Sarah Palin announces she is stepping down.

[Eggroll]

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 at the Governor's Picnic on July 25.

A Republican source close to her 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" in her home state, the source said, adding that he believes she is "mapping out a path to 2012."

As the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, Palin has been considered one of the front-runners for the GOP nomination in 2012. 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.

Palin stepping down this month - CNN.com

[Qalbert]

i was about to post that

[Alleya]

Someone remind me to unplug all my TVs and take the radio out of my car if she runs for president. I don't think I could take 2 years of her rhetoric, 8 months almost destroyed my sanity.

[oldoldman]

And nothing of value was lost.

[Correction]

Someone remind me to unplug all my TVs and take the radio out of my car if she runs for president. I don't think I could take 2 years of her rhetoric, 8 months almost destroyed my sanity.

You're going to want them plugged in again when Tina Fey returns to SNL.

[aru]

Does she realize that her as VP was something that turned off alot of voters from voting McCain?

[Yuri-G]

I think this is a good sign of whether she's more dedicated to the people she serves or the advancement of her career.

[kareface]

http://www.heartsandminds.org/fotos/MSCAstressedMan.jpg

I haven't met a single person who thought having her as a VP was a good idea. Who wants her as president?

[Cephius]

As a democratic supporter, I fully endorse this decision. Please, keep Palin in the public limelight so the support for the GOP continues to fall.

[Zosi]

The news report I read made it sound like she was getting out of politics completely, talking about how she can cause positive change "outside government" and saying that she was sick of the "political blood sport". Either way, a great day for the people of Alaska.

[Correction]

Either way, a great day for the people of Alaska.

Whether they know it or not? It's their fault she was put into public office in the first place. Remember one of their senators was the 'series of tubes' guy. I have a hard time sympathizing with such an electorate.

[Zosi]

Whether they know it or not? It's their fault she was put into public office in the first place. Remember one of their senators was the 'series of tubes' guy. I have a hard time sympathizing with such an electorate.

Her popularity in Alaska took a nose-dive following the Presidential election and a lot of the things that were discovered. She's still fairly popular there, but a lot of Alaskans were clearly disenchanted with the "real" Sarah Palin.

[Atreides]

Is it just me or does it feel like the real reason she resigned is some scandal that hasn't come to light yet (like Jim McGreevy)? Quitting to raise funds/prepare for 2012 is certainly plausible, but you don't end a gubenatorial term early unless something HUGE is gonna come out in the media soon after.

edit: I mean, Mark Sanford flew down to Argentina without telling anyone to see his mistress and he's still not resigning. What could Sarah Palin have done that's worse than that? Part of me feels this kills her chances for a 2012 presidential run, since they can just use her "running" (regardless of motivation) as a sign of not being fit to lead.

[Rhinox]

Gonna love to see how the right wingnuts are gonna spin this.

[Conrad]

Is it just me or does it feel like the real reason she resigned is some scandal that hasn't come to light yet (like Jim McGreevey)? Quitting to raise funds/prepare for 2012 is certainly plausible, but you don't end a gubernatorial term early unless something HUGE is gonna come out in the media soon after.

This makes a lot of sense; the sudden resignation makes me think that there's some sort of scandal about to hit that would force her to step down as governor.

Even though it's inconsequential to me since I don't live in Alaska, I can't say I'm disappointed that she's resigning.

[Rhinox]

oh god. Just saw the video




Basketball analogy.... really....?

[Alleya]

oh god. Just saw the video




Basketball analogy.... really....?

Don't you know? It's not a real issue in washington unless you can break it down into an oversimplified, condescending sports metaphor.

[Rhinox]

Also. I know this gonna sound Mean spirited but I frankly don't care.

She said "The world needs more people like Trig, not less" I know thats kinda of a mom thing to say but do we really need more people with down syndrome? I mean come on.

[Rhinox]

as long as she doesn't open her mouth but for insertion. I agree.

[Marius]

you sure she's not just stepping down so she can take that porn deal?