Palin should step down, conservative commentator says
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/26/art.palin.gi.jpg caption="Palin was in New York City Thursday."](CNN) - Prominent conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, an early supporter of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, said Friday recent interviews have shown the Alaska governor is "out of her league" and should leave the GOP presidential ticket for the good of the party.
The criticism in Parker's Friday column is the latest in a recent string of negative assessments toward the McCain-Palin candidacy from prominent conservatives.
It was fun while it lasted," Parker writes. "Palin’s recent interviews with Charles Gibson, Sean Hannity, and now Katie Couric have all revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate. Who is clearly out of her league."
Palin's interview with Couric drew criticism when the Alaska governor was unable to provide an example of when John McCain had pushed for more regulation of Wall Street during his Senate career. Palin also took heat for defending her foreign policy credentials by suggesting Russian leaders enter Alaska airspace when they come to America. Palin was also criticized last week for appearing not to know what the Bush Doctrine is during an interview with Charlie Gibson.
“If BS were currency, Palin could bail out Wall Street herself," Parker also writes. "If Palin were a man, we’d all be guffawing, just as we do every time Joe Biden tickles the back of his throat with his toes. But because she’s a woman — and the first ever on a Republican presidential ticket — we are reluctant to say what is painfully true."
Parker, who praised McCain's "keen judgment" for picking Palin earlier this month and wrote the Alaska governor is a "perfect storm of God, Mom and apple pie," now says Palin should step down from the ticket.
“Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves," Parker writes. She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first. Do it for your country."
Parker's comments follow those by prominent conservatives David Brooks, George Will, and David Frum who have all publicly questioned Palin's readiness to be vice president.
"Sarah Palin has many virtues," Brooks wrote in a recent column. "If you wanted someone to destroy a corrupt establishment, she'd be your woman. But the constructive act of governance is another matter. She has not been engaged in national issues, does not have a repertoire of historic patterns and, like President Bush, she seems to compensate for her lack of experience with brashness and excessive decisiveness."
McCain/Palin administration is a complete joke. Palin needs to step down!
OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!
I feel saddened by what is happening to Sarah Palin. It is so unfair to her. McCain's poor judgment is costing her her reputation. I am a conservative but I cannot vote for McCain as the long this campaign the more McCain shows his poor judgment. McCain is not fit to be president. He has been wrong on every single issue that has come up lately. I won't vote for Obama but he, surely, is the better candidate of the two.
Careful or she'll cammander and chief the Alaska national guard to attack Amurika.
Only the Conservatives can convince Palin to leave the race for the good of the country and her family
Given McCain's combination of international expertise, political acumen and lack of business expertise - he needs a running mate who can be the Economic Leader - be it a woman or a man
Anyone besides me notice that in Oxford, MS the McCain plane and bus both DID NOT have Palin's name on them?
Guess this is the next "bright shiny object" from them since parachuting into Washington to save the bailout kind of didn't work.
WILL THE REAL SARAH PALIN PLEASE STAND UP ...
THE DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN DOESN'T HAVE TO DO A THING, BECAUSE PALIN WILL SELF-DESTRUCT.
I'm so TIRED of hearing republidums talk about all the "experience" Palin has. Well, what experience did your demi-god Reagan have??? He was a darn actor, and republidums rave at how wonderful a president he was. So why are you so anti-Obama, when he is an educated, public servant for many years? Just get over yourselves. Republidums will say anything to justify a dumb hopeless ticket.
I am however very impressed with the first really accurate appraisal of Palin I've seen from a conservative. I think they are starting to see a looming disaster.
She does not represent my views at all, and I never planned on voting for that ticket to begin with, but I seriously found myself feeling sorry for her when I watched her Couric interview. The other interviews were bad enough, even the Hannity softball one, but OMG, watching her just makes me feel like you do when a little kid is in a school play and completely forgets his lines and you just feel sorry for him and you almost want to reach out and help him somehow, but you can't.
Whatever overconfidence and bravado this individual was able to display in the beginning has melted into a confused deer-in-the-headlights.
I personally hope she stays on the ticket, as she is absolute gift for the Obama/Biden ticket, which has been my opinion since she was chosen.
Hey John,
It's already been proven that the story about the Fannie Mae guy as Obama advisor was totally false. Skip that detail did you?
You can't believe every piece of spin that comes out.
IF Sarah steps down ... the GOP will still have a woman in the ticket ...
THE DRAMA QUEEN McCain!
Since when is "decisiveness" a liability. I thought it was a mark of a courageous leader. Perhaps Ms. Parker is jealous of a true leader. Sarah Palin is the second most qualified of the 4, and absolutely more qualified than Obama. He hasn't done ANYTHING except advance HIMSELF. He is a rookie Senator who has only participated in 47% of the Senate's actions since he took office. It blows me away that the Dems or anyone for that matter think that he is remotely qualified to be President or even a Senator. Sarah Palin is AWESOME and the history books will indicate the great leadership of the first woman Vice, then President of the United States of America!
Who are you to ask her to quit?
Did you your service your country like McCain before criticizing him?
Just a tought...