Viva the Palin Revolution

July 5, 7:35 PMNew Haven County Independent ExaminerRobert Casapulla

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As this Fourth of July weekend draws to a close it seems there is revolution in the air. Most obvious are the thousands of Iranians who took to the streets in protest over some obviously flawed election procedures and results. The Iranian youth spoke to all of us via the internet to broadcast their messages but also to shine the light on the oppressive response of the current regime in Iran. In Honduras the government was ousted a President was sent into exile. It’s all very apropos.

However, this weekend a quieter revolution may have been ignited. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced not only that she would not seek a second term but also that she would be resigning on July 26. In both her press conference and a letter to Alaskans and supporters nation wide, Palin spoke about how her decision is right not only for Alaska but for the country as well.

When I was first informed that Palin was resigning my gut reaction was that something had happened with her family. Then I thought she must just be getting some terrible political advice from someone. Now that I’ve had the weekend to think on the subject, to watch her press conference and read her various statements I think she may have just made a brilliant move.

Already the spin has started: “There must be something she is hiding.” “She’s just doing it to run in 2012.” “Someone has offered her a cushy job with a huge salary.” However each of these theories simply doesn’t play out. Countless charges of ethics violations have been filed against Palin and all her administration has been cleared in all of them. The sure way to further her political power, according to conventional wisdom, would be to stay in office longer. She doesn’t need money and the book deals and media offers aren’t going anywhere.

I have no idea what the future has in store but one thing that is certain – Palin is a doer. Since she exploded on the national stage last fall Palin has not stopped. Today she is making deals to break our energy dependence on foreign oil, tomorrow she is giving a pro-life speech, the next day she is at an autism awareness fundraiser and for the rest of the week she is listening to David Lettermen apologize to her over and over again. Like it or not, the woman does not let moss grow on her feet.

All weekend Palin has talked about moving on advancing the country through the ideas of less government, strong national security and fiscal responsibility. Palin is already a conservative grassroots phenomenon and she could become even more awesome powerhouse. She speaks to people about issues in a language that they understand and relate to. She does not speak to people in the condescending way most politicians do. She does not lecture voters as if they were knuckle-dragging imbeciles. She talks to people like she is one of them, because she is one of them. She sees political office not as an avenue to power but as a chance to serve the people and make their lives and this country better.

If you don’t believe that this is what makes Sarah Palin special think back to a time before this weekend and try to picture a politician laying down her power because she believes that in America you do not need a title before your name to effect change. Imagine the impression this will make on Americans, whether they realize it or not.

Democrats have just strong-armed legislation through Congress to raise taxes on everyone and take more control of our lives while they spend record amounts to travel overseas. Embattled politicians, like Senator Chris Dodd , ready themselves for an all out tooth-and-nail fight to cling to positions they no longer deserve, the lady from Alaska has decided she can do more for the country as a private citizen. The more I think about her decision the more inspiring I find it. Sarah has walked the walk yet again.

Sarah Palin has just started down a path that will make her what Barack Obama wishes he could be. While Obama campaigned for president under the banner of hope and change he tried to convince people he stood for something greater. He convinced enough people that he was ready to govern in a fresh, new way. Then he was elected president and has been serving leftovers ever since. The truth is Obama was a great campaigner and he gave a great speech on the trail. But he doesn’t have what Sarah Palin has. His ideas, so out of sync with the average American’s, could never have created the grassroots movement Sarah Palin is on the cusp of creating. If they could we would have heard about him back when he was a community organizer.

I do not know if Sarah Palin will run for President, in 2012 or ever. If she does run I do not know if she can or will win. What I do know is that there is something about the soon-to-be former Governor of Alaska that could turn this country away from where it is headed with unemployment up, the economy down and the federal government reaching for more control with every piece of legislation it turns into law, and put us back on the right path.

As I said before revolution is in the air and Sarah Palin could lead this revolution so let me be the first to say Viva the Palin Revolution!

MORE:

Click HERE for the AP's speculation on Palin's future.
Click HERE for SarahPAC.

AK Lt. Governor Parnell, Karl Rove and Mike Huckabee discuss Palin's resignation.