News

July 5, 2009

Many are pondering Sarah’s next move

Palin’s abrupt resignation may suggest a future run for Senate or president.

RACHEL D’ORO Associated Press Writer

WASILLA, Alaska — Even for a nonconformist, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin defies political logic with her sudden, stunning announcement to leave office more than a year early.

Supporters and critics alike say the former GOP vice presidential candidate’s resignation, announced Friday afternoon and effective July 26, is an inexplicable move for a high profile Republican widely seen as a contender for a White House run in 2012. A half-term governor campaigning for president?

“If she is thinking that leaving her term 16 months early is going to help her prepare to maybe go on to bigger and better things on the political stage, I think she’s sadly mistaken. You just can’t quit,” said Andrew Halcro, a Palin critic who lost the 2006 gubernatorial race to her.

Palin’s abrupt announcement Friday rattled the Republican Party but left open the possibility of a presidential run. She and her staff are keeping mum on her future plans.

Palin’s spokesman, David Murrow, said the governor didn’t say anything to him about this being her “political finale.”

“She’s looking forward to serving the public outside the governor’s chair,” he said.

And Sen. John McCain, who pulled Palin from relative obscurity to be his running mate last year, said Saturday he believes “she will continue to play an important leadership role in the Republican Party and our nation.”

Pam Pryor, a spokeswoman for Palin’s political action committee, said the group continues to accept donations on its Web site, which saw an uptick in contributions Friday afternoon.

The announcement caught even current and former Palin advisers by surprise. Former members of the McCain campaign team, now dispersed across the country, traded perplexed e-mails and phone calls.

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