UPDATED: Palin to resign
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) will not seek re-election next year and will resign her post effective July 25th:
The move, coming nearly a year before she would be forced to reveal her plans by filing deadlines, is sure to lead to widespread speculation that Palin will devote herself full-time to a presidential bid in 2012.Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who nearly beat Rep. Don Young in the GOP primary for Alaska's lone House seat, will assume the office.
[UPDATE] The reaction to Palin's resignation is interesting. A lot of people are trying to figure out exactly what she is thinking. MSNBC says she's done with politics. You can watch video of her press conference here.
- Ed Morrissey at Hot Air writes: "Unless there was a serious illness or a serious scandal, the resignation on the grounds Palin gave is simply incomprehensible. She has destroyed her own credibility in a single day."
- Reason's Matt Welch says: "If you think that means she's through with politics, I have a bridge in San Clemente I'd like to sell you."
- Dave Weigel shows reaction from the Cult of Palin.
- Rich Lowry rips Palin: "I think I have pretty well-established credentials when it comes to being charmed by Sarah Palin, but that statement, as a statement, was simply terrible. Rambling and not at all persuasive as an argument for her decision. More Gibson/Couric than GOP convention speech."
