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.
From CNN Politics
- These 5 states will be the first to kick residents off Medicaid starting in April
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Inside the long and winding road to Trump's historic indictment
- Listen: After negotiating a peace deal, Jimmy Carter taught this Bible class
- Abortion foes take aim at ballot initiatives in next phase of post-Dobbs political fights
- Untitled
If the McCain campaign won't let Palin out of her gilded cage, and doesn't stop "protecting" her, no one but hard core party loyalists will take her seriously. She must be allowed to speak on her own, and stand up on her own in front of the press. Hillary does it. Obama does it. Biden does it. McCain does it. Condi Rice does it. Why not Palin? By "protecting" Palin, the Republicans are making her look like a fragile female flower. Do I want a fragile female flower a heartbeat from the presidency. Not a chance. McCain, drop Palin back at the bus station with a bus ticket to Alaska, and go find a real running mate. Palin is pathetic. Even Bono won't talk to her (Karzai called him and said, "Don't bother.")
You are concerned about Palin's lack of foreign policy experience, but don't forget the Obama has even less. At least, Palin's state borders foreign countries and Obama has never done any foreign policy issues period. Furthermore, as governor, Palin was at least commander in chief of Alaska's National Guard units, but Obama has never even done that. Quite mentioning Palin, without bringing up Obama's incompetence in that area..........
You would think by how the media portrays it that Obama has foreign policy experience. Am I the only one who can't seem to find any evidence of him having such experience?
If it was to be a joke is not funny at all !!! OBAMA 2008-2016 !!!
No news here! The entire world knows she doesn’t have any foreign policy experience. Clueless Palin is the biggest joke in US history. Thumbs down on McCain & Palin! And, if I had two extra hands, I'll give them four thumbs down!
END THE DRAMA, VOTE OBAMA!
The US does not need a 'quick study' ... the current political climate here and overseas demands knowledge and experience not someone who can cram the night before and skate by. McCain's campaign should have known that Palin's incredible lack of credentials would come back to haunt them but as we've seen the past 8 years... Republicans lack any real foresight. They only care about what they can say or do or lie about that will make them look good right this second.
I have been to three countries and can see Mexico on a good day,please vote for me.My name is Ricky and I endorsed this message.
Laura, Laura, Laura! Laura! JUMP SHIP!!!!!!!!!! FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! Laura Bush tells us what we already knew. Palin is a quick study if that includes killing caribou, hiring her cronies and firing the ones she didn't like, lying about taking earmarks, lying about the bridge to nowhere and lying about going to Iraq. The only foreign policy experience Palin has is seeing Russia from the seat of her snowmobile.
regardless of wheter see is married to Bush, I have nothing but love for laura!
A wonderful woman!!!
Laura spoke the truth. I respect her for speaking the truth and stating that she'll vote for Palin anyway. Voting for her doesn't mean you have to lie about her qualifications. I hope the McCain campaign is learning.
'Laura Bush is in New York Wednesday promoting global literacy'.
I like Mrs. Bush. She is a true Lady. However, I think she should promote literacy first in American, especially with Republicans. The problem with republicans is that the vast majority of their supporters are really ignorant/backward people. The party does not place emphasis on education so that they can keep their blind supporters in the dark. It's a real shame.
Laura is a heck of a lot smarter than her husband... and has a knack for calling it like it is.
(although I bet the McSame campaign wishes she hadn't said that... here's yet another pesky woman that they'll have to sequester and keep away from the press)
See, the Republicans will speak honestly. It is true Sarah does not have foreign policy experience. Her experience is economic revitilization and exposing and changing corruption that hurts all of us. That in itself would make us a stronger in foreign policy dealings.
Mrs. Laura Bush for president!
My gosh, i bet the only dumb thing she's ever done was marry GWB!!
I mean seriously even she thinks her own husband is a bit of a looney!
Smart woman, great point – Palin is inexperience
Great first lady, i.e. the only person worth honouring these last 8 years in this government.
Bubble baby is being treated with kid-gloves becasue she is a women. If Palin, today, is such a quick study, then why do her handlers keep her from the Press? Maybe that can confirm research that shows that child birth takes a lot out of a women that it may, for a year or so, effect short term memory.
Laura Bush is more capable then her husband and McCain to lead this Nation. Laura has focused on her family and community like many capable women, who live humble, forfilled lives and are the backbone of a community
With all the Presidential and Vice Presidential (including foreign policy) experience Laura Bush has had, I wonder if she considers herself qualified to be Vice President.
OK liberals, come on, go for it, start with your ranting and screaming about how Laura Bush is confirming your beliefs...but PLEASE, in the same angry comments you make, PLEASE make sure you include what foreign experience the Messiah Obama has. Just to be fair, try it ONCE and see if you can do it. We are all waiting.
Anybody can be a 'quick study'. That is not what we need...we someone who already has the know-how.
I am sure Palin if given more time could 'come-up-to-speed' on foreign policy since she is such a quick study and she has accomplished a lot in her career, BUT....
there are still too many questions lingering for me to even think of taking a second look her way, i.e. the troopergate investigation!
She is not being transparent by hiding, whether it be fact or fiction...tell the truth and shame the devil Sarah!
Oh, that's all we're looking for now from our nation's leaders... QUICK STUDIES?! That might be an improvement from the dunce George W. Bush, but we need more in this time of crisis.
America, take a hard look all around at the disasters the republican party has engineered. Now take a look at their newest disaster in the works... McCain/Palin!
Let's move beyond these ridiculous republican charades. Choose the candidates with real promise for hope, change and American victory and prosperity in November...
Obama/Biden '08!!!
Laura will now be escorted back to her cell.
Foreign policy for Dummies
Whoops! GOP slips up again and tells the truth.. LOL!!
Okay Repubs, now the first lady has said it. Not to say what she says is end all be all but when the First Lady of the current sitting United States President admits the truth, then I guess the rest of you will have to fall in line and stop with this Palin hype of she has all this experience. I do have a question that someone on here may be able to answer, when do the candadites start filling in thier cabinet positions. Is that done after or before the election? It will be interesting to see who McCain or Obama has in mind for Sec of State, National Security Adviser, SecDef etc.
A quick study? Seriously? Is that what we want in the White House? There are no Clif's notes available on Understanding Foreign Policy and Being an Effective Leader. The election is less than 2 months away and it amazes me that the Republican ticket isn't registering with more and more voters that this is a poor ticket.
McCain may have been ok 8 yrs ago (McCain – do you remember how Rove and Bush absolutely and unfairly smeared you in South Carolina?!?!) but Republicans had their chance and they screwed up royally. Please people wake up to these 2 choices b/c with Palin on the ticket the differences b/c Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin have never been so clear as they are now!
And isn't Laura pro-choice? Interesting that she's "excited about the opportunity to vote for Palin." It's really laughable. Hurry up and get back to Crawford already.