Bill Clinton: ‘Mistake to Underestimate’ Palin

Bill Clinton said in an interview Thursday that “it would be a mistake to underestimate” Sarah Palin, adding that he’s not surprised by the bounce John McCain saw in the polls after naming the Alaska governor as his running mate. “She is an instinctively effective candidate with a compelling story,” Clinton told CNBC. “And I think it was exciting to some that she was a woman, that she is from Alaska.” He said Palin grew up in a culture that is probably “well to the right” of most Americans, but that she didn’t “define herself in those terms.” Clinton said she “handled herself well,” but reiterated his support for the Democratic ticket. “I think that you know, I disagree with them on many issues and that’s why aside from my party affiliation I would be for (Barack) Obama and (Joe) Biden anyway,” he said. “But I get why she has done so well. It would be a mistake to underestimate her. She ... (link)