Palin to step down as governor, not seeking re-election
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she will step down as Alaska's chief executive by the end of the month. She will not seek election to a second gubernatorial term in 2010.
Palin, a Republican, was elected governor in 2006. She was tapped as Arizona Sen. John McCain's vice presidential running mate last year.
Palin said she was transferring authority to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will be sworn in on July 26.
"People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska," Palin said at an announcement from her home in Wasilla.
"Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine."
Palin added in a statement that she was "determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is not the easiest path. ... Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional 'Lame Duck' status in this particular climate would just be another dose of 'politics as usual,' something I campaigned against and will always oppose."
A Republican source close to Palin's political team told CNN's John King that it was a "calculation" she made that "it was time to move on."
The governor's "book deal and other issues" were "causing a lot of friction up" in her home state, the source said, adding that he believes that she is "mapping out a path to 2012."
Another source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Palin "thinks she has accomplished goals she has set forward. ... She sees what a positive influence she has had on people's lives from traveling the country in the last year."
As the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, Palin has been considered one of the front-runners for the next GOP presidential nomination. Her decision not to seek another term as governor is sure to stoke speculation that Palin is seriously eyeing a run for the White House.
In an interview last month with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Palin said she was unsure about her re-election bid because she needed to focus on her state and her family.
"So, no decision yet on either 2010 or let alone 2012?" Blitzer asked.
"No decision that I'd want to announce today," Palin responded.
- CNN's Peter Hamby, John King, Mark Preston, and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report.
(Updated at 4:45 p.m. with additional information)
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Palin just gave an unscripted 45 minute speech (virtually no notes) from her heart and that will be the initial speech for Pres of 2012.
How long can Obama talk with no Teleprompter ? Five words before he stammers and stutteres – Mr. O is a groomed "reader" for those who groomed him (you would be shocked if you knew the behind the scenes and who is there).
Wash POst and their money making scheme this week inc the White House is very interesting. .... $25,000 for access to White house. They will screw up and have to be prosecuted by the end of 2010.
Jack Carlson
WA
You know this woman is setting herself up to run again in 2012. God help us all.
how does she expect to be elected president when she can barely finish half her term as governor in the well-fare state? Half of that half-term was spent running for vice president!
Anyone stupid enough to believe that Palin is a good candidate for President, is stupid enough to help destroy the USA and believe that it's destruction is a GOOD thing!
Let er go...gather her minions, or is that millions? I think Obama would love to face this fool in 2012.
A HUGE announcement on a Fri July 3? Blatant newsdump means something HUGE is coming and it isnt good for Sarah...
She'll blame everyone including the hated media for her decision. She's already made mention of Trig and the disrespect toward him.
What she hasn't said is that she has decided to be the kind of mother any mentally challenged child needs. One who is there everyday and not traveling all over the world looking to improve her image as a politician. This mother of four children and one grandchild at home needs to understand her responsibilities as a mother. Just giving birth to five children does not automatically make you a good mother if you aren't there for those children's needs.
Thank you Gov. Palin for your service and dedication. I hope you do run in 2012 and take this country back in the right direction.
"Palin left Wasilla in debt."
"Palin is leaving Alaska in debt."
"What is Palin's next target – America?"
Nope, Obama got there first – and spent our children, our children's children, and our children's, children's children into immense, abysmal, fathomless debt.
Donna in Orlando.... it's not that we hate her because she's a woman, and woman don't hate her because their idiots... we hate her because she's pure evil and a COMPLETE VILLAGE IDIOT!
How many years and how many colleges did it take before she graduated with an actual degree? Obama went Ivy League – you can't even compare! Not to mention all her numerous unedited interviews where she actually thought the job of VP "meant making policy changes" which is so far off the mark.
She couldn't manage her own daughter – and a moron like her shouldn't be let NEAR the white House. Ever. Not even for a tour!
About Time, I wish she would have done that a couple of years ago.
donna, you are as big an idiot as palin......
As an Alaskan of 44 years, I am pleased glad, happy, delighted and elated that Sahah Palin is getting out of the way in Alaska. She has been an embarrassment to my state and to her political party. We will be much better off with out the pom-pom girl. I continue to be flabbergasted that she is taken seriously.
In my view, I think Gov Palin realizes that the church age has come to an end.
We finally have an intelligent, concise and clear thinking president and all the ignorant haters see is his race...but truth be told, many of them always did feel inferior to black men anyway..haha, I can imagine well. Bush tanked the economy and they want to blame Obama? please, give the guy a chance, he's president and poor Sarah..what's goin on? scandal? I hope not, but McCain lost any chance at the whire house when he selected her. I would luv to know her IQ level. To you Obama haters, get a harvard law degree and then maybe you'll be intelligent enough to have a conversation with President of the United States. Ignorant racists, haha!
Two things in her speech resonated with me.
1) That somehow God placed oil and gas in Alaska for the sole purpose of being exploited for gain at the expense of the landscape and wildlife. That's typical thinking for blind republicans.
2) She bragged about championing predator control as a sound form
of wildlife management (that means killingwolves from helicoptors)
She is the biggest predator out there.
This woman is ONLY interested in herself. The U.S. will be in trouble
if she is every elected to another office.
Don't go away mad, Caribou Barbie, just go away!
Maybe now she'll have to time read all those newspapers that she told Katie Couric she reads, LOL!
And BTW, what are "efficiencies?" She almost makes George W. sound intelligent. Almost.
Where is Palin's dedication to Alaska? Assuming she is so good at her job, why not finish out her term accomplishing more for her state? Does she really expect rational people to accept her reasoning? Looks like a thinly veiled attempt to hide her self-serving move. She does not appear very "executive" to me. She is a very divisive individual that would be a fatal choice for any higher office.
Coooool,,,,
Now Sarah can become a community activist. Then get elected President. It worked for Obama and ACORN.
"She sees what a positive influence she has had on people's lives from traveling the country in the last year."
what is that women smoking???
I don't feel either way about Palin, but I do feel that if one is considering any kind of political future, stepping down in the middle of your 1st term as a state governor will only hurt you. Which leads me to believe that something very, very nasty is about to surface and she is getting out while everything is still on her terms...
(and Obama WON POTUS and thus stepped down from his post – he did not quit. There is a HUGE difference there. McCain would have had to do the same thing, I can't believe people actually use this to defend their ignorance, geez)
Donna,
Their not all bashing women.
Their just bashing Sarah Palin
Theres a difference.
She's Worthy
You Liberals are loud and angry on the internet blogs because of your inferiority complexes- Luckily, the silent majority notices the unconstitutional expansion of federal government under the Obama administration- He will be a one term president. Don't think you idiots speak for the entire country because you don't. Your hypocrisy and arrogance as liberals knows no end.
My God ! This woman (Gov. Palin) is soooooo wacked ! Just her voice alone goes right through me. Anyone notice how she just rambles and NEVER makes any sense. Anyone who would support this nut job needs therapy !
doug July 3rd, 2009 4:18 pm ET
Palin left Wasilla in debt.
Palin is leaving Alaska in debt.
What is Palin's next target – America?
Hmmm Doug. And Obama is doing what to this country right now??????