'Not Politics as Usual': Analysts Struggle With Palin's Motivations
Is Palin Making an Unconventional Move Toward a 2012 Run -- or Dodging Trouble?
Supporters: Resignation Allows Palin to Pursue Leadership
Other supporters were equally upbeat about her future.
"People here are collectively agreeing that it sheds everything she doesn't like about running government now and allows her to devote fulltime to this passion she has about wanting to lead the country away from socialism," said Alaska legislative aide Larry Persily, who worked with the governor in Alaska, and later as her representative in Washington, D.C.
The McCain campaign did not immediately comment Friday, though McCain himself issued a written statement Saturday.
"I have the greatest respect and affection for Sarah, [her husband] Todd, and their family," McCain said. "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."
Earlier this week, Palin and her political operation were portrayed in an unflattering light in the latest issue of Vanity Fair.
Purdum wrote that it appears Palin has few friends left among the political team assigned to her by the McCain's campaign.
"In recent rounds of long conversations, most made it clear that they suffer a kind of survivor's guilt: they can't quite believe that for two frantic months last fall, caught in a Bermuda Triangle of a campaign, they worked their tails off to try to elect as vice president of the United States someone who, by mid-October, they believed for certain was nowhere near ready for the job, and might never be," Purdum wrote.
Following her announcement Friday, the Republican Governors Association issued a statement touting the fact that Alaska will remain in GOP hands.
"While we regret the news announced by Governor Palin today, Alaska will continue to have a Republican governor through 2010 and we are confident the state will elect a Republican in next year's election," RGA executive director Nick Ayers said.
"The RGA's focus remains firmly on the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia this year, and the 37 gubernatorial elections that will take place in 2010. We know that winning these races is the most important task facing our Party over the next two years."
Do you have more information about this topic? If so, please click here to contact the editors of ABC News.
