It's not a matter of retreating or -- or quitting. It's a matter of progressing and forwarding a good positive agenda in an unconventional way. And I think that is what has caught people off guard.

It doesn't cost the critics anything to file frivolous lawsuits or ethics violation charges. It costs our state such a great deal. Thousands of state staff hours, millions of dollars in public resources that aren't going to things that it…

Sarah Palin says she's quitting to save Alaskans from the distraction and costs of all those frivolous complaints against her.

I'm certainly not a quitter. I'm a fighter, and that's why I'm doing this, to go out there and fight for what is right without the constraints that have been surrounding me in these final months.

I'm certainly not a quitter. I'm a fighter. And that's why I'm doing this, to go out there and fight for what is right without the constraints that have been surrounding me in these final months.

It's not a matter of retreating or quitting. It's a matter of progressing and forwarding a good, positive agenda in an unconventional way. And I think that's what caught people off guard.

I can't see me being totally out of public service, because that is within me. It is the way that I'm wired.

I'm certainly not a quitter. I'm a fighter. And that is why I'm doing this, to go up there and fight for what is right without the constraints that have been surrounding me in these final months.

And though it may be tempting and more comfortable to just kind of keep your head down and plot along, and appease those who are demanding, hey, just sit down and shut up, but that's a worthless, easy path out. That's the quitter's way out.

No, it may be tempting and more comfortable to just kind of keep your head down and plod along and appease those who are demanding, 'Hey, just sit down and shut up.' But that's a worthless, easy path out. That's a quitter's way out.

We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.

It is pretty insane. My staff and I spend most of our day dealing with this stuff, instead of progressing our state now. I know that I promised no more politics as usual, but this isn't what anyone had in mind for Alaska.

I choose not to tear down and waste precious time, but to build up this state and our great country.

I will not seek re-election as governor.

I choose not to tear down and waste precious time but to build up this state and our great country.

Remember, Alaska, America is now more than ever looking north to the future. And it will be good.

Some say things changed for me on August 29, last year, the day that John McCain tapped me to be his running mate. And it was an honor to stand beside a true American hero.

The ethics law that I championed became their weapon of choice.

Some say things changed for me August 29th last year, the day that John McCain tapped me to be his running mate. And it was an honor to stand beside a true American hero.

I think a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just kind of hunker down and go with the flow. We're fishermen. We know that only dead fish go with the flow.

I know that I promised no more politics as usual. But this isn't what anyone had in mind for Alaska.

Every one of these, though, all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed.

the latest on Sarah Palin's sudden decision to step down as governor of Alaska.

I think the problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just kind of hunker down and go with the flow. We're fishermen we know that only dead fish go with the flow.

I cannot stand here as your governor and allow the millions of dollars and all that time go to waste just so that I can hold the title of governor.