Mandi Livingston

No, we South Carolinians are not lucky enough to have our useless, cheating Governor resigning. Instead, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is resigning as of July 26. She says she wants to "affect positive change" outside of Government and mentions politics has become a "superficial, wasteful bloodsport."

My initial thoughts on this subject. I wouldn't blame her if she was doing this solely because she's sick of the crap she's still getting so far removed from the election of 08. Honestly, how many times has the VP Candidate on a LOSING ticket been attacked so much after an election is over. The whole David Letterman fiasco would be enough to make me want to just say ENOUGH. Maybe she wants to spend more time with her kids and grandchild...

But, I don't think this is Sarah's tact here. I totally think she's making some smart moves here for the future. Yes, she may get attacked for not finishing her gubernatorial term. But... the attacks have been so constant since she was picked by McCain, even from the Dem Party in her own state, that she can say she's stepping aside for the good of the people of Alaska. Getting a major distraction out of the way so that the government of her state can continue operating instead of being tied up in hyper-partisan politics.

Also, she helps the Grand Ole Party right now by getting Ensign and Sanford out of the headlines. Two up and comers in the GOP, even those being touted for 2012, fall from grace, and Sanford's is a big, massive implosion still happening. So, now Sarah gets that off the front-pages.

Further, she is in prime position to now be free to travel and help raise much needed $$$ for GOP candidates for the 2010 mid-term election. She is EXTREMELY popular with the grassroots and is one of the best GOP fundraisers. I'm sure that she'll be hitting the speaking circuit soon with gusto. Oh, and she doesn't even need a teleprompter in order to give a decent speech!

If she is interested in running for POTUS in 2012, this also lets her have the freedom to travel the lower 48.

Finally, she is one of the few people in the GOP who actually don't mind standing up and speaking out against the current regime in Washington. With the pass of Cap & Trade in the House, she's set to be able to really work the public hoping that it dies a slow death in the Senate. As a Governor from an energy-producing state, she can show the American people that this bill is disastrous in so many ways (I hope to blog about that soon) and will be extremely costly to the average American if it passes into law. Palin is a pitbull with lipstick and she's getting ready to be unleashed.

I'm sure we'll see this discussed quite a bit on the morning talk show circuit and the 24 hour news channels. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.