Analyst says Palin could be done with politics

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's decision to step down during her first term could signal that she's done with elective office, a Virginia political analyst says.

"You shouldn't dismiss that possibility if she's fed up, and that came across at the press conference," the University of Virginia's Larry Sabato said last night.

If she does plan future campaigns, Sabato thinks Palin has made a major error. "This will prove very useful to her opponent -- she's up and quit the only statewide office she's ever held, in midterm. That's not much of a qualification if you're running for president," Sabato said.

"The Harry Truman rule applies: 'If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.' Once you're out of the kitchen it's hard to get back in."

Palin campaigned in Virginia four times last year as the running mate of Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

"Bob McDonnell is sure this was a very tough decision for Governor Palin and her family," said Tucker Martin, a spokesman for Virginia's Republican gubernatorial nominee, who served as co-chairman of the McCain-Palin campaign in Virginia.

"He wishes Governor Palin the very best as she moves forward. He is certain she will continue to play a prominent and positive role in American politics in the years ahead," Martin said.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said in a statement that Palin is "an important and galvanizing voice" in the GOP and will help the party's gubernatorial candidates this fall in Virginia and New Jersey, according to The Washington Post.

Tim Murtaugh, spokesman for the Republican Party of Virginia, said, "We wish her luck on her future endeavors and think there's little doubt that she will have an impact on policy discussions in the future."

Palin campaigned with McCain on Sept. 10 at Van Dyck Park in Fairfax City. On Oct. 13, Palin joined McCain in Virginia Beach for a rally, then appeared solo before a crowd estimated at 20,000 in a field at Richmond International Raceway.

On Oct. 27, she held rallies in Leesburg, Fredericksburg and Salem, and stopped by a gourmet deli in Ashland.

On Nov. 1, an estimated 8,000 McCain-Palin supporters spent Saturday night at the Deep Run High School football field to back the GOP ticket in western Henrico.

Contact Andrew Cain at (804) 649-6645 or .

Staff writer Frank Green contributed to this report.