That was her choice. She may not have wanted to deal with the opprobrium which would have been her and her family’s lot for the next thirteen months.
I am saddened too, because I think she got more things right in total than any of the existing plausible candidates. I doubt that her views, however wise, will influence any contrary leanings by guys such as Perry and Cain.
But she probably intends to get involved in lower level politics, which would have been unseemly for a presidential candidate. Not everything in the country hinges totally upon the president. Governors, senators, representatives, they all matter.
I sincerely believe it would have harmed Piper if Palin had run for office. From observing Piper at Palin events this summer, I really think that child was wounded by what evil she saw in this Nation and felt she had to protect her mom from it. That is too heavy a burden for a young child to carry.