It means Palin is willing to risk her political life for her convictions including her recent resignation from office. She's a politician that doesn't let her political career define her as a person...as it should be for all of them. Refreshing.
Yes, that’s it. I only cited my blog after I couldn’t find media article that mentioned that allusion which, I think, would be natural to Palin.
Both Palin’s statement and the media’s reaction are interesting.