by Kevin Mcinturff

Created on: November 06, 2008   Last Updated: November 25, 2008

Now that the election is over and Barack Obama will assume the presidency, the question remains as to the political future of Sarah Palin. A virtual unknown until the Republican Convention last August, she was a soccer mom turned governor of Alaska. Many questioned John McCain's choice of this person; a much more likely running mate would have been Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney. However, these men would have to wait on the sidelines as McCain chose Palin to share the limelight.

Initially, Governor Palin made a big splash on the political scene. Many tuned into the Republican Convention and the Vice Presidential debates to find out more about this woman. She seemed bright and energetic; someone who was not afraid to speak her mind. She seemed like someone who could relate to the common man. The "Joe Six-packs" of the country were the ones she targeted her message towards and they responded enthusiastically. She was rallying the party faithful and getting them behind McCain.

Then the blossom began to fade. New reports began to surface about her and her husband's involvement in "Trooper Gate" concerning the dismissal of commissioner Walt Monegan over his refusal to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten who was Palin's ex brother in law. Then there was the interview with CBS News anchorwomen Katy Couric in which Palin came off ill-informed and unprepared. Finally, there was the question of her $150,000 wardrobe and the ethics of it being paid for with campaign funds.

Many began to question if Palin was the right person for the Republican ticket. Opinions were expressed that she was dragging down McCain. Of course, McCain stood by his choice of Palin and defender her until the end. After the election, Palin said that McCain's lost was due more to the economy than her.

Does all this mean that Governor Palin was just a flash in the pan or is there still a future for her in national politics? Many have suggested that she may try to run for the Senate if Ted Stevens wins the reelection and is then forced to resign due to his convection. Others have speculated that she may try to run for president in 2012. If this is true, then she will need to convince voters that she has the experience and ability to hold such an office.

In the end, Sarah Palin still needs to pay her dues. She may continue to serve as Governor of Alaska or she may choose to run for the Senate. In either event, she needs to gain more experience before anyone will seriously consider her for the office of President of the United States. She needs to formulate her own views of economic, social and diplomatic policy and lay the groundwork for serious credibility. She also needs to stay true to her own views and to be true to herself. If Sarah Palin can do these things, then she may have a real future on the national political stage.

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