Melbourne, Nov 18 Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has indicated that she might run for the White House in 2012 to champion the cause of America's Republican right.

"That certainly isn't on my radar screen right now, but when you consider some of the ordinary-turning-into-extraordinary events that have happened in my life, I am not one to predict what will happen in a few years," she said.

Palin told ABC television's Barbara Walters her stated desire was to "help our country."

Asked if she would play a major role in the 2012 presidential election, Palin answered: "If the people will have me, I will."

The Herald Sun reports that a poll this week showed just nine per cent of voters would definitely back her in a presidential election.

Yet the public's fascination with Palin and soaring sales of her book show she has star power that much better established politicians struggle to match.

Her appearance on Monday on the popular Oprah Winfrey talk show sparked frenzied media reaction, with big news organisations live blogging the show and hosting debates on her performance.

Democrats may hate Palin, but her favourable rating among Republicans is a whopping 76 per cent, according to the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll. (ANI)