Politico

Even for her allies this is a pretty delicate thing to address.

Says the man who catapulted her into fame:

"I have the greatest respect and affection for Sarah, Todd, and their family. I was deeply honored to have her as my running mate and believe she will continue to play an important leadership role in the Republican party and our nation."

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Sure, CBS has John Mellencamp and the Boston Pops Orchestra, and PBS has Jimmy Smits, Aretha Franklin, and Barry Manilow, who "will perform a selection of patriotic and celebratory music" with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Choral Arts Society of Washington.

And the White House? Well, they’re a little hipper than all that — they’re touting their own "exclusive live video" (which’ll be streaming here), as "Jimmy Fallon will emcee a special concert featuring the Foo Fighters and Michelle Branch… from the South Lawn of the White House."

And opening the show — "put on by the USO honoring the hundreds of service members and their families who will be in attendance" — at about 8:10 p.m.? President Obama.

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My take on Palin’s bombshell:

Sarah Palin’s jaw-dropping announcement that she is quitting her job as Alaska governor before finishing even her first term has divided Republican ranks and the wider political community in a very familiar fashion.

Many establishment GOP operatives and political commentators of various stripes were withering, both about the decision and the way she announced it—in a jittery, hyperkinetic news conference that rambled between self-congratulation and bitter accusations at the foes she says are eager to destroy her.

The performance, by these lights, adds credence to the claims of some associates that Palin—burned by the intense scrutiny on her and the crossfire that swirls around her—is so fed up that she’s ready to get out of elective politics. Even if it’s only the small stage of Alaska politics she hopes to escape, skeptics say Friday’s events also diminished and perhaps even demolished what was left of her viability as a 2012 presidential candiate.

But her defenders believed an unorthodox move, even if risky, has a clear logic and may only further increase her standing with conservatives who don’t care what establishment figures in or out of the GOP think. Leaving the governor’s office at the end of this month leaves her free to travel the country, command large speaking fees, and begin the process of rallying her devotees without pesky home-state opponents criticizing every move.

These varied reactions were an echo of the debates that have followed Palin every step since her nomination as John McCain’s running mate ten months ago—a surprise that turned out to be just the first of many surprises served up by one of the most colorful and polarizing American political figures in a generation.

At the heart of these conflicting interpretations, say people close to Palin, is a woman who is herself deeply conflicted about her brief past in national politics and how to leverage her sudden fame for the future. 

…

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A very tough one-sentence statement out Friday night from Alaska’s Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose father Sarah Palin knocked off to win the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2006:

 "I am deeply disappointed that the Governor has decided to abandon the State and her constituents before her term has concluded," Murkowski said. 

(Murkowski’s office added that the senator is ‘in interior Alaska and communicating via satellite phone and is unavailable for follow up questions.")

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Palin to resign.

Andrea Mitchell says she’s out of it for good.

If she’s not, Alaska GOP vows support.

Palin didn’t tell Begich two days ago.

We’re wondering the same thing, Josh.

Halperin offers 10 reasons as to why.

Moments before resignation, Palin tweeted about her “decision to not seek re-election.” No mention of resignation on Twitter.

Alaska Democrats call it a "lack of commitment."

HuffPo: She’ll be back.

How this changes the 2012 GOP landscape.

She could become a talking head.

Specifically, she could become a talking head on Fox.

Or she could go rogue - in a major way.

Regardless, it helps Lt. Gov. Parnell.

And gives her a lock on the "Maverick" label.

Pressure was building before the announcement.

In other news, Strickland still looks weak.

Herb Klein dies at 91.

TV station balks at ad hitting Tom Perriello.

And Joe the Plumber says he’s only famous because the Bengals were losing on the day Barack Obama came to town.

(with Zack Abrahamson.)

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Sarah Palin is not only not running for re-election — she’s resigning.

The astonishing news from KTUU, Anchorage’s NBC affilliate:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin will resign her office in a few weeks, she said during a news conference at her Wasilla home Friday morning.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the Governor’s Picnic at Pionner Park in Fairbanks on Saturday, July 25, Palin said.

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Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has told associates that she will not seek re-election next year, freeing her to pursue a White House bid in 2012, according to two GOP sources.

Palin is to make her decision known later this afternoon from her home in Wasilla with her husband, Todd, and family by her side.

By not running for re-election, Palin liberates herself from the political constraints that come with running for president while still in elected office.

Leaving office at the end of next year, the former vice presidential hopeful will be able to travel the country more freely without facing the sort of repeated ethics inquiries she’s been fending off since returning to Alaska earlier this year.

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Sarah Palin’s allies are keeping, for now, a close hold on what exactly she’ll be announcing from her home in Wasilla at about 3 Eastern today. 

That said, there is much informed speculation (and it is speculation) that she’ll disclose her plans not to run for re-election next year as Alaska governor.

The nature of the announcement would seem to underline this argument, if it is indeed related to her future plans.

Consider: Why would any incumbent governor announce re-election plans at a hastily-called news conference from her private home on a holiday weekend?  Not exactly ideal in terms of drawing the sort of news coverage said incumbent would want at the outset of a statewide campaign.

That said, I’ve learned — looking at you Mark Sanford — to not be surprised about much of anything anymore.

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Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will make what her office is only calling an "announcement" at 11 AM local (3 Eastern) from her home in Wasilla.

Speculation is raging both in Alaska and in the Lower 48 that she’ll reveal her plans regarding next year’s gubernatorial race.  

So much for today being a slow news day. 

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For the next few days.

But if you see a good story or have a good tip, please do drop me a line — jmartin@politico.com.

Glad to hat-tip or protect ya, whichever is preferable.

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