Sarah Palin: I'm Not Running

Sarah Palin will not be joining the GOP candidates at the next debate: She announced today she won't seek the Republican nomination, reports ABC News. "As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this decision," she wrote to supporters. "When we serve, we devote ourselves to God, family and country. My decision maintains this order." The full text of her letter is here.

Palin first announced the news to conservative radio host Mark Levin, notes Politico. He immediately asked whether she might run as an independent: "I would assume that a third party would just guarantee Obama's re-election, and that's the last thing that our Republic can afford, so the consideration is not there for a third party, no," she replied. As for whether she will support the eventual nominee: "I have confidence in that. I look forward to supporting our nominee," she said, adding that the primary process will bring to light "the details of their plans, of their vision, of their records of accomplishment, and through that process the right candidate will be elevated." The Right Scoop has audio. (More Sarah Palin 2012 stories.)