Palin: 'My heart goes out to Huckabee'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/30/art.palin.928.jpg caption="Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke about Mike Huckabee's clemency decision and a potential third party run in 2012."]Washington (CNN) - Sarah Palin said in a recent radio appearance that Mike Huckabee made a "horrible decision" nine years ago to commute the prison sentence of the man suspected of killing four police officers in Washington, but she added that her "heart goes out" to the former Arkansas governor.
In an interview last week with conservative radio host Lars Larson, Palin called the murders "tragic" and "unfathomable."
"It was a bad decision obviously, but my heart goes out to Huckabee," the former Alaska governor said. "I love him, and I feel bad for him to be in this position. But I feel even worse for the victim's families in this situation. I do feel bad for Huckabee, but it was a horrible decision he made."
Huckabee has said he regrets the decision to commute the sentence of the suspected shooter, Maurice Clemmons, but said he thinks he made the right assessment at the time. Palin said she had never pardoned or granted clemency to prisoners when she served in Juneau.
"I don't have a whole lot of mercy for the bad guys," she said. "I'm on the good guys' side."
Pressed on her political ambitions, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee would not rule out a third party run at the White House in 2012.
"That depends on how things go in the next couple of years," she said. "It really does depend. There are enough Republicans who are realizing, 'Oh whoops, some of us liberal republicans have screwed up.' And I'm not including myself in that group, but some liberal Republicans have screwed up."
Palin said her decision rests on whether or not the GOP does a better job of appealing to its conservative base.
"If the Republican Party gets back to that base, I think our party is going to be stronger and there's not going to be a need for a third party, but I'll play that by ear in these coming months, coming years," she said.
QUIT FORCING SARA PALIN DOWN THE PUBLICS THROATS!
We don't want her as the GOP nominee.
We know you're trying to "brainwash" the viewers minds. You did it with Obama in 2004!
"I don't have a whole lot of mercy for the bad guys," she said. "I'm on the good guys' side."
.. and Gov. Huckabee was/is on the bad guys side?
'Oh whoops, some of us liberal republicans have screwed up.' And I'm not including myself in that group, but some liberal Republicans have screwed up."
... too stupid for words.
Sarah Palin's willingness to be critical of a decision some nine years in the past speaks volumes about her character. Using a tragic event to snipe at a political opponent is shameless. Any reference she makes to her tenure as governor of Alaska should be followed with an asterisk-"did not complete term due to....." In a perfect world, the former governor would realize her shortcomings, apologize for taking time away from more serious folks, and then, like the smoke from that torpedo, just up and fade away!
A really self-serving cheap shot from Sarah Palin, but what else would you expect from her? She has nothing intelligent to contribute.
Argggg, "On the good guys side". Is it just me or does this woman dumb down every issue in this country. Sarah couldn't come up with a greater statement than that. I wonder why Jesus supported all those unsavory characters in the biblical age. For a women beaming her Christianity around to everyone on the street she sure doesn't seem to practice what she preaches. Amazingly, Huckabee took an act of political courage believing somebody had the ability to turn their life around. Unfortunately, this one act will only make politicians less couragous.
1. Giving clemency to prisoners was one of a million things Palin didn't do as Governor. Completing her term was another.
2. As for a third party run, as a democrat, I'd love to see it.
Does CNN already have someone following Palin around everywhere she goes? Is there a day that goes by where CNN doesn't work hard to try to make her look bad? The left wing is so incredibly scared of Sarah Palin that they're going to need a year's worth of Depends for Christmas presents.
I'm sure Ms. Palin's comments are well intended, at least in her mind, especially when directed towards those who supposedly share her views. But quite honestly, she comes across as one that is very uninformed at best. At worst she is like a bull in a china closet. If the GOP supports her for 2012, they must be assumming that their supporters are also very uninformed. As a moderate Democrat, I believe this country truly needs a minimum of two strong parties to rally from the depths, and would hope the GOP will provide support to a far stronger candidate, and one that does not represent such a minute segment of the American population. Ms. Palin, thus far, does not show any stregnths other than her ability to sound off at random. Her weaknesses have been well documented by many and need not be repeated.
This woman is a child out of control
"I don't have a whole lot of mercy for the bad guys," she said. "I'm on the good guys' side."
Another cheap, easy platitude from Sarah Palin. This woman is qualified to work at Burger King, but that's about it.
Nothing but pandering. Please go away. You quit your job, now we find out that you quit college too, because there was too many people there that didn't look like you. Hypocrite and a liar.
Her 'heart' goes out....Whoa!!! I didn't know she had one. What a bummmer !!!
Yeah,Sarah bet you're rel sorry, real sorry that this might ruin his presidential chances. you even said that you never commuted any prisoners and that his decision was "bad". Think Sarah Barracuda fits you far better than Caribou Barbie
Can someone PUHLEEEZE find something for Sarah Palin to do that will take her out of the public eye & ear?
This female George Bush continues to receive an incredible amount of undeserved press coverage, which says less-than-nice things about the press.
Our society is populated with so many angry, bitter ultra-Right Wing extremists who will sell out the future of the U.S. to act on their anger.
How Very Sad !
Does this woman have no shame,iam sure she isenjoying sticking the knife in Gov Huckabee ribs while crying croc tears
She's on her own side. CNN, Please stop glamourizing this person. She does NOT deserve the attention.
That's a very human and compassionate remark from Palin. I have to wonder, though, if she'd be so understanding if Huckabee was a Democrat. No, actually, I don't have to wonder - she would rip into him! It is sadly true of our country these days that political party comes before all else, especially for those on the right. I have not heard of any Democrat criticizing Huckabee so far!
You mean in the 3 1/2 weeks she spent in Alaska a govenor she didn't pardon anyone? Give me a break!
Anyone else get the sense of "well I feel sorry for him, but I'll kick him while he's down anyway"?? And just how many people came up for pardons or clemency during your very brief reign as governor?
"I don't have a whole lot of mercy for the bad guys," she said. "I'm on the good guys' side." I just feel like she'd find a guy guilty regardless. Really, if he's been arrested he obviously guilty right? I know that's not what she said...I'm just speculating on her state of mind.
Was it a bad decision on the part of Huckabee? Sure. The guy had a history and (if I remember correctly) a sentence of 100+ years! But the last I knew, Huckabee doesn't have a crystal ball in his office.
Please, Clemmons was prison for agg. robbery when Huckabee pardoned him. Palin is making it sound like Clemmons committed all of these crimes, including the rape of a child, before his sentence was commuted. Huckabee had no way of knowing what would follow afterward. The criminal justice system — as well as the bail bondsman who paid the remainder of Clemmons bail despite facing 8 felony charges just before these shootings happened — are just as responsible. For Palin to paint Huckabee as the bad guy is irresponsible and inaccurate. If you're going to talk about horrible decisions, Sarah, be sure you give all the credit where it's due.
"I do feel bad for Huckabee, but it was a horrible decision he made."
Thanks for throwing the Huckster under the bus.
Next?
Hey Palin, you sociopath... this has nothing to do with you. We dont care if you keep the bad guys in jail...thats what a 2nd grader would say.
Basically what your saying is if someone is in jail you would keep them their regardless... Sure there was a giant error, but if everyone was like you palin, we would have a jail full of people who belong and dont belong there.
""I don't have a whole lot of mercy for the bad guys," she said. "I'm on the good guys' side."
She is so deep.
Why is ANYONE still listening to this lady?!
Seriously, people. I work with individuals who are more articulate, well educated, who understand what the REAL issues are in the United States, all of which who are Republicans.
It makes me sick to think that this lady keeps getting any kind of publicity!!! I am a Republican and I think she is NOT qualified to run a country, nor govern a state for that matter.
Americans, wake up! This is why our country has faltered is because of simpltons such as Palin who has skimmed her way through everything and has quit half way!
Open your eyes and be intelligent about it!
What a snarky little thing she is. She gleefully calls attention to Hickabee's mistep with a fakey little sympathy grunt then goes on to rub it in. Her heart goes out to being able to put him down is all.