Palin decides against 2012 campaign

In a decision that isn't too much of a surprise, Sarah Palin announced yesterday that she will not be running for President in 2012.

October 5, 2011
Wasilla, Alaska

After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking the 2012 GOP nomination for President of the United States. As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this decision. When we serve, we devote ourselves to God, family and country. My decision maintains this order.

My decision is based upon a review of what common sense Conservatives and Independents have accomplished, especially over the last year. I believe that at this time I can be more effective in a decisive role to help elect other true public servants to office - from the nation's governors to Congressional seats and the Presidency. We need to continue to actively and aggressively help those who will stop the "fundamental transformation" of our nation and instead seek the restoration of our greatness, our goodness and our constitutional republic based on the rule of law.

From the bottom of my heart I thank those who have supported me and defended my record throughout the years, and encouraged me to run for President. Know that by working together we can bring this country back - and as I've always said, one doesn't need a title to help do it.

I will continue driving the discussion for freedom and free markets, including in the race for President where our candidates must embrace immediate action toward energy independence through domestic resource developments of conventional energy sources, along with renewables. We must reduce tax burdens and onerous regulations that kill American industry, and our candidates must always push to minimize government to strengthen the economy and allow the private sector to create jobs.

Those will be our priorities so Americans can be confident that a smaller, smarter government that is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people can better serve this most exceptional nation.

In the coming weeks I will help coordinate strategies to assist in replacing the President, re-taking the Senate, and maintaining the House.

Thank you again for all your support. Let's unite to restore this country!

God bless America.

- Sarah Palin

With Palin and Chris Christie declining to run, the GOP field is most likely in its near-final form. It is probably too late in the race for a candidate to get in and still have a chance at winning; Rick Perry seems to be discovering that he may well have waited too long to jump in.

Palin made the right decision; unfortunately for, her brand is still damaged from the pounding she took in the 2008 election and immediately thereafter from the mainstream media and the Republican establishment. While she still would have been a formidable candidate in the GOP primary, her viability in a general election campaign is questionable. I think she realized that she can be most effective on the sidelines, focusing her efforts on down-ballot races and firing up the grassroots for 2012.