Hughes, Richards discuss Palin on Larry King Live

Former White House advisor Karen Hughes and Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards debated the impact of Gov. Sarah Palin on Larry King Live Tuesday.

Richards said Palin's candidacy has sparked interest, but she is still "far out of the mainstream."

"I think she has created interest," Richards said. "Two weeks ago, no one knew who Sarah Palin was, and I think people now are beginning to look at what she actually stands for, what she did as governor."

Hughes defended Palin's previous support for earmarks and noted her "record of standing up to the special interests."

"What is so appealing to me about both her and Senator McCain is they have done it to their own party...[The American people] want a Republican who is willing to say, maybe Republicans aren't right all the time, even though we are right most of the time, and stand up to their own party."

Richards, the daughter of Gov. Ann Richards, said the election was not about Palin.

"At the end of the day, this election is about John McCain and Barack Obama...if you liked George Bush and you like the George Bush administration, you're going to love the McCain-Palin ticket," she said.

Both women talked about comments made by the members of the Democratic ticket which have sparked minor controversies.

Hughes said Sen. Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, was "treading on dangerous territory" with his comments about special needs children and stem cell research. "[Palin] has a very principled pro life position...This is a woman who is consistent about her principles."

Hughes also said abortion would not be deciding factor for most female voters. "Most women, I think, are concerned about issues that are even broader, the security of their families, for example," Hughes said.

Richards pointed out U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's "lipstick on a pig" comment was "sort of a Texas phrase."

"It's something my mother would have said...you can say policies are about change, but you have to really look at them," Richards said.

Hughes thought the lipstick comment proved Palin had "gotten under [Obama's] skin."

"In politics, you don't usually have the presidential candidate responding to the vice presidential candidate," she said.