Sarah Palin Describes Presidential Decision as 'Prayerful'
Sarah Palin announced she would not run for president in 2012 – a decision she described as “prayerful.”
After months of avoiding media questions about her plans regarding the upcoming White House election, she finally announced that she would not run, in a statement that said: “After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking the 2012 GOP nomination for president of the United States.”
Palin said the decision had been a very difficult one to make.
“After prayerful consideration and a lot of discussion with the family, I concluded that I believe I can be an effective voice in a real decisive role in helping get true public servants elected to office,” she told Fox’s Greta van Sustern.
“You don’t need a title to make a difference in this country. I think I’m proof of that.”
Palin reportedly went back and forth with the decision, mulling over whether or not now was the best time for her to run.
She asked herself, “If I say no to the opportunity that’s in front of me via running for office now, will – political speaking, will I die? Will I be ineffective?”
Political comments have suggested that by not running, Palin would lend her weight to Republican presidential hopeful Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Palin’s announcement is on the heels of Joe McGinniss’ book The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin, which alleged that the former governor of Alaska had a one-night stand with basketball star Glen Rice. According to The Rogue, Palin also snorted cocaine and had an affair with her husband’s business partner.
A poll released Tuesday found that two-thirds of likely Republican voters did not want Palin to run.
Palin said her prayerful decision had a lot to do with her priorities.
“As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this decision. When we serve, we devote ourselves to God, family and country. My decision maintains this order,” she said in a statement.