Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has officially stepped down as Alaska governor.
In a farewell speech in Fairbanks, she gave few clues about her long-term political plans amid speculation that she may be planning a bid to run for president in 2012.
In the short-term, she said she plans to write a book and 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 address 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".
She also took aim at the media, saying her replacement Sean Parnell "has a very nice family too, so leave his kids alone".
And she told television cameras: "How about, in honour of the American soldier, you quit making things up?"
When she first announced her resignation on July 3, Mrs Palin said she was tired of the media focus on her family and felt she had been unfairly treated by reporters.
Friends and rivals have speculated that Mrs Palin may host a radio or TV show, launch a lucrative speaking career or seek higher office in Washington.
He spokeswoman said Mrs Palin hasn't ruled out any of those options and is still considering her future, adding: "I cannot express enough there is no plan after July 26. There is absolutely no plan."
Mrs Palin was a relative political unknown a year ago until Republican presidential candidate John McCain selected her to be his running mate. But the election created problems for her when she returned to Alaska as her once congenial relationship with politicians soured, and she became the target of nearly 20 ethics complaints.
