Tulsa World: Sarah Palin to resign as Alaska governor

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Sarah Palin to resign as Alaska governor
The former GOP vice presidential candidate did not say why she's step-ping down July 26.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announces Friday at her home in Wasilla, Alaska, that she is resigning as governor. The former Republican vice presidential candidate will step down July 26. Robert DeBerry/The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman/AP

By RACHEL D'ORO Associated Press
Published: 7/4/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 7/4/2009 4:28 AM

WASILLA, Alaska — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made a surprise announcement Friday that she is resigning from office at the end of the month without explaining why she plans to step down, raising speculation that she would focus on a run for the White House in the 2012 race.

The former Republican vice presidential candidate hastily called a news conference Friday morning at her home in suburban Wasilla, giving such short notice that only a few reporters actually made it to the announcement. State troopers blocked late-arriving media outside her home, and her spokesman, Dave Murrow, finally emerged to confirm that Palin will step down July 26. He refused to give details about the governor's plans.

"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," Palin said in a statement released by her office.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks at the end of the month, Murrow said.

Palin was first elected in 2006 on a populist platform. But her popularity has waned as she waged in partisan politics following her return from the presidential campaign. Her term would have ended in 2010.

Palin said she planned to make a "positive change outside government," without elaborating. She also expressed frustration with her current role as governor.

"I cannot stand here

as your governor and allow the millions of dollars and all that time go to waste just so I can hold the title of governor," Palin said.

Later, on Twitter, she promised supporters more details: "We'll soon attach info on decision to not seek re-election ... this is in Alaska's best interest, my family's happy ... it is good. Stay tuned"

Palin's decision even took Parnell by surprise. He said he was told on Wednesday evening and was not aware that any presidential ambitions were behind the move.

Palin emerged from relative obscurity nearly a year ago when she was tapped as then-Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate.

She was a controversial figure from the start, with comedian Tina Fey famously imitating her elaborate hairstyle and folksy "You betcha!" on "Saturday Night Live."

Most recently, she led a public spat with "Late Show" host David Letterman over a joke he made about one of her daughters being "knocked up" by New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez during the governor's recent visit to New York. Palin's 18-year-old daughter, Bristol, is an unwed mother.

Letterman later apologized.

Palin's family and the ridicule they endure being in the public eye was part of her decision. She complained that her 14-month-old son, Trig, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome, had been "mocked and ridiculed by some mean-spirited adults recently." She didn't elaborate.

Palin campaigned on ethics reform in the 2006 election, defeating incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary and a former two-term Democratic governor, Tony Knowles, in the general election.

She enjoyed an extended honeymoon with lawmakers and voters alike. Her popularity was in the 80 percentile range, even though that fell after the bruising, partisan presidential campaign.

Palin's delivery of two weeks' notice rattles a Republican Party plagued with setbacks in recent weeks, including extramarital affairs disclosed by two other 2012 presidential prospects, Nevada Sen. John Ensign and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

Ensign stepped down from the Senate Republican leadership last month after admitting he had an affair for much of last year with a woman on his campaign staff who was married to one of his Senate aides. By RACHEL D'ORO Associated Press

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Sarah Palin resigning as Alaska governor," which was published on 7/3/2009.

	Report Comment CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/3/2009 3:05:00 PM) This ought to be good. (Bobdog is going to get in a nap before the fun starts.)
	Report Comment drudge2, Tulsa (7/3/2009 3:05:49 PM) My guess is that she is under the impression that it will take a couple of years to get in shape for both the swimsuit and talent portions of the Presidential campaign. Come on, everybody! Let's rally behind her. America needs her to be the Republican candidate in 2012!
	Report Comment Four Sixteen Rigby, (7/3/2009 3:07:42 PM) Probably going to get her own TV or radio show. More money in that than being Gov or running for President. And, that is her background.
	Report Comment God Bless our Troops, Small town (7/3/2009 3:11:01 PM) I would be open to voting for a republican candidate for President, but it definitely would not be her. I dont understand why she would need to resign if that was her plan (to run for Pres. in 2012.) Oh well... bet the people of Alaska are glad!
	Report Comment insider9909, Cushing (7/3/2009 3:11:39 PM) Notices to republicans: Puulllleeeasee run this bi!tch in 2012. hahahahahahah
	Report Comment DK, Tulsa (7/3/2009 3:13:44 PM) How does quitting your job help you focus on getting a bid for a Presidential nomination? What is she going to do for 2-3 years while she’s waiting?
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (7/3/2009 3:14:46 PM) Hunting season coming up soon!
	Report Comment CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/3/2009 3:16:22 PM) DK, Raise money! (Bobdog puts his head back down.)
	Report Comment Bullhead, Nicut (7/3/2009 3:18:33 PM) Oh boy. How does that go??? She's looking through rose colored glasses? I'm with Bobdog. There should be plenty of scandal before this is over.
	Report Comment dslat, Tulsa (7/3/2009 3:19:35 PM) National defense and fiscal conservatives don't like her, so that is not much room to play for the nomination in 2012.
	Report Comment Cooldaddy, Broken Arrow (7/3/2009 3:22:08 PM) Sarah is too hip to keep being Governor of her state, the mighty state of Alaska. Besides, with all the media attention of her for the last year has been a whirlwind adventure for her. It's a good thing she's resigning. She is sooo cute!
	Report Comment CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/3/2009 3:22:53 PM) OK, OK, OK, If she decides to run and doesn't get the nomination will we look back and say that resigning her position as governer was a boner. (Bobdog rolls over and scratches his back on the throw rug in the kitchen.)
	Report Comment Skeptic, Tulsa (7/3/2009 3:23:26 PM) This is great. I love Tina Fey. Saturday Night Live was never better than last season!
	Report Comment Tulsa Life, (7/3/2009 3:31:09 PM) Quitter!!!
	Report Comment insider9909, Cushing (7/3/2009 3:31:35 PM) Kool-Aid, she can always upstage Jackson by arranging her own public death. LOLOLOL
	Report Comment moogle, Tulsa (7/3/2009 3:32:13 PM) If you're going to get your money taken from you by your government, it would be nice to say: Yeah, but she's a hot babe. Sort of like stuffing money into the britches of the table dancer.
	Report Comment JTR, (7/3/2009 3:33:35 PM) So sad. :( One of the most poised, articulate, thoughtful, intelligent and principled politicians of our times. She will be truly missed. Not. Good riddance.
	Report Comment Okie Smoky, Broken Arrow (7/3/2009 3:37:49 PM) I question the timing of her resigning.....before July 4? Something big is brewing. She is done stick a fork in her....
	Report Comment On the fence, Tulsa (7/3/2009 3:37:52 PM) She decided it was time to cash in on her fame. Time for a big time book deal and high priced speaking engagements. I'm sure there is a seat at the Hertiage Foundation right next to Newt. It is her best move. She reminds me of those pretty gift wrapped packages at the department store during the holiday season. Very pretty on the outside, but ultimately, it is just an empty box with no substance.
	Report Comment banjojammin, Rogers (7/3/2009 3:41:45 PM) What a babe!
	Report Comment Moses, Jenks (7/3/2009 3:42:57 PM) All of your comments are too ridiculous and adolescent to respond to. Do any of you read the dribble you type into the little box?
	Report Comment Eric, Tulsa (7/3/2009 3:46:26 PM) ... Bingo! Tulsa Life! ")Quitter!!!") ... She should finish the job she started. Ah, well...I suppose all is fair in War and Republicans. Or was that Love and War? Maybe it was Republicans in Love with Argentine babes. I don't know...it's too late in the afternoon for me to think straight! ... .. .
	Report Comment TonyQ, Tulsa (7/3/2009 3:47:21 PM) $7 million book deal. What more does she need?
	Report Comment CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/3/2009 3:49:11 PM) Take a nap Moses. (Bobdog will if you won't.)
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (7/3/2009 3:49:29 PM) Why yes, Moses, we do read our own dribble....er drivel....whatever. We like being ridiculous and adolescent. Lighten up!

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