Breaking: Sarah Palin Resigning as Governor of Alaska

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced today that she will resign from office July 26. Palin made the announcement from her home in Wasilla, she was flanked by her husband, Todd, her family and state commissioners. Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will succeed her.

Wow, this is a bit of a shocker… The only question is where does she go from here? I tend to agree with Jim Geraghty, her national political career is over. You can’t resign from a governorship you’ve held for roughly 30 months and then run for President.

Update: The Wall Street Journal has the full text of her remarks here.

Update II (5:45 p.m.): MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell claims sources close to Gov. Palin have told her that Palin’s “had it” with national politics and told her top backers to go ahead and commit to other candidates for 2012. Real Clear Politics has the video here.

Given the source I’m taking that report with a grain of salt… To be honest, though, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Mitchell’s report turns out to true. Sarah Palin has been beaten senseless by the media and her family has been dragged through the mud. Why would any sane person want to subject herself and her family to the kind treatment Palin has endured?

Update III (9:35 p.m.): I’ve been without power for the last three hours so I’m playing catch up here… First, Mike Allen at the Politico is reporting that Palin plans to remain “extremely visible and will give serious consideration to running for president in 2012.”

Second, Ed Morrissey at Hot Air points out an interview Palin did with John Ziegler last month and wonders if Gov. Palin hinted at quitting last month?

I’m not sure what to make of Gov. Palin’s decision, my gut feeling is she’s done with elective politics. I suspect she’ll remain an active and visible champion for conservative principle through speaking engagements and by campaigning for other candidates but I doubt she’ll ever run for office again.