Sarah Palin: Being president could ‘shackle’ me

Sarah Palin certainly didn't sound interested in running for president last night.

"Is a title worth it-- does a title shackle a person?" the former Alaska governor asked during a discussion of her 2012 plans with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren. "Someone like me, who's maverick--you know I do 'go rogue' and I call it like I see it and I don't mind stirring it up ... [for] somebody like me, is a title and is a campaign too shackling?"

Palin posed the question of whether officially entering the race would shift some of her control to handlers, donors, contributors and pundits.

"Does a title take away my freedom to call it like I see it and to effect positive change that we need in this country? That's the biggest contemplation piece in my [decision] process," Palin said.

Palin's political action committee released a letter last week stating that the 2008 vice presidential nominee was on the verge of making a decision regarding 2012. (When asked about the letter, Palin said Tuesday night, "I don't know what went out.")

But as Michael D. Shear noted Tuesday for the New York Times, Palin has been silent in the week and a half surrounding that PAC announcement--choosing not to tweet, write on her Facebook page or appear on Fox News (that is, until last night), where she works as a contributor.

Palin said Tuesday that time is running out. Filing deadlines, requiring candidates to register to appear on state presidential primary ballots, are approaching in several states.