Sarah Palin won't run for president in 2012
By Richard Wolf and Jackie Kucinich, USA TODAY Updated 3h 44m ago
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Sarah Palin made it official Wednesday evening: She won't run for president.
In a statement to supporters, the 2008 vice presidential nominee said she would not seek the Republican nomination for the WhiteHouse by entering what is already a crowded field.
Instead, Palin said she can be more effective helping other Republicans win office"from the nation's governors to congressional seats and the presidency."
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Her statement from Wasilla, Alaska, was a shorter retreat than New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie 'sbowing-out on Tuesday, which came at a lengthy news conference in Trenton.
Taken together, the twin Shermanesque statements leave Republicans facing what's likely to be the complete GOP field — dominated by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry , and with pizza magnate Herman Cain rising in the polls.
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Most Republicans had notexpected Palin to run ever since Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota got into the race and soared to the top in the Iowa straw poll, but Bachmann's stumbles since then opened the door a bit for another female contender with strong conservative credentials.
Palin's path to the nomination would have been complicated by the presence of Perry and others — including Bachmann, Cain, Ron Paul , Rick Santorum and NewtGingrich — destined to split the conservative vote.
Perry, who has dropped in the polls recently following unimpressive debate performances, issued a statement callingPalin "a good friend, a great American and a true patriot. I respect her decision and know she will continue to be a strong voice for conservative values and needed change in Washington."
The man who picked her as his running mate in 2008, Sen. John McCain ofArizona, said on Twitter that Palin will "continue to play an important role in our party and for our nation."
Later, the former Alaska governor told Fox News Channel's Greta Van Susteren, "You don't need a title to make a difference in this country."
Palin urged voters not to wait for perfection from the current Republican field of contenders.
"There is no one perfect candidate, and I want people to keep that in mind and not be extremely disappointed in a politician," she said.
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Posted 8h 35m ago | Updated 3h 44m ago
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By Scott Olson, Getty Images Palin's path to the nomination would have been complicated by the presence of Rick Perry and others destined to split the conservative vote. By Scott Olson, Getty Images Palin's path to the nomination would have been complicated by the presence of Rick Perry and others destined to split the conservative vote.

well, thats increasing the republicans chances.. nice way to think of her party and her family

I commend her on it

I am SO DISSAPOINTED. No Palin-Bachmann debate.
No mama possum licking her young. No Alaskan air
defense against insidious potential attacks from
Siberia or Canada.

It is going to be noticeably more boring and dull.