Laura Bush says Palin lacks foreign policy experience
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/24/art.lbush.gi.jpg caption="Laura Bush said she has confidence in Palin."](CNN) - First Lady Laura Bush told CNN Wednesday Sarah Palin lacks experience in foreign policy, but quickly added the Alaska governor is "a very quick study."
Asked by CNN's Zain Verjee if she thought Palin's resume included sufficient foreign policy experience, Bush said, "Of course she doesn't have that."
"You know, that's not been her role," she continued, "But I think she is a very quick study, and fortunately John McCain does have that sort of experience."
The McCain campaign has pointed to Palin's gubernatorial service as head of the Alaska National Guard, part of which is deployed in Iraq, as experience in foreign policy.
But in the interview with CNN, Bush reiterated she has "a lot of confidence" in Palin.
"She's got a lot of really good common sense, and I think that's very important," Bush said. "She also has executive experience from being a governor and a mayor, and I'm thrilled to have the chance to vote for Sarah Palin on the Republican ticket."
Bush also said she agreed with those who have charged Palin is being treated unfairly because she is a woman.
"I do think there's a little bit of that going on, and I think it's to be expected," she said.
Laura Bush is in New York Wednesday promoting global literacy. She also met with political dissidents from around the world Tuesday, including a Burmese monk.
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But she can see Russia from her house, Laura ! THIS is foreign experience. Can you see it from the White House ? then ...
Tell me again exactly what it is that SARAH PALIN BRINGS TO THE TABLE? A mind boggling decision to add SARAH PALIN TO THE TICKET BY JOHN MCCAIN TO SAY THE LEAST.
Tired of these first ladies who just bake cookies and stay behind their men. We need First Ladies like Hillary and Michelle who are strong on their own.
But she can see Russia from her house, Laura ! THIS is foreign experience. Can you see it from the White House ? then ...
If any one other than a spoiled little cheerleader had been chosen by McCain, that person would have been held to the same standards by the media as Biden, Obama and McCain. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to vote against her.
Wow! Just Wow! When the top republican wife comes out and says you lack experience, you lack experience. But we knew that all along. If I were a Republican I would be highly insulted that mcain thought so little of my intelligence by putting pea brain on the ticket. A great story – one of my coworkers who is a staunch Republican all of his 55 years told me he cannot wait to vote for Obama/Biden. And he is not the first i've seen. He said besides mccain' horrible judgement and temper which scares him, he said that palin is a joke and he wouldn't trust her to run his apartment building.
mccain/palin = pathological liars!
And Laura Bush is an expert on what?
So did George Bush lack foreign policy experience.
He couldn't even name some of the world leaders in a pre-election television interview eight years ago.
Of course she has foreign policy experience. She can see Russia from her house!
Of course, it's hard to know since they are unwilling to let her talk to the press about her so-called experience.
Can someone please remind me of Obama's foreign policy experience? And dont mention the Euro committee he headed, they never had a single meeting so that doesnt count.
This entire "experience" discussion is ridiculous. Gov. Palin is a sitting Governor and former Mayor. Obama is a street organizer, whatever that is. Obama has no experience at anything. The National press has completely failed the American people by being totally biased.
The bottom line is that normal people will not vote for an inexperienced, liberal candidate that keeps comany with unrepentant radical terrorists and racist preacherss.
We all know that Obama would kiss Bin Laden's tail if he thought it would get him a few more votes than it would cost him.
He obviously doesn't care about what is good for the USA- he cares about what gets him elected.
Its great to be a quick Study, but 2 months before election is like cramming the night before the MCAT Its just not possible!
I know someone might say well Obama doesnt have a lot of experience, but his 12 plus years of state and federal legislative experience plus almost 2 years running for President dwarfs Palins 2 months of cramming.
Leon OKC
And Laura Bush's opinion matters why...?
At least there is one person in the Republican Party who can tell the truth without spinning it. The requirement to be a leader is not about having one specific skill. It is about judgement, integrity and ability to use others skill to make sound judgement. When we go beyond the spin masters spin we know that there is no individual who is born to be president.
It is all about the value and judgement they bring to the table. In that scale Palin is way back on the scale. She needs more time to know what is going on around the world before she is thrown into the fire since she does not have the fundamentals. She has to develop in making sound judgments. If she runs down to debt a small town, do we need her in white house in the middle of economic crisis? That is why what is needed now is somebody who is prudent and do not go on wild spending spree. She put Wasilla on the hooks for millions of dollars debt by building a recreation complex on a land the city does not own. That is lack of judgement.
The only Bush that speaks the truth.
Yip and if something happened to John McCain we would be left with someone without a clue to foreign policy or any other experience to run the country. Not a warm and fuzzy feeling.
I like Mrs. Bush -I wish she could tell us how she really feels about everything but, of course, she can't.
BTW will CNN ever run the video tapes of Sarah in her church? How about the one I just saw of her being blessed to protect her from witchcraft? The woman is a freakin nut job (but no witches can get her)
Nice try,.
But President Clinton also lacked foreign policy experience. He had to beef up severely to become abreast of issues left open, and threats after the Reagan Administration–not the least of which was dealing with the newly free state of Russia at the end of the cold war.
The dellineation between leaders–and losers: leaders collect valid information from varied sources (the better the leader the more sources) and then makes a logical decision on action related on the information provided.
We have the brightest and best working in our government. I'm confident we have the guidance necessary to direct the best course. But it takes a decision maker and a facilitator–to make the decision and then follow it through to success.
In that respect.l...Governor Palin has truly shown her willingness and capabilities to do the job.
"a very quick study"? It took Sarah 6 years to graduate with a 4-year degree!
Here we go again with CNN's headlines. You people really amaze me with your reporting. I am very disappointed with CNN during this election starting form the primaries. CNN should have come right out and said that they were endorsing Obama because the reporting that I see here on your blogs plus the reporting on TV tells me that is so. I have never seen such poor reporting from a major network than I am seeing here. The media including CNN is making American politics look like a joke now and I cannot wait for it to be over. This country is suppose be the leader of democracy in this world and its not even close. We have to get back to the good old politics when people respected each other and only argued about the issues and not who did what or who did not do what. Its really pathetic now and disappointing. If by having the new technology and this is the way politics is going to, be then God please help America because we are definitely heading down the wrong road.
I'm not voting for a ticket that hides its VP candidate from the press. Not ready for the press on Day 1? Then not ready for the VP position on Day 1.
Sarah Palin is NOT transparent. Exhibit A: not cooperating with Troopergate, an investigation that started BEFORE she was chosen as McCain's running mate. Who chooses a running mate who is ALREADY under investigation?
McCain Lacks the Judgment to be President.
I'm glad Palin is taking a crash course on Foreign Policy at the U.N. I wonder if they'll offer a VP course for her online. Not much time left.
It must suck to be married to the Worst President?
I'm not saying I haven't read nasty things in the comments field that contain sexism.
But I believe she should be under scrutiny, she came out of nowhere, and doesn't have a lot of experience. It is the same scrutiny that Sen. Obama has been under.
And I have read a lot worse because of the color of his skin.
Vote the issues, and let's all try to be more understanding.
Bless us all.