NP: Fox Soccer Report

No, I can't get off the Palin train. I did learn something I didn't know from watching cable news tonight. Sarah Palin quit some Oil and Gas Commission in Alaska a while back, and this actually served to give her momentum when it came to running for governor.

This seems important, because it may have created a positive association with quitting and subsequently getting ahead, and coupled with an intellect that doesn't know what the word "ironic" means, it's not hard to imagine that the two are now irrevocably linked in Palin's head. Therefore, in order to take the next step, she has to quit. This was pretty thoroughly debunked on the Rachel Maddow Show tonight by a Democratic state senator from Alaska (I think) because she had a good reason for quitting then, while she hasn't articulated one now. Of course, if something gets debunked by a Democrat, does the GOP ever hear it? Or acknowledge it?

There are some other tea leaves I'm starting to wonder about as I see and hear more of Palin's speeches and online comments, namely the dollar figures thrown around in reference to ethical inquiries and legal bills. It would not surprise me if the Palins see these mounting legal fees -- I've seen $500,000 mentioned, although I may have that confused with Michael Jackson -- against Palin's salary as governor, and figure she needs lecture circuit dollars to be able to pay it down. And removing herself from the governorship might stave off any additional complaints. Plus, speaking engagements and books and whatnot could possibly be consistent with this notion of a "higher calling" on the national level.

Couple that with the first notion, that quitting makes you stronger, and you can almost see Sarah's tiny little head coming to the conclusion that there's no downside. She knocks off the legal fees, avoids further inquiry, tours the country building her brand and making money, and comes out poised to run for higher office.

I'm not saying it would work, just that you can draw a line through a lot of the data points.