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."
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Sarah totally agree hillary spent her time as secretary of defense traveling, putting on native dress and toasting to her official position. Meanwhile NK improved missiles, syria used chemical weapons, and irans on the verge of nuclear.Have not even mentioned the turmoils in egypt.
So what was she so hailed for and esteemed as to her success and praised and hailed as a queen. Her image is as very intelligent and a knowledgeable politician is as a hollywood movie with no solid foundations of accomplishments but
non the less her following will demonize the opposition and prompt her as a leader.
I miss Rice a leader who spoke with knowledge and addressed despots as they were, despots. Hillary will run and the following of people bent on lives of real tv and false symbols may very well elect her as a symbolic gesture. Meanwhile despots will grow and manipulate their ill devises-nuclear, missiles, chemical but no matter we will have a woman as president.
So seems a population wanting kings and queens over their loss of freedoms but bent on sweet sound bites of security.
Those that would give up freedom for security deserve neither. God help the union.
Did the First Runner Up in the Miss Alaska Beauty Pageant and Half Term Governator read about Bengazi in all the newspapers and magazines she reads ?
When did she stop wearing her wedding ring
There's the chuckle I needed for my Monday morning. It's almost as good as Rumsfeld saying Obama hadn't made the case for military action.
Those negative comments from Palin are the best endorsement FOR Hilary that I can imagine. Go Hilary!
She loses me at HELLO, every time. Her voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard.
Well, the REAL dirt on why she abruptly left her responsibilities as Alaska's governor haven't seen the light of day. If she would verify her comments and back them up with facts, maybe – just maybe she would not look so ignorant.
McCain-Palin 2016! Tongue firmly in cheek.
Sarah is the only one mentioning this because real politicians know it's not a story. She is the only one who could mention it without having to explain herself. Problem is, Sarah Palin is not qualified to make a comment like that.
-Susan
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.
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What new experience has Palin gained that would qualify her to offer an opinion on presidential politics that would have any merit outside of the Tea Party types? Has she been able to sway large number of Independents to vote for the candidates and principles she espouses? Anyone/
Palin is no more good for the WH than Hillary is – Palin is well Palin and Hillary well she coward under "The Man" or "Party", those things mattered to her, not the ones that died that day. She does not have our country's back – she threw us under the bus for her "party" and "man". She is the worse of the two, because she really does know the ins and outs of the WH and she chose to cower. Palin is jus well – you know.
Well little Miss Sarah...seems to me you and that film outfit had something to do with this ordeal in Benghazi...not the USA...
Then when John boy goes to Syria to have a photo op with terrorists as he passes sarin gas to the rebels to kill innocents!
I would welcome Hillary any day over these box of clowns in Washington DC...and Bill Clinton is a powerhouse in himself!
They have a global organization to assist other countries with diplomacy...funny how that can't work in Washington DC...
Did you know that in Sarah's world the vice president is the co-president that helps the real president make decisions.
This is the biggest "Pot calling the Kettle black" thing I've read in a long time. Sarah Palin is unfit for pretty much everything she does other than be a loony off-the-wall Fox News commenter.
DANIELDJANSON: Are you aware that the Secretary of State has to do a huge amount of traveling???? You are obviously not familiar with the position.
People actually still listen to what Sarah Palin has to say?
I'm very sorry for the electorate who still listen to Sarah Palin.
I don't care about Palin's opinion and have zero respect for her. She has continued to make inappropriate comments which only seem to show how truly ignorant she is. The problem is there are many people who fail to question where she comes up with much of her misinformation. I have become increasing disturbed at the voice boxes on the right. The dysfunctional House of Representatives and then the talking heads at Fox news have helped to make the Republicans the party of disrespect and narrow minded do nothings.
Since Sarah Palin came into the political limelight – thanks to john McCain (which I bet he wishes he hadn't made that foolish move). I have not read a lot of comments from any news, that were complimentary to her. If she read all the ones that thought she was a big joke and as useless as teats on a boar hog – she would go back to Alaska and spend the rest of her time taking care of her family. I never heard if her husband worked – does he have a job, or just follow around behind her like a pet dog. Could be she has to keep mouthing to the country and get paid for it to make money to support her family!
we don't need a carry over from Obama's inept presidency. Hillary has proven herself inept and a liar. If you can overlook those two personality deficits then you deserve the failing country you will get.
As if Palin IS fit for the WH. Puleeze. Why can't this woman just crawl into a whole somewhere and never come out.
Simply amazing...both republican and democrats voted down security funding prior to the attack...
HAHAHAHAHA. this is the funniest.headline.ever
Sarah Palin is as useful as a screen door in a submarine. While I don't think that Obama/Biden have done everything right, I thank the Lord that McCain/Palin didn't get elected in '08. As vindictive, spiteful and simply useless as she is NOW, I can only imagine the state of the country if she and John "I really need a war to make me feel better" McCain would have held our highest offices.
does anyone actually take anything ms. palin says seriously????
Even if Palin is right, one thing Hillary has over Palin is to be able to finish one complete term in a state or federal government position. Hillary is not a quitter!