By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Sarah Palin's announcement on Friday to step down as Alaska's governor looks even more bizarre the day after.

Now, even Republicans are speaking out about how Palin cut and run from political office. In other words, they are painting her as a quitter.

Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said: "I am deeply disappointed that the governor has decided to abandon the state and her constituents before her term has concluded."

Others were coming to the same conclusion, that Palin's decision to quit as governor wasn't exactly a profile in political courage.

As they point out, Palin didn't give any concrete reasons for quitting, other than not wanting to face the heat of ethical accusations over the coming months.

And her decision to be the "point guard" who passes the ball so her team can win doesn't make much sense. Sure, the point guard can get an assist on a crucial basket or two.

But in the political world, the governor is the leader, with plenty of political power to make things happen. If Alaska really were humming along under the Palin regime, her decision to quit would be a great loss to the state.

Unfortunately for Palin, her foray into the 2008 presidential contest as John McCain's vp pick exposed her to plenty of bad publicity and -- yes, as she said Friday -- to the liberal media who are trying to put everything she does under a microscope.

For now, Palin is choosing the road less traveled if she hopes to be the GOP standard bearer in 2012. She can raise private funds for the campaign, while not having a real job as the governor of Alaska.

But quitting that job probably won't help convince Americans in the long run that she would be up to the task of being president. Last time I checked, serving in the White House is a lot tougher job than being the governor of Alaska.