Much has been made in the past week about South Carolina governor Mark Sanford and his recent rendezvous to the Southern Cone. Individuals of both parties and many political persuasions have weighed in on the controversy. Even actor Alec Baldwin offered insightful remarks on the matter.

But despite increasing calls for his resignation, Sanford remains in office. Instead, another governor will be resigning before the end of the month; Alaska governor and former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Since her stint on the national, the populist Palin has been shouded in controversy, some warranted some not. Many anticipated that she would be a candidate for the GOP presidential nod in 2012. While expressing a desire to serve her state and her country, Palin was ambiguous about her future plans.

In a matter of two weeks, the Republican Party has now likely lost two promising, relatively young leaders. Much like Sanford, Palin had accumulated political enemies during her tenure as governor. On the national stage, Palin fell victim to unwarranted criticism at times, both within and beyond Alaska. Her recent feud with David Letterman, however, was not one of those times. The scandal which has brought down Mark Sanford from the likelihood of presidential contention was his own doing, and something for which he should receive no sympathy.   

Moving forward, Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell, a failed candidate for Congress, will become governor of Alaska upon Palin’s resignation. This could make interesting the upcoming 2010 gubernatorial primaries in the state, for which there are already other potential Republican contenders. Fortunately for Parnell, he will be governing a state that largely has its affairs in order when jobless rates and state budgetary shortfalls have increased nationally.  

Palin, whose name was in the national headlines in recent days over a lingering 2008 campaign controversy, will presumably be looking after her family. While there are things not to like about Sarah Palin, she will leave office with her authenticity as a person in tact. The same cannot be said for Mark Sanford, when or if he resigns.

Last 5 posts by James Kane

• A November to Remember - November 8th, 2010
• On hope and fear - October 18th, 2010
• Expecting Different Results - September 12th, 2010
• A glaring omission on Iraq - August 31st, 2010
• Employing a losing strategy - August 7th, 2010