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. 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.
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.
From the bottom of my heart I thank those who have supported me and defended my record throughout the years, and encouraged me to run for President. Know that by working together we can bring this country back – and as I’ve always said, one doesn’t need a title to help do it.
I will continue driving the discussion for freedom and free markets, including in the race for President where our candidates must embrace immediate action toward energy independence through domestic resource developments of conventional energy sources, along with renewables. We must reduce tax burdens and onerous regulations that kill American industry, and our candidates must always push to minimize government to strengthen the economy and allow the private sector to create jobs. Those will be our priorities so Americans can be confident that a smaller, smarter government that is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people can better serve this most exceptional nation.
In the coming weeks I will help coordinate strategies to assist in replacing the President, re-taking the Senate, and maintaining the House.
Thank you again for all your support. Let’s unite to restore this country! God bless America.
Speculation had been high for months that Palin would enter the race and now it is turning to other GOP presidential hopefuls and whether she an endorsement for any of them.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry responded to Palin’s announcement, saying, “Sarah Palin is a good friend, a great American and a true patriot. I respect her decision and know she will continue to be a strong voice for conservative values and needed change in Washington.”
While the former Alaska governor kept pundits guessing about her presidential intentions, she never wavered from her deeply-felt pro-life views.
Most recently, Palin’s emails as governor were made public and they showed her writing a letter from God’s perspective about the eventual birth of her son Trig, who has Down syndrome.
Palin writes, “I let Trig’s mom have an exceptionally comfortable pregnancy so she could enjoy every minute of it. Trig’s mom and dad were told early by doctors that the child ‘may provide more challenges and more joy than what they ever may have imagined or ever asked for. This new person in your life can help everyone put things in perspective and get everyone focused on what really matters. The baby will expand your world and let you see and feel things you haven’t experienced yet.”
According to the Daily Mail, the email says Trig’s name is a Norse name meaning “true” and “brave victory,” and Palin writes, “He’ll show you what true brave victory really means.”
Palin tells her friends and family, “Trig is no different except that he has one extra chromosome. Doctors call it Down’s Syndrome, and Down’s kids have challenges but can bring you much delight and more love than you can ever imagine. Just wait and see, let me prove this. Trig will be his dad’s little buddy, and he’ll wear Carhartts while he learns to tinker in the garage. He’ll love to be read to, he’ll want to play goalie and he’ll steal his mom’s heart just like Track, Bristol, Willow and Piper did.”
The former vice-presidential and possible presidential candidate also takes on abortion advocates in defending Trig.
“What do you earthlings consider “perfect” or even “normal” anyway? Have you peeked down any grocery store isle [sic], or school hallway or into your office lunchroom lately? Have you noticed I make ‘em all shapes and sizes? Believe me, there is no “perfect,” she explains. “Many people will express sympathy, but you don’t want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this.”
In May, she skipped a high-profile DC event for a pro-life fundraiser.
The former Alaska governor used her draw to bring an audience to the event for Heroic Media and noted how she was skipping the D.C. gala featuring President Barack Obama and top elected officials and media elites.
“The pro-life cause or White House Correspondents’ Dinner? I choose life,” she said. “You really see evidence of that influence out there of — you know — the celebrity, how the news is, and the political arena,and how it all kind of meshes together. That’s what the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is.”
But Palin added that her decision doesn’t mean pro-life advocates should abandon attempts to influence the public within the media confines.
“We’re not going to be absent from that arena… I think we kind of want to infiltrate it. We want to get in there and affect that change,” she said.
Instead, Palin’s daughter Bristol went to the event and represented the conservative family.
“Go and grit your teeth if you hear Palin jokes out there on the podium,” Palin said about what she told her daughter.
During the event, Palin presented an aware for Lila Rose, the Live Action president credited with exposing Planned Parenthood and different kinds of abuses ranging from giving out incorrect information on abortion to covering up sexual abuse cases involving minors to helping arrange abortions for girls victimized by sexual trafficking.
“Planned Parenthood doesn’t empower women, or offer women who find themselves in less than ideal circumstances any kind of real choice. What they offer is not real choice or female health care,” Palin said.
