Palin: I don't know what will happen to me in 2012

"I don't know what the heck's going to happen in 2012," she said. "I just want to get back to work for the people of Alaska."

Speaking as she flew to her home state where she is governor, Mrs Palin kept the door firmly open. "Right now I just cannot imagine running for office in 2012," she said, "I say that, of course, on the heels of an outcome I did not anticipate and did not ask for."

Her comments came as the shattered Republicans nosedived into in-fighting as they began the search for a new leader and fresh identity.

Mrs Palin, who has strong support on the conservative Right, dropped a strong hint that she intends to remain prominent in national politics by saying she would campaign for energy security and "reach out to the Barack Obama and the new administration".

The Alaska governor, 44, symbolises one side of the searing divide in the Republican ranks. She proved a huge hit with small-town America and the religious Right - and would easily attract big money to stand against Barack Obama in four years.

But she cost support among floating and urban voters by appearing dogmatic and ignorant about foreign affairs. "If I cost John McCain even one vote, I am sorry about that," she told CNN. Republicans modernisers want a candidate with appeal to voters beyond its core supporters.

"She clearly has a future in national politics," said Republican strategist Scott Reed. "She has to work to rebuild the parts of her image that became a caricature. But she's extremely popular with the grassroots."

Rivals for the 2012 campaign will include former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal.

Republican strategist Tony Fabrizio said Mrs Palin had been damaged by allegations that she abused her position: "She needs to go back home and face all of the stuff that's been raked up."

It emerged in the campaign that she took thousands of dollars in travel expenses from the state while living at home. A McCain staffer who asked not to be named added that Mrs Palin would have to broaden his appeal.