Former Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump is “the best thing to happen to the permanent political class since…the Tea Party” on Tuesday’s “On the Record” on the Fox News Channel.
Palin said that she believes Trump can get Mexico to pay for a border wall, and continued “his immigration policy, and these common sense plans of his that most Americans, i believe, have been thinking, just not being able to say because we don’t have a microphone like he does. The immigration plan of his, especially the wall, that’s common sense. It’s a real shot in the arm to constitutionalists and conservatives, who want America to be put first by our leaders, and really, it’s a shot across the bow to the other candidates, because now they’re going to have to explain why [we] can’t build the wall, even though we’ve been saying it for years there in the political classes in DC, we’ve been promising people a wall. Now they’re going to have to explain to people why they don’t support the policies that Mr. Trump has come out with.”
Palin was then asked about whether Trump’s plan doesn’t do enough to address visa overstays and how he would deal with it. She answered, “Well, he’s talking big picture, of course, plus specifics, thankfully, more specifics than any other candidate by the way. So, it will be great to hear all 16, 17 of them rebuild their plans that would trump Trump’s. I think that’s going to be kind of tough to do though. But, when Donald Trump is talking about the immigration problems that we have today it, inviting, incentivizing illegals to come over open borders, and to be allowed to compete for, or take American jobs and really decimating the middle class, especially young black men, young Hispanic men, where their unemployment rates are 30%, 40%. And cheap labor is going to make that even worse for them. Well, Donald Trump is talking big picture here. When we incentivize people to come on over, via any avenue, it sends the wrong message to illegals coming on over. In fact, we’re rewarding those who would take illegal action as their first step, as they’re on our land. How much sense does that make? He wants to stop that, and certainly send the message that America comes first.”
She was also asked about whether she supports Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship and its constitutionality, she responded, “the argument about it’s for the children will be used over and over again to kind of portray, probably all Republicans as being heartless. And nothing could be further from the truth. You know, a plank in our platform is pro-family, and a family is a unit. And I believe what Mr. Trump, and probably the other Republican candidates, once they do come out with some kind of policy proposals, what they’re saying is, yeah, family is a unit. And if their parents broke the law, and if they’re here illegally, well, they need to get back in line, and because family is a unit, Greta, the family sticks together. And the kids have to get in line with their mom and dad.”
Palin was then asked if she was endorsing Trump, she answered, “I am so happy that he is running. Here’s the deal, Greta. … he’s the best thing to happen to the permanent political class since, oh, I guess the beauty of the Tea Party genuine movement rose up and shined light on crony capitalism, and then pulled the rug right out from under status quo politicians who just kind of embrace that permanent political class. Donald Trump, he’s got these Joe Six Pack issues on his mind, and he’s got these Joe Six Pack, common sense solutions. He just happens to be an extremely successful, and charismatic, with a very large platform, Joe Six Pack. But amazing how it is that he’s connecting with the people, and what it is that we’ve been saying all along, finally we have someone with the guts, who isn’t bought by anyone, he doesn’t belong to anyone. He’s his own man. He’s very independent. So I am very pleased that he is offering himself up in the name of service to our country. Also, having that deep bench though, on the Republican side of this race, is very valuable. I think it’s healthy for the party. Healthy debate, good competition’s going to make everybody work that much harder. Heck, I’m glad they are all running.”
Palin was asked if there were any other candidates she has the same enthusiasm for as Trump. She answered she was saying, “Who is the least political?” She also praised Dr. Ben Carson and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
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