Palin on Senate Ambitions

Amanda Carpenter | November 12, 2008 3:01 PM

Governor Sarah Palin has been storming the networks (FOX, CNN, NBC) since the election ended, fielding questions about the campaign and her future in the Republican party.

She sat down with CNN's Wolf Blitzer earlier today for yet-to-be aired interview and Blitzer asked her willingness to run for the Senate. She didn't rule it out.

BLITZER: Do you want to be in the United States Senate?

PALIN: I believe that I have – I feel I have a contract with Alaskans to serve. I’ve got two more years in my term. I’m going to serve Alaskans to the best of my ability. At this point it is as governor. Now if something shifted dramatically and if it were, if it were acknowledged up there that I could be put to better use for my state in the U.S. Senate, I would certainly consider that but that would take a special election and everything else. I am not one to appoint myself or a member of my family to take the place of any vacancy.

Dramatic shifts could certainly occur in the days ahead. If Alaska's disgraced senior senator, Ted Stevens, wins his recount he might not be seated by the Senate because of his recent conviction. If that happens, Palin could run for the seat in a special election early next year. Palin could also challenge Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski in 2012. (Notice she took a shot at Lisa's dad, former GOP Governor Frank Murkowski. Frank appointed daughter Lisa to the Senate when he won his gubernatorial race. Palin later became Governor by unseating Governor Murkowski.)