Sarah Palin speaks, is she ready for prime time???

**timvwcom** · 09-11-2008, 06:11 PM

Palin is just beginning the process of speaking to the press for the first time, 2 weeks after having been announced as McCain's VP selection. Since she's basically an unknown player on the national political stage, I will be very very curious to hear her views, and perhaps stumbles, over the next days and weeks. In an effort to not start a new thread each time a nugget comes up, I'm starting this thread so I can grumble and spout off without thrunting the PolAss with a half dozen more threads on her.

Her first interviews with ABC...

Read she is using an unusual 3 part interview process. A little at a time... not sure I see a clear reason for that? Here's some previews for this evenings ABC coverage...

Palin asked about the Bush Doctrine... She doesn't know what it is

GIBSON: "Do you agree with the Bush doctrine?"

PALIN: "In what respect, Charlie?"

GIBSON: "The Bush ... Well, what do you interpret it to be?"

PALIN: "His world view."

GIBSON: "No. The Bush doctrine. Annunciated in September 2002, before the Iraq war."

PALIN: "I believe that what President Bush has attempted to do is rid this world of Islamic extremism, terrorists who are hell-bent on destroying our nation. There have been blunders along the way, though. There have been mistakes made, and with new leadership -- and that's the beauty of American elections of course, and democracy -- is with new leadership comes opportunity to do things better."

GIBSON: "The Bush doctrine, as I understand it, is we have the right of anticipatory self defense. We have the right to a preemptive strike against any country we think is going to attack us. Do you agree with that?"

PALIN: "Charlie, if there is legitimate and enough intelligence that tells us that a strike is imminent against American people, we have every right to defend our country."

GIBSON: "Do we have the right to be making cross-border attacks into Pakistan from Afghanistan, with or without the approval of the Pakistani government?"

PALIN: "As for our right to invade, we're gonna work with these countries, building new relationships, working with existing allies but forging new also, in order to, Charlie, get to a point in this world where war is not going to be a first option. In fact, war has got to be a last option."

GIBSON: "But governor, I'm asking you, do we have the right to go across the border, with or without the approval of the Pakistani government?"

PALIN: "In order to stop Islamic extremists, those terrorists who would seek to destroy America and our allies, we must do whatever it takes and we must not blink, Charlie, in making those tough decisions in where we go and even who we target."

GIBSON: "And let me finish with this. I just, I got lost in a blizzard of words there. Was that a yes? You think we have the right to go across the border, with or without the approval of the Pakistani government, to go after terrorists... ?"

PALIN: "I believe that America has to exercise all options in order to stop the terrorists who are hell bent on destroying America and our allies. We have got to have all options out there on the table."

On the future conflict between a hypothetical NATO admitted Georgia and Russia... War with Russia would "perhaps" be necessary.

GIBSON: Would you favor putting Georgia and Ukraine in NATO?

PALIN: Ukraine, definitely, yes. Yes, and Georgia.

GIBSON: Because Putin has said he would not tolerate NATO incursion into the Caucasus.

PALIN: Well, you know, the Rose Revolution, the Orange Revolution, those actions have showed us that those democratic nations, I believe, deserve to be in NATO.

Putin thinks otherwise. Obviously, he thinks otherwise, but...

GIBSON: And under the NATO treaty, wouldn't we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?

PALIN: Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help.

But NATO, I think, should include Ukraine, definitely, at this point and I think that we need to -- especially with new leadership coming in on January 20, being sworn on, on either ticket, we have got to make sure that we strengthen our allies, our ties with each one of those NATO members.

On her "security credentials"... It's about "energy independence".

GIBSON: But this is not just reforming a government. This is also running a government on the huge international stage in a very dangerous world. When I asked John McCain about your national security credentials, he cited the fact that you have commanded the Alaskan National Guard and that Alaska is close to Russia. Are those sufficient credentials?

PALIN: But it is about reform of government and it's about putting government back on the side of the people, and that has much to do with foreign policy and national security issues Let me speak specifically about a credential that I do bring to this table, Charlie, and that's with the energy independence that I've been working on for these years as the governor of this state that produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy, that I worked on as chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, overseeing the oil and gas development in our state to produce more for the United States.

GIBSON: I know. I'm just saying that national security is a whole lot more than energy.

Will be very curious to see how she does over the coming days and weeks...

Smokey McPole · 09-11-2008, 06:29 PM

Too bad everybody's too busy looking at her boobs to bother with what she's saying.

Palin/Jindal in 2012!!!

**schindlerpiste** · 09-11-2008, 06:41 PM

This could be the beginning of a very rude awakening.

**timvwcom** · 09-11-2008, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by schindlerpiste

This could be the beginning of a very rude awakening.

For us Obama lubers, or the Palin ones? Or even for Palin and McCain themselves???

**spindrift** · 09-11-2008, 06:53 PM

I initially thought she was incompetent. After watching the first part of the ABC interview, it is clear I grossly underestimated things. What a national embarrassment. How the hell did Gibson remain polite talking to such an obviously ignorant poser who can do nothing but parrot scripted BS talking points? A Republican who does not even know what the Bush Doctrine is on a presidential ticket? Someone who does not even know what happened in Georgia? Did I mention she's a national embarrassment? And a clear threat to our national safety?

Maybe if they put her on with Rush or Savage or Hannity they can suck up enough to keep her from from looking like a retard?

**hutash** · 09-11-2008, 06:55 PM

I haven't seen it yet, still at work, but those are some pretty lame answers. The only one she answered directly is Georgia should be in NATO, which means we should be at war right now with Russia.

At least we know that since she is an energy commissioner she know all about world security

WTF was that all about?

**Bullet** · 09-11-2008, 07:08 PM

McCain had my vote in the 2000 primaries - when he was a maverick. He had my support when he spoke out against torture. But he's softened over the years. Now to pick this empty vessel they have filled with hollow patriotic god fearing platitudes - he's hit rock bottom.

Palin is an admitted plagiarist.

GIBSON: You said recently in your old church, our national leaders are sending US soldiers on a task that is from god.

[cut to Palin in church]
SARAH PALIN: Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right also for this country that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending them out on a task that is from god.

GIBSON: Are we fighting a holy war?

PALIN: The reference there is a repeat of Abraham Lincolns words when he said.

But she did not credit her source when she first said it. This VP Candidate is a hollow shell.

More drivel:
GIBSON: But you went on and said, there is a plan and it is gods plan.

PALIN: I believe that there is a plan for this world and that that plan for this world is for good. I believe that there is great hope and great potential for every country to be able to live and be protected with inalienable rights, which I believe are god-given Charlie. I believe that those are the rights to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That, in my worldview, is the grand plan.

Good lord!

**MrZach** · 09-11-2008, 07:11 PM

Wow, a lot of the comments on ABC's site regarding that story are from folks thinking Charlie was too hard on her - asking the same questions more than once. What can you expect when she doesn't answer the original questions in the first place!?

Smokey McPole · 09-11-2008, 07:14 PM

Zach - are those skis realy short or is that girl really tall?

**schindlerpiste** · 09-11-2008, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by timvwcom

For us Obama lubers, or the Palin ones? Or even for Palin and McCain themselves???

My eightball does not see this as encouraging for the GOP

The thought of her potentially being President is getting scarier and scarier by the minute. (Take that N.D.)

**Bullet** · 09-11-2008, 07:15 PM

She's so transparent even satire can't match her. It's scary funny how this mock transcript from 9/10 ins't so far from the truth:

From http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/10/151343/382

Gibson: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today, Governor Palin.

Palin: For now, I'll disregard the blatant sexism in your tone.

Gibson: I'd like to begin with the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere". You've repeated the same lines about your supposed opposition to it in every single stump speech you've given, but there is clear evidence that you originally supported the earmarks for the bridge. Would you like to now go beyond your recent scripted lines and clarify your position?

Palin: I told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for that Bridge to Nowhere.

Gibson: But what about the video footage of you declaring your strong support for it and the fact that you had the state keep the earmark money anyway?

Palin: I told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for that Bridge to Nowhere.

Gibson: Thanks for adding that...um...nuance to your position. Moving on. You've insisted in your campaign speeches that you sold the governor's jet on eBay, when in fact it never sold on eBay and was instead sold at a significant loss through an Anchorage aircraft broker.

Palin: That luxury jet was over the top. I sold it on eBay.

Gibson: Governor, should I assume that all your responses are just going to be verbatim rehashes of your stump speeches?

Palin: Not at all. I can rehash John McCain's talking points just fine too.

Gibson: OK, let me try and get this interview back on track.

Palin: Leave my son out of this! How DARE you!

Gibson: Dear God almighty...

Palin: Did you just take the Lord's name in vain? How DARE you!

Gibson: Back to the issues. Do you believe some books should be banned from public libraries because your church doesn't like their content?

Palin: Charlie, if you could rephrase that in such a way that I could answer it with a line from one of my awesome stump speeches, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Gibson: I'm afraid I can't do that. Can just please answer the question?

Palin: FINE, if you insist. Well, I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities.

Gibson: [sighs] Moving on to current economic worries. How would you have dealt with the current mortgage crisis, if you had been in power?

Palin: I would have ended all taxpayer funding for Faddie Mace. And I would have abolished the C-SPAN tax years ago, too.

Gibson: [tears streaming down face] Since you raised taxes and increased budgets as both mayor and governor, would you still class yourself as a "fiscal conservative"?

Palin: I really don't think that question was deferential enough. Who do you think you are anyway, questioning me in this manner? Don't you know who I am?

Gibson: Yes, I'm well aware of who you are, governor. One final question. Why put out a press release about your teenage daughter's pregnancy and then spend the next few days attacking the press for covering that press release?

Palin: Noun, Verb, Maverick.

Gibson: Thank you very much governor for taking the time today.

Palin: I stood up to the good-ol' boys.

**spindrift** · 09-11-2008, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by MrZach

Wow, a lot of the comments on ABC's site regarding that story are from folks thinking Charlie was too hard on her - asking the same questions more than once. What can you expect when she doesn't answer the original questions in the first place!?

How about when someone deliberately dodges the question because that is all they can do? It is one thing to try to get your talking points in - especially if the question does not take the conversation in the direction you'd like it to go. That's pretty typical media/interview management. It is another to be so empty that all you can do is obviously and ignorantly parrot talking points because you have no ability to address the question.

Given the circumstances, I think it would have been appropriate for Gibson to just bust out a big WTF? No wonder they've been keeping her in a pen away from the media.

**Mathematics** · 09-11-2008, 07:25 PM

Come on guys, you're being too hard on her. She's just like us! Just another average American, just like you & me. We should connect with that & go easy on her.

**Bullet** · 09-11-2008, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by timvwcom

On her "security credentials"... It's about "energy independence".

GIBSON: But this is not just reforming a government. This is also running a government on the huge international stage in a very dangerous world. When I asked John McCain about your national security credentials, he cited the fact that you have commanded the Alaskan National Guard and that Alaska is close to Russia. Are those sufficient credentials?

PALIN: But it is about reform of government and it's about putting government back on the side of the people, and that has much to do with foreign policy and national security issues Let me speak specifically about a credential that I do bring to this table, Charlie, and that's with the energy independence that I've been working on for these years as the governor of this state that produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy, that I worked on as chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, overseeing the oil and gas development in our state to produce more for the United States.

GIBSON: I know. I'm just saying that national security is a whole lot more than energy.

Wow, she got testy.

The follow-up.
PALIN: . . . I want you to not lose sight of the fact that energy is a foundation of national security . . .

GIBSON: Did you every travel outside of the country prior to your trip to Kuwait and Germany last year?

PALIN: Canada. Mexico and then, [sardonically] yeah, that trip, it was a trip of a lifetime to visit our troops in Kuwait and stop and visit our injured soldiers in Germany . . .

GIBSON: Have you ever met a foreign head of state?
PALIN: [she got really mad at that question] - I have not. And, I think if you go back in history and I think if you ask that question of many vice presidents, they have the same answer that I just gave you . . .

Oh my, John. WTF were you thinking picking this running mate?

**spindrift** · 09-11-2008, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Bullet-

Oh my, John. WTF were you thinking picking this running mate?

You are making a leap here that is unsupported by the data...

**Bullet** · 09-11-2008, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mathematics

Come on guys, you're being too hard on her. She's just like us! Just another average American, just like you & me. We should connect with that & go easy on her.

[comment - I know you are being sarcastic]

That's the heart of the problem. We had a good ol'boy from Texas and look where that's put us. I don't want an "Average" American in the whitehouse or 2nd in command.

We should seek an Above Average American that can have a rational thought, who doesn't fall back on the cop out of "god's will" or makes critical national security decisions by "going with their gut".

It's called being the leader of a Great Nation. Not leader of an Average nation.

**Bullet** · 09-11-2008, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by spindrift

You are making a leap here that is unsupported by the data...

lol - the leap is that he thought about making the choice?

**spindrift** · 09-11-2008, 07:38 PM

Well, that was my interpretation...

**Core Shot** · 09-11-2008, 08:05 PM

Wow. CNN and MSNBC are orgasming on the interview. What a bunch of policy wonks. Merikuh dont care bout that.

THE BUSH DOCTRINE OMG !111!!1!! SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE BUSH DOCTRINE IS

**TruckeeLocal** · 09-11-2008, 08:15 PM

Well in case anyone cares ...

**spindrift** · 09-11-2008, 08:20 PM

For a VP candidate talking about foreign policy? A Republican one? You've got to be kidding. Anyone in America who does not believe that a - I'll emphasize it again - Republican VP candidate should be held to the same standards of knowledge about a current Republican administration as a freshman student of political science or foreign affairs should also be added to the National Registry of Embarrassing Individuals.

**TruckeeLocal** · 09-11-2008, 08:28 PM

Having adjusted to my terror in Palin becomming VP to an old war horse I have found occasion to reconsider. Her foreign policy approach isn't much different from Cheney's, i.e. I'm going to do what I'm going to do and f^ck the consequences. with an added "God's on our side".

**schindlerpiste** · 09-11-2008, 08:32 PM

Having read the context of the first interviews, and having listened to excerpts on TV, if the election were tomorrow, I would not vote GOP

**Crud's Uncle** · 09-11-2008, 09:02 PM

Wow you guys don't like her answers, absolutely hysterical.

**rideit** · 09-11-2008, 09:07 PM

Buuut...she didn't provide any answers...

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