Bernhard Predicts No Palin in 2012

Comedian Sandra Bernhard steered clear of Sarah Palin jokes on the red carpet at the GLAAD Media Awards Saturday, but she did predict that the former Alaska governor would not run for the presidency in 2012.

Bernhard came under fire for a 2008 performance in which she said that the Republican vice-presidential nominee "would be gang-raped by blacks in Manhattan" if she visited New York to campaign. The Jewish comedian also warned Palin to stay away from the Old Testament.

Asked for comments by Advocate.com before the awards show in New York City, Bernhard declined to discuss the controversy.

"I'm on a moratorium on Sarah Palin," she said. "I did it before everybody and I'm done."

Nor is Bernhard, currently on the road performing and working on TV projects, making contingency plans for a potential Palin presidential bid.

"I don't think she will be [running]," said Bernhard. "Things shift and move so quickly, just like the earthquakes. We don't even know if the earth will still be rotating in 2012. We're just gonna take it day by day. I have no energy for her."

That same spirit of evolution seems to apply to her friendship with Madonna, as Bernhard sounded tired when reporters asked her about the last time she and the pop icon talked.

"Twenty years later, it's kind of like Sarah Palin," said Bernhard. "I'm always changing, evolving, opening to new ideas. Moving forward."

As for who interests her now, Bernhard said she feels most inspired by Lady Gaga.

"She blows out any preconceived notions about sexuality in a way that nobody's done," she said.