(CNN) – Bristol Palin talked politics with Jay Leno Thursday, saying Sarah Palin's mid-term resignation as Alaska governor won't hurt her chances of running for president.
The 20-year-old said her mom stepped down in 2009 in response to a surge of lawsuits.
"It was just costing the state tons of money and us personally tons of money, and she just wasn't able to do her job with those lawsuits being filed," Bristol said.
Leno, however, pointed out that lawsuits against governors are "part of the job" in state politics.
"Not to the magnitude that she was getting," Bristol said. "She just wanted to put her state first."
The former Alaska governor was the subject of multiple ethics complaints, including an investigation that her staff allegedly pressured a public official to fire a state trooper who had been through a messy divorce with Palin's sister.
When Palin resigned in July 2009, she said she had already decided against running for re-election and felt that her time as a lame-duck governor would be wasteful for the state.
In another media appearance, Bristol told HLN's Dr. Drew Pinsky in an hour long special to air this coming Thursday that she "definitely" agrees her mom could win.
"I think she's so smart, and I think she can debate anyone and do very well," Bristol said.
When asked if Bristol hopes her mom doesn't make it to the White House–given the added media attention–Bristol said, "no."
"I think that people are going to be talking about my family and her and everyone else, uh, no matter what we're doing," Bristol said.
This summer Palin has visited crucial voting states such as Iowa and New Hampshire, but she has yet to announce a decision on whether she'll join the 10-member field of GOP presidential hopefuls.
But, according to Palin, Bristol has already weighed in on her mom's 2012 decision.
"I think Bristol has made up her mind, and Bristol wants me to run for president," Palin said in a recent interview with Newsweek. "But we're still thinking about it. I'm still thinking about it."
From CNN Politics
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Snookie Palin wants the money and camera shots that Bachmann gets now.
One thing I do know about Sarah Palin is that she loves her country – that's what we need. Obama is the great divider. Black vs white. Poor vs Rich. America haters vs America lovers. How you can't see that Obama is hell-bent on destroying this country from within I will never understand. Why don't you think for yourself instead of believing everything the media feeds you? They are in bed with Obama and will do everything in their power to get him re-elected. It's going to get very ugly between now and Nov 2012, but Sarah will win and return America to her rightful greatness.
Again CNN, my laugh for the day.....thanks.
Old news who cares
Tea party moral values.
Yep. I pretty much get my guidance from Bristol Palin before I go to the polls. Always. Bristol thinks that "all the lawsuits," excuse will sound good to us. Oh, ethics violations? is THAT all?
T e a Party moral values.
CNN, you are turning into a tabloid.
The repubs keep $arah around to spread lies, hate, fear, and spread vicious behavior hoping for more turmoil.
That way, the good old white boys don't have to do it and they "keep their hands clean".
They are PIMPING $ARAH, and she plays into their every hand. THEY may win (we didn't say that, $arah said it), but $arah will NEVER win a national election. Thank God some of us are smart and educated to the truth.
I hope Palin (or her twin Bachmann) runs and gets the nomination. A sure win for Obama.
Oh this is getting RIDICULOUS. While you're out getting INTELLECTUALS' opinions on the upcoming election, could you see what FOGHORN LEGHORN is thinking? Oh and hey, bristol, JAY LENO CALLED.....he wants his CHIN BACK.
wow, she's just as dumb as her mother. snore
How in the hell does this tart keep making the news? I haven't seen anyone less deserving of the public eye since Paris Hilton.
Since when did Bristol Palin become a political pundit. I think if we combined the IQs for the entire family we would be hard pressed to make it over 100 points. Yikes. They should all just SHUT UP AND GO AWAY!!!
Nice republican family values
So America's favorite unwed mother and unemployed, illiterate high school drop-out as well as the ideal, born-again Christian, "conservative's" daughter has a new plasticized face? Bristol Palin should get married so she can be a Stepford Wife.
Who cares what Bristol thinks. Isn't her 15 minutes of fame up yet. As far as I am concerned you are just another teenager who wasn't responsible enough, in today society with birth control available at every store in America, to take precautions and is making money off it. Look what good example you have set.
Can we please take a break from these self aggrandizing people? Unfortunately they reflect the dumbing down of America.
How many showed up for her and her mom's book signing at the Mall of America last week? 30?
These Paris Hilton wannabes are done. Put a fork in 'em.
She forgot to add that it was her mother who instituted the rules for the procedure that she now blames for chasing her out of office. Another case of those populist tea-bagger feels good things that nobody ever thinks through to their logical conclusion.
Bristol Palin at the top of the political ticker for 3 days? Really CNN? Pathetic.
Really, Bristol? Your mother is that intelligent that she can govern this great nation of our's but she wasn't good engough for Alaska? Don't give us the bullshit that she resigned for the good of Alaska. She resigned because she didn't want all the dirt dug up against her. And you Bristol, a reality show? Since when did you think you were such an important person that deserved a reality show? Oh wait, they give reality shows to just about anyone – ie. The Jersey Shore gang. Bunch of intelligent ones there, eh!
Bristol thinks her mom is smart because she herself is dumber than a bag a hammers. Sarah couldn't get elected to the post of road kill scrapper here in Alaska even if she was dying for the job
Palin IS going to run for the following simple reason: 1) Her being in the spotlight is her cash cow, and people are only paying attention to her (and thus leting her sell books, and paying for to give speeches) only because they think she is a possible presidential candidate. Thus, she has to run to stay relevant or at least to keep raking in the money. If she drops out now, that cash cow will evaporate.