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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Again I would like to thank John Mccain for unleashing the plaque that is Sarah Palin upon the American people. Alas their seems to be no cure or end to her stupidity
Teachers shouls use this article as a lesson in irony. Oh, Sarah, you are one pathetic woman.
Funniest thing I've heard all year...Sarah have a seat!!
Sarah Palin says Hillary Clinton is ill-suited for the White House. The majority of American people said Sarah Palin is ill-suited for the White House two elections ago. All those opinions far outweigh her one single opinion.
Who cares what the half governor of Alaska, failed VP candidate, grizzly mom, abstinence for all except my family, double wide with a two holer in the back yard, wackjob says?
sara who?
Have I seen you somewhere before lady? The words, "train wreck" comes to mind for some reason.
Why does Sarah Palin harp on Benghazi, but ignore the 13 Benghazis that took place at our embassies and consulates under George W. Bush?
I would love for Sarah Palin to run again. It would help the economy. After all, 30 Rock is out of production, Tina Fey has two kids to feed and needs a job! "doncha know"
Palin comments on someone being unfit for Whitehouse. Seriously? This broad is one punchline after another, isn't she?
I'm pleased that Sarah has learned the word "ethos".
Really Sarah? Hillary is just as much a scholar as her husband. I'm still trying to figure out how someone seriously considered you a running mate for vp position. It is both funny and puzzling to say the least. From the moment this country met you, you came off as a slow-witted, aggressive person who was in awe of themself. You should sit back, relax and observe Hillary as she run circles around you and anyone else who runs in 2016. But mostly you.
Sarah Palin is ill-suited for dogcatcher of Wasilla.
For all the people who wonder why this is news, a good joke is always worth printing. This is like Chris Christie saying Hillary is too fat to run for president, or Rick Perry saying Hillary shouldn't run because her memory is too poor. Knock off the wine coolers, Sarah. You're going to end up a wetbrain like Dubya.
Thank God nobody besides Sean Hannity takes this woman's opinions seriously.
You don't even qualify to be Hilary's maid.
BWWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Palin should know all about being unfit for higher office! LOSER Queen of North!
Why does CNN or anyone else for that matter give the time of day to this dimwit! Hillary Clinton is the most qualified person in this country to become the next POTUS. Surely this woman doesn't think she herself is qualified. Please stop giving this half-term a forum to sprew her venom and lies. Her 15 minutes was up long ago!
I am happy Palin is getting educated. When she was running for president, it is doubtful that she knew what part of the world Libya is in.
Is Caribou Barbie just a hint bitter? You betcha!
Unless Ms Palin finally agrees to that long-awaited bikini mud wrestling match with Michele Bachmann, I don't want to hear from her.
OMG that is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. Thank you CNN, i needed a good laugh today.
I feel sorry for this woman. She is too backward, unducated to be part of international politics.
....and Sarah Palin is unfit for the classification "intelligent life." This loony's 15 minutes of fame were up a LONG time ago, and if the media would start ignoring her instead of giving her a forum to spout her ignorant nonsense, she would eventually go away....
I've seen spawning salmon rotting on riverbanks that had more intelligence than Alaska's candidate for losing Vice Presidential Nominee of All Time. I understand why Faux News has her as a "contributor", that network needs at least one rack to balance O'Reilly's milquetoast mug, but why does CNN keep quoting her?