Politics: Mark Steyne on Gov. Palin's Resignation

I was surprised to hear the news of Gov. Sarah Palin opting out of running for a second term and even going further of resigning from her first term. It would appear to be a questionable move if she is preparing to run for higher office in 2012 or later.

What could be going on?

We will probably hear more news in the next few days I'm sure.

But the instant analysis that makes the most sense to me is from Mark Steyn.

Excerpt:

So Occam's Razor leaves us with: Who needs this?

In states far from the national spotlight, politics still attracts normal people. You're a mayor or a state senator or even the governor, but you lead a normal life. The local media are tough on you, but they know you, they live where you live, they're tough on the real you, not on some caricature cooked up by a malign alliance of late-night comics who'd never heard of you a week earlier and media grandees supposedly on your own side who pronounce you a "cancer".
...............
National office will dwindle down to the unhealthily singleminded (Clinton, Obama), the timeserving emirs of Incumbistan (Biden, McCain) and dynastic heirs (Bush). Our loss.

All the best to you, Sarah, and to your family in whatever road you take.