I'm torn between the two theories. She did seem hysterical and out of control, which could mean she's got some serious trouble ahead--but I picture her as greedy, manipulative, and raring to pounce on the moment in the spotlight, too.

Money speaks volumes to those people. Forget the constituents. They've done their jobs at the voting booths; now they're just so much hamburger.

Either way, she's disgusting and not worthy of the fame and fortune she's bound to receive at the hands of her doting, gullible followers.

This is a little like the 6 blind men examining the elephant. We don't have the whole story yet, so we can't know what is going on. It is highly unlikely that Miss "I love the limelight" is leaving it for no good reason, and no good reason was given. There are any number of possibilities, maybe even some we haven't thought of yet. Time will tell. I have to admit, it is a little delicious trying to figure it out...sick and twisted, but delicious.

The breathless thing is key by the way. Why was she in such a hurry? No time to write a coherent speech?

Something was frightening her.

Oh and by the way, I say this with respect: I don't need (1) the editorial management or (20 you either actually linking to William Kristol, or Paul Wolfowitz, or Krauthammer or Douglas Feith or John Bolton, as examples.

In the unlikely even that I wanted to know or their deranged ravings, I could find the material -- the Washington Post under disastrous editorial chief Fred Hiatt runs the delusional material just about every day. This goes for Lyndon LaRouche as well; I am sure he has views on current events, and if I need to be aware of his latest delusions, I can run that down myself as well.

No offense meant; just a suggestion. Thanks and best,

O.T.

Hmm, I heard breathless but not so much panic. There may be ethics/investigation issues, but I bet there's a book and tv deal in there somewhere.

Palin was never really set up for a major political career. She could spend the next years desperately trying to get qualified and resolve her small-state corruption problems, or she could just move comfortably into what she's really good at--making speeches. I bet she's opted for option #2.

Very curious. This is a woman who loves the limelight. I can't help but think of the VF article in which Purdom(?) mused:

It is, at the moment, a party in which the loudest and most singular voices, not burdened by responsibility, wield disproportionate power. She may decide that she does not need office in order to have great influence—any more than Rush Limbaugh does.

He said this before the resignation. Curious, indeed. (Sorry about the quote)

It's the money. If ambition for higher office or to gain sympathy for an embarassing revelation to come she would have played the evang card and said something about praying and God. She's going for the Oprah thing.

A supposed presidential “contender” doesn’t do an unscheduled rushed speed-talking gasping discombobulated rambling resignation on a late-Friday news dump holiday weekend unless she has to. And none of the reasons she would have to do so are good. So much for the possible talk show, brilliant political move, etc. theories.

I couldn’t get a handle on it at first and then I realized she sounded panicked. I suspect it’s sorta like the other presidential contender from S.C. “How could it have all gone so bad so quick? Why just yesterday they were kissing my butt.”

I smell indictments.

It should come as a relief to all of us that Sarah issued a clarifying statement today, explaining in detail exactly why she resigned yesterday and made such a rushed, near hysterical speech while doing so. Now we can stop speculating, she clearly told us she quit because....oops, phone rang...excuse me.

I'm guessing the reason lies in the corruption probes. Or some personal trailer-park tragedy. Or she's carrying Bill Kristol's love child. Who knows? But if she's thinking of running for president, she's badly deluded. She'd make George Bush look like Albert Einstein.

all these comments about investigations and other shoes dropping may have some merit-- but I think simplest explanations are best.

She was wildly popular when Alaska was flush with money- she could have her cake and eat it too. Now times are tough and she is learning that karma is a bitch. Turns out that all the people she walked on have long memories (the legislature), and with a down economy being Governor was suddenly hard work. To her credit, maybe, she realized that she was in way over her head and there was no way she could finish out her term looking like a successful leader.

For some odd reason, people are lining up to hand her money, so like many a beauty queen before her, she has perfected the art of skipping out for a better gig before the real work begins.

If she is considered the "best" of what this country has to offer as possible presidential candidates we may as well just throw in the towel, lock up the dogs, and turn off the lights.

She sounded like George W. Bush, bobbing and weaving through those interviews without a clue in the world as to what she was saying and no idea where to insert the period at the end of a sentence.

The bar was lowered in favor of Bush but she showed there was still more space available.