Palin says a woman on 2012 ticket would be good for GOP

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has not ruled out another run for national office.

ByABC News
November 12, 2008, 4:01 PM

MIAMI -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in her first public appearance since the Nov. 4 elections, suggested on Wednesday that it would be a good for the Republican party to have a woman on the presidential ticket in 2012.

The GOP vice presidential nominee, who has not ruled out another run at national office, spoke with reporters attending the Republican Governors Association meeting.

She was responding to speculation about her as the future of the party.

"I don't think it's me personally, I think it's what I represent," Palin said. She added: "Everyday, hardworking American families a woman on the ticket perhaps represents that. It would be good for the ticket. It would be good for the party. I would be happy to get to do whatever is asked of me to help progress this nation."

Only a week after her ticket's electoral defeat, Palin has mounted a media offensive, with appearances on Fox News and the Today Show and CNN.

On her political plans, Palin told Matt Lauer in an interview that aired Wednesday on the Today Show that she is "not planning" to run for the Senate if the seat held by embattled Republican Sen. Ted Stevens should come open.

"I think the people of Alaska appreciate me where I am today as their governor," she said.

As for polls that show strong support within the Republican party for her to challenge Obama in 2012, Palin said: "Well, life is very unpredictable, and that's the excitement of life. You never know what is around the next corner."

As for the new president, Palin was asked if she was comfortable with him being commander-in-chief.

"I am if Barack Obama surrounds himself with those who understand how important it is to recognize the great threat against our young men and women over there in Iraq and Afghanistan and even here on the homeland, and that is radical Islamic terrorist who have not changed their mind," she said.

Pressed to elaborate, she reiterated: "I'm comfortable with Barack Obama as our commander-in-chief assuming that he has those around him who recognize, as I'm sure he will recognize also if he doesn't already, that terrorists have not changed their mind."