Open thread: Palin on ABC; Update: Gibson distorts Palin’s Iraq prayer; Update: Video of Iraq prayer comments included in segment
posted at 5:20 pm on September 11, 2008 by Allahpundit
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We’re still an hour away from World News Tonight, but ABC’s already starting to tease quotes so we’re likely to see web video before they go on the air. Here’s your thread to comment. Currently bannering at their homepage:
EXCLUSIVE: GOV. SARAH PALIN WARNS WAR MAY BE NECESSARY IF RUSSIA INVADES ANOTHER COUNTRY
TV Newser has other quotes but so far they’re the most platitudinous platitudes. Stand by for updates. Exit question: When is it appropriate to mix medications?
Update: From what I understand, they’ll run part of the interview on the 6:30 news, then the rest on Nightline at 11:35. Use this thread for both. They’ll do another interview tomorrow and that’ll run mostly on 20/20 at 10 p.m., with other portions possibly to run on WNT and Nightline.
Update: Here’s a partial transcript. Good to see Charlie did his homework:
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.”
Totally untrue, but that’s what he gets for relying on the Associated Press, which took the liberty of bowdlerizing her quote mid-sentence in order to make it fit the narrative they were trying to build of her as some fundie who thinks she can read God’s mind. Here’s my post on the subject from last Thursday. Read it and see just how egregious the distortion here is.
Update: They’re also exaggerating what she said with their teaser, which makes it sound like she wants to unilaterally guarantee the security of Russian satellites. Read the excerpt linked above and you’ll see she simply means admitting Georgia and Ukraine to NATO and bringing them under the aegis of the all-for-one principle, which is McCain’s position. In the meantime, here’s what she says we should do: “It doesn’t have to lead to war and it doesn’t have to lead, as I said, to a Cold War, but economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, again, counting on our allies to help us do that in this mission of keeping our eye on Russia and Putin and some of his desire to control and to control much more than smaller democratic countries.”
Update: Two clips are already up in case the transcript’s not good enough. Here and here.
Update: This doesn’t excuse them entirely since only viewers who were paying extremely close attention will have noticed the distortion, but ABC did show the actual 15-second video of her Iraq prayer.
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With or Whitout Alcohol Allah?
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Don’t believe a word about Palin from the MSM.
Don’t believe a word about Palin from the MSM.
Don’t believe a word about Palin from the MSM.
Don’t believe a word about Palin from the MSM.
Don’t believe a word about Palin from the MSM.
Got it?
Halley on September 11, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Steady as she goes.
digitalintrigue on September 11, 2008 at 5:23 PM
From the AP: “Sarah Palin is taking cautious steps out of the bubble she’s been in since becoming John McCain’s running mate. But not many steps yet. ”
Oh brother.
Picked a bad week to stop sniffin’ glue!
jwehman on September 11, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Lock and load.
fogw on September 11, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Great pandas, Allah. Calm down.
AbaddonsReign on September 11, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Go Peggy!
trailboss on September 11, 2008 at 5:25 PM
/Prediction, Mac/Palin poll numbers up 3 points tomorrow, 3 by Monday.
Tony737 on September 11, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Mother’s little helper, Allah, try to relax!
Kensington on September 11, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Taking Bets now!
Allah will possibly have either a:
1. Heart Attack
or
2. A baby!
Place your bets now ladies and gentlemen!
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Yep- this going to be hit piece on Palin- no doubt about it. Agreeing to an interview like this is far too risky. This is tandemount to letting the Obama camp ask the questions and phrase the headlines.
What am I saying- THIS IS THE OBAMA CAMP DOING THE INTERVIEW.
I hope Camp McCain has a contingency plan.
FiveWays on September 11, 2008 at 5:27 PM
It seems to me there were several posters right here who thought that Russia got off to lightly last go around. They should be happy.
Terrye on September 11, 2008 at 5:28 PM
She’s done big interviews before. She’ll do fine. That doesn’t mean the Messiah-enabling MSM won’t misquote or take things out of context. That’s almost a certainty.
Laddy on September 11, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Highest rated evening newscast in the history of television?
econavenger on September 11, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Let’s wait until she tells us what she really said. Quotes from the media have little or no credibility.
rplat on September 11, 2008 at 5:28 PM
I’m buying stock in paper bags!
lorien1973 on September 11, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Allah,
I just heard two questions she answered on the radio at the top of the hour. She sounded professional and spot on. This lady will not be intimidated. I’d like to see that idiot Matt Damon answer questions that weren’t written in a movie script.
Agent of the Cross on September 11, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Ohhhh how important is this 30 minutes?
I will pray for Sarah and that she is able to effectively put forth who she is without it being misinterpreted and blown out of context! Errrr wait we are talking about the MSM arent we?
Sorry move along!
HoosierCon on September 11, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Give ‘em hell Sarah!
I’d bet on most of her answers being the straightforward yes-or-no type (versus the patented political nuance).
dugan on September 11, 2008 at 5:29 PM
well since most other countries close to NATO. If Russia invades them we will have to go to War. Only Unkranie is not part of Nato at this moment. And I doubt if the West will allow Ukranie and all it represent sto fall to Russia. Georgia was a stalemate for Russia. Yes they met some of their objectives but the US and Pres Bush has for the moment blocked them from overthrow of the gov and occupation of the entire country. So georgria becomes the New Korea so to speak. I doubt if America will allow more pro west countries to be taken over. Gov. Palin appears to get this.
unseen on September 11, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Can I have one of the kittens you’re no doubt having?
TheUnrepentantGeek on September 11, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Prediction:
1. Palin will perform fantastically.
2. ABC will make headlines by taking quotes out of context.
3. Only those watching the entire interview will get the gist of what she actually said.
McCain better have a videographer there taping the whole thing so he can make ads showing what was ACTUALLY said in context.
JustTruth101 on September 11, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Five Ways:
Maybe we should wait until we see the interview to pass judgment. Sooner or later Palin was going to have to talk to reporters. McCain does it all the time.
Terrye on September 11, 2008 at 5:29 PM
The thing is, she has no choice. She has to face the press–if she doesn’t, then she leaves herself open to charges of dodging and evading. But she and the McCain camp know that it is a hostile press, and we just have to assume that she’s got what it takes to deal with the brickbats they’re going to toss at her.
Matt Helm on September 11, 2008 at 5:29 PM
I hope to hell that Camp McCain taped the interview also.
I’m really feeling a major hit-piece coming.
FiveWays on September 11, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Good grief – lets not panic until there is something to actually panic about. It is a wonder many of you do not give yourselves an ulcer. Lets wait until we actually hear the interview before you start freaking out . . .breathe in breathe out.
Govgirl on September 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Allah-Fluffit?
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Funny.
I’m going to Lithuania next week and I joked with my friend there, “I hope the Russian military doesn’t decide to take a fall vacation in Lithuania while I’m there.” He responded, “Not likely, we’re NATO which means World War III if they do. Plus we try not to antagonize Moscow.”
So yes, I guess it depends on which nation Moscow invades.
jawbone on September 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Allah, I hunt deer, and they are very nervous animals. You are a deer x100. Calm down before your heart explodes.
TheHat on September 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM
It wasn’t a quote.
jdun on September 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM
A really stupid statement, something Barack Obama might say before he corrects himself 3 days later is: “Whatever Russia does, war is just off the table.”
RBMN on September 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Prediction – I will not make predictions about this interview or its aftermath.
Check back later to see if I’m right.
trailboss on September 11, 2008 at 5:31 PM
She should have set conditions. Do you think for one moment that Obama sat down with O’Rielly with no conditions?
FiveWays on September 11, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Whenever you have mixed ailments.
RedWinged Blackbird on September 11, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Only that it’ll show on every newscast for 2 weeks?
If its good, its great for McCain. If its bad, its very bad.
lorien1973 on September 11, 2008 at 5:32 PM
On the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, Gov. Sarah Palin took a hard-line approach on national security and said that war with Russia may be necessary if that nation invades another country
In her first of three interviews with ABC News’s Charles Gibson and the only interview since being picked by Sen. John McCain as his Republican vice presidential nominee, Palin categorized the Russian invasion of Georgia as “unacceptable” and warned of the threats from Islamic terrorists and a nuclear Iran.
SEE EXCERPTS OF CHARLIE GIBSON’S INTERVIEW WITH SARAH PALIN HERE.
The Governor advocated the accession of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO.
When asked by Gibson if under the NATO treaty, the U.S. would have to go to war if Russia again invaded Georgia, Palin responded: “Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you’re going to be expected to be called upon and help.
“And we’ve got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable,” she told ABC News’ Charles Gibson in an exclusive interview.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5778018&page=1
unseen on September 11, 2008 at 5:32 PM
So it is written. So it shall be done.
D0WNT0WN on September 11, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Let’s see- the ground work has been laid for:
Palin is a crazy war-monger!
FiveWays on September 11, 2008 at 5:33 PM
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5782924&page=1
excerpts
unseen on September 11, 2008 at 5:33 PM
She will do fine for the Republican base and the average independent. If we think the news media is going to be happy with anything less than “It’s America’s fault…” we’re dumber than we look.
As for the Russians, Patton was right: We should have taken care of them in ‘45.
tgibson1962 on September 11, 2008 at 5:34 PM
OKAY- ABC is definitely hyping and mis-representing their headlines……..I should have expected that.
FiveWays on September 11, 2008 at 5:35 PM
The excerpts I’ve seen so far, she’s done excellent. I think if she gaffed, it would have been released by now.
And the best point of all… no stuttering and stammering.
Enoxo on September 11, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Govgirl on September 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM
You tell ‘em girl. Allah says: Have a drink guys!
Wussies.
Fortunata on September 11, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Allah’s posts on Palin remind me of O’Reilly.
Cardiganfox on September 11, 2008 at 5:36 PM
smack down:
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.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5782924&page=1
unseen on September 11, 2008 at 5:36 PM
I would have liked to seen Sarah totally avoid and ignore the press right up until election day – just to watch their collective heads explode.
Wahhhhhhhh, Sarah won’t talk to us.
It was fun while it lasted.
fogw on September 11, 2008 at 5:36 PM
I’d wager, Gibson knows exactly what her ‘exact words’ are and doesn’t care. He has cover from the AP
jp on September 11, 2008 at 5:36 PM
If Sarah did in fact say that we would go to war with Russia for invading another country that would cement the support from the right wing wackos, but delivers the moderates and the women vote to Obama. Everyone, except for the right win wackos, know that we could not even possibly go to war at this point! Whose army would she fight with?
Thanks Sarah, I knew you would finally open your pie whole!
But I am waiting to hear it come out of her pretty lips onto my HDTV.
Monkei on September 11, 2008 at 5:37 PM
It’s ok if they do. Frankly, the greater they try to distort her answers, or inject incorrect facts into the questions, the greater will be their undoing in the days ahead as it’s dissected.
They don’t want to play fair and even, but their options are increasingly limited. If Sarah Palin is the read deal, this interview won’t be able to obscure that for long.
JiangxiDad on September 11, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Umm if Russia invades a NATO country we are obligated by treaty to go to war with them.
Doesnt ABC news know how diplomacy works ?
William Amos on September 11, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Based off of the inaccurate quote Gibson used I’m feeling a little uneasy. As long as Gov. Palin stayed cool and calm throughout the entire interview and avoided any big gaffes she should be ok, but I’m still feeling a little uneasy.
BadgerHawk on September 11, 2008 at 5:37 PM
I heard a clip a few minutes ago, and she was calm, succinct, clear, no fillers… uh…uhh…uhhhh…. well… I, I, I,… You know… uh…uh.
Don’t worry, AP. It’s going to be OK. ;)
Cody1991 on September 11, 2008 at 5:38 PM
smackdown 2:
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.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5782924&page=1
unseen on September 11, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Sounds quite good so far. Good answers on Russia and God’s Plan
lodge on September 11, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Wow, Gibson is asking a lot of questions about Georgia.
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 5:39 PM
take a breath allah
William Amos on September 11, 2008 at 5:39 PM
I can’t believe Gibson did that with her quote. That’s what I’d expect from a Kos interview
econavenger on September 11, 2008 at 5:39 PM
A pitbull with lipstick. That’s gonna leave a mark on Charlie’s collar.
fogw on September 11, 2008 at 5:39 PM
They’re making it out like she’s making explicit threats against Russia. She was merely responding in the context of what NATO obligations entail. Gibson asks would it be worth it to the US to defend Georgia. Well, Norway has the same amount of people and they’re in NATO, so I guess we’ve deemed they’re worth it.
CP on September 11, 2008 at 5:40 PM
There’s nothing wrong with her comment about Russia. We may have to go to war with them one day if they do not stop.
Enoxo on September 11, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Five Ways:
How do you know that she did not sit some conditions. And by conditions, do you mean like Obama. Questions in advance, only a few at a session, no followup, telepronter handy.
The thing is if she can’t handle Charlie Gibson in an interview in friendly territory, then when can she speak? The woman is not an idiot.
Terrye on September 11, 2008 at 5:40 PM
ANNOUNCEMENT
We can use Ed’s Chat room to live blog the Palin Interview.
Go here to LOGIN.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-ed-morrissey-show
5
mad saint jack on September 11, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Palin video clips on abcnews now…
JustTruth101 on September 11, 2008 at 5:41 PM
I think we said that when we started NATO. Asshat.
tgibson1962 on September 11, 2008 at 5:41 PM
There will be ups and downs as Palin takes positions that may (gasp) bother moderates- such is real life.
The key is to look for authority in demeanor and confidence.
That is what hurt Quayle and that is what mitigates any hand-wringing by conservatives over particular issues or statements.
jjshaka on September 11, 2008 at 5:41 PM
jawbone on September 11, 2008 at 5:42 PM
interesting.. Citgo commercial
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 5:42 PM
the attack line is to make Palin out to be a Religious Zealot who wants a new Crusade with other religions. nothing new
jp on September 11, 2008 at 5:42 PM
http://www.nato.int/docu/basictxt/treaty.htm
William Amos on September 11, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Gibson having a Dan Rather moment…?
BTW, I never believe anything from the Associated Press much less the MSM that repeats that garbage.
d1carter on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Regarding the question as to whether, if Georgia was in NATO, the US might have to go to war with Russia, she made an accurate answer about the nature of alliances…perhaps it would be necessary.
I think that a better answer would have been to note that NATO had, fornearly 60 years, prevented a war. If Georgia was inside NATO then the liklihood of it being invaded would be much diminished, and thus, war less likely.
Blaise on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
She really effd up the questions about Russia… she should’ve sounded more diplomatic about the potential of going to war with them.
Man, why are they asking HER these questions? Mac is the guy with the foreign policy expertise… and the likelihood of him dying during his term (as lefties no doubt are hoping for) is remote.
AlexB on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
As for the question about God’s plan, a lot of people do not understand that in Christianity, everything is part of God’s plan. I can remember my Grandmother telling me that if I prayed for something God would answer. It just might not be the answer I had hoped for, because God has a plan.
Terrye on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
I read the whole extract. She does not say that we should go to war against Russia or start a new cold war. She was very cautious.
clemycali on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Palin is definitely a wild card and is the reason for all his nervousness. She can make or break this election, most assuredly so. It’s third down and on the 90 yard line, the rookie goes deep into the end zone.
I suspect that after this interview the Left will go even more ballistic than now. I predict allot couch therapy for many Lefties in the months to come.
Egfrow on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
So, is Gibson man enough to admit he misquoted her and took it out of context to boot?
Blake on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Thanks! Good read; so far so good!
dugan on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Thank God we live in an Internet age, which it makes it so much tougher for these media hacks to get away with this kind of crap.
Pavel on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
“She says the Iraq war is God’s will!”
Oh. That’s very different. Never mind.
The Monster on September 11, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Unlike Obama Palin gets it. she really gets it. Peace thu Strength. Pure Reagan in this interview so far. I like
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5782924&page=3
GIBSON: And you think it would be worth it to the United States, Georgia is worth it to the United States to go to war if Russia were to invade.
PALIN: 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, but economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, again, counting on our allies to help us do that in this mission of keeping our eye on Russia and Putin and some of his desire to control and to control much more than smaller democratic countries.
His mission, if it is to control energy supplies, also, coming from and through Russia, that’s a dangerous position for our world to be in, if we were to allow that to happen.
unseen on September 11, 2008 at 5:44 PM
The reports from last weekend said that this interview would be unconditional.
FiveWays on September 11, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Thanks Sarah, I knew you would finally open your pie whole!
But I am waiting to hear it come out of her pretty lips onto my HDTV.
Monkei on September 11, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Hey knot head!
The capabilities of our existing force structure and our obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are two separate issues. If a hostile country attacks one of the members of NATO then the remaining treaty organizations are bound to come to its aid. That is a fact and that is the pretext under which she answered the question.
So now, take your confused perspective and your trash mouth some place else.
rplat on September 11, 2008 at 5:44 PM
LOL. He’s asking about a topic that nobody is giving a clear-cut answer on, both for strategic reasons, and because they haven’t figured out what the hell to do about Georgia yet. Gibson knows other pols would blow him off and evade, but he asks Palin for specifics on a problem that’s fluid. I’m not a big fan of nuance, but here it’s called for.
JiangxiDad on September 11, 2008 at 5:45 PM
IS anyone else noticing… Charlie is sit/fidgetting a lot when he doesn’t expect that type of answer coming out of her mouth?
I am noticing that he moves around in his seat when he doesn’t like her answer….
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 5:45 PM
TROLL ALERT!
FiveWays on September 11, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Terrye on September 11, 2008 at 5:43 PM
I was always taught that all payers are answered. Just most are answered NO.
unseen on September 11, 2008 at 5:46 PM
“We all live in our own little worlds” and pictures of bubbles. Hmmmmmm…..
D0WNT0WN on September 11, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Heh. I’ll go with a modified number 2 – AP’s going to have baby polar bears or something.
I don’t watch network tv, period, and I’m not going to start now. Will this be online somewhere? I’m sure she’ll do fine.
Anna on September 11, 2008 at 5:46 PM
@AlexB, they are asking her these questions because they want to say that she has no clue about foreign affairs. They want to say she is not prepared for the job. From what I read she did a good job.
clemycali on September 11, 2008 at 5:46 PM
There goes Eyore again with the “gulp”. If I had a nickel for everytime I’ve seen “gulp” on this site…
LtE126 on September 11, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Wow, Charlie looks so disappointed when she answers him, she’s doing great.
JustTruth101 on September 11, 2008 at 5:47 PM
LOL Noticed that did you! I thought I was the only one!
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Conservative Media(Hello DRUDGE) needs to pound this out.
jp on September 11, 2008 at 5:47 PM
ABC is also repeating the librarian/book burning smear that has already been debunked.
See here at the bottom of the article.
dKap on September 11, 2008 at 5:47 PM
This is a teaser, and a lot will be the attitude of the conversation. Reading a snippet does not do it justice.
right2bright on September 11, 2008 at 5:47 PM
im nervous.
venicesurfer on September 11, 2008 at 5:48 PM
3. Or a cow!
pullingmyhairout on September 11, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Someone said Allah was going to have kittens.
I said Allah-Fluffit! I think it fits.
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Idiot alert.
Monkei on September 11, 2008 at 5:49 PM
That will leave a mark.
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 5:49 PM
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