Palin resigning as Alaska governor in surprise move

The announcement at the beginning of a three-day holiday weekend, with little Washington news expected, gave her wide access to the airwaves and could make for a strong start at regaining public attention.

Sophia Nelson, a Republican strategist, said Palin's statement that she planned to work towards "positive change from outside government" was "code for 'I'm running for president.

"I plan on talking to Governor Palin very soon. She is an important and galvanizing voice in the Republican Party. I believe she will be very helpful to the party this year as we wage critical campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey," said Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Others wondered if it was a smart political move.

Andrew Halcro, a Republican who ran against Palin in 2006, said he did not think the sudden move would help her chances at higher office.

"If she was trying to transition to the national stage, there was a much better way to do it," he said.

Princeton University professor Julian Zelizer said Palin's future in public life depends on the reason she resigned.

"If there is any evidence that the decision was a result of political problems or looming scandals, she is done," he said.

"The Republican Party already feels to be in a moment of crisis," after losing the presidency and control of both chambers of Congress to the Democrats. He noted that in 2008 "she revealed many weaknesses ... limited policy knowledge, association with fringe groups, weak performances on television and more."

She was cleared in November of wrongdoing in an abuse-of-power investigation into the firing of Alaska's public safety commissioner.