What I would look for [in 2012] is . . . somebody who’s administered locally, state, interstate with energy issues, so maybe a mayor, a governor, an oil commissioner, maybe somebody who’s already run for something, vice president . . .
~ Sarah Palin on the 2012 presidential contest
Sarah Palin was in New York on Thursday talking with the Long Island Association. Sarah speaks on a number of topics, from the economy, to Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood. She also continues to tease a presidential run.
Katrina Trinko offers this:
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin isn’t ready to commit to a presidential run, but she indicated that she might decide soon, citing the need to connect with individual voters.
"Nothing is more effective than being actually there with the people in the diner, shaking hands," Palin said during an interview today conducted by Long Island Association president Kevin Law at a luncheon sponsored by the group.
"I’d be the first to not necessarily recommend a short amount of time," she remarked, citing the four days she had to prepare for the national scene as the vice presidential candidate. "Four days isn’t a whole lot of time to be prepared. It’s not even time enough to pack a bag. That’s why sometimes you have to borrow a wardrobe, and then you get crucified for borrowing a wardrobe for six weeks on the trail," she wryly remarked, alluding to the uproar when it was discovered that clothes for Palin and her family during the campaign had cost $150,000.
But Palin cautioned that her recent decisions to appoint political strategist Michael Glassner as her PAC’s chief of staff shouldn’t be seen as a sign of presidential ambitions.
"I am still thinking about it [a presidential run], certainly haven’t made up my mind. Hired a chief of staff because, to tell you the truth, Todd’s getting kind of tired of doing it all for me," Palin answered. "Just in the past couple of weeks we’ve been so doggone busy, that Todd has finally said look, I do have a few things I need to do . . . so we hired a chief of staff for practical, logistical reasons."
Asked about poll numbers:
"I look at those poll numbers and I say well, if I’m going to do this, then obviously I got to get out there and let people know who I am, what I stand for, and what my record is. I can’t rely on a liberal-leaning press," she said.
"And I think what’s going to be really important if I were to do that is to have more interaction with people like you who have no kid gloves on and you would actually ask why are your poll numbers are so poor," Palin added. "That kind of stuff is healthy to get to discuss."
Wearing a black jacket and skirt, a prominent flag bracelet, and leopard-print heels, Palin initially appeared stressed, delivering rapid-fire answers crammed with statistics. But as the interview continued, she visibly relaxed and even occasionally bantered with Law.
"‘Your poll numbers really stink. What’s your reaction to that?’" she playfully said, mockingly rephrasing his initial question to her.
Talking about the increasing prices of various commodities over the past two years, Palin took one jab at Michelle Obama. "It’s no wonder Michelle Obama is telling everybody you better breastfeed your babies . . . yeah, you better, because the price of milk is so high right now."
"And may that not be the takeaway [of the interview], please," she hastily added.
Palin also indicated that a government shutdown, a possibility if a compromise cannot be reached on spending when the Continuing Resolution expires March 4, should not be seen as the nuclear option.
"I am so thankful for these strong congressmen and women who are saying no, we are not going to vote for the debt ceiling to be raised. To me, all that’s going to do is create this allowance for more big spenders," she said.
[ .... ]
Palin rejects the idea that any government shutdown would have the same impact as it did in 1995. "There were mistakes made back then, even in technique," she remarked.
Talking about Egypt, Palin said the U.S.’s priority should be ensuring that the Muslim Brotherhood did not gain political control of the country — and stressed that the U.S. should ensure that Israel wasn’t threatened.
Whether Palin opts to run or not, she thinks she has the qualifications to become president — and believes 2012 will be fascinating.
"What I would look for [in 2012] is . . . somebody who’s administered locally, state, interstate with energy issues, so maybe a mayor, a governor, an oil commissioner, maybe somebody who’s already run for something, vice president . . . " she joked.
"It’s going to be a blast though," Palin added, "to see who does offer themselves up in the name of service, and see what their ideas are, hear their ideas, solutions that they want to see in this country."
If she does run, look for Palin to enjoy the campaign.
"Competition is so good, man," she said. "I love sports. I love competition."
Read the entire report here.
Other comments heard at the event, via CNN:
On her 2012 ambitions:
When asked who else she might envision at the top of the GOP ticket Palin responded, "No one is more qualified to multi-tasking and doing all the things you need to do as a President than a woman."
"What I would look for in terms of character is someone who's been on the front lines, who understands how to administer, how to lead a team, how to run a business."
On the threat from the Muslim Brotherhood:
"We have to be sure a group like the Muslim Brotherhood isn't invited in to take over,"
"The Muslim Brotherhood believes in sharia law."
"If they're radical enough to have already spoken against liberties and freedom is this good for Egypt and their freedoms?"
Palin also criticized the Obama Administration for appearing to flip-flop on Egypt.
"There was so much confusion about where our administration was," Palin said. "I won't condemn them for adding to the confusion, but the American public does deserve to know whose side we're on."
On the president's budget proposal:
President Obama's budget plan will take the country "on the road to ruin," .
"What the people of America are saying is, 'enough is enough no more status quo we don't want to continue deficit spending.'"
"Tone deaf politicians they're going to be fired and they're going to be replaced in the next election cycle if they don't pay attention"
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