The Anchorage Daily News lays out 7 challenges facing Sarah Palin.

1 Federal relations:

Gov. Palin spent the last two months questioning the patriotism of the new president. She accused him of hanging out with terrorists. Palin now says it was just the rough-and-tumble of party politics. But how is that going to play when she goes to Washington looking for help with gas line construction or military base protection or exemption from environmental rules?

(Palin was easily the most divisive member of the McCain campaign. She pulled absolutely no punches while fanning the flames of racism, and attempting to smear Obama's name by linking him to past 60's radicals and current controversial leaders in the middle east. It often felt that Palin had tunnel vision and wanted to win at all cost without any consideration for the fallout that may occur if, and when, she lost. I agree that this may be the single most difficult hurdle for her to overcome.)

2 Eternal suspicion:

For the rest of her career in Alaska, every move Palin makes will be second-guessed for ulterior motives. Is she taking on this or that priority because it's good for the state or because it looks good on her resume?

(What we learned by watching Sarah Palin on the campaign trail is that everything that Sarah does is for Sarah. Sure she often gives lip service about wanting to do something for our country or for Alaska, but her actions completely negate that sentiment. The evidence of that is her selfish shopping sprees, spending thousands of dollars of GOP money on shiny new clothes despite the fact the campaign was having budgeting issues. Her refusal to accept any blame for anything that she said or that seemed to go wrong on the campaign. And her horrible treatment of Alaskans like Hollis French, Trooper Wooten, Walt Monegan, Steven Branchflower, and many, many others who dared to challenge her.)

3 Political seasoning:

Anonymous diva-bashing aside, it was apparent that Palin would benefit from wider experience if she intends to move on in the political world. Her strongly positive rating from Republicans in the new polls is balanced by strong negatives from Democrats and independent voters. For Palin, the challenge will be how to find that experience and surround herself with smart people who can help -- without selling Alaska short in the process.

( Of course the problem with surrounding herself with "smart people" is that they will undoubtedly disagree with her and we already know how she responds to that.)

4 The Legislature:

Palin's two-year record was much dissected during the presidential campaign. Some Alaska lawmakers complained she was disengaged at times. Democratic allies who helped with her priorities are now unhappy with her new national partisanship and the campaign's meddling in Troopergate. Her unhappiest critics have been Republicans who resented how the "maverick reformer" painted dissenters as part of the "good old boy" network.

(There are multiple legislators with tire marks on their backs from being thrown under the Sarah Palin bus. I think it is very unlikely that they will respond to her with anything but hostility, unless she can earn back enough support from the Alaskan people to make opposing her politically dangerous.)

5 The natural gas pipeline:

With the nation sliding into recession and state oil revenues plunging, the gas line seems more important than ever to Alaska. Crossing the next big pre-construction hurdles would give Palin a big achievement to trumpet.

(In my opinion this deal is already dead. There were had many SERIOUS problems with it, and I do not see how it can be resurrected. I urge my fellow Alaskans to say vigilant, and to be wary of any attempts to give MORE money to the Canadian developer to sweeten the deal. We have already wasted 500 million on this project.)

6 Family and friends:

OK, the kids will remain off limits, for the most part. But finding time for her growing family remains a significant challenge for Palin, alongside her work for the state and her new national prominence.

(The real question is now that Trig Palin is no longer a useful campaign tool does Bristol get him back, or do the Palins still need to keep the charade going?)

7 The messes:

Local and national media have been rummaging through Palin's closet while she's been gone. Their unfinished work litters the landscape.

Troopergate, state business on private e-mail accounts, "boxes and boxes" of gifts, per diem payments for nights in Wasilla, travel costs of the kids. How much of this is taxable income? The loan of wardrobe for the duration of the campaign -- is that a taxable gift?

All this will take time to sort out -- beginning with Troopergate, where two investigative reports reached starkly different conclusions.

(I believe that Governor Sarah will continue to play the innocent until that no longer works for her and then she will get nasty and start flexing her muscle. THAT is when Alaskans will get to see the REAL Sarah Palin. I ma going to make sure I have a ringside seat to that display. I am sure that it will prove very entertaining and informative. )

This is only a rudimentary look at this article. I encourage you click the link in the title to read the entire thing.