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."
Oh, no... please don't step down for the good of the country. Let McCain sink with his bad judgments. The more the days go on, the uglier this will look. Palin is certainly attractive and energetic; but believe me there are many more conservative women who would have fit the job.... But, obviously a script was written and she was picked to fit the bill. Only the shoe doesn't quite fit. Sorry, McCain
I'm so glade that someone is taking a stand against this foolness. This women will have us in another war in 6 month. AWAKE UP AMERICA, we have to much to lose.
Watch out McCain and Palin because now your own base is turning their backs on you! Great news for Obama though. And watch out next week when Palin debates Biden. Biden is going to chew her up and spit her out!!!
Go Obama/Biden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is why we can't elect John McCain
can someone say judgement.
I think there have been too many missteps in the McCain campaign for her to step down at this point. Again I was surprised when he picked her, and since then there have been a number of perceived missteps that bring into question McCain's judgement and his temperament. Like the suspension of his campaign until a deal can be reached on the bailout, that leads to the impression that he can't handle a number of issues at one time. We have enemies out there that are watching, and when I say enemies I mean not only people that are looking to attack militarily but those would take advantage of a situation, or a person that gives the impression that they are overwhelmed or somewhat out of their league. If something were to happen to McCain, then Sarah Palin is it, and we can't afford that situation. She is a beautiful woman, but may not be right for this particular situation.
Never heard of this woman and I completely disagree with her and I know a lot of people who feel the same way as I do. We love her and feel she will really accomplish something for ordinary people. She has an 80% approval rating in her state. Name another politician who can match that.
You sure this is a brilliant idea? You are serious you are not playing another game for her sake?
Scary, scary, SCARY.
What many people don't realize is that the "Bush Doctrine" isn't comprised of one single element. If you listen to the interview with (or was it attack by??) Charlie Gibson, she asks him to clarify which part of the Bush Doctrine he is speaking of. She isn't surprised that there IS a Bush Doctrine, and I think it is a testament of how smart she is that she realizes that it is multifaceted.
She has about as much foreign policy experience as Obama, who tries to count his schooling as experience.
If Sarah is allowed to be the vice president, we will not have learned the lesson of 8 years. That lesson that you don't choose someone because you'd like to have a beer with them. You choose who's best for the country to move forward. John McCain and Sarah Palin are not the best ticket for this country to move forward. It's that simple.
Obama/Biden 08
@Scott L; if the Repubs have an October surprise, guess what the Democrats have a November surprise....can you say, PRESIDENT OBAMA!!! Now, I so giddy too....can't wait!!!
Have to admit I was wondering when someone from the republicans would say something like this.
I really do think if McCain was trying to just get the far-right base of the republican party jazzed up about the ticket, than Palin was an excellent choice. But McCain cannot win the election without independent voters and his choice of Palin in that respect was a poor one.
ouch, that's gonna leave a mark!
So, you are telling me that if Joe Biden was asked for an example of who Barack Obama helped when he was a community organizer, and he could not answer directly, that he should leave the ticket?
Finally. I recommend someone like Olympia Snowe instead. Very moderate and independent Senator from Republican, and woman! Familiar with small businesses.
What ever she do she cannot save the GOP party
Simply put....I agree completely. She should bow out.
This reflects more on ole man McShame's poor judgement rather than Palin's...I actually feel somewhat sorry for her having been placed in this situation but then she said she didn't blink when she was asked....you reap what you sow!!!!!
not until the VP debate. I can't wait, it is going the funniest 90 minutes at McCain expense.
She could claim to be withdrawing to give more time to her 'faith-based' birth control initiative - it worked so well for her daughter after all.
Are you kidding? No way should she step down. Then McCain gets a second chance to pick the right person and there will be the ususal two week high and excitement from a new person, which might carry him over the threshold for all the wrong reasons. It's too late for that – carry on.
I wish she will spare us all this agony of having to hear her speak about what she does not have any clue about.
McCain failed in his judgement. One lie leads to more cover up lies and it goes on.
The McCain campaign is now "BARE FACE LYING EXPRESS"
Palin take the hint go home to your family!! Enough is Enough!!!!!!
OCTOBER SUPRISE COMING RIGHT UP. OK, so who wants to guess the identity of the person Biden will be debating next Thursday? Anyone, anyone? Romney maybe?
LOL
Flee while you still can Palin. We just might forgive you if you stay in Alaska and stay out of the way for long enough.
She is the sole reason McFool suspended his campaign in the first place. The game was to get her out of debating Biden. I know the devil when I see one and John McFool and his campaign has used this woman
Ok step down.... but before you do please explain to us the witchhunting your pastor does; please tell us if you are also contacted when Putin flies cross Atlantic instead of over Siberia and Alaska when he comes to the US; please tell us where oil comes from if you don't believe in dinosaurs and evolution. Thanks. Oh and good luck!
I was just going to say that Palin reminds me of the Carolina Teen Pageant who couldn't answer why some Americans can't find USA on a map