Unattributed quotes, and that's the problem with your rationalization, you assume that the reader will believe that a deceptive leftist is being quoted, but being unattributed the person proffering your statement can imply that a conservative icon was quoted and just condemned Sarah. You're not there to attribute the quote.
A word to the wise, cops and prosecutors call English professors like you "convicts".
There's an example of an attributed quote for you.