She had that chance as governor and she did it so why leave?
Maybe you don’t read the replies you receive... so here again:
She has to run a profoundly different kind of campaign if she wants to have a political future in any shape. Staying in Alaska, being obstructed as Governor and in her political activity was keeping her back. She freed herself and is now able to engage 100% in national politics, fundraising and extending her grassroots clout.
She did the absolute right thing under her circumstances.
The last 6 months demonstrated to anyone without blinders that Palin had absolutely no chance of working the national scene from Alaska. (And this is not even considering the very real geographic challenges faced by a sitting politician with real-time responsibilities locally to try to be an effective actor on a stage that is realistically confined to the lower 48 - even without the issues that are particular to Palin, this would be a daunting challenge for any politician from AK or HI with national ambitions). Palin’s issues: The Dems in AK (with certain control from national Rats) and not a few Repubs (don’t forget, she bucked the “old boy” system there and created many enemies) had successfully come up with a strategy to box her in. Endless “ethics” investigations essentially were paralyzing her and the entire state, and the financial effects on someone who was not the traditional super-wealthy politico combined with absolutely no support from the traditional Repub party were becoming devestating for her and her family. There was no way that this was going to end. Her opponents found an effective strategy and they were going to make her remaining 2 years an endless series of frivolous charge defenses. Her accomplishments as governor would have ground to a halt. Plus, she would be tied up in Alaska and her ability to “play” on the national stage would be marginalized. Then, add on the continued national state-run-media assault on her and her family (even her Down’s syndrome infant) - which was really unprecedented in our lifetime. The Rats and RINOs of the elite class had truly concocted a strategy to destroy her. Thus, I disagree vehemently with your assessment. Palin surely realized that her chances of doing anything substantive nationally were gone in her present position. Additionally, she and her family were going to end up bankrupted. Plus, the effects of constant, puerile invective thrown at her children had to be taking its toll. As a sitting politician, there was little she could do - even in the face of baseless allegations of felony crimes. So, staying the course for Palin was truly unproductive. All she had was the continued strong support of a minority base (truly conservatives) in this country. My take is that she decided to play off that one remaining area of strong support and work to become the spokesperson of the true opposition (not the spineless, DC-cocktail-party-crowd RINO elite, “loyal” opposition) to the rape and plunder of our great country by the present executive/legislative/judiciary cabal in power. It’s admittedly unconventional strategy on Palin’s part and is not guaranteed to be successful. But, if anything, she’s not a conventional politician. Her attraction to conservatives was not, in reality, her governorship of a state that most of us - prior to last August - hadn’t paid much attention to. It was, rather, her principles, her charisma, her connection with the values that once made this country great. Those won’t change now that she has freed herself of the checkmate-type trap that the Rats/RINOs had concocted to marginalize and destroy her (and her family). One other thing that people aren’t talking much about.... We’re attempting to pass final judgment on this strategy here in July 2009. The full effects of the Obama “Chavezization” of our country have not yet even begun to be felt. Fast forward 12-15 months from now. Double digit unemployment with no end in sight...Rising inflation beginning to take its toll... Energy more expensive than we could ever imagine... Continued negative economic growth...The 5th “stimulus” package making its way through the Politburo in DC... The prospects of taxed private health insurance and inevitable rationing of health care availability... In this climate, the American people might just be more accepting of a messenger who can passionately articulate a return to the basic principles of what made this country great - regardless of whether she is in or out of the governorship of a relatively obscure state. And, don’t forget, she didn’t resign in scandal (either personal or political). So, her character isn’t permanently stained.
Again, I don’t believe that this is the grand strategy that Palin put together after the election defeat. I don’t think anyone could have envisioned the vitriolic, endless, vituperative assaults on her politically and personally would not only not end after the election but even intensify. Palin, IMHO, simply analyzed the situation as it is and made the best decision for her - politically and personally. Plus, as opposed to “abandoning” the state of Alaska, removing herself as the continued focus actually will help the people there. She has a good team to follow her and the state machinery can now focus on the governing of Alaska rather than the defense of Sarah Palin.
Just my $0.02.
Huh? She didn't. Not at all. Her time would be devoted to lawsuits, not the people's business.
Reading is so fundamental!