Sarah Palin's Interview With Katie Couric
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
September 26, 2008 9:40am CST
I'm sure by now many of you have seen at least part of Katie Couric's interviews with sarah Palin. There have been two parts aired so far with a third yet to come, as I understand it. Here's a portion of the part that aired last night, Thursday, September 25, with the link to the entire transcript directly following it:
Couric: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?
Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundary that we have with Canada. It's funny that a comment like that was kinda made to … I don't know, you know … reporters.
Couric: Mocked?
Palin: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.
Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.
Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…
Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?
Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.
(End of Excerpt)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/25/eveningnews/main4479062.shtml
I know I did this backwards, but here's a portion of the first part of the interview which aired on Wednesday, September 24, also followed by the link:
Couric: You've said, quote, "John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?
Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie - that, that's paramount. That's more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.
Couric: But he's been in Congress for 26 years. He's been chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee. And he has almost always sided with less regulation, not more.
Palin: He's also known as the maverick though, taking shots from his own party, and certainly taking shots from the other party. Trying to get people to understand what he's been talking about - the need to reform government.
Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you've said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?
Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.
Couric: I'm just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.
Palin: I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you.
(End of excerpt)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/24/eveningnews/main4476173.shtml
How do you think, honestly and objectively, Palin did in these interviews? Do you feel more confident or less confident about her readiness to take over as President if the need arises? Has your opinion changed about whether or not she was a good choice for McCain's running mate based on these and other interviews as well as other things you've learned about Palin since she was introduced three weeks ago?
Annie
7 people like this
18 responses
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I feel so sorry for Sarah Palin. I can't even watch this interview anymore. I change the channel every time it comes on.
John McCain ought to be ashamed of himself for putting this woman in such a difficult position.
She is definately unqualified, on many levels, for the job of Vice President of the United States of America.
It's been said that America's enemies prefer Barack Obama over John McCain. After seeing this interview, America's enemies must be licking their chops, hoping that the 72 year old John McCain will win and put Sarah Palin one step away from being President of the United States.
She is an embarrassment and incompetant. There is no need for her to debate Senator Joe Biden. I hope the McCain campaign comes to it's senses and find a way to cancel any debate between the two.
We know enough about Sarah Palin and there's no reason to try and get to know her any better.
Lloyd
6 people like this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
even more, find a way or replacing Palin before its too late but with so much behind the scenes at work (involvement among Bush and McCain) I just think she might very well be locked in whether she likes it or not.
4 people like this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
26 Sep 08
The interviews I've seen and read have shown me one thing for sure -- neither McCain nor Palin could possibly pass a high school debate class. I'm not thnking about Robert's Rules, or standing on ceremony in any way. They just seem never to be prepared. Maybe they think just being Republican is enough, but I know only a few people who vote a straight ticket tht way.
Interviews are worse than speeches from them, but even the speeches they hire people to write are vacuous. What's the point? Most of the time, I can't figure it out. Maybe it's one of those cases in which they want us to hear what they don't say, or what they really meant when they said something else?
Have there ever been weaker candidates?
6 people like this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
26 Sep 08
That's what we've seen so far, certainly. I hope Obama learns not to turn each answer into a lengthy lecture, and McCain learns to control his temper and prevent his anger at anyone who disagrees. I hope at least some of the questions catch them off-guard, so we can hear a bit of truth here and there. And I hope whoever wins can actually become a good president. We've had too much of the other sort!
3 people like this
@chameleonsdream (1230)
• United States
26 Sep 08
Political debates are not debates - they're oratory contests. There are many times that the public and the pundits have been completely in disagreement about who 'won' the debate. That's because the pundits - and to a large extent any political reporter - is judging based on the clarity and completeness of the answers the debaters give to the questions. However, the real winner in a debate is the one that scores points with the public. McCain is likely to come out the winner not because he has a better grasp of the issues but because he is the superior sloganeer. Obama will give reasoned, thoughtful responses which will be characterized as 'dancing around the issue'. McCain will make pronouncements and wait the appropriate amount of time for the cheering to die down.
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
26 Sep 08
Yes, Annie, my opinion has changed. Now I am scared sh*tless that McCain and Palin will end up in the Whitehouse! I didn't think she was very smart to begin with, but man, she is just pathetic. I felt sorry for her for a moment...fortunately, my daughter slapped me in the back of the head and I came to my senses! All I can say is OMG! She is completely laughable in a sick kind of way. How in the he11 did she ever get elected Governor? I don't think that she would have been elected in any other state.
If anything was going to show that she is not VP material, nevermind Presidential material, these interviews are it. I don't know if I can stand to watch her in debates with Biden or not. Oh, wait, I am looking forward to it. It's time everyone saw exactly what she is made of...pitbull just is not working for her. I just hope that people who are enamoured of her wake up and see her for what she is before the election. I don't want to have to pray for another President not to die for the next four years!
4 people like this
@ClarusVisum (2163)
• United States
26 Sep 08
Mixing up events in history is one thing (and Palin's done that too, saying that the founding fathers recited the Pledge of Allegiance, which was written in 1892), but being completely clueless about CURRENT EVENTS is another thing altogether.
Nice try, though.
7 people like this
@ClarusVisum (2163)
• United States
26 Sep 08
As amazing as it is to say considering she's no doubt been given a constant crash course in how to handle stuff like this, she's getting worse in interviews, not better. This interview made it look like Gibson was interviewing Mark Twain before. Watch as she tells us that the bailout is about health care reform, then LOOK DOWN AT HER NOTES (who brings notes to something like this), and then changes her answer to what it was 'supposed' to be according to her prepared talking points:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npUMUASwaec
4 people like this
@ClarusVisum (2163)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I start to feel sorry for him too, until I realize that it was his decision to sell out to the guys who trashed the hell out of him in 2000. He HIRED the guy who used the "he has a black baby" to smear him. He's PAYING him now!
I'm sorry, but McCain made his own bed here--he gave himself to the dark side, and now they're in control. That's why Palin is his running mate instead of Lieberman, who McCain wanted.
4 people like this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
its erie because the people that do know what McCain was like before know that he is nearly unrecognizable and I do believe others are running show, aka Bush Administration and I found it so weird how he would join Sarah Palin at rallys and stand on stage wandering from one side to another hands crossed at his waist like a little boy and his expression just looks lost
4 people like this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I kind of feel sorry for McCain too who obviously wants this bad and with these pathetic mess ups I can only see his efforts going down in flames, hes not getting any younger and I really do miss the old McCain who I used to watch on McCain--just a reasonable sound guy.
4 people like this
@jerzgirl (9233)
• United States
26 Sep 08
It only helps me know that I am right about not wanting to vote for that ticket. She claims McCain has so many credentials on the economy, but doesn't know but one? Then how does she know he has so many? And, who is trading with Russia? Alaska or the US? If the US, is she directly involved with the negotiations? If not, where are her foreign policy credentials? Having a cop living next door to me doesn't make me an expert on law enforcement, so I'd like to know just how she dealt with Russia besides having planes fly overhead or land in Anchorage from and to there. 
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
Maybe she REALLY thinks like that about foreign policy
3 people like this
@jerzgirl (9233)
• United States
26 Sep 08
You just reminded me that I still haven't received mine and I asked for it a month ago. I'll have to call them on Monday, I guess. I'm doing absentee because my landlady works for the city and helps count the ballots and always tells everyone who I voted for! And, because I'm not voting according to their wishes, I catch hell for it. The only way she can match my ballot to my name is to be looking for the ballot number written next to my name when they hand it to me. It doesn't bother her one bit that she's breaking the law. So, I would rather bypass her entirely and send the ballot directly to the county.
2 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I'm sorry to be so bad but, I haven't stopped laughing about that whole Putin thing yet. If I was asked to be on the VP part of the ticket, I would decline if I didn't believe that I could debate and handle the press. I mean was she awake in the 2000 election cycle? How about the 2004 cycle? McCain and Kerry were wiped all over the papers with smears. And, if I did take the offer I would be spending every minute of every day studing everything about my running mate (good and bad) and also as much about the world as I possibly could. My opinion has not changed, she does not know even to be the vice president of the local PTA.
4 people like this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
Does anyone have any links about the Putin thing because I was so caught up in the financial crisis that I didn't even see most of that, annoyingly I saw two international leaders praising her and most recently one said "Oh my, now I know why so many Americans love you" it was disgusting like he was nearly drooling at the mouth, Im like 'Are you serious!' THATs all it takes is good looks and its degrading to Palin who does not want to be seen as just a rack of meat...you can say he didnt mean that but I still differ.
3 people like this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I'm not a big Sarah Palin fan but reading this (as opposed to listening to it) made me feel for her. Once when I was a caseworker, I had to give some transcribed testimony to a state investigator in a Welfare fraus case. I didn't know that when something you are saying is being recorded, you have to watch how you say things. Every "yeah" makes you sound like a yokel. I think Sarah Palin is doing some of the same things I did then and I feel sorry for her. A more experienced candidate would have the double speak down better but that doesn't necessarily mean she is doing any worse. In fact, she is probably being more forthright but it just doesn't sound good.
1 person likes this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
Yea, thats the impression I got because you could tell she was trying to come back with answers where two attempts would fail and she would quickly just answer the question the way SHE would but your right it just does not sound good but in Alaska I think they are more laid back about that stuff and speaking bluntly is probably even admired but I still think on the VP level she might even have higher expectations because she IS a woman to come off elegantly but I just wish she would be more politically correct.
2 people like this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I think Palin is the epitomy of honesty in her interviews. She is not used to being in front of a camera and sometimes stumbles with her thoughts and words, but that is only because she is human and has not been in the public spotlight as much as many other political figures. The interviews have made me respect her more because I identify with her and she is consistent about not changing her story about things she has been asked before. I believe she would be a great president.
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
26 Sep 08
"has not been in the public spotlight as much as many other political figures."
Really? She was Mayor and should have been in local news on a regular basis. She's been Governor for two years and should have plenty of experience in speaking publically. I don't see the excuse for her being so inept at being interviewed.
Besides, hasn't McCain and his camp been saying how great she is? That she was ready to lead? That she's tough? You can't have it both ways.
3 people like this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I don't think she was "so inept" with the interviews, and being in the national spotlight with high-powered interviewers like Charles Gibson and Katie Couric is quite a bit different than being on the local news in Alaska. She is breaking new ground here and I think she is doing an admirable job.
1 person likes this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
knowing that she should of came prepared with answers, NOT "I'll try find some and get back to you"
4 people like this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
27 Sep 08
I normally stay away from the political discussions on myLot, but I did watch the interview online. Palin is in no way ready to be VP and McCain should have known better than to put her on the ticket. I have not been a McCain fan from the beginning, but his lack of judgment on who to pick as a running mate even really makes me hope that Americans make the right choice come election day.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
27 Sep 08
I sure hope so too! It's really hard to say something like this for sure but I honestly believe that even if I were originally a McCain supporter and even if I were a conservative I'd have some serious misgivings now after having seen and heard more of his choice for running mate. As it's been said many, many times, the nominees' choices for running mates are the voter's first chances to see what types of decisions they'll make as President, the first true indicators of their judgment capabilities. Obama clearly gave a great deal of thought to his selection and chose someone we can all feel very confident about his readiness to take over at a moment's notice. Senator Biden doesn't need a crash course in foreign policy or any of the other issues that face us. McCain, on the other hand, chose Sarah Palin most likely partly to satisfy those on the far right in his party and partly with the idea he could pull in more female voters simply by putting a woman - ANY woman - on the ticket. He met her once, he obviously didn't vet her hardly at all and now we all see she doesn't have a clue. A witch-hunter pastor laid his hands on her and prayed for her to be elected Governor of Alaska, may all need a man of God to collectively lay his hands on all of us that this woman doesn't make her way to the White House!
Annie
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
As soon as McCain chose her I was just speechless and thinking 'Is this a joke or something?' (Hey he does come off schizophrenic with his decisions at times). And I was not fooled by all the hip hurraah because nothing see said was even her own words just 'He's the Maverick who is going to take us to the White House!" a thousand times over and over. More annoying than the Bridge to Nowhere clips. Still, for a few weeks I actually believed that she would pick up her game because she did come off to me to have no experience and I just could not figure out how she was fooling people unless she was just craft so you can say her recent interviews were just a flat out disappointment. I mean couldn't see DO HER HOMEWORK, I mean that is not the first time she has been asked to give specific examples and its alarming to me because I only see it as she does not care. How hard is that to come up with examples, every politician is expected to do this in a debate and campaigns!
I cannot stop shaking my head. If it did not affect me and my childrens future then I would just not care but lets get real people were talking about history in the making here. Im also shocked that Katie Couric is the one to grill her like this--what I mean is just not letting her get off with generalized statements that do not answer anything. My other one that admire for this is Larry King but he has never had an interview with her.
People who step up and do this are serving the people and I only have the utmost respect for it. She does not deserve this 'wild card' everywhere she goes that she cannot be questioned and we just have to take everything she says wholeheartedly. I have these images in my head of everynight her crying into her husband saying "what have I gotten myself into!" (Republicans have her locked in now) and then I also have images of her laughing among her friends saying "can you believe they bought that crap?!"
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
Well I think some people (which still makes up good numbers) will simply support her because they have two or three issues they feel strongly about that she supports that thats all that matters to them instead of looking at the big picture.
3 people like this
@chameleonsdream (1230)
• United States
26 Sep 08
The most rabid of the McCain supporters are right about one thing - we ARE afraid of Palin, just not for the reasons that they think. I'm not afraid of her ability to get into office - I'm terrified at the prospect of her being in office. I'm seriously afraid that she is just deluded enough to move from 'God wants me to be in this office' to 'God chose me to bring about Armageddon and usher in the Rapture'. I hate even saying that because it makes ME sound like a bigoted nutjob, and I am far from that. It's not her religion I question - it's her ego.
3 people like this
@cbreeze (1205)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I think with each interview we know less and less of the true Sarah Palin. I think her interviews answers are scripted and that she sticks to the script. I think the McCain Camp keeps a tight leash on her because they are afraid that her views and statements will not be taken well by mainstream America. I think they would do better and she would do better to allow her to speak her own thoughts. Let people determine how they feel about her views not the McCain caricature they are putting before us.
Honestly her interviews have changed my mind about her to some degree. She comes across as an idiot. But then again, I take that back. I don't think she is an idiot. I think she has real ideas and views and that she can back up those ideas and views intelligently if just allowed to. I may not agree with those views but at least I would be able to respect them.
If they didn't trust her to do that then they should not have made her the running mate.
4 people like this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I stick to my very first comment, Sarah Palin has no idea what she has gotten herself into and needs to wake up, she despises the big ole boys--hello, knock knock
4 people like this
@4magoo (396)
•
26 Sep 08
Cbreeze you are correct. I personally think she was a mistake. If he wanted to go with a woman, he should have chosen one of the well know, well vetted and well spoken women already in the national scene. Once you make your chose, let her speek. Biden is making a number of gaffes when he speaks but Obama isn't trying to shut him up.
4 people like this
@ngaspero (851)
• Italy
26 Sep 08
It will be fun when it'll the debate Palin vs Biden..and may be at that time Mc will understand he did a mistake..foreign politic and economy she has no chance at all..it will be a big suffering for her..I start thinking that she can be that she can be the winning card for Obama, he has to push more on the buttom if she'll be president when something happen to Mc Cain
Nun
3 people like this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I can't wait for the Biden Palin debate. Biden is smart and well versed but he has a definite tendency to arrogance and if he doesn't reign that in, it could backfire. So Joe is going to have to try not to be arrogant and Sarah is going to have to try to sound informed. You're absolitely right, that should be fun to watch.
2 people like this
@4magoo (396)
•
26 Sep 08
I am not a Palin supporter but it was almost painful watching her. I hate to see anyone flub up publically that badly. As for the country, it became very evident that she is might be the "woman next door" and maybe a very good person, but she is not someone I want talking for me on the world arena. It was painful.
4 people like this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Sep 08
Excellent point! I had to cringe when she is talking about Iran being the "bad guy" and the United States the "Good guy"--THIS IS NOT the time to be talking like that and its not even the proper way of saying it and she needs to be very cautious in how she finger points to other nations. Because if she is talking about the 'Bad guys' she is talking about Korea too and every other nation which Bush labeled the Axis of Evil. She really needs a better speech advisor if that is the best she can do.
4 people like this
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
27 Sep 08
My choice for president of the United States has nothing to do with their running mates. As far as this interview goes, I think she needs some improvement. I hope the other candidates were thrown hard balls and not bonbons.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
28 Sep 08
I don't think Katie's question about what specifically makes Palin experienced in foreign policy because of Alaska's proximity to Russia was a tough question. Palin has made that claim and Katie was right to ask her to elaborate on it. Same with her claims about McCain's economic experience; "I'll find 'em and bring 'em to ya" didn't cut it.
Annie
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
28 Sep 08
I think there are some interviewers who will try to make her look bad. I don't mind them giving her tough questions, they should, but I do mind them not giving others just as tough questions.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
27 Sep 08
I had never heard of Palin when she first came aboard and knew absolutely nothing about her. Given my great indecision between McCain and Obama, I was willing to hear her out with an open mind. Initially, I thought, she might be pretty good. The more I read and the more I heard, the less I thought she was qualified for the job. I really am not comfortable with either of our candidates to be honest with you.
1 person likes this
@collieluv28 (388)
• United States
27 Sep 08
It's all I can do to watch this woman & hear her speak. Her voice grates on my nerves. When I want information on her, I prefer to read the transcrip than watch the video. Honestly, this poor woman is in over her head. She doesn't seem to answer the questions put forth to her because she is not able to answer them. The party can tutor her all they want but there is only so much the mind can handle. Either you know your stuff or you don't. And Sarah Palin doesn't. I can only hope & pray that Obama wins the presidency because putting McCain/Palin in office will be a complete disaster.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
27 Sep 08
It just occurred to me that if I were a Republican woman I'd be SOOOO furious right now! I'd be thinking that everyone else must think this was the best my party could do as far as choosing their first ever female running mate. I'm a Democrat and I know better but there are probably some people who don't.
Annie
@relundad (2310)
• United States
27 Sep 08
I am beginning to wonder if Palin is really "Sleeping Beauty"! It's like she has been in a deep sleep for her adult life! Its like she doesn't have a clue of whats going on in the world, past or present. I am wondering whats she going to look like when they start to ask the tough questions.
I think that the interviews that she has been given thus far, were "kiddie" interviews that my 9 year old son, could have taken on. I really wish that for her sake that she sits in the shadows of McCain and quit embarassing herself. I mean she is literally "dumb to reality".
Its almost painful to see her flippin' and floppin' to try and answer the most basic questions. It scares the sh!t out of me to think that by default this woman may be the President...May God Bless the world if that happens.....
1 person likes this
