Palin Resigning Governor’s Job; Future Unclear

By ADAM NAGOURNEY and JIM RUTENBERG
NYT

Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska abruptly announced on Friday that she was quitting at the end of the month, shocking Republicans across the country and leaving both parties uncertain about whether she was leaving national politics or laying the groundwork for a presidential run.

Ms. Palin, 45, the Republican vice-presidential nominee last year, was supposed to serve through the end of 2010; she said she would cede control of the state to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell on July 25.

Speaking outside her home in Wasilla, she offered conflicting signals about her intentions and her motivation.

In her tone and some of her words in an often-rambling announcement, Ms. Palin sounded like someone who was making a permanent exit from politics after what her friends have called a rough and dispiriting year.

(More here.)