Walking away

As we watch the disintegration of the Republican party, piece by piece, we stand perplexed and uncertain as to whether what we are witnessing is actually happening. In the latest episode of this compelling tragi/comedy, the public meltdown of Governor Palin has provided late night comedians with endless supplies of new material. But, for me, I am left scratching my head and holding my breath.

The manic nature of Govenor Palin's actions and words give us all reason to be concerned. You see, there is the remotest possibility that we may be looking at the next President of the United States. In a world of spin, we are told that there may be method to the madness of walking out in the middle of one's term of office. The quitters never win ethos has apparently left the building.

Are we now to consider that a woman, unable to control her own emotions or thoughts, is gearing up for a run at the highest office in the land? Is she leaving behind the mess she has created and contemplating a do over?

Everything about this woman makes me uneasy. She appears an ego unchecked. She has never really learned that sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. She is not of great intellect and seems of little intellectual curiosity. Yet she has a charisma which her party, so badly in need of anything to cling onto, may cling onto.

Can she go into hiding and emerge as superwoman next year? Can she write her book, collect her millions, and come back refreshed and with a new facade? Will we be reintroduced to a woman who has been better schooled in the issues she has to address, and better able to talk the talk? Will she grow a thicker skin? Will she lose her manic edge? Like GM and Chrysler, will a new, sleeker, more efficient Palin model be revealed to the public in 2010 and beyond? Will we be told to forgive and forget?

I hope, for all our sakes, that the Republican party is able to rethink and retool, and come back a more rational, more centrist party. Let the right wing element of the party be shown the door once and for all. Now, leading that group into the wilderness is a job for which Governor Palin is well suited. Leading the country should not ever be an option she considers again.