Washington (CNN) - Sarah Palin's spokeswoman Meg Stapleton, a close adviser to the former Alaska governor who developed a rocky relationship with other Republicans and members of the media, has resigned, two sources close to Palin confirmed Wednesday to CNN.
Stapleton, a spokesperson for the former governor since 2006, cited the need to spend more time with her husband and young daughter. In a statement first reported by Politico, Stapleton explained that serving Palin "has been an honor" but said it is time to "refocus my priorities."
But ever since Palin was suddenly elevated to the national stage in August 2008, Palin insiders, members of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign and other Republicans sympathetic to the former governor have grumbled privately about Stapleton's ability to handle the increasingly monumental task of advising Palin, a global political celebrity whose every word is dissected and analyzed by pundits, celebrity magazines and the blogosphere.
Members of the political press corps have also long been frustrated with Stapleton, who was the primary conduit between Palin and members of the media since the end of the 2008 presidential race, but rarely responded to phone calls or e-mails. When Stapleton did, they were often terse or combative.
She and Palin had previously spoken about resigning, but Stapleton informed SarahPAC staffers of her decision by e-mail last week.
"Earlier this week, I handed Governor Palin my resignation, effective the end of this month," the e-mail said. "While I had hoped to work together on so many more projects, time with my precious 2-year-old has been further minimized with the whirlwind commitments of all things Palin. I have done my best to scale back, but Isabella is now resorting to hiding my BlackBerry, and she shouldn't grow up begging for a mother to start acting like a mother."
There are no immediate plans to hire a replacement for Stapleton, a source close to the Palin family told CNN. The source noted that the family, which takes pride in their Alaskan identity, are comfortable speaking in their own voice.
UPDATE: Fred Malek, an influential GOP fundraiser and adviser to Palin, e-mailed to compliment Stapleton on her service.
"Any professional has to be judged by success, and by any measure, Team Palin has been an enormous success," Malek told CNN. "As Governor Palin's principle aide during this awesome rise, she has been a one woman band and deserves much credit and admiration."
From CNN Politics
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"Refocus", "Spend more time with my family". Isn't that what's always said when someone has had enough of their current activity and wants OUT?Who knows? I"ll give her credit for her perspicacity.{ Hanging in there for you Palin lovers.}
Isabella is now resorting to hiding my BlackBerry, and she shouldn't grow up begging for a mother to start acting like a mother."
Slince little Lizzy is about the same age as Trig, the "french loaf of bread" for Saint Sarah, I would say that is a distinct "slam", "bash", "hit" or the statement of fact about the parenting skills of her former boss.
Looking deep into my crystal ball, I see a book in the future of Ms. Stapleton that will to put it kindly, rip missy a new one!
Bailin' Palin needs to learn that now that she has money, she needs to give Meg a lame job and a high salary to keep her quiet, otherwise, that $100,000 a "trick" gravy train may come to an abrupt halt and silly Sarah will just be that.
The Clampetts speaking for themselves? Very bad career move in the life of these "celebrities".
Now its up to Sarah Palin to follow in her footsteps
She must have been tired of fielding all of those questions about Trigs birth certificate. Sarah should just make it public, maybe we can find out who the accountant is.( ya know the father). Bet Meg got tired translating retard to semi-english. What does Rush the retard think? Did she clear it with him first?
Wm F. Buckley must be rolling in his grave when he looks at whats passing for conservatism in 2010....
Figures that not a day would go by on CNN without a Palin story.
Hmm...quitting does seem like the M.O. for Palin and her surrounding minions.
We don't want you back in Alaska Meg!
Palin has become such a super-star that she needs a more experienced spokesperson. Stapleton did a fine job as spokeswoman for the Alaska Governor, but her new duties were too intense,
Another Palin aid wants to be with her family, can't wait for the book.
Who cares???? Dang you guys can't give up on Palin it's freaky and very biased. Can we have some REAL new stories, like unemployment, the jobs bill, the stimulus bill, Iran, Health care, KSM, DOJ, Czars, corruption in politics??????????/
SO and my shoe is not tied,about as news worthy.
Looks like quitting is contagious.
Rats leaving a sinking ship!
The real story behind Stapleton's resignation is that she has become a liability to Sarah Palin and was probabily forced to resign. The lame reason that Stapleton is leaving to spend more time with her family is a smoke screen. I think that Palin is a political liability in her own right and that no advisor, regardless of stellar ability, can sell her to the public. Palin is damaged goods regardless of who advises or markets her.
CNN just does not have enough news-this is not news.
Payload quits her job. Not at all surprising she has quitters in her fold!
Sarah Palin is a loser.
Let's see if Sarah gets any smarter now.
"Stapleton's ability to handle the increasingly monumental task of keeping palins foot of her mouth"
Dear CNN:
Palin is no longer in public office. News like this doesn't belong in the *political* ticker. I know Palin stories get a lot of hits, but how about some integrity? I came here to read NEWS.
Give me a break! I cannot believe anyone would defend Palins interviews or blunders when confronting the media. This woman has not been treated unfairly, she is her own worse enemy. She makes George Bush Jr. look like a professional speaker. I would just like to hear just once, someone in the crowd say " the empress has no clothes". {non that she has paid for}
Smart move!
Now if only Palin would shut up and go home to take care of HER baby, we'd ALL be happy!
......and the house of cards begins to crumble........
I think Stapleton finally figured out that any association with Palin, especially trying to be a translator for her, is a career killer.