Palin says 2012 run not on radar

Sarah Palin, with daughters Piper and Willow, was Oprah Winfrey's guest

Former US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has said a run for the White House in 2012 is "not on my radar screen right now".

In an interview with US TV talk show hostess Oprah Winfrey, the former Alaska governor also did not rule out one day standing for president.

Mrs Palin, who quit as the governor of Alaska this year, is currently on a media tour to launch her memoirs.

She remains extremely popular among many American conservatives.

Mrs Palin was appearing on the talk show to promote her 413-page autobiography, "Going Rogue: An American Life".

Asked about a White House run in 2012, she said she was focusing her efforts on mid-term elections next year in which Republicans hope to make inroads into Democratic majorities in Congress.

"I'm concentrating on 2010 and making sure that we have issues to tackle," she said in the interview, broadcast on Monday.

"I don't know what I'm going to be doing in 2012. [Running for president is] not on my radar screen right now."

'Heartbreaking'

The BBC's Paul Adams in Washington says some conservative Republicans wish Mrs Palin would run for the White House in 2012, believing that she, more than anyone, embodies the values they cherish.

But our correspondent adds other Republicans regard the prospect with undisguised horror, believing the former governor of Alaska would simply lead the party into oblivion.

Mrs Palin also said she was upset at the behaviour of her grandson's father, Levi Johnston.

Mr Johnston, who fathered the child out of wedlock with Mrs Palin's daughter Bristol, is to be a model for Playgirl magazine.

Mrs Palin said she found it "a bit heartbreaking to see the road that he is on right now".

In her autobiography, Mrs Palin describes tensions during the Republican campaign when she stood as Senator John McCain's Republican running mate.

She says she was left with an expenses bill of $50,000 (£30,000) when the Republicans lost, although Mr McCain's office has denied this.

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