No word yet from Palin on presidential run

INDIANOLA, Iowa, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin remained coy on her presidential aspirations during a speech Saturday at a Tea Party rally in Iowa.

The 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee told The Des Moines Register she has made no decision. She made a brief statement to the newspaper while autographing a handgun for an NRA benefit.

"I'm still not ready to make any kind of an announcement," Palin said. "I'm still trying to figure it out, if it's the right thing to do."

Palin blasted President Obama during her 40-minute speech but did not talk about seeking responsibility for the country herself. She said the country is in a crisis that will last until "all that is good and free and right" is restored.

The audience greeted her with cheers and cries of "Run, Sarah, run."

Palin got a similar enthusiastic welcome Friday night outside a restaurant in Des Moines. She told supporters she is happy with the current Republican field.

"I think there's room for more, though, because spirited debate and more competition will allow an even better discourse and more rigorous discourse that the public deserves," she said.