Sarah Palin Announces Resignation as Governor of Alaska - BREAKING 7/3/09

UPDATE 3:38 pm CDT: Here is video of Palin's resignation speech - (Watch Video)

UPDATE 3:19 CDT: "Only dead fish go with the flow." Palin says she refuses to just go with the flow and accept things as they are, but instead will fight for Alaska and the nation.

UPDATE 3:17 pm CDT: Palin is really going after those who have trashed her since the campaign last year. She is either venting or laying groundwork for a campaign in 2012. It seems she is saying she is stepping down for the good of Alaska, since there has been such a media circus surrounding her.

UPDATE 3:13 pm CDT: Fox News is now running video of Palin's announcement. We'll post video here as soon as it is available. Palin is detailing all that she has accomplished as Governor........

Breaking News from CNN and other sources this afternoon says that Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska has decided to not run for reelection as Alaska governor, and furthermore, has decided to resign as Governor effective July 26:

Palin, a Republican, was elected governor in 2006. She was tapped as Arizona Sen. John McCain's vice presidential running mate last year.

Palin said she was transferring authority to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will be sworn in at the Governor's Picnic on July 25.

"She thinks she has accomplished goals she has set forward," a source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said. "She sees what a positive influence she has had on people's lives from traveling the country in the last year."

As the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, Palin has been considered one of the front-runners for the GOP nomination in 2012. Her decision not to seek another term as governor is sure to stoke speculation that Palin is seriously eyeing a run for the White House. . . .

What is not clear yet is whether or not this means Palin's political career is over, or that she is resigning to put all her focus on running for President in 2012.