and im not gonna put alaskans through that

i promised efficiency

and effectiveness

thats not how im wired

im not wired to operate

under the same old politics as usual

i promised that four years ago

and i meant it

it thats not what is best for alaska at this time

im determined to take the right path for alaska

even though it is unconventional

and its not so comfortable

with this announcement

that im not seeking reelection

ive determined its best to

transfer the authority of governor

to lieutenant governor parnell

and i am willing to do this

so that this administration

with its positive agenda

and its accomplishments

and its successful road to

an incredible future for alaska

so that it can continue without interruption

and with great administrative and legislative success

my choice is to take a stand and effect change

and not just hit our head against the wall

and watch valuable state time and money

millions of your dollars go down the drain

in this new political environment

rather we know we can effect positive change

outside government at this moment in time

on another scale

and actually make a difference for our priorities

and so we will for alaskans

and for americans

lemme go back quickly to a comfortable analogy for me

and thats sports

basketball

and i use it because you are naive

if you dont see a full court press from the national level

picking away right now

a good point guard heres what she does

she drives through a full court press

protecting the ball

keeping her head

up because she needs to keep her eye on the basket

and she knows exactly when to pass the ball

so that the team can win

and that is what im doing

keeping our eye on the ball

that represents sound priorities

remember they include energy independence and smaller government

and national security and freedom

and i know when its time to pass the ball

for victory

and ive given my reasons now

very candidly

truthfully

and my last day wont be for another few weeks so

the transition will be very smooth

in fact we look forward to swearing in sean parnell

up there in fairbanks at the conclusion

of our governors picnic at the end of the month

and i really dont want to disappoint anyone with this announcement

not with the decision that i have made

all that i can ask is that you trust me with this decision

and know that it is no more politics as usual

and some alaskans it seemed today

maybe they dont mind wasting public dollars and state time

but i do

and i cannot stand here as your governor

and allow the millions of dollars and all that time go to waste

just so i can hold the title of governor

and i dont know if my children are gonna allow it anyway

some are gonna question the timing of this

and let me just say

this decision has been in the works for a while

in fact this decision comes after much consideration

prayer and consideration

and finally i polled the most important people in my life

my kids

where the count was unanimous

well in response to asking hey do you want

make a positive difference and

fight for all our childrens future

from outside the governors office

it was four yesses

and one hell yeah

and the hell yeah sealed it

and some day ill talk about the details of that

i think though much of it for the kids

had to do with

recently seeing

their baby brother trigg

mocked and ridiculed by some pretty mean spirited adults

recently

and by the way i sure wish folks could ever understand

all that we can learn all of us from someone like trigg

i know he needs me

but i know that i need him even more

and what a child can offer to set priorities right

know that time is precious

the world needs more triggs not fewer

my decision was also fortified

during this most recent trip to kosovo and landstuhl

to visit our wounded soldiers overseas

those who truly sacrifice themselves

in war for our freedom and our security

and we can all learn from our selfless selfless troops

theyre bold and they dont give up and they

take a stand and they

know that life is short

so they choose not to waste time

they choose to be productive and serve something greater than self

and to build up their families and their states and our great country

these troops and their important missions now

there is where truly the worthy causes are in this world

and thats where our public resources should be

our public priority

with time and resources spent on that

not on this superficial

wasteful

political bloodsport

so may we all learn from them

really weve just gotta put first things first

and first things first as governor

i love my job

and i love alaska

and it hurts to make this choice

but im doing whats best for alaska

and i have explained why

though i think of the saying on my parents refrigerator

a little magnet that says

dont explain

your friends dont need it

and your enemies wont believe you anyway

but ive given my reasons

its no more politics as usual

and im taking my fight for whats right

for alaska

in a new direction

now despite this i dont want any one

any alaskan

dissuaded from entering politics

after seeing this real climate change

that began in august

no we need hardworking average americans

fighting for whats right

and i will support you

because we need you

and you can effect change

and i can too

on the outside

we need those who will respect our constitution

where government is supposed to serve from the bottom up

and not move toward this top down big government takeover

but rather

will be protectors of individual rights

who also have enough common sense to acknowledge

when conditions have drastically changed

and theyre willing to call an audible

and pass the ball when its time

so the team can win

and thats what im doing

remember alaska

america is now more than ever

looking north to the future

and itll be good

so god bless you

and from me and from my family

to all alaska

you have my heart

and were gonna be in really great hands

the capable hands

of our lieutenant governor sean parnell

and lieutenant general craig campbell

then will assume the role of lieutenant governor

and its my promise to you that

i will always be standing by ready to assist

we have a good positive agenda for alaska

take the words of general macarthur

he said

we are not retreating

we are advancing

in another direction

so with that imonna hand this over

to our good lieutenant governor

and again i say thank you

and god bless you alaska