STAR PARKER COMMENTARY: Palin's Audacity Of The Unconventional

The conservative Republican commentator opines about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's decision to resign, effective in two weeks: "More astounding than Governor Palin's audacious move is the fact that her political base appears unfazed. It appears as strong as when the McCain Palin ticket surged into the lead after the convention. So why, after Palin has partaken in what is supposedly forbidden political fruit, do so many not readily grasp that her death sentence is pre-ordained? Pundits live in the world of the conventional. They assume if you know what happened yesterday, you can predict tomorrow. But life is art, not science, and freedom is about enabling the inconceivable. It's where principles, faith, and courage depart from expertise and analysis. Reagan's experts didn't want him to speak those historic words in Berlin -- 'tear down this wall.' The words stayed in the speech because of Reagan. Reagan himself drew derision from the media and the pundits, not unlike what Sarah Palin gets. Even though he served two terms as California's governor, he still was an ex-actor who went to Eureka College. How could he be president? But grassroots America heard him. As they do Sarah Palin."

Ms. Parker continues her commentary: "American entrepreneurship -- whether in business or politics -- is always unconventional. The experts then step up and write how-to books after entrepreneurs break the mold. These are not usual times. Many, legitimately so, are deeply concerned for the future of this country. It's more than the latest economic statistics. It's knowing that what will drive the future is freedom and values, and both are disappearing. Genuineness and conviction are more critical in these challenging times than resumes and appearances. So stepping down from a job in which you are no longer realizing your ideals to reconnect with family and self is not necessarily political suicide. But doing what everyone says you are supposed to do, compromising your values, and letting pundits and experts run your life is. So far, Sarah Palin's audacity of the unconventional is playing just fine."