Gov. Sarah Palin Mobbed by Well-Wishers at Picnic in Hometown - Video 7/24/09

Here is video of Gov. Sarah Palin at a picnic held in her hometown on the eve of her leaving office as Governor of Alaska. More than 1,000 people attended the picnic. Palin was wearing a sweatshirt that said, "Once a patriot, always a patriot."

The flamboyant Republican threw a picnic for over 1,000 supporters in her hometown of Wasilla as she prepared to head into uncharted territory.

Her decision to resign with 18 months of her term left to run bamboozled detractors and supporters alike, and debate is raging over her intentions for the presidential elections in 2012.

A recent posting on the micro-blogging website Twitter suggested that she had no plans to disappear altogether. In it, she recited lyrics to "Rollin'", a song by the country-western duo Big & Rich.

"Ain't gonna shut my mouth/ I know there's got to be a few hundred million more like me/Just trying to keep it free," she wrote.

Some observers have speculated that Mrs Palin could now become a power broker in the Republican Party, while others have suggested she may leave politics altogether and instead concentrate on cashing in on her fame.

Since setting off a political earthquake by announcing her resignation on 3 July, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate has been vague about her plans.

She is due to step down as Alaska's first female governor on Sunday afternoon, handing over to Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell, a close political ally.

Over 5,000 people are expected to watch the hand over at another picnic, this time at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, Alaska's second largest city. . . . . . MORE