FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2008 file photo, shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Palin abruptly announced Friday, July 3, 2009 she is resigning from office at the end of the month, a shocking move that rattled the Republican party but left open the possibility she would seek a run for the White House in 2012. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia,File)
CARSON CITY - Long-time Republican political operative Sig Rogich said today that Sarah Palin is not a viable candidate for president in 2012.
Rogich, who was involved in the campaigns of Ronald Reagan and both Bush presidents, said Palin, a Tea Party favorite and former Republican Alaska governor, is unelectable.
"I'm not overly enamored with (Palin)," he said.
"As a candidate nationwide I don't think she is electable for a presidency, and I think that over time you will see reasons why," Rogich said.
Rogich made his comments in an interview on the Nevada NewsMakers television program.
Rogich said he does not believe a clear front-runner for the GOP in the 2012 presidential election has emerged yet.
Asked about possible choices within the GOP to face President Obama, Rogich mentioned former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour as potential candidates.
Rogich also headed up Republicans for Reid in the Nevada Senate race. U.S. Sen. Harry Reid easily won another term on Nov. 2, and Rogich said early on he did not believe the outcome of the contest against GOP challenger Sharron Angle was ever in doubt.
A lot of Nevadans, including moderate Republicans, thought Angle was eccentric and took positions that were not good for the state despite flawed polling that showed a much closer race, he said.
"So I felt pretty good about winning this election," Rogich said.