Giuliani: Palin More Qualified Than Obama

Says As Mayor Of Small Alaska Town Palin Has Had To Make Decisions Rather Than Speeches

(CBS)  Speaking on Face The Nation Sunday, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani said that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who was announced Friday as presumptive GOP nominee John McCain’s running mate, is more qualified to be president than Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

“You know why? She had to make decisions,” Giuliani told Face The Nation anchor Bob Schieffer. “All Senator Obama has had to do is talk. That's all he does.”

Palin, who is 44 years old, has been the governor of Alaska for less than two years. Previously, she served two terms as mayor of the town of Wasilla, Alaska, whose population in 2000 was 5,470.

Citing her executive experience, the Republican National Convention keynote speaker called Palin “somebody of accomplishment” because “she's vetoed legislation, she's taken on corruption, and in her party, and won. She took on the oil companies and won. She administered a budget successfully.”

He also said Obama “is the least experienced candidate for president in the last 100 years."

“I mean, he's never run a city, he's never run a state, he's never run a business, he's never administered a payroll, he's never led people in crisis,” Giuliani said.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who caucuses with Democrats but supports McCain, told Schieffer that McCain’s decision to add Palin to the ticket “is a little bit like opening a door and letting some fresh Alaska air into Washington.

“I think here he wanted to send the message, get somebody fresh, somebody really who represents the other America outside of Washington where people don't care whether you have an 'R' or a 'D' after your name, they just want you to get something done to help them deal with the problems they have,” Lieberman said. “And Sarah Palin comes from that other America.”

Carly Fiorina, a senior McCain advisor, called Palin “a person of great accomplishment” and suggested she excites women because she is “a woman trying to balance her work life and her family life, not to mention her incredible track record of reform and taking on, as she said, the good old boy network.”

Fiorina said Palin’s anti-abortion rights position would not keep former Hillary Clinton supporters from backing a McCain-Palin ticket.

“I think, frankly, the Democratic Party has done a disservice to women by trying to hold women hostage to the issue of Roe v. Wade,” she said. “The truth is the most important issue to women, all the polls say this, is the economy. Women are not single issue voters. Yes, there are some women for whom the issue of reproductive rights trumps everything else. But the truth is most women are not that way.”

Also appearing on Face The Nation, New York Times columnist David Brooks suggested McCain chose Palin to shift the focus from Obama to his ticket.

“You can see why McCain took her,” he said. “She risked her political career to take on the special interests in her own party, she took on the oil companies. She's like McCain. McCain wants to change this campaign from change to, from left to right, he wants to make it, 'I'm going to clean out the stables.'

“But then we see the risks,” Brooks continued. “She has no experience, basically. People are going to be nervous about her. And what it says about John McCain [is], some people drive the aircraft carrier, they have a big team around them. Some people take off from the aircraft carrier, they're lone fliers. John McCain is a lone flier. This was a 'lone flier' choice, it was risky.

"Do people want a risky president? The pluses and minuses are huge in this pick, and that's why we're talking about it.”

Giuliani said “there’s no question” that McCain would put the focus of the Republican National Convention “on the South and on Louisiana and Mississippi” because of Hurricane Gustav.

“Senator McCain has already indicated that it would be inappropriate to have celebrations, that things have to be scaled back,” Giuliani said.

Lieberman, chairman of the Senate's Homeland Security Committee, said, “We are 1,000 percent better prepared today than we were before Katrina.

“We have the full resources of the federal government prepositioned, supplies and equipment, communications equipment, and the resources of the United States military already on the scene helping to evacuate sick patients from hospitals,” he said. “So we are as ready as you could possibly be. What we have to hope and pray of course is that the storm does not go beyond the capacity of the levees to protect New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast.”

---

Read the full "Face the Nation" transcript here.

[wendyconn]

Obama went from the Illinois state senate to running for President...hmmmm..he sounds less qualified to me..he is a creation of the democratic power brokers who had it with the Clinton''s pushing everyone around within the party for their own gain. Obama owes the democtratic party powerbrokers big time and he''ll just be their rubber stamp guy. We voted for change in 2006 and the dems have done nothing. I will not vote for them again..they had their chance. Granted BO is a great orator..but we all have learned talk is cheap.

Palin was already a Mayor when BO graduated from college..now she''s been a Governor..way more executive experience and has a 90% approval rating.

Cool things she''s done:

Went after her own party''s corrupt state legislaters.
Fought big oil companies and won.
Sold the state jet on Ebay.("We can fly commercial")
Gave tax surplus back to Alaskan taxpayers..

I wasn''t that hot on either candidate...but now I have a cause.

I personally am sick of Yalies and Harvardites running this country..love her..

[timelag]

Yes, Guliani''s take on Barack Obama conveniently overlooks eight years in elected office as a Senator in Illinois, several more as a United States Senator including much in the way of foreign policy that''s closely related to what the job of President would entail.

Of course, being "executive" of first a tiny town and then an equally tiny state (Alaska contains fewer people in the entire state than the city of Portland, Oregon alone contains) is vastly preferable.

Giving a long, sychophantic hearing for this kind of nonsense is just what we''ve come to expect from you of course. As an example, did you know that Fred Thompson just said the following last night at the convention:

"Now being a POW doesn''t qualify anyone to be president...."

Really? So will Bob Schieffer now condem Thompson for "denigrating" the experience of John McCain?

Here''s a question. Why not? Is that not the most gross hypocrisy and partisan jouranlism, that you did so when Wesley Clark said nothing more or less than exactly that, at which you simply were aghast, visibly? Then later made great hay out of how he had "denigrated" McCain''s past?

I really would love to have an answer some day.

[timelag]

Yes, Guliani''s take on Barack Obama conveniently overlooks eight years in elected office as a Senator in Illinois, several more as a United States Senator including much in the way of foreign policy that''s closely related to what the job of President would entail.

Of course, being "executive" of first a tiny town and then an equally tiny state (Alaska contains fewer people in the entire state than the city of Portland, Oregon alone contains) is vastly preferable.

Giving a long, sychophantic hearing for this kind of nonsense is just what we''ve come to expect from you of course. As an example, did you know that Fred Thompson just said the following last night at the convention:

"Now being a POW doesn''t qualify anyone to be president...."

Really? So will Bob Schieffer now condem Thompson for "denigrating" the experience of John McCain?

Here''s a question. Why not? Is that not the most gross hypocrisy and partisan jouranlism, that you did so when Wesley Clark said nothing more or less than exactly that, at which you simply were aghast, visibly? Then later made great hay out of how he had "denigrated" McCain''s past?

I really would love to have an answer some day, but I realize how likely that is.

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, someone is finally 1000 percent better prepared than 3 years ago when was at most -900 percent prepared!
But I was wondering why do you need so long a time to prepare?
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, someone is finally 1000 percent better prepared than 3 years ago when is at most -900 percent prepared!
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, someone is finally 1000 percent better prepared than 3 years ago when is -900 percent prepared!
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, someone is finally four 0 percent ready!
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, someone is finally four 0 percent ready!
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, someone is finally four 0 percent ready!
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, someone is finally four 0 percent ready!
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, someone is finally four 0 percent ready!
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, someone is finally four 0 percent ready!
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

As to Gustav. Do you know the world was overwhelmingly shocked when they saw the strongest country lanched to the other end of the world to help people they don''t really like failed to do anything to help their people suffered so deeply from Katrina for so many days?
Now, you''re four 0 percent ready!
What a shame!

God bless Amecica!

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

[techhere]

Do you mean Alaska needs a lower gas price?
Do you mean she''s really taken on corruption?
Do you think she can still administer a budget successfully if the oil price dropped 2 years back like most people wished?

Thank you for your advice.
But I think Alaska is just different from New York and it''s too far from most of us.

That''s it.

[husker3me]

Mayors unite! I hope McCain-Palin decide to tap Guiliani for their cabinet. The Republicans have more talent and experience in their index finger than the entire Democratic establishment. Move-On and their horde of slimeballs won''t turn us into Sweden!

[mitch5511]

LOL Giuliani is bloviating again.

[libra127]

PALIN: BA degree in journalism - U of Idaho
Wasilla, Alaska, City Council - 1992-1996 (4 years)
Wasilla, Alaska, Mayor - 1996-2002
Ran for Lt. Gov. 2002 - lost
Gov of Alaska - 2006-current, 20 months (state pop: 1/5 that of Chicago)

****************************
****************************

OBAMA: Occidental College - 2 years
Columbia U - BA degree in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations
Worked at Business International Corporation
Chicago Community Organizer - 3 years
Harvard Law School - Juris Doctor, President of Harvard Law Review (first year), Graduated Magna _Cum Laude
Lawyer - Sidley & Austin Law Firm, Chicago
U of Chicago Law School - Constitutional law teacher 12 years: Lecturer for four years (1992-1996), Senior Lecturer for eight years (1996-2004).
Wrote 2 best-selling books
Civil Rights Attorney - 1993-1996- Associate, of counsel- 1996-2004
Illinois State Senate: 1998-2004 - 3 terms
US Senate - 2004-Current; Committees: Foreign Relations, Vet Affairs, Envir and Public Works, European Affairs
Presidential Campaign - 19 months

and over 800 pieces of legislation that he''s written, sponsored, co-sponsored and voted on.

[evie78]

Obama has been running a campaign that beat Hillary Clinton; and has been managing a huge budget over the past 18 months. He has 12 years of elected political service, is a constitutional and civil rights lawyer. He is very disciplined and manages his team very well unlike Clinton and McCain. People also keep forgetting that he chairs the foreign relations subcommittee that works with the European Union and NATO. It''s not a long resume but I think that he''s far more likely than McCain to work with our allies and work towards providing better opportunities for all Americans.

His cabinet will also include the best individuals from both parties (Clinton, Richardson, Hagel? Powell?....) and Biden is an excellent VP choice. If McCain chooses his cabinet the way that he chose his VP, we would be screwed.

A candidate''s skill set is more important than his seniority in political service. Most of our best presidents did not have a lot of "experience" but were remarkable individuals - Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Lincoln, Kennedy, and Clinton - they were visionary leaders and demonstrated a lot of compassion towards the American people instead of their powerful friends.

[atpay1]

I"ll bet they''re real happy with Sarah Palin now that her 17 year old unmarried daughter is pregnant...Palin is no Hillary and her daughter is no Chelsea!!