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.
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker'] [twitter-follow screen_name='KilloughCNN']
"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."
From CNN Politics
- Florida legislature passes bill allowing carry of concealed weapons without a permit
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Untitled
- Manhattan DA's office again slams House GOP's efforts to investigate Trump probe, says approx. $5k federal funds used
- Can Trump still run for president? Your top indictment questions, answered
- Donald Trump has been indicted. Here's what we know
Sarah: You are so smart! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE run for President! You are right, Benghazi is SO MUCH different than the 13 attacks on Consulates under George Bush:
1. Jan. 22, 2002: Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami Attacks Indian U.S. Consulate
2. June 14, 2002: Suicide Car-Bomb Outside U.S. Consulate in Karachi
3. Oct. 12, 2002: String Of Bali Bombings Included U.S. Consulate
4. Feb. 28, 2003: Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, Attacked For the Second Time in One Year
5. May 12, 2003: 36 People Including 9 Americans Die After Terrorists Storm U.S. Compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
6. July 30, 2004: Islamist Attacks U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
7. Dec. 6, 2004: Five Staff and Four Security Guards Die in U.S. consulate attack in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
8. March 2, 2006: Third Attack on Karachi U.S. Consulate Killed U.S. Diplomat
9. Sept. 12, 2006: Four Gunmen Stormed the U.S. compound in Damascus, Syria
10. Jan. 12, 2007: Greek Terrorists Fired a Rocket-Propelled Grenade at the U.S. Embassy
11. March 18, 2008: A Mortar is Fired at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen
12. July 9, 2008: Three Turkish Policemen were Killed When Gunman Fired on the U.S. Consulate Istanbul, Turkey
13. Sept. 17, 2008: 16 People Including 2 Americans Die in an Orchestrated Attack on the U.S. Embassy Sana’a, Yemen
Funny, I don't recall the Quitter calling for hearings about these incidents under Bush's watch:
2002 U.S. Embassy Karachi, Pakistan: 10 killed, 51 injured
2004 U. S. Embassy bombed in Uzbekistan: 2 killed, several injured.
2004 U.S. Consulate Saudi Arabia: 8 killed
2006 US. Embassy Syria: 1 killed, several injured
2007 U.S. Embassy -Athens: building bombed with an anti-tank grenade...fortunately no one was in the building at the time.
2008-U.S. Embassy – Serbia: 1 dead; Embassy set on fire
2008- U. S. Embassy- Yemen- bombed 10 killed
Palin = Quitter, Liar, Mooch
You know how people type LOL so much, it doesn't mean anything? Well I just did LOL when I saw the headline. Come on, CNN. There are plenty of people with brains out there who can write opinion pieces for you.
After enjoying a laugh and a snicker we now return to our normal real world not perceived by or associated with Ms. Palin.
Dave H: Nail, Head, Solid Hit. Sara: you continue to be one of the most unimportant, stupid people to ever grab the attention of the media. CNN, QUIT REPORTING HER ANTICS.
Hector Slagg
Humm, it appears Hillary is the only thing the Democrat's have in 2016. Of course there is Joe Biden.
----------------------
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Republicans have who? Perry, Cruz, Rubio, Santorum? If they had enough sense to actually want to win an election they should consider Huntsman, Christe, or Jeb Bush, but his mom said no.
You people are all simpletons, just like Sarah Palin, if you believe "Hitlery" would represent as a credible leader. Obviously you're the same brain deads that elected our current incapable moron. What happened in Benghazi is important and does matter, she dropped the ball and so did Barry.
And we are still paying attention to this inarticulate theocrat why?????
What an incredibly confusing world. Sarah Palin, sitting at Fox, wants to criticize someone, anyone, calling them unfit and suggesting that the American electorate would be disappointing? Why is it that when we soundly trounce idiots that they don't just go away, why do they end up at Fox, and why is it that we continue to post their comments as if there were an ounce of validity or usefulness in them? Palin, who failed to finish her term as governor of Alaska and has achieved no other position in the political arena, wants to dismiss the former First Lady (not a political position, conceded), Senator for New York, Secretary of State, and now potential candidate for President of the United States. Sarah Palin – don't speak unless spoken to. Thank You.
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?
================================================
That's pretty funny! You forgot to mention all the polls that show while Americans are 55-45 against Obama, they are 80-20 against the GOP. I somehow don't think the ex Half-Governor is going to be a serious contender. Forget about reelections...she didn't even finish her first term in office.
Christie is the only serious contender the GOP could put forth, but since they have backed themselves into such a far-right radicalized corner, he will never make it past the primaries. Especially not since he dared to help his constituents by accepting federal aid.
Better gear up for another 4 years of Dems in the WH. Maybe the GOP will finally learn their lesson, kick the Tea Party back to the swamps, and move back to center enough to be viable for 2020. I certainly won't be holding my breath though.
Really! Sarah Palin preaching Hillary is not fit for the White House... REALLY!
Stupid is what stupid says and theirs a lot of stupid being said by a very stupid person
How hilarious. Do you suppose Palin believes she is anything except an embarrassment to other Republicans, or that her advice is any good? Pretending the Benghazi attack was a plot by our government to kill our own ambassador in order to draw attention away from Ryan's decision to cut funding for embassy guards is a tactic which, like pretending the president is from Kenya and has no birth certificate, has run its course.
Sarah keep rattling your mouth! Anything you say make Hillary look like a genius!!
Why does CNN even mention her or what she says? She did not have enough work ethic to finish one single term as governor of Alaska.....
Coming from one who sorely lost the bid for president herself and for good, it sure appears that Palin is now exhibiting Sour Grapes. But to be expected, after all, consider the source.
Whey does CNN waste time on this witch?
Sorry, but America just isn't ready for a chubby old cross-eyed lesbian to be president. Hillary has more skeletons in her closet than Arlington National Cemetery.
"And when Hillary becomes Madame President in 2016 it is my fervent hope that the media will be shamed into not publishing the drooling, factless, diatribes of trashy women like Palin."
Let Palin put her name in the ring and run against Hillary. Otherwise it is time for the media to take the high road and allow Palin to fade into the sunset where she belongs.
It is embarrassing having to continually watch her become ever more emotionally and intellectually unglued.
@M: "She is correct regarding Benghazi. That one extreme failure by Clinton makes her unfit for office. She lied to all of us and Americans were killed."
Like all tinfoil-hatted RWNJs, you are implying that Clinton purposefully got four Americans killed in Benghazi. You probably have never heard Clinton's full testimony, instead preferring to regurgitate the sludge spewing out of the mouths of folks like Limbaugh and Hannity. Never once have you asked yourself why Clinton or anyone in the Obama Administration – the same Administration that has used drone strikes to kill al Qaeda leadership and gave the kill order for bin Laden – why these folks would suddenly "want" four Americans to die in Benghazi, right before the 2012 Presidential election.
What I don't get is not only how your head keeps from exploding from the insane thoughts you carry around, but, given what a complete numbskull you so obviously are, how you manage to get dressed in the morning.
Palin effectively lost the presidency for McCain. Stupid is as stupid does...
Palin is the Jenny McCarthy of politics. Except she prays away her kids' lack of vaccinations, instead of just throwing vapidity at it.
The "Quitter from Wasilla", aka Caribou Barbie, must be running low on cash and needs to make a fool of herself in public, yet again.
Sarah...just go away. You are an embarrassment every time you say something out loud.
Here is what is known. This was not an American Embassy, and thus the reason there were no US MNmarines present. What was kept on the down low, was the people killed were CIA operatives. 3 of reoughly 20-30 present that day. What they were doing was never mentioned, but siffice it to say things went bad. Another thing that was never mentioned, was why the ambassador was there at all? Darrel Issa has tried over and over to pin somthing on Mrs Clinton, but ceased when this CIA revelation came to light.