Meghan McCain: Sarah Palin Not As Qualified For President As Mitt Romney

Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), questioned Sarah Palin's presidential qualifications Monday, while handicapping the 2012 race for the White House during a speech at Kennesaw State University.

"I think there are more qualified candidates," McCain said, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. "I just don't agree with the moves she's made since the election. If I was advising her I would have told her to go away, stay silent, read up on everything, then really start campaigning hard. The reality shows, it's just not what I believe in for the White House."

McCain, a conservative author and columnist, has never been shy to weigh in with her analysis of her father's former running mate. Whether explaining the alleged mayhem that the former Alaska governor wrought on the campaign or taking swipes at her oldest daughter, Bristol, McCain has usually appeared cautiously respectful of Sarah Palin, a line that she walked again on Monday.

"I think my father could have had Jesus Christ himself as his running mate," she said, deflecting Palin from blame for the campaign's failure in 2008.

"She is captivating on every level, and she's a lot smarter than people ever give her credit for," McCain said. "I do not think she's stupid. I do not think she's crazy. There are these things that she is stereotyped to be."

Despite those personal traits, however, McCain told students that she considered Palin to be too conservative to be a viable candidate. She prefers former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney over the rest of the field of potential contenders, she explained.

"My personal favorite right now is Mitt Romney," she said. "I like that he's not so radical. I like that he has really, really played his cards right, almost perfectly since the last election."

 

 

Comments

[Ed and Deb Shapiro]

08:59 AM on 05/12/2011

the funny thing is Megan McCain is more Presidential than Sarah Palin

to bad John didn't pick his daughter (ha) - he would have been more respected!

anyone agree?

Ed

[jusathot]

11:51 PM on 04/03/2011

This is how stubborn the McCains are. Even Jesus would not have cut it for your father's ticket? You rather say that, than say you were wrong in pick Palin?

[justobserve]

02:41 PM on 04/03/2011

Well, just like Palin, without McCain senior, Meghan wouldn't have had a platform to be anything more than she really is. Having a superficial VP candidate, as Palin was and is, for a very real possibility that she could be in the top job suddenly, John had done a disservice to the country he said "Country First."

[Barbie and Ken forever]

06:29 PM on 04/01/2011

Uh Palin is everything she's stereotyped to be Meghan

[silentknight65]

12:05 PM on 03/23/2011

Meghan is also a hot blonde with nice buns!!!

[zena11111]

10:35 AM on 03/23/2011

I like Megan. Look at how much younger she is, and STILL makes more sense than Palin on any given day. Box of Rocks Palin, imo is TOAST.

[LI2USsomemore]

11:04 PM on 03/16/2011

I like to keep it simple. Megan McCain is a moderate conservative, but a conservative nevertheless; something diametrically opposed to my Progressive/Liberal views.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

08:14 PM on 03/16/2011

Meghan's endorsement of Romney and slap on Palin should be of greater significance to political observers. Most conservatives dodge questions regarding Palin's qualifications for higher office for fear of political backlash from her supporters. They have their own careers and image to worry about and they don't want to mock the their party's loudest cheerleader (although I personally consider Palin the "Snooki of the GOP"). Smart politicians like Pawlenty have not viciously attacked Romney on health care because they recognize the fact that he is likely the nominee. Others like Barbour, Gingrich, and Huckabee are too into their own self-promotion to care what's best for the conservative cause.

[Daniella Ambrosino]

09:01 PM on 03/16/2011

Palin's popularity within the GOP is (thankfully) declining. I agree that her peers are scared to say anything against her because they will receive backlash from her, and her "Momma Bear" supporters. But, I think they're starting to realize that by having Palin on this pedestal they're doing their party more harm than good. As a liberal, sometimes I am outraged by the fact that this woman is allowed so much media attention to parade her ridiculousness about, but then I also have to laugh at her. A Palin/Bachmann ticket would provide me with much entertainment, but I would rather see a solid campaign ran by Mitt Romney. Young McCain is right to promote him as a candidate for her party. And I enjoy your likening of Palin to a snooki like character; I think that resonates a lot of truth to how Palin portrays herself in the media.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

08:08 PM on 03/16/2011

It is true Meghan McCain has coasted off of her father's celebrity but she has done more for positive political dialogue than Sarah Palin. She never spread a rumor about "death panels" or been accused by her rhetoric to inspire violence. Although she hadn't campaigned directly for candidates in 2010 she wasn't the one who helped nominated the two worse GOP candidates for the U.S. Senate (O'Donnell and Angle). Meghan, although not a typical political commentator, comes up with original thoughts and ideas. She has the ability to say things even if they are not liked by the party. For those reasons her words are more credible.

[Daniella Ambrosino]

02:45 PM on 03/16/2011

Thanks for stating the obvious. And, no you're right she's not stupid because she has cashed into politics as some sort of reality show, and she is the star. She banks on support of Americans who are just as ignorant and ill informed as her. But, her abilities to capitalize on American fear and ignorance does not make her an intellectual. She is not academically accredited, she does not know anything about politics. Everything she ever says is contradictory, and ridiculous. She is about as intelligent as a 4th grader. So no you are right she is not qualified to be the leader of the free world. She wasn't even fit to govern Alaska. But, I do blame your father for fueling this fire. He wanted a running mate that embodied America, picked a female to compete with the new age Democratic ticket. She embodied a mother, a "hockey mom", down home ethics and republicans ate all her bs up. McCain brought her into this political spotlight, and it's now her time to bow out. The show has been fun Palin, you brought me much enjoyment laughing at your stupidity. I think you single handedly ruined McCain's chances because there was no way in hell any rational moderate would've voted for you. So do us all a favor, and gracefully exit the stage. Stop disgracing yourself, your party, females and America.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

07:56 PM on 03/16/2011

I actually thought you were talking about Meghan until I got through half of your comment. Having read your complete comment I would have to agree with what you said except maybe with calling her stupid. Palin is politically and strategically ignorant and utterly unhelpful to the conservative movement she claims to love and be a part of. She is not relevant or capable of original thought. I just believe calling her "stupid" or "idiotic" turns off too many individuals who otherwise would have listened to your otherwise valid points.

[Daniella Ambrosino]

08:38 PM on 03/16/2011

I did not state that she was stupid. to quote "she is not stupid because she cashed into politics as some sort of reality tv show, with her as the star." But, she is not an intellectual by any means. She is not formally educated in politics and I don't think her ignorance is strategic. That is who she is and always will be-- misinformed. How you phrased it is juat a nicer way of saying she is idiotic. Palin embodies a lot of things that are wrong with this country, and I have no desire to sugar coat her ignorance. She makes females seem incapable of intellectual thought and dilutes what it means to be a feminist.

[Francis 3]

02:33 PM on 03/16/2011

OK, Meghan, we get it. You do not like Sarah Palin. You have been blaming her for your dad's failed presidential campaign since he lost, but refused to speak up before. You blame Sarah Palin for not having a room at the White House. We get it. You are all about Team Romney.

If I didn't know any better, I would think you were jealous of Sarah Palin's popularity, reality show, current job and ranking in your father's "soul mate" totem pole.

[Sheryn]

12:44 PM on 03/16/2011

Good for Meghan McCain for stating the obvious. Sarah Palin has been gifted with a nice appearance and is a good cheerleader and a puppet. She surrounds herself with a large supporting staff who make statements in her name. However, she thought they said trains when they were passing out the brains and her youngest son has a higher favorability rating than his Mommy does. Poor little Trig--Sarah chooses to have her pictures taken with Bristol's son as he is cuter and isn't "damaged goods." Gotta love that little guy--he is being raised by nannies because Mama likes the attention and money she gets when she pretends that she has all the answers and experience for higher office. Daddy is needin' a little lovin' so he is having a lot of massages. Sarah cannot run her family without problems--why would anyone think she could run her country? Meghan is only stating the obvious--Sarah was chosen for her gender and thought nobody would notice that she was intellectually challenged. Look at Sarah's history--if you can't handle the position of Governor of Alaska and quit because of the pressure, why would anyone think that she is qualified for a position with a million times more responsibility?

[jokinjoe]

11:43 AM on 03/16/2011

Her daddy put Palin on the map and her daddy felt she was qualified. Who the heck is Meghan McCain? Oh ya her daddy ran for president. So Meghan McCain is no one. Come on new AOL HP there are important people that have opinions we really dont need to hear from Johnny's little girl.

[librldem]

11:18 AM on 03/16/2011

What makes Meghan think she's relevant speaking the obvious? Daughter of a has been coward and uber bad pilot. Go home to yer Borg mommy kid.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

07:59 PM on 03/16/2011

Way to go attacking for no reason a war hero and patriot. I dare you to say such things on a veteran's website while also posting your full name and address.

[librldem]

10:21 PM on 03/16/2011

Just because the 2008 election is over did not change mccains service or school records. He crashed 5 planes, all pilot error inclding the injuries he sustained resulting in his capture. He was and is a bragger and should never have been a pilot but it was his family connections in the service in that era. His self proclaimed heroics were all debunked. Why do you have a girl av and a mans name?

[Diablo Canyon]

10:58 AM on 03/16/2011

IF GEORGE W. BUSH BE QUALIFIED THEN SARAH PALIN BE QUALIFIED, TOO.