Sarah Palin defends Michele Bachmann, jabs Rick Perry

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin greets fair goers during a visit to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa.

/ AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

As she posed for pictures with fairgoers at the Iowa state fair Thursday, Sarah Palin was asked about comparisons between her and Rep. Michele Bachmann, her possible rival in the fight for the Republican presidential nomination.

Palin called the comparisons "so pass?," calling it "ridiculous" for people to make an issue of the fact that "there may happen to be two women in a race."

"It's kind of even a sexist notion to consider that two women would be kind of duking it out," she added. "No. If I'm going to duke it out I'm going to duke it out with the guys and the gals."

Palin also criticized Newsweek magazine over its Bachmann cover, which featured an unflattering photograph of Bachmann and the headline "the queen of rage."

"I've had my own experience with Newsweek because they put me on the cover wearing running shorts which was quite ridiculous too," she said. "I think that the headline is really worse than the picture. 'The queen of rage.' Because I don't think normal, everyday, average Americans, you can ask them around here, if they think that she's the queen of rage. Not at all."

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Asked if Newsweek was trying to make a woman look bad, she replied, "I think that they're trying to make a particular candidate look bad right there, not necessarily having to do with her gender, but just trying to make a fiscally-conservative candidate look bad."

At left, Palin at the state fair surrounded by reporters and others.

Palin also took a subtle shot at Texas governor Rick Perry, who is entering the presidential race on Saturday. Perry is sometimes dismissed as "weak governor" by virtue of the way his state's government is structured, and Palin seemed to draw pout that distinction when asked to contrast their records.

"You have different functions in the state of Texas and the state of Alaska in terms of governing powers from the governor's office," she said, "So it's tough to compare what the executive duties are. We have a very strong governor's office... but, he's a great guy and I look forward to seeing him in those debates."

Palin later added that it will be "great" to have Perry in the race.

Palin also said Thursday's presidential debate in nearby Ames was "great" in part because the candidates took shots at each other.

"I thought it was a great debate, they certainly took some gloves off, which is good for the electorate," she said. "Good to hear the ideas and positions articulated quite aggressively. That's what I appreciate."

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31 Photos

Sarah Palin on the road

[snodinn]

You know what I find disgusting???? That there are under 100 comments on this issue, and most of them are just plan ignorant. "We The People" are to busy commenting on what entertainer is screwing who! Then instead of discussing the issues, it is more important to call each other names.

How about this thought . . . United We Stand, Divided We Fall! Instead of being side tracked on whether you are a liberal or a conservative, start working together to find a solution to the problem. First I would suggest that all of you with Socialist leanings go and study the socialist countries in the world today, then study the communist governments, and then look at democracy and see if may be it is worth fixing. Also take a look at being politically correct . . . How is that working for you?? Not everyone gets it, and so sometimes you have to jerk their chains so they get a clearer picture of what is going on around them. Instead of denigrating one another . . . start coming up with viable solutions to the situations. Just my two cents worth!

[dejahthoris2]

Dear Jesus, please make the crazy people go away.

[mountainstates1]

Palin has become such a non-entity even the right wing nut T- baggers don't pay attention to her anymore!

[Adler315]

What the hell does she have on top of her head, is that a bundt cake?

[daffy64]

"You have different functions in the state of Texas and the state of Alaska in terms of governing powers from the governor's office," she said.



Oh. I guess you can't see Russia from Texas.

[illcountryboy]

Plus you only have to serve half of your term!!

[EricB_727]

What a R3T4R|)

[WeHappyFew]

"I think Ron Paul has a pretty good chance of winning because maybe the public doesn't understand how straw polls work"

[WeHappyFew]

Us libs are scared to death? Of what? You cons have already given us Reagan, Nixon and Dubya (who's crowning achievement was making his old pa look like George Washington).

We are perfectly aware of the bovine credulity of large swathes of the American electorate. We'll just be waiting in the wings with the mop and bucket.Again.



Oh and before you mention it, Obama ? Liberal president? don't make me laugh.

[WeHappyFew]

I would love Rick Perry and Palin to come out front runners. Trust me, you don't need CBS editorial to show you that's the dirtiest dogfight right there.

[retiredgustav]

I still say it is going to be Palin / Perry.

[milwaukeegregg]

Sara love ya but you can't tie your own shoes. Had you kept to your self took a class in geography, kept your family out of the news papers and kept your mouth shut you may be relevant. Write some more books ,be on talk shows and grow your fortune but stay out of politics. I agree with your beliefs but you have stayed to long.Go back and hunt moose!!

[swr112261]

You libs are scared to death of Palin, Bachman and Perry becuase you know your man is toast unless, of course, a viable third party conservative emerges.

[Cha-Cha001]

Palin is nothing but an idiot, a joke. I'm not a 'lib' and I am saying Palin is not in the same class as Bachman and Perry. Palin is enjoying her 15 minutes of fame, nothing more.

[illcountryboy]

Everyone should be afraid of Palin