Criticism is especially telling when it comes from someone who should be close to you. Sarah Palin is already the most famous Alaskan ever, as well as the powerful governor of a proud state, which makes last Saturday's editorial in her local paper endorsing Barack Obama all the more commendable. The Anchorage Daily News could have been forgiven had it put aside its doubts to back the Republican ticket and the local girl. After all, were she ever to become vice president, Ms Palin would no doubt shower on Alaska all the pork-barrel goodies her running mate John McCain has been promising to abolish. It takes guts to show editorial independence in such circumstances. But Alaska's only big paper has managed to do it. Its reporting has been bold and informed ever since Mr McCain made his surprise pick at the end of the summer. While the big papers were recovering from the shock, and trying to work out how to reach her hometown of Wasilla, the Anchorage Daily News was ready with facts about her less-than-wholesome record as state governor. In its editorial at the weekend the paper was explicit about the dangers of what it called "an improbable and highly memorable event". "Despite her formidable gifts, few who have worked closely with the governor would argue she is truly ready to assume command of the most important, powerful nation on earth," the editorial concluded. The Anchorage Daily News may not swing many votes in Alaska. But America should give thanks for the warning.