WASILLA -- Gov. Frank Murkowski, Friday morning, appointed his daughter Lisa Murkowski to serve as the third leg of the state's congressional delegation, an action that came as little surprise to former mayor of Wasilla Sarah Palin.

"I got my call from Gov. Murkowski on Monday, after he made an announcement that he had six left on his list," Palin said Thursday. "That left just Ben [Stevens] and Lisa."

After the announcement, Stevens held a press conference Wednesday to say he had never requested or spoke to Murkowski about the U.S. Senate position, an action that Palin said she respected, but left her wondering. "A lot of people are speculating that he was never on the list, which made people speculate about whether there was a list at all," Palin said.

An apparent mix-up at the announcement press conference Friday morning left reporters without a chance to ask questions of the governor or new U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. The governor's deputy press secretary Dan Saddler said Friday he could comment little about the legitimacy of the list.

"This is a decision the governor has kept very close to his chest," Saddler said. "I think there were other people still under consideration [aside from Lisa Murkowski and Ben Stevens] ... and there was an awful lot of gamesmanship and speculation."

Palin said although she was looking forward to the possibility of serving in the nation's capital, she's not heartbroken that she didn't get the position.

"It took me about seven seconds to get over my disappointment," Palin said from her Wasilla home. "I mean, look at where we live and look at where I'm able to raise my family -- there's so many things to do that are positive."

Where she lives played a big role in other decisions Palin has made this week. In her Monday conversation with the governor, Palin said Murkowski asked her whether she had her eye on any commissioner jobs that were still open. She said she asked if he was requiring commissioners to live in Juneau, and Murkowski said he was. Palin said she turned the commissioner positions down, preferring instead to live in Wasilla. She said she may still consider a deputy commissioner position, but only if it means she can work in Anchorage or the Valley.

"You weigh a lifestyle in Juneau and a lifestyle in the Valley and, hands down, the Valley is a better place to raise my kids," Palin said. She added that the position of lieutenant governor or U.S. Senator were worth the sacrifice of leaving the home she loves, but not a commissioner position.

Palin, who served as a spokesperson for the Republican party through television, radio and newspaper ads in the final weeks of the general election, said she was in no way ready for political

retirement.

"I don't feel, in my heart and soul, that I am to be retired from public service," Palin said.

Although her spokesmanship for the party didn't materialize into a Senate appointment, Palin said she felt she brings a needed new voice to the Republican table.

"I think that the Republican party saw that some molds needed to be broken within the party," Palin said. "The future of the party hinges on the Republican message being heard by more Alaskans."

Palin said she felt comfortable presenting the Republican message to Alaskans because it's something she sincerely believes in, and believes Alaska will be better for.

Resource development, a less-intrusive government and an agenda that respects equality, Palin said, are the Republican keys to unlocking the state's future and moving beyond political stagnancy.

"The party, too, has suffered, I believe, from the perception that the party is a 'good ol' boy, rich, white, male-dominated party," Palin said. She said she was amazed that, during her campaign, some members of the party questioned whether she felt she, as a conservative, should advocate being a working mother.

"There's still too much of that in the party that needs to be shattered," Palin said.

But she said she was encouraged by the recent election, and felt the party gained ground toward those goals.

"I think new voices were heard," Palin said. "I think it was successful in that respect."