KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is happy to discuss her views on social issues like abortion and homosexuality, but reluctant to list what she usually reads to keep up on world events.
That’s the takeout from a series of interviews the Alaska governor did with CBS anchor Katie Couric, which aired on Tuesday night.
Palin, whose opposition to abortion rights has ignited support among social conservatives, some of whom were wary of presidential nominee John McCain, discussed whether rape or incest victims should be allowed to have an abortion.
“Personally, I would counsel the person to choose life, despite horrific, horrific circumstances that this person would find themselves in,” she said. “If you’re asking, though, kind of foundationally here, should anyone end up in jail for having an … abortion, absolutely not.”
When asked about her views on homosexuality, Palin talked about a close friend who is gay.
“One of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years happens to be gay, and I love her dearly,” Palin said. “She is one of my best friends, who happens to have made a choice that isn’t a choice I would have made. But I am not going to judge people.”
Palin has faced criticism for lacking experience in foreign policy. Before becoming governor some two years ago she was the mayor of a small town.
Couric asked Palin what newspapers and magazines she read regularly before becoming McCain’s running mate “to stay informed and to understand the world.”
Here is her response, according to a transcript provided by CBS:
Palin: I’ve read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.
Couric: What, specifically?
Palin: Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.
Couric: Can you name a few?
Palin: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news, too. Alaska isn’t a foreign country, where it’s kind of suggested, “Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?” Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.
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Photo credit: REUTERS/Stephen Mally
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Bobby, I call myself American because I was born here, Served in the US Army during the Vietnam era, worked in, and retired from the Aerospace Industry, paying taxes and participating in local and national discussions and events all along. I raised my family here in the USA and will die here as well. I care about America and what happens to her. I’m sickened by the current administration’s lack of integrity and transparency. They think that they can do anything that they want and are always trying to foist more onto us. (I’m talking bailout here)
- Posted by OlddogI think that you’re the one with blinders on, playing the mushroom and feeding at the table serving most of the Lies.
But I have my opinions and you have yours. Make no mistake though, we’re ALL Americans,……and proud of it too.
OK. Remember Dan Quayle and how he was considered a laughing-stock because he didn’t know how to spell “potato”? Someone needs to ask Sarah Palin to spell “national disgrace”.
- Posted by jimAND as I look back at recent comments, you people would rather be lied to than for your vice-presidential candidate to refuse to answer a question? How do you call yourselves american?
- Posted by BobbyI think it is admirable that she fails to fit into the mold. Katie repeatedly tried to fit her into a shape that she refuses to accomodate. I think that she will bring a fresh outlook to Washington, one of an average person, not a millionaire ex-lawyer who hasn’t paid for his own dinner in 20 years.
- Posted by BobbyYvveta, I agree that this is not a surprise, but it is certainly not a tragedy unless we, the people vote for her ticket in November.
Her inability to provide the names of her news sources speaks volumes to me. It is an obvious answer in itself.
_________________
Also, her “Seeing Russia From Alaska” comments are Bovine Feces.
- Posted by OlddogShe’s never been to the only place in Alaska that has a view of Russia, Little Diomede Island.
I do agree with the multiple comments about the present administration’s ineptitude, (a Monkey could do a better job than Bush) but voting her and the old person in would be akin to trying to heal an open sore with a wire brush.
Wow… First Drew- manage a family of 5? The teenager is pregnant! Run a state? How many other governors are under investigation? I truly think America is still struggling with race. Obama may not be the best person in the US to run now, but if he were white, Palin would not even be in the race. It is a stunt by McCain. I used to respect him, but life is full of disappointments. I am moving out of the U.S. if she wins!
- Posted by DudeMcCain is clearly more interested in winning than the needs of this country. Putting this woman in a position to take over the U.S. is tantamount to treason.
As a Republican I have to vote with what’s best for us all, and sadly my party has decided that keeping power at all costs is more important than responsibly running the country.
- Posted by JohnI agree with Jackie. I’m tired of both sides bashing the other. I agree that perhaps she could have answered the question better. But does anyone honestly believe that the governor of a state doesn’t read? That a person nin that position isn’t constantly briefed on the state of the union? What would happen if she did name a specific paper? Likely that organization would run out and try to bash her anyway. God forbid the media ever admitted to being Republican.
- Posted by MelissaThink about it: there is no way you can answer the question without being criticized, especially considering the manner in which the media has been treating the candidates. If you say “Wall Street Journal”, you run the risk of being too close to Wall Street, “NY Times” means you are too liberal, “USA Today” means you are a simpleton, any Alaskan newspaper means you are too local and narrow-minded, and “CNN” could mean you are enamored with sensationalism. At the same time she was probably a little offended, as Couric obviously was trying to imply that Palin doesn’t read and is therefore oblivious to current issues. I am not a Republican but am tired of hearing people rationalizing criticism in minutia. She is of course less experienced with the issues than any of the other candidates. Let’s see what she says in the debate.
- Posted by let's be realBy putting Sarah Palin forward as his running-mate, John McCain is banking on the shallow stupidity of the majority of the electorate. Unfortunately, as long as she keeps smiling and comes across as a good ol’ American gal that will probably be enough. It worked for Bush, twice.
- Posted by DominicThe world sincerely hopes that enough knowledgeable Americans will go to the polls in November to offset the number of ignorant deluded fools. God Bless America indeed!
Perhaps this comment will be considered “petty” by the Palinites, but I found her statement that “Alaska is a microcosm of America” laughable. I grew up in one of the few states with LESS racial diversity than Alaska (that would be Maine) and as much as I love my home state, in no way would I ever describe it to anyone as a “microcosm of America.” Alaska is probably a lot more like Maine than it is like where 80% of Americans live, which is in large and small cities characterized by racial, religious, social, ethnic and economic diversity.
I think Sarah Palin made that comment about Alaska being a microcosm of America because she doesn’t know any better. Why would we want to be represented by someone so oblivious? Americans need to get over the romanticization of “small town life/values” and recognize that we are an increasingly urban, pluralistic society.
- Posted by lagataEven if she had just lied and said Wall Street Journal, it would have been better than her rambling vaguely. I’m in no position to be near politics yet I read the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Week, and random newspapers/magazines that friends send me from London and Japan.
Maybe I could replace her =P haha
- Posted by NicholeI will vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. John McCain has the experience and intelligence to guide the USA. Sarah Palin understand “us”. She’s not on the outside looking in at our dilemas. She’s living our issues. Who’s better to work for us?? Mr. Obama: Exxon/Mobil does not owe the USA one thin dime. No one forces people to buy product from them. Their money is not ours. If you want to profit from them, buy their stock AND SHARE THE RISK. Otherwise, STFU about their profits. You’re not Robinhood and this the Socialist Republic of the United States. Mr Biden: Men are not guilty until proven innocent as you implied in your VAWA. The Democrats had their chance to fix regulations to prevent the Freddie MAC and Fannie MAE issues four years ago when they were caught cooking the books. THANKS TO THE Democrats, we now have a mess on our hands and an expensive bail-out. The USA is not about ENTITLEMENTS, it is about OPPORTUNITY and hard work. The USA is not about “FREE” healthcare. Health insurance is not about paying your bills for you, rather, protecting you from catastrophic expenses. Wrap you’re donkey brain around it. I hear Obama speak and I hear a lack of experience and the promise of change without a PLAN. We already experimented with Jimmy Carter in the White House. IT DIDN’T WORK. It seems to me that Democrats are absolute worst at understanding why history is significant. This guy in Iran that Obama wants rhetoric with is another Hitler. Why can’t you see this?? The man tells us one thing and does another and yet Obama thinks he’s going to get the terrorist to understand reason. WHAT?!? This makes no sense.
- Posted by Smarter than youDon’t order off the menu America!
This women in the real “emtpy suit”. She is scripted, coached, and controlled by the McCain Campaign.
Ask he the hot-button issues and she spews forth slogans and talking points. Go off the script and she had NOTHING. She could not even answer what newspaper she reads. Come on, can someone cut her loose now please?
Now the question and answer is harmless in and of itself, but this is a distinct pattern and it is very disturbing.
- Posted by ChrisI am not uneducated as Jackie suggests. I have a Ph.D., and I find Sarah Palin’s answer profoundly disturbing. I understand that Palin does not want to reveal that she is either a) reading “liberal media” publications or b)reading evangelical tracts written by her deranged pastor. What I don’t understand is why conservatives are so willing to defend Palin’s anti-intellectualism and her refusal to reveal herself. Knowing what people read gives us important information about who they are, how they think, what they believe. Palin knows this. Therefore, by refusing to answer the question, she reveals that she doesn’t want us to know who she is. What is she hiding? Why are conservatives so proud of her contempt for knowledge and ideas? Why do they share it? We’ve had 8 years of a president who does not read or think. Why are so many people eager for more?
- Posted by PhDivaanti-sarah comment coming, i guess, but beyond everything that has been said, her inability to cite one news source that she regularly reads to keep abreast of u.s. and international news is troubling. the problem is that the office she aspires to requires at least a working knowledge of the world, its leaders, and history. she appears to possess very little interest in or knowledge of these topics as evidenced by her obvious discomfort in discussing fairly general international relations and diplomacy issues in two (real) limited interviews. palin is at best not ready to be v.p. and at worst not equipped to be v.p. sorry.
- Posted by joe blowSarah has no experience??? Look at the mess we are in with the leaders that have all the so called experience!!! I say give her a chance….anyone who can manage a family of five children and run a state as Governor has better qualifications than any slick politician in Washington!
- Posted by DrewHow many reporters do you think were just sent to Alaska to find Sarah’s friend so that they can ask her: A) Is homosexuality choice? B) How good of a friend are you to Sarah Palin? C) Do you think Palin is qualified to be VP?
The list could go on and on.
Schadenfreude all around kiddies.
- Posted by AndrewI appollgize for any corrections my phone makes that are confusing…ok guys I agree that Palin Is not a qualified runningmate but at Lear the one who is running is qualified unlike obama… I have nothing against obama and I am a democrat but I will be voting for mcain…when obama representative from Chicago was asked to namejust one of obmas accomplishments 6 times could only answer by saying what he’s Shure obama will accomplish and four years ago obama said himself that he wouldn’t run for office for at least twelve years and it would be iresponsible for him to run with such little experience
- Posted by Cody Arnoldseveral things come to mind including the movie “idiocracy”, the old fable “the emperors new clothes” (based on the reluctance of the media pundits to just come out and call this idiot ant idiot.) and last but not least are we in an episode of the twilight zone??? most people in our country that are still capable of intelligent rational thought realize that we should elect the best and brightest, educated, qualified individuals to lead our country. not just any moron (that some of you might want to have a beer with) that comes down the pike… p.s. that goes for john (manchurian candidate) mcshame too.
- Posted by j. smith