Alaska Paper: Baffling Move Smacks of 'Self-Service'

Sarah Palin’s reasons for leaving office early ring exceedingly hollow to the editors of the Anchorage Daily News. She “baffled Alaskans with her explanation that, having decided not to seek a second term, she doesn't want to be a lame duck until December 2010. That explanation is more lame than the duck.”

Whatever Palin is leaving office for, her resignation “looks like self-service, not public service.” What’s worse, “she spoke as if she were making a sacrifice for the good of Alaska, but it's hard to see how.” Palin’s charisma and ambition are clear, “so there's no surprise if she sees a future for herself beyond Alaska,” the editors write. “But we thought she'd finish her work on the home front first. She hasn't made clear why she won't.”