In these, the early days of the Obama Administration, trying to keep up with current events for the simple purpose of remaining informed has been dizzying. Trying to process all that information and analyze it for commentary is like trying to drink from a fire hose! The swirling vortex of info-speak out there babbles on incoherently; and any story of mass interest goes 24/7 wall-to-wall coverage. It is into that environment that I am reluctantly venturing with my thoughts on Sarah Palin’s surprising announcement that she will not seek re-election as Governor of Alaska – and more surprisingly, that she will not complete her term.

The talking heads are split into two camps. The majority presume this is a move toward a 2012 run at the presidency. Their commentaries focus on whether or not the strategy is a good one and helps or hurts such a run. Some call it a “brilliant” strategy. Others declare the action to be political suicide, and pronounce her political future dead or on life support.

The remaining pundits call her “erratic” and a “quitter”. They say she “couldn’t take it”. They accuse her of “taking her marbles and going home”.

It would be easy to get caught up in all this back and forth banter, but instead I will look at Sarah Palin as actually possessing the unconventional leadership that has carried her to national prominence; and try to analyze her actions in light of a broader set of possible motivations than simply a choice between 2012 presidential aspirations or the throwing up of her hands and running away!

Unlike most politicians, who seek office with a sense of self-importance and craft their positions and policies in a way to win votes and retain power… Sarah Palin has approached politics as public service. She has always put principles first and has sought to do what she believes is RIGHT, even if it’s not politically expedient. She stood up against the Old Boys Network in her own party in Alaska and cleaned up corruption. She held politicians and oil companies and others feet to the fire and held them accountable. She acted in the best interest of the people, and not of her political career.

Why would we not presume her to be consistent? Why do we not take her at her word that she is responding to a “higher calling”? Is it possible that she sees a role OUTSIDE of elected office where she believes she can better advance her principles and policies? Is her decision to leave office unreasonable, irrational, or emotionally charged?

A small child who’s losing a game might flip over the gameboard and go home in a huff. That’s immature and inappropriate behavior. But if an adult has had their quotas increased, their pay scale reduced, and feels his employer looks upon him as a greyhound to be run for profit and put down when no longer winning races… is it anything other than reasonable for him to consider quitting and seeking employment elsewhere?

Palin has been subjected to incessant harassment since being named as McCain’s VP running mate. She is not thin-skinned – and she brushed off the criticisms of her throughout the campaign. But since the election she has been targeted by every left leaning loon there is, as she is perceived as a viable threat from the right. The ethics investigations have been nonstop, despite there being no basis for them. The expenses of defending against them have exceeded half a million dollars for a family that is not comprised of old-money bluebloods. Todd and Sarah are people who WORK for their money and don’t have a fortune.

In addition to the COST of dealing with these accusations, they DISTRACT from her ability to advance her programs as Governor. She is hamstrung. Instead of devoting her considerable energies to moving the state forward, she is forced to address these frivolous charges, which consume her time, her energy her money, and state resources as well. This is not a good or effective use of her time in office. She sees it as silly to continue the status quo for another year and a half when she could be doing something else which would contribute to the agenda she believes is important!

Consider the OTHER possibilities! By leaving public office, she is free to pursue any of the following potential courses:

1) Hit the Lecture Circuit. Sarah Palin would be a high-demand speaker who could command significant speaker fees.  She could pay off her legal expenses and begin to amass a significant nest-egg.

2) Media: Is there any doubt that Roger Ailes would be THRILLED to sign her as a “Fox News Contributor”? How about Talk Radio? Imagine the freedom to espouse her views if she had 2-3 hours a day on-air!

3) Writing: Conservative books hit the best-seller list BEFORE they hit the shelves!! Pre-sales of Glenn Beck’s “Common Sense” had it the #1 seller the week BEFORE it was released! When a book comes out by Mark Levin, Newt Gingrich, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham etc… sales go thru the roof. Is there any doubt Sarah Palin has a story to tell?

4) UNCONVENTIONAL politics: The Republican Party is still trying to define itself. Conservatives are disillusioned with the GOP. Blue Dog Democrats are bewildered by the Progressive/Fabian Socialist/Marxist lurch to the left of their party. There are currently more people identifying themselves as INDEPENDENT rather than members of EITHER party. The time is right for a REAL alternative, and with someone like Sarah Palin as the catalyst and leader, a new conservative party might be viable. Her Gravitas might act as gravity to draw in all those conservatives and right of center moderates who find themselves feeling unattached or disenfranchised. Nader singlehandedly started the Green party. Teddy Roosevelt started the Bull-Moose party. Who’s to say Palin couldn’t kick off a viable national Conservative Party?

No, Sarah Palin isn’t erratic or crazy. She’s crazy like a fox. She’s not quitting. She’s shifting tactics.

Copyright © 2009 by Doug Edelman

Doug Edelman is a conservative political commentator and has been a contributing editor for The Conservative Voice.  His work is also seen on News By Us, The American Daily, The Post Chronicle, New Media Journal, Capitol Hill Coffee House etc. For the support of his family, however, he is also an IT Consultant/Contractor and owner of a Computer Services Business.  He has taught PC Maintenance & Repair and Networking at his local Community College, and maintains a blog at http://edeldoug.blogs.com/.