Nation & World

<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (in a red cap) along with daughter Bristol (left) watch a Fourth of July parade as husband Todd, looks over son Trig and grandson Tripp, Bristol's son, Saturday in Juneau, Alaska.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Sunday, July 5, 2009 Palin cites 'higher calling' day after resignation announcement Associated Press JUNEAU, Alaska -- Outgoing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday laid the groundwork to take on a larger, national role after leaving state government, citing a "higher calling" with the aim of uniting the country along conservative lines. A day after surprising even her closest friends by announcing she would step down as Alaska governor on July 26, about a year and a half before her term was up, the Republican was still keeping details of her future plans under wrap. But in a statement posted on Palin's Facebook account, she suggested that she had bigger plans and a national agenda she planned to push after she resigns at the end of the month. "I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint," she said. Palin also cast herself as a victim and blasted the media, calling the response to her announcement "predictable" and out of touch. "How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it's about country," the statement said. "And though it's honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make." Palin's personal spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, confirmed that the Facebook posting was written by the governor. Her low-profile and vague Internet messages left mounting questions about her plans for the future shrouded in mystery. Will she lay the groundwork for a 2012 presidential bid? Will she find a high-profile place in the private sector, maybe on the speech circuit? Will she drop out of the limelight and focus on her five children? Her constituents, for one, wanted to know, especially in Juneau, where she has struggled to win over residents. "I think she owes it to Alaskans to tell us why," said state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, the son of Alaska's first governor, Bill Egan. Palin, whose popularity in Alaska has waned amid ongoing ethics investigations, gave many reasons for stepping down: She didn't want to be a lame-duck governor; she was tired of the tasteless jokes aimed at her five children, including her son Trig, who has Down syndrome; she felt she could do more in another, still-to-be-defined role. Sen. John McCain didn't rule out a return to politics for his former running mate, saying Saturday he believes "she will continue to play an important leadership role in the Republican Party and our nation." He gave no other details. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Boeing 787 Dreamliner lifts its nose at Paine Field; flight set for Tuesday 2. Arlington assault leaves man critically injured 3. Recession hard on Snohomish County eateries 4. Up to 3 inches of snow expected in some parts of Western Washington 5. Washington could see new taxes in a host of areas 6. I'll see you in Hell's Kitchen 7. Biz week 8. Veteran, teacher, painter — and now, Mukilteo man is an author 9. Gov. Gregoire knows her budget is doomed 10. See the holiday light spectacle at Warm Beach 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Zambian woman thanks students for their help • Food banks see rise in use • ‘Making Spirits Bright’ in Edmonds • Wolfpack takes aim at state • Seahawks help students smile • 95 and still volunteering • Sno-King joined by local TV king • Veterans back for Wildcats • Lynnwood seeks to plug $2 million budget gap • Snohomish County offers the best and most affordable venues for conferen ... • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed