >> reporter: but the republican support democrats need, they don't v. >> the only thin

because she didn't stand by alaska.as one of the possibilities to run against lisa murkowski for the senate and murkowski can now run ads repeating what she said in her statement that governor palin abandoned the citizens of alaska who gave her the privilege of serving as her governor. the political clan is thinking what could they about about because she is the most popular republican right now. reis more popular. you are thinking oh, sarah palin might be the ticket but sarah palin has taken away her platform as governor. that was giving her the opportunity to respond to critics by developing not only experience but demonstrating leadership. what is the answer? >> has to be money. after book deals. >> she already had a book deal. >> maybe she wants to give more speeches for more none any. i read that nbc right be talking to her about doing a show. if that is the case she just has stars in her eyes and it is all about her and the base that she wants to appeal to and has success with which is an evangelical and southern

but we begin tonight in wala, alaska, theometown of the soon to be form governor of alaska, sarah lin. saying tnks but nhanks to the rest of her term obviousl came as a hugesurprise to politil watchers across the country. toght, we have reaction om nbc's andr mitchell is repoing from wasilla. she's join us from theren just a moment. now, once palin formerlyteps downater thismonth, alaska's lieutenant governor sean par nel will oficially take over the state. he's expected be sworn in on ju 26. yesterday, rnell took his best stab at the queson many are asking now, why d she do it? soon to be vernor parnell says he thinks one of the reasons palin decided to step down is because the weight of the mounting legal fees she no faces. palin's legalls are now estimateto be more than $500,000,he result of 16 ethics challens filed agait her. 15 of which veeen dismissed and one that's ongoing. by the way, l of those complaint, except for one, have en filed by alaskans. sincher rignation announcement on friday, soono be not governor palin has been using her twitter account to upda her folwers on he