Some conservatives express Palin doubts

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Some leading conservatives are being assailed by their peers for questioning Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's qualifications.

A disjointed interview with CBS News last week and growing doubts about her grasp of important issues have led some conservative columnists, such as George Will and David Brooks, to criticize the judgment of GOP nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona in tapping the Alaska governor as his running mate, The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

Meanwhile, other conservative writers as such Kathleen Parker, a former Palin supporter, and Kathryn Jean Lopez, writing for the conservative National Review, are calling for Palin to step down as the GOP vice presidential nominee, Politico reported.

But other conservatives remain ardent in their support for Palin, accusing the columnists of elitism. She has retained considerable support among rank-and-file Republicans, drawing huge crowds and attracting contributions for the McCain campaign, they note.

Radio and television personality Laura Ingraham chastised Brooks and the other "elitists," saying, "the people (taken as a whole) are often wiser and more prudent than the elites," the Times reported.