On Palin

Sarah Palin may have actually earned my respect for the first time.

"In addition to Palin's book deal, she is being offered lucrative speeches and has been approached about talk shows. She is expected to earn millions on the book and other deals once she is out of state government -- after July 26."

full post from MSNBC's First Read

If Sarah Palin realised that she couldn't win the next Republican presidential primary; and

If Palin realised that her next years as Governor would suck beyond sucking because she is such an easy target; and

If Palin realised that she really had not much of a future in actual elected public political office; and

If Palin realised that she could leave her current position as a full-time time target of her political opponents; and

If Palin realised she could make way more money (and have a better life) as a Republican bon vivant/gadfly working the paid speaking circuit and fundraising circuit (see further Bill Clinton Washington post here and Newsweek here)

I will actually have respect for her

If I were unlikely to win the Presidential Nomination but could make millions I'd pull the plug in a second.

So, there you have it. I may have to issue a statement of grudging respect for this decision to stand alongside my overall utter contempt for Sarah Palin.