Kristol Rips McCain Camp, RNC For Handling Of Palin

Bill Kristol, who has been, perhaps, the biggest Sarah Palin partisan of the pundit class, leveled some harsh criticisms at the McCain campaign Sunday for what he deemed to be a mismanagement of the vice presidential rollout, petty infighting, and leaving the Alaska Governor out on a limb after it was revealed the RNC had paid $150,000 in clothing for her.

Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Kristol said Palin had been "ill served by some of the staff," particularly in light of anonymous aides ripping her as a diva and/or rogue agent in recent news articles.

He chided the RNC for not taking the hit for the clothing that was purchased on Palin's behalf.

"Why wasn't a staffer out there saying, 'you know what, I made the mistake'?" he asked. "Since when do the staffers go into hiding and let Governor Palin be the one who has to explain it? It's a total disgrace the staff has ducked responsibility for this mistake, which was not her mistake. Whatever people's criticisms of Governor Palin, no one thinks she lives high on the hog in Alaska, shopping at Neiman Marcus... I think the staff has ill-served her."

And he bemoaned the McCain campaign's media strategy, which, he claimed, had prevented Palin from taking on more of a profile in the press. Informed by host Chris Wallace that the Alaska Governor would not appear on a Sunday news show before the election, Kristol said the problem was not hers, but rather one of clearance.

"It's McCain's staff which bottle her up for the first part of the campaign," he said. "The staff has not served her well by hiding her and not having confidence."

The latter charge, of course, seems as much an indictment of Palin as of the McCain campaign itself. After all, who, beyond John McCain, has to sign off on Palin going on national television?

Nevertheless, chalk up Kristol's appearance as another conservative pundit entering the circular firing squad that has become the GOP presidential campaign.

Comments

[sclucie]

Right. She suddenly has $150,000K worth of clothes, in her suitcase, in her closet, on HER body, and she doesn't know that they are not her's. Find me a woman who will swear to that. You can't. Just doesn't happen. And I have to say, she looked pretty happy with herself in those clothes. So when things go wrong - and let's not even mention the make-up mess - what do they do? They find the one woman who is high enough in the RNC and blame her. And what does Sarah plan to do? RETURN the clothes, after 3 months of wear! I can't wait to hear what my Reublican retail executive brother has to say about this one.

Sarah Palin has absolutely no moral compass. From the smallest, most trivial detail (and yes, this is trivial considering the losses people have faced) to the one-bid, $30 Billion dollar Canadian pipeline, somewhere along the way, somebdy forgot to teach her morals. And that scares me, after 8 years of Cheney and Bush and their lies.

[trubluelefty]

If we don't vote and get everyone else to vote Billy will be having her around to gush over for a long long time. . MSNBC is showing Telemundo talking to her about the clothes. She claims she didn't know anything about the clothes and she is not that type to spend that kind of money. This alone should be a reason to disqualify her. Hope they throw her out in Alaska next time. Sick of hearing that we are sexist, because we don't like her.

[SydneyS]

Another RAT deserts the sinking ship!

People like Bill Kristol, dressed as journalists, have made a career out of spreading misinformation and lies.

Hi is one of the many so-called ‘in-bed-with’ talking-heads, who come across as a journalist, but in truth is just another spineless and a self-serving opportunist whose pen is a sword that has been stabbing the very heart of our democracy.

Proud Independent voter, voting for Obama for President

[honestpolitician]

The blame game continues

PEOPLE!!! Go out and Vote!! We need an Obama landslide as reports show that McCain is trying to rig/scam this election!! Please get your family and friends out and vote for this historical moment! You are contributing to history!

NEW POLITICAL AD ATTACKS(Video) http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[Beca]

The problem with Bill K is that he has had a hard on for Sarah Palin since he went on that Republican Pundit cruise to Alaska last year. Back then he described her as "hot" and would make a great VP nominee. He has been fawning over her ever since! And I am sure right now he is having a massive hissy fit because after Nov. 4th, he will no longer be able to see her or be close to her unless he moves to Alaska--so he is pissed off!

[sclucie]

I think he actually used the word "heartthrob" according to the New Yorker. But he didn't go nearly as far as Fred Barnes, who seemed to actually drool. Do these conservative men ever get to associate with women? Or do their spend their entire lives in a big, exclusive prep school?

[obamadeus]

It's so bizarre. He really and truly thinks that Palin would prove to be intelligent if only they let her talk more....I hope the McCain camp throws caution to the wind and takes his advice.

[Veri]

For the love of God, let Palin talk more. And for the Love of Christ, if you think she's cute, come to Poland :)

[shanefish]

Lots of hotties in Poland? I wonder how I could convince my wife to move there?

[sclucie]

Please, please let her talk more. Particularly about religion. There's only a double digit lead. It makes me nervous. Three days of Sarah talking freely, and we would have a supreme court that would protect my daughter for life. We might even get our civil liberties back.

Somebody asks why she pals around with guys in Wasilla who have arsenals in their basements and Russia assault rifles in the cabs of their trucks. Somebody walk her through the ethics invesigation and actually READ her the lines where it says that she violated Alaskan state ethics codes. Somebody talk to her about how it felt to be blessed by a witch-hunter. Somebody ask her a single thing she has ever done for another woman while she as in political office. Talk Sarah Talk! Don't stop until this election is over and then go back to Alaska and face all the people up there you have betrayed.

[majorteddy]

I think they are doing just fine. I am perfectly satisfied. I think they shouldn't change a thing until after the election.

[ITSDEE]

Maybe the RNC Staff didn't stick up for McPalin because they don't like her either. All of them are probably secretly voting for Senator Obama!! I can just hear them now talking to their Dem. friends, "Hey get me an Obama teeshirt, but sneak it in through the back"! LOL

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

[old lady]

Poor Billy - he just found out there are some people the Dems are just not willing to welcome into the ranks. Anyway, we graciously accept your apoplectic apology

[Flick08]

But who wants someone in power who'll just blithely sign off on things w/o understanding what's going on? Wasn't that what Reagan claimed during Iran Contra--that he wasn't 'AWARE'?

[LiberTLover]

Hmmm...Georgie B must have it tattooed on his a$$ then... :)

[Yermammy]

Poor Bill. Waxing nostalgic for goose stepping, Panzer Tanks and gas chambers. He's probably got his tickets to Argentina already.

[shanefish]

Kristol, you're a TOOL! If the McCain methods had proven to work, you'd be calling them genius! Get a life. You began pushing for the invasion of Iraq a decade ago and now you have to live with the fact that you personally have sank the republican party! I bet daddy is not proud!

[Tommygun2146]

Palin's clothes have been custom tailored to fit her, so she either went to the stores or at least knew where the clothes came from before they were actually purchased. Funny how this woman the pubs claim to be super-intelligent and fiscally responsible is now being painted a naive, simple-minded dupe, who had no idea that the Louis Vuitton backpack she personally selected for her 7 year-old daughter cost $790. Either she is a greedy opportunist, eager to exploit every possible loophole for personal gain, or an incompetent rube. Either way, she is not fit to serve as this nation's VP, and from what I hear the Alaskan people are trying to organize a recall election to remove her as Governor.

[sclucie]

What a good point. She knew exactly what was happening - those aren't off the rack - they have been custom-fitted by someone who is very, very good. It would be impossible to return them.

[stayfocused08]

I don't feel a bit sorry for PAILN, she came in acting like she is Miss. Pit Bull with Lipstick, and now it seems she is a cry baby. No one forced her to wear those clothes, she seen the price tags, she suppose to be a "REFORMER" who takes on the good oh boys, well she got her chance to stand strong and she didn't. She was the wrong pick and all of America saw through her fake lieing tongue, and now that her Uncle McCain is going to loose she wants to be able to go back to Alaska with her head held high, but even that may not work out for her. Good bye to Pailn and goody bye to McCain. I don't like either one of them!

[MontanaHome]

Awwwww, poor Kristol. He luvs SP so. (check out latest issue of New Yorker for SP's ties to Washington insiders, including Kristol, in a bid for national recognition and power).