Sarah Palin on Martin Bashir comments: ‘I move on and I charge forth’
(CNN) - Sarah Palin responded publicly for the first time Sunday on the nasty comments thrown her way by MSNBC host Martin Bashir, who later apologized for saying she deserved degrading punishment.
"Everybody in life takes shots," the former Alaska governor said on "Fox News Sunday." "You have a decision to make when you take a shot. Are you going to become bitter or better? In a case like this, you know, I don't have to accept his words - his vile, evil comments. So they don't have to affect me. I move on and I charge forth."
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker'][twitter-follow screen_name='KilloughCNN']
Bashir ripped into the 2008 vice presidential nominee after she compared the United States' foreign debt to slavery. Blasting her use of the metaphor, he read excerpts from the diaries of Thomas Thistlewood, who wrote about the horrific treatment of slaves in Jamaica in the 18th century, including a punishment that involved defecating and urinating in a slave’s mouth.
Bashir said that "when Mrs. Palin invokes slavery, she doesn't just prove her rank ignorance. She confirms if anyone truly qualified for a dose of discipline from Thomas Thistlewood, she would be the outstanding candidate."
After facing intense criticism for his comments, Bashir apologized Monday.
"I wanted to take this opportunity to say sorry to Mrs. Palin and to also offer an unreserved apology to her friends and family, her supporters, our viewers and anyone who may have heard what I said," the MSNBC host said.
MSNBC did not announce any disciplinary action against Bashir, despite suspending another host, Alec Baldwin, for two weeks after he made homophobic remarks.
Palin said the reason why Bashir got away with his comments had more to do with the target of his remarks than the rant itself, adding that "conservative women" are frequently attacked in what she calls the "media elite bubble."
When women take offense, she added, the media "usually just kind of pooh-pooh it, laugh it off; it's no big deal."
Palin said if he had verbally attacked someone who's less high-profile - like a child or someone without a vocal platform like hers – only then would the former governor have fought back.
"If you want to see a mama grizzly get riled up and slap that person down, then you come after a vulnerable child," she said. "In this case, he didn't come after a vulnerable child. I can defend myself and, you know, I can take it."
Asked if she accepted his apology, Palin said, "Who am I not to accept an apology?"
"Everyone must humble themselves and accept that offer ... of apology," she said. Palin also implied that Bashir had called her personally to apologize.
But, she warned, if someone calls to apologize to her again, she said she wants that person to go through her husband or one of her kids first.
"Leave the message with them," she said. "Hear what they have to say about it, and then they can come to me."
From CNN Politics
- Warnock's seat comes into focus amid battle over voting laws and filibuster rules March 23, 2021 03:06 am
- White House aides prep $3 trillion jobs package for Biden March 23, 2021 02:30 am
- Biden administration continues to deny journalists access to border facilities March 23, 2021 02:28 am
- Arguing against statehood for DC, congressman says it has no car dealerships (it does) March 23, 2021 02:23 am
- Former Capitol riot prosecutor's comments on Trump alarm new no-drama Justice Department March 23, 2021 02:16 am
- Biden administration not confident Johnson & Johnson will meet 20 million goal by end of month March 23, 2021 01:52 am
Wow!! If those things had been said about Hillary....look out....the left would have their panties in a knot.....but because she is conservative it's not a big deal......the left are simply servicing their masters......they are like abused women who can't leave because they "love" him.....
Some people think Sarah Palin is in it for the money. Someone that is only interested in making a buck would not cancel an interview like she did with Matt Lauer. Her interview would have helped her make that buck some think she is only interested in. Canceling the interview shows she stands on principle.
She's s victim? And wants her husband, children to be victims too. She is more than just a little hypocritical, and she showed her skill as a gop politician, verbally assault the pope, with no apology, then this, she has absolutely no class
Poor Sarah, amazing how she reacts to the exact same treatment she doles out on a daily basis, clueless, classless, idiot, she is the most uninformed politician out there
Charming, classy Christian Conservative Sarah Palin displays dignity & decorum in forgiving the crass cavil & calumny of craven, cringing coward Martin Bashir.
Palin's slavery analogy was certainly inapt. But Bashir himself has fumbled with the clumsy use of slavery as an analogy for some contemporary policy choice with which he disagrees. Instead of engaging in vile and obscene rhetoric, he should have explained to viewer why Palin should not be allowed to use slavery as an analogy while he should remain free to do so.
Martin Bashir's remarks were most unfortunate because it detracts from the atrocity of Palin's own words. Palin not knew that he remarks would be found offensive by some, which is why she apologized for the remarks before she made them, anyway. And, she made them because she that very few people, if anyone, in her audience would find the remarks offensive. Judging from the applause, most seemed to find the remarks politically correct.
If this had been said about Michelle Obama what would the reaction have been? This is nothing but sickness and sexism and shame on you who admire Bashir.
Right wing media types never Apologise to no one but left wingers must apologise to right wingers what a bunch of bull.
Palin is a Joke.
I've read the article on her " apology" to the pope, funny, I never seen the word sorry or apologize come from her, gop, never having to say sorry
She sounds like she is whining as usual. She certainly can dish it out, but as with most narcissistic people, she can't take what she gives out.
Ms. Palin sticks her neck out; let's lose with uninformed commentary (or, if you like, lies), then beats the media when she gets called out. She is little better than a dog whistle for her overly radicalized (and quite blind) followers. She is not a pundit, she is not an informed speaker, she cannot even be considered a viable candidate. She is best ignored.
MSNBC has no credibility. Instead of telling the truth the network attacks and call people racist who do not believe in their own agenda
We hve two wrongs here. Should Mr.Bashir have tempered his comments? Yes, and he appropriately apologized. Unfortunatly however now Ms. Palin is basically getting a free pass for being educationally defecient and making a totally boneheaded comment.
Better to have people assume you are a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. That would have been Mr. Basir's better comeback.
@A True Conservative
Wow!! If those things had been said about Hillary....look out....the left would have their panties in a knot.....but because she is conservative it's not a big deal......the left are simply servicing their masters......they are like abused women who can't leave because they "love" him....
@bassman
Some people think Sarah Palin is in it for the money. Someone that is only interested in making a buck would not cancel an interview like she did with Matt Lauer. Her interview would have helped her make that buck some think she is only interested in. Canceling the interview shows she stands on principle.
=====
Do you two guys work out of the same bunker ?
Canceling the interview shows she stands on principle"
The only principle this bobble head adheres to and provides a perfect example, is the "Peter Principle"!
No excuse for Bashir. He should be fired. Tasteless low blow. At least Sarah Palin is a positive voice in politics. A rare find these days.