When Sarah Palin announced she would resign as governor of Alaska later this month, many ‘experts’ thought this meant she would retire from politics altogether. It took her a while, but one week after making the surprise announcement, Palin says ‘no way’:

Palin tells the Washington Times for a Sunday story that she is eager to campaign for Republicans and independents and even Democrats who share her views on limited government, national defense and energy independence.

Palin says that Americans are so tired of partisan politics that not even her 20-year-old son is a Republican. Like his father, he is registered as “nonpartisan” in Alaska.

Other experts, especially those who think very highly of the governor, argued she was stepping down because she understands that she has to build a network and forge alliances with other politicos if she wants to run for president in 2012 (or 2016). It seems to me that these people could very well be right.

You cannot run for president unless you have congressmen and senators supporting you. How can you convince them to back you up? Right, by helping them win elections. You help them win, they help you win. You scratch their backs, they scratch yours. It’s that simple.

In other words, a favor for a favor.

Say what you will about Sarah Palin, but she understands the way the game of politics is played all too well.