Open thread: Palin vs. Gibson, round three; Update: I think Obama regrets not picking Hillary, says Palin
posted at 4:42 pm on September 12, 2008 by Allahpundit
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We’re two hours away from World News Tonight but the first excerpts are up and I figured you’d want a thread to comment. Interesting that they’re transcribing simple verbal hiccups like at the beginning here:
SARAH PALIN: It has always been an embarrassment that abuse of the ear form — earmark process has been accepted in Congress. And that’s what John McCain has fought. And that’s what I joined him in fighting. It’s been an embarrassment, not just Alaska’s projects. But McCain gives example after example after example. I mean, every state has their embarrassment.
Their description of yesterday’s interview is interesting too, which isn’t to say it’s incorrect:
The comfort she showed when talking about a proposed pipeline that would supply the lower 48 states with natural gas from Alaska, contrasted sharply with her generally rote talking points on national security during the day’s first interview with Gibson.
While we wait, here’s a new ad from Citizens United comparing her Iraq prayer to comments made by other “Christianists” through the ages.
Update: Headlines comments imported.
Update: Palin on Hillary: “What determination, and grit, and even grace through some tough shots that were fired her way. She handled those well.” That’s a fortuitous soundbite, because it’s going to draw attention from what a friend e-mails to say sounds like “canned and evasive” answers on the other stuff per the excerpts. Click to watch.
Update: Dick Morris is already gaming out Hillary vs. Palin in 2012. Meanwhile, how stupid do you think Biden feels for having talked up Hillary himself a few days ago? He could have played the victim here otherwise; as it is, he’s basically forced to agree with her. An
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He asked her about homosexuality because of her religion. He thinks she is a rabid Christian, looking for homosexuals to stone.
Sue on September 12, 2008 at 6:58 PM
Seriously, Gibson is totally in love with her now!
carbon_footprint on September 12, 2008 at 6:58 PM
Well put that one in the W column. Even squeezed in the death of an internet rumor there at the end. Alert Matt Damon and Ms. Dowd.
Spirit of 1776 on September 12, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Locker room jabs.
srhoades on September 12, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Any ratings reports from ABC yesterday?
Mayhem on September 12, 2008 at 6:59 PM
How was that?
Chuck Schick on September 12, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Thanks. The Prodigal son returns. :)
FiveWays on September 12, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Sounds like you would gladly give up the opportunity for reform she brings in exchange for a “more experienced”, non-reform, inside the Beltway type, who would probably also ensure an Obama victory. Do I have that right?
a capella on September 12, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Ewwww, music to my ears! I don’t subscribe to MSM on my satellite network, so I haven’t seen it yet. Thanks!
I was expecting ABC would put the worst up front, and it would just get better from here.
Pa-lin! Pa-lin! Pa-lin!
petefrt on September 12, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Just a longer version of the nightly news from yesterday mostly. She looked better because the clips were longer and the editing less choppy, but she really did seem more relaxed today and so did Gibson.
But it was fine.
Spirit of 1776 on September 12, 2008 at 7:03 PM
I have gained more appreciation for Sarah Palin and more dislike for Gibson through these interviews.
mindhacker on September 12, 2008 at 7:03 PM
I feel like I am watching a Presidential interview and not a VP interview.
Anybody else see it this way?
She just owned Gibson.
Gibson is looking for the Palin perfume as we speak.
TheHat on September 12, 2008 at 7:04 PM
She looks better and better. We will be very lucky to have her as our VP.
Tennman on September 12, 2008 at 7:04 PM
I thought that Charlie came off as less of a douche and Palin seemed much sharper.
V15J on September 12, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Notice how totally unlike Obama she is in her answers. No um, ah, blah blah, um, ah, stuggle for an answer…
No, when Sarah is asked a question, she delivers an answer; and she does it quickly, concisely, and without having to spend all day thinking about it.
backwoods conservative on September 12, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Man you guys… talk about giving away all the secrets.
upinak on September 12, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Extremely strong appearance tonight. Last night had some struggles amidst the the good answers but no stumbles, tonight was in her wheelhouse. She nailed it tonight. An A+ for confidence, poise and body language, and an A- for the substance of her answers. The extremely straightforward answer on Roe v. Wade will thrill conservatives but probably alienate a few independents. I would have liked to see her explain why she opposes abortion for rape and incest, and make a pitch that the unborn child shouldn’t be punished with death even if the mother ultimately decides to give the child up for adoption.
Markedly better than a still very decent performance last night.
Dudley Smith on September 12, 2008 at 7:07 PM
I wonder why the editing was so much better?
Think they got called on it that it was so obviously done to make her look harsh?
Completely different feel all the way around.
I also think maybe she’s charmed Gibby.
tru2tx on September 12, 2008 at 7:07 PM
So Gibson has now elevated her to “tough under the interrogation lights” Presidential material, and not just a popular VP. Well played Charlie! The only thing that would have been better is if he asked if she would agree to be waterboarded and she said, “bring it” then laughed all the way through and stood up smiling.
Maybe they’re saving that for 20/20.
econavenger on September 12, 2008 at 7:09 PM
HUGE Obama gaffe in todays attack ad:
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/jpodhoretz/30072
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OTliMTNiZjg5ZDEwZWNiZDYwZWFjN2JlNjNjNjkxZmM=
elduende on September 12, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Tough. You’ve already got to see her for 2 years :)
Spirit of 1776 on September 12, 2008 at 7:11 PM
I think this round of questions was more fair and more open-ended. They were also closer to home for her, so she seemed much more comfortable. I thought last night that if he was quizing her, then she also looked like she was taking a quiz. She seemd much more relaxed and upright tonight.
The only tricky spot was the Bridge question, which honestly is one of the more serious concerns about her. But, as has been mentioned before, she came down on the right side in the end. I liked it when she said that sometimes you have to acknowledge when you’ve lost.
I thought her answer on Roe and abortion was excellent. Her response to the homosexuality question was really a dodge, but a good one. She’s clearly getting better.
Tonight’s grade: A-
Jezla on September 12, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Ouch… see a response ad coming?
Pianobuff on September 12, 2008 at 7:14 PM
I just read the transcript over at ABC… Why does Gibson seem so angry?
BadgerHawk on September 12, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Pianobuff on September 12, 2008 at 7:14 PM
lets hope so.
elduende on September 12, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Oh man, Obama is a total fool. It doesn’t get much worse than that gaffe. That goes directly to why McCain is respected by voters and why young Obama isn’t taken seriously.
Co-Presidency with a GOP house, here we come!
econavenger on September 12, 2008 at 7:17 PM
W. T. F.
Obama is in a spiral.
BadgerHawk on September 12, 2008 at 7:18 PM
It’s a stark contrast. Even with the answers that were difficult for her last night, she still delivered with conviction.
Jezla on September 12, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Remember though that Dick Morris was really pulling hard that McCain would pick Lieberman, which would not have worked and McCain never really would have siezed the initiative. Morris clearly was wrong on that.
Sapwolf on September 12, 2008 at 7:19 PM
We had a storm here and I missed the segment tonight. I understand that there will be more on 20/20 and a repeat of this on Nightline.
How did she handle the Bridge to Nowhere thing?
Terrye on September 12, 2008 at 7:19 PM
That is the thing about Direct TV, if it rains you lose the signal.
Terrye on September 12, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Why is everyone crapping all over Gibby? He was hand-picked by the McCain campaign to do these interviews. And he is likely the most fair of any of ABC’s reporters.
Ok, I am also a little confused – is Palin for or against earmarks? Or is she against improper earmarks? And which earmarks, if any, are appropriate?
trailboss on September 12, 2008 at 7:20 PM
That’s what is SO attractive about Palin in the interview/inquisition.
She seems to have actual convictions. Obama clearly doesn’t.
She is a leader unlike Obama, and it shows.
Sapwolf on September 12, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Obama now regrets picking himself for the top of the ticket. If he could turn back time he would jump at the chance to be Hillary’s VP.
econavenger on September 12, 2008 at 7:21 PM
It’s all “gotcha” stuff from Charlie. The interview that replayed on Nightline last night contained portions that weren’t shown on the evening news. I have a better opinion of her performance after watching Nightline. Clearly, they clipped a bunch of favorable stuff out. Does anyone have a side-by-side comparison?
RMCS_USN on September 12, 2008 at 7:23 PM
BadgerHawk on September 12, 2008 at 7:18 PM
sure looks that way.
elduende on September 12, 2008 at 7:24 PM
And I think it’s going to get worse. Once the public gets the impression that he’s a loser, he’ll spiral downward even faster.
backwoods conservative on September 12, 2008 at 7:26 PM
I don’t lose my signal in the rain.
artchick on September 12, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Well, well, the media has invented a new word to describe Christians. It seems that the term Christian is not good enough for the media because I suppose it does not have a ring to it that is dastardly enough. So they have invented the word “Christianist” which is a word I’ve never heard until very recently. Its not in the dictionary so don’t bother to look. But it is found in the really hip Wiktionary, a place where you can make it up as you go.
So what is a “Christianist,” according to Wiktionary? Well surprise, surprise… they are “fundamentalist Christians,” just like Islamist are Muslims. You will note they worked the word “fundamentalist” as a mainstay of the definition.
Fundamentalist is of course the term used like a big bag by the liberal commie media to emphasis the moral equivalence of all religions.
Here’s the definition at Wiktionary:
Please note that the definition serves only one purpose, which is the moral equivalence purpose and that’s all. The implication is that Christians, Jews and Muslims are all pretty much the same. Once again, more lies and propaganda from the MSM.
Note to the media, Christians are Christians, not “Christianist.”
Maxx on September 12, 2008 at 7:27 PM
My two cents on earmarks, if anyone cares at all: She came in with an agenda to help Alaska contribute more to the world (and the U.S.) energy economy and to make some broader reforms to the way government functioned in Alaska. She had to make compromises, quite often with Democrats and like-minded Republicans in her legislature, to get things through.
I don’t know for sure, but my guess is that as addicted to pork as the State of Alaska appears to have been, not eliminating every bit of earmarking probably facilitated the other part of her program. In other words, if she’d come in and told the State they were off all Federal money that wasn’t awarded through formula or competitive grants, that might have ended her reform program before it began. I have no factual basis for any of that, maybe upinak knows whether any of the remaining earmarks were pet projects of some key people whose support she needed.
DrSteve on September 12, 2008 at 7:28 PM
That’s from MSM’s favorite “right wing blogger” Andy Sullivan. It’s designed to insult. It’s use on the ‘nets is mainly to mock Sullivan.
Spirit of 1776 on September 12, 2008 at 7:29 PM
I thought the exact same thing after I watched Nightline last night. The first show was completely hacked up. Alot of her answers made more sense in the Nightline version.
artchick on September 12, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Cant stand Gibson. I though he was condescending as heck.
He yucked it up with Obama – its clear which camp he is in – he could have done a much better intereview without coming across as a jerk who was trying to trip her up.
winged on September 12, 2008 at 7:33 PM
artchick:
It might have been the rain and the funnel clowd that screwed me up, but I lost the signal big time. Nasty storm.
Terrye on September 12, 2008 at 7:34 PM
That’s good information, thank you.
Maxx on September 12, 2008 at 7:36 PM
trailboss:
I think Palin is prepared to support McCain in going after earmarks. Last year the number of earmarks to Alaska were half what they had been. I think she realized that in terms of reform there was only so much that could be undertaken at any given time.
Besides, earmarks are not given to states by Governmors, they are given to states by Congress. Biden and Obama both voted for the Bridge to Nowhere, McCain did not. In the end, she came out against it herself. That is more than Obama did.
Terrye on September 12, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Wow… just wow…
from NRO:
If this get’s mainstreamed, Obama is FINISHED. Forget Presidential elections, he had better go move in with his brother in Kenya.
Can anyone verify that this is true? A single Boston Globe article seems a little thin for something like this. I knew about raising his arms and stuff, but if Obama just slammed him on a disability, he’d better run for the hills.
The only, for lack of a better term, down side is that McCain seems to have too much pride to admit that his injuries would prevent him from doing anything.
Damiano on September 12, 2008 at 7:42 PM
I don’t think Alaska is necessarily any more addicted to earmarks than any other state. I’m hearing two conflicting positions from Palin on earmarks, or maybe it’s just that she is conflicting with McCain and doesn’t realize it. She has no qualms about asking for or receiving earmarks that are for infrastructure. McCain seems to me to hate all earmarks, regardless of purpose, and has staked out a position to snuff out the whole practice.
I think Palin is showing a little nuance, where McCain thinks in black and white.
trailboss on September 12, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Crazy Obama will drop Biden rumour
http://camp2008victorya.blogspot.com/
CanadianGuy on September 12, 2008 at 7:44 PM
While earmarks are funds approved by Congressional vote, they are usually items stuck in unrelated bills that get passed on the strength of the bill, and the earmark slips through. And you are right that Governors don’t make that determination, but it is governor’s and state delegations that make the requests for earmarks. Palin has been a champion earmark getter, right up the last fiscal year. I don’t think that she and McCain see this quite the same way.
trailboss on September 12, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Drudge is carrying it and there is a new thread here about it.
carbon_footprint on September 12, 2008 at 7:49 PM
I don’t think she is totally opposed to earmarks if they are used properly. She just wants transparency as they are requested. I’m fairly certain she said that in the interview.
a capella on September 12, 2008 at 7:49 PM
She said that some of the things Gibson mentioned to her as earmarks were things she wanted to see requested in an open, above board way and not slipped into unrelated bills on the sly. There are right ways to get approval for spending and wrong ways. She wants any spending that is approved to be done the right way.
She also spoke of making government agencies more efficient, and I think there is probably a lot of room for improvement there.
backwoods conservative on September 12, 2008 at 7:49 PM
She sounds much better in the clip I just watched.
WisCon on September 12, 2008 at 7:50 PM
There is only one religion that encourages that these days, and it isn’t Christianity.
Disturb the Universe on September 12, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Response ad! Puhleeeze! Response ad!
If not by the GOP, then by some other group!
Hey B.O. Don’t you feel small???
kurtzz3 on September 12, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Sarah is doing just fine, thank you.
I just hope that being on the defensive in interviews like this doesn’t make her start believing that she needs to sound like all the other politicians. Keep it fresh, authentic, and from the heart, Sarah.
JudetheFossil on September 12, 2008 at 7:54 PM
I just looked through his whole interview transcript with Obama in June. I didn’t see a single policy question. Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t see one…just a lot of questions about how much joy Obama felt, and what different relatives of his (daughters, etc.) thought about the possiblity that he could be president.
Oh, and lots of (LAUGHTER).
Someone HAS to be working on an A/B contrast of this. Please, God.
capitalist piglet on September 12, 2008 at 7:55 PM
I think you are right, a.c. but isn’t McCain completely against earmarks?
trailboss on September 12, 2008 at 7:58 PM
She handled herself much better tonight, seemed comfortable, relaxed, and spoke from the heart.
I ain’t worried!
RMCS_USN on September 12, 2008 at 8:00 PM
trailboss:
And the number of earmarks for Alaska were cut in half in one year. That is an improvement.
Terrye on September 12, 2008 at 8:01 PM
OMG, you guys HAVE to look at this!!! I’m dyin’!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65I0HNvTDH4
Barack Roll
capitalist piglet on September 12, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Well, perhaps. Not knowing the genesis and history of any of those earmarks, I cannot really say improvement or not. And because Palin is not anti-earmark, period, like McCain is, simply cutting the number doesn’t tell me much.
trailboss on September 12, 2008 at 8:09 PM
UPI: ABC’s Gibson grilled Palin hard, but it may backfire
Loxodonta on September 12, 2008 at 8:10 PM
That Citizens United ad was sublime.
Now *that’s* how to edit quotes.
The Ugly American on September 12, 2008 at 8:11 PM
CBS: Ex-Clinton Aide: Media Tougher On Palin
Near the end (excerpts):
Loxodonta on September 12, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Ratings info from last night from TVWeek:
“Part one of Charles Gibson’s interview with Republican vice presidential candidate Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin substantially jazzed ‘ABC World News Tonight’s’ preliminary ratings last night. Rising nearly 35% compared to the average of its last two weeks of Nielsen overnight metered household ratings in 55 markets, ‘World’ captured a 7.0 rating/14 share, beating the closest competitor, NBC, by 27%.”
Link
Mayhem on September 12, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Updated: ABC News reports that they received a box containing a human heart and Charlie Gibson’s glasses. A source says that Gibson hasn’t been returning calls placed to his cellphone.
jaleach on September 12, 2008 at 8:19 PM
In other news, dogs hate cats.
jaleach on September 12, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Interview was good.
I liked “living in reality” something washington and the media seems not to understand. there is a big difference in earmarks. Ones for the public good are fine, one for museums for teacups are not.
unseen on September 12, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Aren’t teacup museums for the public good?
trailboss on September 12, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Yep, decribes Obama perfectly.
Deanna on September 12, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Oh jeez!!!
That’s going to bite Obama in the ass hard!!!!
Yakko77 on September 12, 2008 at 8:44 PM
You know it, brother. Nice post.
apacalyps on September 12, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Gibson why does Alaska need 10 times as many earmarks as Illinois?
Answer should be:
because it ten times bigger, ten times prettier, ten times more severe climate, ten times closer to Russia and ten times more intelligent. Why waste all those earmarks on a halfassed state, full of corrupt politicians, gangsters and community organizers like the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and my opponent. Oh I mean Johs opponent forget about the other whats his name guy!
dhunter on September 12, 2008 at 8:54 PM
I don’t know. He hasn’t taken any but I don’t know if he is opposed to them with some reform of the way they are done. Even if he is opposed, that’s not an entirely bad thing. I don’t mind having her not blindly follow his every lead on all issues.
a capella on September 12, 2008 at 9:00 PM
I just lost 7 minutes and 32 seconds of my life that I will never get back.
Connie on September 12, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Aren’t teacup museums for the public good?
trailboss on September 12, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Ok explain how teacup museums are for the public good. And explain why the government should be supportting teacup museums, and while your at it explain where in the consitution that says it is the government’s job to pay for a teacup museums
unseen on September 12, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Isn’t a teacup museum discriminatory against coffee cups?
backwoods conservative on September 12, 2008 at 9:11 PM
A funnel cloud would do it!!! lol Sorry I didn’t know you had severe weather.
artchick on September 12, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Great ad. I completely agree with it–and I’m not even very religious.
PattyJ on September 12, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Anyone watching the 20/20 spot tonight
flyboy777 on September 12, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I am. Total hit piece.
CanadianGuy on September 12, 2008 at 10:07 PM
20/20 stating rumors as fact. good job
custer on September 12, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Holy Crap. ABC is doing a hit piece to start out 20/20
Tennman on September 12, 2008 at 10:07 PM
watching 20/20 you wonder why anyone likes sarah, even her friends
custer on September 12, 2008 at 10:08 PM
they are doing a total hit piece. Wow…taking every rumor as fact.
Chudi on September 12, 2008 at 10:09 PM
This should be called
20/20: Sarah Palin has to respond to Democratic talking points.
CanadianGuy on September 12, 2008 at 10:09 PM
This first portion was a total smear.
Enoxo on September 12, 2008 at 10:11 PM
I never seen such crap in my life.
Oh yes I did, Obama.
jencab on September 12, 2008 at 10:11 PM
They are so threatened by this women so they justify this hit peice
flyboy777 on September 12, 2008 at 10:12 PM
“Part fact, part fable.” Are you kidding me?!
jencab on September 12, 2008 at 10:12 PM
“She gave the same speech everywhere she went! Waaah!” Uh, doesn’t ABC know what a stump speech is?
Enoxo on September 12, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Total fabrication by ABC.
Tennman on September 12, 2008 at 10:13 PM
put words in her outh chuck
custer on September 12, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Looks like ABC (All Barack Channel) has gotten its talking point from the Obamination camp.
jencab on September 12, 2008 at 10:15 PM
The McCain camp better respond to this total hatchet job.
Enoxo on September 12, 2008 at 10:18 PM
charlie sounds like he has a superiority complex
custer on September 12, 2008 at 10:19 PM
You know … I’ve seen CEOs of companies that make flammable children’s pajamas treated much better during their interviews on 20/20.
CanadianGuy on September 12, 2008 at 10:19 PM
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