Sarah Palin: Hillary Clinton ill-suited for president
Washington (CNN) - Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said she would be "disappointed" in the American electorate if Hillary Clinton becomes a serious candidate for president in 2016.
The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee argued Clinton would not be right for the role as commander in chief after four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, died last year in a terrorist attack against a U.S. consulate in Benghazi.
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker'] [twitter-follow screen_name='KilloughCNN']
"If (Benghazi) doesn't have an impact on the 2016 presidential election, if she is a candidate, then America, I am very disappointed in our electorate," Palin said Sunday on Fox News, where she's a contributor.
She said "anyone who would just throw away 200 years of military ethos and leave our men behind to be murdered" should "never be considered as a commander in chief."
The lack of security at the consulate and the September 11, 2012 attack are poised to be a major point of contention by Republicans if Clinton decides to run for president. Clinton ultimately took responsibility for diplomats' safety, and was grilled before two congressional committees in January.
At one point she lost her temper while responding to questions from Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin. He was asking her about the erroneous, initial talking points that claimed the attack stemmed from a spontaneous protest against an anti-Islam video, though the administration later defined it as a terrorist attack and said a protest never happened.
"What difference at this point does it make?" Clinton responded. "It is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again, senator."
The attack on Benghazi is still a matter of congressional investigation by House Republicans.
"That's why I'm so grateful for Congress to be pursuing what happened in Benghazi," Palin said. "Because at this point, it still makes a difference what happens in Benghazi."
"Anyone who doesn't understand that and dismisses it as being indifferent, they should not be our commander in chief," she continued.
For her part, Clinton said in a recent interview with New York Magazine that she is in no hurry to decide about a potential 2016 bid for the White House, saying it is a decision "not to be made lightly."
Asked how she plans to combat any conflicts she may face related to her political legacy, she said the best course is to "find common ground."
"I have a lot of reason to believe, as we saw in the 2012 election, most Americans don't agree with the extremists on any side of an issue," Clinton said in the interview. "But there needs to continue to be an effort to find common ground, or even take it to higher ground on behalf of the future."
Palin's comments mark a stark contrast to high praise Clinton received Sunday from House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who said if Clinton decides to run, "she will win."
"And when she becomes president, she'll be one of the best-equipped, best-prepared people to enter the White House in a very long time," Pelosi said on CNN's "State of the Union."
Noting Clinton's experience as secretary of state, as a U.S. senator from New York and as a first lady, Pelosi said Clinton would be "more prepared than President Obama; certainly more prepared than President Bush; certainly more prepared than President Clinton I might admit."
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Can Sarah Palin even spell Benghazi, why are we still giving her any credibility, she has done nothing
At least Hillary doesn't quit her public service appointments to chase the almighty $$. Quitter, liar, illiterate, blood-thirsty, nimrod, that's what Palin is. She sets women's equality efforts back 50 years. Go do your hair in Alaska, and stay there.
The Quitter proved she was unfit for the office of Governor when she stepped down without completing a SINGLE term! By what wild stretch of the imagination is she qualified to pass judgement on ANYONE else. You are hardly without fault Mrs Palin, so it is best to put down the stone.
Interestingly, not one of the pro-HRC commentors actually refute any of Palin's points. I guess that is because Palin' spoints are correct.
Palin is just jealous that no one would even consider her for the White House. Too bad she doesn't see what a joke she has become in this country.
Palin is the least qualified national candidate of the past century, if not in history. Crass, ill-educated, a loser an a quitter, a life-long attention whore, all hat no cattle, you name it, she fails at it.
For her to call anyone 'unqualified' is either the heght of chutzpah or the most amazing bit of projection ever seen.
Hogan's Goat
How about we dump her in a hole somewhere and have Tina Fey just take her place? It could make the world a better place.
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That just seems to be a VERY cruel thing to do to Tina Fey...... Perhaps we could trade Ms. Palin to someplace that is like what she (and the TEA Party) want America to look like. Nigeria comes to mind.
Is this another liberal plant, to show everybody how "CRAZY" the GOP is?
Sarah Palin is the one who would be unfit for the office of President. In fact, she's unfit for the office of Dog Catcher.
I find it astonishing that anyone listens to or prints anything that comes from this woman's mouth! Yes, I opened it, wanting to know just HOW she could label Hillary Clinton "unfit." Clearly, Palin has no idea what it takes to perform a real job in the real world. She believes SHE was fit to be POTUS and Hillary is not-astounding ego and lack of intelligence!
Sarah Palin telling someone else that they're unfit for office?!?!
BAHHHH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!! *gasps for air* HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!
OMG! My sides hurts!!
You may not like Palin, but she is absolutely right. Hillary is unfit for any kind of public service. The woman is a compulsive liar and lacks a moral compass.
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And the self-obsessed, anti-American sell-out from Alaska has a moral compass? Really?
she is such an idiot. can i use derogatory words here? something that rhymes with runt, but starts with a c?
Hey Ashley Killough, where and when was the photo above taken? You're trying to make it look like she's out there making political speeches right now, but she said this on Fox News where she's a contributor.
I understand that a barking dog has nominated our first Canadian nominee, Ted Cruz" as the teatard candidate for president. And yes it really was Tina Fey and not Palin who appeared to state who is or is not qualified to be president-she cracks me up.
Palin is the only one talking the truth about Clinton Obama Pelosi and the rest of the left wing incompetents...And clearlt they do not like, they are not used to being hammered..Keep going Sarah!!
Is it any surprise that Palin is a "conservative" idol? She has to be one of the biggest idiots on the planet.
So you think she is not the right person well deary I have a flash for you ...neither are YOU
Maybe she could run for Governor of Alaska!!! Oh wait Pailin couldn't stay in office because of the allegations she would have to face had she stayed when is she ever going to realize that any she says is irrelevant and disappear with the kardashens !!!!!!
Palin is an embarrassment we Americans have to live with. Send her to Benghazi.
Hillary's sense of entitlement to be president will no doubt derail her again this time. Don't put it past her to run on a platform of ending Obamacare though. That would definately help her out.
@Kenman,
Palin stories are click-bait; CNN makes money every time we click.
@Mallory
"Silly goose – don't you realize that everything that happened on the previous occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue's watch was Clinton's fault?!"
And the lack of self awareness from the left continues. You are too cute. Is there anything that, to this day, isn't blamed on Bush by our current administration (even though it's 5 years later)?
I vote: Let's all disappoint Sarah Palin!
... says the Mayer of Alaska (1/3rd population of Dallas)...
who "Went Rogue" before her impeachment.