The American Pundit

Governor Sarah Palin has announced that she will resign the office she occupies, and Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell will be inaugurated on July 25th.

More: Hot Air, Michelle Malkin.

Update: I honestly don’t know what to say about this. As far as political imagery goes, it doesn’t get much worse than this for a presidential run. She abandoned her first term, incomplete, three years before the next presidential election? She’s not even a one-term governor — she’s a part-term governor.

She will be absolutely slammed from all sides during any run for failing to fulfill her obligation to the citizens of Alaska. She abandons her elected post once something better opens up for her personal advancement? Like I said, not the best imagery.

Update X2: Even Ace, a defender and relative supporter of Palin’s, says it’s all over for her career:

And that is that.

It’s over. You can’t resign from a governorship and then run for higher office. Barring some strong reason, like needing treatment for cancer.

Indeed.

Update X3: Far too much of press conference was consumed with whining about the treatment she’s received. If she thinks what she’s had to deal with is bad, how will she deal with being a Republican president?

We better hope she has a great VP, because he might have to take over if someone mocks her or her children.

Update X4: MSNBC has sources saying that Palin is out of politics for good. Wouldn’t surprise me in the least at this point.