SARAH PULLS THE RIPCORD.

Andrea Tantaros
- FOXNews.com
- July 07, 2009
Palin Pulls the Ripcord

Palin's done what she needs to do to advance her career as a Republican rock star, move conservatism forward, and harness her power to propel the problematic Grand Old Party back to greatness.

Since Sarah Palin's Wasilla press conference on July 3 it seems you can't turn on the TV without seeing some commentator or pundit talking about the risk she's taking or harping on the hazards she now faces or listing the potential liabilities of Palin's symbolic in nature, Independence Day decision to bail from her post as Governor of Alaska.

Someone please tell me: what's the big gamble?

Let's see: she might write a book, make millions and raise even more money for the GOP? She could end up giving killer speeches on issues of national importance that bring the house down and command the attention of a national media that currently is something only the Democrat in the White House can do? Or wait -- she might actually run for the White House and er, um, lose? (That worked out horribly for Hillary, Secretary of State, "18 million cracks" Clinton, Nobel Prize winner/filmmaker Al Gore, and icon Ronald Reagan, to name a few).

I'm especially amuse by those who attack her for abandoning her office -- surely not a novel idea in politics. If leaving a position for a "higher calling" articulates the definition of reckless abandonment, most of the Obama administration is worthy of similar blame, including the president himself. Even more amusing are those who allege Palin is running away from the incessant personal assaults. This is a woman who decided not to abort a child she was told would likely have Down Syndrome, hardly what I'd call someone who retreats over impending adversity. Mothers of special needs children are the epitome of portraits in courage. I should know, I was raised by one.

So why is stepping down such a volatile venture?

Win, lose or draw, Palin is, and likely will remain, a wildly popular figure in the Republican Party and the conservative movement -- a movement that currently lacks a leader and is devoid of direction (besides "the opposite of whatever the tall guy with the teleprompter is saying").

Despite the Obama administration's many stumbles and impending economic implosion, no Republican has managed to emerge as the conductor of the constituency. The old guard of the party is over. So over. Whether Palin decides to become the conservative version of Oprah, a best-selling author, the country's first female president (or all of the above) she is the next generation, the new guard, and the GOP's MVP.

From a messaging standpoint Palin is perfect. She is also the only one who can reasonably argue that she hasn't been part of either the Republican or Democratic web of Washington politics. No bailouts, big spending, or Buenos Aires lust romps.

Her fundraising potential is potent. Her support is solid from the right. She is poised to fill a leadership vacuum and there is no better time than now, when Obama's numbers (especially with Independents) are at the precipice of plunging. The iron is scalding hot and Palin, ever the shrewd politician, knows exactly when to strike.

Remind me, where's her "exposure" again? The country took a risk on a well-scripted, super- smooth, inexperienced, Ivy League fancy lad junior senator from Illinois. Since taking office he'ss quadrupled the deficit, conceded our liabilities abroad, shoved us to the brink of a crippled, European-style nanny state, all the while increasing the unemployment numbers to the cusp of double digits. See, the plainspoken, big-haired, conservative hockey mom who uses hokey animal analogies doesn't seem like such a bad bet after all.

We don't know precisely how Palin's wager will play out, but we do know that she pulled the political ripcord to advance her career as a Republican rock star, move conservatism forward, and harness her power to propel the problematic Grand Old Party back to greatness. Now that's a bailout I can get behind.

Andrea Tantaros is a conservative commentator and columnist. Her commentary can be found on www.andreatantaros.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AndreaTantaros.
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MY THOUGHTS:

I like Andrea Tantaros. I am sure I wouldn't like to hear her talk about Hillary Clinton, who is still my #1 favorite person and the person I admire most in the world. But I DO like how she speaks about Sarah Palin and also how much she criticizes Obama. So in those regards I agree with her 100%!!

When I first heard Sarah was stepping down as governor, I was so sad. I thought it meant she was leaving politics and that she had let the disgusting media and late night jerks run her out of town. But it's true. Without the confines of the governor's office and the continued ethics complaints that we know would continue, Sarah can do more good for our country - not just the Republican party - but for ALL OF AMERICA. I am an Independent. After the corrupt rigging of the Democratic primaries, where the nomination, and ultimately the presidency, was STOLEN from Hillary Clinton, I left the Democratic Party and became a PUMA. I am now a PROUD INDEPENDENT and I really always have been. I have always voted "for the person" and not "for the party." I think it is ridiculous to automatically pull the lever for ANYONE who has your preferred initial after their name. If a janitor runs, would you still vote for him or her just because they were from the party of your choice? I sure as hell would NOT. And I never have.

There is no way I can see how Hillary could possibly run for president in 2012. The DNC would not let her have the nomination she WON because they wanted THE ONE to have the nomination. Can you see them letting her run AGAINST The ANOINTED ONE? LOL!! Not. a. Chance. I would not want to be faced with the choice of deciding who to vote for if by some miracle both Hillary and Sarah ran opposite each other. I have to admit Hillary would get my vote. But since that will never happen, if Sarah runs for president in 2012, I will definitely be voting for her. She is a woman who truly loves her country - something Obama does NOT. She is proud of her country as I am. Something Obama is NOT. I would feel very safe with our country in Sarah's capable hands. And the SOONER THE BETTER!!