Palin to call it quits as Alaska's governor

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By Donald Lambro

Republican Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska stunned her state and the political world Friday by announcing she will resign her post at the end of the month, igniting speculation about what the move means for her political future and her viability for the GOP's presidential nomination in 2012.

The decision, announced in a hastily called lakeside briefing at her Wasilla, Alaska, home, sparked sharply diverging reactions over its impact on the future of the polarizing Mrs. Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee who remains a very popular figure with much of the conservative Republican base.

Comparing herself to a basketball point guard passing the ball to a teammate, Mrs. Palin said, "I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable."

Some called the decision to resign a canny strategic move that takes Mrs. Palin out of the line of fire and clears her schedule for a presidential run, some theorized the governor had simply grown sick of politics and personal attacks, while others warned that quitting with more than a year left in her term would prove disastrous - perhaps even fatal - for Mrs. Palin's political future.

Mrs. Palin said that she will step down July 26, with Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who was at her side at the press conference, taking over as governor.

Mr. Parnell called Mrs. Palin's decision "selfless" and said he would work with her staff for "a seamless transition." She did not take questions from the few Alaska reporters who made it to Wasilla and only cryptically referred to her future plans.

Democrats immediately pounced on the news.

"Either Sarah Palin is leaving the people of Alaska high and dry to pursue her long-shot national political ambitions or she simply can't handle the job now that her popularity has dimmed and oil revenues are down," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse.

One of Mrs. Palin's political rivals did not parse words in a terse statement sent after midnight.

I am deeply disappointed that the governor has decided to abandon the state and her constituents before her term has concluded, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican.