Why Palin's Resignation Make Sense.

As I started to write this, I have decided that Palin has made an excellent decision.

If she is being blocked in Alaska government with spurious ethics charges (15-0) and her opponents will prevent her agenda from succeeding, then staying on an additional year and a half would do her no good nor the state any good. If she did not plan to run for another term leaving now gives her successor (which I assume she believes will follow the same agenda as hers) will give him a better chance in winning the next election.

If she is spending 80% her time fighting ethics charges, and it is costing the State millions to investigate and her family $500K to fight, then it makes little sense to continue on. Her opponents will say she quit because of this and of course it will make a great 30 second ad. Had she wished just to remain the governor for another term, it would have shown politically weakness. But if she already decided not to seek another term, then it makes sense to leave now.

If pundits are right, she can make $50K to $100K a speech. These could help pay-off her legal defense bills. Leaving also limits the amount of new spurious ethics charges. If she plans to run for President, then she can build the funds necessary for a run. Giving the current situation, remaining as Governor just hamstrings her. She will now be able to freely leave the state and campaign for others.

It also allows her to spend more time with her family. Something that must be appreciated if she does run for President (2 years running, 8 years governing).

I suspect that the building of the Alaskan gas pipeline through Canada will have started by 2014. This will give her a big boost for a 2016 election bid. Six years of campaigning on a national level could give her a strong base.

It is also possible that the Democrats will mess things up so bad that Obama will be seen as defeat-able in 2012. If she campaigns for congressional candidates in 2010 and has an impact on the races, she could be in great position for 2012.