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Palin Turns Focus to National Security
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ShareOctober 30, 2008 10:15 PM
ABC News' Imtiyaz Delawala Reports: Following her running mate's lead, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin sought to turn the focus to national security on the campaign trail today, charging that Sen. Barack Obama is "incapable of meeting" the national security challenges facing the country.
"In five days, it's all gonna come down to a choice between two men -- Barack Obama and John McCain," Palin said at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania today. "And you know a man can be admirable in many ways, and quite promising and still not be quite ready for the most important and demanding job in the world. Rousing speeches can fill a stadium, but they cannot keep our country safe."
Palin dismissed Obama’s 30-minute ad buy that aired on seven television networks last night as a "warm and fuzzy, scripted infomercial" that ignored Iraq and Afghanistan.
"He didn’t talk much about the stakes in the wars that America is fighting and he didn’t explain why he voted to cut off funding for our troops over there in the war zone when they need our support," Palin said. "Instead, he wrapped his closing message in a warm and fuzzy, scripted infomercial intended to soften the focus in these closing days. He’s hoping your mind won’t wander to the real challenges of national security, challenges that he is incapable of meeting."
Palin had introduced the new line of argument after participating in a "National Security Roundtable" in Erie, PA with a panel of McCain campaign foreign policy advisors, including former CIA Director James Woolsey, former 9/11 Commission member John Lehman, and former Secretary of Homeland Security and Erie, Pennsylvania native Tom Ridge.
After the roundtable, Palin argued that domestic and foreign policy cannot be separated, citing energy policy as an example of an issue that has an impact both at home and abroad. Palin had spoken extensively about the Republican ticket’s plans on energy security in a policy speech in Toledo, OH yesterday.
"Gone are the days when we had placed domestic and foreign concerns in two distinct categories and just choose a president according to the priorities of the moment," Palin said. "On November 4th we need to elect a president who can handle the difficulties in the economy and the dangers of the world all at the same time."
Palin said she understood that most Americans are focused on the current "economic hard times" instead of foreign policy.
"When your most valuable assets -- from your home to your retirement plan -- seem at risk, it may be hard to spend much time worrying about great troubles in far-off places," Palin said. "It may be hard to spare much thought even for the most urgent matters of national security."
But she argued that the "dangers of the world do not disappear" and that the next president will still face foreign policy threats after the economic crisis has passed.
"The terrorist threat will be with us for many years, and millions of innocent lives are hanging in the balance," Palin said. "And in this time for choosing, the question is which man will protect us from Osama bin Laden, from Al Qaeda, from the prospects of a nuclear-armed Iran, and other grave threats in the world, which one understands that threat? That man is Senator John McCain."
Palin charged that a Democratic Congress would not protect the country, slamming comments made recently by Democratic Rep. Barney Frank, in which he called for a 25 percent cut in the defense budget.
"Let's not retreat from wars that are almost won," Palin said. "And let's not gut the defense budget, in a time of multiple conflicts and obvious dangers. And let's not entrust all the powers of the federal government to the one-party rule of Obama, Pelosi, and Reid."
Palin closed by arguing that only McCain knew the costs of war, and was ready to lead on the country’s security challenges as president.
"He is a man of unquestioned honor and personal and political courage, and of tested judgment – and the kind of judgment that avoids crisis instead of inviting it," Palin said. "In a time of great danger, we are fortunate to have a man of his caliber ready, deserving, to serve as commander in chief."
October 30, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (136)
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Right, Sarah Palin has the credibility on foreign policy to make these charges....
Posted by: James | Oct 30, 2008 10:30:24 PM
Gee, I could have sworn that Obama said that economic strength and less dependence on Middle Eastern oil was directly connected to our safety?
"We need leadership that understands the connection between our economy and our strength in the world. We often hear about two debates -- one on national security and one on the economy -- but that is a false distinction."
He said that on October 22, in Richmond VA.
Guess Palin wasn't listening. No surprise.
Posted by: This is SO Old | Oct 30, 2008 10:38:53 PM
I used to support Barack Obama, but Barack Obama says he relies on his judgement, particularly to listen to good advice. he chides Sen. McCain for saying, "I don't know as much about the economy as I do military issues," when in fact he's the one that knows next to nothing about the economy. what has he done that makes us think he knows about the economy? because he "cares" about the middle class... like every other politician in Washington D.C.? He has never run a city, but he's criticized small town mayors. he has never run a state; he has never run a business, but he will criticize businesspeople. He's not even qualified to run a Dairy Queen... if he were to apply for a job at Dairy Queen right now, he wouldn't be offerred the job of "manager," maybe cashier and work his way up, but he is unqualified. Just today, Pres. Clinton said Barack Obama's response to the financial crisis, which he called Sen. McCain's erratic, Sen. Obama told his advisors, "tell me what is right, and I will sell it." United States Presidents have access to the brightest minds in the world, that is uniform. Who he listens to depends on the person in the Oval Office. Who does Sen. Obama listen to? His spiritual advisor: the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Education reform: William Ayers. Community affairs: ACORN. Foreign issues: Rashid Khalidi. These are the people who have had Sen. Obama's ear in the past; these people are too radical.
Posted by: Obamacrat for McCain | Oct 30, 2008 10:39:53 PM
The biggest threat to America is not Osama Bin Laden, it is republican ideology.
Palin has become erratic, bringing up this and that nonsense each day. She and McCain have become irrelevant in the past week, but they can still evidently make the news.
In 4 days, I will wake up for the first time in 8 years, and the first thing that crosses my mind when hearing the news will no longer be "God Damn America".
Obama. God Bless America.
Posted by: Clifton | Oct 30, 2008 10:42:41 PM
PALIN WILL TURN THE INTEREST ANY WHERE BUT TO HER MEDICAL RECORDS.
IS SHE BI-POLAR? HAS SHE BEEN IN REHAB? DOES SHE HAVE A BRAIN TUMOR? HAS SHE HAD AN ABORTION? THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW THESE THINGS ABOUT SOMEONE A HEART BEAT AWAY FROM BEING PRESIDENT OF A SUPER POWER WITH NUCLEAR CAPIBLITIES. McCAIN IS THE OLDEST CANIDATE EVER!
Posted by: Edith Ann | Oct 30, 2008 10:44:35 PM
Palin dismissed Obama’s 30-minute ad buy that aired on seven television networks last night as a "warm and fuzzy, scripted infomercial" that ignored Iraq and Afghanistan.
Yep, he ignored the fact that McCain is ignorant about Iraq and his inaction has put us in danger of losing Afghanistan to the enemy that actually attacked us on 9-11.
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | Oct 30, 2008 10:47:43 PM
I CAN SEE RUSSIA FROM MY HOUSE!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Paltickin | Oct 30, 2008 10:49:39 PM
Listening to Sarah Palin pontificate on National Security is like having my 4-year grandson tell me how to operate a motor vehicle. Like anyone is going to take what she says with anything approaching serious regard. HAHAHAHA. What a complete joke she is.
Posted by: Valerie | Oct 30, 2008 10:52:01 PM
And since when are stories about people's economic difficulties "warm and fuzzy"??? What a big heart she has....NOT
Posted by: Valerie | Oct 30, 2008 10:53:59 PM
Sarah Palin lecturing us on National Security? yeah i know maverick, real american....I wonder why Al-Qaida wants McCain in the white house? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553
It real simple. They know it will allow them to continue to strengthen their organization.
Posted by: Todd | Oct 30, 2008 10:54:36 PM
What I don't understand is why this race is as close as it appears to be. It concerns me that there are that many people buying into the lies and distortions of the McCain campaign. One can only hope that reason prevails.
Posted by: shelleyt | Oct 30, 2008 10:58:50 PM
More from October 22, Richmond VA
"We must be strong at home to be strong abroad - that is the lesson of our history. Our economy supports our military power, it increases our diplomatic leverage, and it is a foundation of America's leadership and in the world. Through World War II, American workers built an Arsenal of Democracy that helped our heroic troops face down fascism. Through the Cold War, the engine of the American economy helped power our triumph over Communism.
Now, we must renew American competitiveness to support our security and global leadership. That means creating millions of jobs in a new American energy sector, so that we're not borrowing billions from China to buy oil from Saudi Arabia - for the sake of our economy and our security, we must end our dependence on foreign oil. Keeping America ahead also calls for investments in American education, innovation and infrastructure, so that our kids can compete, our homeland is secure, and our country remains on the cutting edge."
And people listen to this stupid woman who was doubtless only regurgitating the talking points from her secret "National Security Roundtable?" You know, the one the press wasn't allowed to witness. It was no "roundtable." it was a coaching session and worst of all, ALL THE TALKING POINTS WERE EXACTLY WHAT OBAMA SAID A WEEK AGO!!!
WOW, what a brain trust the McCain/Palin campaign has!!
Palin, shut up and go home. I'm sure there's a moose just waiting to be shot.
Posted by: This is SO Old | Oct 30, 2008 10:59:09 PM
To Bush-Cheney-McCain-Palin Republicans,
Remember the S-3B Viking aircraft President Bush used to land on the carrier to unfurl
his mission accomplished banner? They are almost all gone! Surprise, Surprise! The fleet of 150 aircraft in service have all been eliminated
because of the failed,isolatioist defense policies of Bush-Cheney-McCain-Palin.
Invest a dime call public affairs at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, 904-542-2338
and ask them where all the Vikings have gone? And while you're at it ask them
where 50 P-3 Orions have gone as Bush-Cheney-McCin-Palin have gutted out sea/control and patrol aircraft fleets. Ask them what happened to their navy
reserve VP- squadrons? They've been gutted,too. No wonder piracy is on the increase around the world.
McCain wears his Navy hat like a crown but all the jewels have been lost.
On July 13th 9 US Army soldiers were killed in a Taliban raid in Afghanistan
and immediately what stood out was inadequate actical airpower. Ask the
Bush-Cheney-McCain-Palin folks why tactical airpower was gutted in the
last 2005 BRAC under a REPUBLICAN Congress? Ask them why retired VAdm Dunn
has recently issued a statement that Navy and Marine Corps aviation has a shortfall of 125 FA-18 Hornet/SuperHornet derivatives?
Why did Bush-Cheney-McCain-Palin
policies reduce SuperHornet production rates while fighting two wars?
We had over 100 AC-47/AC-119/AC-130 gunships in Vietnam even while we were
acively withdrawing forces, today we have less than 20 operational AC-130s?
Call DoD public affairs 1-703-697-5131 and ask them why we're in an isolationist posture fighting two wars?
Has the new defense policy morphed from 'drill, baby,drill,' to 'nuke 'em, baby, nuke' em,' if our conventional force structure has been destroyed?
Call Holloman AFB,New Mexico at the 49th Fighter Wing public affairs and ask them
why the F-1117 fleet has been retired while we're fighting two wars. If they tell you the F-22A is replacing them then ask them now that we have 3 wings of these capable but very expensive systems, why haven't any been deployed to either of our two failed wars? Their phone number is 1-505-572-7383.
Those 9 kids killed in Afghanistan on July 13th were set up for failure
by Bush-Cheney-McCain-Palin,
not Bill Clinton, not Barack Obama.
Want more? Examples are all over. Self-serving, know-nothing, Republican
defense snops need to get your heads out of your exhaust pipes, NOW.
Its way past time for a REAL CHANGE. You are dismissed.
Posted by: tree-of-life | Oct 30, 2008 10:59:12 PM
This coming from someone that cannot secure her own email.
Stupidity can be lethal as GW Bush made abundantly clear. His primitive apocalyptic view of international relations all but guaranteed the Iraq invasion.
Coming out Sarah Palin''s mouth, there is the same view of glory in war as an American avocation. Subconsciously, she didn''t protect her email on purpose, hoping she could bomb Iran to avenge her privacy invasion.
And, of course, she wouldn''t want to waste all those lessons on how to pronounce Ahmadinejad.
Posted by: Edmond Dantès | Oct 30, 2008 10:59:26 PM
I thought tomorrow was Halloween - why is she saying "boo" today?
Posted by: MIguy | Oct 30, 2008 11:00:01 PM
Ummm...because she is...
::slaps self in forhead::
Posted by: Celeste Blue Dawn | Oct 30, 2008 11:02:21 PM
I THOUGHT JOE THE PLUNGER WAS IN CHARGE OF FOREIGN POLICY, CAUSE HE CAN SEE ALL THE "MADE IN CHINA" PRODUCTS AT HOME DEPOT.
LOL
Posted by: Ed from MA | Oct 30, 2008 11:05:02 PM
This comment is directed to Edith Ann who is worried about Sarah Palin's medical records. I would like to know if anyone has seen Barack Obama's medical records, college records or thesis. And I would like to know why Barack Obama and the DNC filed a motion to dismiss the Philip Berg lawsuit that wanted Obama to produce his vault birth certificate to prove that he is actually eligible to be the POTUS. When John McCain was asked to produce his birth certificate he did so and offered to produce anything else that was needed. So what exactly is Obama hiding??????
Posted by: Liz | Oct 30, 2008 11:06:28 PM
Now now... calm down everyone. I mean, isnt she qualified? Remember, SHE CAN SEE RUSSIA FROM HER HOUSE!!!
Posted by: JoeShmoe | Oct 30, 2008 11:06:56 PM
Obamacrat, let's at least be honest. You never supported Obama. Not for one moment. The attitude you display is that of a hard core McBushite. You're fooling no one. So why the subtrafuge?
Having been reading posts from Republicans on this and other sites all I can say is we can't elect Obama quick enough. The quicker we marginalize the Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity fans the better.
God bless America.
Posted by: jbrinky | Oct 30, 2008 11:08:12 PM
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