Alaska senator not to support Palin's 2012 US Prez bid as she lacks 'intellectual curiosity'

Washington, Nov.16 (ANI): Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski has said she would not support former governor Sarah Palin bid for the US presidency in 2012 because she lacks "intellectual curiosity" for the job.

"I just do not think she has those leadership qualities, that intellectual curiosity that allows for building good and great policies," Murkowski told Katie Couric in a "CBS Evening News" interview.

"You know, she was my governor for two years, for just about two years there, and I don't think that she enjoyed governing. I don't think she liked to get down into the policy," she added.

Murkowski, who is on track to win her write-in campaign to retain her Senate seat, has said previously that Palin is not an ideal presidential contender.

The two Alaska Republicans have had a long, tense relationship stemming from when Murkowski's father, former Governor Frank Murkowski, appointed his daughter to serve out his Senate term instead of Palin.

Murkowski didn't do much to downplay the iciness of the relationship.

"I'm still her senator. I'm going to work hard to represent her too. We don't really have much of a relationship," said Murkowski.

Palin is backing Murkowski's opponent, Joe Miller, in the still-undecided Senate contest. (ANI)