Palin takes aim at GOP presidential candidates

The Hill ^ | September 12, 2011 | Josh Lederman

[AAABEST]

Palin even went as far as to lend her voice to the charge leveled by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) during the debate against Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R): That he allowed a law to go though requiring HPV vaccinations for adolescent girls because of a $5,000 campaign donation and his relationship with his former chief of staff, who went on to lobby for a pharmaceutical company.

"I knew there was something to it," Palin said of learning while she was Alaska's governor that her Texas counterpart had given the go-ahead to the vaccine. "Now we're finding that now, yea, something was up with that issue. It was an illustration or bit of evidence of some crony capitalism."

[AAABEST]

I knew there was something to it," Palin said of learning while she was Alaska's governor that her Texas counterpart had given the go-ahead to the vaccine.

Palin was governor of Alaska from December 2006 until her resignation in July 2009. If she "knew there was something to it" it certainly didn't keep her from wholeheartedly backing Perry at a rally in February, 2010:

"In Washington, they're too often looking out for Wall Street and Rick is looking out for you"

You don't know how proud I am to support Rick Perry."

"I look forward to Texas sending a message on how things get done, because you're doing them right in Texas"

Facts about the Gardasil controversy:

- Contrary to the popular myth, not a single girl in Texas was ever "forced" to get a Gardasil vaccination.

- Perry never advocated "forcing" anyone to get a Gardasil vaccination. The executive order - RP65 -  had an opt out. The "innocent little 12 year old girls or 11 year old girls in state of Texas" who "would be forced by the government to take an injection" would have only existed in Bachmanns mind.

- RP65 not only had an opt-out, but contained language that made it easier for parents to opt their children out of ALL vaccinations.

- Merck contributed around $5,000 to Perry, which works out to be 1/40th of 1% (or 1/4,000th) of Perry's campaign chest.

The idea that Perry would harpoon himself for a measly 5 grand is prepostrous. For Palin (and Bachmann) to accuse him of doing so borders on slander.

YOU BETCHA!

[LibLieSlayer]

BIG TARGETS to aim for... slow and cumbersome.

LLS

[ScottinVA]

For Palin (and Bachmann) to accuse him of doing so borders on slander.

I wouldn't go that far... but it does smack of reckless political posturing. And BTW, SARAH, how about joining those debates, vs. standing to the outside taking potshots at the ANNOUNCED candidates???

[mrspeelwerneeded]

Let me guess-she hasn’t decided if she’s going to run yet! Time is officially running out for this BS. Nice she could find time to comment on this, but couldn’t announce she’s not running to let those pinning their hopes on her off.

[Badabing Badablonde]

The “innocent little girl” moment will be Bachman’s iconic catch-phrase, like Edwards “son of a mill worker” and Dean with his victory screech......

[mrspeelwerneeded]

As someone who wished she would enter, I have to say she’s doing great damage to herself now. It’s way past time for her to announce either way as she’s injecting herself into it and commenting like this now.

[achilles2000]

If she said “he allowed a law to go through” she has no business saying anything about this issue because that statement also shows she knows nothing about it.

I don’t know what Palin’s game is.

[ScottinVA]

Nice she could find time to comment on this, but couldn’t announce she’s not running to let those pinning their hopes on her off.

Yep. Watching her on Greta's show taking uncontested target practice on those who've made the plunge to run for President, all the while she's still "undecided" comes across as off-putting.

Yes or no, Sarah? In or out?

[ScottinVA]

As someone who wished she would enter, I have to say she’s doing great damage to herself now.

Ditto here. She's jumping the shark.

[Ingtar]

- Contrary to the popular myth, not a single girl in Texas was ever “forced” to get a Gardasil vaccination. (But this was the Legislature’s doing, and not Perry’s.)

- Perry never advocated “forcing” anyone to get a Gardasil vaccination. The executive order - RP65 - had an opt out. The “innocent little 12 year old girls or 11 year old girls in state of Texas” who “would be forced by the government to take an injection” would have only existed in Bachmanns mind. (The opt out required about six months worth of paperwork and dealing with government officials hostile to your desires and needed to be renewed periodically. It also forced you to opt out of all other immunizations - you could only opt out if you believed all the immunizations were wrong.)

- RP65 not only had an opt-out, but contained language that made it easier for parents to opt their children out of ALL vaccinations. (Because it was all or nothing on the vaccinations.)

- Merck contributed around $5,000 to Perry, which works out to be 1/40th of 1% (or 1/4,000th) of Perry’s campaign chest. (Above the board.)

[Sea Parrot]

LOL, too rich by half, I next expect you to say you were for Palin in 08, before being against her now.

[Eccl 10:2]

I like Palin’s current role, and I hope she doesn’t run herself.

She is like a border collie herding the sheep in the way they should go. Stray too far in one direction, and she barks and nudges the stray back on the path.

I hope she does not back a specific candidate until there is only one.

Stick to the issues, stick to the facts, act like a leader, and we will win.

[reasonisfaith]

Has Governor Perry spoken out against crony capitalism yet?

If not, it’s a very big clue.

[Sea Parrot]

Oh my, was not aware she has to abide by the PDS crowd, and Perry supporters.

[pgkdan]

I’m sick and tired of Palin getting free and unchallenged air time to make her points after debates without ever having to facce rebuttal like the actual candidates do. Even without the pressure of being on stage she still found it nearly impossible to string together 2 grammatically correct sentences.

[jerseyrocks]

Palin needs to either get in or get out then shut her mouth. The party needs to stay united to win the battle. Ronald Reagan felt strongly about this principle. Don’t act like your a Reagan believer then break his rules.

[reasonisfaith]

Has Governor Perry spoken out against the permanent political class yet?

It’s his right to act as though he doesn’t believe in the existence of the permanent political class. But the truth about that is already known to us.

I don’t think any candidate has a viable alternative to this part of Palin’s platform. And it’s the only platform out there that will fix our country’s worst problems.

[Sea Parrot]

Uh, get your facts straight, Palin did not say that, it was the article saying she did. You know, the usual PDS biddies.

[reasonisfaith]

Has Governor Perry spoken out against crony capitalism yet?

If not, it’s a very big clue.

[papasmurf]

I watched that interview, twice. She didn’t attack nor slander Gov. Perry. She was honest, principled and brave in her comments. Exactly the qualities I wish for in my POTUS.

I would bet dollars to donuts that she and Gov. Perry have already spoken and each understands and respects the others’ position. Make no mistake about it, Gov. Palin and Gov. Perry like and admire each other. They’re rough and tough, and they wear their diapers low. That’s what makes them both leaders.