Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been a long-time supporter of President-elect Donald Trump – and she may be rewarded with a cabinet position.
Trump has been releasing new cabinet position picks like rapid fire, but there’s one, hugely important position that he has yet to reveal.
Numerous names have been considered for the secretary of Veterans Affairs, but Americans are still left wondering who will take on the responsibility of the post.
In his typical, unpredictable fashion, President-elect Donald Trump just added a new, yet familiar face to the running for VA Secretary.
Former 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is joining the competition to take on the role of reforming the VA, a close Palin aide and a Trump official told ABC News.
Palin tweeted Wednesday:
We should be grateful we'll soon have a commander-in-chief who will champion our vets and honor the promises our… https://t.co/lb5wdrlrWu
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) November 30, 2016
She praised Trump, calling him “a president who promised to drain the swamp and clean up all government corruption, all things our vets and active duty troops deserve.”
While Palin would be the first non-veteran to hold the post, she has a close relationship with veterans. Her son Track served in Iraq in 2008 and her son-in-law Dakota Meyer is a Medal of Honor recipient. Palin has expressed her views on what needs to be done to reform the VA, saying veterans need improved healthcare and help returning to the workforce.
Palin has been consistently loyal to Trump throughout his candidacy and is a close friend with Trump’s campaign strategist Steve Bannon. In fact, it has been rumored that before Trump, Bannon wanted Palin to run for president. Politico reported, “Bannon openly fantasized about transforming the former governor of Alaska into the very kind of norm-defying outsider that Trump, with Bannon’s help, would ultimately prove to be.”
Having an ally so close to Trump could prove to be a major leg up on the competition for Palin.
Battling her for the post is former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, who met with Trump November 21st to discuss, “veterans and veterans’ issues,” according to Brown. He was a member of the Army National Guard for 35 years, reaching the rank of colonel.
When asked about the consideration of Palin, Brown said, “He’s going to make a decision based on everybody’s resume and what they bring to the table. I’m available if he needs me. If he doesn’t, I’m good with that, too.”
Another candidate for the position is Florida Representative Jeff Miller, previous chairman of the House Committee on Veteran Affairs.
Even if Palin isn’t chosen for the VA post, her loyalty to Trump will still likely be rewarded. She has been reportedly considered for energy secretary and secretary of the interior.
The VA is the largest department of the United States government, and acting as its secretary is no small feat.
Do you think Palin could handle it? Comment below with your opinion.
She could handle it better than any of the fools under the current administration
No!!!
Frieda I wonder why you said no. She has fought corruption in her state before she ever ran with McCain. She certainly is a true patriot, and was willing to clean out the swamp in Alaska against the “Swamp Dwellers” there. Just would like to see what your opinion is.
I agree! A big resounding “NO!”
She, nor anyone else (except Rep. Miller), has any idea of the total corruption, waste, fraud and abuse that IS VA!
The VA is such a no-win situation right now that many big names will avoid it like the plague. It will take a miracle for anyone to correct the situation. But like Pat said, Sarah fought against a political machine in Alaska and earned the support of the voters there. But to do the job Sarah Palin will have to stop being the publicity hound that se has been lately. This job will take lots of behind-the-scenes grunt-work.
Palin pick would not be a smart move on Trump’s part.
Palin is quite competent. AS Governor of Florida she had a 75% approval. She negotiated with the oil moguls, with a return on citizens investment [their oil] for the equivalent of roughly $2,000 annually every year. Palin has always supported our Military Veterans. A good game hunter business woman, mayor. Palin thinks outside the box, has a can do attitude, usually comes home with positive results. Once again Trump is making the right call, VA needs to become more productive and provide more quality, there are sufficient resources, all they need is motivation, nonperformers need to know this at the management and administrative levels.
Governor of FLORIDA???
I missed something somewhere obviously.
Remember, Obama thought there are 53 or was it 56?
I don’t think she was Governor Of Florida how about we say Alaska then you would correct. And I agree the she would not be the best choice. While she is a strong cabinet addition but not for the VA post.
I think she needs a chance to prove herself. If she can’t do the job replace her. She is exactly what we need in the VA Administration a can do person who isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers, and give precise direction to the VA. GIVE HER A CHANCE!
She was not governor of Florida! What planet are you from?
Wethepeople, you need to learn where someone comes from before talking about how great you think they are. She was governor of Alaska not Florida.
Palin would screw up a free lunch. She certainly isn’t the one to run the VA. That is the job for someone with a military background.
SP would make a good VA, or Interior candidate.
I would rather see Brown at VA and Palin as energy sec.
Sarah Palin is a tough lady (look what she did for Alaska) and if she is appointed to the VA, will WANT and require answers to solve the many VA problematic issues. The VA system is massive and will be difficult to get her hands around. But, if anyone can, she can! At least with her, there’s hope!
– A VA patient and 3-tour Vietnam Veteran.
Prefer Scott Walker – but you have to live with the choice- you told the vets you would
fire personal – and make the VA great !
So choose the right person and get the people out of there who don’t know what they are doing
Who has the true heart for our vets ?
Scott Walker!!!!! fAre you totally nuts. He is the most destructive SOB ever to hold political office. If he were appointed to the VA you can bet that Veterans benefits would decrease to the point that they no longer exist. He is a destroyer, He is not a builder unless it is to build his own standing the the GOP.
The American people,
However, having a woman in that position would be fantastic (maybe quell the left side from the election results a little)
I have always liked and respected Sarah and think she would be ready with most of her family not needing her any more.
Besides, she is not too bad to look at !!
I know very little abut Sarah Palin… probably about as much as the average person. However, there are people in whom I place significant trust, and they seem to think Sarah Palin is Very Competent~! It is not necessary for the Office of Secretary of the V.A. be a man, nor a former veteran for that matter. The Office of V.A. Secretary needs and deserves a person who has the common sense to surround themselves with knowledgeable personnel, make accurate assessments, form a good and meaningful plan to correct the problems of the past… then implement that plan and let it go to work~! I am a former U.S. Marine, and I can tell you, when any soldier needs medical attention, they could care less who provides that attention, they only care that it is delivered professionally, and that the medical personnel are knowledgeable and competent. And, we’ve already determined that Sarah Palin is both… both knowledgeable and competent~!
Marine1
I like the way you think. I feel she would do a great job, and full fill the needs of everyone.
I fully agree. Palin could be something else but I think Scott Walker would be better to handle Vets needs. He’s a good man and I would prefer Scott over Palin, but I’m sure if Pres Elec Donald gave her a job, there would be one that is more suitable, but if chosen by Pres Donald, I wouldn’t be unhappy, he knows what he’s doing. I am unhappy about the (crony capitalism,) remark about Trump and Pence with Carrier, so maybe she needs something else.
Sarah Palin can and will do anything that she is assigned to. I think that it’s good that she is not connected with our armed forces other than through her son’s service. She is an outsider to the VA, much as Donald Trump Elect is an outsider to politics. If asked to do the job, Mrs. Palin will excel!
Not Palin. Should be a veteran who knows the workings of the military first hand
Her experience in Alaska is background for making her Secretary of Interior
Then you might as well say we shouldn’t have elected Trump because he isn’t a politician.
GET REAL!!!!
That’s why he was elected because he’s not entrenched member of the corrupt swamp.
this lady has the courage and fire to straighten this disaster out. MR.TRUMP should give her a shot
Sarah Palin can handle the job! She’s been discriminated against because she’s a woman, however she is obviously very intelligent and has shown she cares about our veterans. We have come a long way in understanding PTSD ‘Post Traumatic Stress Disorder’ since Vietnam and the way our soldiers were treated when they arrived back to the states,after what they went through and I know many vets who are grateful for the VA hospitals, but we do need to work on those who served for their country who are homeless.
I have “ALWAYS” considered Sarah Palin a Lady who’s mind works well.
I feel she will do her best for the VA.
I have many friends wh0o have been getting a Bad Deal from the VA.
I do not always agree with everything she has to say.
But I still feel she will do the job correctly!
I think Mrs. Palin could handle anything she wants to. Governor of a big State like Alaska takes a lot of TALENT!
I really liked Palin until she made that(crony capitalism,) remark about Trump and Pence with Carrier. To give her a job in his cabinet now wouldn’t be a very smart move for him, and how in the world could she turn around the V.A. system. She doesn’t know anything about veterans. He needs someone who has been a veteran, or has worked with veterans before. I admire her for being the Governor of Alaska, but that doesn’t mean she can work with Trump and Pence if she disagrees with what they decide to do for our country. She seems to think to much of herself, and speaks out without thinking.
Look at who is assisting Veterans now. Consider Gary Sinise although he may be perfectly happy doing what is does
That’s why he was elected because he’s not entrenched member of the corrupt swamp.
she will do a great job for our vets ! pick her mr. trump !!
Irregardless of who Trump nominates to the VA position, the main objective is to take care of the veterans of which they are screwed in the obama administration. There should be no need for an organization such as the Wounded Warriors this should be taken care of by the VA Administration. If new hospitals or treatment centers are needed, then they should be built and staffed by experts in the trauma field. If the members of congress say that there is no funds available to do this all that is needed is to stop all foreign aid and and keep those funds here to take care of our own. If we can send our people into battle, then we should take care of them when they return whether they are wounded in any way or are homeless and without employment. This country has been a disgrace in the past decades as far as our veterans are concerned especially in the past eight years. If obama can take twenty million dollars out of the Medicare funds to feed illegal aliens for one month and get away with it what should that tell you? To me it looks as if he could care less about our veterans, our country and its people to use our much needed funds just to feed those rat bastards what else would this dip shit do before he leaves office.?
Sarah palln would be a HUGE ASSET in any appointment by president TRUMP. Ithink she should be the first female president!!!!
Yes! She is a very dedicated and fair, non bias person. She will do a grate job in what post she is appointed to. Great choice.
we do not need a veteran we need a grizzly bear.
I think Former Alaska Gov. Palin would be a very good choice Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Even though Palin would be the 1st non-veteran to hold the post. It is time to make big changes in the way our government has been running for decades.
Sarah is a devoted Republican and very smart Lady, not much she can’t handle.
E.G.Alexander
Now that’s funny, Mr. Alexander.
She would be awesome. A highly respected, capable, and proven leader. I hope she is the pick.
I AM FOR GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN !
I think Gov. Palin would make an excellent choice for secretary of the VA. It doesn’t have to be a veteran, it needs to be someone with management experience and as governor of Alaska you can’t get much better at managing than that. Still, she would have a daunting task ahead of her, getting rid of all and I mean ALL the dead weight, and replacing them or most of them with folks who will do the job and not waste time and vets lives in the process.
Which ever position President elect Trump chooses her for I’m sure she will do him proud. I am so glad that we will have a president who once again will be a friend to we veterans and the military as well as Israel. Our current POTUS would rather see Israel sink rather than lift a finger to help. Even then only because decorum demanded it.
Sarah Palin has stirred up a lot of controversy since She came on seen in Alaska. Not knowing much of her back ground other than that, I was very impressed at what she did for the People of that State. She really did clean house and sent all the bad guys and their cohorts running or to jail. For some reason, again I do not understand why, Women, in general, don’t like her. I feel I have missed something, or maybe I can’t stand such gossip about her, being spread.
What ever position she is asked to do, she will be exceptional at. She will perform as well as anyone at the VA position and possibly by being somewhat new to Her she will do even better than say a retired Vet.
She would have made a 100 times better Woman President than Hilda Beast. She loves America and would give herself to this Country completely. The Veterans will be well taken care of with her in the VA Secretary position.
One more thing,,, I do not think she can be bought by a lobbyist, She has more respect for herself and Country to sell herself out such as a Hilda Beast would.
Governor Palin is a good choice and she will do a great job. She is a patriot and respects our service personnel, and is loyal to the president.
NO NOT Palin.. Should be a veteran and someone loyal to President Elect Trump – she goes off at the mouth much too often and says nothing of any value.
I’m a woman and I like what I have seen of her and respect what she has accomplished.
Do women in general really not like her?
I’m a woman and I like her and respect what she has accomplished. Do women in general really not like her?
I agree with Bill Sec of the VA no Sec of interior perfect!
I like Palin and with the bodies molding in a room that are dead at VA in CO. She could do better then any man in that post as they are doing nothing to help the vets.
Best veteran for the job is: COL. ALLEN WEST (Ret).
I am sure you ALL know he is a patriot and took care of his men in service. If you don’t remember him, just remember he said he would walk through Hell with a gasoline can for his men! (He got his men back, too.) You don’t get any better than that! So why don’t all ya’ll suggest our next president appoint Col. West to head the VA.
She would be great. But whomever he picks please not Jeff Miller from Florida, he was Chairman of the House Comittee on Veterans Affairs and you see what a mess the VA still is.
I think she needs a chance to prove herself. If she can’t do the job replace her. She is exactly what we need in the VA Administration a can do person who isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers, and give precise direction to the VA. GIVE HER A CHANCE!
I am a veteran of 21 1/2 years. I don’t want to see the VA go. We need to keep the Va and not put it into the public medical care system. The medications that I have to take the doctors around here where I live won’t give them out. It would be a big mistake to take the VA way and privatize it. I as a veterans don’t like this idea.
Keep the VA they have the best doctors, all that needs to be done is hire more doctors and pay them what they are worth and if they don’t do there jobs fire them. I like the VA myself, we need to keep the VA.
I am strongly AGAINST Sarah Palin having any position in President elect Donald Trumps Cabinet. She has nothing going for her, no intelligence, and no idea how to speak in public. I will say, my favorite quote of hers is when she claimed she could see Russia from her front porch.
Of course she could handle the job and do an excellent job of it. Look what she did for Alaska.
I think Sara & her new son n law has loyalty problems
Dear Sara,
PEPOTUS is not offering up Cronie capitalism. You should take a math lesson. $750 per employee is less that
Unemployment tax.
Yes, she would be a great asset to the VA, however I think she would really excel as Dept. of Interior Director. She knows Mining better that most miners, and Oil Drilling would be expanded and done safely. She knows what she is doing and is fair but tough.
That is the last person we need to run the VA. Can’t hold a job for more than two (2) years
Hearing her talk is like finger nails on a chalk board. Let some one from the military run
the show
PLEASE…NOT SARAH PALIN. Especially after her recent criticism of Trump. We need a strong, principled, experienced military man in that position. Particularly one who is a vet and has closely followed what is going on with veterans. How about Pete Hegseth, who joined the network in 2014 and currently serves as a contributor for FOX News Channel (FNC), providing analysis and commentary across FNC’s daytime and primetime programming. He also serves as CEO of Concerned Veterans for America.
Prior to joining FNC, Hegseth was an infantry Captain in the Army National Guard, and has served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. He holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge for his time in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hegseth has a bachelor’s degree in politics from Princeton University and master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
I agree Pete Hegseth is the best of the best.
I think she has the ability and the toughness to handle any job she is given. If she’s chosen for the VA, as a 30 year veteran I’ll cheerlead for her every step of the way. Give’m hell Sarah.
She was governor of Alaska . She didn’t do full term she bailed . So NO on any appointment she may bail. Also she took Alaskans money and gave to oil co. Now oil company’s are asking Alaskans to pay to get oil back. She made a mess of that transaction so not only No but H No
Gov Palin was well acquainted with veterans when our governor. She was over the State guard and also kept up on the active duty members., She personally knew when units returned from deployment and drove herself to the airport to welcome them home in person!! Most of the comments were made from hearsay and without actual factual info. She would be great at any position offered to her.
I believe Sarah Palin would serve well In any position if he chooses to place her. I agree that as a good candidate for President, she would run circles around our last woman candidate. At least Mrs Palin loves this country is not in it for the glory, but because she truly loves America. Either position would be handled well by her.
Sarah Palin is clearly far superior to RINO Scott Brown! She is a stellar conservative! The liberal media has been trying to defame her for years, to keep her out of public office! Her son is a Vet and her son-in-law is a Medal of Honor recipient! Don’t you think she’ll listen to them and represent them well? RINO Brown is too selfish to represent anyone but himself. He epitomizes the swamp!
Yes I think she would make a great Secretary of the VA.
Nothing against Palin but the VA needs someone with a proven record of caring about our veterans and people in uniform. We need someone like the former head of the NCOA, someone like H. Gene Overstreet.
Go get em Sarah ! What we don’t need is a Military mind involved in trying to fix the VA. Military leaders are taught how to lead troops in combat not managers of large entity the VA is in every state in the USA. Sarah Plain has a track record that most military members would not know where to start and I think that has already been proven. I am a 80% disabled veteran with 26 years of service with 30 months in Vietnam.
I agree with most that Sarah would do a great job if appointed.