Sarah Palin endorses Donald Trump’s GOP debate, says Mitt Romney should participate

From NY Daily News: Sarah Palin endorses Donald Trump’s GOP debate, says Mitt Romney should participate
Sarah Palin is not running for President, but she has some pointed advice for those who are seeking the GOP nomination: Don’t fear The Donald.

Palin says Mitt Romney and other GOP candidates should jump at the chance to participate in Trump’s Dec. 27 debate.

So far, only Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have committed to the debate, with Romney telling Fox News earlier this week that he won't do it because he has already agreed to two debates in December.

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and Texas Rep. Ron Paul also have declined, with Paul even telling CNN, "I didn't realize [Trump] had the ability to lay on hands and anoint people."

Palin believes the criticism is unfounded, and that the debate will be a great platform for candidates to express their views.

"I think candidates should not be afraid in front of the nation no matter who the host of the debate is," Palin told the Fox Business Network on Wednesday night. "What is a bit appealing about this idea of Trump hosting a debate is, consider the diverse audience that perhaps he can attract."

Romney, behind Gingrich in recent polls, is missing a big opportunity by skipping the Trump debate, Palin says. Donald Trump - and Gingrich - have also questioned Romney for not participating.

"I think Romney could and should still change his mind and Huntsman too and jump in there and participate," Palin told Fox Business News.

Palin, not surprisingly, said she would have participated in the debate if she was running for the White House.

"America needs to wake up to what is going on under Obama's socialist policies and how he will bankrupt the country," she told Fox Business News. "I'm looking at the debate as a positive thing because of that fact."

Palin, who flirted with the idea of running for President, has yet to endorse a candidate. However, she praised Gingrich to Fox, saying he has "been a bit more successful" than Romney in courting party activists.