As Lt. Gov. and soon-to-be Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell prepares to finish the term of soon to be ex-Gov. Sarah Palin, he has some pretty clear measures with which he can judge his success over the next year and a half:

1. His children and spouse will not be household names and their activities will not provide fodder for dinnertime discussions for Americans, except as inspirational role models.

2. He and his loved ones will garner not even a mega-second mention on late-night TV.

3. The general public will never know any of his high school nicknames.

4. He and his administration will not prompt even one ethics complaint.

5. He will not argue with every blogger, journalist, Democrat or legislator who disagrees with him.

6. He will not use the word "transparent" to describe any aspect of government -- even if it's true -- and he'll refrain from any and all sports analogies.

7. No one will confuse him with a Hollywood-style celebrity.

8. He will never, ever wink or say "You betcha."

9. Neither he nor his family nor his administration will provide more melodrama than a daytime soap opera.

10. A few months from now, no matter how green the grass may look someplace else, no matter how hot the governor's seat, Alaska will be his No. 1 priority and Alaskans will know it.

For the most part, those are low bars for success, and Alaskans will expect much more of Mr. Parnell. In fact, with the initial shock-disappointment-anger upon hearing Gov. Palin's surprise announcement July 3 that she'll be leaving the governor's seat later this month wearing thin, many, if not most, Alaskans are looking forward to moving forward. They're tired of the distractions that have marked Gov. Palin's short term in office, made even shorter by all the time she spent away from Alaska while campaigning for national office.

Even her resignation has become a distraction because people don't understand the "why" of it.

As best we can tell the decision is based on Gov. Palin's belief that for her to continue in office would mean "politics as usual." From her perspective, since she decided not to seek re-election she essentially would be a "lame duck" even with a year and a half left to her term. While that makes quitting sound noble, from our perspective, there's a lot a person can accomplish in a year and a half -- whether they're seeking re-election or not.

People might be more understanding of her decision to quit if they had more specifics about what her future plans are. It's not enough to say: "But I have given my reasons 'no more politics as usual' and I am taking my fight for what's right -- for Alaska -- in a new direction." What's the new direction? Is anyone following?

Sorry, Governor, but Alaskans elected you to serve a full four-year term as governor (they didn't say anything about re-election when they put you in office) and you've let them down. You were given an incredible opportunity and responsibility as both Alaska's youngest governor and its first woman governor. Never mind the additional opportunity and responsibility when you were tapped to be John McCain's running mate. It should have been a time of great honor for you and Alaska, but what we remember most are the late-night TV jokes and a divisiveness that served no one, least of all your beloved Alaska, well. Maybe some time and distance will better highlight your accomplishments, but right now it feels like you've jumped ship.

Our hope is that under Mr. Parnell's administration Alaska will be united and taken seriously, that the actions of the governor will be less maverick-y and more dependable and that the celebrity shimmer that marked the Palin administration will be replaced by some good, old-fashioned elbow grease that will result not only in a gasline, but also pave the way for Alaska to lead the nation in alternative energy development.

All the best to Mr. Parnell as he takes the reins of state government under less than ideal circumstances. This isn't the way anyone wants to achieve higher office, but he has our support.