RNC Chaiman Steele: Give Sarah Palin a break

RNC chairman Michael Steele came to Sarah Palin's defense in an appearance on MSNBC today, where he told the media to "give the woman a break." Steele was grilled by partisan liberal Democrat Andrea Mitchell, and the topic of discussion turned to Sarah Palin at about the 7:25 mark in the video clip below:

"She's someone who's going to be a part of our political future as a party and that's a good thing," Steele told MSNBC. "I'm excited about it."

When Mitchell rather disdainfully pointed out that Palin "did quit as governor" Steele responded:

"I thought it was a smart move for her to make so she can focus on the future and let Alaska focus on its future without her leadership being a distraction to the good people of the state." 

The chairman expressed his confidence in the qualifications of his party's 2008 vice presidential candidate to run again for national office:

"I'm still mystified by the fact that people look at this woman who was a successful mayor, a successul energy person for Alaska, a successful governor, and they think she doesn't have the gravitas to do it."

Steele also lambasted the media for its treatment of Palin:

"Give the woman a break. She's been under an enoromous amount of scrutiny. The disrespect shown to her I don't think we've evern seen in politics before, certainly for a female candidate. And I think people need to check themselves when it comes to Sarah Palin."

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

h/t: The Hill's Blog Briefing Room

- JP