While Sarah Palin was drawing major coverage at the start of her book tour last week, her successor as Alaska's governor was operating very much under the radar at the Republican Governors Association Conference in Texas.

In an interview with RealClearPolitics, Sean Parnell said his transition to the governor's office has been “pretty seamless,” given that he was a regular participant in meetings that Palin held with commissioners and staff for two and a half years. Since taking office, he says he's focused – like other leaders – on the economy. As for 2010, when he'll seek a full term, he says he'll stay focused on governing and not campaigning.

“Really right now I am focused on jobs for Alaskans and our economy,” he said. “I'm going to have to work through a legislative session to accomplish those ends, and I'm looking forward to working with legislators on that.”

The mild-mannered Parnell certainly in many ways differs from his former running mate. And in the wake of Palin's stunning decision to resign, that approach seems to have been welcomed by the state. A Dittman Research Poll released in October pegged Parnell's job approval rating at 81 percent, a strong position as he navigates both a primary and general election. Parnell, then the lieutenant governor, lost a primary for Alaska's lone Congressional seat in 2006 against incumbent Don Young.

A Parnell aide had said before the interview that the new governor would not take questions about his predecessor. Parnell has said he read large portions of Palin's new book, and in our conversation said he thinks he's following her example of leadership.

“Alaskans still want leaders who take a stand for them. That's something Governor Sarah Palin did for Alaska, that's something I'm doing,” he said.

Barbour: Health Care Bill “A Mackerel In The Moon Light”

As the Senate readied to vote on moving health care legislation to the floor, Gov. Haley Barbour (R) disputed the notion that Democrats would benefit by quick passage of legislation so they can move on to other priorities. To the contrary, he said voters might hold it against the party in power.

“The Democrats seem to believe that cramming this down America's throat is going to make them more popular. I think the American people will be livid if a party on a partisan vote crams an enormous change in public policy down their throat when every poll shows that most people don't want it,” he said. “It's like a mackerel in the moonlight. The longer it's out there the worse it stinks.”

Texas Two-Step

There are a host of primaries in the offing for Republicans next year, but none was more glaring at the Austin RGA gathering than the race between Texas GOP titans, Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Barbour has endorsed the incumbent, but said the RGA itself won't pick sides.

“I personally think Governor Perry deserves to be re-elected. I hope he is re-elected,” Barbour said. “I hope Senator Hutchison will stay in the United States Senate for the rest of my life.”

He spoke fondly of Hutchison, noting that her victory in a 1993 special election was the first pick-up in his time as RNC chairman. But, he argued, Perry has been a good governor and deserved more time, while he'd “hate to lose” Hutchison's voice in Washington. Despite the tough race, Barbour was optimistic.

“A divisive, expensive primary, regardless of whether it's in Mississippi, Texas or anywhere else, always makes it harder. But I think there's a strong likelihood that Texas will have a Republican governor in 2011, whether we end up having a divisive primary or not,” he said.