Political Hotsheet
November 16, 2009 2:33 PM

Democrats Give Mixed Reactions to Sarah Palin Buzz

(CBS/PublicAffairs)
The release of Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue" has elicited different reactions from two prominent Democrats, as well as some Republicans.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday gave a gracious response to the compliment Palin paid to Clinton in her book.

"Should Secretary Clinton and I ever sit down over a cup of coffee, I know that we will fundamentally disagree on may issues, but my hat is off to her hard work on the 2008 campaign trail," the 2008 vice presidential candidate wrote. "Compared to the guys she squared off against, a lot of her supporters think she proved what Margaret Thatcher proclaimed: 'If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.'"

On NBC's "Meet the Press," Clinton said she "absolutely would look forward to having coffee" with Palin.

"I've never met her, and I think it would be very interesting to sit down and talk with her," Clinton said. "Maybe I can make a case on some of the issues that we disagree on."

Meanwhile, Barack Obama's former campaign manager David Plouffe had harsher things to say about the former Alaska governor. Echoing comments from John McCain's presidential campaign strategist Steve Schmidt, Plouffe told the New Yorker magazine that Palin would be a "catastrophic" pick for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.

Plouffe has his own book to promote, "Audacity to Win."

"I think it would be catastrophic for them to nominate her," Plouffe told the New Yorker. "A lot can change, but I doubt she'll run. Right now, in terms of her ability to sell books and get speaking fees and just go out there and be a prominent voice in the Republican Party, she's at a pretty high level. But if you run a race you're going to get nicked up and you may fall from grace."

Meanwhile, some moderate conservatives had mixed reviews for Palin as well.

"I think Sarah Palin is great for the Republican Party," former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Sunday on CNN's State of the Union. "This is a person who creates great enthusiasm for the party. We're very far away from a 2012 election. Right now, I like figures who are creating interest in the Republican Party."

Conservative columnist David Brooks of the New York Times, however, called Palin a "joke."

"The idea that this potential talk show host is considered seriously for the Republican nomination, believe me, it will never happen," Brooks said on ABC's "This Week. "Republican primary voters are just not going to elect a talk show host."

More Coverage of Sarah Palin's Book:

Sarah Palin: I Was "Annoyed" by Katie Couric's Newspaper Question

Palin Book Roils Former McCain Aides

Palin "Vindictiveness" in Her New Book?

Sarah Palin's Book: The Fact Check

Palin Publicity Blitz Full Speed Ahead

Bob Schieffer on Palin: No Future in Politics

Palin Talks with Oprah About Katie Couric, Levi Johnston
Tags:
Sarah Palin ,
Hillary Clinton ,
Rudy Giuliani
Topics:
Sarah Palin
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by dalethompson November 20, 2009 2:14 PM EST
After reading this article and some of the responses, no wonder the U.S. is a mess. You elect the most intelligent and honest politican since JFK and, yet, you look forward to 2012 so a simple, dim-witted, unqualified and pathological liar can run for President? Are you serious? She is one step above being a newscaster yet you want her to run your country? She couldn't run her own hometown or home state without causing lawsuits and problems. If I were from the Democratic party, just let her run her mouth off like she has for the last 1.5 years and that will be enough. Only in America could someone so dumb and morally corrupt get a chance to run for office.
Reply to this comment
by November 16, 2009 6:48 PM EST
I think David Brooks is the joke. Just a sad balding old man with poorly dyed hair who is barely employed by a dying paper. I am not sure whether Sarah is qualified to be president but she is sure closer to my beliefs than anyone I see out there. Remember, we have a president who has far less experience than Sarah and it is not boding well for any of us. David, check your facts, Sarah Palin is not a talk show host.
Reply to this comment
by 50BMS13 November 17, 2009 2:20 AM EST
Sarah Palin is FAR MORE QUALIFIED than Obama. You are correct!
by shirleyA1950 November 16, 2009 4:39 PM EST
I am a registered Democrat, I voted for McCain/Palin
because I did not feel Obama had enough experience
especially being at war. I felt that Palin was energizing
during the campaign. I do not believe that she will ever
run for political office, but I believe she can help the
Republican Party. I hope the GOP picks a winner because
I will not be voting for Obama in 2012.
Reply to this comment
by 50BMS13 November 17, 2009 2:19 AM EST
shirleyA1950
Intelligent post! Obama is another Carter. Good for PR and kind gestures, but not good for a country at war. And we are at war.
by toldyouso21 November 16, 2009 3:46 PM EST
"The idea that this potential talk show host is considered seriously for the Republican nomination, believe me, it will never happen," Brooks said on ABC's "This Week. "Republican primary voters are just not going to elect a talk show host."

Sure they would, After all, they elected and revered actors--for Governor (the Arnold, and Hulk Hogan) for mayor (Sonny Bono) for president (Ronald Reagan) so why not a talk show host? And Dems do stuff like that too---for the senate (that guy in Minnesota, whose name escapes me right now--that was a comedian and political commentator)
Reply to this comment
by Brokennews November 16, 2009 3:56 PM EST
(that guy in Minnesota, whose name escapes me right now--that was a comedian and political commentator)




Stuart Smally!
by stn_sage November 16, 2009 3:29 PM EST
If the Democrats were smart, then they'd make no comments at all!
They should be glad the GOP is imploding, and sit back and watch!

Based on how little positive action they've taken for the public,
they have NO reason to gloat or feel smug about this at all!

And, complimentary comments about the book, it's contents, etcetera, is a smug comment cleverly concealed, coming from them!
Reply to this comment
by Unclemercer November 16, 2009 3:05 PM EST
Democrats give "mixed reactions" to everything. Sarah Palin is the epitome of power, popularity, and pulchritude. She is America's Sweetheart.
Reply to this comment
by 50BMS13 November 17, 2009 2:17 AM EST
Unclemercer
You got that right! Beauty Brains and Braun. Going to be the 45th President of the United States of America.

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