From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage --

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is telling the Associated Press that Sarah Palin has committed to campaigning for his re-election bid (Perry has what's likely to be a tough Republican primary fight ahead of him next year with U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.)

Palin, whose resignation is effective July 26, has said she doesn't know what her future plans are, other than that she will campaign for candidates she supports.

She said she will "work hard for others who want to fight for things that Alaska needs and America needs. ... What is good for Alaska, energy independence, our contribution to national security and reining in our own state government, which contributes to reining in our national government, which is what we need. I can do that outside having a title."

Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell told the Associated Press that his campaign had had conversations with the Palin camp. But he stopped short of saying whether he wanted her help.

Meanwhile, his Democratic opponent, Creigh Deeds, seemed happy to link McDonnell with Palin.

"If what Bob McDonnell wants to do is to bring in Sarah Palin and advocate for the same Republican policies that would take Virginia backward, I think Virginians would say, 'Thanks, but no thanks," his spokesman told the Associated Press.