Palin resigns to run for president

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is resigning to focus on a run for the Republican nomination for the 2012 presidential race. From NYT:

“We know we can affect positive change outside of government,” she said in making the announcement.

Known as Sarah Barricuda when she played basketball in high school, Ms. Palin used point guard analogy in explaining her decision, saying she knows “exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.”

She said that she planned to hand over the reins of the state government to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who would be sworn in at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks on July 25.

“This decision came after much consideration,” Ms. Palin told reporters gathered at her home, and added, “I really don’t want to disappoint anyone with this announcement.”

Is this the end of the beginning for Palin or the beginning of the end for the Republican Party?