The Long Distance Politician

Sarah Palin faced a dilemma.

She learned enough about campaigning for national office to know that it cannot be done successfully from Alaska. The votes are in the lower 48, and the time spent here undermines her ability to govern her home state. She needs to create a second "base" somewhere in the lower 48. Her decision to step down from the governorship frees her to pursue this important effort.

At the same time, she has given ammunition to those who accuse her of being flighty and thin skinned. She will be called a quitter by every opponent she faces in the future. Unkind observers might say she has taken Harry Truman's advice: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Sarah Palin made a calculated choice: she is betting that her spunk and her grassroots appeal will overcome the quitter label. Nothing could help her overcome the harsh reality of geography.

By Richard Celeste

 |  July 7, 2009; 12:20 PM ET
Category:  Politics Save & Share:                 
Previous: A Rational Resignation | Next: Not Her Best Moment

The comments to this entry are closed.