Palin's resignation: A future in media?

July 3, 5:34 PMTV News ExaminerIrv Kass

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Alaska Governor Sarah Plain announced, Friday, she will step down from office effective July 26th. Citing her desire to effect positive change outside of government, last year's GOP vice presidential candidate will soon be available to pursue a media career, or an unencumbered run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.

The announcement comes at the beginning of the Independence Day weekend, while news of Michael Jackson's death is still generating interest, an odd choice if Gov. Plain were interested in maximum media exposure. In addition to speculation about a run for president, opportunities in the media will certainly be available after her resignation becomes effective.

As a media personality, Sarah Plain drew both criticism and praise during her run for vice president. Strongly polarizing, she attracted large crowds, in person, and high ratings during television appearances. Her interview with Katie Couric on the CBS Evening News, helped that broadcast initially increase its ratings. And Plain's appearances on Saturday Night Live, along with the highly popular impersonations by Tina Fey, helped SNL spike its ratings, as well.

Polarizing media personalities typically draw substantial ratings and demand big salaries. In today's world of partisan cable news and talk radio, some of the most highly compensated "performers" are also extremely polarizing. Whether you like them or not, Bill O'Reilly, Keith Olbermann, and Rush Limbaugh, bring in the numbers. In years past, Howard Cosell was a big draw, though also polarizing, as a sports commentator and social critic.

The opportunity for Sarah Plain to become a media star on talk radio or on conservative cable television would give her the ability to earn more money than she could ever hope for in the public sector. Whatever her future plans as a candidate, that level of earning power tends to be fleeting. But if  Gov. Plain chooses to take advantage of the chance to become a media star, and actually get paid for it, she will be extremely well compensated. That could come in  handy, no matter what she chooses to do in the future. The only question, of course, is whether she has what it takes to sustain herself in a high profile role with intellectual demands that will expose her weaknesses along with her strengths.

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