[Congressman Billybob]

Let me know what you think. I am sharing this particular piece only with my colleagues at FreeRepublic, wather than sending it out thither and yon.

John / Billybob

[Freedom2specul8]

Marked to read later

[Earthdweller]

Makes more sense than reading self-fulfilling liberal tea leaves, like everyone else in the backstabbing GOP is doing.

[wastoute]

Something that occurred to me recently (this AM). Putting together a few dots... I had heard some months ago that Alaska had been "ruled" by a handful of powerful families that happened to be Rep. Palin ran AGAINST them and their power and won. Names like Stevens and Murkowski.

We keep getting these attacks on her from folks who claim to be Rep. Could it be that this is "payback" from friends of the folks that she outed for their coruption and cronyism?

Just wondering...

Μολὼν λάβε

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

John, this is spot-on and something that the MSM chatterers are completely ignoring---simple geography.

I've made the trip from DC to Alaska and back, and it is ROUGH, at least 9 hours in the air if you go non-stop from BWI to Anchorage, more if you layover in Minneapolis or Seattle.

Most people have absolutely no comprehension as to exactly how far away Alaska really is, or how big it is.

[john in springfield]

I’ve seen you on a thing or two you were dead wrong about.

In this case, I think you’re spot on.

[FreepShop1]

Newt Ginrich to Orlando to campaign for Marco Rubio: 1 hr 15 min.

Sarah Palin to Orlando to campaign for Marco Rubio: 11+ hours. (1 hour to anchorage, unknown wait time, 9.5 hours to Orlando).

A full day in the air just to make a single campaign stop. Untenable. I have been saying this for 3 days now. Nice for someone else to agree. Enough of the bashing. Obama could keep his Senate seat and just play hookie in the Senate because he was 90 minutes from Nashua and an hour from Des Moines. It is obvious why she was compelled to step down.

[piytar]

I think you nailed it!

[Servant of the Cross]

Congressman, IMO you are spot on. I can’t wait to hear Sarah say it, “My fellow Americans ......”! I can see her smile right now.

[OKSooner]

Read this later.

[Bobalu]

wather than sending it out thither and yon.

Very wise, you wascally wabbit ;-)

Good deductions, as always, from Billybob

[Matchett-PI]

I think you’re exactly right! bttt

[editor-surveyor]

Your idea sounds logical, and meshes well with Ann Colter’s opinion:

http://www.wowowow.com/politics/ann-coulter-explains-palins-exit-330908

[Pistolshot]

Been saying this since Friday. Glad to see I am not the only one who understands exactly what Sarah needs to do to build a base and win in 2012.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I think she recognized that it was impossible for her to be a Governor, a mother and a wife, and an active speaker in the lower 48, all at once. So, she left the least important of those three tasks in the hands of her selected Lt. Governor.

I think that is correct, but the problem is that this was only a minor part of several reasons she actually gave in her speech for quitting. It's the other reasons that make her seem less strong, and raise more questions.

[BAW]

I think she recognized that it was impossible for her to be a Governor, a mother and a wife, and an active speaker in the lower 48, all at once. So, she left the least important of those three tasks in the hands of her selected Lt. Governor.

This analysis make sense. The proof will be evident in the next few months.

[Non-Sequitur]

So, she left the least important of those three tasks in the hands of her selected Lt. Governor.

I'm sure that the people of Alaska will be thrilled to learn that being their governor is so low on the pecking order.

[Species8472]

As an Alaskan that travels frequently to the lower 49 states. I absolutely concur with your analysis. The trip back and forth can be brutally long and with the 4 hour time change, exhausting.

[Louis Foxwell]

Thanks for your insights, prodigous as usual.
I wondered at first if Sarah was simply rejecting the punishment of public office for the more serene life of mom and cfommunity leader. She seems, however, to be made of sterner stuff.
I am in hearty agreement that she has shiftede in the balance to be able to carry a heavier load with an eye to greater accomplishments.
Indeed, we shall see what all this portends. I suspect that you and Ann Coulter are correct, however. This is a brilliant tactical move that will give her the opportunity to speak on the platform the media has already made available. They may not love her but they cannot get enough of her.
So say we all.

[revtown]

I think she should work on forming the Free States of America. The States and provinces roughly between Alaska and Texas.

I’d move there in a heartbeat.

[Plutarch]

The rationale you give is plausible. She had an opportunity to present a coherent explanation during her speech, but didn't. She could have explained by taking Q&A, but didn't. Palin’s coyness has led to a lot of interesting speculation and livened up the weekend news, but in terms of a 2012 run, hasn't exactly allayed any concerns skeptical voters may have about steadiness, experience, and political professionalism.