If you haven’t heard by now, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin launched a new political action committee this past week. The goal of the new organization, per its FAQ section, is to raise money for Governor Palin to continue spreading her ideas regarding energy independence and reform.

The news caused many to speculate, understandably, that it was an indicator that we’d see an appearance by Palin in the 2012 GOP presidential primary. But the Alaskan Governor says not so fast.

Does the PAC mean she’s running for president?

“No, not at all, not at all, no. It’s helpful to have a PAC so that when I’m invited to things even like to speak at the Lincoln Day dinner in Fairbanks, to have a PAC pay for that instead of have the state pay for that because that could be considered quasi-political.

“Other governors in the past they all had a fund to be able to travel for things like that. I do not. But now we’ll have an available source of funds so that we’re not coming close to any ethical line to be crossed in terms of travel or participation in events that will help Alaska but could be seen perhaps as not worthy of state funding.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean that Palin won’t end up running in four years. Just that the PAC isn’t, according to her, the first step towards doing so.

Whether or not she’d be likely to walk away with the nomination is obviously too early to tell. Howard Dean was particularly popular with his party leading up to the Democratic primary. Four years is an eternity in politics, especially with Alaska facing the budget issues that came with falling oil prices.

Via HAH.