Alaska Governor Sarah Palin says she will resign from office this July 26th. Wow!

I'm listening to the press conference right now ... is she planning her run for the presidency in 2012? Maybe a possible run at the Senate?

Palin's pokesman Dave Murrow says Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks at the end of the month.

Sarah Palin says she doesn't need a title to make a difference.

Palin said that since she had decided not to run for re-election, it wouldn't do Alaska any favors by sitting around as a lame-duck governor. She seemed to me, to be both frustrated and fed-up! Palin did bring-up the huge legal bills her family was forced to pay due to the Left-wing induced "ethics violations" (that of course she was cleared of every single one).

Speech didn't seem scripted and she seemed genuinely sincere, but I have no opinion at this point. It's certainly a gamble, but does it mean Palin 2012?

Sarah Palin steps down as Governor of Alaska (emphasis added):

The Palin announcement is bound to set off media speculation about her motivation, At this point, however, the reasons for Palin's resignation are merely conjecture.

Governor Sarah Palin made a press statement from Wasilla, Alaska. She did not take questions from the press. Palin stated that she was doing what was best for the State of Alaska.

Sarah Palin stated that the decision has been in the works for a while and has been endorsed by her children. Palin stated she wants to fight for a positive future from outside the governor's office.

Governor Sarah Palin closed her statement with a quote from General MacArthur

We are not retreating, we are advancing in another direction.

BREAKING: Palin Stepping down! A Palin Putsch: A Palace Revolution!

4:23 PM: FOX news cut her news conference. 7 days of Michael Jackson and they did not allow us to hear her remarks in full. First Iran, now this.

From what I saw - this is not a woman who is retiring. She is assuming the mantle. This was a campaign speech. She was amazing. I will try to get text or video.

4:09 pm: liveblogging her announcement........... she is speaking (no teleprompter, how refreshing!) about the sacrifice great Americans have made on this eve of Independence day.

4:05 pm: The 2012 campaign began today!

3:47: We are waiting for her press conference. There is lots of speculation. I am paying it no mind. In my opinion, it will allow her to spend more time in the lower 48 states without the left accusing her of neglecting her duties as Governor.

Her husband, Todd Palin, said she wants to do things to help the country that she can't do while fulfilling her role as Governor.

More Information on Governor Sarah Palin's Decision: