Palin Passes on Presidency: 'I Can Wake Up Americans to What's Going On in This Country'

Palin Tells Greta Why She's Not Running

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: This is a "Fox News Alert." It is "no." Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will not seek the GOP nomination for president. Governor Palin is here. She joins us.

Governor, I want to talk to you about your decision, but first your thoughts tonight on Steve Jobs dying because I think he probably has probably touched all of us in so many ways, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts tonight.

SARAH PALIN, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR/FORMER ALASKA GOVERNOR: Certainly has touched all of us and changed in such a positive way the way that the world communicates. I know personally for us, I was thinking about Steve Jobs this evening, that he touching our family with his ingenuity, with his work ethic in the invention of the iPad. Our youngest child -- he's not able to speak, he communicates via sign language, but he loves his iPad and loves to play this "Talking Tom" game on that. And he's able to kind of communicate with us through that.

So just a personal touch that, really, I think illustrates that Steve Jobs was certainly not a singular man. He was not an -- he was an island (ph) that touched so many people. And he will surely be missed.

VAN SUSTEREN: You mention the fact that your youngest child has used the iPad. I might even -- I don't know if I'm talking out of school, but I saw the Sharpie marker he made, in fact, on your iPad, that permanent marker on your iPad.

PALIN: That's right.

VAN SUSTEREN: Indeed. All right. OK. Now to your news. You decided it's a no. Why?

PALIN: Decided that it's a no, Greta, because 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, not just in the presidency, but we have 33 Senate seats coming up. We have a House of Representatives that we need to strengthen in numbers, conservatives who understand that our country has got to get back on the right track economically here, and governors' seats around the nation. I believe I can be an effective voice for some positive change in these positions.

And I apologize to those whom are disappointed in this decision. I've been hearing from them in the last couple of hours. But I believe that they, when they take a step back, will understand why the decision was made and understand that, really, you don't need a title to make a difference in this country. I think that I'm proof of that.

And we together united can surely help as a team to get this country back on the right track by making sure that Barack Obama is not reelected and making sure that Senate seats go to constitutionalists and the House of Representatives is strengthened with more conservatives.

VAN SUSTEREN: I can't even -- I imagine, in some ways -- and you know, I try to put myself in a guest's shoes -- but I imagine, in some ways, it's a disappointment. The fact is, though, that you are, you know, a young woman and there are, you know, many more years for other future chances -- you know, efforts to run for president should you ever want to.

But is there some sort of a little bit of, you know -- you know, sadness or, like, you know, Boy, I wish I could do it now?

PALIN: You know, there was that sense through my own personal internal deliberations in making this decision. I would go back and forth about whether now is the time, and 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?

But no, after making the decision today and making the announcement, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt after great confirmation today, too, Greta, personally speaking -- I know that it's the right decision and I know that I can join others and be effective in helping change what's going on in our country and help wake up Americans to what is going on in our country.

VAN SUSTEREN: Did you watch Governor Christie when he made his seven millionth no? And if so, what were you thinking as you were listening to him?

PALIN: I did. I watched that, Greta. And to tell you the truth, I made my announcement today in the format that I did because that was his seven millionth no, and I didn't want to go through all of that. I wanted to, you know, just kind of put the marker down and say, No, I'm not running, not have a big press conference about it, not make a big darn deal about it because this isn't about me. And it's not about Chris Christie.

This isn't about one potential candidate or candidates who is going to jump in there. This is about Americans who are understanding that we have got to get the right people in these positions of leadership in our country to get us back on the right track. We have to reduce tax burdens. We have to reduce onerous regulations that are chasing American jobs offshore.

We have got to become energy independent. We have got to learn again not how to not coddle our enemies but how to embrace our allies around the world so that our world will be a more peaceful place.

It's not about me, not about Chris Christie. It is about a team effort here in America to strengthen us again and to defend our republic.  Read more ....
 

PALIN LETTER TO SUPPORTERS

October 5, 2011
 

Wasilla, Alaska
 

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.

– Sarah Palin

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Listen to Mark Levin speaking with Sarah Palin on her decision: