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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What a lie about a 2 year old hiding a blackberry. Watch out everyone. Another book is on the way. Good luck Meg.
Well, I take great pride in my 'New Jerseyan' identity, and I will be glad to hear Ms. Palin speak without all those nasty media filters like 'spokespersons' and 'handlers.' Let's hear it Real and Honest, straight from the Alaskan "pit-bull-you-betcha-hockey-mom."
I'm betting 'Real Palin' is as crazy as we'll ever see on the American political landscape.
It must hace been tough advising a moron.
she only has one child....i would like to say that i do not care for palin but this woman really worked her butt off. good luck to you in your future endeavors
Top Aid? What was her job, assistant book signer?
I guess Meg could keep a straight face for only so long!~ I smell a tell-all in the making!~
I wish that Palin woman would disappear or fade away also. She is a nuisance!!! I always have bad vibes when I see her. She is just for her selfish self and she is so annoying. Can't they get rid of her????
Smart to leave that sinking ship!!!
"Refocus my priorities" can be seen as leaving a sinking ship that is growing more and more unbalance and unfocused. I guess this aide would like to work with people that know something. Palin has shown that she doesn't.
Before long, even the hardcore wingnuts, will finally wake up and run far away from this retarded idiot too.
So Meg, you finally saw the ugly truth about Sarah-welcome back to the real world
Well, at least someone can read the writing on the wall.
Lead by example sarah, quit.
Work must be real slow in the Palin Camp. Sarah Palin needs all the help she can get. Remember the GOP was saying when John McCain announce her as his running mate . The GOP was saying that she has more experience than President Obama . What's next Todd is going to resign as her husband.
Probably realized that she really is as stupid as the majority of the world thinks she is.
Now–now at last Sarah will make sense. If she would just fire everyone around her she would become Queen.
Who cares!
sounds like the blind was leading the blind -
bet she wasn't getting free health care like the palins do.
Stapleton, like Palin, was never qualified for the job she held.
2 peas in a pod – They deserve each other.
Sounds like Stapleton is getting ready for a juicy tell all book deal... get that money!
Why does an unemployed former governor need a spokesperson?
I guess she found out it is indeed impossible to make a silk purse from a sow's ear. Oink Oink? You betcha!!
Hire Joe the Plumber! or Todd the Meddler!
"When Stapleton did, they were often terse or combative" Palin trained her well. This is typical of republicans. Just hate each other and the rest.
Palin you are the reason I didnt vote for old man McCain. Thank you.