Sarah Palin’s marriage has been in trouble from the beginning, says Levi Johnston, the father of their grandson Tripp and ex-fiance of daughter Bristol. What’s more Levi told RadarOnline.com in an exclusive video interview that he believes marital problems were behind Palin’s decision to resign as governor of Alaska. When we asked if the couple had marital problems, Levi responded: “Oh yeah. There have been from day one.” RadarOnline.com then asked if Levi thought marital problems were the reason she stepped down from political office. Levi answered, “Oh yeah I do.” He didn’t stop there. He also told RadarOnline.com that he thinks Palin will be chasing an even bigger paycheck now that she’s out of public office and on the speaker circuit. “She took the money,” he said. “That’s what she’s talked about, that’s what I’m gathering and I think that’s what she’s doing.” He did add that he did not believe cheating was a factor in Sarah and Todd’s marriage.

While I contend that a 19 year old kid isn’t really the best source for this kind of information, it should be noted that Levi Johnston lived in the Palin home for many months last year and was privy to personal interactions that no one outside the family was privy to. Does the kid look like a famewhore? Yes. Does that mean that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about? No. My personal belief is that he is using true facts that he knows first hand in the hopes that he can parlay that information into a name for himself … Ricky Hollywood, I believe is what he’s going for. I’ve always been of the mind that Where there’s smoke, There’s fire. I don’t expect this is the last we’ve heard from Ricky, er, Levi Johnston … not by a longshot.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

AlaskaReport has learned this morning that Todd Palin and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin are to divorce. Multiple sources in Wasilla and Anchorage have confirmed the news. A National Enquirer story exposing previous affairs on both sides led to a deterioration of their marriage and the stress from that led to Palin’s resignation as governor of Alaska. The Palins were noticeably not speaking to each other at last Sunday’s resignation speech in Fairbanks. Sarah ditched Todd right after the speech and left without him. Sarah removed her wedding ring a couple of weeks ago. Sarah has recently purchased land in Montana and is considering moving the family there. Sarah Palin is originally from Idaho. Todd Palin told Fox News last week that he was heading back to his job in the oil fields of Alaska, yet Sarah recently signed a book deal reportedly worth $11 million. Breaking story, we’ll post more when we get it….

Editor’s note: AlaskaReport was the first website to report that Sarah Palin was running for governor of Alaska and the first website to report that Sarah was picked as John McCain’s VP candidate.

Click HERE to read the MSNBC report on how Sarah ditched Todd after her speech last weekend. Wowzers!! It’s amazing how those who purport to be in the “moral majority” are the ones with the most “immoral” sins hiding in the closet. First it was unplanned teenage pregnancy and now divorce … I mean, these sins alone make the Palins sound like human beings and not the flawless bastions of Christian perfection they like to claim they are. At this point, I’m not sure if I totally believe this divorce report but, really, would it be all that shocking if it turns out to be true?

UPDATE: A spokesperson for Sarah Palin has posted an official statement on her official Facebook page to deny this report of the Palin divorce:

Yet again, some so-called journalists have decided to make up a story. There is no truth to the recent “story” (and story is the correct term for this type of fiction) that the Palins are divorcing. The Palins remain married, committed to each other and their family, and have not purchased land in Montana (last week it was reported to be Long Island). Less than one week ago, Governor Palin asked the media to “quit making things up.” We appreciate that the more professional journalists decided to question this story before repeating it.

HMMM … I dunno … where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire … especially when it comes to politicians. I’m very curious to see where these allegations go from here. I bet it would make for a great BOOK deal ;)

[Source, Source]

Sarah Palin stepped down Sunday as Alaska governor to write a book and build a right-of-center coalition, but she left her long-term political plans unclear and refused to address speculation she would seek a 2012 presidential bid. In a fiery campaign-style speech, Palin said she was stepping down to take her political battles to a larger if unspecified stage and avoid an unproductive, lame duck status. ”With this decision, now, I will be able to fight even harder for you, for what is right, and for truth. And I have never felt that you need a title to do that,” Palin said to raucous applause from about 5,000 people gathered at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks. Her first order of business as a private citizen is to speak Aug. 8 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. She also wants to campaign for political candidates from coast to coast, and continue to speak her mind on the social networking site Twitter, one of her favorite venues to reach out to supporters. Free speech was a theme of her farewell speech at a crowded picnic in Fairbanks, as the 45-year-old outgoing governor scolded ‘’some seemingly hell-bent on tearing down our nation” and warned Americans to ”be wary of accepting government largesse. It doesn’t come free.” She also took aim at the media, saying her replacement, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, ”has a very nice family too, so leave his kids alone!” And she told the media: ”How about, in honor of the American soldier, you quit makin’ things up?” She didn’t elaborate, but Palin said when she announced her resignation July 3 that she was tired of the media focus on her family and felt she had been unfairly treated by reporters and bloggers. Later Sunday, Palin posted her final message on her official Alaska account on the social networking site Twitter. ”Thank you Alaska!” she wrote. ”I love you. God bless Alaska. God bless the U.S.A.” Friend and foe alike have speculated that Palin may host a radio or TV show, launch a lucrative speaking career or seek higher office in Washington. Palin hasn’t ruled out any of those options, and her political action committee, SarahPAC, has raised more than $1 million, said Meghan Stapleton, a spokeswoman for the committee and the Palin family. Stapleton said Palin, of Wasilla, is still deciding what her future will be. ”I cannot express enough there is no plan after July 26. There is absolutely no plan,” she told The Associated Press. Palin’s surprise announcement she was stepping down 17 months before the end of her first term pushed her favorability rating down to 40 percent, according to a Washington Post-ABC poll. Fifty-three percent of those polled gave her an unfavorable rating. Last summer, almost six in 10 Americans viewed her favorably. The latest poll was taken July 15-18. Nearly 20 ethics complaints had been filed against Palin, and the outgoing governor cited the resulting investigation’s financial toll — both on her and the state — for stepping down. An independent investigator looking into the complaints found evidence she may have violated ethics laws by trading on her position as she sought money for lawyer fees, according to a report obtained recently by the AP. Parnell, 46, of Anchorage, was sworn in Sunday as the state’s new governor.

I cannot, for the life of me, get over the fact that by quitting, Palin thinks that she is doing right by the people she was elected to serve. That there are supporters out there who champion her decision to quit is even more insane. Governance is no easy task … it never has been … that is why we need leaders who can stand the test of time and work as diligently as possible to fulfill their responsibilities for the good of the office they have been entrusted with. It’s beyond me that anyone can put any sort of faith in a person who is plainly incapable of doing the job they were elected to do … it’s not even that she can’t do the job, it’s that she made the conscious decision NOT to do the job. One of the first things we learn as children is that quitters never prosper … and yet, this seemingly able-bodied politician decides not only to quit her post but do to so in exchange for the ability to earn millions writing a book which will benefit no one but herself — and still her supporters cheer her on?!? Sadly, I fear this is not the last we’ve heard of Sarah Palin but from here on out she will always have the title of Quitter attached to her name. Hopefully the smarter kids who remember their lessons from kindergarten will win out in the end and help keep Sarah Palin regulated to the loser section.

[Source]

The former fiance of Gov. Sarah Palin’s 18-year-old daughter says he thinks he knows why the Alaska governor is resigning – concerns over money. Levi Johnston, 19, whose wedding to Bristol Palin was called off earlier this year, says he believes the governor is resigning over personal finances. Johnston says he lived with the Palin family from early December to the second week in January. He claims he heard the governor several times say how nice it would be to take advantage of the lucrative deals that were being offered, including a reality show and a book. “I think the big deal was the book. That was millions of dollars,” said Johnston, who has had a strained relationship with the family but now says things have improved. Palin has a book deal, but compensation details haven’t been disclosed. The governor has said she is facing more than $500,000 in legal fees. “It is interesting to learn Levi is working on a piece of fiction while honing his acting skills,” Palin family spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Johnston made his comments at a news conference Thursday at the office of his attorney, Rex Butler. Johnston came forward, Butler said, because Alaskans want to know why Palin has decided to resign. She made the announcement last Friday. Johnston also is pursuing his own book deal. He is working as a carpenter while also pursuing a movie deal.

Now, not that Levi Johnston is a bastion of truthful knowledge but his assertion that the Palins are after the big bucks does make sense. He lived with the family for quite some time while Bristol was pregs, so I absolutely believe that he was privy to this sort of family information. I think it makes sense that Sarah Palin would quit her responsibilities to the people of Alaska in order to ghost write a book that would make her millions. Depending on your feelings on Sarah Palin, you may or may not believe this assertion by Levi … to me, it makes sense and is very plausible. What do y’all think?

[Source]

Gov. Sarah Palin will resign her office in a few weeks, she said during a news conference at her Wasilla home Friday morning. Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the Governor’s Picnic at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks the weekend of July 25, Palin said. There was no immediate word as to why she will resign, though speculation has been rampant that the former vice presidential candidate is gearing up for a run at the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Palin made the announcement flanked by Parnell and most, if not all, of her cabinet. Parnell ran unsuccessfully against Rep. Don Young in the Republican primary last year. The stunning announcement by Palin opens the floodgates for the 2010 gubernatorial race. Speculation that Palin might not seek re-election had fueled further conjecture of who might run.

I think it’s no surprise that this news makes me exceedingly happy … I say, good riddance. But, I’m not really counting on never having to hear from Sarah Palin ever again. She’ll prolly end up on Fox News or some equally evil place spewing her You Betcha nonsense for many years to come. But, as I said, at least the beautiful State of Alaska doesn’t have to deal with being saddled with her any longer. Happy Independence Day, Alaska! You really deserve this :)

[Source]

Tina Fey’s hilarious turn as Sarah Palin put Saturday Night Live on the electoral map like nothing else in recent memory — viewership is up nearly 70 percent this season. But will Fey continue to moonlight as the gorgeous governor, who could be a parody-worthy public figure for years to come? “I have to retire just because I have to do my day job,” reveals the creator and star of NBC’s 30 Rock (which experienced a 20 percent ratings uptick for its Oct. 30 season premiere). “I think [Kristen] Wiig would do a really good job.” As for whether there’ll be an official Palin torch passing, she says, “Maybe we could get a real torch. Or I could give Wiig the Palin wig.”

While saddened by this news (I would *love* to see just one more SNL skit of Tina’s Palin reacting to the election outcome this week) I can absolutely understand Tina’s position. It prolly ate at her soul a bit every time she put that wig and those glasses on. And, to be honest, I’m really looking forward to not having to deal with anything Palin-related for a very long time or, you know, FOREVER. No offense to the fine folks in Alaska but, y’all can have that entire family. Please keep them up there … or sell them to the Russians, whatevs ;) Tina Fey is a genius … much love, props and kudos to her for giving us such comedic gold during this presidential campaign. I’d deffo vote Fey for VP once Obama completes his two terms in office. Wouldn’t a Hillary Clinton/Tina Fey 2016 campaign be awesome?!

[Source]

A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state’s public safety commissioner. The investigative report concludes that a family grudge wasn’t the sole reason for firing Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan but says it likely was a contributing factor. The Republican vice presidential nominee has been accused of firing a commissioner to settle a family dispute. Palin supporters have called the investigation politically motivated. Monegan says he was dismissed as retribution for resisting pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with the governor’s sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.

This is finding is absolutely appalling! I cannot, for the life of me, understand how a person who was under investigation for unlawful acts could be elevated to the position of Vice Presidential nominee … especially in light of these findings. It remains to be seen what, if any, punishment will be handed down to Governor Palin for these unlawful acts but I’m just *aghast* that we are learning this information about her just weeks before voters will determine if she is fit to serve as Vice President of this country. I’m sure the denials will be coming fast and furious from her camp in the coming hours/days but if this doesn’t serve as a HUGE WAKE-UP call then I don’t know what else could. Is this really the kind of leadership we need in this country?

On the other hand, I would like to publicly commend Senator John McCain for showing respect to Senator Barack Obama earlier today when members of a McCain rally were heard shouting, in my opinion, racist epithets about Obama. After members of various McCain rallies this week referred to Obama as an “Arab”, a “traitor” and a “terrorist”, McCain very angrily rebutted against those hateful exclamations and begged his followers to show respect for Senator Obama:

The anger is getting raw at Republican rallies and John McCain is acting to tamp it down. McCain was booed by his own supporters Friday when, in an abrupt switch from raising questions about Barack Obama’s character, he described the Democrat as a “decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States.” A sense of grievance spilling into rage has gripped some GOP events this week as McCain supporters see his presidential campaign lag against Obama. Some in the audience are making it personal, against the Democrat. Shouts of “traitor,” “terrorist,” “treason,” “liar,” and even “off with his head” have rung from the crowd at McCain and Sarah Palin rallies, and gone unchallenged by them. McCain changed his tone Friday when supporters at a town hall pressed him to be rougher on Obama. A voter said, “The people here in Minnesota want to see a real fight.” Another said Obama would lead the U.S. into socialism. Another said he did not want his unborn child raised in a country led by Obama. “If you want a fight, we will fight,” McCain said. “But we will be respectful. I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments.” When people booed, he cut them off. “I don’t mean that has to reduce your ferocity,” he said. “I just mean to say you have to be respectful” … On Friday, McCain rejected [the racism being espoused from a member of his Town Hall Meeting rally]. “I don’t trust Obama,” a woman said. “I have read about him. He’s an Arab.” McCain shook his head in disagreement, and said: “No, ma’am. He’s a decent, family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with (him) on fundamental issues and that’s what this campaign is all about.” He had drawn boos with his comment: “I have to tell you, he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States.”

I absolutely applaud and respect Senator John McCain for not allowing this kind of hateful ire to be thrown around during this campaign (at last). While I believe that, at times, his campaign stokes the fires of this hateful response from his followers, I commend him for being the bigger man and finally publicly chiding that hate-speech coming from his own followers. After the jump, watch video of McCain refuting the hateful, racist things that his campaign supporters are espousing about Barack Obama …

Lynne Spears says the public had a “totally different reaction” to the teen pregnancies of her daughter Jamie Lynn and Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol. “It’s as if [Sarah Palin] became celebrated,” Lynne told Newsweek. “I mean, the mother, Palin, was celebrated for this. Every woman in the world has applauded her strength and her convictions and poor little old Jamie Lynn, you saw how she was crucified – everybody did, firsthand,” Lynne said. “I just feel like it’s been a very hypocritical situation.” In December, Jamie Lynn, the star of Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101 was 16 when she announced her pregnancy. She gave birth to daughter Maddie in June at the age of 17. In August, Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, revealed that her 17-year-old daughter is expecting and engaged. “Do I promote teen sex? Of course not,” Lynne told Newsweek. “Do I promote teen pregnancy? Needless to say, of course not. But when it happens, you deal with it and you do the best you can do. Jamie Lynn has done beautifully with what she’s done,” Lynne said. “Could every other teenager do what Jamie Lynn has done?” asked Lynne. “No indeed.” Lynne also rebutted criticism that Jamie Lynn glamorized teen pregnancy. “We don’t want this said, ’cause this would be glamorizing, but I will tell you a secret: her baby does sleep all night,” Lynne explained. “What do you think about those apples? Maddie is the best baby I have ever seen,” Lynne added. “She is like a little angel. She’s so contented. She laughs and she coos and ahead of herself with her stages. But of course we can’t tell that because then we would just glamorize it more.” Lynne, the author of a tell-all memoir titled Through the Storm, told Newsweek that she “really can’t give advice” to the Palin family. “Everybody’s situation is different,” she said. “I would never tell anybody else what to do with their child. I would never attempt to make them think I knew more about their child. Even if they were to ask, I would tell them dig deep, what do you think?”

You know, I noticed this same sort of thing myself … while I don’t consider both situations absolutely identical, I can absolutely sympathize with Lynne’s contention that her family was treated more unfairly. I, personally, was very surprised at how applauded the Palin family was by their own conservative political party. It has been my estimation that social conservatives are the ones to start throwing stones first whenever a public figure suffers a very public human fault like this … and yet the Palins were celebrated for their “strength”. The Spears family, tho, were vilified and horribly criticized in comparison. I see her point and I think she has a valid one. Do y’all think that there was a disparity in fair treatment between the similar family situations? If so, is it justified?

[Source, Source]

Senator John McCain chose Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate on Friday, shaking up the political world with a surprise pick at a time when his campaign has been trying to attract women, especially disaffected supporters of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. In choosing Ms. Palin — a 44-year-old conservative Christian and self-described “hockey mom” who has been governor for less than two years — the McCain campaign reached far outside the Beltway in an election where the Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama, is running on a platform of change. The pick, confirmed by Republicans familiar with the decision, amounted to a roll of the dice, a gamble that an infusion of new leadership — and the novelty of the Republican party’s first female candidate for vice president — would more than compensate for the risk that Ms. Palin could undercut one of the McCain campaign’s central arguments, their claim that Mr. Obama is too inexperienced to be president. But Ms. Palin ran as a change agent when she was elected as governor of Alaska in 2006, and in a move that might have appealed to Mr. McCain, she took political heat from members of her own party for turning the spotlight on the failures of Alaska Republicans, some of whom had been beset by corruption scandals. She opposes abortion rights, which could help pacify social conservatives who were wary as rumors swirled that Mr. McCain might pick a running mate who supports them. But she differs with Mr. McCain on a controversial environment issue that centers on her home state: she supports drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve. Mr. McCain’s opposition to drilling — even after he changed positions and began advocating for off-shore oil drilling — has upset many Republicans. The choice of Ms. Palin was a closely guarded secret, and she flew under the political radar for months as Mr. McCain conducted his search for a running mate. Much of the public discussion in recent days had focused on Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and Mr. McCain’s one-time rival for the Republican nomination; Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota; Tom Ridge, the former Homeland Security secretary, and Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut, the Democrat-turned-independent who was Al Gore’s running mate in 2000.

I gotta say, this choice was well-played by McCain. It’s a risky move, especially considering that he and she don’t have much in common. I was sure that McCain was going to pick either the turncoat Joseph Lieberman or the extremely scary Mitt Romney. I guess McCain felt that he needed to choose a running mate with a gimmick to try and bolster support for his campaign — a Pro-Life soccer mom who supports oil drilling in Alaska (one of our nation’s most valued natural resources), who won her governorship (an office she has held for LESS than 2 years) by denouncing her fellow Republicans (who, in her defense, were corrupt), was nicknamed “Sarah Barracuda” in high school and was first runner-up in the Miss Alaska Beauty Pageant back in 1984, when Geraldine Ferraro was the Vice Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. Yeah, good luck with that :) This race for the White House just got a wee bit more interesting.

[Source]