We won’t have Sarah Palin to kick around anymore.
In a letter obtained by ABC News, Palin said she’s officially out of the presidential nomination hunt and explained her reasoning for not running:
My decision is based upon a review of what common sense Conservatives and Independents have accomplished, especially over the last year. I believe that at this time I can be more effective in a decisive role to help elect other true public servants to office – from the nation’s governors to Congressional seats and the Presidency. We need to continue to actively and aggressively help those who will stop the “fundamental transformation” of our nation and instead seek the restoration of our greatness, our goodness and our constitutional republic based on the rule of law.
The news blasted across Twitter late Wednesday, after Palin told according to a tweet from conservative talk show host Mark Levin she wasn’t running. Here’s what that looked like:
@marklevinshow: BREAKING: GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN TELLS MARK LEVIN SHE IS NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2012.
On the radio show, Palin also ruled out a third party bid. Listen to the whole thing as clipped by Media Matters:
Palin had played very coy about running for months — just a couple weeks ago, her PAC was raising money off the suggestion that she might run despite the proverbial lateness of the hour.
But really, her moment seemed to pass well before crunch time in the nomination fight.
Once a top-tier candidate for the nomination, Palin has seen her poll numbers tank in recent months. An ABC News/Washington Post poll found 66% of GOP primary voters didn’t want Palin to get in.
So what happened to Palin? TPM’s Campaign in 100 Seconds tackled Palin’s collapse earlier this week:
