Changes

In September of 2008, Palin announced that her daughter Bristol was five months pregnant.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/09/01/us-usa-politics-palin-idUSN2944356420080901 Palin rebuts rumors, says daughter pregnant] Holland, Steve, September 1, 2008, reuters.com, retrieved August 20, 2011</ref> After having been given the choice, Bristol bravely chose to keep the child. Palin stated "We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents."<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-502163_162-4404184-502163.html Palin's Daughter Pregnant] Ververs, Vaughn, September 1, 2008, cbsnews.com</ref> Bristol has since gone on to promote abstinence as a realistic choice for teenagers, stating, "[A]bstinence is the only way you can effectively, 100% foolproof way you can prevent pregnancy."<ref>[http://www.lifenews.com/nat5025.html Sarah Palin’s Husband Todd, Daughter Bristol Promote Abstinence For Teenagers] Ertelt, Steven, May 6, 2009, lifenews.com</ref>

In September of 2008, Palin announced that her daughter Bristol was five months pregnant.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/09/01/us-usa-politics-palin-idUSN2944356420080901 Palin rebuts rumors, says daughter pregnant] Holland, Steve, September 1, 2008, reuters.com, retrieved August 20, 2011</ref> After having been given the choice, Bristol bravely chose to keep the child. Palin stated "We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents."<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-502163_162-4404184-502163.html Palin's Daughter Pregnant] Ververs, Vaughn, September 1, 2008, cbsnews.com</ref> Bristol has since gone on to promote abstinence as a realistic choice for teenagers, stating, "[A]bstinence is the only way you can effectively, 100% foolproof way you can prevent pregnancy."<ref>[http://www.lifenews.com/nat5025.html Sarah Palin’s Husband Todd, Daughter Bristol Promote Abstinence For Teenagers] Ertelt, Steven, May 6, 2009, lifenews.com</ref>

==Early political career==

==Early political career==

===Resignation===

===Resignation===

In July of 2009, Governor Palin held a national press conference to announce that she would resign her office effective July 26, 2009. She explained:

In July of 2009, Governor Palin held a national press conference to announce that she would resign her office effective July 26, 2009. She explained:

{{Cquote|My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.<ref>[http://www.gov.state.ak.us/exec-column.php Executive Column: Palin's resignation announcement]</ref>}}

{{Cquote|My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.<ref>[http://www.gov.state.ak.us/exec-column.php Executive Column: Palin's resignation announcement]</ref>}}

That decision was based on the Democrat strategy of filing frivolous court grievances against the governor, more than 13 since November 2008, costing Alaska taxpayers over $1 million. She would be triumphant in all those legal battles not losing once. The [[liberal]] criticism strategy shifted to call her a quitter over her decision not to complete her term of office and for pursuing media and financial opportunities.

That decision was based on the Democrat strategy of filing frivolous court grievances against the governor, more than 13 since November 2008, costing Alaska taxpayers over $1 million. She would be triumphant in all those legal battles not losing once. The [[liberal]] criticism strategy shifted to call her a quitter over her decision not to complete her term of office and for pursuing media and financial opportunities.

==Vice Presidential Candidate==

==Vice Presidential Candidate==

 

On August 29, 2008, Palin was announced to be the Vice Presidential nominee for Republican Senator John McCain.<ref>http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/sarah_palin_vp/2008/08/29/126138.html</ref> The selection was a surprise, as those in the media were expecting [[Minnesota]] Governor [[Tim Pawlenty]] or former [[Massachusetts]]'s Governor [[Mitt Romney]]. Palin adds youth and executive experience to the ticket. She is the second female Vice Presidential candidate of a major party in U.S. history and the first one on a Republican ticket. The first was [[Geraldine Ferraro]], who the Democratic Party put on the ticket under [[Walter Mondale]] in 1984.

On August 29, 2008, Palin was announced to be the Vice Presidential nominee for Republican Senator John McCain.<ref>http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/sarah_palin_vp/2008/08/29/126138.html</ref> The selection was a surprise, as those in the media were expecting [[Minnesota]] Governor [[Tim Pawlenty]] or former [[Massachusetts]]'s Governor [[Mitt Romney]]. Palin adds youth and executive experience to the ticket. She is the second female Vice Presidential candidate of a major party in U.S. history and the first one on a Republican ticket. The first was [[Geraldine Ferraro]], who the Democratic Party put on the ticket under [[Walter Mondale]] in 1984.