Palin and Trump: An Alliance of Ineptitude

COMMENTARY | So you have a credibility issue with the American people. Who would you choose to spend your time with? How about the host of a reality television show who was laughed off America's political stage? Sarah Palin may draw media attention, but her actions leave the public wondering if she ever wants to draw votes.

Let's not rehash Palin's past errors. We know the story: Palin is seen by the public as a political novice incapable of grasping issues. It is interesting that she is choosing to tour historical sites on her current "One Nation" bus tour, which may highlight her past historical ineptitude. What is more puzzling is Palin's decision to meet with falling star Donald Trump. Palin stopped at Trump's penthouse in Manhattan on the third day of her tour. The Associated Press reports the meeting turned into a political pep rally as both Trump and Palin showered each other with praise. Palin even went as far as to say that she and "The Apprentice" host share a similar world view.

"What do we have in common? Our love for this country, a desire to see our economy put back on the right track," Palin told reporters, according to the Los Angeles Times. "To have a balanced trade arrangement with other countries across this world so Americans can have our jobs, our industries, our manufacturing again. And exploiting responsibly our natural resources. We can do that again if we make good decisions."

It seems like political foolery for Palin to ally herself with Trump, especially now. Just before Trump decided to back out of the GOP presidential field, his poll numbers had plummeted. According to Public Policy Polling Trump's place among Republicans fell from 26 percent in April to 8 percent in May. Broad policy statements also hurt Trump. Here is an excerpt from an interview with Fox News' Bill O'Reilly regarding the Iraq War:

TRUMP: "You've got to stay and keep the oil."

O'REILLY: "You're going to be -- you're going to be in office, Iran comes in, tries to take the oil. What do you do?"

TRUMP: "Bill, Bill, you stay and you keep the oil. If Iran is going to take over the oil, we stay and we keep the oil."

What "keep the oil" even means is beyond any person who understands the complexity of foreign policy, which makes it more astounding that Palin would admit she shares Trump's world view. Many will speculate that Palin's meeting with "The Donald" is a publicity stunt, an endeavor undertaken to draw more attention to Palin's $12 million empire. For her sake, let's hope they are right.