Palin Plans?

Aspen Public Radio News has started its Summer in the Streets series where the news team asks people walking along the streets in cities and towns from Rifle to Aspen about different issues. This week I was tasked with questioning folks about Sarah Palin's latest move in Alaska. She resigned as Governor earlier this month. Two political editors from NPR discussed potential Palin plans at public events in Glenwood and Aspen--I took their comments to the streets. I asked people why they thought she resigned, if it helped or hurt the Republican party and what she might be planning to do next.

The answers were varied but one thing was certain, people remain impassioned about Palin. Some wanted her to run for president in 2012, some said she would go on to make millions in the private sector by writing books and making public appearances, one man even said she would ride off into the sunset...I believe he was speaking figuratively but who wouldn't like to see Palin riding some lone highway on a Harley? Despite her role as a political figure, people seem to be more willing to discuss her role as a private citizen, family drama and all. That is likely the media's fault and another reason, many people mentioned, as to why she resigned--too much limelight. We'll see what happens next and whether she chooses to milk that limelight because, from what I can tell, she's still got the public's attention.