Palin: If I were a South Carolinian, I'd back Newt

By: Sarah Huisenga
Topics: Campaign 2012

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin waves during a Tea Party Express rally Sept. 5, 2011, in Manchester, N.H.

(Credit: Getty Images)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - It wasn't an endorsement, but Sarah Palin gave Newt Gingrich the next best thing on Tuesday, saying she would vote for the former speaker -- if she lived in South Carolina.

Speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox News, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee declared Gingrich the winner of Monday night's Republican debate, comparing his performance to boxing legend Joe Frazier.

"He came out there swingin', talking about work," Palin said. "Talkin' about jobs and work ethic and how government needs to get out of the way in order for Americans to have a sense of opportunity to work, and I think that's what a lot of voters have been craving to hear."

Asked if she was any closer to giving an endorsement, Palin told the Fox News host that she could only tell him what she'd do if she were a South Carolinian. "If I had to vote in South Carolina, in order to keep this thing going, I'd vote for Newt, and I would want this to continue." Such a position indicated her desire for the political vetting to keep unfolding.

"I want to see this thing continue because iron sharpens iron, steel sharpens steel," she said. "These guys are getting better in their debates, they're getting more concise. They're getting more grounded in what their beliefs are and articulating what their ideas are to get the country back on the right track and get Americans working again."

Palin's husband, Todd, endorsed Gingrich just over a week ago -- a move his wife called "rogue" when asked for her comment.

Sarah Huisenga
Sarah Huisenga is covering the Mitt Romney campaign for CBS News and National Journal.
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by infinitybbc January 19, 2012 12:35 PM EST: the ONLY GOP candidate that can beat Obama is Ron Paul.

why? simply because Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate which pulls any substantial votes from the registered Democrats and Unaffiliated, besides the Republicans.

so if you want to see 4 more years of Obama, go ahead GOP — nominate anyone but Ron Paul! 8-); Reply to this comment

by Lindag10 January 18, 2012 4:59 PM EST

by JV1970 January 18, 2012 1:54 PM EST
notreich First of all I'm not aware of any Christian who have ever said how old the earth is! I think the whole 6000 year old thing is an invention of you non-believers to ridicule us Christians with!

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JV: You should read up on read up on history. In Victorian times, the pastors determined that God created the world about 6,000 years ago. One even went so far as to say what day and time (10:00 a.m.) Unless Victorian era pastors weren't Christians, your assertion that non-Christians made up the age of the Earth to ridicule today's Christians is false.

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by JV1970 January 18, 2012 5:24 PM EST: I said I wasn't aware of it! Also the non-Christians may not have made it up but I'm NOT wrong about the non-Christians using that to ridicule us! You're doing it yourself!

The pastors in Victorian times were human. They made mistakes just like everyone else. As far as the earth being 6000 years old, no one really knows how old it is. The scientists of today don't know exactly how old it is either. They can only estimate it's age.


by Lindag10 January 18, 2012 5:29 PM EST: JV: My point was that the 6,000 year old estimate wasn't a "made up" thing by non-Christians as you asserted. You're now trying to wiggle out of that particular lie.

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by Tired_of_liars January 18, 2012 1:45 PM EST

Hey USA,

Whats new been a while! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Got our new site up this week FINALLY

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by Tired_of_liars January 18, 2012 2:16 PM EST: Yea I got it, I replied. Yea Dan is always here spewing nonsense

by Tired_of_liars January 18, 2012 1:32 PM EST

by JV1970 January 18, 2012 12:30 PM EST
Thy_Almighty-King is right! In a debate Obama would have no chance at all against Gingrich because Gingrich has held federal office before. He is experienced. He is well versed and well read on our foreign policies and he knows about all of the legislation that's now before congress and he can match Obama answer for answer.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8618-503544_162-57360732.html?assetTypeId=41&messageId=11836996&tag=accordionB;commentWrapper#ixzz1jpti0lbR
Yea sure, but somehow he is not even close to getting the nomination. And if you agree with King JV on ANYTHING, then we all know you are not smart enough. King is clueless as you are

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by JV1970 January 18, 2012 4:33 PM EST: You Democrats love to ridicule us Republicans now but we'll see who wins the election in November. If it's a Republican who's sworn into the presidency next January that will show who's not smart enough and who's clueless! I don't think it's going to be me!


by Lindag10 January 18, 2012 4:49 PM EST: JV: I thought you didn't like Romney and didnt trust him. What if he gets the Republican nomination, will you vote for him? Or just write in the fat, white lizard's name?

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by stupa5 January 18, 2012 1:16 PM EST

JV1970...I see when your idol Palin show her chucklehead you pop up like a "Jack in the Box"!
You and Palin go together like 2 doggies in heat!

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by Lindag10 January 18, 2012 1:28 PM EST: stupa: I don't know, JV seems to have her sights set on Newt now. Guess she likes the fat, flabby lizard creature type. She should remember that he's married (for now) to "helmet head", but with his track record there's hope for JV.


by JV1970 January 18, 2012 4:46 PM EST: You all laugh at me and ridicule me but I notice the three of you read the article and commented on it too! All three of you are the pots calling the kettle black!

You do the same thing that you ridicule me for except all you want to do is spout your hate for Palin and ridicule those of us who don't hate her! In fact you wish that we didn't exist so that you could completely control these comment boards! However, as long as even one of us is still drawing breath and is able to type IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!


by Lindag10 January 18, 2012 12:36 PM EST: I know South Carolina has its share of problems, but at least they've escaped having Sarah LIVE there. I don't see the Joe Frazier analogy though. Joe was a GOOD boxer, the Newt is just a fat and flabby lizard.; Reply to this comment

by mick7744 January 18, 2012 11:10 AM EST

So the new Palin strategy emerges...

Now that even thick-as-a-brick Sarah has finally come to realize that she will never again hold ANY elected office...she's playing the "kingmaker" card in the hopes of landing a cabinet appointment.

Can't you just see it...Secretary of State Sarah Palin...or perhaps Secretary of Defense Palin?

Naaah...the only post that money-grubbing hustler would give up her Fox News gig for is Secretary of the TRESURY!

Why...you may well ask?

When asked why he exclusivly robbed banks (presumably as opposed to armored trucks, payrolls etc) famous American bank robber of the 30s and 40s, Willie Sutton replied, "Because that's where the money is, stupid"

Sarah Palin might not know very much...but she KNOWS what she wants...and where to get it.

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by JV1970 January 18, 2012 12:22 PM EST: I think you're wrong about her never holding a public office again! She may not be holding one now but that doesn't mean she won't hold one in the future. You are forgetting that she owns homes in two different states, Alaska and Arizona. She can run for public office in either state.

You are also forgetting that Arizona is a very red Republican conservative state. In fact it's probably one of the most conservative states in the union with many gun toting country rednecks. Remember the sheriff? There are many people in Arizona with the same ideas and values as Palin and I'm sure she has many fans and supporters there. If she should decide to run for representative or the senate from Arizona I'm sure she wouldn't have too much trouble being elected in spite of what you might think!


by Lindag10 January 18, 2012 1:03 PM EST: Oh I see JV is out day and night defening her heroine. Get over NO ONE will vote Sarah into another public office. I rue the day McCain inflicted her on the rest of the US. She should go back to Alaska and help shovel snow like the good Christian she claims to be.

by nfission January 18, 2012 10:02 AM EST

Oh yes, Sarah Palin reminds me so much of he scarecrow from the "Wizard of Oz," if she only had a brain....

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by JV1970 January 18, 2012 1:06 PM EST: She has one and a very good one! You just don't think so because you don't agree with her!


by buckyjo January 18, 2012 9:49 AM EST: Stifle yourself, Dingbat!; Reply to this comment


by radishes10 January 18, 2012 9:46 AM EST: Wow, Newt & Sarah in '12!! My dream ticket. Wait a minute..the Supreme Court is stacked with Catholics - Newt's a devout Catholic...Santorum sounds like someone who really wanted to be a Jesuit but couldn't quite make it...anyone seeing the long shadowy arm of the Vatican here? DaVnci code anyone?; Reply to this comment