Palin's Resignation Leaves GOP Searching for New Leader

Sarah Palin's abrupt resignation as governor of Alaska has set off a new round of soul searching and hair pulling in the Republican Party. "I do not know what the future holds," Palin said in announcing her departure, set for the end of July. In TV interviews this week, she complained that political adversaries and the media were unfairly targeting her and her family, arguing that such attacks were diverting attention from her agenda. [See photos of Sarah Palin and her family.]

The charismatic but polarizing Palin declined to rule out a White House bid in 2012 but acknowledged that her decision to quit might destroy any such ambitions. "Politically speaking, if I die, I die," she said. A Rasmussen Reports poll found that 40 percent of Republicans think her resignation hurt her odds of winning the 2012 nomination; 24 percent said it helped.

To be sure, many core Republicans don't want her to pass from the scene. The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee remains the subject of intense public fascination as a vibrant, unorthodox conservative willing to take on the party establishment. Critics, however, say that she lacks knowledge of issues and is too harsh and divisive to extend her appeal beyond the hard-core right. "She has great natural talent but no focus or discipline," says Matthew Dowd, a former senior political adviser to President George W. Bush. He says Palin should have finished her term as a rookie governor, constructing a solid record rather than the impression that she is a quitter. For her part, Palin told ABC News that "distractions" and unfounded ethical allegations were thwarting progress in Alaska, costing her and the state millions of dollars in legal bills.

Palin is expected to hit the speech circuit, where she could command $60,000 per address. She will write her memoirs for a big advance and perhaps host a TV or radio show. Allies have urged her to study the issues and campaign and raise money for GOP candidates across the country.

The Palin resignation underscores a big question facing the GOP: Where will its future leaders come from? In recent months, two possible GOP presidential contenders stumbled badly as Sen. John Ensign of Nevada and Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina admitted marital infidelity. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is trying to recover from an awkward nationally televised response to President Obama's address to Congress earlier this year.

The last men standing in the presidential field include blasts from the past in former Govs. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi. Fresher faces include Govs. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Charlie Crist of Florida, yet to prove themselves nationally. Some have high hopes for former Reps. John Kasich and Rob Portman, both of Ohio.

Still, Palin remains a formidable force. She is only 45 and probably has two decades to make a move up the political ladder. Of course, she could also emerge as the comeback conservative of 2012.

• See photos of Sarah Palin and her family.
• Read 10 Things You Didn't Know About Sarah Palin.
• Read 10 Things You Didn't Know About Newt Gingrich.