Palin: Economic Collapse Doomed McCain Campaign

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin blamed the economic collapse for her unsuccessful run for the vice presidency as Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) running mate.

“Well, I think the economic collapse had a heck of a lot more to do with a collapsed campaign effort than me,” Palin said during an interview from Alaska on NBC’s “Today” aired Tuesday.

Palin also sidestepped questions about stories of supposed infighting within the McCain campaign that have emerged in recent days, some of which accuse Palin of being off-message and harboring tension with campaign staffers.

“I’m not going to get into that inside baseball strategy that was used with those who were calling the shots in the campaign,” Palin said. “I’m going to let them answer that. But suffice it to say, I’m comfortable doing interviews, I love being able to express what my positions are.”

“You know what you’re getting into, though, as a candidate,” the Alaska governor added. “If your skin isn’t thick enough to take it as a candidate, really you’ve got no business running for public office.”

Watch the interview below:

–Michael O’Brien