A former Republican Secretary of State and one of John McCain's most
prominent supporters offered a stunningly frank and remarkably bleak
assessment of Sarah Palin's capacity to handle the presidency should
such a scenario arise.

Lawrence Eagleburger, who served as Secretary of State under George H.W.
Bush and whose endorsement is often trumpeted by McCain, said on
Thursday that the Alaska governor is not only unprepared to take over
the job on a moment's notice but, even after some time in office, would
only amount to an "adequate" commander in chief.

"And I devoutly hope that [she] would never be tested," he added for
good measure -- referring both to Palin's policy dexterity and the idea
of McCain not making it through his time in office. (Listen to audio below.)

The remarks took place during an interview on National Public Radio that
was, ironically, billed as "making the case" for a McCain presidency.
Asked by the host whether Palin could step in during a time of crisis,
Eagleburger reverted to sarcasm before leveling the harsh blow.

"It is a very good question," he said, pausing a few seconds, then
adding with a chuckle: "I'm being facetious here. Look, of course not."

Eagleburger explained: "I don't think at the moment she is prepared to
take over the reigns of the presidency. I can name for you any number of
other vice presidents who were not particularly up to it either. So the
question, I think, is can she learn and would she be tough enough under
the circumstances if she were asked to become president, heaven forbid
that that ever takes place?

"Give her some time in the office and I think the answer would be, she
will be [pause] adequate."