Sarah Palin’s decision to resign her post as Governor of Alaska has been lauded and slammed by every band of the political spectrum. We COULD just wait to find out what her plans are, or, heaven forfend, take her word for it.

NAH!

So why is she doing it?

QUITTER?

The folks that are calling Gov. Palin a “quitter” are primarily doing to marginalize her for the future. “Why vote for a quitter?” Too many are ready to write her off as an intellectual liightweight and intend to use her resignation as proof that she can’t take public scrutiny.

ETHICS VIOLATIONS?

Another political ploy to smear a person dangerous to the political fortunes of many. None of the trumped up charges have proven to be anything other than hoaxes after almost a year of Democratic/liberal witch hunting.

CAN’T TAKE IT?

Nonsense. This is a tough woman. She endured quite a bit to get where she is now. Sure, the political ordnance is more lethal and voluminous, but every national politician goes through – and defeats – shellshock in their careers. Considering the major Vice Presidential candidates in the last 20 years, most already had some national exposure as senators or congressmen. Palin did not and STILL did a great job under the onslaught.

MY VIEW

$$$$

First, there is the simple, but necessary point of money.

Sarah Palin’s salary as Governor of Alaska is $125,000. That’s pretty much the average for all governors. It’s less than Iowa, North Carolina, Kentucky and Wisconsin – all states with a cost of living index considerably less than that of the 49th. The Governor of Mississippi makes just $2,840 less per year than does Palin, but the Consumer Price Index is about 9 points lower. A person making $125,000 in Alaska earns the equivalent of a Mississippian making just over $89,000.

Palin is a hot commodity nationwide. Her earning power is likely 20-30 times what she’s currently making. If she can make $2.5 million a year (20 times current salary) in speeches, writings, appearances, etc., she’s loosing $198,000 A MONTH by remaining in office. That would translate to over $3.5 million between now and the end of her term.

For those who think Sarah Palin is dumb, a lesson in elemental arithmatic is in order.

This is not a bad thing. With four kids at home ranging in age from 19 to a year and a half and a grandchild, taking advantage of high dollar opportunities is not only smart, it’s to be applauded.

LOGISTICS

If Sarah Palin is going to have a future on America’s political or cultural stage, it will have to be based outside of Alaska.

By “cultural,” I mean speculation that she may be signed up to do a talk show a la Mike Huckabee. Unless she’s gonna talk to guests about health care reform in an ice fishing hut on the Outdoors Channel, she’s gotta go elsewhere – Los Angeles, Chicago, New York or even Atlanta. Otherwise, all the “guests” will have to be engaged via satellite ’cause they won’t be flying to Wasilla.

The same geographic disadvantage hinders Palin if she intends to take up residence on the national political landscape. Same disadvantage, but greater impact.

Fundraising, for instance would suffer simply because of the cost to do so from Alaska. So, too for scheduling appearances, strategy sessions and the usual political schmoosing.

Consider the disance from Juneau – non-stop, straight line:

• To Seattle – 900 miles
• To Los Angeles – - over 1800
• To Des Moines – 2700
• To Manchester, NH – 2835
• To Columbia, SC – 2950
• To Orlando, FL – 3200
• To Buenos Aires – 7766 (couldn’t help myself)

It’s just 2300 miles from DC to LA. Mitt Romney can make a speech in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday night and wake up at home in Massachusetts (640 miles) the next morning. Not so easy for Palin whose trip to Columbus would be four times as long and across four time zones.

RESPONSIBLE?

So, could it also be that Sarah Palin is honest? That she doesn’t want to shortchange the citizens of Alaska by spending a large amount of time in the Lower 48 as she pursues personal ambitions?

How often have office holding politicians missed votes or committee meetings because they were out campaigning? Consider what she said in her statement to the people of Alaska:

I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it.

There is neither subterfuge nor anything nefarious about Sarah Palin’s decision to leave the governor’s office. It’s novel, that’s true, but those who want to demonize or minimize her for doing so, are only showing a fear of her.

Remember, Ronald Reagan was discounted for being “an actor.” No, Palin is no Reagan, but she doesn’t have to be. She just needs to be Sarah.