Republican 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin declares that "of course" she's interested in the 2016 presidential election.
"Yeah, I mean, of course, when you have a servant’s heart, when you know that there is opportunity to do all you can to put yourself forward in the name of offering service, anybody would be interested," the former Alaska governor said in an
interview with ABC News in Las Vegas.
Pressed as to whether she'd "possibly" be interested in a presidential campaign, she replied all of America is ready for a change
— and a woman
— in the Oval Office.
"We definitely had enough of seeing that
— America has had enough of seeing that
— sign on the Oval Office door saying, 'No Girls Allowed.' I know that," she said. "It doesn’t necessarily have to be me, though, but no, America is definitely ready for real change."
"It doesn't have to be myself, but yes ... happy to drive that competition, because competition will make everyone better and produce more and be more candid regarding their solutions they will offer this country. I am very interested in that competitive process and, again, not necessarily me."
Palin was in the desert gambling resort Thursday for the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, and was interviewed as she volunteered at a Salvation Army food kitchen.
She wore a hat and apron advertising The Sportsman Channel, where she hosts "Amazing America with Sarah Palin."
On Saturday, Palin will be among a throng of possible GOP presidential candidates at the Iowa Freedom Summit hosted by Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King.
"I can’t wait for new energy," she said, adding, "Better be a competition and not a coronation."
"Big competition, and that competition in the GOP ... will surface that candidate who can take on Hillary [Clinton], be ready for Hillary and show the nation what it is going to take to get the country back on the right track
— because we can't afford status quo, because status quo lately has been Latin for, 'We are getting screwed,' and status quo has got to go."
"I want to help find that candidate that realizes that [their standing in the next election is] not what matters, that’s not what is at stake," Palin told ABC News. "What's at stake is our children and our grandchildren’s future."
Palin has hinted at presidential runs before
— including in 2011,
— but hasn't been in a race since presidential nominee John McCain tapped her as his running mate in 2008.