Actor Baldwin mulls political bid

Baldwin has ruled out running for governor of California

Actor Alec Baldwin has said that he is giving careful consideration to a political career in the US.

The 51-year-old Democrat declared he had the "desire" to run for office, but added an opportunity for him "may mean bad things for someone else".

In an article on his blog, the screen star said serving voters was "a sacred trust" and he would give "a lot of serious thought" to a bid.

Baldwin's credits include Beetlejuice and US TV sitcom 30 Rock.

'Retiring'

The New York-born actor's role as Jack Donaghy in the show has won him two Golden Globes and an Emmy award.

He has also presented several editions of satirical show Saturday Night Live, which featured Republican presidential running mates John McCain and Sarah Palin during their campaign last year.

Baldwin has yet to set his sights on running for a specific political office, and has dampened down suggestions that he might run against Connecticut senator Joe Leiberman.

In an interview with Playboy magazine, the actor remarked that he would not leave his hometown to run for office, saying: "I'm a carry-me-out-in-a-box New Yorker".

However, he noted, two of New York's biggest political forces, Hillary Clinton and Eliot Spitzer, have recently exited the scene.

"Do I run for Congress on Long Island? What's Tim Bishop going to do? He represents my district," he added.

The next elections to the US legislature are due in 2012.

Speaking about his career and commitments to 30 Rock, Baldwin said: "I'm done in 2012. I think I will be done. I may finish a play or something, but I'm retiring at the wrap party."