Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was interviewed by ABC news anchor Charles Gibson as they walked beside a section of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System in Fairbanks. (Donna Svennik/ABC/AP)
Palin sketches out her foreign-policy views
The GOP vice-presidential candidate talked about Israel, Pakistan, and preemptive strikes in an ABC interview.
By Peter Grier | Staff writer/ September 12, 2008 edition
Washington
The Bush doctrine? That’s old news. Let’s talk about the emerging Palin doctrine.
Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin appeared to be caught off guard when ABC News anchor Charles Gibson asked her whether she agreed with the Bush doctrine during a portion of a sit-down interview broadcast Sept. 11.
It’s possible that she didn’t know at first what the Bush doctrine is. (Preemptive war is OK if it strikes at an imminent threat.) It’s possible she simply was surprised to hear the word “Bush,” given how seldom it was uttered at the GOP convention in St. Paul, Minn.
That said, the answer she eventually gave was one pretty much any administration, Republican or Democratic, would probably agree with. “If there is legitimate and enough intelligence that tells us that a strike is imminent on the American people, we have every right to defend this country,” she told Mr. Gibson.
Fair enough. That part about “legitimate and enough intelligence,” though – that’s where the debate begins.
But enough about President Bush’s policies. He’s going to be retired in a few months anyway, so the stuff Governor Palin said about her own views arguably is far more important than what she knows about Bush policies.
And so far, this can be said about the emerging Palin doctrine: It appears to be mainstream GOP, on the assertive side, and a little vague.
Of course, vague can be good when you’re still a candidate. Ask Barack Obama. During a speech in June he opined that Jerusalem should be the undivided capital of Israel. This was a gaffe, of sorts – Palestinians believe they have a claim on Jerusalem as their capital, too. Obama took it back days later.
Or “clarified,” rather, by saying that the status of Jerusalem is the subject for future peace talks.
Palin seemed fully aware that the Middle East is a subject where specificity can get a US politician into trouble. Three times Gibson asked her, in essence, whether a McCain/Palin administration would support an Israeli strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. But Palin wouldn’t budge from her basic answer: “I don’t think we can second-guess what Israel has to do to secure its nation.”
Actually, pretty much every administration since Truman’s has done just that, at some point. They do it in private, though. Certainly not on network TV.
On Russia, Palin said the Kremlin’s push into Georgia this summer was “unprovoked” and “unacceptable.” She said she supports NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine and, pressed by Gibson, admitted that “perhaps” this might mean that the US would be committed to go to war to defend Georgian and Ukrainian independence.
Sen. John McCain, as well as Mr. Bush, express similar sentiments. However, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili may have prodded the Russian bear a bit too hard prior to the invasion, in the view of some foreign-policy observers.
And if Georgia and Ukraine gain NATO membership, it may be during the administration of Track Palin (Palin’s teenage son). European allies of the US remain opposed to such expansion of NATO precisely because they do not want to risk their own capitals for the sake of Tbilisi, Georgia.
On Pakistan, Palin appeared to sidestep Gibson’s question as to whether the US should conduct unilateral strikes against terrorist targets in Pakistan’s frontier tribal regions.
“We must not blink, Charlie, in making those tough decisions,” she said.
Yes, but which way would those tough decisions go? Palin did not really say.
Of course, as with Israel and Iran, this was a subject on which it would have been easy for Palin to get into trouble if she talked too much.
Senator McCain has called Barack Obama “naïve” for saying he would consider such strikes. Pakistan is our ally, and unilateral military action on the part of the US risks offending Islamabad and destabilizing thePakistani government, according to McCain.
So Palin should have agreed with her running mate and ruled them out, right?
Maybe not, as it appears the US now is actually conducting such strikes. In June, Bush secretly approved orders for US forces to conduct ground operations in Pakistan without Islamabad’s prior approval, according to media reports.
So, given the choice of contradicting the head or her ticket or the head of the country, what’s the right answer to this question?
Of course! “Charlie, I don’t think we can second-guess what Israel has to do to secure its nation….”
Comments
2. Joseph Youakim | 09.12.08
She is ready to start a war with Russia over Georgia and give a blank check to israel to kill, steal and continue to occupy other people with total disregard for our American initerest.
4. Rosie the Riveter | 09.12.08
Will all you male chauvinist pigs…whoops, did I just use the “P” word?.. just shut up? We’re just like her - we love her! Of course she’s ready, she said so didn’t she? After all, it’s not like she wants to be president of Norway or Denmark or some other country that prizes real educational achievement and intellectual curiosity. It’s only America folks! She’s just like us! What’s all this stuff about the “Bush Doctrine” got to do with anything anyway? Why doesn’t Charlie Gibson just chat her up like on the couch on Good Morning America? About stuff that’s important to all of us who are just like her, like what movies did she go to last weekend (the same ones we saw, I’ll bet!). Or what she thinks about American Idol and Dancing With the Stars, for cripes sake. This is America, people, remember? AND SHE’S JUST LIKE US! So lay off on the hard questions, Charlie. Did you like it when Sr. Francis Xavier asked you really HARD questions when YOU were back in the sixth grade? I didn’t think so, so lay off will you?
7. John | 09.12.08
The fact that this lady could be the president of one of the most powerful countries in the world is frightening. She has NO business being the VP (or God forbid, the president) of this country, NONE at all. If this hockey mom gets her hands on the nuclear codes we are all doomed. This is not a joke, this could be the end of this country as we know it. This lady tried to ban books and does not believe in evolution. She has NO foreign policy experience, just got her passport in 2007. The whole situation is ludicrous.
If you love this country please vote Obama/Biden ‘08.
8. innerjuju | 09.12.08
I don’t want the woman who brings the grape juice to the hockey game to be the next vice president because she is “like me”. I want someone smarter, better educated, and a great thinker. America has great problems- a war which is costing us trillions of dollars and risking the lives of our fighting men and women, a health care system in need of overhaul, an economy in crisis, a mortgage and banking industry near collapse, a non-existent energy policy, environmental concerns, elderly and veterans in need of care, educational institutions and children in need of assistance- these need people with great minds and great problem solving skills. Not someone who lives next door. Unless you plan to drink the kool aid.
9. lori | 09.12.08
I agree with john. If you love this country, you should not vote Republican. For more info. on who the Republicans are and their history please read these three articles-spread the words and save this country and the world from the Republicans and the Neocons.
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/091208.html
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/082908.html
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/090508.html
wake up America!!! Wake up Please, before it is too late!!!
10. S.Majidi | 09.12.08
Mccain is ill and if he should drop dead god forbid then we are stuck with her as president. She knows even less than Bush about foreign policy. GOD HELP US ALL.
11. SRW | 09.12.08
Kudos to Rosie the Riveter! Well said. I needed that after reading the Governor’s response. Now I’m wondering just how Putin is taking this. It could be seriously scary. Stop, I tell myself. Hang on in hopes Rosie will write more.
12. donald Hinkle | 09.12.08
I think the online newspaper was better before you allowed such insulting and opinionated comments.
13. denise | 09.12.08
Being the vice president of this country not only places one in the position of second in line to the presidency but also places you as the tie-breaker on votes in the Senate. This woman would have considerable influence even if McCain remained well and served out his entire term. I am a wife, mother, and well-educated professional and I hope (and pray) that other women will NOT vote for the McCain ticket merely because of the gender of the running mate. Yes, in some ways this woman is impressive. BUT in so many other ways she is extremely scary. She is far from prepared to step into national office - despite the fact that she presents fairly well in the media and on the campaign trail. She has not, based upon her previous record, been supportive of special educational services (although she states that parents of special needs children will have a friend in the White House should McCain-Palin win — I’m not sure a “friend” cuts the special services education budget by 60% as she did in Alaska). And how does someone run for VP as a reformer and advocate for ethical government when they are embroiled in an investigation of their misuse of power? Please, please research the candidates and don’t base your vote upon media spin or campaign ads. We are not in a position to take this election lightly - too much is at stake.
14. Frank | 09.12.08
I’m no fan of GWB, but the “Bush Doctrine” as described here is solidly grounded in international law. (The threat must, however, be real.)
15. Mr Apricot | 09.12.08
No, not “fair enough”. ” “If there is legitimate and enough intelligence that tells us that a strike is imminent on the American people, we have every right to defend this country,” is a non-answer. She still didn’t admit that she thinks it’s OK for the US to invade other countries if they feel like it.
As you point out, the subject of whether covert operations by the US in Pakistan are allowable is a moot point. Special Forces are already in Pakistan tribal regions and probably there to stay. They are already finding targets and the US is already hitting them. How “naive” is Obama for foreseeing this a year ago?
16. Ian | 09.12.08
Fox News reported today that ABC Edited Out Palin Objection to ‘Holy War’ Question
Now that’s not journalism but propaganda.
Even Democrat insiders refer to the mainstream newsmedia as CHEERLEADERS for Obama, as reported by POLITICO yesterday.
Do any of the reporters recall the dead voting Democrat in past elections, e.g. JFK’s win? Richard Daly’s machine et al.
17. John | 09.12.08
I just can’t figure out if Sarah Palin is “Dan Quayle Part Duh!”, or “George W. Bush Part Doh!”
Common Republican Party, first you gave us Quayle, then Bush Jr., now Sarah Palin? Haven’t you tortured our country enough?
18. Rich | 09.13.08
The problem here is that the media has been treating American elections like the Super Bowl. We are encouraged to side with a team. Once we do, we then attack the other side and rigorously defende our own as if our side is infalible. This has got to be more important than a football game, so let’s cut the crap…we’re about to elect someone to the position of Commander in Chief of the most powerful military in the history of world. Governor Palin is not infalible. Neither is Biden, but since your article was obviously writen in defense of Palin, and since Palin is an unknown, here’s one: she has no foreign policy experience. Having expertise running a town of 9000 doesn’t justify giving her the launch codes. Her PTA involvement is unimportant in this arena. Knowing something about the most important shift in foreign policy in the past 100 years, the Bush Doctrine, is important. Sure she can give canned responses to Charlie Gibson’s questions, but if we want any insight into this candidate, look at her responses to questions that her prep team didn’t anticipate and you will see ignorance and a lack of basic understanding of foreign affairs. If your team wins the Super Bowl this year, hooray for you. Dance around your living room and call your friends to gloat. But when the celebration is over, one day we may all be watching in horror as President Palin tries to figure out exactly what it is that a president does.
19. Mark | 09.13.08
The Monitor used to print its motto on the masthead; I can’t find it in this online addition. Allowing unkind comments to be posted (published!) here certainly does not seem to be in line with that motto and certainly doesn’t seem to be “Christian” in nature.
20. Don Grybeck | 09.13.08
This published March 3, 2008 on Senator’s Obama’s web site [http://obama.senate.gov/press/080303-obama_statement_128/] in his “Obama Statement on NATO Summit in Romania” (…that turned up as the first item when I Googled “Obama, NATO, Georgia, Ukraine”).
“Ukraine and Georgia have also been developing their ties with NATO. Their leaders have declared their readiness to advance a NATO Membership Action Plan, MAP, to prepare for the rights and obligations of membership. They are working to consolidate democratic reforms and to undertake new responsibilities in their relationship with the Alliance. I welcome the desire and actions of these countries to seek closer ties with NATO and hope that NATO responds favorably to their request, consistent with its criteria for membership. Whether Ukraine and Georgia ultimately join NATO will be a decision for the members of the alliance and the citizens of those countries, after a period of open and democratic debate. But they should receive our help and encouragement as they continue to develop ties to Atlantic and European institutions.”
Amazing that so few people seem to realize that his position is Sara’s position. And even more amazing that so few people realize that for decades under a succession of Presidents, Democratic and Republican, we as a member of NATO are bound by treaty to come to the aid of other NATO members if they are attacked.
Have a nice day.
21. Zac in CA | 09.13.08
Hey, Donald!
I agree that there’s definitely a change in tone, and not necessarily for the better, with CS Monitor’s addition of reader commentary. But the folks in many of the article comments have been, on the whole, fairly restrained in their language.
I completely agree with you on the problem of insulting, nasty remarks on commentary boards, but opinionated? I think it’s silly to expect people to remain diplomatic and cautiously neutral in this kind of space.
22. canadian | 09.13.08
Why is the comment section locked for the article,
“Venezuelan president expels US ambassador amid US-Bolivia tension”.
I hope it has nothing to do with manufactured consent.
23. NiteTrain | 09.13.08
Yes, I agree that most of the opinions expressed here are discouragingly naive. It doesn’t help to simply spout “I can’t believe this person could be the next VP, she’s awful!”. If you feel that way, fine, but state your case WHY you feel that way, and present some evidence. Think, think critically, and be constructive, not destructive.
24. Goodness | 09.13.08
Oh my goodness, CS Monitor, what are you donig? I considered you as one of the smarter newspapers, but now after reading this article I feel like someone who got slapped with a brick. She should have known what Bush Doctrine is if she considered the vp position seriously. It doesn’t even cut that she eventually gave a “reasonable” answer; the point is she didn’t know what the heck it was prior to the interview, which just shows her intelligence level and ignorance are bottom-rock zero. This woman is something out of a nightmare, and I am surprised that the media hasn’t still picked up that she is definitely definitely definitely not qualified, much less mentally prepared, to take this position. If she thinks being the vice president is a part-time, lala-lili job and that having a meal with Putin is inviting a school principle for a warm, Friday night dinner or something, she needs some really strong reality check. Please America, please please please please please think before you ever even consider her as a legitimate person for the vp-job…and possibly, for the position of the president of USA!
25. Matthew Josef | 09.13.08
two things:
1) As has already been mentioned here, the prospect of Palin as VP is frightening indeed. I felt that Rosie the Riveter’s comments were both witty, restrained, and highly appropriate. Parody and satire have been one of the cornerstones of american democracy for a very long time. They allow us to talk about “uncomfortable” things in a way that is honest, yet palatable. Unfortunately, I find Palin to be neither of those two attributes.
2) As for reader comments… they — along with they’re more robust forms of online interaction, including social networks — are the beginning of a new era in mediated communication — i.e. the media. For the past 150 years, one-way, “broadcast” mediums have transformed our culture from one of vigorous debate (that historically occurred in local newspapers and in face to face conversation) into a culture of passive information “consumption”. First the telegraph led to syndication of newspaper content, then radio broadcasts and later, TV broadcasts helped to create a culture where information flowed in one direction — from an institution (the newspaper, or radio station or TV station) to consumers. If debate occurred, it occurred amongst close friends and neighbors. Over time, it even became “impolite” to argue vigorously in favor of a position. “Such things aren’t talked about at the dinner table, darling”.
The impact that one-way “broadcast” media has had on our culture is a threat to well functioning democracy. The country’s sentiments end up being dominated by a handful of opinion leaders that basically control what the public will focus on for that day. In short, this is not a democratic form of communication.
Fortunately, we are on the tail-end of the broadcast era. One-way communication is rapidly being supplemented and even replaced by multi-way interactions thanks to the internet. Reader responses, although sometimes vitriolic, are an important step forward in the creation of a more vigorous and engaged citizenry.
Modern technology — i.e. the internet, social networks, and even simple reader comments — is allowing a large and geographically widespread population, to finally engage in the type of vigorous discussion of ideas that our democracy requires to function. Yes, sometimes it is hateful and nasty and spiteful. But, those types of comments play a role in debate as well. Politics, and debate, are pretty boring when you try to remove all passion. Overly vitriolic comments, in a multiple-way discussion, tend to undermine themselves anyway. They aren’t very convincing because they seem so tainted by passion that we come to suspect that the author’s judgment may be skewed.
The solution is a well thought out response — i.e. more debate — rather than the elimination of the forum in which the debate is being held. Fortunately, unlike T.V and Radio, there is no “host” that can just “mute” your microphone anytime you try to rebut their comments. Let’s try to keep it that way.
26. Dan C. | 09.13.08
To Mark:
You seem to be whining in lock-step with the new Republican party line concerning Gov. Palin. It amuses me to see the Republicans suddenly speaking out about “sexism” after practicing it for so long, and not that long ago. Do you believe we must show deference to the VP candidate as Davis does? Get real. Since McCain did not see fit to vet her properly, we must!
27. Dick | 09.13.08
Sarah Palin will blink when she debates Joe Biden and finds out how unprepared she is to be vice-president/president.
28. Dick | 09.13.08
Also, two years as governor of an unpopulated state does not qualifiy her for potentially becoming president. Mostly, her inability to know the politics of Washington and he inability to know what John McCain stands for is evidence enough of her unqualified status. Can you imagine her being in the presidential seat with this kind of world? Scary, not because she is a woman but because she is not that smart and not that prepared and not that learned about the ways of Washington or the ways of the world.
29. Dan C. | 09.13.08
Ya, but doesn’t being a hockey-mom and somebody you can chat with at the dinning room table without feeling intellectually intimidated make you feel good about her. Hey, ANYONE can be president, now!
I’m right with ya, ****.
30. Dan C. | 09.13.08
Ya, but doesn’t being a hockey-mom and someone you can sit around the kitchen table with without being intellectually intimidated make you feel good. Anybody can be president, now.
I’m right with ya Richard. (I guess you can’t use the D-word)
31. Donald Kilb | 09.13.08
Regardless who you vote for remember we have to live with the consequences. One side says she can’r do ir or be trusted. The other side says Obama can be trusted to ruin us ecomomically. The decision belongs to each of us and we all have to live with it, so regardless who wins lets hope the mud dries up after the election and not start posturing for 2012.
32. Paul | 09.13.08
I used to respect Charles Gibson. NO MORE. I have to ask myself how he would respond if he were asked “Do you agree with the Palley Doctrine?” I believe his response would be fully comparable to Sarah Palin’s reply.
Of course, all the left-leaning media sycophants are fully defending the ‘gotcha’ question in the next days commentary. What else can we expect from a media that is, in the words of the Obama campaign, “Obama’s biggest cheerleaders.” It is hard to believe that Americans are thinking, let alone thinking rationally when they accept the drivel served up by the major networks. Truth dies when objectivity takes a back seat.
What about Obama’s obvious ties to the Chicago political machine? Tony Rezko, a convicted criminal, is the only reason he lives in the house where he currently lives. Mr. B. Hussein Obama claims that relationship is a thing of the past. Sure, and I have a bridge in NY I can sell you, too. Any ‘community organizer’ in Chicago has to go through the Daley machine to get ahead in IL politics. Do we hear any questions about these issues in the media? Nope, just more editoral gloss that ignores these issues. I fear for an America run by the Daley’s and Rezko’s of Chicago. Yet it looks like that’s where we are headed.
The issue about the foreign policy experience of Palin pall before the foreign policy experience of Bill Clinton, or Hillary, or Jimmy Carter, or LBJ. She’s worked next-door to a Russian neighbor throughout her executive career. Foreign policy decisions are something that need to be learned by any president after they are in office and are totally nuanced by the circumstance. It’s a fluid arena that changes overnight. Who could have imagined that a movie actor from CA would have the foreign policy credentials to end the Cold War? But that’s what happened. Decision-making ability is far more important and it seems to me that Palin has that nailed across the board.
35. T | 09.13.08
I have to say she did a better job handling some of these questions than I thought.
The truth of the matter is the next President’s hands will be very tied in terms of foreign policy due to constrained resources (less money, troops, favorable public opinion). Barring Iraq policy, a McCAin/Obama/Palin foreign policy would look pretty similar.
36. Tom Athans | 09.13.08
******* Barbie for video game action figure? No problem. ******* Barbie for Governor of Alaska? No problem, I guess. ******* Barbie for Vice-President of the United States of America? Absolutely preposterous! The Republicans’ decision to take this dolt seriously will come back to haunt them, and soon.
37. MJR Aussie Observer | 09.13.08
I am so glad that the Christian Science Monitor is allowing an appropriate uncensored comment.The history of integrity and intention to bless all mankind should help temper our responses with a sense of conscience to reply with consideration to not only U.S.A.’s self interest but its role and influence to the world. The principle of “what I do to the least I do unto Thee,” must apply if there is to be any real hope of fairness applied in this world. Let us look to the principle not the person and then see if that principle considers the people and their dominion in their environment. My family have watched this election buildup with great interest and sought to review all participants with an unbiased logic. I have observed with intrigue the spins and manipulations left and right and have wrestled with different concepts to finally conclude it is in mine and my childrens interest to voice support to a new hope not only in American Politics but World Politics.To consider another as important as oneself would be good to see in our leadership it may bring us closer to what was ment by the idea that we must seek the good even to those who most offend us or “loving our enemies;” this ain’t easy but is a necessary principle to apply if we are to have hope for the future with this in mind I’ve chosen the candidate who comes closest to considering these spiritual/christian values I pray that the American people can too.
Thankyou
MJR Aussie
39. jzelouise | 09.13.08
#31 AJ New York
That’s a big misconception. The CS Monitor has been one of the few papers that has published calm, reasonable news. Not slanted partisan talking points…calm,reasonable news. The comment boards had thoughtful, reasoned rebuttal, not the vitriol that you find on most boards. Although that is now changing as more of the luntic fringe from both sides have found another venue for their acid partisanship.
40. Dan C. | 09.13.08
A vote for McCain is a vote to continue 20th century politics.
A vote for Obama is a vote to enter the 21st century.
41. Fred L | 09.13.08
This is a frightening interview, and I think you did not report it correctly. This is, after all, the Vice-Presidency she is “interviewing” for, we being her prospective employers. And very probably, the Presidency, considering McCain’s age and health.
I think a little more hard-edged analysis of her obviously memorized and rehearsed answers is in order. You don’t need to be opinionated (heaven forfend) but be critical of this dolt.
42. Todd Wayne Jackson | 09.13.08
Given the quality and depth of writing in this newspaper, I am surprised by many of the reader comments that indicate their frighteningly low education level. Many readers will agree wholeheartedly with me, while others will be left wondering what I am talking about…as they continue to defend Palin on issues they themselves know nothing about.
43. MURRAY | 09.13.08
#30 Paul gave you a proper response about Governor Palin. Right on.
I am a former city Councilman and Mayor of my City with a population of 1/6 of Alaska.
With all due respect to Senator Obama he has spent about 150 actual days working in the US Senate. That it!
There is no question he is well educated and an impressive speaker but the truth is he has run nothing of significance in his life other then his family and certainly has a history of getting involved with questionable people.
I am absolutely amazed how the Media and the Democratic Party dropped Senator Clinton, one truly strong individual, to choose him as there new shining light when he with all due respect strikes me as at best a 20 watt light bulb in a very dark room.
44. MURRAY | 09.13.08
#30 Paul gave you a proper response about Governor Palin. Right on.
I am a former city Councilman and Mayor of my City with a population of 1/6 of Alaska.
With all due respect to Senator Obama he has spent about 150 actual days working in the US Senate. That it!
There is no question he is well educated and an impressive speaker but the truth is he has run nothing of significance in his life other then his family and certainly has a history of getting involved with questionable people.
I am absolutely amazed how the Media and the Democratic Party dropped Senator Clinton, one truly strong individual, to choose him as there new shining light when he with all due respect strikes me as at best a 20 watt light bulb in a very dark room.
45. Abe Lincoln | 09.14.08
Here’s my two cents:
If I recall correctly, no where in the constitution does experience matter in being qualified for being the President of the United States.
I like to echo what some editors for other countries are looking at in the presidential run in US of A. The simple fact that a person of color – other that white- might be elected as the US President is great news aboard. If he or she is elected is will project US of A is a country that has taken the next step in political evolution.
The term social justice, re-distribution of wealth and absolute dedication to ensuring educational institutions (K ~ College) are world class, plus those other nice things involving the quality of life: clean food, water, air and a future of promise and wonder, than this nightmare we leave of posterity.
Did you know we American’s consume over 40% of the worlds resources? Did you know we Americans emitted 25% of the pollutions…. We don’t know these facts, I can tell you the many other countries do and see Americans as a bunch of selfish, greedy and self –center people than just might need another war to make it a bit more humble.
46. Elizabeth Allen | 09.14.08
I am shocked that the Christian Science Monitor is giving Sarah Palin a free pass on not knowing about the “Bush Doctrine”. In the ABC Republican Debate hosted in New Hampshire on January 4, 2008, all of the republican candidates for President, including John McCain, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Ron Paul and Rudy Guiliani, gave insightful and well-informed answers to the exact same question. As a potential President, Sarah Palin is expected to know what is the Bush doctrine. If McCain, Romney, Thompson, Paul or Guiliani gave an answer like Palin’s, they would have been kicked out of the race. Wake up America!!!
47. TimothyL | 09.14.08
Glamor ranks high in the American popular culture - higher than educational achievement, and higher than a personal history of experience with the complications of national issues. Only here, in glamor-worshipping USA, could one go from hockey mom/PTA to the White House.
The prospect of this amateur calling the shots in the White House is just terrifying.
48. wakeupamerica | 09.14.08
I don’t really care if Palin is religious nutcase, can skin a moose, can see Russia from her front porch, or has a son who dropped out of high school or 17 yr old daughter who’s unwed and pregnant, or that she believes god has us on a mission in “eye-rack”, or that Alaska is a refuge state…… Personally, I wouldn’t hang out with her - it might even scare me to just have her for a neighbor (she’s whacked out).
But what I do care about are her REAL capabilities and qualifications to be VP - or President as it’s quite possible she could be ONE old white wrinkly guy’s heart beat away from the oval office. That scares the life out of me.
What is the Christian Science Monitor doing selling this candidate to the American people and using “softball” questions from Charlie.
I hope somebody in the press starts digging for and presenting the FACTS on Palin - obviously McCain’s bunch didn’t do their homework.
49. Brightfame | 09.14.08
The commenters who oppose Gov. Palin based on the Gibson interview should take time to examine the complete transcript of the interview, particularly the parts ABC News edited out. It’s available online at http://www.newsbusters.org. You will never get a fair look at Ms. Palin’s character, abilities, or experience if you rely on ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, and NBC to do your “footwork” for you. As long ago as January, these networks had all selected their favorite — Barack Obama — and have been downplaying his deficiencies ever since and embellishing those of the Republicans. After all these months of watching their biased coverage, I’m still left wondering exactly what Mr. Obama accomplished as a “community organizer” and as an Illinois state senator, and how he managed to sit in a church for 20 years without endorsing any of the madness and bigotry spouted by its lunatic pastor. Mr. Obama is one legend who definitely seems bigger than life.
50. Dan C. | 09.14.08
To Abe Lincoln:
Certainly, the U.S. Constitution does call for experience as a qualification for the job of President; that is the reason for the age requirement. Granted, this does not mean strictly political experience, but life experience. In history, the common man was to show “deference” to the elite landowners who were considered politically savvy. Thankfully, we have evolved as a country since then to the point that we are not expected to show this deference to elitist men of politics. Now, we are expected to be active members in the democracy and question political figures on everything.
I think we come down on the same side of things. The Republicans would like us to show deference to Sarah Palin. I will not and I hope no other good American will. Also, the Republicans have attempted, with some success, to redefine the idea of “elitism” to be one who has done well in school, and understands the complexities of constitutional rule. They have cast Barrack Obama as an elitist after electing the true elitist, George Bush, to the Presidency! In other words, they consider Bush not elite because he is not intellectually gifted. UNBELIEVEABLE!
51. priscilla | 09.14.08
Did you know that Palin had billed the state a per diem for 312 days she spent at home, and requested reimbursement for plane rides and hotel rooms for her husband and children, including a $707 room when her daughter accompanied her on a trip to New York to attend a Newsweek forum?
Did you know that Palin in the past said she does not believe global warming is caused by human activity and now she has changed her story?
52. Simon | 09.14.08
Why are we discussing Sara Palin. Its is Mc cain and Obama and Obama has zero experience and a socialist who would like to make the USA like France. You left wing nit wits wake up and stop drinking the cool aid.
You guys said the same thing when Reagan ran for the white house. You are running scared that your anti America guy may loose this one. He is a poor excuse for a canditate.
53. Michael Hutchinson | 09.14.08
As an old-timer Republican … I question McCain’s loyalty to his party. He almost left the republican party to become a democrat. Lets not forget this! Now he has gone and chosen this woman for VP. She is too soft for this job. Too inexperienced. Too wet behind the ears and she embarrasses us all. I believe John had to chose her because nobody else in the republican party would stand with him. He has burned too many bridges. Including the one to my vote.
54. Dan C. | 09.14.08
Hey Simon,
Let’s remember that Reagan was at the root of making Saddam powerful, and oversaw the whole Savings and Loan debacle of the 1980s. He aint the godsend you Kool-aid drinking, ditto-head thinking Republicans say he was. Look at what W got us–a dumb war that will cost my children and their children great amounts of money, a failing economy, and a huge deficit from a surplus. Also realize that both Reagan and Bush increased the size of the executive branch enormously. It seems to me you have no idea what you’re talking about. You are just playing Simon Says from Karl Rove’s talking points. Enough is enough.
55. NorthOne | 09.14.08
Good article. I think that most people, rather than being objective, took from the interview what they wanted to take from the interview to support their own views, both to the left or the right. In the end, it was just one interview, and not an oral exam for the presidency. You should only judge her after a series of interviews, and a debate, where more of the true candidate will appear. By then you should know if she is the real thing, or just another politician.
Why should candidates open up and be more specific? It only opens them up to criticism. Michael Huffington (Ariana’s X) demonstrated that the less you say, and to limit your positions, is advantageous. Actually having an opinion is a disadvantage in politics. In the 1980’s a Canadian Prime Minister, Joe Clark, lost political support (an eventually an election) by making a similar remark on Jerusalem that Obama made. If you want politicians to show their true selves for you to judge them, than don’t attack them on every phase they utter. You will have you chance in November to vote for or against them.
On the topic of foreign relations there are no right answers, but in the grayness how leaders approach the situation is what is important. That’s something that cannot be demonstrated in a single TV interview, nor can it be learned at an Ivy League school. I would actually be worried if the President was the most knowledgeable on foreign policy in the room. I think it is more important that the President listens to his top advisors, understands what the citizens think is really important, and makes a firm decision. That is leadership. However, Leadership potential is difficult to predict in people without observing them in action.
At least Sarah Palin is refreshing in that she tells you what she really thinks, not what she is supposed to say to please everyone. I’m more worried about the ones that tell me what I want to hear but don’t really mean it.
57. Dan C. | 09.15.08
Liberman must be overwhelmed with his tutorial responsibilities for Sarah the empty-headed.
58. Dan C. | 09.15.08
At least Sarah Palin is refreshing in that she tells you what she really thinks, not what she is supposed to say to please everyone. I’m more worried about the ones that tell me what I want to hear but don’t really mean it.
Vapid commentary.
59. Mypall | 09.15.08
Hey all. I had some doubt about Palin before, but after her interview with Gibson, I tell you I have to admire that so called “inexperience” hockey mom.
You see, one thing that really shows about her is that she is very consistent. Second she has a very strong personality. You see Gibson ask her the same question over and over again, but she was very consistently answer the same. I like that don’t you. Do you want someone who change their mind when ask the same question and change that later because of the pressure or some sort of crazy thing. Perhaps He or she just want to say what people wanted to hear. Look at Obama when ask about Jerusalem as capital city of Israel. Didn’t he say yes at first and later change his positions? It’s scary. Today he might say one thing tomorrow he might fool you. It’s scary isn’t it.
Next I just want to remind you all. I’m from abroad. For those of you who think that other nation do not like the USA, think again, because to be honest with you there are more people respect American people now than before. Bush is responsible for that and yes Bush does made that happen. Prior of Bush administration there were more American people who were massacred including more christian and none christian alike who were murdered on the hands of muslims around the world. When Mr Bush became president all that subsides. People think and think and think again. Yo all just think about economy. I encourage you to think outside the box.
Let me tell you as to why outsider wanted Obama to win. My logic tell me it’s because so they can fool us. Obama went abroad to please those people who wanted to kill us all. Can you imagine he still want to talk to iran president to stop his nuclear ambition. Waw no wonder Biden said Obama is not ready to become a president of the USA.
GOOD LUCK ALL and think and choose wisely.
60. OpieUS | 09.15.08
The fact that this guy could be the president of one of the most powerful countries in the world is frightening. He has NO business being the VP — oops, the president of this country, NONE at all. If this war-protestor, under-achiever gets his hands on the nuclear codes we are all doomed. This is not a joke, this could be the end of this country as we know it. This guy lays with the enemy — habitually. He has NO foreign policy NOR executive experience. The whole situation is ludicrous. This is America’s Favorite *******.
I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, it’s just so obvious.
:s: John’s alias (not quite as un-informed as John)
61. VOA | 09.15.08
Mypall you don’t fool me. Just another lying Republican.
“Prior of Bush administration there were more American people who were massacred including more christian and none christian alike who were murdered on the hands of muslims around the world. When Mr Bush became president all that subsides.”
I don’t think so.
62. marsha cavanagh | 09.15.08
I am horrified at the prospect of Sarah Palin representing the US as the
Vice President, and I am very sad at the prospect she is going to be representative of women. Sarah is a token, and the worst kind. The republicans are using her and she is using them for fame. In terms of this
interview, you were way to gentle with her–why. She is running for the second highest office in our country. Was the press gentle with Hillary–you guys grilled her–AS YOU Should.
I would be interested in finding other like minded women in the Technolgy Sector that would like to initiate efforts to negate Palin’s lies in this race.
63. Kim | 09.15.08
First I think it’s important to note that not all women will follow Palin just because she is a women. I find it highly insulting to think that would be the case. As you can clearly see, whether it’s this article/interview or others, Palin is way over her head. She doesn’t have the answers because she has no clue what she is being asked of her. So how exactly can she do the job? I like her, like many people, but that does not mean she is qualified. Just an added note, for those of you who are caught up in the rhetoric of the “lipstck on a pig”. You should go back and listin to the context. It had nothing to do with Palin or women. Stop reading things into what you hear just because you want to or the media puts the idea in your head! Use your brains folks.
64. clem | 09.15.08
It is not Palin to whom the really hard question ought to be asked. The question that cries out for an explanation is why in the would did the media abdicate its responsibility to the American people and allow this charade in the first place? If Palin is to be the rerun of “Mrs. Smith goes to Washington” the nation cannot afford to be denied of a full no holds bared interview. Until the GOP candidate stands up in front of an independent-and yes-even perhaps one or two hostile reporters, we cannot even begin to judge is she can stand the heat. I fail to comprehend why the media was led by its collective nose by McCain and agreed to be an enabler to this farcical side show!
clem
65. Dylan Voltaire | 09.15.08
Don’t elect the plutocrats again. Visit taxpolicycenter.org for the real skinny on McCain’s tax plan. It will push off the payment of the deficit into the hands of our children and grandchildren. It will put us further into the pockets of the Chinese. You can call Obama’s health plan socialist if you like, but big business will sell us down the river to the communist Chinese at the drop of a hat, and the Republican party will comply.
We must elect Obama/Biden for the good of this country. Don’t let the plutocats win again. We can’t allow it to be close because Rove’s crew will steal another election.
66. jacqui | 09.15.08
Don G… Your comment about Obama having the same opinion as Palin is not necessarily true - I didn’t see a comment about going to war with Russia. Also, doesn’t anyone find it strange that we can tell Russia not to invade poor Georgia - but it’s okay for us to be in Iraq? Will any country listen or respect us when we sound like such hypocrites? Give serious consideration to Obama unless you’re interested in having another Bush in the office. The people of the US seem to be in a state of depression and I think it has a lot to do with our leadership of lack there of….
67. walterrhett, Charleston, SC | 09.16.08
Remember Palin is only the # 2 on the ticket. She is John McClain’s pick–the apparation of his judgement, the person selected by him to take the mantle of leadership for the country’s second highest office. Is McClain’s judgement sound–based on his personnel choice? Is this the best example of McClain’s qualifications as an experienced leader?
Is she representative of McClain’s cabinet and his policy ideas for our country? Note the omissions on the economy, education, health care, infrastructure, job creation, home ownership. Note that the Palin pick is only a “golden apple” left on the track to detract from the obvious character and leadership flaws of McClain.
69. Reeds Whittler | 09.18.08
Ticklish how the critics wager for backing down when tenacity and firm standing is challenged and in the offing…feed ‘em TV dinners….fresh veggies and game upsets their tummies.
70. Dennis Quigley | 09.18.08
1) With regard to the Bush Doctrine(s) [choose singular or plural after you read Charles Krauthammer’s comments on these doctrines; he coined the term, so he gets a vote]when and which one are you and Chuck referring to. In light of this Ms. Palin’s asking Gibson to refine his question is not unreasonable.
2) Are you referring to the unexpurgated interview, or the one ABC aired [perhaps a wholly owned subsidiary of Pravda, if their artistry in editing is any guide]; I recommend you Google it and see the unedited transcript. It is not only interesting to see how ABC changed the apparent meaning of Ms. Palin’s comments, but what comments by Gibson were suppressed as well.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good character assassination, huh?
71. a woman against Palin | 09.18.08
Pick me for VP! I can see Russia from my house AND through me “God’s will” will be done.
How scary! She is NOT just like us. She is NOT just another hockey mom.
Women - please do not vote for McCain/Palin for the sole fact that he chose a female running mate! How insulting! That would be sexist. And frankly, I don’t give a **** what she, or any of the presidentail candidates think about American Idol, or Dancing with the Stars. Come on! She needs to be asked the tough questions just like everyone else. Why should we go easy on her? Because she is a woman? Again, sexism. She is not now, nor will she ever be, ready to be president, let alone VP.
72. Mike | 09.18.08
What is the “Bush” doctrine? I would be surprised if President Bush could answer the question either.
President Bush, Governor of one of the largest states…unacceptable. Pr esident Clinton, Governor of one of the smallest states…acceptable. Senator McCain 4 plus terms…unacceptable. Senator Obama .25 of a term….acceptable. Senator Clinton 1 term….acceptable. And so the list goes on. Don’t pretend that this has anything to do with experience.
There hasn’t been a candidate in 20 years that has energized the Republicans like Governor Palin. The more negative the press is, the better. It solidifies the support and gets people to denote time and money.
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1. nicole | 09.12.08
You have got to be kidding me you silly little nitwit. Wether or not Palin knows about Bush policies doesn’t matter because he won’t be president much longer??? Someone who is a step and one old man with a long medical history away from leading the country no longer needs to be aware of politic??? Now you’re just being silly. How can you write this ****??