CNN

Pundits and politicos are so busy analyzing this from some kind of tactical or strategic point of view that they may very well be missing the point. In spite of what the bloggers and haters would have one believe, Sarah Palin is in fact, a human being. Those of us who have actually breathed the air outside the Beltway understand that she is also a mother and wife. It is just barely conceivably possible that her decision is [gasp] a personal one, and isn't some part of a grand strategic plan to completely bumfuzzle the Obama administration. Time will tell, but if that is the case, it will certainly be amusing to watch the Palin-haters try to wrestle with the concept of her having a real life.

She is done with Politics, this is probably the best thing that can happen for the Republican Party. Being a Moderate Republican family ourselves we never supported her and never will, she simply has no Political knowledge and now that she's out of Politics she will have even less. Good riddens.

Rollins is correct, it ends Palin as a viable candidate for the immediate future and possibly forever. But that does not mean she won't try, and if she does then the person she hurts most is Huckabee because her support, like his, comes (only!) from the "base". But I really think she is done with politics, which it appears has not been fun for her. I see her moving on to a career as a political celebrity and a job as a host or commentator in television or radio.

Sarah has been circling the drain for months....she's done.

Brilliant move and brilliant speech. God Bless Sarah. She is a force to be reckoned with and scares the hell out of the left wing. By by BO.

What a mess the GOP has become.

You betcha!....Now, she needs to stay out!

This shows that Palin can't handle elected office of anything larger than a small town. She had to have know that getting involved in national politics of any kind would have her family exposed to the spot light. I hope that she can understand that this not finishing a term shows to me that she can't handle any national office (complete term or not). She has also shown herself to be an ideologue and not understanding of the various policies and histories of them in the country are. She doesn't study; she fails to follow the advice that Newt Gingrich gave to me once in an airport - keep reading!

First of all I did not understand a thing she was saying when she shaid she was leaving. Second of all she did the country a big favor. I feel sad for the foolish woman. I pray for her sake that she does not try and run for anything but her life. I can't stand the stupid uneducated woman. A real complete fool is what she is. People get a life and let Sarah be Sarah and move on to something else. Sarah is not important to anyone but God and that is the only person she should be. Let it go and let her be on her way doing whatever she thinks she needs to do.

Her political choices aren't making sense to most people it seems. I still don't think she's ready for primetime, and I really wonder if she ever will be. She's probably better suited for her own show on FOX news – and not much more.

You cannot force something that is fake. Palin was a fake and everyone knew it. She is not educated, looks smart but is not and you see that in her final act. Now she is a poor excuse for the GOP and they know it. Now she is money hungry (husband does not work) and she is going to go after the almighty dollar. Next for Palin. NOTHING.

I think Sarah Palin did the right thing and who cares about what she does anyway. It has been over for her a very long time ago. Maybe she will attend someone's school and get some learning. I am glad to see her go and don't come back Sarah.

when will the other shoe drop?

It folows a pattern. It is a pattern that has made her one of the most recognized figures in America. But being recognized and being elected are two different things. That being said she really doesn't have to prove a thing to me. I would not vote for her for anything ever but she knopws that. To the people she wants this might seem like a good idea,

Every day she seems to confuse me more and more. She must be an intellegent woman, her actions do not make her seem so.

When Senator McCain named her as his running mate, I thought good, she spoke well, no one knew her. I felt sorry for her, due to the fact that I thought the McCain did not let her speak out, I know why now.

Who knows she may have something in the works and she will laugh all the way to the bank. LOL

From an old high school coach:

"Winners never quit and quitters never win."

Governor Palin just QUIT on her constituents in Alaska who had voted her in for a full term. She has not set the pattern for any other office she might seek.

Who would vote for this woman???? Would you want a ditz like this in the White House running our country???? Why would anyone even consider her for President????? I don't get it.

As a Repub and a Christian Conservative i believe Palin did the right thing. She had long since passed the point of being good or bad for Alaska with everything else she played with in the media. Once a person has abandoned the job they were elected to do (such as McCain, Palin, Kerry, etc), they should bow out gracefully and let someone else do the job. The people that elected them did so with the idea they would do what they promised, not follow their own agenda as so many do.....

Why doesn't anyone put her resignation into context? An ethics complaint is similar to a lawsuit. Palin earns 150K a year. The state of Alaska has spent 2 Million dollars in research of the complaints, and Palin owes a half a million in defense of them.

2 Million dollars is the salaries of 47 Teachers for one year. McLeod (who filed 5, from wearing a jacket with a logo, to what else...) and CREW for her wardrobe (over half was returned immediately for being the wrong sizes...which proves Palin did not do the shopping, by the way...common sense would dictate she knows her families clothing sizes) with promises of more filings. Another 4.5 Million of state money at the very least or another 102 Teachers' jobs.

Perhaps if our House and Senate were as fiscally responsible, our country might have a surplus. My fellow Democrats has been in charge since 2006. Instead of cutting spending, they increased it under Bush and quadrupled it under Obama. This is not the kind of "hope and change" I signed up for. Did you?

Who cares! What matters is the 11.4 trillion dollar deficit.

Was she speaking in alaskan,or code,what did hear speach say other than she is a quitter for a higher purpose.

she already seemed very weak and now this, if this is the best that the RNC has than it is in danger of becoming extinct. if rush/hannity put a positive spin on this as some sort of master plan than they will be putting the wrecking ball in place. get over palin an lets right this ship.................

One more unemployed American...

i am thrilled sara will be running in 2012. The liberals are going to try and destroy sara but they will find out what a determined woman can actually do.

This was a decision for her to make. Not the Media's, not the jackels who hounded, or the comedians who went way below the belt to abuse her children. The combination thereof would run anyone from public office. All you who think you know what is in the woman's mind and calling her a traitor to her state. She could do no good for her state with all the uncalled for harrassment she was receiving. iIdoubt very seriously now that the woman has any political ambitions. BUT FOR ALL THE TODO OVER HER BY THE HYENAS OF THIS WORLD YOU WERE DEFINITELY SCARED OF HER. I PERIOUSLY THINK SHE WOULD BENEFIT AMERICA FAR MORE THAN THE JERK WE GOT.

Republicans can't be serious considering her as a candidate. There is no way her inconsistent positions and Reality Show lifestyle will play with the electorate in 2012. Republicans, if there are any left by 2012, are going to need viable Presidential material. A candidate that can hold up to personal scrutiny and political debate. She's going to need much more political acumen than she has ever displayed in the past.
I think she'll be a shill, drawing crowds to raise cash and provide fodder for pundits to deflect attention from Sanford's past, (currently present).

Sarah Palin is such an idiot...she can't even finish one term of her gubernatorial duties because it's too hard to deal with....but there are those that think she is a credible candidate for President? I said on the day that McCain announced her as his running mate that the election was over...and I'm saying now that the day she resigned ended her chances to run for national office.

If Palin is all you have, the GOP is in worse shape than I thought. She will have 2 years to study. Not near enough time to get her up to speed. Sorry!

thank god now maybe the wolves have a chance

I can't imagine she is remotely considering a run for the presidency.
I can't imagine an intelligent person speculating that she would.

Please Sarah ____be quiet now and give the rest of us a rest.

Palin is that kid when we were younger who couldn't get the rules of the game to go her way, so she is going home. Good RIDDANCE!

Let me state unequivically, noone ever steps aside a political office "for the greater good" of the people. This can only be that someone has enough "dirt" on her that she's afraid that the risks outweigh the benefits of staying there. Nobody gives up a promising career, let alone in the first term, and quitting before she can even complete one term...one commitment she has made to the people. She is bailing on us. She realized to coin an old phrase, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. And, she's getting the heck out of the proverbial kitchen real quick like. Someone must have some terrible dirt on her. I know she's not a quitter. Someone has something really bad, that she doesn't want exposed. As if ALL of the political embroilments that she has gotten herself into thus far wasn't enough, there must be even more that hasn't come to light yet...there must be some stuff that she is absolutely deftly scared and afraid of

The 2012 question for Sarah P...guest or replacement host for Jerry Springer?

This is simple. Your either a Sarah Palin follower, or your not. Her followers think she can do no wrong, but everyone else in the world thinks she is old news and needs to move out of the spotlight. The bottom line is Sarah will never be able to cross over to another party's base and will never have a chance at a presidential bid with the dwindling conservative base. She made the right move by stepping down, I hope she just takes some time off and quits being the Paris Hilton of politics and keeps out of the spotlight.

i don't get it. She only had about a year and half left of her term, right? Plenty of time to complete that, not run for re-election, and begin campaigning for president, if that's what she's after.
I am very suspicious though, as none of theses reasons seem to be very clear or substantial. It makes me think there's a scandal about to it, or something else going on.
Regardless of a person's politics, I would have a very difficult time voting for anyone who walked out before they finished a job they had been elected for. It just seems like a lack of committment to the people of Alaska and her own administration.

hopefully weve seen end of that fruitloop

WHO CARES!!! Palin should fall into obscurity! She's a loser, and a negligent, failed governor!

Sanford should run away with palin and Bill bennet can be their love buddy .. but please please make them stay away from serving anything to do with y=the government . oh and take cheney and rove

Palin is tabloid fodder, not someone who belongs in serious politics.

She made a great move!! I hope we never hear from her again.....

Sarah Palin will literally be the poster gal for the Republican Party's demise.

Sarah Palin has shown that either she cannot handle the responsibilities of being Governor of Alaska let alone President of the United States or that she is more concerned about personal ambition than governing. Her base may hail this decision as they would any she might make but the Republican base is drastically shrinking and alienating itself from moderates. She will have no chance of winning a general election running this type of strategy.

who cares. shes a joke. she changes her mind so much it is dangerous!!!!

Rollins is old, bitter and very chauvenist...who really cares what he thinks? Huckabee would have fared much better with someone more competent calling the plays for him...with his star power, I could have gotten Reagan elected, big deal. As much as I hate to admit it, Donna Brazile has a point...there is the potential that Palin will flame out before 2012...except Donna I don't think she's aiming for 2012. I believe everyone realizes that Obama will be re-elected for a second term. Palin has her eyes set on 2016 I believe and even 2020. Don't forget, she's only 45.

CNN, bring back Bernie Shaw, it was awesome to see him back on John King's show the other week. FOX kept Brit Hume for commentary, you should do the same with Bernie.

A "higher calling" than serving the full term that the Alaskans she claims to love so much elected her for? Perhaps it is once again the siren song of unbridled ambition and herb insatiable craving for attention. She did not even have the integrity to say "I am resigning as governor"...she just kept repeating "I am not running for re-election as governor". It is painful to see someone so fully awash in their neuroses on such a public, embarassing scale

Respectfully Mr. Bennett, she has already shown herself to be a disaster on the campaign trail and off. But then, I never take anything I hear from any politician at face value, and always dig deeper to find the facts (I'm one of those horrid people she hates because we do our homework about her and everyone else.) She will never be important on the national stage again, and I would guess the value of her book just plummeted as well.

Considering Obama and the path he is leading us, Sarah Palin looks pretty promising right now. I would MUCH rather support a fiscal conservative with minimal experience than an inexperienced radical like Obama!
God help the USA! Barry is minding the chicken coop as they come home to roost.

She must be trying to get off her psychiatric medications. Don't do it Sarah, you will be wackier than ever. Imagine if McCain would have won and eventually became incapacitated by old age. We would be stuck with her as President.

Seriously...

What ever Gov. Palin's reason, they are just that – her reasons. Stop with all the speculation! hucklebee all but giddy, rove dumbfounded that anyone could make a political decision without his approval and I am sure the demon-crats are dancing in the isles! Rollins never did like her and brazille is in bed with obama ever since selling Hillary down the river. Romney at least had enough class to keep his mouth shut.

Sarah Palin's press conference was indeed WRONG. She has now lost any credibilty as a Governor or Presidential hopeful by quitting her job!!

If you want to be taken seriously, the last thing you do is quit. BIG MISTAKE on Palin's part.

No one cares except for those on the far right? They will support anyone who is anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-sex education, anti-stem cell research, and pretty much against anything the rest of America supports. She is a right wing extremist and the far right still will support her if she decides to run in the future.

Talk about 'cut & run' ....... wow!

Wrong move for Palin's unlimited ambitions but right move for the state of Alaska.

CNN: NO MORE PALIN!!! She is done!!! She's a quitter and got out when the going got tuff!!! She has NO education and talks in circles!
I really hope she stays HOME and takes care of that baby!!!! She wanted it and now she can't quit on the baby the way she did Alaska!!

Good Luck Sarah,

Only ones complaining sre the Dems and those STATUS QUO REPUBS

Lt. Governor/Governor -in -waiting must be so exited, he is sucking up to whoever in his speech.

Sarah Palin is maverikly risky and this tactics will never work!!

I can't believe anybody is surprised by anything this woman saids!
Republicans wanted her to be the Vice President of the United States......she can't even handle the hot button issues in Alaska.
She nothing more than a money grabbing politican who looks good in a dress. I bet she ends up on Fox with her own show!
That's what you do when you can't answer questions you ask them.
LOL! Palin 2012 yall can have her winking and all.

Yeah!!!! Sarah for president with Kate Gosselin as her running mate!!!! What a team....

I just read that Palin says when others leave their posts to seek higher office, people are understanding. She asks why she can't have the same treatment.

Because you are quitting just to quit. Maybe you're bored, tired, embarrassed by the behavior of you and your family – whatever. But you are NOT running for, and have not been asked to run for, "higher office." And you haven't been asked to do anything else either, for your party or for your country, to use your own words.

What a self-serving bore you are. You would make the worst President ever. Go home and give your kids some sex education – you couldn't even do that right!

Get a life, Ms. Palin.

Good ridance! Take good care of your family!

I thought Steny WROTE the stimulus bill along with Nancy Pelosi. What's he complaining about???

It's not too early. It's a flame out.

Who give a hoot about the base? The GOP base is NOT the key to winning elections. Having credibility with Moderate Democrats and Independents is.

How can Ms. Palin have credibility when she will be forever known as the woman that quit when things got tough?

If she wants to make 7-figures on her book and then be a shrill political voice with a show on Fox, she can pull in another 6-figures per year and become a wealthy woman. The way I see it, she's cashed in the lottery ticket named "I was selected as a VP running mate but I lost". She'll become a typical selfish Republican touting tax reduction to lie her own pockets.

But make no mistake about it, with this move she'll never hold national political office.

Yes.

And Hillary should do the same for a bigger cause.

Palin and Hillary in 2012.

A dream duel.

Why does Palin want to go to Washington that bad if it is against her?

Why does she think she can run the country if the liberal media is against her??

How would she run the country if things were rough out there like they are now? Would she want to hide someplace to get away from difficult situations??

Palin couldn't even handle running a state where the caribou outnumber the people! She had to quit this cake job??? What a joke!

What about other governors that are lame ducks like Paulenty and Crist? You don't see them QUITTING!

What a LOSER! "You betcha"