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."
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Let the smear campaign continue...
October surprise waiting in the wings and Obama will not be able to recover from it.
I am so giddy...can't wait!
It is really uncomfortable to watch her
McCain can only blame himself for not vetting her properly
However, I really want her to stay on the ticket as this is going to go down in history, hopefully never to be repeated, as the most misguided, selfish, arrogant campaign in history.
Vice President Barbie has had her 15 minutes!
Couldn't agree more.
There is no way on Earth she is qualified to be President of this Country.
We told you so! Now the conservatives finally agree...How could McCain put the American people in the country at risk by selecting Palin as VP..shows a huge character flaw in the lack of judgement this man has!
god help us all if this ticket wins
the world wil lbe laughing!
What a sexist article by a sexist woman who doesn't respect the work of a hard working confident woman.
LMAO! Welcome to John McCain's brain America!
Obama/Biden 08 & 12
Hmmm....I would put her up against Dan Quayle any day!
Finally we are hearing someone say what we all think; she's brash and clearly not the kind of leader we all want to see – she's way out of her league!!!!
She should have been asked to give the keynote address, and no more. That would have prepared her to get prepared for the next 4 years, and possibly be on the national ticket. It was a HUGE mistake to put her on the ticket.
She's not ready for prime time, just not ready. Not ready.
Palin shouldn't step down... it's not *HER* fault that she was nominated well before she was up to the challenge... it's McCain's! He should step down!
Palin is a vindictive, pathological liar with a paper-thin resume and no qualification to lead whatsoever.
It's time to end this charade!
WOW! The truth is starting to come out. Me personal wouldn't want this country to fall deeper due to these clowns. The REPUBS are starting to speak.
President Obama/ VP Biden
haha, what a joke on the republican side. Now is the time to start questioning the judgement of John Mccain.
No! I don't want her to step down! With her on the ticket, McCain is sure to lose! Plus, I would miss her thoughtful and insightful interviews!
Amen to that ... the pig has run its course
Agreed. It would be the best thing for her part. Put Romney or Huckabee on the ticket – anyone who knows what they're talking about and not being extreme or sensationalist.
WOW...THE TRUTH HAS FINALLY BEEN SPOKEN!!!!!!
Yes, with all due respect, Palin is out of her league. She shoould step down.
Wow! The news just keeps getting better & better for Barack Obama & Joe Biden. Kathleen Parker you just stated what is on everyone's mind. Good for you!
The hawks are circling.
Ah.. the link was just to some little blog site.
Sort of ironic when a tiny blog site says that someone is out-of-their-league.
Kathleen Parker needs to READ what the job of VP actually is. A squid with one brain cell would be over qualified for that job! The major thing you need to do is stay awake in the Senate.
Woohoo.
I know she is not a lot of people's first choice for VP, but I think we should stand by McCain's good judgment in picking her. If we can't stand by McCain to pick a VP, how can we stand by him when he is leading our country?
She was the biggest star in the world...now her star is fading! ROFL...AND THE HITS JUST KEEP COMING.
She is the poster child for why kids should stay in school, listen to the instructors and not have babies in their teens.
Obama/Biden 08