Sarah Palin Sidesteps Donald Trump ‘Running Mate’ Rumors, Yet Ex-Governor Doesn’t Dismiss VP Ticket

It’s no secret that Sarah Palin admires Donald Trump — that is, from a political standpoint. After all, the former governor of Alaska, who rounded out the ticket with John McCain as his VP pick, endorsed Trump for the 2016 Elections. It’s also no secret that Palin is on several hypothetical shortlists floating about for Trump’s running mate. However, during a Sunday interview on CNN, Governor Palin danced around the thought of a Trump-Palin 2016 ticket. She downplayed her chances, but didn’t dismiss interest and a possibility in joining the fray.

Palin’s lack of love from the public is well documented. Ever since she appeared on the political tarmac for a vice presidential bid, the public has taken jabs at her for one reason or another. She’s been at the center of controversy for statements and off-the-cuff language at times.

Please Let This Happen: Sarah Palin Nominates Herself For Vice President (VIDEO) https://t.co/rq8dZAJvbI

— Andrew Wong (@andru08) May 8, 2016

And the once rising star has been the target of late night parody and aims from the right and left. Palin appeared to acknowledge her perceived shortcomings when queried about running alongside Trump as his running mate for Vice President of the United States.

“I want to help and not hurt, and I am such a realist that I realize there are a whole lot of people out there who would say, ‘Anybody but Palin.’ I wouldn’t want to be a burden on the ticket, and I realize in many, many eyes, I would be that burden.”

“So, you know, I just — I just want the guy to win. I want America to win. And I don’t know if I would be the person that would be able to help him win, Jake.”

Palin then points out that she has been vetted just about more than any other politician on record. Still, she says Trump would be wise to look for other choices — as or more qualified — without the baggage. Some pundits said she slyly left the door open to the possibility of accepting a nod.

“I think I’m pretty much as vetted as anybody in the country. So, I think there are so many other great people out there in America who can serve in this position. I think if someone wanted to choose me, they already know who I am, what I stand for. They wouldn’t be in for any surprises.”

During Palin’s chat with CNN’s Jake Tapper from a remote location, he pressed her about the current political climate. The veteran anchor brought up the growing feud between Trump and newly appointed Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, who recently set off a maelstrom of headlines over his refusal to support the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

“So governor, as you know, Speaker Ryan told me on Thursday that he is not ready to support Donald Trump. Now, one of Trump’s spokespeople told CNN that if Ryan does not back Trump, he should not be speaker of the house. What do you think?”

#SarahPalin says she’ll work to unseat #PaulRyan over #DonaldTrump snub. https://t.co/brpZX70Iz2 pic.twitter.com/f8RCS41PkR

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 8, 2016

Palin chimed in and — in the spirit of the SP lexicon –may have created a new phrase when she referred to the speaker’s controversial move against Trump.

“I think Paul Ryan is soon to be ‘Cantored,'” as in Eric Cantor. His political career is over, but for a miracle, because he has so disrespected the will of the people. And yes, as the leader of the GOP, the convention certainly, he is to remain neutral, and for him to already come out and say who [sic] he will not support, was not a wise decision of his. You know, I think why Paul Ryan is doing this, Jake, is it kind of screws his chances for the 2020 presidential bid that he’s gunning for.”

According to Huffington Post, Palin is so perturbed by Ryan’s mixed messages — on one hand he advocates party unification, on another he professes a lack of support for Donald Trump (at this point) — she pledges to support Ryan’s challenger for his Wisconsin Senate seat.

Sarah Palin is throwing her support behind Paul Nehlen, who endorses Trump for President of the United States. She says he has what Ryan lacks — a connection with people and the community in which they live.

“This man is a hard-working guy, so in touch with the people. Paul Ryan and his ilk, their problem is they have become so disconnected by the people whom they are elected to represent.”

Would Sarah Palin make a good VP running mate choice for Donald Trump?

[Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images]