Palin: Politically, 'If I Die, I Die'

Scandal speculation gives way to new theories

(NEWSER) - When Sarah Palin made her sudden exit, many expected a scandal to break. But "in the days since, it has become clear that no other shoe is likely to drop," writes Jay Newton-Small of Time, who offers five likely reasons she resigned Alaska's top job:

• For the good of the state: Palin was lauded for resigning in protest from Alaska’s oil and gas commission. She painted her gubernatorial resignation “in the same way: a selfless act that should earn her kudos for saving taxpayers' money.”

Resignation was genius move, writes Greg Beato

(NEWSER) - Politics is due for a shake-up of the kind the Internet gave to music and newspapers—and Sarah Palin looks like the only politician ready to deliver, Greg Beato writes in Reason. Palin's resignation makes her a true maverick, Beato writes. Just like Paris Hilton realized you don't need to act to be a Hollywood star, Palin has realized you don't need to hold office to be a politician, he notes. More»

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin has changed her Twitter handle to the more civilian-sounding "SarahPalinUSA" now that her old username, AKGovSarahPalin, is defunct, CNN reports. The move sparked speculation that the she may yet tweet again. The former Alaska governor has not tweeted since she resigned, preferring Facebook for her communiqués. But don’t worry, followers: You will be immediately redirected to Palin’s new feed without lifting a finger. More»

Soon-to-be-former Alaska governor focused on upcoming book

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin has no plans to take a new job, her lawyer tells the Washington Post. Though the departing Alaska governor has received “hundreds of credible offers”—including a pitch for a gig as a talk-show host—she hasn’t pursued any of them except a previously announced book deal, Thomas Van Flein says. More»

(NEWSER) - The governor of Alaska and the architect of the Vietnam War both make fine examples of how not to quit a government post, David Broder writes in the Washington Post. Robert McNamara waited 28 years to explain that he stepped down as defense secretary because of his grave doubts about US strategy, and "the public reaction was harsh"—many believed untold numbers of lives could have been saved if he had gone public sooner. More»