Good-Bye, Meg Stapleton

Posted on | February 24, 2010 | 46 Comments

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s senior adviser and spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, has resigned, POLITICO has learned.
Stapleton has been a Palin confidante since December 2006 and one of the governor’s most trusted aides since she was vaulted onto the national political scene by being picked as GOP presidential nominee John McCain’s running mate.
Stapleton said she resigned to spend more time with her husband and 2-year-old daughter, Isabella. . . .
Since the end of the presidential campaign, Stapleton has been one of only a handful of aides and trusted contacts maintained by Palin . . .
In that time, Stapleton was a key strategic adviser and the pipeline for anyone seeking Palin’s attention, including Republican officials and reporters.

“Pipeline,” my ass. Stapleton was a 12-foot-high brick wall topped with double rows of concertina wire. It’s this way with nearly all politicians of presidential caliber. There will generally be one staffer — usually the chief of staff or campaign manager — who monopolizes access to the candidate, so that no one can gain access without that person’s permission. And trust me, Stapleton went out of her way to ensure that I never got direct access to Palin.

Think of the invitations that Palin turned down — CPAC two consecutive years and the 9/12 March On D.C. — and now think about the invitations that Palin accepted.

Great “strategic adviser,” that Meg Stapleton . . .

UPDATE: Doug Brady at Conservatives for Palin:

All of us at C4P thank Meg for the dedication and hard work she has done on Governor Palin’s behalf.

Thanks for the politically tone-deaf incompetence, too, Meg!

The Washington Post on Palin’s “inner circle.”

Category: Sarah Palin

Comments

46 Responses to “Good-Bye, Meg Stapleton”

chuck cross
February 25th, 2010 @ 3:31 am

Tell us how you really feel, Stacy!
chuck cross
February 24th, 2010 @ 10:31 pm

Tell us how you really feel, Stacy!
CPAC 2010: Bloggerazzi Photopalooza! : The Other McCain
February 24th, 2010 @ 10:33 pm

[…] […]
Robert Stacy McCain
February 25th, 2010 @ 3:41 am

chuck cross
February 24th, 2010 @ 10 31 edit
Tell us how you really feel, Stacy!

Seriously, Chuck: Palin was told by Stapleton and others that she should skip CPAC because it was a gathering of “DC insiders,” which it sure as hell is not. To cite one obvious fact, about half the attendees are college students from across the country.

Palin could have had any speaking spot she wanted at CPAC last year and turned it down because she trusted her idiot “strategic adviser.”

I greatly fear the next GOP nominee will be Jeb Bush, and he’ll owe it all to Palin’s “trusted confidante” Meg Stapleton.
Robert Stacy McCain
February 24th, 2010 @ 10:41 pm

chuck cross
February 24th, 2010 @ 10 31 edit
Tell us how you really feel, Stacy!

Seriously, Chuck: Palin was told by Stapleton and others that she should skip CPAC because it was a gathering of “DC insiders,” which it sure as hell is not. To cite one obvious fact, about half the attendees are college students from across the country.

Palin could have had any speaking spot she wanted at CPAC last year and turned it down because she trusted her idiot “strategic adviser.”

I greatly fear the next GOP nominee will be Jeb Bush, and he’ll owe it all to Palin’s “trusted confidante” Meg Stapleton.
uberVU - social comments
February 24th, 2010 @ 10:48 pm

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by rsmccain: @CPACNews @PalinTwibe @LisaGraas Good-Bye, Meg Stapleton http://bit.ly/drICOe and GOOD RIDDANCE! #sgp PLZ ReTweet…
chuck cross
February 25th, 2010 @ 3:50 am

Oh good grief. The 2012 primary is going to be like a steel cage match filled with ‘roided up rhesus monkeys. First candidate to give Romney a noogey and mess up his hair on national TV gets a $2,400 check from me.

There seems to be a lot of lamenting out on the internet tubes by party big shots. I, for one, had a terrific time. If it is once again another scrum of all flavors of conservatism in 2011, I will attend again.

Great meeting you, sir!
chuck cross
February 24th, 2010 @ 10:50 pm

Oh good grief. The 2012 primary is going to be like a steel cage match filled with ‘roided up rhesus monkeys. First candidate to give Romney a noogey and mess up his hair on national TV gets a $2,400 check from me.

There seems to be a lot of lamenting out on the internet tubes by party big shots. I, for one, had a terrific time. If it is once again another scrum of all flavors of conservatism in 2011, I will attend again.

Great meeting you, sir!
Tom Petty – It’s good to be a king Instrumental (rhythm guitar, drum and bass) 9.6.2009 : World online computer review
February 24th, 2010 @ 10:54 pm

[…] Good-Bye, Meg Stapleton : The Other McCain […]
Brian Paasch
February 25th, 2010 @ 4:14 am

“CPAC two conservative ”
conservative? or “consecutive”?
Brian Paasch
February 24th, 2010 @ 11:14 pm

“CPAC two conservative ”
conservative? or “consecutive”?
Sarah Palin’s got a job opening? -Updated with a promise I’ll probably regret. « The TrogloPundit
February 24th, 2010 @ 11:30 pm

[…] UPDATE – I get the job, and Stacy McCain gets TrogloPhone access to Palin. […]
Lena
February 25th, 2010 @ 9:25 am

Oh, how horrible that you never got direct access to Palin. As if you were the only one who wanted it. Get over yourself.
Lena
February 25th, 2010 @ 4:25 am

Oh, how horrible that you never got direct access to Palin. As if you were the only one who wanted it. Get over yourself.
Lena
February 25th, 2010 @ 9:26 am

Meg’s awesome. Sarah loved her and I’m sure still does. I’ve read the emails where Sarah talked about Meg. If a reporter gave Meg flak, Sarah hated it.
Lena
February 25th, 2010 @ 4:26 am

Meg’s awesome. Sarah loved her and I’m sure still does. I’ve read the emails where Sarah talked about Meg. If a reporter gave Meg flak, Sarah hated it.
Guest
February 25th, 2010 @ 11:12 am

CPAC

Grover Norquist’s The Politics of Walletism.

Open Borders and Trade w/Dictators because the personal profit-margin is greater.

Not to mention CPAC’s 9/11 Truthers for the Insane.

All wrapped up in Howard Beale appeal.
Guest
February 25th, 2010 @ 6:12 am

CPAC

Grover Norquist’s The Politics of Walletism.

Open Borders and Trade w/Dictators because the personal profit-margin is greater.

Not to mention CPAC’s 9/11 Truthers for the Insane.

All wrapped up in Howard Beale appeal.
Guest
February 25th, 2010 @ 11:17 am

Further; for an organization which is suppose to advance Conservatism through political activism CPAC has don’t a lousy job of advancing the cause.

Reagan would be is ashamed of the duplicitous distortions.

The only thing CPAC advanced is the John Birch Society
Guest
February 25th, 2010 @ 6:17 am

Further; for an organization which is suppose to advance Conservatism through political activism CPAC has don’t a lousy job of advancing the cause.

Reagan would be is ashamed of the duplicitous distortions.

The only thing CPAC advanced is the John Birch Society
Scott
February 25th, 2010 @ 12:35 pm

Of course Meg is responsible for Palin missing CPAC. Meg singlehandedly convinced Keene to attack Palin as “rock star”, not ready, “harder to envision,” and so on. Go, Meg. And Meg talked Meg into trying to shake down Fedex for a couple of million. Oh yeah, that was Meg.

Interesting: the Republicans who are criticizing Palin for missing CPAC are the same ones that were “concerned” about her participation in the Tea Party in Nashville. Coincidence? Oh yeah, I’m sure.

The most interesting thing about CPAC was Glenn Beck, who has twisted Republican panties across the nation.
Scott
February 25th, 2010 @ 7:35 am

Of course Meg is responsible for Palin missing CPAC. Meg singlehandedly convinced Keene to attack Palin as “rock star”, not ready, “harder to envision,” and so on. Go, Meg. And Meg talked Meg into trying to shake down Fedex for a couple of million. Oh yeah, that was Meg.

Interesting: the Republicans who are criticizing Palin for missing CPAC are the same ones that were “concerned” about her participation in the Tea Party in Nashville. Coincidence? Oh yeah, I’m sure.

The most interesting thing about CPAC was Glenn Beck, who has twisted Republican panties across the nation.
Scott
February 25th, 2010 @ 12:36 pm

“And Meg talked Keene into trying to shake down….”

Damn keyboard.

“I voted for the Chick.”
Scott
February 25th, 2010 @ 7:36 am

“And Meg talked Keene into trying to shake down….”

Damn keyboard.

“I voted for the Chick.”
Robert Stacy McCain
February 25th, 2010 @ 1:19 pm

Interesting: the Republicans who are criticizing Palin for missing CPAC are the same ones that were “concerned” about her participation in the Tea Party in Nashville. Coincidence? Oh yeah, I’m sure.

What was attendance in Nashville? It sure as hell wasn’t 10,000.

And trying to conflate CPAC and David Keene — as if they were identical and coterminous — is an excellent way to distract from the tactical blunder of Palin twice dissing the biggest conference of conservatives on the planet.

While we’re at it, why wasn’t Palin at the 9/12 march? Why has she never attended a single Tea Party rally anywhere? Why wasn’t she in Massachusetts campaigning for Scott Brown? Why didn’t she stand up to defend Marco Rubio when the NRSC backed Crist?

These were all what are called “leadership opportunities” and — with the brilliant advice of Meg Stapleton — Palin missed all of them.
Robert Stacy McCain
February 25th, 2010 @ 8:19 am

Interesting: the Republicans who are criticizing Palin for missing CPAC are the same ones that were “concerned” about her participation in the Tea Party in Nashville. Coincidence? Oh yeah, I’m sure.

What was attendance in Nashville? It sure as hell wasn’t 10,000.

And trying to conflate CPAC and David Keene — as if they were identical and coterminous — is an excellent way to distract from the tactical blunder of Palin twice dissing the biggest conference of conservatives on the planet.

While we’re at it, why wasn’t Palin at the 9/12 march? Why has she never attended a single Tea Party rally anywhere? Why wasn’t she in Massachusetts campaigning for Scott Brown? Why didn’t she stand up to defend Marco Rubio when the NRSC backed Crist?

These were all what are called “leadership opportunities” and — with the brilliant advice of Meg Stapleton — Palin missed all of them.
Kentucky Colonel
February 25th, 2010 @ 2:01 pm

RSM, you’re good. You somehow know exactly what advice Stapleton gave to Palin. Give us a break. You and the rest continue to place Palin in a box that she simply won’t fit. What you, Erickson, and Riehl try to do with Palin reminds me of when I try to get my Cairn Terrier into her travel carrier. She spreads her legs out and makes herself three times bigger than the opening. She refuses to be shoehorned into somewhere she doesn’t want.

Palin didn’t attend the TPC over CPAC because she expected to reach more people, even though as it worked out, millions heard her. She went to the TPC because that’s where she wanted to go. And as far as I know, it never was an “either or” decision. She chose not to attend CPAC. Big Deal, and I doubt that the decision was based purely on the counsel of just Stapleton.

The CPACers need to get over themselves, just as you and the rest of the whiners need to get over yourselves just because Palin doesn’t march to the beat of your drum.
Kentucky Colonel
February 25th, 2010 @ 9:01 am

RSM, you’re good. You somehow know exactly what advice Stapleton gave to Palin. Give us a break. You and the rest continue to place Palin in a box that she simply won’t fit. What you, Erickson, and Riehl try to do with Palin reminds me of when I try to get my Cairn Terrier into her travel carrier. She spreads her legs out and makes herself three times bigger than the opening. She refuses to be shoehorned into somewhere she doesn’t want.

Palin didn’t attend the TPC over CPAC because she expected to reach more people, even though as it worked out, millions heard her. She went to the TPC because that’s where she wanted to go. And as far as I know, it never was an “either or” decision. She chose not to attend CPAC. Big Deal, and I doubt that the decision was based purely on the counsel of just Stapleton.

The CPACers need to get over themselves, just as you and the rest of the whiners need to get over yourselves just because Palin doesn’t march to the beat of your drum.
Kentucky Colonel
February 25th, 2010 @ 2:10 pm

Interesting post over at C4P just now. It’s as if it was written for you RSM.

http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2010/02/advice-to-sarah-palin-from-know-it-alls.html
Kentucky Colonel
February 25th, 2010 @ 9:10 am

Interesting post over at C4P just now. It’s as if it was written for you RSM.

http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2010/02/advice-to-sarah-palin-from-know-it-alls.html
Scott
February 25th, 2010 @ 2:16 pm

“Why wasn’t she in Massachusetts campaigning for Scott Brown? Why didn’t she stand up to defend Marco Rubio when the NRSC backed Crist?

These were all what are called “leadership opportunities” and — with the brilliant advice of Meg Stapleton — Palin missed all of them.”

Maybe. Or perhaps Palin realizes that she is still a polarizing figure and asks candidates if they want her endorsement. It’s not a stretch to believe that Brown, or even Rubio, opted out of a Palin endorsement, considering the makeup of their states. If jumping into the fray without discussing with the candidate can cause problems, perhaps discretion is the better part of leadership.

No one is talking, so obviously, I don’t know any more than anyone else. I would still bet a small sum with reasonable odds that such discussions take place. To not discuss with the candidates would be a massive mistake far beyond the mistakes of Meg Stapleton.

Both Stapleton and Palin made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes. But to the extent that Meg Stapleton managed the Palin brand, it’s difficult to see that she caused much damage in spite of relentless attacks, both in the media and from Republican Party hacks.

On conflation, David Keene was the face of CPAC BEFORE the event. Perhaps less now, but when his comments could be used to attack Palin, he was CPAC.

On blunders: Consider which event got the most national attention AFTER the event? The media was still talking about the tea party convention and Sarah Palin for about a week or two after the event. The only people still talking about CPAC are Republicans that are mad at Glenn Beck. Measuring impact is a guess, but I think Palin’s impact on the nation extended far beyond the the audience in Nashville. To what extent does that apply to CPAC?

I’m not anti-CPAC and I believe that CPAC has value overall, but I think the organizers, Keene or otherwise, made tactical blunders at least on the scale of Stapleton. Keene’s early attacks on Palin were not the smartest move. IMHO. And no, I wasn’t there. I’m just guessing based on the national discussion after the event.

And how do you make that gray box in these comments? Is that a feature reserved to you guys, or can anyone do it?
Scott
February 25th, 2010 @ 9:16 am

“Why wasn’t she in Massachusetts campaigning for Scott Brown? Why didn’t she stand up to defend Marco Rubio when the NRSC backed Crist?

These were all what are called “leadership opportunities” and — with the brilliant advice of Meg Stapleton — Palin missed all of them.”

Maybe. Or perhaps Palin realizes that she is still a polarizing figure and asks candidates if they want her endorsement. It’s not a stretch to believe that Brown, or even Rubio, opted out of a Palin endorsement, considering the makeup of their states. If jumping into the fray without discussing with the candidate can cause problems, perhaps discretion is the better part of leadership.

No one is talking, so obviously, I don’t know any more than anyone else. I would still bet a small sum with reasonable odds that such discussions take place. To not discuss with the candidates would be a massive mistake far beyond the mistakes of Meg Stapleton.

Both Stapleton and Palin made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes. But to the extent that Meg Stapleton managed the Palin brand, it’s difficult to see that she caused much damage in spite of relentless attacks, both in the media and from Republican Party hacks.

On conflation, David Keene was the face of CPAC BEFORE the event. Perhaps less now, but when his comments could be used to attack Palin, he was CPAC.

On blunders: Consider which event got the most national attention AFTER the event? The media was still talking about the tea party convention and Sarah Palin for about a week or two after the event. The only people still talking about CPAC are Republicans that are mad at Glenn Beck. Measuring impact is a guess, but I think Palin’s impact on the nation extended far beyond the the audience in Nashville. To what extent does that apply to CPAC?

I’m not anti-CPAC and I believe that CPAC has value overall, but I think the organizers, Keene or otherwise, made tactical blunders at least on the scale of Stapleton. Keene’s early attacks on Palin were not the smartest move. IMHO. And no, I wasn’t there. I’m just guessing based on the national discussion after the event.

And how do you make that gray box in these comments? Is that a feature reserved to you guys, or can anyone do it?
daisy
February 25th, 2010 @ 2:48 pm

Ron Paul won the straw poll at CPAC. I’m glad Sarah had nothing to do with the freak show.
daisy
February 25th, 2010 @ 9:48 am

Ron Paul won the straw poll at CPAC. I’m glad Sarah had nothing to do with the freak show.
section9
February 25th, 2010 @ 3:16 pm

Robert:

I had serious problems with Stapleton’s job, mostly having to do with what happened last summer to the Orange County Republican Women’s outfit. There was a huge cockup that never got settled and Meg never clearly stated that Sarah wasn’t attending until late in the game. However, Stapleton was a supremely loyal individual and would go to the mat for Palin. That should have been the extent of it. Palin should not have been relying on Stapleton for political advice.

That said, Palin did not attend 9/12 for one primary reason that had nothing to do with Stapleton: she was deep into the drafting of her book that was on an accelerated time schedule. There’s no way she could have broken away from San Diego and flown to DC for that event.

CPAC is less forgivable, but she got wider media play at the TPC. That you must admit.

My take? Stapleton actually is tired of the national grind and Sarah is looking for national level talent. Meg was an Anchorage person prior to starting with Palin before 2006, and Sarah needs someone who can suffer the slings and arrows of Saul Alinsky, and dish it out, too.

Mark Levin to the white courtesy phone…..
section9
February 25th, 2010 @ 10:16 am

Robert:

I had serious problems with Stapleton’s job, mostly having to do with what happened last summer to the Orange County Republican Women’s outfit. There was a huge cockup that never got settled and Meg never clearly stated that Sarah wasn’t attending until late in the game. However, Stapleton was a supremely loyal individual and would go to the mat for Palin. That should have been the extent of it. Palin should not have been relying on Stapleton for political advice.

That said, Palin did not attend 9/12 for one primary reason that had nothing to do with Stapleton: she was deep into the drafting of her book that was on an accelerated time schedule. There’s no way she could have broken away from San Diego and flown to DC for that event.

CPAC is less forgivable, but she got wider media play at the TPC. That you must admit.

My take? Stapleton actually is tired of the national grind and Sarah is looking for national level talent. Meg was an Anchorage person prior to starting with Palin before 2006, and Sarah needs someone who can suffer the slings and arrows of Saul Alinsky, and dish it out, too.

Mark Levin to the white courtesy phone…..
TW
February 25th, 2010 @ 6:41 pm

You’re right, Ky Colonol. We’re still talking about Glenn Beck, but we might be talking about Palin had she bothered to show up to CPAC. Wasn’t it Palin who said that Tea Partiers must choose between the parties? If Palin has higher political aspirations, why not appeal to the base of the Party at CPAC. You know, those people who might eventually get her nominated. It’s strange that a convention filled with “Washington insiders”, chose isolationist Ron Paul as their preferred Presidential candidate. He’s been in Congress for decades but he’s not exactly typical politician. Palin needs to ignite the base, not ignore it. Avoiding CPAC is counterintuitive and a sure way to get Mitt Romney nominated.
TW
February 25th, 2010 @ 1:41 pm

You’re right, Ky Colonol. We’re still talking about Glenn Beck, but we might be talking about Palin had she bothered to show up to CPAC. Wasn’t it Palin who said that Tea Partiers must choose between the parties? If Palin has higher political aspirations, why not appeal to the base of the Party at CPAC. You know, those people who might eventually get her nominated. It’s strange that a convention filled with “Washington insiders”, chose isolationist Ron Paul as their preferred Presidential candidate. He’s been in Congress for decades but he’s not exactly typical politician. Palin needs to ignite the base, not ignore it. Avoiding CPAC is counterintuitive and a sure way to get Mitt Romney nominated.
Joe
February 25th, 2010 @ 6:54 pm

“Why wasn’t she in Massachusetts campaigning for Scott Brown?”

Because Palin support would not have helped Scott Brown in libtard Massachusetts. She is not liked by many liberals and would have hurt him. Brown had to win dissatisfied Democrats and Indies (who mostly lean Democrat/Liberal) to beat Coakley. That is no slam on Palin, that is just the way those idiots are wired in the Bay State. Brown had to walk a very fine line. Palin was helping Scott Brown by not overtly helping.

I doubt Meghan Stapleton had much to do with it either way. And I suspect Palin is better off without her.
Joe
February 25th, 2010 @ 1:54 pm

“Why wasn’t she in Massachusetts campaigning for Scott Brown?”

Because Palin support would not have helped Scott Brown in libtard Massachusetts. She is not liked by many liberals and would have hurt him. Brown had to win dissatisfied Democrats and Indies (who mostly lean Democrat/Liberal) to beat Coakley. That is no slam on Palin, that is just the way those idiots are wired in the Bay State. Brown had to walk a very fine line. Palin was helping Scott Brown by not overtly helping.

I doubt Meghan Stapleton had much to do with it either way. And I suspect Palin is better off without her.
Kentucky Colonel
February 25th, 2010 @ 8:21 pm

Well, TW. it seems to me that we’re still talking about Palin. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a speech at the TPC, no speech at CPAC, a visit to the Daytona 500, or a FB post, we’re still talking about Palin.

She has stated numerous times that helping people for 2010 is her “job one”. She has not committed to her own political future. Until she does, to suggest that her decision to bypass CPAC is damaging, is an argument without merit. She made the decision not to go to CPAC and to borrow five words from her resignation speech, “if she dies, she dies”. If she can live with that, why can’t the rest of us?
Kentucky Colonel
February 25th, 2010 @ 3:21 pm

Well, TW. it seems to me that we’re still talking about Palin. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a speech at the TPC, no speech at CPAC, a visit to the Daytona 500, or a FB post, we’re still talking about Palin.

She has stated numerous times that helping people for 2010 is her “job one”. She has not committed to her own political future. Until she does, to suggest that her decision to bypass CPAC is damaging, is an argument without merit. She made the decision not to go to CPAC and to borrow five words from her resignation speech, “if she dies, she dies”. If she can live with that, why can’t the rest of us?
TW
February 25th, 2010 @ 10:08 pm

“Until she does, to suggest that her decision to bypass CPAC is damaging, is an argument without merit.”

Why is that? Many speakers at CPAC had uncommitted political futures. Why is that she’s exceptionally different from other conservatives? She’s even a member of the media. If Glenn Beck or stuffy old George Will can speak at CPAC, why not Palin? I think she had spoken at CPAC she would’ve overshadowed some the “freak show” elements. I don’t we’d discussing Ron Paul or Glenn Beck.
TW
February 25th, 2010 @ 5:08 pm

“Until she does, to suggest that her decision to bypass CPAC is damaging, is an argument without merit.”

Why is that? Many speakers at CPAC had uncommitted political futures. Why is that she’s exceptionally different from other conservatives? She’s even a member of the media. If Glenn Beck or stuffy old George Will can speak at CPAC, why not Palin? I think she had spoken at CPAC she would’ve overshadowed some the “freak show” elements. I don’t we’d discussing Ron Paul or Glenn Beck.
pharmacy technician
February 26th, 2010 @ 7:12 am

nice post. thanks.
pharmacy technician
February 26th, 2010 @ 2:12 am

nice post. thanks.