CBS: Palin Resignation Source of ‘Frustration’ In Alaska and GOP

On Monday’s CBS Evening News, correspondent Terry McCarthy described reaction to Sarah Palin’s decision to resign as governor of Alaska: "After her bombshell announcement Friday, Sarah Palin has essentially vanished, to the frustration of some Alaskans...Even her allies in the Republican Party are perplexed."

The story featured a clip of one Alaskan resident declaring: "I don't think it's right for her just to disappear on us like that." Another clip featured former Bush communications director Dan Bartlett explaining: "She's left both supporters and detractors once again scratching their heads." McCarthy went on to remark: "And the normally effusive Rush Limbaugh, didn't know what to make of her."

McCarthy did manage to highlight speculation that Palin might have been the subject of a criminal investigation: "In fact, the only definitive statement we have about Sarah Palin is from the FBI, which says she is not the target of a criminal investigation, dismissing one theory of her sudden resignation. Palin has been targeted with 15 ethics complaints, which friends say have worn her down. 13 have been dismissed, but she says they cost the state some $2 million to investigate."

While concluding his report, McCarthy suggested Palin was hiding from critics: "On Sunday morning, she attacked her critics for spinning and feeding false information. And then several minutes later Tweeted she was going fishing in western Alaska. Alaska's a pretty big state and there are plenty of places to hide around here. When we asked her press secretary this morning when the Governor planned to come back, he said ‘I wish I knew.’" Anchor Katie Couric introduced the segment by exclaiming: "What is next for Sarah Palin?...For now, she's letting the pundits do the talking, apparently she's gone fishing."

Here is the full transcript of the story:

6:30PM TEASE:

KATIE COURIC: And Sarah Palin, what's behind her surprise resignation and what is she planning next?

6:40PM SEGMENT:

KATIE COURIC: Back home, it's become the hot topic on the political circuit. What is next for Sarah Palin? Now that she's quitting her job as governor of Alaska. For now, she's letting the pundits do the talking, apparently she's gone fishing. From Wasilla, Alaska, here's Terry McCarthy.

TERRY MCCARTHY: After her bombshell announcement Friday, Sarah Palin has essentially vanished, to the frustration of some Alaskans.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN [ALASKAN RESIDENT]: I don't think it's right for her just to disappear on us like that.

MCCARTHY: Even her allies in the Republican Party are perplexed.

DAN BARTLETT: She's left both supporters and detractors once again scratching their heads.

KARL ROVE: She marches to the beat of her own drummer and it’s going to be very interesting to see how she pulls this off.

MCCARTHY: And the normally effusive Rush Limbaugh, didn't know what to make of her.

RUSH LIMBAUGH: I'm not going to sit here and tell you I know for sure what this means, because I don't. Because I haven't heard her say – I haven’t heard anybody in her camp say what this is all about, why she's doing it.

MCCARTHY: In fact, the only definitive statement we have about Sarah Palin is from the FBI, which says she is not the target of a criminal investigation, dismissing one theory of her sudden resignation. Palin has been targeted with 15 ethics complaints, which friends say have worn her down. 13 have been dismissed, but she says they cost the state some $2 million to investigate.

PALIN: It's pretty insane. My staff and I spend most of our day – we're dealing with this.

MCCARTHY: In Palin's hometown of Wasilla, one-time supporter Lyda Green:

LYDA GREEN [FORMER PRESIDENT, ALASKA SENATE]: She and I were very much on the same page.

MCCARTHY: Says Palin likes to shoot from the hip.

GREEN: I've never seen her, or known her to take advice from others.

MCCARTHY: Since Friday, Palin has communicated with brief internet messages on Twitter and Facebook. On Sunday morning, she attacked her critics for spinning and feeding false information. And then several minutes later Tweeted she was going fishing in western Alaska. Alaska's a pretty big state and there are plenty of places to hide around here. When we asked her press secretary this morning when the Governor planned to come back, he said ‘I wish I knew.’ Katie.

COURIC: Terry McCarthy reporting from Wasilla, Alaska tonight.