The million dollar question

Sarah Palin: Why did she step down? Is this really what's best for Alaska? Will she run for president in 2012? Doesn't this mean that she's a quitter?

Why did she step down?

Despite all the speculation of whether there's some huge scandal that's forcing her out, or that the smears have "gotten to her", or that she wants to gear up for a presidential campaign, I believe she told us straight out her reasoning for resigning. She is crippled as a governor by the unrelenting smear campaign the media has been focusing their efforts on since August 2008. She has been forced to focus most of her time on defending herself, instead of moving forward her important plans for Alaska. As an Alaskan myself, I find this move incredibly honorable by Palin. She refused to selfishly hold on to an office in which she was rendered useless by the left's attacks. She could have held on to her term to fulfill the political expectations those in Washington had for her as a potential 2012 candidate, however, it would be doing nothing good for Alaskans. Holding on to her office would have been for purely political reasons, and Palin is, as we should know by now, not a political creature. Palin took office to make changes. She joined the school board to make changes, she ran for city council to make change, she ran for mayor to make change. Alaska has benefited greatly from her dedication to changing the regular old politics which dominated and crippled our government from doing what it's supposed to do.

Is this best for Alaska?

Most of the country, and certainly those inside the Beltway, do not understand Alaska and Alaskans. Alaskans are not like the rest of the country and are the furthest thing from the east coast blue blooded politician types which seem to misunderstand Palin on a daily basis. Of course until recently no one really cared about understanding Alaskans or Alaskan issues. Come September of 2008, though, everyone wanted to be an expert about her policies in our great state. We have far different issues than most of the country. You CAN see Russia from Alaska. We DO have great great stores of natural resources. We have the largest salmon fishery in the world. Our military bases are some of the closest to those unfriendly to us. Running the largest state in the union, and the wildest state if I may, is far different from governing Massachusetts. By and large, Alaskans are hardworking, friendly, hardy, straightforward people. We do not care about how east coast politics are done. Frankly, east coast politics are useless in Alaska. So I believe she stepped down because she cares deeply about Alaskans and was heartbroken by having to hand over the reins to a more able public servant. For what it's worth, though I loved Palin as governor, Sean Parnell is an excellent person to take over. He will be an incredible successor. He worked closely with her and will be able to make a great transition. It is the best move for Alaska.

Will she run for president in 2012?

Honestly, I don't think she will. I think she probably realizes that if the media and left were that ruthless and out of line in their smears of her as a mere governor, paralyzing her governing effectiveness, then their smears of her as president (and during her campaign) will do the same. Honestly, I wouldn't want to be president if I was her. She is a powerful voice for America and for conservatism, and she doesn't need to run for/be president to get her voice out there.

Doesn't this mean she's a quitter?

I liked her comparison to the full court press in basketball. Holding on to the ball in a full court press, when there are other more capable you could pass to, is irresponsible. You can't win by being the only player. Palin knows that Sean Parnell is a great player to pass the ball to in order to advance the agenda in Alaska. While Palin is stymied by the full court press of her legal battles, Parnell is not. I think she is one of the most responsible politicians I've even encountered by sacrificing (perhaps) her own political career for the good of her constituents.