Republican Sarah Palin was John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential election and is the current governor of Alaska.

On July 3, 2009, Palin held a press conference to announce that she would resign as governor within weeks and not run for re-election. On July 6, 2009, a friend of Sarah Palin, Kristan Cole, said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that Palin was resigning because numerous investigations and requests for public records had hampered her ability to effectively do her job.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124691179571701975.html

On July 21, 2009, an independent investigator found that Palin may have violated state law by using her position to raise money for her legal fund. Palin disputes this finding. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/republican-party/ap-claims-palin-misused-legal.html?wprss=thefix

There is strong speculation that Palin will run for President in 2012. The latest sign is her replacement of her chief spokesman. She recently hired David Murrow, a long time political operative with ties to the evangelical community, to run her press operation. http://race42008.com/2009/06/29/breaking-palin-replaces-spokesman-eyes-2012-run/

1. 2002: Comes in second place in the election for Lieutenant Governor
2. 2003: Appointed to the Oil and Gas Conservation CommissionProject Vote Smart: Governor Palin vote history
3. 2004: Resigned from the commission due to alleged "lack of ethics"
4. 2006: Wins Republican Primary, and subsequent gubernatorial electionProject Vote Smart: Governor Palin vote history
5. July 2007: Earns over 90% public approval ratings
6. August 2008: Selected as running mate for John McCain
7. September 2008: Approval ratings in Alaska drop to 68%Editor and Publisher: McClatchy: Palin's Approval Ratings Tumble -- In Alaska (November 3, 2008)
8. October 10, 2008: Palin found guilty of abuse of power in the Troopergate scandal
9. November 3, 2008: Palin cleared of charges by second investigation

In January 2009 Palin began a new political action committee to raise funds. According to the SarahPAC website, the funds will be used to "build a better, stronger, and safer America in the 21st century."MSNBC: Palin creates SarahPAC (January 27, 2009)

Palin was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Senate-House GOP annual fundraising dinner. However, after waffling on her commitment to appear, the coordinators have confirmed Newt Gingrich will replace Palin as the keynote speaker. This comes as the latest pitfall in Palin's post-election political moves. The dinner is scheduled to take place on June 8, 2009.Politico: Palin out, Gingrich in ... (March 31, 2009)

Governor Jennifer Granholm at the Gridiron Dinner on March 21, 2009, gave a speech said about Sarah Palin that she "really set back the cause of hot governors." When asked by a reporter if she was going to apologize to the former VP candidate, she responded, "no."CNN.com: Granholm not apologizing for Palin joke (March 24, 2009)

After an initial bump, Palin's popularity eroded steadily throughout the campaign, even in Alaska.Editor and Publisher: McClatchy: Palin's Approval Ratings Tumble -- In Alaska (November 3, 2008) A CNN poll released November 2, 2008 said that 57% of likely voters did not feel Palin has the personal qualities expected for a president.CNN: Palin costing McCain, poll suggests (November 3, 2008) An ABC poll of likely voters released on November 3rd reported that 46% believed having Palin on the ticket made them less likely to vote for McCain.ABC: Daily Tracking Poll: Not Just Economy and Bush; Palin Is Trouble for McCain Too (November 3, 2008)

• Supports drilling in Arctic National Wildlife RefugeAssociated Press: Palin views on oil, polar bears may be liabilities (August 29, 2008)
• Supports capital punishmentOn the Issues: Sarah Palin
• Opposes abortion unless the mother's life is in jeopardyOn the Issues: Sarah Palin
• Supports a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a womanOn the Issues: Sarah Palin
• Opposes adding polar bears to Endangered Species listAssociated Press: Palin views on oil, polar bears may be liabilities (August 29, 2008)

Palin served as the director of a 527 fundraising group for Alaska Senator Ted Stevens that was criticized for allegedly violating the ethical, and possibly also legal, rules of campaign contributions. Stevens was recently indicted on charges for failure to disclose more than $250,000 in gifts.Washington Post: Palin Was a Director of... (September 1, 2008) Stevens recently endorsed Palin for vice president.CBS News: Indicted Sen. Ted Stevens Endorses Palin (August 29, 2008)

Following her loss in the 2008 presidential election, Palin gave several interviews in which she expressed feeling "exploited" by the media, citing her interview with Katie Couric and Tina Fey's impersonation of her on Saturday Night Live. She believed many of the questions asked of her during the Couric interview were "condescending," and described her "grizzly mom" side after hearing of a skit on SNL poking fun at her daughter, Bristol Palin.AOL News: Palin Takes Aim at Fey, Couric, Kennedy (January 9, 2009)

Palin is the first woman ever to hold the Alaskan governor's office, and her consistently high approval ratings make her one of the most popular governors in America.The Weekly Standard: The Most Popular Governor (July 16, 2007)