SARAH STEPS DOWN - AT 8:10 P.M. ET: 

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Sarah Palin stepped down Sunday as Alaska governor to write a book and build a right-of-center coalition, but she left her long-term political plans unclear and refused to address speculation she would seek a 2012 presidential bid.

Her first order of business as a private citizen is to speak Aug. 8 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. She also wants to campaign for political candidates from coast to coast, and continue to speak her mind on the social networking site Twitter.

Free speech was a theme of her farewell speech at a crowded picnic in Fairbanks, as the outgoing governor scolded "some seemingly hell bent on tearing down our nation" and warned Americans to "be wary of accepting government largess. It doesn't come free."

COMMENT:  Whether she seeks office again or not, she can become an effective spokeswoman for conservative values, and she can be a thorn in the side of an ever-more-irresponsible press.  But she must prepare herself, be thoroughly familiar with the issues, and not try to wing it. 

Democrats fear her, and they will attack.  She must be ready, emotionally and substantively, to respond effectively to every blow.  That will be her first test.

July 26, 2009