Sarah Palin has quit the US presidential race for 2012.
Ending months of “will she, won’t she” speculation the onetime Vice President hopeful announced yesterday that she will not seek the Republican US presidential nomination.
"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," she said in the letter to supporters.
Palin said family considerations played a major part in her decision and the media’s intrusive coverage of her daughter Bristol's troubled relationship with the father of her child, Levi Johnston.
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Her departure leaves Republican Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, Texas Governor Rick Perry, and businessman Herman Cain, among others, in the race.
It also leaves another Tea Party favourite, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann in the running.
However, Palin may still find herself helping out the Republicans for their bid to oust President Obama in 2012.
Hotly tipped conservative candidate Perry issued a statement that sounded suspiciously like a bid for her support.
"Sarah Palin is a good friend, a great American and a true patriot. I respect her decision and know she will continue to be a strong voice for conservative values and needed change in Washington," he said.
