Maybe I've been too cynical and dismissive of Sarah Palin's sincerity in trying to explain her resignation. But, honestly, it is hard to take her seriously and I sometimes overdo the scorn.
One thing caught my eye today -- I think it was from the Lt. Governor who will succeed her: The fact that it has cost the state of Alaska over $1,000,000 just in staff time and expense to deal with the ethics charges brought against her. I understood that this did not include lawyer's fees -- just the time to answer all the requests for records and information, which they are required to supply.
And most of those charges -- she says "all" -- have been dismissed as without merit or unprovable.
On top of this, she has become a very polarizing figure in state government and has lost the support she once had to get legislation passed.
So her effectiveness has been compromised, and her continued presence in office will cost the taxpayers lots of money and distraction without much benefit.
Maybe it really is in the best interests of Alaska for her to step down now.
It's also true that she has brought a lot of this on. Many say she has seemed disinterested in her job since returning from the campaign, that she has not been engaged in state business as before. In addition, she has been under intense media scrutiny; and her family has been the subject of harsh and crude attacks.
So, without negating my previous thoughts about her explanations, I'm willing to admit that maybe her stated reasons have some truth of their own.
Now, enough about Sarah Palin. It will play itself out as it will.
Ralph
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All in all, I say that for her political future this was probably a smart move -- but that is true only in the sense that staying would have been worse politically for her. She's choosing the lesser of two political bad choices.
ReplyDeleteShe would have completed her term with a dismal final two years of being unable to get anything done, continued ethics complaints and investigations, more ugly smears of her family.
So, to say it was a smart move is within the context that there's no way being governor for the next 2 years can help her. And just maybe she can build on her popularity with the Republican base if she hits the rally trail,campaigning for others and at the same time keeping her fiesty image before the public -- and at the same time make a lot of money giving paid speeches.