Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski minces no words when it comes to rumors that fellow Republican Sarah Palin may try to take her job. "I can guarantee it would be a very tough election," said the senator. And she’s right — both women, who look like they could be sisters, are enormously popular in their home state, raking in about 80 percent in approval ratings.

Some speculate that Palin, who failed to achieve a White House win as John McCain’s running mate, will run for Senate to boost her national image and position herself for a possible 2012 presidential run. Murkowski, however, discounts such logic. First, says Murkowski, a loss would prove devastating for her national image, nor does she see a win as a direct route to the White House, "If she wants to be president, I don’t think the way to the presidency is a short stop in the United States Senate." Meow!

Also, if Palin did win, she would become a junior senator, one who lacks the authority or position to prove truly effective. And that point raises even larger issues of seniority. If Palin ran, she would be undercutting her own party’s power — a big no-no in the political sphere. "One thing that Alaskans clearly appreciate is seniority,” remarked Murkowski. “If she were to kind of move me over, if you will, to run for national office again at the expense of this seniority that’s been built, I don’t know if Alaskans would look too favorably on that."

Murkowski’s criticsm may be a bit personal — Palin defeated her father in the 2002 gubernatorial election and often touted the fact that she was routing out the state’s "old boys network." Many assume, of course, that the governor was speaking directly about Murkowski’s father. When asked about those remarks a few months ago, Murkowski apparently cut the interview short. 

While considering her home state situation and her presidential prospects, Palin should also keep in mind Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Top John McCain strategist Steve Schmidt this week predicted that it isn’t a question of "if," but "when" Jindal will be elected president. Apparently Schmidt doesn’t have high hopes for Palin, either. Perhaps the good governor should be happy with what she has: a relatively powerful position and star power, both of which could be tarnished if she runs — and loses — in the 2010 Senate run.