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Sarah Palin congratulates Kamala Harris for being third woman on vice presidential ticket as she tells her to 'trust no one new'

Complaint: Mrs Palin called Martin Bashir's comments "appalling"
Complaint: Mrs Palin called Martin Bashir's comments "appalling"

Former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has congratulated Kamala Harris on being selected as Joe Biden's running mate and urged her to "trust no one new" in a string of tips on how to succeed.

Mr Biden announced on Tuesday that he had chosen the Californian Senator as his Democratic VP candidate, making her the third woman in history - and the first Black woman - to compete on a major party's presidential ticket.

After the news was announced, Ms Palin - who became the second woman in US history to be added to the presidential ticket when she was John McCain's running mate in 2008 - took to Instagram to offer advice.

"Congrats," Ms Palin wrote in an Instagram post. "Climb upon Geraldine Ferraro's and my shoulders, and from the most amazing view in your life consider lessons we learned." Democrat Ferraro ran with Walter Mondale in 1984.

Kamala Harris will be Joe Biden's running mate (REUTERS)
Kamala Harris will be Joe Biden's running mate (REUTERS)

Ms Palin's post also urged Ms Harris to "trust no one new" and "fight mightily to keep your own team with you", with warnings to not "get muzzled" or "forget the women who came before you."

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Congrats to the democrat VP pick 🇺🇸 Climb upon Geraldine Ferraro’s and my shoulders, and from the most amazing view in your life consider lessons we learned: 1) out of the chute trust no one new; 2) fight mightily to keep your own team with you - they know you, know your voice, and most importantly are trustworthy; 3) don’t get muzzled - connect with media and voters in your own unique way. Some yahoos running campaigns will suffocate you with their own self-centered agenda so remember YOU were chosen for who YOU are. So stay connected with America as you smile and ignore deceptive “handlers” trying to change you; 4) some fun terms you may learn: “OTR” - an orchestrated campaign stop that’s meant to look un-orchestrated where you “normalize” in front of voters. (I’d remembered not packing my running shoes, they turned it into a whole campaign stop with media detailing my every move trying on shoes.) OTR’s get bizarre (try eating in front of vultures looking for the “gotcha” shot!) but my team made OTR’s the second most fun thing! “Ropeline”: thee MOST fun thing! Every single handshake and holler and hug and smile melted my heart, energized my soul, and gave me the utmost hope in the greatest country on earth! The ropeline is often the only way to literally touch those whom you wish to serve, so be sincere in looking in their eyes, understanding why they’re there, never forgetting they represent the innumerable Americans putting their trust in you to serve for the right reasons. It’s who and what they represent that is all that matters! 5) don’t forget the women who came before you; 6) have fun! This IS the greatest country in the world and hopefully you’ll be blessed beyond belief, like I was, with meeting new people from all walks of life and see just how great it is! 🇺🇸 more to come... including one of the funniest things in my life, right before my debate with Sen. Joe Biden... stay tuned! - Sarah Palin

A post shared by Sarah Palin (@sarahpalin97) on Aug 11, 2020 at 2:16pm PDT

She also called campaign aides "yahoos", warning they can "suffocate you with their own self-centred agenda". The former Alaska governor also warned Ms Harris to "stay connected with America as you smile and ignore deceptive 'handlers' trying to change you."

Ms Harris, 55, who is also of South Asian descent, is one of the party's most prominent figures. She quickly became a top contender for vice-president after her own White House campaign ended.

She will appear with Mr Biden for the first time as his running mate at an event Wednesday near his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

Sarah Palin, left, ran with John McCain, right, in 2008 (AFP/Getty Images)
Sarah Palin, left, ran with John McCain, right, in 2008 (AFP/Getty Images)

In announcing the pick Tuesday, Mr Biden called Harris a "fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country's finest public servants."

She, in turn, said Mr Biden would "unify the American people" and "build an America that lives up to our ideals."

Mr McCain and Ms Palin were defeated in 2008 by Barack Obama and Mr Biden.

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