Palin: GOP Needs ‘Steel Spine’ on Budget

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who is contemplating a 2012 presidential run, says her decision will depend on whether a GOP candidate who enters the race can tackle the nation’s massive problems. Palin Thursday also told Fox News’ Sean Hannity the Republican Party needs to have a “steel spine,” when battling the Democrats on budget cuts.

“I am still contemplating it, since it is such a huge, life-changing decision to be made,” Palin said. “But, there are some extremely, extremely difficult situations that our country is facing today.

“And unless I have the confidence that we have a GOP candidate who is out there willing to tackle these issues ... unless I am confident that there is a GOP candidate who can tackle these things, and provide solutions, then seriously I’ll continue to think about it, and offer myself up in the name of service,” Palin said.

“I tell you Sean, national security issues, and an impending, self-imposed energy crisis that is looming, and the fiscal crisis we face – because of a $14 trillion debt – those are the things that are going to bring America to her knees,” she said. “So we certainly need the strong, tough, smart leadership that hopefully a GOP candidate can bring.”

Hannity asked if that means Palin will wait to see if there is someone who can to a better job than she can.

“Thinking along those lines is unconventional for me, because I’ve never waited for anybody else to line up and then I jump in at the end,” Palin said. “In fact, in my races over the last 20 years, I’ve usually been the first one to jump in. But in this case, because it is so monumental and so affecting on the family, I probably would wait to see who is willing to put their name forward in the hat, in terms of serving this country.”

Hannity then asked what Palin thought of the way Republicans were handling discussions on 2011 fiscal year spending and on the 2012 budget.

“I am kind of embarrassed for some of the GOP, for them to be assuming that the American public believes that this is a serious discussion, when we are talking only about $54 billion in cuts that they have on the table,” Palin said. “We need to be looking more along the lines of a [Kentucky Sen.] Rand Paul $500 billion cut – and granted that is more long-term than just these continuing resolutions, and the cuts that we need to make there just to sustain our government.

“We need much greater cuts – and a more pro-growth development, pro-industry agenda – being plugged into these budgets,” she said. “They need to be bold and strong, and they need a steel spine. They need to keep Americans believing that the GOP principles will be able to be those things – when they’re plugged in appropriately – to get the economy on the right track.

“We are going to lose faith in the party, if we just take these little, tiny baby steps – and if that takes a fight, then hopefully the GOP leadership is willing to fight for America’s future.”