Palin to resign as Alaska governor
Former VP hopeful says she'll work for change from outside government
WASILLA, Alaska - Sarah Palin made a surprise announcement Friday that she will resign as governor of Alaska in a few weeks, saying she will try to "effect positive change" from outside government.
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.
She said the decision has been "in the works" for a while and comes after "prayer and consideration" and discussions with her family.
She is handing the reins over to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will be sworn in at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks on July 26. Parnell and most of Palin's cabinet and Palin's family were at the announcement.
Palin was vague about why exactly she is stepping down rather than finish out her first term, which ends in 2010.
"We know we can effect positive change outside government at this point in time on another scale and actually make a difference for our priorities," she said. She added that she was tired of what she described as "superficial, wasteful, political bloodsport."
Some have speculated in the past that Palin may be interested in a run for president in 2012, but she did not mention running for another office at her press conference. Sources told NBC's Andrea Mitchell that it appears Palin is out of politics for good.
No 'lame duck'
"I know when it's time to pass the ball for victory," Palin said, adding that she didn't want to be a "lame duck" politician.
"Many just accept that 'lame duck' status and they hit the road. They draw a paycheck and they kind of milk it. I'm not going to put Alaskans through that. I promised efficiencies and effectiveness," she said.
Later, on the micro-blogging service 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.
Political analyst Larry Sabato, in Charlottesville, Va., said Palin's announcement left many wondering what her plans were.
"It's absolutely bizarre, and I think it eliminates her from serious consideration for the presidency in 2012," he said.
The Alaska Republican Party said it was grateful for Palin's leadership and excited about Parnell taking over.
"Gov. Palin's decision not to run for re-election means there will be a vigorous race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010. Alaska has an impressive cadre of conservative candidates we are confident will vie for the office of governor and the party stands ready to fully support which ever conservative candidate our members choose to represent them in the general election," the party said in a statement.
State Democrats ridiculed Palin's timing.
"Sarah Palin's decision to step down as governor is a shock to Alaskans, coming at a time when leadership is needed secure a gas pipeline and address rising unemployment," said Patti Higgins, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party. "Palin's lack of commitment to her sworn obligation to serve her term to the best of her ability is a betrayal to all Alaskans."
Palin was elected Alaska's youngest and first woman governor in 2006 at age 42. She emerged from relative obscurity nearly a year ago when she was tapped as Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate.
She was only the second woman to appear on a major party presidential ticket - Democrat Geraldine Ferraro was the first when she ran unsuccessfully for vice president with Walter Mondale in 1984.
'You bectha!'
Palin made headlines from the start of the campaign, with comedian Tina Fey famously imitating her elaborate hairstyle and folksy "You betcha!" on "Saturday Night Live."
Most recently, she was involved in 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, teenage mother.
Letterman later apologized for the joke.
Palin's family and the ridicule they endure being in the public eye was apparently part of her decision to step down as governor. She complained that her 14-month-old son, Trig, who was diagnosed with Down's 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.
Former VP hopeful says she'll work for change from outside government
WASILLA, Alaska - Sarah Palin made a surprise announcement Friday that she will resign as governor of Alaska in a few weeks, saying she will try to "effect positive change" from outside government.
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.
She said the decision has been "in the works" for a while and comes after "prayer and consideration" and discussions with her family.
She is handing the reins over to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will be sworn in at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks on July 26. Parnell and most of Palin's cabinet and Palin's family were at the announcement.
Palin was vague about why exactly she is stepping down rather than finish out her first term, which ends in 2010.
"We know we can effect positive change outside government at this point in time on another scale and actually make a difference for our priorities," she said. She added that she was tired of what she described as "superficial, wasteful, political bloodsport."
Some have speculated in the past that Palin may be interested in a run for president in 2012, but she did not mention running for another office at her press conference. Sources told NBC's Andrea Mitchell that it appears Palin is out of politics for good.
No 'lame duck'
"I know when it's time to pass the ball for victory," Palin said, adding that she didn't want to be a "lame duck" politician.
"Many just accept that 'lame duck' status and they hit the road. They draw a paycheck and they kind of milk it. I'm not going to put Alaskans through that. I promised efficiencies and effectiveness," she said.
Later, on the micro-blogging service 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.
Political analyst Larry Sabato, in Charlottesville, Va., said Palin's announcement left many wondering what her plans were.
"It's absolutely bizarre, and I think it eliminates her from serious consideration for the presidency in 2012," he said.
The Alaska Republican Party said it was grateful for Palin's leadership and excited about Parnell taking over.
"Gov. Palin's decision not to run for re-election means there will be a vigorous race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010. Alaska has an impressive cadre of conservative candidates we are confident will vie for the office of governor and the party stands ready to fully support which ever conservative candidate our members choose to represent them in the general election," the party said in a statement.
State Democrats ridiculed Palin's timing.
"Sarah Palin's decision to step down as governor is a shock to Alaskans, coming at a time when leadership is needed secure a gas pipeline and address rising unemployment," said Patti Higgins, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party. "Palin's lack of commitment to her sworn obligation to serve her term to the best of her ability is a betrayal to all Alaskans."
Palin was elected Alaska's youngest and first woman governor in 2006 at age 42. She emerged from relative obscurity nearly a year ago when she was tapped as Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate.
She was only the second woman to appear on a major party presidential ticket - Democrat Geraldine Ferraro was the first when she ran unsuccessfully for vice president with Walter Mondale in 1984.
'You bectha!'
Palin made headlines from the start of the campaign, with comedian Tina Fey famously imitating her elaborate hairstyle and folksy "You betcha!" on "Saturday Night Live."
Most recently, she was involved in 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, teenage mother.
Letterman later apologized for the joke.
Palin's family and the ridicule they endure being in the public eye was apparently part of her decision to step down as governor. She complained that her 14-month-old son, Trig, who was diagnosed with Down's 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.
