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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Have Grodin arrange a "cage match" between the two.
Why is anyone still paying any attention to what Sarah Palin says?
Humm,
It appears Hillary is the only thing the Democrat's have in 2016. Of course there is Joe Biden. With the poles running about 55-45 against Obama, Obama Care, etc there will be a Republician elected next election. People need jobs, not more big failed liberal ideas. Actually Mammy Yokum and Sargent Snorkel will be your next prez, Vp.. You know them as Sarah Palin and Governor Chris Christie. Aren't you glad you asked?
Based on her resume of experiences, Clinton is sure more prepared than any other possibble candidates (from both parties).
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...
THE dumbest, most ignorant politician in America saying Hillary is not suited for the WH? meaning that Palin is more suited? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...
Absolutely correct.
This is rich ... Sarah Palin saying that someone else is unqualified for the highest political office in the US? The root cause of the fiasco at Benghazi was due to funds for embassy security being cut by the GOP; so instead of 'fessing up and accepting ultimate responsibility for that, the potato is tossed towards the former head of the State Department. Dear Sarah, your 15 minutes expired years ago. Go back to Alaska and leave the rest of us in peace.
Be it Hillary or Palin....both are sorry Presidential choices. it is very early in the sorting
As unfit as you were when McCain thought we were stupid enough to fall for your resume.
I am offended that CNN would post this. Even if this article is meant to give voice to those opposing Hillary's possible candidacy, CNN knew it would cause a fervor. Disappointing. I'm sure there were other more qualified "voices" to share their thoughts.
Wow!! Someone could not finish her term as governor has the audacity to point fingers? She must seriously believe that the general American public is as much an air-head as herself.
I wonder if Palin knows where Benghazi is.
Why would anyone with brains or love for the country elect Hillary? Oh, I forgot about the low information voters – they pay no attention to the real world.
You know how people type LOL and it doesn't mean anything anymore? Well, I saw that headline and I did LOL. Sarah Palin is a mindless dipstick.
If it was a choice between Hillary and Palin, Bill would be chilling in the Whitehouse while Hillary takes care of business.
What this old has been is saying is totally irrelevant . The lady should be looking for something she can do with her life. Leadership is not one of her strong suits. She is a quitter–Ask the people of Alaska.
Sarah go bury your head between two rocks somewhere in Alaska and wait for the results in the next Presidential elections. Your opinion is worthless.
Why does CNN even bother to quote this non-factor of a person? Her opinions matter about as much every other idiotic, uninformed, Fox-promoted gas bag.
Sarah was going to tell Katie Couric that her favorite magazine, and where she got all her news, was 'The Varmint Hunter's Digest'......but she was afraid Katie had probably never heard of it.
Sounds like projection to me!
im not sure Palin is even fit to have an opinion
YAWN...Go home Sarah..your opinion doesn't count...nobody cares!
-Hector Slagg
Humm,
It appears Hillary is the only thing the Democrat's have in 2016. Of course there is Joe Biden. With the poles running about 55-45 against Obama, Obama Care, etc there will be a Republician elected next election. People need jobs, not more big failed liberal ideas. Actually Mammy Yokum and Sargent Snorkel will be your next prez, Vp.. You know them as Sarah Palin and Governor Chris Christie. Aren't you glad you asked?
*****************
Geez, Ray E ( Georgia), do you really think Christie will be on a ticket with someone who attacked him for daring to take federal aid after a natural disaster? By the way,since I'm sure you live in a taker state like Missouri, don't you think its a little hypocrical to be pushing a quitting loser like PAlin as the savior of your party, when she lacked the courage to stand for re-election? Cuomo, O'Malley, any Democrat would stand a better shot than the sorry collection already clustering around the clown car.
Palin is really funny. She doesn't deserve to carry a spittoon following Hillary. She sits in Arizona with a picture of Alaska behind her and talks about how credible everyone else is. She's hilarious! May be another Saturday Night Live appearance would be good. She could tell us what she's been reading while she's "retired" in Arizona!! LOL!!
Thus sayeth the quitter!