Alaska National Guard General: Palin Plays No Role In National Defense Activities Even When They Involve The Alaska National Guard

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Wait, now, say the Republicans. You think that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin lacks experience? You think that at 44, with less than two years running the nation's northernmost state, she doesn't have what it takes yet to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?

Pshaw.

What about the fact that she stood up to embattled Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens? What about her oversight of her state's National Guard contingent? Her experience as a mother? And, hey _ what about the fact that she runs a state that happens to be very close to Russia?

Each of these characteristics has been cited by a Republican since Friday as an ingredient in John McCain's conclusion that Palin is qualified to become vice president of the United States.

"She has experience not only in politics but in life," former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee said Sunday on CNN.

None of this suggests that Sarah Palin is not a skilled, competent, multitalented public servant. But it means that, in the face of fierce Democratic assertions that she is too green to be elevated to vice president, the GOP is looking for whatever it can to show that's not the case and to bolster her credentials, particularly in national security.

And in some cases, the responses from Republicans who showed up on the Sunday morning talk-show circuit to promote Palin's qualifications are unexpected, to say the least.

Thompson: "She's a mother of five children. ... And she has more experience than Barack Obama."

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Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina: "Governor Palin took on Ted Stevens. If she can take him on, she can take on the Russians." Stevens, a Republican senator, is facing corruption charges and running for re-election.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty: "Palin is commander-in-chief of the Alaskan National Guard." The state's Guard has about 4,000 members.

From McCain's wife, Cindy, came a geographic assessment of qualification: "Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. So, it's not as if she doesn't understand what's at stake here."

What these traits say about Palin's ability to serve as vice president or, in an emergency, as president is not entirely clear. But the flurry of comments by leading Republicans hint at a flood-the-zone strategy when it comes to Palin, whose gender, Christian faith and conservative chops infused a lively crackle into John McCain's campaign during the weekend between the two national conventions.

The GOP has also implied that Democratic reactions to Palin's selection are sexist, particularly since, they contend, her time as Alaska's governor gives her the edge over Barack Obama in executive experience. Obama, 47, has spent almost 12 years in office, all of it as a lawmaker _ eight years as an Illinois state senator and nearly four as a U.S. senator. Palin's total is 12 _ she spent 10 as a city council member and mayor, and nearly two as governor.

"If they want to go down that route, in all candor, she has far more experience than Senator Obama does," McCain said Sunday in St. Louis.

Democrats insist sexism isn't at play. "It's not the woman issue at all," former Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota said Sunday on CNN. "There are a lot of other Republican women who could have filled this role if that is what he was looking for" _ such as Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison or Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, appearing on CBS' "Face the Nation," saw a kindred spirit in Palin's experience as mayor, despite the fact that her town, Wasilla, has about 7,000 people and his had nearly 8 million when 9/11 happened.

"Maybe it's my own background as a mayor and United States attorney, but this whole idea of executive experience to me would really qualify her," Giuliani said. He dismissed questions about the size of the town she ran. "You know why? She had to make decisions. All Sen. Obama has had to do is talk. That's all he does."

Some of the comments seemed a bit non-sequitur. Russia, for example.

Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, considers Palin "extremely responsive and smart" and says she is in charge when it comes to in-state services, such as emergencies and natural disasters where the National Guard is the first responder.

But, in an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday, he said he and Palin play no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.

Stephen C. Donehoo, managing director of Kissinger McLarty Associates in Washington, and former military intelligence officer specializing in Latin America:

"No doubt the campaign staff have her hooked up to a fire hose on foreign policy issues," said Stephen C. Donehoo, managing director of Kissinger McLarty Associates in Washington and a former military intelligence officer.

"No doubt they fear a debate with Joe Biden that touches foreign affairs," Donehoo said. "My guess is Graham and (Joe) Lieberman are doing a lot of tutoring."

Republican Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota appears to have no such worries, given what he considers to be Obama's lack of experience.

"The president sets the tone," Coleman said. "The experience issue is on the other side. The No. 1 guy there is the guy without the experience."

___

Contributing to this report were AP writers Tom Raum, Jim Kuhnhenn, Glen Johnson and Nestor Ikeda in St. Paul and Anne Sutton in Juneau, Alaska.

Comments

[ladyv]

"She's a mother of five children. ... And she has more experience than Barack Obama."

Well hell, if that's how we're measuring experience, why isn't Michelle Duggar the VP choice?

[ymax]

Thompson: "She's a mother of five children.

Nooooooo... She is the mother of four and a grandma of one..............

Now Giuliani calls her an experienced mayor.... What a joke. One big town of 6000 people and 1000 moose.

After all the accolades bestowed on Mrs. Palin, all she is, is McMooseKiller.

[anamorphicart]

Shows McCain's judgement, same as Bush. Just hire anyone, religious right, no matter their ignorance on the job. I always laugh at the guy Brownie, who was a horse trader, hired to oversee FEMA!

[jimdog1954]

"Brown-eye" got the FEMA job because of his boot-licking prowess.

[iluvsam]

Why are none of the Dems (like Daschle, etc.) coming back and saying that if she has more "administrative experience" than our #1, and if it is only the "administrative experience" of the #1 that counts, then their #1 has NO EXPERIENCE EITHER. Why are they not throwing it back at them and shutting this "more experience than Obama" BS down? So frustrating to be watching this.

[NicoleW]

I am really disappointed with the press. OK I realize that there are individuals on Fox that would would walk down Pennsylvania Ave naked to get a conservative in the white house, however, what is glaringly obvious to most observers, the press has for the most part ignored or reported inaccurately Palin's true accomplishments and status. Her experience and knowledge is glaringly deficient. A good example is Pat Buchcanon assessment her, as she was one of the three people who voted for him..... What also concerns me is Gov. Palin's own sense of grandiosity by accepting this nomination by McCain, she doesn't recognize her own limitations and lack of knowledge . I find this dangerous. She is in a national and foreign arena that does not relate in any way with the experience and knowledge she has. McCains pick of her does not depict his slogan "country first". His campaign slogan should be "COUNTRY LAST"

[kimbari]

Awww, but she says she's ready "yup yup."

*bangs head on desk*

[suekzoo]

We're finding evidence that the Mayor job in Wasilla is PART TIME!!!

LOL

[metalpipe]

Mostly ceremonial, not much decision making involved, but a great way to be the focal point of barbecues and Tupperware parties with a political agenda. I want a woman like this with the codes to our nukes a heart beat away (not).

[Neoman]

Hospital burn wards overwhelmed in blue states...developing. Pick of Palin cited.

[PhilTListener]

All57States:

How about doing some work for yourself?

Use the Googles on the internets and search Obama's Resume.

And please, don't mistake the microwave for a computer!

[ForeignCommenter]

It's not about years in office, if that's what you're looking for. McCain has 26 years of experience and is still wrong on almost all issues that matter, and in fact, is being even more wrong now that he's adopted the Bush policies as his own. Obama's judgement and foresight on national and international policies have been well known for years. He knew the Iraq war would weaken U.S. on the war on terror. He has advocated for timetables on withdrawal, and the Iraqi government is agreeing. He has advocated for tough diplomacy with Iran, and now even the Bush administration is agreeing. That's the good judgement and foresight needed in a president. McCain has had neither and will never admit to being wrong on Iraq (he'll stay there even if he needs to reinstate conscription to get it done). Biden's record on national and international policy is well-known, even though he's not always right. Palin is practically irrelevant since she has virtually no known foreign policy stances from time before her pick as running mate.

Which ticket looks more presidential to you? The one with good judgement and foresight coupled with experience, or the one with a man who won't admit being wrong ("I was a P.O.W., thus I can't be wrong") coupled with a completely unknown quantity whose stances and judgement nobody knows?

[NicoleW]

I agree with you. I may get flack from what I am about to say, however, it is becoming increasingly obvious that McCain is over using his POW experience. I feel that he should be honored as a war hero, there is no question about the suffering and courage he displayed at that time and I do honor his service. However, that does not automatically make him an authority or in any way qualify him to be commander and chief. A perfect example of this is his remarks to Jay Leno when Leno was commenting on Mc Cains lack of knowledge of his seven homes. Mc Cains famous remark was at "one time I didn't have a table or chair " we all know the statement. Not to take responsibility for the remark of his not knowing his own domicile status, and using his POW experience is really insulting, and farther worse may be insulting to other POW to use that experience as an excuse. This recent pick of Palin is just another example of just how flawed his thinking is and the disregard for this country to want to place this person a heartbeat away from the presidency...he sided with Bush 90% of the time and now wants to be known as a reformer and Maverick....... ????

[danoj]

My god, haven't we talked about the Palin thing long enough. People vote for the Pres not the vice Pres. Time for you left wing loons to get back to calling for some kind of impeachment, the McBush thing, global warming, or maybe even defending the poor terrorists holed up in GITMO. The Palin thing is getting old already.

[ForeignCommenter]

Yes, we should stop talking about Palin. We should talk about John McCain who once again showed poor judgement, this time in his first presidential act. He picked an unvetted candidate with no known foreign policy stances other than "we should have a plan for Iraq" heartbeat away from presidency. So, basically Palin is just going to be a poster-girl for McCain's failed policies, a yes-woman with absolutely no influence. What does that say about McCain's judgement in picking her? McCain essentially comes off as someone who believes himself infallible ("What do you mean I'm wrong? I was a P.O.W.!") and immortal (he didn't give any consideration to his failing health leading to Palin presidency). This is all about John McCain's lack of judgement, not about Palin.

[MegWe]

Even Republicans that I have talked to are shocked at McCains lack of judgement in this pick. Voters are understanding this - even low info voters. The Religious Right now has their gal, but John McCain has really steeped in it this time with swing voters and women. Hillary supporters are really angry about this choice. If they were holding out before - no more.

[nerakami]

Under normal circumstances yes.. you're right. But McCain is 72 years old and has had more than 2 bouts with cancer. In this case, it is as if we are also choosing her for the top job of Presidency. That's a reality.

[spicegal]

History has shown that one out of three American presidents has had to have his vp step in due to some unforeseen circumstance, and you don't think the VP is important?!? Add to that, the fact that McCain is 72 years old, and has a history of serious medical problems. Like many cancers, melanoma has a way of recurring. There's also plenty of research linking stress with increased risk of cancer. Furthermore, McCain is already showing signs of early senility. Therefore, there is a distinct possibility that this woman with no national or foreign policy experience will have to preside as President. How could any American not be outraged and insulted? McCain's VP choice shows a profound lack of judgement and character.

[drec1500Madrid]

You would just love it to disappear, wouldn't you.

[solid]

Aww, stop danoj. You had me at "left wing loon".

[Neoman]

Flat-screen computer screens unable to handle extra-large fonts at leftist rants, catching on fire. Reports that 80% of hollywood elite have been burned. People in NY and CA only ones affected. Developing...

[mouselion]

You have to take your black and white glasses off.

[cracl]

By the Republican's own logic, McCain does not have the executive experience necessary to be president. Palin can do better than that chatty Cathy, McCain. What about Palin/Guilliani? Now there's experience and leadership we could all use.

[greeniefromOH]

"Executive experience" -- well, then, in their own words, she is more qualified than McCain!

[jlgcox]

HA! HA! So True. For that matter, Bush has more executive experience than Palin and look where we are NOW! The arguement about her executive experience should be:

Bush was governor in a TX with more people than animals = McCain/Palin would be more of the same
Bush was governor in a STATE that has off shore drilling already in place = McCain/Palin woud be more of the same
Bush abuse power while he was in office and it appears Palin is doing the same with TrooperGate = McCain/Palin would be more of the same

Using President Clinton words during his speech: "Thanks, but no Thanks!"

[ResistanceisFutile]

I will bet that the base of the party wishes it were Palin/McCain.

[drec1500Madrid]

No, if the base of the party were into stem cell research they would want to clone her and have her fill both the presidential ticket and the VP slots...hell, why not fill the cabinet with her likeness while we're at it...

[simplecitizen]

Lets face it there are only two important issues facing the Unites States. They are abortion and stem cell research. If we solve those the rest will fall right into line. Do conservatives really love their country? Even conservatives when they reach to the depths of their souls and into their hearts know this is an extremly dangerous pick. McCain with major health issues and at the age of 72 is risky as a long term occupant of the White House. Heaven help us if he wins and can't serve his term. On the Other hand heaven help us if he does. Conservatives forget your heart and soul. Try reaching into your brain and ask yourself what makes this a great choice for our nation in these perilous times.

[metalpipe]

Abortion and stem cell research the most important issues? That is a very narrow view, indeed.

You must still have a job, a home that has held it's value, live in an area where the bridges, roads and water systems aren't falling apart, and don't have children serving in our beaten down, under staffed, under equipped military. You must also buy into the Bush administrations asertions that the economy is fundamentally strong, further deregulation is necessary for future growth, and the rich are rightfully under taxed.

I'll stop there, as it seems obvious to me that you are a right wing fundamentalist itching to control the right's of others in an attempt to undermine our fragile and fading democracy.

[solid]

I may be mistaken, but I think simplecitizen was being snarky about abortion and stem cell research.

[FebM]

If they are clinging to executive as having been governor, she is more qualified than McCain infact she is less qualified than George Bush. Please Huffington always put these issues in perspective. Our country is in ruins because we dont have a critical, analytical thinker at the helm. Yes, its mediocrity through and through and in that arena Obama is many cuts above the rest.