Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is stepping into the debate concerning allegations that former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky showered with young boys, sexually assaulting a number of them.
Speaking on Fox News, the Alaska Republican took a swipe at the former Penn State coach.
“Hang him from the highest tree. I’ll bring the rope,” Ms. Palin said, responding to a question on the topic.
Asked if she supported prosecuting the Penn State coach,Palin repeated what she said and added Sandusky should be “punished to the fullest extent of the law if he is truly guilty.”
“It’s not the players’ fault that they have a perverted former assistant coach,” she added. “I would like to see the players not suffer more than they have suffered.”
In an interview with Bob Costas, Sandusky, once considered the heir apparent to coaching legend Joe Paterno, proclaimed his innocence in the face of a series of startling allegations detailed in a grand jury report issued last week.
“I am innocent of those charges,” Sandusky said. “… I could say that I have done some of those things. I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them, and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact.”
Palin announced earlier this year that she would not seek the Republican presidential nomination. The former Alaska governor was considering entering the 2012, however, she said in a statement that she would be more effective outside of the confines of a campaign.
