(Sept. 15) - George W. Bush didn't think too highly of John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin to be his running mate, according to one of the former president's speechwriters.
In a new memoir titled 'Speech-less: Tales of a White House Survivor,' excerpts of which appear in the current issue of GQ magazine, Bush staffer Matt Latimer describes his boss's initial reaction to the news that McCain had chosen Palin. According to Latimer, Bush's take was somewhat playful, if not dismissive:
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Charles Dharapak, AP
Former President Bush addresses the National Governors Association in February 2008, six months before John McCain named Sarah Palin as his running mate.
"'I'm trying to remember if I've met her before. I'm sure I must have.' His eyes twinkled, then he asked, 'What is she, the governor of Guam?'"
Further elucidating his views before what Latimer describes as a stunned White House gathering, Bush continued:
"This woman is being put into a position she is not even remotely prepared for. She hasn't spent one day on the national level. Neither has her family. Let's wait and see how she looks five days out."
Latimer's book is set for publication next week.
The full article can be read in GQ.
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Palin's Path
Sarah Palin delivers her resignation speech as governor of Alaska during a ceremony in front of a crowd of about 5,000 people in Fairbanks, Alaska, Sunday. During her address, she scolded "some seemingly hell bent on tearing down our nation," and she told the media: "How about, in honor of the American soldier, you quit makin' things up?"
Al Grillo, AP
Al Grillo, AP
