Going Rogue?

"Going Rogue" is more than a book title for Sarah Palin, it is her life mantra. The sweetheart of the Republican party has now tipped her hand as for the reason for the swift resignation of the Alaskan Gubernatorial office.

The Anchorage Daily News reported today Ms. Palin's financial disclosure statement that encompassed the months she served in the highest office in Alaska. During that time, HarperCollins paid an advance (her term, retainer) on the forthcoming memoir of $1.25 million.

"The Governor has complied with Alaska disclosure law by her filing," Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail Tuesday. "Now, as a private citizen, her business dealings, including her publishing agreement, are confidential."

Does this surprise anyone? It is no shock that Palin was posturing for position within the Republican Party as she formed her plans during the 2008 failing vice-presidential run. I believe Sarah and her husband, Todd, saw the upcoming loss of the VP gig. She had a taste of the national spotlight and became drunk on power. It was impossible for her to come so close to the brass ring, only to have it yanked from her grasp.

Sarah Palin had a master plan, one that touched on all aspects of her persona:

She manipulated those closest to her, even her daughter, Bristol, and "to be, not to be" son-in-law, Levi Johnston through a near shot-gun wedding;

She "quit" on the people of Alaska who supported and elected her as she resigned the office of Governor, claiming she didn't want to be a lame duck governor;

She reworked herself on social network venues (Facebook, 950,000 fans, and Twitter) to build a base - much more of a celebrity platform than one of policy and substance;

She played a "peek-a-boo" game of agreeing to speak at events for candidates, only to withdraw at the last moment;

She recently spoke on behalf of Doug Hoffman, Congressional candidate from New York, who is not a Republican, but running on the Conservative Party ticket - the party Sarah Palin identifies with.

Are any of these things illegal? No, they are not. Do these actions speak to the moral character of an individual who, for all practical purposes has her eye on the highest position in the United States? Yes, it does.

The bottom line for former vice-presidential candidate, former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is GREED. She has tasted fame and fortune, she has done it while slipping under the ropes, she has done it through manipulation. "Going Rogue" is not just the title of her soon-to-be-released book, it is the story of her life.