Governor Sarah Palin has decided to shed the responsibilities of public office, but not the goals and objectives of most who seek such offices. Gov. Palin seems to have come to a conclusion that, I must admit, seems pretty reasonable; that influence in public life can be greater without "official" responsibilities. Plus, unelected influence accumulation pays a hell of a lot better.Though she will not be in a position to win the Republican nomination for president in 2012, she may well be able to influence the race and might even mount an independent run for the White House. Will she succeed? Not if success means becoming president, but why should it mean that? The presidency, after all, is just another elected office with responsibilities to large numbers and a wide variety of interests.
Sarah Palin appears to be on a path to celebrity-conservative stardom. Her story might be part of an increasingly clear realization about politics: Influence and office are not necessarily as interdependent as most suppose.
For a video of my analysis of Gov.Palin's resignation, click HERE.
One of my favorite public intellectuals, Stanley Fish, published his thoughts about Governor Palin's resignation on NYTimes.com yesterday afternoon. I am pleased to report that his analysis mirrors my own, though admittedly, Fish's take is both more substantial and more artfully presented.