Sarah Palin: By turns confident, cautious and (once) perhaps at sea

ABC offered a provocative teaser earlier today to hype the first of the interviews it landed with Sarah Palin (as if any hyping was necessary).

But, as might have been expected, her full answer in discussing U.S.-Russian relations was more nuanced than the "war may be necessary" headline the network sent out.

Prodded by anchor Charlie Gibson about a scenario in which the nations of Georgia and Ukraine join NATO and then Georgia comes under full-scale assault from Russia, Palin allowed that "perhaps so" -- the U.S. might have to jump into such a conflict. Pressed on the matter, she continued more cautiously:

What I think is that smaller democratic countries that are invaded by a larger power is something for us to be vigilant against. We have got to be cognizant of what the consequences are if a larger power is able to take over smaller democratic countries.

And we have got to be vigilant. We have got to show the support, in this case, for Georgia. The support that we can show is economic sanctions perhaps against Russia, if this is what it leads to. It doesn't have to lead to war and it doesn't have to lead, as I said, to a Cold War....

There was absolutely no nuance from Palin in responding to Gibson's first query, what he termed the "central question" about the surprise position she finds herself: "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?' "

Her quick reply: "I do, Charlie.... I'm ready."

She also gave variations of this confident answer as Gibson quizzed her about any hesitancy on her part when John McCain asked her to be his running mate. "I did not," she said crisply. "I thought 'yes' right off the bat."

She added, "You can't blink" when offered an opportunity you believe you can handle.

In this first of an extended rollout by ABC of the Gibson/Palin interview, she seemed to draw a blank only once -- when Gibson, without describing it, asked her if she supported the "Bush Doctrine."

That was President Bush's declaration -- in a June 1, 2002, speech at West Point -- that faced with the contemporary threat of terrorism, the U.S.....

... was now staking out the right to "impose preemptive, unilateral military force when and where it chooses."

In another words, attack first, if the commander in chief deemed necessary.

Pretty straightforward.

But Palin's initial response to Gibson's question about her view of the policy was, "In what respect?"

When Gibson tried again without detailing the doctrine, she asked, "His world view?"

He finally let her off the hook and provided an explanation. And, in essence, she endorsed the doctrine.

ABC's take on the interview can be perused here.

-- Don Frederick

(On a less weighty front, The Times' Web Scout blog takes note of an enigmatic aspect of the online version of the interview. Check it out here.)

Comments

[When Pigs Fly]

'I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice president, but perhaps president of the United States of America?' "

Her quick reply: "I do Charlie. ... I'm ready."

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. Ho Ho Ho Ho He He He Ha Ha Ha.
Ha Ha Ho Ho Wheeee Ha Ha Ha.

Stop it you're killing me!!!!!

[Paul]

Wow, the media is treating the Republican's Vice Presidential candidate with kid gloves. Joe Biden hasn't been treated with kid gloves, they throw the hard questions at him and he answer them straight up. Where's the "Straigth Talk" from the "Straight Talk Express"?

Also, what is the point of asking her "are you ready to lead" without asking her "what makes you ready to lead." Why didn't he ask her to point out the reasons she felt she was the most qualified to be Vice President? This is such a crock, liberal media my butt, more like plutocratic media.

[kayT]

All I have to say is she didn't know the Bush Doctrine! Now I don't know what the Bush Doctrine is either but I ain't running for Vice President!

[Al Robinson]

Talk about intensive interrogation........why does Charlie hate her so? No wonder abc is a second rate network.....next to nbc.......Charlie Gibson just proved what an ass he is....he's not reporting the news, he's trying to make it.lLet's see him ask the same questions to the Demos V-P candidate....in the same way with the same tone, same expressions. Will he treat her in the same manner when's she becomes the next V-P....maybe President.....

[Media Matters]

Sounds like a softball interview served up by Charlie Gibson. We all remember the "questions" he asked Obama at the debate. Shame on you ABC.

[Arem]

Yeah, I didn't know what the bush doctrine is either. It's a veiled question. He could have just asked if we had the right to invade...etc. Bush never declared it the bush doctrine- the media did.

[john]

I didn't know pre-emptive warfare was known as the Bush doctrine either, but she is a governor, she wasn't brought in to add foreign policy knowledge.

[StanB]

The real news is that she didn't know the Bush Doctrine and Charlie let her off the hook by giving her the answer!

[beowulf]

Bush Doctrine is sort of misleading (aside from it really should be called the Cheney Doctrine), because the definition has been used to describe at least 3 different tings: 1. States that harbor terrorists will be considered terrorist (used to justify invasion of Afghanistan), 2. the US reserves the right to wage preventive wars against future threats (as opposed to the long-held right ti wage preemptive wars against imminent threats), and then in Bush's 2nd term especially, 3. Democracy promotion, particularly in the MIddle East.

Now any of those three may or may not be good ideas, but it would have been helpful for Gibson to unpack just what he meant by "the Bush Doctrine", instead of playing gotcha with (as he later explained) definition 2.

[Larry]

I'm about ready to pull my ears off my head. This woman is truly the Britney Spears of politics.

[S.W.F.]

Does anyone else remember their high school civics teacher? Broad strokes for the little folks.

[mandy]

We all know Charles Gibson is no journalist. At best he is a teleprompter jockey. He out did himself tonight with the celeb interview genre. Clearly Palin had the questions ahead of time and snapped out answers even before Gibson finished. This so scary. Lunatics are in control. Invade Russia? Are you out of your mind. No matter what your social values are, if you value democracy and America you cannot vote the McCain/Palin ticket. More war, less jobs is not the answer. Let's demand candidates and so called journalists stick to issues. As for Gibson...I guess Judas works for ABC.

[Karenk]

The Bush Doctrine is a phrase used to describe various related foreign policy principles of United States president George W. Bush, created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The phrase initially described the policy that the United States had the right to treat countries that harbor or give aid to terrorist groups as terrorists themselves, which was used to justify the invasion of Afghanistan.[1] Later it came to include additional elements, including the controversial policy of preventive war, which held that the United States should depose foreign regimes that represented a threat to the security of the United States, even if that threat was not immediate (used to justify the invasion of Iraq), a policy of supporting democracy around the world, especially in the Middle East, as a strategy for combating the spread of terrorism, and a willingness to pursue U.S. military interests in a unilateral way.[2][3][4] Some of these policies were codified in a National Security Council text entitled the National Security Strategy of the United States published on September 20, 2002.[5]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_Doctrine

[Karolyn]

David Gergen, adviser to several presidents of both parties and a Harvard professor said: "I think she did not know but I don't think any of us know what the Bush Doctrine is."

We don't. But you can be sure John McCain AND Barack Obama will know what THEIR doctrine is.

[kiddc]

oh my.....this reminded me of a Miss America contestant answering questions in her bikini! This is a total mockery of the Presidency! Americans should be offended that the GOP believes you are this easy!! The rest of the world is laughing over pints in pubs all over the world!! Imagine what that Putin must be thinking!!!!! Oh Boy!!!!!! Bush is looking like a real scholar!!!!!!!!

[Mark]

I'm a nurse and I know what the Bush doctrine is, just by watching tv and reading the newspaper. I would have liked to hear questions about what kind of imminent threat justifies a preemptive war, and what her views are on whether Iraq meets those criteria. Where does she think our intelligence system broke down leading up to the decision to go to war?

[Sarah]

I thought she was great - very poised, confident and good on her feet without getting flustered. I don't know what the big deal is about the Bush Doctrine - so what? She understood what the issue was even if she didn't know the "term" - and she did a fantastic job of explaining her position. She made Gibson look like a crank and the interview made me like her even more. I am on the fence, but the more I see of this woman (with my own eyes and without believing what MSM has been saying about her -- which often proves to be false) the more I like her, and McCain for having the wisdom to pick her. I am veyr surprised at all the rumors and falsehoods flying around about her - it makes me think of a vast left wing conspiracy....

[susan]

She doesn't know what the Bush Doctrine is. That's unacceptable.

[BG]

Yeah, but what kind of shoes was she wearing?

[Marc Carey]

Governor Palin's interview with Charlie Gibson was great, for reasons which many people may not see. I've written the article cited below in order to explain some of them.

http://bluegrassbulletin.typepad.com/bluegrass_bulletin/2008/09/sarah-palin-ref.html

[Susie]

I feel you made a huge fool out of yourself tonight Charlie. I use to think highly of you as a journalist. Way to go Palin. I will be waiting for equal time and questions to be asked of Obama. Ialthough I doubt these questions will ever be asked of him though. Was this just a gender issue or ..... I just don't get it. She certainly did prove herself tonight. What happened Charlie was she too pretty for you to look her straight in the eye?

[Snowbirds]

Sarah Palin did high marks during interview from Charles Gibson. She is capable to be VP in her own capacity and rights. Why involved Pres. Bush? We Americans know that someday Pres. Bush will go down in American history to be the greatest President. He flexed American muscles to show the world that America is the lone SUPERPOWER. No countries ever disputed that legitimacy; nor Russia or China. It's always natural in life that everyone is governed by three things; There's person hate us, jealous to us and LOVE & ADORE US. So life must go on ..... RVing!

Wake Up! Come join us to vote for John MCCAIN and Sarah PALIN!!!

[Melinda]

Sarah Palin is an lipstick wearing idiot!

[gaoban]

Who cares about how "bush doctrine" is defined by the media? Americans won't be cowards if Russia invades NATO allies.

[Dee Dee W.]

She came off looking like someone barely treading water. She is way over her head (to continue the metaphor) and the entire Republican apparatus is trying to pretend otherwise. She may be a tough cookie, a good mother, a so-so governor, and an attractive woman but she is NOT prepared to be the VP and surely not the president. We are in deep, deep trouble if she and McCain are voted in. What has happened to this country? How deluded can people be?

[mspogle]

What a pathetic interview. She didn't answer questions properly. She's arrogant and vapid and hunchy and tense--what a travesty. I just can't believe that after tonight anyone -- if anyone still does in this media frenzy blip of a few days -- will take her seriously. Charlie barely pressed her. It's time the media took her to task. Wow. Now George Bush is smiling: there's someone in the political public eye who is dumber than he is! I don't say that to gloat as a Dem. It just makes me sad. I'm beyond frightened of this extremist wing-nut: I'm saddened--disgusted that someone this underqualified, off the wall, out to lunch, undereducated, arrogant and self-righteous could have followers. I want women especially to wake up and smell the coffee. And to sit there and talk about Russia and she just got her PASSPORT 18 months ago????!!! WING NUT!

[Ginger K.]

If you believe arrogance and ignorance are the qualities of a great leader, vote for her. Think how far down our country has gone in the past eight years then double that.

[tlhwraith]

sad part is, people will still blindly support this woman as though she's the greatest thing since sliced bread. That's the nature of the political environment we live with today, no one even bothers to check whether or not the idol they are worshiping has the basic knowledge set for the job.

Not know the prevailing foreign policy philosophies of the sitting POTUS of your own party? Give me a break! Even hinting at war with a nuclear armed sovereign country (even worse while we are already at war in 2 other theaters) really?

Although tomorrow all we will here again are stories about how people are just "in love" with Sarah Palin.

We will get the leadership we deserve, yet again. At some point we can't blame Bush for where we are, as a country we voted him in, TWICE!

[bruce]

Obviously, she has no idea what the "Bush Doctrine" is. What kind of idiot says that he or she will not "rule out" military action against Russia? Is she a nut or just extremely green and immature?

The interview with Palin reminds me of the movie "Being There" with Peter Sellers, a mentally disabled man thrusted by others to be a presidential nominee, deemed "refreshing" by the masses.

God help us all if Palin gets to the White House.

[wen]

The Bush Doctrine ... is Charlie kidding? Based on the reporting of this story, sounds more like "20 Questions" than a coherent interview. Here's what I'd like to hear: have all 4 candidates meet at a local Starbucks, kick everybody out, put an NPR and Fox microphone in the middle of them, and have them talk about the issues while sipping their favorite beverage and not worrying about tv cameras and handlers. I bet we'd see a pretty different picture. All of the parties - the media, both political parties, etc - have a dog in this presidential fight. Really, who can you trust? The stakes are too high now.

[Almost Angeleno]

I know what the Bush Doctrine is — but do you think I got the information from our so-called "liberal medai?" Yeah, r-i-g-h-t.

And she's going to determine going to war in a "blink of an eye based on intelligence? Who's version of intelligence? The same neocon-influenced intelligence that lied about WMDs in Iraq?

This woman is scary and I didn't buy for a minute her backtracking answer about her comment that we are at war with Iraq because it's "God's plan." This country has lost its collective mind if they vote this pair of warmongers in.

[george]

She doesnt even know what the Bush doctrine is ? If McCain wins(big IF). I hope he is really really healthy. She is a nut.

[Nancy Trent]

I think she did great in the interview. She answered questions with forthright straight answers. She knows her stuff.

[Cheryl]

Just because you are eager does not mean you are ready. This one is not ready.

[Dennis]

It saddens me that there are still many people out there who confuse empty, rehearsed, non-blinking, uninformed statements about foreign policy and America’s role in the world with strength and determination. This is exactly the mindset that brought us into Iraq, a country we never should have invaded and occupied. When is this country going to wake up? This gung-ho attitude doesn’t make us more prosperous. It doesn’t make us safer. It also undermines any legitimacy we have to put a stop to true evils, like genocide. How can we lead others when we make such a poor example of respecting sovereignty and of building partnerships to achieve common goals?

First, Palin didn’t know what the Veep does, then she spent no time thinking about accepting the position? Either this reflects blind ambition or a desire to appear tough and decisive. Neither possibility is impressive to me as a voter. Secondly, she didn’t even know what the Bush Doctrine is! Even I, an occasional newspaper reader, knows what that refers to! Anyone who has any desire to truly make a positive change in the direction that this country is heading in should be able–at the very least–to define a policy that attempts to justify the right to strike first even in the absence of evidence of any threat.

I think it is more than reasonable to expect for someone who he is being touted as competent in the area of foreign affairs, and as being part of a platform that abhors war, to be more nuanced and less hawkish in these matters. Whoever says that the VP position doesn’t matter much, or that it reflects little of the presidential nominee’s decision-making abilities is just putting his/her head in the sand.

Palin, if anything, just appeared irritated, defensive, and worst of all, terribly uninformed in the face of really important questions that were delivered in softball fashion. Wouldn’t you rather have a leader who is clear-headed but not stubborn, who has thought long about the issues, who inspires us to do what is right rather than bullies us with fear? We’ve had nearly two years of campaigning to think about these qualities in our presidential nominees. While we have less than two months to see this in a candidate like Palin, I don’t think we would even if we had more time than that.

I would like to keep an open mind, but the more I learn about this person and see her speak, the less convinced I am that she or McCain is what this country needs.

[Sully]

This person was brought on the ticket to whip up the support of the evangelical right wing republican voter and that is it, no other reason. It is McCain's interest that this interview does not stretch more than three days. So after tomorrow night, this is probably the last we will see of Gov Paliln until the debates. This woman reminds me of my redneck aunt and her family up in Spokane Washington. Now I love her and them, but I would definately not want any of them, my cousins included being vice pres, or god forbid pres. No way No how no McCain/Palin. For the sake of all the autistic children of the world please vote Dems this cycle. The repubs have screwed it up enough. But, have heart, if by some existential decision Dems lose, Lord knows they will reap the harvest of congress. Now everyone knows that to be true.

[John]

The only thing this interview did was further justify Palin as a legitimate candidate. While she may not have hit a home run, she certainly proved that she could withstand a hard-hitting interview and her positions were clearly articulated. All in all, the pros outweighed the cons in this interview by a significant margin.

[cabd]

Whether David Gergen or any of the bloggers on this site knew what the Bush Doctrine was prior to this interview is completely irrelevant. (Although Gergen probably knew and was most likely lying to cover for Palin.) I'm just a political junkie and I knew what it was. The point is that a vice presidential candidate ought to be at least familiar, if not well-versed, with the basic issues and policies on a multitude of topics, certainly including foreign policy. Palin clearly failed in this regard.

[steve rodriguez]

Obama is unfit to lead this country. He has no executive
experience and in his war on terrorism he is a gross coward! He see no difference between the evil of Al Queda and the evil on the streets of Chicago. And we talk about Palin not having experience or being ready to lead! Obama's leadership is not what America needs, we need a president who will not be afraid to stand-up for America!

— Steve Rodriguez, California

[steve rodriguez]

I am glad she's ready! I know that Obama is not ready!

— Steve Rodriguez, California

[steve rodriguez]

OK Judging from all your comments we now
have two people that are not ready for
the presidency Sarah Palin & Barrack Obama!
Therefore McCain wins, because he is ready!

— Steve Rodriguez, California

[steve rodriguez]

Two things set Sarah Palin high above Barrack Obama,
her love for God and country!

— Steve Rodriguez, California

[steve rodriguez]

After watching the interview I have
concluded that Barrack is a better
speaker/ interview, but Sarah has done more
and has more experience!

— Steve Rodriguez, California

[Thorsten]

I think their is no reason to laugh here: people like palin are outright dangerous: talking about war as if it is the unavoidable consequence of any small conflict is a definite sign of a person with limited education and complete ignorance of the realities in this world. President Bush is on the same ticket - and look how "sucessful" he was! but I have to admit that I respect palin for her "straight talking" about the real reason for the Iraq war in her Glenn Beck interview: she said that the USA is at war to secure the oil supply - sounds different to me than fighting terrorists or spreading democracy!

[DaveT]

Let's remember who Charlie Gibson is– he's the former host of Good Morning America. He's not Charlie Rose. Or Tim Russet. Gibson is a joke. Mr. Softball. His "interview" was a staged PR session set up by Rove. There was nothing of substance with Gibson's questions, nor Palin's pat answers.Gibson didn't even have the gravitas of James Lipton. But the questions were equally superficial. He should of asked Palin what her favorite curse word was. Put Palin on a REAL news program. She didn't know what the "Bush Doctrine" was. Still when she found out what it was, she agreed with preemptive strikes. War with Russia. Let's try and fix Iraq and Afghanistan first. But where was that question? War, war, war. Is that what America stands for?

[Clark Carlton]

It takes more than a few days of cramming to make a proper Vice President of the United States (and a possible President). Obama studied foreign affairs at Harvard and Biden is one of the most seasoned Senators on foreign relations. Palin was visibly nervous, choking out rehearsed answers and clearly out of her depth. As the Republicans' candidate for Veep, she should have known what the Bush Doctrine is and she should have known about it since it was formulated nearly seven years ago.

Tonight Palin revealed herself for what she is, the young governor of a state with a tiny population with a frontier mentality. Earlier today she implied her son was going to Iraq to fight the terrorists who brought down the World Trade Center, a view not even Bush and Cheney are pushing anymore.

Fundamentalist Christians with a simplistic world view will vote for Palin because they think she is a righteous Christian who should head up an American theocracy some day. In a speech to her church, Palin told the congregation that Alaska was a special place to God and that some of them could expect prophecies. Danger, danger, Will Robinson.

A vote for McLame - Gidget is trying to drag the United States back into the 1950s. What Gibson really needed to ask Palin was if she believes the End Times will happen in her lifetime because if she does (and I suspect she does as a member of the Assembly of God) it would mean her policies won't be oriented towards a better future since The Rapture is coming and after the violence and upheaval of the Apocalypse, Jesus will return to set things right.

To any thinking, logical, science-oriented person Sarah Palin is something other than a charming, attractive mother who reads well from a teleprompter -- she is a scary female version of George W. Bush whose belief in himself as a prophet of God and whose ignorance of foreign affairs has gotten this country into so much trouble. Some men will vote for Palin because she has a shapely buttocks and a great rack. Some mothers will vote for her because she looks like a coupon clipper trying to do the best for her family. These voters won't be making a decision based on who would implement the best policies to keep the United States safe, strong and prosperous.

I plan to vote for Sarah Palin myself, not for Vice President, but for the title she is truly prepared for, Prom Queen of North America.

[Victor]

I'm so glad Sarah Palin decided not to sink down to the level of the "mainstream media" and actually try to answer questions directly! I have always believed that nuance and evasion go hand-in-hand, so it makes perfect sense that she dodges the questions that Charlie is asking. It just shows how intelligently nuanced she is!

[Rogers]

Wow.......what a lucky lady.
Free ride to VP & may be for presidents seat.

America gone down really this low. i am a republican not impressed with this pick.

God bless America.

[peter]

Wow! That was kinda brutal. Gibsons' question about the Bush Doctrine. She looked like a wolf caught in the cross hairs of a semi automatic rifle from a helicopter. I have to admit, I wasn't even sure what the Bush Doctrine was. I always thought it was "Empty the coffers of the US Treasury into the "Friends of Dick Chenys' pockets.

[Barbyrah]

That people even believe this was an acceptable level of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom for a vice president of the United States is mind-boggling.
When I first joined debate in 8th grade, I was coached on how to give "standard" answers to the other teams' potential inquiries. Did they directly refute the question? No. Were they my own ideas? No. But I was so new to the information and experience of the particular topic that it was the only way I could survive.
The level of contempt for the American people demonstrated by these folk via coaching this woman in such an 8th grade debater fashion...I don't want an 8th grade debater to be vice president.
Please, don't insult my intelligence.
I wish you all well.