I’ve:
— Heard her explanation on TV and reviewed published news stories, essentially that her resignation is in the best interest of Alaskans whom she loves.
— Reviewed some jokes.
— Listened to some political pundits (specific names don’t really matter at this point though it must be said that they all look and sound alike).

Quickie Analysis of a Sort: When was the last time an Alaskan news organization of any size or stripe or color won a Pulitizer? A Peabody? A Polk? A national journalism award?  What’s this got to do with Palin? There, she  had only needed to contend with Alaska’s news media. Boom! She was thrusted into national news and American history.  The unprecedented attention opened up the shadowy vistas of her life. Uh oh.

Conclusion: There’s a hobgoblin on her tail. What exactly is probably only clear to her and her closet family members or friends. Here are some guesses. She’s under investigation for a serious crime, said criminal investigation resulting from the massive news media attention that erupted after she was selected as John McCain’s running mate and became a notable chapter in American history.

The FBI reported that it wasn’t after her. So, what about all those other government police agencies dealing with domestic matters, like the IRS? ATF? SEC?

Maybe Letterman freaked her out more than was generally understood, as in, QMfE, “Gee, Dave’s after me? I got to get out of here.”

Or … she just doesn’t have what it takes to be a national figure. She realized that, to her credit, and decided to run – and twitter (according to news reports). I’ll stick with the hobgoblin.

I wish a lot more of her kind would flee into the wilderness. I really do.

I sent the request to the Region 1 Director of the Society of Professional Journalists (because I was on her email list) and got the following response:

Date: Mon 30 Jun 18:50:27 EDT 2008
From: Carolyn James <acjnews@rcn.com> Add To Address Book 
Subject: Re: SPJ Region One Director Carolyn James 

I have sent an email on this to my local Jersey people. Hope they can help
you. Carolyn James

On July 5 I sent the same request to Catherine Langley, Communications Manager  of the New Jersey Press Association.  It’s membership is much bigger than the SPJ Region 1 chapter. I got an “out-of-office” reply [she was on vacation].

And here’s more of the question originally asked: Does anyone know when was the last time a New Jersey newspaper won a:

> 
> A Polk?
> 

> A NJ news organization winning – this is a bit of a stretch – a Peabody? This is is not a trick question – sort of. NJ is sandwiched between NYC and Philadelphia. And Newark has no major TV news affiliate or even a local].
> 
> A Dupont?
> 
[emails of others deleted]                 

>> 
>> Dear Professor:
>> 
>> As the Region One Director for the National Society of Professional
>> Journalists (SPJ), I am reaching out to you as I have your name and email
>> address on my list as the SPJ liaison for your college or university’s SPJ
>> chapter. I would like you to know that I am available to you as a source of
>> information and support for your chapter. Please email or call me at
>> 516-798-5100 to let me know if there is anything I can do to help promote
>> your work. I would love to talk to you.
>> 
>> In the event you are not the individual who is responsible for the chapter,
>> please advise me of the correct name and email address or telephone
> number
>> or simply forward this email to them.
>> 
>> Have a wonderful summer and I look forward to speaking to you.
>> 
>> Carolyn James
>> Region One Director
>> Society of Professional Journalists