NO SURPRISE . . . So Our Sarah made the big announcement. She's not running for president. That's bad for Ear -- think of the mangled syntax and historical revisionism we'll miss -- but probably good for the Republic. And it will come as no great surprise that even as she made the announcement on some national no-name right-wing radio show, she broke yet another promise to Alaskans: In January, in a recorded exchange, Sarah promised to announce her presidential plans first on Bob's and Mark's KWHL show.

It wasn't a casual "letchyaknow guys." It was a clear, explicit promise. Now, did anyone really think she would announce a presidential run on an Anchorage shock-jock show? Of course not, but it was always pretty clear she wasn't going to run and, as she demonstrated, announcing a no-run on a radio show most Americans have never heard of was doable. (Sorry Bob, Mark).

Anyhow, Bob Lester posted video of the promise interview on his Facebook page with the comment "Ouch."

RIGHT PLACE, WRONG SLOGAN . . . Wasilla mayoral candidate Taffina Katkus came in third Tuesday. Earwigs liked her catchy slogan -- "More thinkin' and less drinkin' at City Hall," according to the Frontiersman newspaper -- but some suggested it might have worked better with Valley voters if she'd reversed it:

"More drinkin' and less thinkin' at City Hall."

THROWN TOGETHER . . . The political chat this week was about the prospect of Republican Rep. Anna Fairclough moving up to the Senate by taking out Democratic Sen. Bettye Davis. Reapportionment has put them in the same Senate district. Alors! What an amazing stroke of luck for the GOP! (Yes, d'Ears, Ear is being sarcastic.)

Anyhow, early money is on Fairclough if she chooses to run, and why wouldn't she? Davis has been in the Legislature forever -- 1991-96 in the House and 2000 to now in the Senate -- but she's not exactly a high-energy campaigner or lawmaker. However, she is a vote for the coalition that runs the Senate, so presumably Democrats will rally behind her. Or maybe they can come up with a winning replacement. The Alaska Republican Party seems determined to end the coalition.

COULD BE A MOVIE . . . Best press release from Admiral Begich:

"Sink Rat-Infested Pirate Fishing Vessel."

ON THE MOVE . . . Earwigs report Channel 11's Andrea Gusty has accepted a job as Sen. Lisa Murkowski's rural Alaska liaison. She'll be stationed in Anchorage.

SURE FUN . . . The Alaska Libertarian Party and the Alaska Tea Party are sponsoring a "panel discussion" of Title 21 (the muni's master land use plan) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Marston Theater. Eddie Burke will be the master of ceremonies.

Other speakers include local home builder Andre Spinelli, who will outline the "dangers to private property rights in Title 21"; developer Shaun Debenham will explain "the dangers to commercial property rights in Title 21"; and Libertarian Party chairman and tea party member Mark Fish will explain "how we can fight bad policy locally."

And in the other corner, sort of: Dan Coffey, who will explain "his purpose with the re-write of Title 21."

Then Eddie and Mark will "summarize the discussion and bring the event to a close."

This could be the best show in town. They really should charge admission. Does anyone know why Dan would subject himself to this? Has anyone notified security?

ADIEU . . . Two familiar names with Alaska Airlines' local operation are headed out the door but not out of Anchorage, earwigs report. Senior vice president Bill McKay and Susan Bramstedt, head of PR for the airline, are both retiring. Between them, the two have racked up 80 years with the company. Susan, who is third in seniority among some 13,000 employees, got her 45-year pin at a big do in Anchorage last week.

They're done on the 10th, which is tomorrow. Ear is disconcerted. They've been the face of Alaska Airlines forever. The airline announced Friday that longtime Anchorage PR exec Tim Thompson will replace Bramstedt.

KUDOS . . . UAA student Marcella Dent has won a coveted White House internship, beginning this fall. Dent is the daughter of Ronnie Dent, a longtime KSKA development person, now public relations manager at ML&P, and Mark Dent, an editor at the Daily News. She'll be working in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.

OUT BOX . . . Someone from UAF is doing a "Love Survey" and soliciting respondents online. They asked Your Favorite Good Morning Newspaper to get the word out. So here's the word: The Luscious Lobe checked out the questionnaire. After asking for gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, race and religion, the first question is, "Do you love yourself?"

Ear hit the delete button.

Compiled by Sheila Toomey. Message Sheila at 257-4341 or ear@adn.com. Find Ear online at www.adn.com/ear.