Carly Fiorina: Palin couldn’t have done my job — and neither could Obama; Update: Neither could McCain, adds Fiorina
posted at 2:35 pm on September 16, 2008 by Allahpundit
As always when a conservative says something soundbite-worthy, there’s the full, accurate quote and there’s the bowdlerized version generated for mass consumption by the left. See Marc Ambinder for an example of the latter and HuffPo, surprisingly, for an example of the former. Not the first time lately they’ve resisted the temptation to distort.
We’re supposed to wet our pants over this, I guess, based on the theory that if you’re not ready for one of the world’s biggest management jobs then logically you can’t be ready for the very biggest. Maybe that’s true. In that case, is Joe Biden ready to step in and reorganize Lehman Bros.? Let’s let him have a go at it, to see how “qualified” he is to be president. How about drafting The One to run Microsoft? His first act could be canceling those Seinfeld commercials. The irony is, if Romney had been the VP pick, all we’d be hearing now is how running a business is completely different from running a government so surely success in the private sector shouldn’t count when weighing one’s vote.
Even so, she’s having herself a big week, isn’t she? Click the image to listen.
Update: It’s vacation time for Carly.
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Most of the people in DC could not be an effective CEO. THis is not news.
Elizabetty on September 16, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Ugh. First Compaq/HP, now the McCain campaign.
Hannibal Smith on September 16, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Carly Fiorina: Palin couldn’t have done my job — and neither could Obama
Yes Carly you are right. It takes a special person to destroy a once great company like HP.
Drill_Thrawl on September 16, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Carly Fiorina
Who are you, again?
How do you matter?
Mazztek on September 16, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Neither did Carly, which was why she was unceremoniously kicked to the curb by HP.
Fletch54 on September 16, 2008 at 2:40 PM
If you ask HP’s board of directors, she couldn’t do her job either….
liquidflorian on September 16, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Steve Schmidt needs boot these people back into shape. McCain campaign is losing the message these past few days.
lodge on September 16, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Would someone shut this idiot up already?
She ran HP into the ground and now she’s out talking stupid on McCain/ Palin’s behalf.
Where is the closet that they stuffed Michelle Obama into? Carly should be crammed in there and let the two of them argue until after the election.
Damiano on September 16, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Does she mean that Palin couldn’t f*ck up a company like she did? Okay, I agree!
Ian on September 16, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Now, someone tell me what president has run a major corporation like HP?
None, the qualifications are infinitely different. Which is why Romney was not any more qualified with his business experience then McCain.
Which candidate can dress a moose…or just one so I guess she is qualified.
The president does not run a company…sheesh.
right2bright on September 16, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Uh. What is wrong with McCain’s camp this week? Seriously.
lorien1973 on September 16, 2008 at 2:40 PM
There’s a reason why businesspeople shouldn’t go into politics.
Illinidiva on September 16, 2008 at 2:40 PM
News flash, Carly. You didn’t do so good yourself.
tomk59 on September 16, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Exactly and we would also be hearing how many houses he has.
As for Fiorina, she’s been so off-message lately its hard to see why she was mentioned in the Veepstakes.
tdavisjr on September 16, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Sometimes your own best friends can be your worst enemies. What a stupid thing to say.
coyoterex on September 16, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I thnk she was dreaming of a White House VP slot and now is getting snotty.
A woman scorned
William Amos on September 16, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Enough! If McCain wants trot out a business executive, run out Mitt. He’s much more capable and much better with an adversarial press. Enough of this woman.
Spirit of 1776 on September 16, 2008 at 2:41 PM
This woman is a walking disaster for the McCain campaign.
Vacation, indeed.
Editor on September 16, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Ha. Someone needs to at least let her know that campaign surrogates are supposed to help the campaign, not create distracting headlines.
Wasn’t she on McCain’s short list?
Hell hath no fury…
Slublog on September 16, 2008 at 2:41 PM
NOT. HELPFUL.
BadgerHawk on September 16, 2008 at 2:42 PM
An update from HuffoPo.
Esthier on September 16, 2008 at 2:42 PM
She’s supposed to be helping, right? Yeah, this isn’t helping.
CP on September 16, 2008 at 2:42 PM
I listened to the soundbite and it was clear what Fiorina was saying. Her mistake lay in the manner in which she responded: she should have prefaced her answer to the utterly misleading question by indicating that Palin is NOT running for CEO of Hewlitt-Packard – which is an entirely different ball of wax from VPOTUS.
Once burned,twice shy – she won’t make this mistake again.
ManlyRash on September 16, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Well, hell. McCain may as well endorse the group of 10′s compromise now. Completely destroy their message.
Why half ass it guys?
lorien1973 on September 16, 2008 at 2:42 PM
She needs to take a break from the campaign to spend more time with her family. Thank you Carly for your help but we won’t be needing you anymore down at HQ. When the phone doesn’t ring you’ll know it’s the McCain Campaign calling for your continued “help”.
BrianBoru on September 16, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Fiorina will forever carry the moniker of being the woman who almost single-handedly brought down a major corporation and somehow got away with it.
pilamaye on September 16, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Did any of the commenters above actually LISTEN to the soundbite? Before you trash Carly, at least hear out the evidence. Sheesh.
ManlyRash on September 16, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Still, this is not a good way to answer the question. Maybe her ego got too much in the way.
evenfarer on September 16, 2008 at 2:43 PM
This woman’s ego is out of control.
CanadianGuy on September 16, 2008 at 2:43 PM
But then Carly, neither could you.
Fred 2 on September 16, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Where are all the folks who were arguing against Palin and saying we should pick this genius?!?!?!?!
D0WNT0WN on September 16, 2008 at 2:44 PM
It’s how it’ll be chopped. Not what she said. This is a commercial just waiting to be made.
lorien1973 on September 16, 2008 at 2:44 PM
There is a REASON she got FIRED.
She’s an egotistical bitch. Get the HOOK!
Kempermanx on September 16, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Fiorina has never been an asset to the campaign, her tenure at HP was not viewed as positive and she is a gaffe machine. Time to toss her aside. I also agree that McCain is not capitalizing on opportunities out there to contrast himself with the Dems in the past few days, time to get back on message. The Fannie, Freddie thing is tailor made and it would make him look like he understands something about the financial crisis. If he kicks in with the gang of 20 though, I am done with him.
echosyst on September 16, 2008 at 2:45 PM
She answered the question like a business person – not a politician.
ManlyRash on September 16, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Did any of the commenters above actually LISTEN to the soundbite? Before you trash Carly, at least hear out the evidence. Sheesh.
ManlyRash on September 16, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Yes – and, yes, I understand her point, but her answer was horrendous for campaigning. No one is asking her to lie. Just to have better answers. Lead with the, “She’s not running to be the CEO of a large private corporation” line.
Editor on September 16, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Yes. And, so what? What she says is both not-helpful & arrogant.
Spirit of 1776 on September 16, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Yes. And this is a presidential campaign, not a shareholders’ meeting. Actually, she answered the question with someone with an out of control ego.
CanadianGuy on September 16, 2008 at 2:47 PM
She answered the question like a business person – not a politician.
ManlyRash on September 16, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Bingo.
Editor on September 16, 2008 at 2:47 PM
and neither could Carly. Sorry Carly.
RedWinged Blackbird on September 16, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Looks like she could use a good tan.
a capella on September 16, 2008 at 2:48 PM
I am actually shocked she didn’t lead with, “That’s a sexist question.”
Editor on September 16, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Sound bite media. Why is that so hard for the McCain camp to understand this week?
They completely dominated the news cycle for two weeks, now all of a sudden a 7 day clusterfark. Come on! Back on message.
BadgerHawk on September 16, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Carly must be getting jealous of Jamie Gorelick’s achievements. Carly has only destroyed one company, but Jamie has done a couple, and almost a country to boot.
drunyan8315 on September 16, 2008 at 2:48 PM
and Carly Fiorina couldn’t hold a candle to Scott McClellan and his former job(which is sad) given this idiotic political statement.
she also couldn’t spend years as a Vietnamese POW camp
or shoot out 5 Babies while becoming Governor at age 42 like Palin, kill moose and shoot machine guns
jp on September 16, 2008 at 2:49 PM
I have some saving grace hope, though. That in the background Sarah is saying, “Can her, now.”
Editor on September 16, 2008 at 2:49 PM
But did so as a surrogate for the McCain campaign. At least perceived as such.
evenfarer on September 16, 2008 at 2:50 PM
I listened to it and I’ve come to the conclusion that Carly deserves some trashing. Her McCain surrogate days are hopefully now at an end. Just as Wall St is imploding and McCain’s bounce is ending we need all hands on deck. We don’t need asinine comments from our side that end up hurting McCain.
BrianBoru on September 16, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Oh god, enough already.
Priscilla on September 16, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Apparently she should have been on the short bus, not the short list.
mwdiver on September 16, 2008 at 2:51 PM
I saw Carly speak at a management conference I attended. I thought she did well, and gained a new respect for her.
Not sure what all the hubbub is here. Her comment seems innocuous.
Is it just me, or is the skin getting thinner around here?
connertown on September 16, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Exactly. No matter what she meant, we don’t need our own version of ‘lipstick’ to distract us for two days. Get control of the message.
BadgerHawk on September 16, 2008 at 2:51 PM
What a dumb f*king question.
wise_man on September 16, 2008 at 2:52 PM
This is an election where every soundbite about McCain’s readiness on the economy will get played, even though we’ve seen absolutely zero evidence that Obama is any more prepared. If she can’t answer questions like a politician, she shouldn’t be acting as a surrogate for one in a national election.
amerpundit on September 16, 2008 at 2:52 PM
I agree, Editor. I realize that she is prone to gaffes because of her lack of public/political experience and I also realize that she nearly tanked HP, but geez, people – she is on OUR side.
Let’s not start turning into cannibals, okay?
ManlyRash on September 16, 2008 at 2:52 PM
I think she was just being honest. What kind of experience do any of the candidates, Obama, Biden, McCain and Palin, have in running a business anyway?
I can see HP picking either campaign manager, but why any of the candidates?
Esthier on September 16, 2008 at 2:52 PM
And stupid.
Drill_Thrawl on September 16, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Hi, Carly!
CanadianGuy on September 16, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve called HP to find that their customer support is less knowledgeable than the user that I’m installing their products for.
Not only that but I’ve noted a 38% out of box failure rate for new, unopened items from HP. Plus Compaqs have always had the absolute most worthless substandard materials.
So perhaps Palin can’t run HP, but that isn’t saying much noting HP’s reputation for pushing crap that can’t handle the workload that it promises.
leetpriest on September 16, 2008 at 2:54 PM
You can’t have someone out on the trail unintentionall helping destroy your campaign via soundbites because she’s one of your own.
amerpundit on September 16, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Has Barack ever held what most people would qualify as a “real job”?
The Senate is supposed to be the place they send you when you’ve proved yourself, not a place to launch a Presidential campaign.
NoDonkey on September 16, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Fine. Have her be on OUR side not in front of a camera or a microphone.
Spirit of 1776 on September 16, 2008 at 2:55 PM
I listened to the whole thing and its not as bad as it could be, but she still needs to go away. I wouldn’t be patting myself on the back if I were her.
ctmom on September 16, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Throw her out immediately, like they did at HP.
marklmail on September 16, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Maybe she shouldn’t, but that’s not exactly her fault is it?
McCain made a bad decision here. Hopefully he can unmake it.
Esthier on September 16, 2008 at 2:56 PM
I think you’re right. But the stakes are high, can’t blame us^^.
evenfarer on September 16, 2008 at 2:57 PM
College professors and professional politicians have no clue what it means to get out in the real world and deal with issues, but at least college professors actually have to produce some sort of work, if not just showing up hungover.
Hening on September 16, 2008 at 2:57 PM
ManlyRash, I’ve got to disagree with you on this one. Any idiot on earth could see that it was a loaded, irrelevant question. Carly walked right into it with the worst possible answer… twice.
Besides being a stupid answer, it’s also inaccurate- Palin was a business owner and ran a successful company. Granted, it wasn’t a multinational corporation like HP… but then, who is Carly to talk? She was a pathetic CEO who single handedly ran HP into the ground after decades of it being a top notch, quality company with excellent products. Every instinct she had and call she made was wrong. She took HP from being possibly being the best hardware manufacturer in the market, especially in printers, to producing crap from imported parts.
There is a reason that she’s not there anymore and it doen’t have anything to do with her being a hack campaign spokesperson.
Damiano on September 16, 2008 at 2:58 PM
The campaign’s strategy side is strong, but the communications is off the rails. Putting Carly out there throwing sexism bombs around has been stupid, putting McCain on The View was stupid and putting Palin on with Katie Couric is stupid.
CanadianGuy on September 16, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Carly Fiorina is McCain camp’s link to Clinton camp. She is doing her intended job spectacularly.
Proof: John McCain to address the Clinton Global Initiative in person (on president Clinton’s invitation),
Obama via satellite.
Anita on September 16, 2008 at 2:59 PM
You guys are quick. Yes, she is a looser and I knew this would inevitably reflect badly on McCain. Not that he needs it. Cripes, the guy can’t even defend the Constitution against Whoopie.
HelenW on September 16, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Shouldn’t a gaffe be based on what the person actually says rather than on what can be edited from what that person says?
PackerBronco on September 16, 2008 at 3:00 PM
It’s a gaffe and don’t blame the editing.
CanadianGuy on September 16, 2008 at 3:02 PM
2 days and 3 interviews in a row, she’s gone on record with the stupidest soundbytes imaginable. 2 of them were even in response to the same question. Seriously, how does any idiot respond to the pit they’ve dug themselves by digging it deeper and throwing in John McCain.
Here’s a clue Carly- you couldn’t do your job either. Next time someone asks that question, that is your answer.
Idiot.
Damiano on September 16, 2008 at 3:02 PM
If he’s president, he won’t need to defend the constitution against whoopie to do his job well.
wise_man on September 16, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Woman scorned. (Yes, it’s sexist. No, I don’t care.)
Tommygun on September 16, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Friendly fire, no! Aim at the other guys.
koolbrease on September 16, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Carly Fiorina couldn’t do Carly Fiorina’s job at HP. That’s why she’s not there anymore. It’s looking like Carly Fiorina can’t do Carly Fiorina’s job in the campaign either……
Right-brained on September 16, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Carly is trying to show she has bigger balls than Sarah.
csdeven on September 16, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Fiorina didn’t have the skill to do her job well. Did she mention that?
Somehow I can’t imagine Palin would have turned all the service and support functions over to India, which has created a flood of Indian families moving to the US and actually being given jobs that Americans would like to do, but don’t get their resumes read by the law firms that shill for the Indians
Hening on September 16, 2008 at 3:05 PM
If we can’t criticize our own, then be BECOME the other guys.
Damiano on September 16, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Isn’t that the truth. His grasp of Constitutionalism certainly isn’t a strong point on his resume, by any measure.
The McCain camp just needs to let Mitt, Fred, Rudy do the talking and keep the deep thinkers like Fiorina behind the scenes.
Spirit of 1776 on September 16, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Carly Fiorina couldn’t do my job but I could have run HP into the ground in half the time and saved the company a ton of cash.
ronsfi on September 16, 2008 at 3:05 PM
At least she was speaking off the cuff. Someone let John McCain say that the fundamentals of the economy were strong – YESTERDAY.
Even if that were true, it’s dumb politics.
YYZ on September 16, 2008 at 3:06 PM
If we can’t criticize our own, then
bewe BECOME the other guys.Damiano on September 16, 2008 at 3:05 PM
oops.
Damiano on September 16, 2008 at 3:06 PM
I worked at HP for many years, two levels under Fiorina when she came on board. I met her on two occasions. Palin could certainly do no worse than Fiorina and probably better given her greater reserve of common sense. Fiorina’s problem was an over-abundance of self-delusion that she knew it all and that she had something to prove as a woman. That is not a good mix. It is not that she is not smart, she is, but she didn’t have a clue what HP was about and where to take it. The Compaq deal was her big, showy move that made no sense other than to pad her resume and make headlines. But it was an airhead move. I worked on the Compaq merger and from day one that was a yawn at best and at worst an exercise in adding to the waistline of the company.
DrDeano on September 16, 2008 at 3:07 PM
ROFL
Right-brained on September 16, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Of course none of the candidates can run a high-tech company. They are not experts in the high-tech. industry.
Palin, McCain, Obama and Biden are politicians. Fiorina was not chosen because she is NOT a politician. Her gaffe confirms why she would be a poor politician and why she should not have been picked veep.
A vacation for her would probably be prudent at this time.
Sapwolf on September 16, 2008 at 3:08 PM
As they say over at Ace’s, I’d do her.
Sexist!
Kempermanx on September 16, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Scary thing is, Fiorina’s undoubtedly bucking for a Cabinet position in a McCain administration.
Be afraid, be very afraid.
Dagnar on September 16, 2008 at 3:09 PM
It isn’t really her fault. She’s a businesswoman (some would argue over that) who’s apparently not politically brilliant. She shouldn’t be talking for the campaign.
Has anyone seen Steve Forbes lately?
amerpundit on September 16, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Unfortunately for Everyone she has worked for, Carly couldn’t do her job either.
Carly isn’t a conservative. Never was, never will be.
She is a Mavericky Opportuinist with delusions of competence.
LegendHasIt on September 16, 2008 at 3:10 PM
By the way, I’m going on the record to say that Sarah Palin COULD run a large corporation.
My gawd – she got the largest infrastructure project in North American history off the ground.
Editor on September 16, 2008 at 3:10 PM
I disagree with this one. That was the RIGHT thing for McCain to say, because it’s true. Focus on the facts, keep perspective and address the problems in a positive and decisive manner. McCain was spot on.
Obama blabs about HOPE, then immediately moves on to talk about how everything is ruined, everyone is corrupt, the world is out to get you and the only answer to this bigoted society is to crucify everyone who makes more money than you, regardless of guilt or innocence. Same with his wife.
The only thing a President can do with stuff like this in maintain optimism. That sounds silly, but at the end of the day, optimism and pessimism are the ONLY things that drive the stock market.
McCain did it, Obama focused on doom an gloom.
Damiano on September 16, 2008 at 3:11 PM
She might get pissed and quit for being called a Secretary though….
Right-brained on September 16, 2008 at 3:12 PM
With Obama chipping away at McCain’s convention bump, this ought to just about put a nail in it.
That woman is a fool.
csdeven on September 16, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Didn’t that bitch get fired from HP?
lionheart on September 16, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Those commercials are selling Microsoft?
I thought they might be for shoes or something. I was never sure.
SteakRules on September 16, 2008 at 3:14 PM
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