Tina Fey returned to Saturday Night Live last night to impersonate Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

She and Amy Poehler, who played Hillary Clinton, delivered a special “non-partisan message” at the opening of the show’s season premiere (Watch above).

“Tonight we are crossing party lines to address the now very ugly role that sexism is playing in the campaign,” Fey’s Palin said.

“An issue which I am frankly surprised to hear people suddenly care about,” Poehler’s Clinton interjected.

After referencing Palin’s famous joke about putting lipstick on a pit bull, Fey declared: “Just look at how far we’ve come. Hillary Clinton, who came so close to the White House. And me, Sarah Palin, who is even closer. Can you believe it, Hillary?”

Poehler responded: “I can not… It’s supposed to be mine!

“I didn’t want a woman to be President,” Poehler continued. “I wanted to be president and I just happen to be a woman… I scratched and clawed through mud and barbed wire and you just glided in on a dog sled wearing your pageant sash and your Tina Fey glasses.”

Aside from sexism, Fey and Poehler joked about their policy disagreements.

“I can see Russia from my house” and global warming is “God hugging us closer,” Fey explained.

SNL creator-producer Lorne Michaels said Fey was perfect for the part of Palin.

“The whole world cast her in that role,” he told the Associated Press.

The show was hosted by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

William Shatner appeared during Phelps’ opening monologue to mock the Olympian’s myriad of endorsement opportunities. Phelps’ mom Debbie made a brief cameo after being portrayed by Poehler.

Barack Obama was scheduled to make a guest appearance but bowed out to focus on Hurricane Ike relief efforts.

US