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.
Palin, the former Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008, hastily called a news conference at her home in suburban Wasilla, giving such short notice that only a few reporters actually made it to the announcement.
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.
There was no immediate word as to why she will step down before the end of her first term. 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.
UPDATE: video of Sarah Palin saying why she resigned.
msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31775042#31775901
>> added by Future_America 8 months ago
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It's bear hunting season opening, she just want to slaughter in peace!