It’s no big secret that former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin is not a fan of Barack Obama. So it was no surprise Palin immediately penned a response to President Obama’s speech last night.
Obama was aggressive, stating clearly, “So tonight, with a new Iraqi government in place, and following consultations with allies abroad and Congress at home, I can announce that America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat. Our objective is clear: we will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy.”
But Sarah Palin was even more aggressive, saying that it’s hard to put much faith in the president’s promises. Palin wrote on Facebook, “War is hell. So go big or go home, Mr. President. Big means bold, confident, wise assurance from a trustworthy Commander-in-Chief that it shall be worth it. Charge in, strike hard, get out. Win.”
Palin continued,
“For the sake of peace-loving people in America and throughout the world, let’s hope Barack Obama means what he says when he uses terms like ‘defeating’ ISIS. He is so inconsistent in leading a failed agenda that it’s virtually impossible to put any hope in his new promises, because either his past statements shrugging off ISIS as just a ‘JV squad’ was all talk, or tonight’s new terminology is just all talk.”
It’s doubtful the President’s speech last night was “just all talk.” This was not the Obama of the tan suit , who admitted openly that he did not have a strategy for dealing with ISIS. However, he was firm on one point – that there would be no boots on the ground for war-weary America. He stated clearly.
“But I want the American people to understand how this effort will be different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil. This counter-terrorism campaign will be waged through a steady, relentless effort to take out ISIL wherever they exist using our air power and our support for partner forces on the ground. This strategy of taking out terrorists who threaten us, while supporting partners on the front lines, is one that we have successfully pursued in Yemen and Somalia for years.”
Palin also disparaged the president for what she sees as his refusal to acknowledge that ISIS is Islamic. Although Obama consistently refers to the terrorist organization as ISIL rather than ISIS, ISIL stands for Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. But Palin inferred that Obama is reluctant to identify them as Muslims, saying that asking sane Muslims to condemn ISIS and their acts of terror is not enough, that it is naive. Palin stated that “we must identify and understand the enemy by at least acknowledging their ideological motivation and identity.”
Sarah Palin is known for her tough talk, especially when it comes to criticizing the president. And although she holds no public office, having resigned as governor, Palin has created a fan base who turn to her for political insight. Palin has also been a loud voice in calling for Obama’s impeachment .
You can view the rest of Sarah Palin’s statements here, on the official Sarah Palin Facebook page .
Do you think Sarah Palin’s critique of President Obama’s speech was correct? Or is Palin simply creating more divisiveness?
[Image vi Politico]