Sarah Palin to quit as Alaska Governor

Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has stunned the US political world by announcing her resignation as governor of Alaska.

At a news conference in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, she was vague about her future plans.

“I will support others who seek to serve in or out of office and I don’t care what party they are in or no party at all, inside Alaska or outside of Alaska,” Palin said, watched by her family. “But I won’t do it from the governor’s desk. I have never believed that I or anyone else needs a title to do this, to make a difference, to help people. So I choose for my state and for my family more freedom to progress, all the way around. So that Alaska may progress, I will not seek re-election as governor.”

Palin will transfer authority to Alaska’s Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell later this month.

As John McCain’s running mate, she rallied the Republicans’ conservative base. Touted as a potential candidate for the party’s presidential nomination in 2012, some believe quitting in Alaska signals a run for higher office. Only time will tell whether the self-proclaimed “hockey mom” now has the White House in her sights.

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tags: Politics, USA