Former Alaska GOP Gov. Sarah Palin missed a prime opportunity on Wednesday to demonstrate that she can play on the presidential stage, top Republicans say.
Palin was pitch perfect for much of her nearly 8-minute video statement on Saturday’s shooting in Tucson, the GOP strategists say, expressing sympathy for the victims, extolling the virtues of a country trying to rebound, and defending freedom of speech protections.
But then she veered away away from her statesman-like delivery, accusing the media of committing a “blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn.”
“She should have offered prayers and compassion for the victims and let it go at that,” said GOP strategist Ed Rollins, a veteran of presidential campaigns. “This is not about her. A short statement would have been better than a video.”
It is understandable that Palin wanted to answer criticism she’s come under since the shooting, but Palin only created more controversy by striking back at those who she feels have wronged her, the operatives said.
“You have to see it through her eyes,” said Ari Fleischer, the former White House press secretary for former President George W. Bush. “She has been accused in the mass media of being a accessory to murder.”
But, he added, “She would have done much better if she had just ridden above all the nonsense and the politics of the shooting, including all the references of her map.”.................
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