Why They Just Dont Understand Sarah Palin

The reaction from the media and pundits to Palins announcment has been just what you'd expect. They just don't get it. I gotta admit, I was as shocked as anybody when I first heard the news. I mean I haven't been this surprised since Scott Howard led the Beavers to the state title in '85. (side note. Is Michael J Foxs lay up at the 1:30 mark the worst looking 2 points in the history of basketball? I believe it is)




But after watching her speech it's clear to me why she did it. It's just as clear why the media doesn't get it. Sarah Palin did what pretty much no other politician would do. She did what was right rather than what was politically expedient.

The conventional politician with an eye on 2012 would not seek reelection and stay on as Governor. But that politican would spend most of their time as governor establishing a team, speaking across the country, and doing all the other things necessary in order to run for President, but which have nothing to do with their job as governor. However, they wouldn't forget to pick up their tax payer funded check for the job they aren't doing.

Secondly, for the next year Democrats would continue to exploit ethics laws in Alaska. This would continue to cost millions of dollars to the state and take up hours of time.

Almost every other politician would stay on the job because it would help them politically. Even though in reality due to both the circumstances above, it's not what's best for the state over the next year. This is why the pundits can't get a grasp on this. It defies what every other conventional politician would do. But then again, conventional politicians are the reason this country is in the shape it is today.

Let's not forget this isnt the first time Sarah Palin has put doing what is right ahead of what is politically expedient for her. The last time she did something like this the political establishment thought it career suicide as well. As beldarblog pointed out during the campaign

In particular, she focused on ethical lapses by fellow Commissioner Randy Ruedrich, who was also (and unfortunately still is) the statewide GOP chairman. Ruedrich was refusing to complete and file disclosure reports that would have detailed his personal dealings with energy-related companies. When Reudrich ignored her complaints, she went to the state attorney-general, Gregg Renkes. When Renkes ignored her (and threatened her with prosecution if she became a public whistle-blower), she went to the GOP governor who'd appointed her, Frank Murkowski. Murkowski was then, of course, one of the troika of Grand Poobahs of Alaskan GOP politics, along with Congressman Don Young and Senator Ted Stevens.

When Murkowski ignored her too, however, Palin resigned. And she had every reason to believe at that point that her political career, on a statewide or larger stage, was dead.

As I posted the other day, contrast this with the candidate who ran on "change." He followed what conventional politicians do when your party is the one that's corrupt. He kept his mouth shut and turned a blind eye to the corruption in Chicago and slid his way up the ladder. As we have now learned though, that doesn't change a thing. DC is the same as it has ever been. Lobbyists are still in his administration, tax cheats are still appointed, and the largest spending bill in history is signed without a single person reading it.

Sarah Palins has a history of doing what is right rather than what is politically expedient. Time will tell whether this was politically smart but it will remain the right decision no matter what. She can hold her head high and be proud of what she sees when see looks in the mirror. Not many politicians can say that. Is it any wonder the pundits don't understand her?

P.S. Yeah I know George Will said he didn't understand her decision. But this is the same guy who can't understand why people wear jeans. True story.