The World Newser is World News' daily blog. Here, you'll find our staff's thoughts on the day's news and the way we build our broadcast. Plus, we'll share reports from our team of correspondents in the field, as well as producers behind-the-scenes.
RECENT POSTS
- Going Rogue, Selling High
- What One Man 200 Miles Above Earth is Thankful For Today
- Clem's Chronicles: Toyota Recall/Afghan Speech/State Dinner Crashers
- Charlie Gibson...On this Thanksgiving
- Quotes of the Day: 'It is my intention to finish the job'
- Start Your Shopping Engines
- The Hajj and Women's Dress
- Clem's Chronicles: Afghanistan/WH State Dinner/Holiday Travel
- Photos: White House State Dinners Through the Years
- Are We Becoming A Nation of Know-Nothings?
- Quotes of the Day: 'President Obama has the information he wants... to make his decision'
- Clem's Chronicles: Jobs/Afghanistan/Health Care Reform/Deficit
WORLD NEWSER CATEGORIES
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
The Palin Interview
September 11, 2008 5:07 PM
Charlie Gibson has just finished his first interview with Sarah Palin. It's a global tour -- Iraq and Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Georgia and Russia, and America's place in the world. For all of you who were concerned -- Charlie asked plenty of follow-ups. There were also questions about her general qualifications to be Vice President. Or Commander-In-Chief. Here are a couple of excerpts. Much more on World News this evening.
GIBSON: Governor, let me start by asking you a question that I asked John McCain about you, and it is really the central question. Can you look the country in the eye and say "I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice president, but perhaps president of the United States of America?"
PALIN: I do, Charlie, and on January 20, when John McCain and I are sworn in, if we are so privileged to be elected to serve this country, we'll be ready. I'm ready.
GIBSON: And you didn't say to yourself, "Am I experienced enough? Am I ready? Do I know enough about international affairs? Do I -- will I feel comfortable enough on the national stage to do this?"
PALIN: I didn't hesitate, no.
GIBSON: Didn't that take some hubris?
PALIN: I -- I answered him yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink. So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate.
****************************
GIBSON: You said recently, in your old church, "Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God." Are we fighting a holy war?
PALIN: You know, I don't know if that was my exact quote.
GIBSON: Exact words.
PALIN: But the reference there is a repeat of Abraham Lincoln's words when he said -- first, he suggested never presume to know what God's will is, and I would never presume to know God's will or to speak God's words. But what Abraham Lincoln had said, and that's a repeat in my comments, was let us not pray that God is on our side in a war or any other time, but let us pray that we are on God's side. That's what that comment was all about, Charlie.
GIBSON: I take your point about Lincoln's words, but you went on and said, "There is a plan and it is God's plan."
PALIN: I believe that there is a plan for this world and 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 that I believe are God-given, Charlie, and I believe that those are the rights to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That, in my world view, is a grand -- the grand plan.
GIBSON: But then are you sending your son on a task that is from God?
PALIN: I don't know if the task is from God, Charlie. What I know is that my son has made a decision. I am so proud of his independent and strong decision he has made, what he decided to do and serving for the right reasons and serving something greater than himself and not choosing a real easy path where he could be more comfortable and certainly safer.
***STAY TUNED***
September 11, 2008 in Vote 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (668)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
We knew that he'd lob softballs with no follow-up so this is no surprise. Nice backdrop too, a comfortable walk on a path. Can it get any easier for this chick?
Posted by: Ohioangel | Sep 11, 2008 5:34:51 PM
I mean, what better, harder-hitting follow-up to "are you qualified?" then "no, really--are you qualified?" Excellent job, Chuck.
Posted by: bartholi | Sep 11, 2008 5:34:53 PM
don't forget Hannity
Posted by: bc46 | Sep 11, 2008 5:34:56 PM
She handled those questions honestly and fairly...she makes good points and it is hard to pin anything against her without looking like a hatchet-man from the liberal left ! The are squirming like worms on a hot rock right now !
Posted by: bob | Sep 11, 2008 5:35:04 PM
doug, she stands for distraction. She stands for smoke and mirrors. She stands for ignoring the issues.
Posted by: obamamama | Sep 11, 2008 5:35:09 PM
Palin's son joined the army because Mom and Dad couldn't handle him anymore. It's all coming out, and there isn't anything patriotic about his enlisting. Lots of young people when they get into trouble are given the option of enlisting or facing jail time.
Posted by: Phillip | Sep 11, 2008 5:35:10 PM
I don't have any problems with the way Palin answered those questions. Seems very reasonable to me!
I think the far left are afraid that Palin is some kind of hard-core religious person.
Well, she goes to a non-denominational church since 2002, and she believes that abstinence should be taught in schools, but she is NOT against sex ed. Palin never banned any books. Palin even vetoed a bill that was against GAYS.
You guys need to understand where her passion is: it's in fighting corruption, reforming Washington, and energy independence.
Her passion is NOT about going after gays, or people who have sex, and she does not come across as a religious zealot at all.
There ARE democrats in Alaska and they like her.
Her own husband Todd is an independent.
Haven't you guys figured out that McCain/ Palin are the closest thing to "independent/ republicans" we have ever seen?
Since when did we have a republican like McCain, who believes we need to fight global warming??
You guys need to chill, these are not the republicans we have been used to.
Posted by: kat in you hat PUMA | Sep 11, 2008 5:35:17 PM
ok so what experience in anything but voting PRESENT!!! does Obama have??? who is number one on the ticket??? i believe the main reason you dont hear him talking to much about Palin is because he has NO record to run on!
Posted by: carrie | Sep 11, 2008 5:35:25 PM
At least she didn't say something like: "Charlie, when comes to my experience or Senator Obama's experience to be Vice President of this great land, let's call a spade a spade - no one can really be ready."
Posted by: Chas | Sep 11, 2008 5:35:33 PM
Obama has put in the time??? How about McCain... If your vote is for experience, then why are you siding for Obama... Think about it for a little bit... In my opinion, Biden is more qualified to be president than Obama. Biden himself said Obama is inexperienced yet NO ONE said anything about McCain's experience.
Posted by: Bill | Sep 11, 2008 5:35:39 PM
There is a certain degree of naivete in that answer about Russia. Do McCain and Palin believe that the world need another hardliners after the 8 years of Bush? I am sure that European will be wary of this kind of stance.
Posted by: Lance D. | Sep 11, 2008 5:35:47 PM
If there was any doubt at all...she is 100% politician. If I was a hockey Mom I'd be ticked by her assertion that she is one of them!
Posted by: Jeff | Sep 11, 2008 5:36:05 PM
Obama has put in the time??? How about McCain... If your vote is for experience, then why are you siding for Obama... Think about it for a little bit... In my opinion, Biden is more qualified to be president than Obama. Biden himself said Obama is inexperienced yet NO ONE said anything about McCain's experience.
Posted by: Bill | Sep 11, 2008 5:36:11 PM
disgusted in Illinois
I am with you. I am very interested in what she will have to say.
Posted by: 30yrdem-not any more | Sep 11, 2008 5:36:22 PM
Terresa, you're right. Remember he can't seem to be too tough on a women! She needs to be treated like all other candidates. No special treatment. If she can't handle it then get out!
Posted by: Alma | Sep 11, 2008 5:36:37 PM
...Well I guess we will see then won't we? Ultimately we will know who Sarah Palin is...
Posted by: Thomas | Sep 11, 2008 5:36:52 PM
This country is going to need alot more than any "God" to help, if she & McCain get elected! I am scared at the possibility of two "shoot from the hip" candidates getting elected, who could literally tear this country to shreds! And I am embarassed this has even been allowed to happen.
OBAMA-BIDEN 2008!
Posted by: nicole | Sep 11, 2008 5:37:03 PM
The Obama team is on the ball!!!
------
That's right. ENOUGH! We're going to talk about issues whether you like it or not.
Posted by: obamamama | Sep 11, 2008 5:37:12 PM
Really tough questions, ABC! McCain and Palin should hire Charlie Gibson as press secretary if they get elected.
Posted by: Ray | Sep 11, 2008 5:37:14 PM
I love it. "I didn't blink." That's what makes you qualified? Not taking time to consider the implications?
We've already had to stomach one two many presidents who rule from their gut. Can't wait to have somebody who uses his head for a change.
Posted by: mike | Sep 11, 2008 5:37:18 PM
Post a comment
