After twelve tumultuous months that catapulted an obscure state governor to the republican presidential ticket, Sarah Palin bowed off the Alaskan political stage yesterday.

But is that the end, or merely the first step on a new road that might conceivably lead to the White House?

The question dominated the three picnics at the weekend marking her premature resignation as governor of Alaska. At the last of them in Fairbanks yesterday, Ms Palin formally handed over her job to the state's lieutenant governor Sean Parnell, who will serve out the remaining year-and-a-half of her term.

She steps down burdened by costly ethics probes in her home state, waning popularity in the country, and a family life that has turned into a public soap-opera. Yet she is the best known republican in the country at a moment when the party is desperately short of star power.

“There is absolutely no plan after July 26,” spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said, dismissing talk that her boss has already decided to run for president in 2012.

Her decision to resign, announced to general amazement on the eve of the Independence Day holiday three weeks ago, had been on the basis of what was best for Alaska.

However, if her sights are set on the White House, Ms Palin's biggest challenge is to be taken seriously. Photogenic and outspoken, she enjoys massive recognition. But a new Washington Post/ABC poll gave her a favourability rating of only 40%. In survey after survey, majorities say she could never be elected president.