Governor Sarah Palin Resigns

This is perhaps the oddest political story that transpired when we were away celebrating our nation’s birth.

Outgoing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday laid the groundwork to take on a larger, national role after leaving state government, citing a “higher calling” with the aim of uniting the country along conservative lines.

A day after surprising even her closest friends by announcing she would step down as Alaska governor more than a year before her term was up, the controversial hockey mom was still keeping details of her future plans under wrap. But in a statement posted on Palin’s Facebook account, she suggested that she had bigger plans and a national agenda she planned to push after she resigns at the end of the month.

As I see it, there are two real possibilities…

First, history tells us that abrupt resignations are usually followed by another shoe dropping.  There could be a personal or professional scandal about to come to light.  I think this actually isn’t that likely in this case.  The media and liberal goons have been crawling all over Palin’s business for a year now - not to mention the Dems in her own state that have been fighting her for years.  Also, she’s essentially given two weeks notice.  If there was an imminent disclosure that prompted a last-minute resignation, then why wait the two weeks?  I don’t rule it out, but I don’t think this is the case.

Second, we can take her at her word.  She doesn’t want to be a lame duck and plans greater things for herself.  Presumably, that means a presidential run.  If so, really takes her down a number of notches in my mind. 

If she’s gearing up for a presidential run, then she abandoned the people of Alaska who elected her to serve her full term in order to peruse her personal ambitions.  I would have more respect for the move if she said, “I can’t put the work into the job of Governor because I’m planning on running for POTUS.”  At least she’d be being honest with them, but to say that she didn’t want to be a lame duck and wants to do bigger things?  What a slap in the face. 

I like Palin’s politics, her persona, and her energy.  I may even end up voting for her if she gets nominated (I doubt she will).  But her resignation is a very odd political move that represents a sizable red flag.