Top Republican says Palin unready
Senior Republican Senator Chuck Hagel has voiced doubts about Sarah Palin's qualifications for the vice-presidency.
John McCain's running mate "doesn't have any foreign policy credentials", Mr Hagel told the Omaha World-Herald.
Mr Hagel was a prominent supporter of Mr McCain during his 2000 bid for the US presidency, but has declined to endorse either candidate this year.
He was opposed to the Iraq War, and recently joined Mr McCain's rival Barack Obama on a Middle East trip.
'Stop the nonsense'
"I think it's a stretch to, in any way, to say that she's got the experience to be president of the United States," Mr Hagel told the Omaha World-Herald newspaper.
And he was dismissive of the fact that Mrs Palin, the governor of Alaska, has made few trips abroad.
"You get a passport for the first time in your life last year? I mean, I don't know what you can say. You can't say anything."
Mr Hagel also criticised the McCain campaign for its suggestion that the proximity of Alaska to Russia gave Mrs Palin foreign policy experience.
"I think they ought to be just honest about it and stop the nonsense about, 'I look out my window and I see Russia and so therefore I know something about Russia'," he said.
"That kind of thing is insulting to the American people."
BBC North America editor Justin Webb says Mr Hagel's opinion of Mrs Palin will have an effect on independent voters.
A senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr Hagel was a close ally of Mr McCain, but the two men parted company over the decision to go to war in Iraq.
Mr Hagel skipped this year's Republican National Convention in favour of a visit to Latin America.
Mr Hagel's decision to accompany Mr Obama this summer on a trip to Iraq and Israel, as part of a US Congressional delegation, led to speculation that he would throw his support behind the Democratic nominee.
However, a spokesman for the Nebraska senator insisted in August that "Senator Hagel has no intention of getting involved in any of the campaigns and is not planning to endorse either candidate".
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- at 6:55 PM on Thursday, September 18, 2008
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6:24 AM
It IS astonishing that she has so little experience---of any kind so far as I'm concerned. I don't think state politics, particularly Alaska's, are comparable to the Federal level with its complexity of implementation and deal making. I think we've seen already she doesn't have the schmooze factor down and as much as it makes my skin crawl, you can't really operate effectively without the ability to turn ANY question into your opportunity to gain support. I mean, did you see her fumble that question on the Bush Doctrine? Twice?
I assign her this much credibility: - 7:16 AM
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8:20 AM
Personally? I don't care how much experience she has. I'm merely pointing out the hypocrisy of McCain's campaign which has been bashing Obama since day one because of his lack of experience. It directly proves McCain's double-talk and political manipulations.
You may think career politicians who have spent their life receiving political donations from lobbyists and big business is the way to go when it comes leading this country. I think it is one of the biggest problems with our government. Thus I have never criticized Obama's lack of experience like the right used to before they nominated small-town mayor/partial-term governor with no international experience to their ticket.
And care to tell us who this is? -
8:35 AM
Further, this is not US versus THEM. There's an obvious support of Obama around these parts but that isn't to say this is an argument of agonist/antagonist: if I dislike this characteristic of Candidate A,who I do not support, there's no implication that Candidate B, who I DO support is as good as one would desire in that attribute.
The anonymous comment seems purposefully argumentative with no other objective. -
7:53 AM
Different anonymous comment:
I can see how you might read into the comment as being arguementive, and I congratulate you on your opinion. Yet the statement was more likely a statement or point out a fact that Palin is running for VP not Prez and that the comparison in experience though watered down, it deminstrates that she has experince making decisions that are brought to her attention either by advisors or the state of Alaska. As for Obama, my opinion is that he is guided by a minority in the population and making them happy to stay in office. All politicans are career politicans, it is a high school class prez speech to say that "I will affect change" or a vote for someone is affecting change. Don't be fooled anyone's charm, stylist glasses, or great speech giving. Trust the documented positions they believe in or their point of view. -
8:25 AM
My point in bringing up experience is that her own party doesn't actually have faith that she has that experience as evidenced by their criticism of Obama. Her nomination is purely a political one having nothing to do with experience, platform, or leadership abilities and everything to do with trying to win votes.
The President v.s. Vice President argument holds no water. The VP is not only first in line to the presidency (and let's be honest, McCain is getting up there) but leader of the Senate. To say "she's only running for VICE president" shows ignorance in the political process. I've been told time and time again that Bush has been responsible for none of the crap that has happen during his term, it is all attributable to Congress. As a voting tie-breaker, the Vice President's responsibilities should be realized.
What is the difference between Obama's constituency in Illinois and the population of Alaska? I don't think Obama's is that much of a minority.
If you say that an Obama supporter is a victim of 'great speeches' and 'charm' you might be showing yourself to be a victim of media bias and campaign slander. I've laid out point-by-point why Palin is a dangerous candidate to our personal freedoms. I'm not falling for anything.
And quit with the anonymous comments guys. There's no reason for it. Unless of course you promised never to come to my blog again.
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