ABC gets Sarah Palin's first TV interview

That was quick.

Minutes after we posted the item below about Sarah Palin's nonappearance on the Sunday talk shows came word that the GOP's vice presidential nominee will be interviewed this week by (drum roll, please) Charles Gibson of ABC, the anchor of "World News."

McCain-Palin communications director Jill Hazelbaker told The Times' Maeve Reston that the offer was made Friday, and the details were worked out over the last two days.

"No ground rules on our end, multiple interviews over two days in multiple locations," Hazelbaker said in an e-mail. Palin is expected to be in Alaska this week; her son Track, who enlisted in the Army a year ago, leaves Thursday for Iraq.

[UPDATE: According to top McCain aide Mark Salter, who spoke this afternoon with reporters on a campaign flight from Albuquerque, N.M., to Kansas City, Mo., the interviews will take place in Alaska, probably on Thursday and Friday, and will be aired this week.]

Gibson, 65, is the "elder statesman" of the three network news anchors (the others are CBS' Katie Couric and NBC's Brian Williams).

A self-professed political junkie, he conducted hundreds of interviews on live television as the co-anchor, for nearly two decades, of ABC's "Good Morning America," and he moderated one of the Democratic presidential candidates' debates during the 2008 primary season.

When he took over the anchor job after the death of Peter Jennings two years ago, The Times' Matea Gold made note of his "straightforward, avuncular demeanor."

On his blog last Friday, Gibson had this to say: "Sarah Palin has steered clear of reporters and their questions. Speakers at the Republican convention this week bashed the press and their handling of Palin's family story. At what point does a candidate for higher office have a responsibility to take questions...to interact with reporters?"

ABC has, of late, been in second place in the network news ratings. Watch for a change in that figure this week.

-- Leslie Hoffecker

Photo credit: Heidi Gutman / ABC

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Comments

[William F Gaddy 111]

MSNBC.......CBS....NBC......Who cares. Non objective anchors like Campbell Brown and Keith O are so over the top. Why do the network heads let them spew forth their hate and bias. Thin as ice...everyone can see their agenda. Be careful how you treat Mrs. Palin and her leadership background. Remember, all you have is Obama with little or no leadership qualities. Lets start digging boys. I don't think you want to go their.

[gary]

Good choice. The only other interviewer who could even give a fair interview would be Tim Russert. I sure miss him.

[gibsonsoftballs]

Charles Gibson is so kind hearted just like the channel 5 host. They won't ask deep serious questions and/or back-up quesitons because they're not reporter. Instead, they're celebrities looking for signatures and photo ops with those they interview. He's a sell-out especially with the 9/11 around the corner.

[velveeta]

Hey! Jacko's coming out of hiding to do an interview! Great news!

I hope he brings, what's his kids names? Blanket and Prince? Something like that.

I miss the king of pop. The press was so mean to him No wonder he wears a veil all the time.

[Kentucky Thom]

This woman scares me more than any potential terrorist. If the citizens of this country vote for this ticket it will reaffirm my belief that we need to give voters some type of test before they are allowed to vote. This is one scary bible toting individual who thinks it is God's plan we invaded Irag. She thinks we should teach our children creationism in school. I thought we settled this in the Scopes trial. Is it possible she is some how a half sister to the idiot George Bush. Oh my God this woman will set this country back to the dark ages if she gets into power.

[D Wall]

Palin's speech at the convention was heavily coached and written by someone else (G. Bush's former speechwriter). Why would anyone believe it represents anything but her ability to read words on a screen and mouth someone else's clever insults?

Although she's hiding from the press because they're "too mean to her," this potential leader of the free world has revealed a few clues about her beliefs:

She believes the earth was created 6000 years ago (presumably, dinosaurs never existed and the geological record is a conspiracy by scientists bent on... whatever). She believes a 12-year-old girl raped by her dad or uncle should be forced by the authorities to have the baby. She believes God wants an oil pipeline to be built in Alaska. She believes humans have had nothing to do with heating the atmosphere. Her pastor, by the way, believes Alaska will soon be a haven for all those people fleeing Almighty Wrath in The End Days, so his parishioners need to get ready to "minister to them." We know this much about potential U.S. President Sarah Palin. Oh, and that this voracious getter of earmarks for the town of Wasilla will be a crusader against earmarks, and this tax-cutter left her little, debt-free town more than eight million dollars into debt when she left her mayor's job. And the Bridge to Nowhere money she says she rejected, well, she actually took it. You can call this "campaign rhetoric." Or, like most average Americans would, you can call it lying. To millions of Americans, on her first day out.

Again, this potential leader of the free world is hiding from reporters because they're "too mean to her." Is there something wrong with this picture? And now she has agreed to be interviewed by a guy responsible for the most pathetic, inane debate moderation in decades, a guy who got his questions directly from Rush Limbaugh.

Elect John McCain and this person, who is hiding from you so she won't have to explain her beliefs, could easily end up being our president. This would be the societal definition of "insane." And the world is already starting to laugh at us again.

[Bobbie Walton]

Do we want to expand the reach of the Bush administration into our private lives by electing the McCain-Palin duo? Palin has demonstrated that she will do whatever she wants, and the devil take the processes and laws that protect the people she rules.

If we pay attention to Palin's actions as both mayor and governor, I think we will see that she uses her power to get what she wants. The rules of procedure and the laws apply to others, not to her.

We cannot trust elected officials to do the right thing. That's why we have laws, procedures, regulations and a separation of powers to protect us from the willful use of power by a president. Let's ask Palin how she feels about being restricted to follow the rules.

[paul]

I hope he asks Palin about the republican's plans for
healthcare reform. I will vote for whichever party has the best healthcare reform plan. Americans need more
options regarding healthcare. There is no competition
in the healthcare market. Americans should not be penalized for existing health issues such as rheumatoid
arthritis, especially if they take care of their health.

[Ametrina]

Frankly, as a woman, the idea of a Mc Cain-Palin ticket is scary. The idea of having anti-choice leaders (against a woman's right to terminate an early pregnancy) ought to bring out women voters both near and far. Intelligent, educated women don't want their daughters and grand-daughters to go back to the way it used to be. I don't understand the GOP...they are anti-choice for terminating a cluster of cells composing a zygote and yet support a war killing our already raised children based on a trumped up and delusional search for WMD that was tanamount to GWB, Jr. grinding Dad's ax. I sincerely hope ABC asks some hard hitting questions--anyone can read someone else's speech on a teleprompter. I have no doubts that Sarah is a very intelligent woman-what remains to be seen is whether she's fit to be the leader of the so-called free world. Of course, we are a lot less free under the "patriot act" thanks to GWB. I would love to know what kinds of drugs the republicans are doing in their delusional state. Americans, get ready to leave the country if this ticket lands up in the White House.

[Al Iner]

Let's hope Charlie does not just give her a pass while gazing into those eyes. His white glove treatment of McCain this morning was less than inspiring. Charlie should just stick to the morning show with the girls. Prove me wrong Charlie - lets be a newsman!

[bob]

You Go Sarah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob]

The bias of the liberal media has been exposed for all to see. At first they dismissed this woman as a rednect little lady. Wow, did Palin put egg on their face! We're proud of you Sarah- you're the breath of fresh air this nation needs!

[Sharon Schieber]

So ABC is going to do the first interview of Sarah Palin on the day her son leaves for Iraq? I can only imagine the salivating that's going on in the McCain campaign headquarters right now as they consider the beautiful imagery this interview will provide. Forget about the issues folks, this is going to be all about the emotion of watching a mother say goodbye as her son heads off for Iraq , invoking many warm and fuzzy, patriotic feelings--who wouldn't come away from watching something like that without feeling the emotion. But this is about electing our next President, not empathizing with Mrs. Palin. It's about the facts and the issues, not feelings. I HOPE ABC WILL do their job and do it right, she has many questions that should be answered.

[Jeff]

If Palin is asked any questions that aren’t complete fluff, the republican nation will get bent out of shape and claim the liberal media is being unfair. The modus operandi of the GOP seem to be when all else fails cry, cry and cry some more.

[pfl]

I'm sure that we don't have to worry about Charles giving any softball questions to Ms. Palin.

After all, it's not like it's a democrat their interviewing.

[Thoren58]

Help your evangelical friends turn the page by noting that McCain really wanted to pick Lieberman for vice president and Lieberman is likely to be McCain's first choice as Supreme Court justice. Although Lieberman is pro-choice that doesn't seem to matter much to McCain. Vice President Palin would have no power regarding Supreme Court nominees.
Although McCain picked Palin, the more significant news for evangelicals is that he wanted to pick Lieberman (or other pro-choice candidates, for that matter).

[DougH]

McCain-Palin it's simple. We are Republicans running to fix the problems caused by Republicans. Only Republicans can correct the Republican mistakes. Trust us. Republicans deserve another chance. I think not. Alaska's earmarks received, not just requested, are over $300 per citizen, the greatest per capita in the whole country. But McCain-Palin will fix that problem by vetoing such earmarks and making the requesters famous.

Why don't we just tell them to take a hike. The only change these two are good for is the change it takes to come up with the right message so that they can get elected. We want change but these two aren't it.

[seth]

The Republicans dismay with the media regarding their treatment of Palin is little more than a red herring. The press has not been asking any questions they wouldn't ask other "surprise" and completely unknown VP picks. However, the republicans know that Palin will not measure up once the heat is on, so they are trying to avoid any serious inquires at all costs.

[jshlala]

The Drummond comment posted today is totally on the mark. It is about time Campbell Brown
is condemned for her behavior which is un-
acceptable and the llstening public should not
have to put up with her. Our only recourse is
not to tune in to CNN.

[Mick T]

Why is it that the Republicans consider it unfair when the press ask questions about a VP pick that has not been in the public eye? Should we elect someone without knowing their background? If we only have about 2 months to find out of course it is going to be intrusive; but that does not mean unfair, just concentrated into a short period of time.

I am sick and tired of hearing about McBush and what happened to him 40 years ago. I want the smartest guy with a balanced approach. I'd rather have someone who does not believe in a god, but I don't have that choice. The USA is close to being a fundamentalist christian society, even as it continues to deny that it is against other religions. I'm not surprised that Obama has 85% support in many other countries.

The policies of the republican party seem to be a scam aimed at enriching the rich, so it has to convince the less well off that they are doing it in their interests. Lower corporate tax, weak bankruptcy protection, poor healthcare, not negotiating for lower price drugs, bigger tax cuts for the rich, fight wars for oil companies. When will people waken up to the fact that YOU have the vote; vote for humanity as a whole, not just the well off. Vote for bottom up economics, because top down economics has failed the vast majority of people in America. Why all this "country first" thing at the RNC? Its like calling an act the "Patriot Act" so make it sounds like its for patriotic Americans, when in fact it was a big reduction in the rights and freedoms Americans were meant to believe in.

The national debt is about $160,000 per family of four. 20% of our taxes go to pay the interest on it. Because of the Republican policy of weak regulation of companies we have the whole banking system falling apart. Fannie and Freddie have just been bailed out with about $100B each (double what was spent on the stimulous package) and the FED/treasury bailed out the banks holding their preferred shares & convertable bonds. When will someone tells us the truth; that we can't reduce taxes and pay down the debt at the same time, but if we reduce the debt we can pay 20% less tax in the future?

[Brandon]

I applaud the fact that Charles Gibson is going to interview Palin. One of the few journalists I still respect and that will be fair and tough.

I would like to add I am sick of people complaining about this flip flopping thing. I don't mind a political figure changing their perspective on important topics, for socially and politically our country is in constant flux concerning all issues. We need our candidates to be sensitive and not ignorant of this. The constant change and fluctuation of the condition of all forms of communal issues, requires this; that our presidential applicant is willing to concede to alter his political standards for the good of the nation if such a situation arises, especially if a situation remains unforeseen.

This term, "flip-flop," however needs to be distinguished from a real relevant change in policy, and one that is completely arbitrary. This is the first factor that should be looked at in defining a true "flipfloppian," viewpoint. Is the change in policy relevant to pressing political or social circumstances? Second, that catalyst which has shifted ones perspective needs to be examined as well, but what needs to be remembered is that the most important thing is the final conclusion they have reached. To say that she was for the "bridge to nowhere" before she was against it doesn't make sense because we do that constantly in our individual lives; make a decision and alter it when new data becomes available.

[Publuis]

Is this same same partisan flack who kept asking Obama about flag pins in April?

[McCain is a panderer]

If Mr. Gibson does his job, it will be interesting to see what happens in the polls once everyone finds out about Palin's initial pro-bridge to nowhere stance, her attempts to censor library books, and her support for an organization that wants Alaska to secede from the United States.

[Julie Barrett]

Mr. Gibson, after your poor performance at the last debate with Mr. Stephanopolis, let's make these questions count. It's time this election was about the issues. Let's find out if Mrs. Palin has any substance- if she has any depth beyond what she has been coached to say in the few weeks since her nomination. This is a crucial interview. This woman has been plucked from obscurity, has relatively little experience and has not been voted on by millions therefore we need to know as much about her as possible before she is in a position to possibly become President.

Thus far her positions regarding accepting the money earmarked for the 'Bridge to NoWhere' and yet telling me she said "No" concerns me, telling me that she placed the plane on eBay when she really eventually sold it through a broker- why bother? Just for a good story? I don't need another President who stretches the truth. The last one I had that did that got me into a war I'm still fighting and paying for.

My point is I want to know more, so DIG, Mr. Gibson. Do me proud. (Of course, if you do they'll just call you sexist for picking on her but remember this. We wanted to know about Edwards when he had a sick sife and we wanted to know about the Clintons after their little episode so don't leave that stone unturned.)

[kingofwords]

so i guess Sarah Palin picked ABC beacuse they werent bias in journalism? i got to hand it to you abc, you have a chance to show the people & the world that journalism can be serious again.