It’s not hard to understand Sarah Palin’s decision to step down as governor of Alaska.

Political pundits, particularly liberal Democrats, are having a field day offering the inside scoop on why Sarah Palin is resigning as governor of Alaska.

According to these sages, there must be some deep, dark reason for the highly popular governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate to step aside.

She has been the target of constant personal attacks since she was selected to be Sen. John McCain’s running mate for the White House. She came from far-off Alaska. She has a middle-class background; the elites detested her. Her looks and attractiveness were mocked. Her critics said she didn’t have sufficient executive government experience. She was the target of television comics.

Her critics claim she couldn’t take the heat and that politics is not for the faint-hearted. They said she was a quitter.

Numerous ethics violation charges were made against Palin and have cost her and her family more than $500,000 to defend. It is interesting to note that none of these charges have held up in court.

Why can’t her detractors accept her reasons to leave the governor’s office?

She says the legal charges have been a distraction for her in meeting her responsibilities as governor. She says she wants to fight for the causes she thinks are important: less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security and fiscal restraint.

However, this reasoning is not enough for her critics and detractors. They say there must be some damaging scandal.

She said, “Life is about choices, and I choose to build up rather than tear down.” In regard to her stepping away from the governor’s office and the public reaction, she said, “Being right is better than being popular.”

Palin said she intends to work wherever she can to fight for this country, the free enterprise system and “those who are proud to be Americans.”

Doubters claim Palin’s actions take her out of the running for future political office, that she buckled under the pressure. Her supporters, however, say she is tough, a quick learner, an excellent speaker (without notes or TelePrompTers) and that she is sure to broaden her appeal.

Chances are, the attacks on her didn’t bother her as much as the cheap shots against her family. She said she intends to help other Republicans who share her beliefs in America, her respect for our Constitution and those who are committed to protecting individual rights.

The attacks on Palin probably will continue because liberal Democrats and even some in the Republican Party will try to destroy any chance she might have for future political office.

They recognize her star power and the crowds she draws on the campaign trail. Time will tell whether her actions last week do indeed mark the end of her political career or perhaps the first step in her journey to help strengthen many GOP candidates and, in so doing, also strengthen her position as a national political figure. Critics and admirers alike are quick to say she is a maverick. She breaks the political mold, and it would be wrong to sell her short.