The game is afoot Watson.
She has barely twelve months before the Senate primary election in 2010. I believe she’s made two basic decisions with this event. First, she is running against Lisa Murkowski....who is a 2-star speaker at best and a 2-star campaign player. The primary is the only real election because the democrats can’t offer any substance in November. So Palin has no time to waste in this effort.
Second, forget 2012....Sarah has figured that it’s not worth playing. She will go to DC and play senator until 2016. Then she pulls the same stunt again...resigning...thus allow the Republican governor to select someone to replace her...while she runs for president. For any that oppose her....she will offer the ethical debate that you can’t subtract from your real job and run for office...and at that point...all of the potential senators in DC are automatically suspect for bad ethics if they choose to run against her. It’s a brilliant move.
This is a five-star script move....and worth watching to develop.
Yep...stock up on popcorn as this is going to get reaaallly interesting...
I see a different strategy. Prep for 2012 by building a base of support in 2010. She does this by helping other much more conservative candidates get elected and raising money for them. This forces the GOP to push her to the primary candidate position.
It also creates a loyal backing of representatives and possibly Senators that will work with and for her in 2012 because she was able to show she can get the voters to turn out. Lastly, it shifts the power in Washington away from an extreme liberal super majority to just a liberal majority (might even flip the House). This makes it possible for at least a split and possible conservative majority in 2012 which she will need in order to overturn much of the Obamanation’s illegal and socialist laws that he has crammed down our throats.
I like the part where she turns “quitter” into “no show”. If she announces a run for President, she can say “I believe that Alaskans deserve a full time Governor. When I decided I wanted to run for President, I decided that I would give up the great job of governor I had. My opponents kept their jobs. They’re out here in New Hampshire shaking hands. They missed a vote today in Washington DC.” If she does announce a run for President, her resigning will be seen as a major plus.