Family Life

07.06.09 | FL News Team

Republican heavyweights are weighing in on Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's recent decision to resign about 18 months before her term expires. There is some speculation Palin could be preparing to run in the 2012 presidential election, while others believe she wants to get out of politics. Former Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee told "FOX News Sunday" resignation is a risky strategy for Palin if she does want to continue her career in politics. Huckabee said if Palin resigned to escape the feeling of being chased, that's not going to stop if she stays in politics. Alaska Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell will fill in for Palin. He said he believes the weight and taxpayer cost of ongoing ethics investigations were hindering her from doing her job.

Huckabee was also critical of Palin's decision to call for a news conference that ended up raising more questions than it answered. Huckabee said you don't call a press conference to create questions, you call one to resolve them. Karl Rove, a former advisor to the George W. Bush administration, said Palin's decision to resign has saved taxpayers' money by shutting down the ethics investigations.

Governor Palin announced her decision to resign at a press conference on Friday. She took no questions at the conference, and she gave no definitive reason for her resignation. She did state, however, that she felt politics had become a "superficial, wasteful bloodsport."