Sarah Palin steps down as governor of Alaska

Per the Anchorage Daily News, Sarah Palin announced Friday that she will not seek re-election as governor of Alaska and further that she is resigning from her position in just a few weeks so not to be a “lame duck.” Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will take over as governor on July 26.

Twitterers in Alaska and elsewhere expressed shock when they first heard the news.

snowers (Palmer, Alaska) 4th of July or April 1st? Palin’s resigning in two weeks?!?! 03 Jul 2009 from TweetDeck

Shelia_AK (Wasilla, Alaska) Sarah Palin is stepping down as Gov. Not sure what’s up…just hope her and her family are ok. 03 Jul 2009 from TwitterFon

ldwalaska (Palmer, Alaska) Sarah Palin leaves Alaska in the lurch for bigger and better, or is she getting out of the fire? 03 Jul 2009 from web

slatrat (Anchorage, Alaska) Wow: talk about a shot out of the blue! The #Palin resignation is mind boggling and I can’t see how that helps her political aspirations 03 Jul 2009 from Tweetie

glockster23 (Michigan) Wow, so now I’ve seen her press conference. She is resigning…I am shocked and disappointed. I feel bad for Alaska. 03 Jul 2009 from txt

RM2SteveG (USA) Wow–shocked by the Sarah Palin resignation news–wonder what the story is behind that? 03 Jul 2009 from web

ladylibertas93 (South Florida) WOW – wondering what Palin’s next move will be – hope she is headed for the national arena… 03 Jul 2009 from web

@BreakingNews says that Palin is dropping “out of politics for good,” per MSNBC, but some are not believing the claim.

ejyoung67 (Waterbury, Vt.) @laurz NEVER believe a politician when they say they are “out of politics for good”. 03 Jul 2009 from PeopleBrowsr in reply to laurz

TheJuiceBoxx (Undisclosed) Palin out of politics for good? why don’t I believe that….? 03 Jul 2009 from Tweetie

dancrayjazz (Chicago, Ill.) I am sure Palin will say she is out of politics, but look for the “surprise” comeback in 2 years. Totally scripted. . . . 03 Jul 2009 from TweetDeck

valeriegp (Houston, Texas) RT @blwarren: Yeah right RT @BreakingNews: JUST IN–Sources close to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin tell MSNBC that she is “out of politics 4 good” 03 Jul 2009 from PockeTwit in reply to blwarren

Breaking Tweets asked its followers if Palin’s move was a political calculation or a true out from politics? The replies:

Ironwolf8766 (Queen Creek, Ariz.) RT @BreakingTweets: Political calculation or a true out from politics what do you make of Sarah Palin’s move? http://bit.ly/CDgZ0 The former 03 Jul 2009 from TweetDeck

Henjealy (Chicago, Ill.) @BreakingTweets It’s all Calculated-she’s an “outsider”, a “maverick” remember? Trying to appear altruistic, above it all. Bull. 2012 03 Jul 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to BreakingTweets

jessiejessup (Guam) @BreakingTweets if she won’t fulfill her duties as governor she has no business running4any other office.U don’t quit 1 to go after another 03 Jul 2009 from web in reply to BreakingTweets

AnnNyberg (Connecticut) Palin is thinkin presidential. @BreakingTweets: Political calculation or a true out from politics? http://bit.ly/CDgZ0 03 Jul 2009 from Twitscoop

JustiseLasley (Sacramento, Calif.) @BreakingTweets She couldn’t do very well in any other election if she’s quitting before the end of her term this time. so she better be out 03 Jul 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to BreakingTweets

jnield (Chandler, Ariz.) @breakingtweets Palin has too much of future in the GOP to not have a political motive behind this. #palin #politics #tcot 03 Jul 2009 from txt