An hour ago, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin not only said she would not run for re-election in 2010 but that she is also resigning from the position as Governor. This announcement comes after a failed Vice Presidential run in 2008 (sharing the ticket with Senator John McCain) while enjoying a high popularity rating among national Republicans. By resigning from her position as Governor, this frees Palin to take a more active and prominent part in the lower 48 States to position herself for a 2012 Presidential run against President Barack Obama.

I can understand the reasoning to not seek re-election. Currently, whenever she leaves Alaska to meet with national figures or attend Party events, Alaskan officials criticize her for shirking her duties as Governor (much like the complaints against Virginia Governor Tim Kaine serving as the head of the DNC). By not seeking re-election, she is free to travel not only domestically but internally as well. Additionally, she will be able to join various boards and commissions to increase the strength of her resume in preparation for a Presidential run.

I view the decision to resign her position as very worrisome. She already is a lightning rod for her detractors, especially following some of her unpolished responses in the early days of the 2008 election after she was tapped to be Vice President. The decision to “quit” during her term will be used to as the basis that she is not a serious politician and that voters cannot count on her to fulfill her duties if she were to be elected as President.

Justifying her action, Palin pointed to the “lame duck” mentality that many politicians have in the last year of their term when they know they are not going to be re-elected. She said:

So Alaska may progress, I will not seek re-election as Governor. And so, as I thought about … how much fun Governors have as lame ducks. And maybe travel around the state, travel to other states, maybe take their overseas international trade missions – so many politicians do that. Then I thought, that’s what’s wrong. Many just accept that lame duck status and they hit the road, they draw a paycheck, and they kinda milk it, and I’m not going to put Alaskan’s through that.

I’m determined to take the right path for Alaska. Even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable. With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election, I’ve determined it’s best to transfer the authority of Governor to Lt. Governor Parnell.

John McCain made an unorthodox decision last year to suspend his campaign to return to Washington to work on the TARP legislation. The decision was viewed as a great political calculation, but also a very risky maneuver if he was viewed as not being effective. The same can be said about today’s decisions by Palin.

If the people give her credit for achieving her campaign goals in only two years not wanting to waste state’s funds during the rest of her term, especially if she remains active in advocating for the state over the next two years on the national scene, then her popularity will remain high. However, if she squanders her achievements and comes across as weak on the national scene leading up to the various state elections around the country in 2010, then any credibility she might have as a viable Party Presidential candidate my be viewed as remote as her town of Wasilla.

Related articles:
KTUU TV – “Gov. Sarah Palin to resign her office July 26″
KTVA TV – “Palin will not seek re-election”
Politico – “Sarah Palin will not seek re-election”
Breitbart – “Palin resigning as Alaska governor”

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