Palin-Palooza: So much for an uneventful July 4 holiday weekend, huh?
The news Friday that Sarah Palin not only won't run for re-election in 2010 (which wasn't much of a surprise), but would also be resigning from office later this month (a complete shocker) was the latest drama to surround the former Republican presidential running mate. The questions on everyone's mind: Does this mean she WON'T be running for president in 2012? Or WILL she be running?
Palin's facebook writings might very well have been referring to Obama, who began running for president just after two years into his first U.S. Senate term. But there is one big difference between the two: Obama's national reputation was pristine from the moment he gave that 2004 convention speech to his presidential announcement, [pristine? none existant might be a better way of puttting it....]
while Palin's image (after the Bristol-Levi breakup, the feud with David Letterman, and that devastating Vanity Fair piece) is more of mixed bag.
On Sunday, the New York Times also compared her decision to resign to Richard Nixon's exodus from politics before winning the '68 presidential election. But the difference between the two is that Nixon served eight years as vice president, two years as a U.S. senator, and four years as a congressman, while Palin has served in statewide office for just 2 ½ years. Indeed, Palin's decision to resign might only reinforce the perception that she's not a serious politician with the policy chops to be president in these trying times....
All that said, the normal political rules don't seem to apply to Palin. Once removed from office, she will be flooded with requests for speaking engagements, and will turn mundane GOP congressional events into exciting rallies that draw her most ardent supporters (as well as those turning out to see a potential car wreck).
In short, Palin's resignation was all about self-interest -- improving her financial standing and her political standing as the Republicans' biggest celebrity. And given her appeal to the GOP base, she knows she can do this her way. Palin definitely has a future as a conservative political celebrity, but does she risk her influence on a presidential run?
She could end up having a parallel career to a Pat Buchanan -- active commentator with a loyal following and an occasional (but not successful) presidential candidate.
Who has more to fear from Sarah Palin? Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty?
Or Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity?
First Read with NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd, every weekday on MSNBC-TV at 9 a.m.
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