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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Sorry rebubs...Hillary so outshines anyone you have to offer for a serious candidate.And I would advise you to find a way to stifle that class clown Palin before she makes it impossible for you to be taken seriously.
Hillary Clinton is as unelectable as Sarah Palin. It'll never happen.
This points straight to Palin's main weakness as a "politician:" she doesn't understand politics! You don't win by painting a target on your opponent and hoping someone unhinged will shoot them, or by insisting they are stupid or dishonest when they demonstrably are not. She seems to be relying on her old skills as a middle-school bully instead of the grownup skills of compromise and discussion. And that just reminds us all of how amazing it was that senile John McCain wanted her rack and the blabbering mouth that went with it on his ticket.
Sara Palin is awesome. I hope she runs for president or congress or something. She is an endless fountain of funny. How I miss her one liners. She is like some sort of parody of herself, if thats possible. Just when you think she has said the dumbest possible thing she tops it. She finds new places and subjects to speak about be confused about all the time. The best part is there is no filter. It just flies out of her mouth. Welcome back Sara. We missed you.
Why am I being reminded of that interview Palin did with that "grinning reaper" in the background?
If Sarah Palin disapproves, I will take that as an endorsement.
All the comments here by people questioning Hilary's intellect are just ridiculous. I wonder how many people here were able to get into college, get into law school and pass the bar exam. Why do people think the Clinton years were so good? She is a brilliant woman and the comments by Palin are just an indication that Palins belongs in the nut house. She alone took down John McCain and cost him the bid for the office. No one was going to put a babbling idiot in the house. Being cute only gets you so far, there comes a time when you have to prove yourself and she failed.
Oh my goodness why are we still giving the #1 Reality Star air time. Palin just has to be in the spotlight but by doing so she just confirms her ignorance once again. Needed a good laugh today and ole Sarah always provides one.
Palin makes me giggle.
For once she's right. We still don't have all of the answers for Benghazi, and she wants to be considered for Commander In Chief? Heck no!
Pot?? is that you......
I seem to remember something about people who live in glass houses....
– Kettle
I'm still waiting to hear all of the accomplishments Hillary Clinton had in 4 years at the State Dept. She did a lot of traveling on our dime but to what end? Nothing accomplished. List them Hillary supporters. There is plenty evidence of her failures, but no successes or accomplishments, other than wearing out a jet.
Once again, Palin proves that she is nothing more than a clown in search of a circus.
S. Palin thanks you for getting the vote out for Hillary,.And Ms Palin please go awaaaaaay.
I don't think Palin is qualified to comment on Clinton. If she knew anything at all about international politics (or even state and local politics) she wouldn't have done so much damage to the image of the Republican Party.
If Sarah Palin could find Libya on a map, I would be shocked.
Her opinion is a big mouth .
Who is she to say that she would be disappointed in the American electorate? I was shocked that the hack even got selected to be on the ballot as a Vice President to McCain. Clearly he is sorry he selected her.
Hilary Clinton is unfit to do anything except feed oatmeal to the old and dicrepit Bill.
I know, right Sarah? she didin't get a law degree from Yale, was first lady, a senator and then sec. of state. no , It took Hilary 5 years to get a 4 year degree in journalism, and then became a beauty queen and sportscaster....oh wait...............................
Palin is an embarrassment to this country. Hillary is a star and would be a great president.
I'm sorry... as if Palin has any intelligence in her mediocre noggin, let alone trying to offer any comments that can be construed as "intelligent" when it comes to who could lead us as commander in chief.
When will the woman just go away and keep her mouth shut. Palin is not 1/100 the Presidential material that Hillary Clinton is.
Why does anyone take Sarah Palin seriously anymore ? She is unread and yet quoted extensively. She shouldn't even be a news item. Put up or shut up, Sarah. Challenge Hillary to world knowledge test and you'll be toast ! Unfortunately, many Americans know as little as Sarah and so they consider her smart.
And this coming from the twit who can almost see Russia from her house. Where would we be now if Sarah had been Sec of State for 5 years? I"m afraid to even think about it. She'll say anything just to keep her name relevant. Would someone please inform her that she (and her opinions) has never been relevant.