Romney: Palin 'best thing' for him, GOP

WASHINGTON, June 7 (UPI) -- Mitt Romney said former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin didn't rain on his political parade when her ballyhooed bus tour collided with his presidential intentions.

Palin's appearance in New Hampshire Thursday as part of her nationwide bus tour "really didn't ruin my day," Romney told CNN Monday, even though it was the same day the former Massachusetts governor formally announced he would seek the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

"In a lot of respects it's the best thing that could happen to me," he said on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight." "Right now, your greatest enemy is overexposure. People get tired of seeing the same person day in and day out."

Romney, who sought the GOP nomination in 2008, spoke highly of Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee who hasn't tipped her hand about whether she'll be a candidate for 2012.

"I think Sarah Palin is generating enthusiasm and interest in a campaign this year. That's a good thing," Romney said. "She has a lot of energy and passion and bringing it to our race is positive for us."

For his part, Romney said he will choose a different path, at least for a while. He said he will conduct a few key interviews, but mainly keep a low profile.

"Until Labor Day hits I'm going be pretty quiet," Romney said.