Steele and McDonnell welcome Palin to campaign in lower 48

Bob McDonnell, the GOP candidate for governor of Virginia says though there are no current plans for her to do so, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska is welcome to campaign for him.

The Virginia Republican Told ABCNews.com's "Top Line" blog today:

"I think she was -- she added a lot of enthusiasm to the Republican ticket with John McCain last year. I think she'll stay a voice in national politics to some degree. But we're welcoming people from around the country that want to help us raise money and help us campaign on reform minded ideas to come to Virginia, Republicans and Democrats."

McDonnell was asked if he would welcome Palin to campaign in Virginia on his behalf:

"I think she'd be a good spokesman. She's a successful governor in Alaska. She's a popular governor in Alaska. Got a lot of things done on taxes and regulations, and ethics. And those are some of the things that I'm interested in getting done here in Virginia."

Earlier today on FNC's "Fox and Friends" morning program, the chairman of the Republican National Committee welcomed Palin to become more engaged in national politics:

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to have Sarah Palin freed up now to engage across the country to help, you know, reorient the party and grow it. She said she now wants to be able to contribute in a different way, and as RNC chairman, I absolutely welcome it. So Sarah, come on in. The water’s nice."

Steele refused to play the guessing game about Gov. Palin's political ambitions:

"All this speculation about whether or not she's running for president is ridiculous. I think you need to focus on the fact that she made a personal decision. It was a difficult one. And we, you know, take her at her word."

"Sarah Palin will be the ultimate arbiter of when she will engage and how she will engage. And all the speculation not withstanding, she will make that decision."

Some of Alaska's Republicans don't seem to realize how fortunate they are to have Sarah Palin at a time when Californians and New Yorkers appear to be fed up with their own governors. Palin is too valuable an asset to be put on ice in the great frozen north. Ask Chairman Steele, and he will tell you that she is a national treasure.

- JP