Gov Palin on Murkowski write-in bid: Resistance is futile.

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Sarah Palin told Bloomberg reporter John Mccormack Saturday that a write-in ballot effort by Sen. Lisa Murkowski would be "futile," but also said that nothing is preventing Alaska's Senior Senator from giving it a try:

“Joe Miller is going to win the general,” Palin said in a brief interview after she unexpectedly appeared at a Sept. 11 commemoration in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska. “It seems like it’s a futile effort, there, for a write-in effort, but she certainly has that right to do so.”

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John Bitney, Murkowski’s campaign manager, declined to say when she would decide whether to pursue a write-in candidacy. He said she has received “a lot of encouragement” from “a broad spectrum of people from across the entire state” to run.

“I love competition in business and sports and politics,” Palin said. “It’s all good.”

Palin, 46, dismissed the notion that Murkowski could draw votes away from Miller, should she enter a race that also includes Democratic nominee Scott McAdams, the mayor of Sitka, Alaska.

“I do not believe so,” Palin said. “I believe that Joe Miller is going to solidify more and more support as the days go on, as more and more people know him, not just his resume and his record, but what motivates him and his intentions for this state and for our country.”

Murkowski was defeated in a major upset in the GOP primary by Miller, who was endorsed by Gov. Palin and the Tea Party movement. Tea Party Express contributed $600,000 to Miller's campaign after being urged by the governor to get behind the underdog candidate. Murkowski conceded the race to Miller, who led by more than 1,600 votes after all the absentee ballots were counted. She never endorsed Miller and explored a possible run on the Libertarian Party ticket, but was not able to convince party leaders to go along with the idea.

- JP