Palin Considering 2012 Run, Defends Limbaugh's Use Of 'Retard' On Fox News Sunday
Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin didn't cage her answer when pressed Sunday morning as to whether she would consider a run for president in 2012.
"I would, I would if I believe that is the right thing to do for our country and the Palin family. Certainly I would do so," she told "Fox News Sunday," in an interview that was taped before she addressed a Tea Party convention the night before. "I think that it would be absurd to not consider what it is that I could potentially do to help our country ... . I won't close a door that perhaps could be open for me in the future."
In her first Sunday show appearance, the 2008 vice-presidential candidate predicted that, if the election were held today, President Barack Obama would actually lose the office he won just a year-and-a-half ago. But -- citing a column written by Pat Buchanan -- she left open the possibility that his fates could change, particularly (she seemed to wish) if a major attack were to be launched against Iran.
Palin also used her platform to continue a call for the president to rid himself of his closest advisers. On Attorney General Eric Holder, she labeled his handling of captured terrorists -- "allowing them our U.S. constitutional protections when they do not deserve them" -- a firing offense. On Chief-of-Staff Rahm Emanuel, she said his comments calling liberal groups "f-ing retards" was "indecent and insensitive" and cause for his dismissal.
But the former governor went to great and sometimes awkward lengths to insist that when conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh used the same exact term to describe the same exact group, it was simply in the role of political humorist.
"They are kooks, so I agree with Rush Limbaugh," she said, when read a quote of Limbaugh calling liberal groups "retards." "Rush Limbaugh was using satire ... . I didn't hear Rush Limbaugh calling a group of people whom he did not agree with 'f-ing retards,' and we did know that Rahm Emanuel, as has been reported, did say that. There is a big difference there."
In the 30-minute sit down with host Chris Wallace, Palin addressed a wide swath of largely political topics -- the policy minutia, undoubtedly, saved for another time and place.
She dismissed charges that her husband Todd played an unacceptably active role in guiding her administration as governor, after it was revealed in recently disclosed emails that the "first dude" was often consulted on weighty matters.
She acknowledged moderate successes in Obama's foreign policy -- specifically towards Afghanistan and Pakistan -- but still questioned why the president "pals around" with domestic terrorists (Bill Ayers).
Finally, she declined several attempts to weigh in on other prospective 2012 candidates, citing only Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) as someone who she admired and found intriguing.
The impression, in the end, was left that she was charting out a candidacy of her own. Pressed about reports that she was being consulted by a group of Washington-based advisers -- those insider elites she often bemoans -- on issues both domestic and foreign, she didn't exactly shoot down the idea that it was prep work for a White House run.
"Ever since our PAC was formed we have had good people contributing, some, many volunteers, I guess you would call them advisers yes, fire away emails to me every morning saying this is what happened in Washington overnight, you need to be aware of this," Palin said. "I have no idea how conventionally people [run for the White House]. How they open a door that perhaps isn't even open. ... I don't know how any of that stuff works. I'm just appreciative of having some good information at my fingertips now."
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First Posted: 02- 7-10 10:03 AM | Updated: 02- 8-10 03:48 AM