Palin resigns as Governor of Alaska

July 3, 2:25 PMPortland Progressive ExaminerMichael Stone

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Governor Sarah Palin

Breaking news: In a stunning move Sarah Palin will resign as Governor of the state of Alaska. Palin, a 45 year old Republican, will resign from office towards the end of July and return to private life, leaving office before the end of her first term. This bizarre decision by last year's Republican vice presidential candidate has lead to rampant speculation.

Palin took no questions at a news conference before the Fourth of July weekend where Palin said she would step aside as governor and be replaced by Lt. Governor Sean Parnell. Parnell will be inaugurated at the Governor's Picnic at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks on Saturday, July 25

Speculation runs the spectrum from some hidden family scandal or tragedy, to a permanent escape from politics, to gearing up for a run at the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. However, it is hard to imagine how resigning her office could help her secure the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

One thing for certain, Palin has a definite flair for the dramatic. For good or ill she has re-injected herself into the national news cycle. Yet at first blush her behavior seems erratic. By bailing on her responsibilities as Governor, Palin is sending a clear message that she is irresponsible, and simply not worthy of the trust and support of the good people in Alaska.

It may be Palin, one time GOP star, has committed political suicide. Time will tell, as the story continues to break. If she has any hopes of remaining in politics, she will have a great deal of explaining to do.