From David Hulen in Anchorage --
Gov. Sarah Palin hands over the keys to the governor's mansion to Sean Parnell tomorrow, and, once again, there's a lot of national media attention coming our way. The bulk of it is around the question of what lies ahead. Some of it:
> The CBS Early Show this morning had three Republicans debating Palin's future. GOP strategist Bay Buchanan, commentator and author Ann Coulter and author and NewMajority.com founder David Frum argue over whether Palin's early departure does her in as a national candidate. (Buchanan: "There's a commitment you make when you run for elected office....she broke that trust." Coulter: "That's absolutely false. The voters of Alaska are delighted with what she did because they're sick of these investigations." Frum: "I think this exchange shows what a wonderful uniter Sarah Palin is. If this is the effect she has on Republicans, this is not what you need.")
Among the rest:
> Sarah Palin leaving governor's post amid confusion, criticism L.A. Times
Palin's departure -- she'll officially hand over power to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell at a community picnic in Fairbanks -- has left many Alaskans largely confused. And state legislators are scrambling to convene a special session to recover $28.6 million in federal energy funds that Palin rejected as one of her parting salutes to independence from Washington....
Supporters are struggling to improve on Palin's explanations: frustration over unfounded ethics complaints and a desire to "effect change" from outside government were among those she cited in her somewhat disjointed announcement...
> As She Steps Down, Palin Vows to Reclaim Ethics Fight Washington Post
> Palin faces questions as she exits Alaska politics The Associated Press
Palin picnic marks beginning of the end Politco
On Friday, Rush Limbaugh talked up Palin's future in an interview with Fox News Channel's Greta Van Susteren. "I think they, the Democrats, are telling us who they, right now, are most afraid of, who they think can beat Obama." Quitting, he said, "Doesn't matter...might be a very smart move." Video below.
>


Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.
