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.
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"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."
Anonymous wrote:
@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)?
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So. Are you now blaming Pres. Obama for the dozen or so attacks on U.S. embassies during the Bush years? Not good.
Sarah Palin proved her ability to judge someone as qualified to hold public office when she deemed herself to not be qualified to be Gov. of Alaska. Her resignation proved by action her desire for the American public to be free from crappy government officials.
her being against her is all the endorsement I need, Hillary has my vote
A ringing endorsement for Hillary. When you have the dimwit half-governor overflowing with jealousy and envy, it only enhances Clinton's chances. Keep on yapping Sarah; it only helps us progressives!
Sarah, you really need to shut up!! Your 15 minutes are over.
I give her the benefit of the doubt. She was a fool in 2008, but I'm guessing that she has a lot more experience now. I thought I knew it all when I ran and won the election for local mayor (only 7 years ago), but my views and understanding of the political world at large has changed drastically since then. I am a fan of Mrs. Clinton, but something has not sit right with me about this how situation.
Is there some reason why we should listen to, or care, what madam Palin has to say? She has done more to damage the place of women in our political world than any other woman in the US. She couldn't manage her family or her job, and quit mid-way through her term. Her older children act like kids from some kind of a white trash family, and she thinks she has something to contribute to the discussion on who should be president? Hah! What an ego she has. It's really time for her to go away.
Palin casting judgement on anyone? Really? Is there anything this vacuous wind bag won't say to grab a headline? Figure out where Benghazi is on a map first and maybe someone will listen to you (Hint: you can't see it from your backyard).
Ah, yes. The voice of wisdom, experience, and reasonability that is Sarah Palin. Nobody is perfect, but she excels at the opposite.
There have been some intelligent Republicans – Bob Dole & Mark Hatfield come to mind – but it seems the GOP more often than not rallies around complete bimbos – Sarah Palin, George Bush II, Dan Quayle, and yes, Ronald Reagan – people who are either too lazy or too anti-intellectual to bother boning up on the major issues of the day.
This is one mean spirtied woman. She doesn't seem to like anyone. No, to everything the other side proposes is not a policy.
The dumb girl that lost the 2008 election for her entire party is telling somebody else they're unfit for office?
What about the WMD that were supposed to be in Iraq? Rice, Cheney and Bush emphatically stated that there was. What does she have to say about her own party?
I couldn't have said it better, Mike.
Poor, poor Palin, she thinks she is still relevant.
Sarah Sarah Sarah, why the media still gives you air-time we'll never know. 🙁
This woman has no right to comment on whether or not Clinton has the right qualifications. She herself had no prior qualifications other than one term has governor before her nomination to VP. This lady needs to have a seat and learn a few things before she judges others.
The real problem is ya'll are too close-minded to accept the fact Palin is right!
The only problem with Nancy speaking..... If her lips move, she is probably lying....
Excuse me while I puke..... Sarah Palin has ZERO credibility with her trail of disasters she has created in politics and what is even worse is that she is delusional in thinking that her words hold any merit at all on any topic.
The GOP would do well to pry the microphone from her hand and turn off the cameras. It should be perfectly clear to them that when Palin mouths off in the media, that the IQ in the room drops, and the perception that the GOP can lead fades just a bit more.
The tough part is, that the GOP (mainstream and otherwise) is addicted to public displays of stupidity (and yes, Palin might be their best at such displays), but it appears no one is immune. Today the whole GOP (lead by Mr. Cruz) is railing like some drunk with a gun to their head yelling "don't make me shoot, if I die it's YOUR fault" and some how expect Americans to forget that it is the Republican Party that has been threatening a government shutdown for months if they don't get their way. And they have the nerve to call themselves "patriots"!
Sorry, fools, it ain't happening. You can make fun of the President and his Syrian "red line", but you are the guys standing on the chair with a rope or two around your neck and gun in your hand threatening to end it all.
Please proceed.
From as far back as Hillary's college days, her involvement in the Nixon resignation and subsequent firing for unethical behavior, to Whitewater, involvement in the death of DCA department heads, to being caught in lies, Bengazi indifference, and remaining a scorned POTUS wife, and health issues precludes her desire ability to even consider running as POTUS. She is probably the nastiest FL ever according to the military and Secret Service that had to cart her ugly race around. listening to Palosi expound on her qualifications lis like listening to a toilet full of stuff finally flush.
only in America – this loud, divisive, clueless opportunist who walked out on her elected responsibilities to chase the big money as an "author" (ha ha) and TV talking head makes a statement about Hillary and it's treated as news. Sarah – tell us about YOUR vast foreign policy experience. How about your vast Washington experience?
A "half-governor" who doesn't know a map or become a reality show star, but thinks she is qualified to be V.P. says "what"?? Yikes.....one might better focus on their own sad life, before trying to advise others. Note to Republicans: (like much of the party – the less this person says, possibly the better off you might be-seems she certainly isn't doing you any favors.
Hillary is such a terrible choice, it forces me to agree with Palin. How sad.
Sorry Sarah. Again it proves that you don't know what you are talking about. Go feed your pigs with the lipstick on them....that is the job you are fit for!!!!!!!!!!