For Second Time, Palin Meets the Press

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For Second Time, Palin Meets the Press

October 17, 2008 10:45 PM

ABC News' Imtiyaz Delawala reports: On a flight between Ohio and Indiana this afternoon, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin came back to the press section of her campaign plane and took questions for seven minutes -- the second time she has done so in the past two weeks.

The Republican vice presidential nominee answered reporters' questions on why she's no longer raising Sen. Barack Obama's connection to William Ayers on the campaign trial, whether she's worried about the McCain campaign needing to defend traditionally Republican states, and her upcoming appearance tomorrow on "Saturday Night Live."

While two weeks ago, Palin was accusing Obama of "palling around with terrorists" and questioning his judgment and character, Palin said today that she does not question the Democratic presidential nominee's love for America.

"I know Obama loves America. I'm sure that is why he's running for president. It's because he wants to do what he believes is in the best interest of this great nation. I believe that our ticket can do a better job for America," Palin said. "But I don't question at all Barack Obama's love for this great country."

Palin herself was blasted by Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden today for saying at a fundraiser in North Carolina on Thursday that she enjoyed visiting "pro-America" areas of the country. Palin defended her comment, saying she did not mean to suggest that "any one area of America is more pro-America patriotically than others."

"Every area, every area across this great country where we're stopping and where also the other ticket is stopping and getting to speak at these rallies and speak with the good Americans, it's all pro-America," Palin said. "I was just reinforcing the fact that there, where I was, there's good patriotic people there in these rallies, so excited about positive change and reform of government that's coming that they are so appreciative of hearing our message, hearing our plan."

In recent days, Palin has noticeably toned down the rhetoric in her campaign speeches, no longer mentioning Obama's association with former 60's radical William Ayers. When asked why she is no longer mentioning the tie, Palin said that "the association is out there" and it's now up to voters to decide whether it's important.

"Well, I think that American voters are understanding that association -- that it's okay to talk about fact," Palin said. "It's up now to the people of America to decide whether that association is important enough to them to research and find out more about a person's judgment and truthfulness."

Palin said she has not asked Sen. McCain to raise Obama's association with his controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, saying that it's up to McCain whether he should raise the tie.

"It's up to him you know and what he chooses to discuss," Palin said. "It is fair to the electorate to have the discussion -- the debate about someone's record and associations, but I haven't advised Senator McCain on who he should bring up and what his topics of discussion should be."

With only 19 days to go until Election Day, the McCain-Palin ticket finds itself behind in most national and battleground state polls. And Palin has spent time in the last two days campaigning in North Carolina and Indiana -- two states that are usually solidly Republican in national elections.

"I think it's wise not to take anything for granted and assume that any state is a lock for either ticket, so if there were more hours in the day and more availabilities I would hope that we can be in even more states," Palin said when asked if she was concerned that the campaign is spending resources defending traditionally red states. "I don't want to take anything for granted, and my input has been let us get out there to as many states as we have time for."

While Palin has now been on the national stage for six weeks since accepting the Republican vice presidential nomination, questions continue to be raised on whether she is qualified to serve as vice president, or as commander in chief if she were to become president. Palin defended her qualifications, saying her executive experience in Alaska has prepared her well for national office.

"If we're so blessed to be elected president and vice president, that executive experience will be put to good use, as coming from a mayor and a manager, small business owner and a governor and a regulator of oil and gas," Palin said, citing qualifications she often raises on the campaign trail.

When not campaigning together, Palin says she talks to her running mate Sen. John McCain a few times a day, discussing the news of the day and plans for the campaign. While the two often campaigned together for large joint rallies in the first weeks after Palin's nomination, they are now holding more solo events to cover more ground in the final days before Election Day.

"We really enjoy being able to campaign together and I wish we could do more of that together because we have I think some great synergy and really great chemistry and we get along so well, that not only is it very productive but its also fun to be able to campaign with him," Palin said.

Palin says she is excited about her appearance on "Saturday Night Live" tomorrow, saying it will give her an opportunity to show her having a sense of humor through the grind of campaigning. She does not yet know how she will be showcased on the show.

"I have no idea what to expect because I haven't seen any scripts or anything else yet, but it will be fun," Palin said.

October 17, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (246)

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McCain = DISHONORABLE; Palin = SCARY!!!

Posted by: Howard Gallas | Oct 17, 2008 10:51:01 PM

maybe Palin will play a lost moose on SNL

Posted by: Gus | Oct 17, 2008 10:53:46 PM

Wow...can't wait for SNL. So she's getting praise for her second available interview in 3 months? Crazy...

http://demockracy.com/wedge-colored-glasses/

Posted by: Kevin | Oct 17, 2008 10:57:04 PM

Sarah Palin was hand picked to be the cute "pit bull in lipstick" for the McCain campaign. For those that understand the "Stepford Wife" allusion, we know she has been programmed to spew vile lies, false insuations, and say key words to associate McCain's opponent in her words only to the vile she robotically repeats. It has been an insult to the majority of U.S. citizens' ability to think critically and research the facts. She is NOT my research source. Hopefully, the majority will rise above the "Joe-Six-Pack-Plummer" references from a self-righteous separatist. I like to think we U.S. citizens are smarter than believing a party puppet.

Posted by: Terresa | Oct 17, 2008 10:59:31 PM

Sarah Palin will need the money to help take care of her unwed daughter,
She does not want a Palin grandchild on Public Welfare in Alaska.

Posted by: Lucky Lucy | Oct 17, 2008 11:01:14 PM

Palin...and her false INSINUATIONS...

Posted by: Terresa | Oct 17, 2008 11:01:15 PM

She finally had the decency to say something nice. Maybe if she spent more time getting out a positive message with real ideas at her "pro-America" rallies, then she wouldn't be so lambasted.

Posted by: MIguy | Oct 17, 2008 11:04:52 PM

Seven minutes to convince anyone listening she is not a lost cause.
Times up. She's a lost cause.

Posted by: doug | Oct 17, 2008 11:05:54 PM

What happened to my comments about Palin's "Stepford Wife," programmed statements? Palin is an insult to the citizens of this GREAT nation. I pray that voters are wise enough to rise above Palin's lies.

Posted by: Terresa | Oct 17, 2008 11:08:47 PM

Can't help thinking it wasn't her decency speaking, but instructions from McCain. Buried behind the mean-spirited attacks and disguised by his grouchiness and temper, there is still some decency. Palin's 'decency' seems to be reserved for those that she regards as being her sort of people. Democrats and moderates on the other hand are fair game.

Posted by: Klippa | Oct 17, 2008 11:12:25 PM

VOTE EARLY! THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFE TIME!

Posted by: Terresa | Oct 17, 2008 11:13:30 PM

How come no one in the press mentions Palin's own minister, Thomas Muthee, the one who exorcised Palin's "witches" and who has an anti-Semitic agenda? There's all kinds of reliable sources out there, even a vid of this jerk spouting his hate while Palin sat in the audience, but the mainstream media doesn't mention it. Nor did the press say a word when Palin quoted Westbrook Pegler, an openly vicious racist and anti-Semitic writer, at her RNC speech. This is who Sarah Palin is: a right-wing religious fundamentalist who admires racists and anti-Semites, who wants to shove her religious beliefs down the throats and into the uteruses of every American. So, how come you guys fawn all over her in the thirty seconds the McCain campaign lets her give you every few weeks?

Ditto for Palin and her husband's involvement in the rabidly anti-American Alaska Independence Party. Why isn't the press all over her, instead of giving her talking points on the stupid recycled Ayers and Wright stories? The AIP have said things that make the youthful Ayers sound like a Sunday school teacher. How about letting the public know?

How come no one in the "liberal media" asks McCain about his continuing relationship with Gordon Liddy?

How come all the press is talking about ACORN, when they have to admit ACORN hasn't done anything wrong, while meanwhile, all over the country, the GOP is using all the cheap tricks in the book to get voters whom they fear disenfranchised, like they did for the past two elections? They're pros at cheating, but no one gives them a hard time.

Now I see reporters are getting attacked at Palin rallies for not being reverent enough. Serves you guys right. Maybe you'll do some real reporting.

Not holding my breath, though.

Posted by: SFSister | Oct 17, 2008 11:16:31 PM

Sarah Palin is our nation's last hope! So Vote for McCain and Palin.

Posted by: Eric | Oct 17, 2008 11:17:45 PM

It is obvious from the idiotic posts by Senator Obama's supporters that Governor Palin has shaken Obama's campaign, in spite of the press having taken every opportunity to try to discredit her.

McCain/Palin '08

Posted by: LJ | Oct 17, 2008 11:20:15 PM

Michele Bachmann. Told Matthews today on Hardball that Obama is anti-American and congress should be investigated to root out liberals.

She will be joining Palin on the campaign trail soon.

Posted by: WorseThanPalin | Oct 17, 2008 11:22:38 PM

Great, now I'm gonna miss another night of SNL. Thanks Sarah! I can't really see her doing comedy or there being any motivation to bother setting my tivo. We already know enough about her...It's bad enough thinking about McCain's short temper and poor judgement in running the country but to think of Palin's lack of knowledge or much of anything else. She's kind of like an empty box. Not much to it or in it...empty space between the ears. It's too bad McCain couldn't have found a better pick for this. I mean this isn't a beauty contest. He's too old and she's just too much of an airhead.

Posted by: momof2 | Oct 17, 2008 11:25:00 PM

Vote Obama for your children!!

Posted by: mitch | Oct 17, 2008 11:26:46 PM

Shes perfect for SNL considering her nomination is a joke.

Posted by: Bobba | Oct 17, 2008 11:29:59 PM

This woman is a wayyyyy over her head, a rambling talk-point machine. She cannot string a sentence together that vaguely resembles the intelligence necessary for this job. Country first, McCain? I think NOT!

Posted by: Anna | Oct 17, 2008 11:31:53 PM

I'm with Eric. The left-wing liberals and the media have been HORRIBLE with their disrespect for Sarah Palin- who is running for Vice President and has more experience than "The One."
If SNL doesn't railroad Sarah on the show- her sincerity and genuine love FOR her country and pride FOR her country -will shine through.
What a better place for Sarah to "get through" to the young people whose frame of reference doesn't KNOW a lot of history- and shamefully- the American educational system - has failed to teach them.

McCain-Palin 2008
P.S. Please don't through your vote away by "writing in" Hillary, Huckabee, Romney, Paul or Barr- to make a "statement"
It will just weaken the statement that we God fearing, Country LOVING people have to make.
I can't bear to think of a first lady who feels that "America is a downright mean country."
The liberal left are mean, angry, disrepectful- SCARY people.

Posted by: Alec | Oct 17, 2008 11:33:31 PM

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