NEW YORK — Sarah Palin’s decision to step down as Alaska governor was driven in part by her wish to help Republican candidates across the country, associates say.

Something else Sarah Palin can see from her house: The end of her 15 minutes. Since announcing that she would resign later this month as Alaska governor, a move that will keep her resume as trim as her figure, Palin has learned anew how rapidly political sheen can turn to dusk.

Whatever compromise it might engender, politics is more artful than art, evidenced by the ritual whir of campaign spin and a resulting diffusion of rhetorical miasma thick enough to slice. This explains the scenario that has Republican gubernatorial contender Bob McDonnell and Democratic foe R. Creigh Deeds drifting toward that gooey locus known as the center, chanting om and drawing near one another, philosophically now and maybe at the polls later, like last time.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell said Friday he is not sweating a GOP losing streak in U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections that stretches back to 2001.

A rough ride to recovery or further recession into the political backwaters advances Tuesday from trot to canter for Republicans here and elsewhere. This places upon the shoulders of the GOP’s carefully coiffed Virginia gubernatorial candidate a burden of hope that he so far appears able to carry though his party falters.

RICHMOND — Republican Bob McDonnell accepted his party’s charge Saturday to pry the Virginia governor’s office from Democratic control for the first time since 2002.

Va.’s top lawyer helps beautify Staunton during Community Day