Tipsheet

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: The Palin/Clinton Mutual Admiration Society

 

... They don't agree on philosophy, but it appears that Sarah Palin and the Clintons at least respect each other's political skills and accomplishments.

In her recent interview with Sean Hannity, Sarah Palin had this to say about Hillary Clinton:

"I think Senator Clinton had shown a lot of determination and stick-to-itiveness in her campaigns and I have to respect that. I don't have to agree with all that she tried to push through and parts of her agenda. In fact, I don't agree with all of it.  But there are some things that Hillary Clinton did that nobody can take away from her. And that is the 18 million cracks that she put there in that highest and hardest glass ceiling in America's political scene. She was able to affect that and I respect that."

... And then yesterday, Bill Clinton had this to say about Sarah Palin:

"She's an instinctively effective candidate and with a compelling story," Mr Clinton said in an interview with CNBC.
 
"I think it was exciting to some that she was a woman," said Mr Clinton.
 
"I think she, I get why she's done so well. It's a mistake to underestimate her. She's got good intuitive skills. They're significant."

A few thoughts on this ...

I find it interesting that both these positive comments essentially mirrored each other, and also that they became public on the same day.

It is encouraging -- at this point in the campaign, especially -- to see people who disagree on political philosophy saying something nice about each other.  It's also telling that it was Bill -- not Hillary -- who had the kind words (my guess is that Bill can get away with it, while it would be viewed as aiding and abetting the enemy if Hillary did it.)

Lastly, for obvious reasons, this is probably not terribly good news for Barack Obama.