By Resigning, Sarah Palin Free to Indulge Greed

Saran Palin may have been the know-nothing vice presidential candidate for John McCain but she's not totally dumb. Many newspapers are speculating about the reason for her resignation. Here's the Los Angeles Times:

She spoke in that cryptic fashion throughout her appearance Friday, saying her decision to step down had been some time in the making, although she never clearly spelled out why.

"Many just accept that lame-duck status and they hit that road. They draw a paycheck. They kind of milk it. And I'm not going to put Alaskans through that," Palin said.

I can't say exactly why Palin is stepping down. I know it's entirely possible another scandal is on the way. But my first reaction after reading her comment about milking the lame-duck status is BINGO! Why? Because, like many contemporary Republican politicians, Palin has a way of squirming out from under by attributing to others her own motivations. There is money out there waiting to fill her pockets: if she can just get out from being obliged by various ethics laws that apply to remaining governor.

If I were a betting man, I would say she's resigning in order to cash in. If it leads to the presidency, that will in her mind be a bonus. But at the very least she will become a wealthy lady by hitting the speaking circuit, etc., etc., etc. It certainly has worked for other politicians, mostly Republicans but certainly some Democrats. If anything motivates Palin, it's all those goodies she'd like to get her hands on. More than likely, Todd Palin is on aboard. Ironically, I doubt that Alaska will miss her.