Did Sarah Palin resign as Alaska's governor in order to spend full time preparing to run for President?

If so, the New York Times contends, it's a risky strategy.

In a story posted to its website Saturday, the Times recalls that Richard M. Nixon announced he was retiring from politics for good in 1962 after losing his campaign for reelection and failing to win the White House two years earlier.

"In fact," the story says, "Nixon used the next six years to quietly refurbish his image,building ties with the conservative wing that was becoming ascendant in the Republican Party, ingratiating himself with Republican senators and candidates forgovernor by campaigning on their behalf, and becoming better schooledin issues."

Palin, however, is at a different place in her career than was Nixon. While conservative Republicans adore her, she is viewed disparagingly by many of the Republican Party's elites, the paper says, and has grown increasingly unpopular both in her state and nationally.

And, unlike Nixon, who hadbeen a vice president, a senator and a member of the House, Palin's credentials are weak. She has been the mayor of a small town and, by resigning, she gives up the right to claim she has served even one whole term as governor.

"Without a positive record of accomplishment as governor, Ms. Palin may find she has little to run," the story says.