Open thread: Palin and Couric on foreign policy
posted at 6:15 pm on September 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
6:30 ET on CBS. After watching the trailer, I think I’m going to pass on the main feature.
This report from NBC is charming, though. Exit quotation: “They will take the phrase ‘under God’ away from me when my cold, dead lips can no longer utter those words.”
Update: “I can’t link to them; they’re too painful.”
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I haven’t watched the video…but I know she sucked. That’s the standard response of lorien and all the other trolls….lol.
Chudi on September 25, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Thank God no one watches CBS…
Hoodlumman on September 25, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Is having a tube with a camera shove up your anus a qualification to be a teleprompter reader?
mred on September 25, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Well its pretty choppy and low quality but what exactly is your problem with what is said here?
JonPrichard on September 25, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Has she claimed that FDR was on TV in 1929 after the market crash telling Americans about the depression?
As long as that didn’t happen, she scored.
I have high standards, you know.
bloghooligan on September 25, 2008 at 6:22 PM
That answer was reasonable enough to me?
SouthernGent on September 25, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Hoodlumman,
What do you mean…I don’t get the fascination with every single word that palin says. If she had made the gaffes that Biden has made this week…this place would have crashed. Infact, so much pressure would be put on the campaign that she would have been kicked off.
Give me a break… she is doing fine. I hope everybody watches the debate with Biden.
Chudi on September 25, 2008 at 6:23 PM
And seriously…why are the cameras so damn close? Good lord!
SouthernGent on September 25, 2008 at 6:23 PM
The Great Communicator she’s not.
amerpundit on September 25, 2008 at 6:24 PM
I watched the video and she didn’t suck. She struggled with the word caricature.
Overall, I think she was much more comfortable with Couric. She’s a smart woman, not a hothouse flower.
Terrie on September 25, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Looking forward to it. I’m charged back up after last night’s John McCain bio quiz.
To paraphrase Churchill. Palin was the worst possible VP candidate except for all the others. The number of McCain signs I saw pre-Palin: one. Now there are everywhere.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 6:25 PM
ameri…
I think you get that, when u take 1 min sound bites, and chop it up. I hope they air the whole interview without interruptions.
Chudi on September 25, 2008 at 6:25 PM
lorien’s not a troll.
BadgerHawk on September 25, 2008 at 6:26 PM
You see, conservatives have to, in the middle of a tight, heated campaign, say she sucked and that she’s lousy because that way they can show the other guys how open minded they are by their willingness to criticize one of their own. Plus, certain Harvard graduates have to say it because that way they can show the other elites that they really don’t think much of this rube from the sticks, who doesn’t come from the proper stock and didn’t graduate from an elite approved school like they did.
Sort of like the “new tone” or something.
thirteen28 on September 25, 2008 at 6:26 PM
They can air the entire interview and she’s still not a great communicator. Don’t get me wrong, I like her a lot. But she’s choppy even in unedited clips.
amerpundit on September 25, 2008 at 6:26 PM
I agree. That’s a good way of looking at it.
Allahpundit on September 25, 2008 at 6:28 PM
She really doesn’t come off very strong in this interview. Not quite as weak as Obama usually does with his “uhm, well, I uhm, uh, ah, you, you you you you you you you you you you you” *Axelrod slap* “You see, I didn’t actually hear anything that was said for 20 years…”
But not nearly as strong as others in the Republican party.
apollyonbob on September 25, 2008 at 6:28 PM
har
————
She’s a fine communicator. All the interviews have so far been an attempt to get her on uncomfortable ground. Before you say, but, but just wait. We think of Reagan as great but that was because we remember when he talked things in his wheelhouse.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Has she palled around with terrorists/traitors and convicted felons? Has she lied about being on Senate committees she was never on? Has she been “mentored” by a vile race-hustler? Has she withheld crucial documents about her health? Is she a Marxist? Did her helicopter get “forced down” over Afghanistan?
If not, she’s more qualified to hold public office than two of the three candidates in this two-pair race.
MrScribbler on September 25, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Oof. Oh well.
Dash on September 25, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Yup. matter of fact, I just recieved my new McCAin / Palin bumper stickers and will be putting yet another check in the mail tomorrow.
Onager on September 25, 2008 at 6:30 PM
yeah palin sucked.
I still would like to slap that condenscending smirk off couric’s ugly face.
Roger Waters on September 25, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Part of her problem is that her manner of speaking makes her sound like she’s on the witness stand being cross-examined in some TV cop drama.
Big S on September 25, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Reagan stood up at the ’76 convention and gave a great speech he had no material for and didn’t expect. Palin is choppy even in prepared remarks. I like her, but she has to work on her choppiness.
amerpundit on September 25, 2008 at 6:31 PM
In the scheme of analyzing female colons, they want to see hers via her lips.
Entelechy on September 25, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Breaking Fox Business: Meeting ended very badly. Barney frank Yelling about Republicans not being on board. very testy…
TheBigOldDog on September 25, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Sorry wrong thread…
TheBigOldDog on September 25, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Well…yeah. No one can replace Reagan, only succeed him. But she is a great communicator. Have you bothered to check out footage of her interviews and debates before she was picked by McCain? Arctic Fox, indeed.
She seems hesitant because she is being forced to suppress her conservative instincts in order to repeat the Maveric schtick.
What you perceive as stumbling is actually a staunch conservative mentally gagging on an overdose of across-the-aisle ipecac.
ManlyRash on September 25, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Collie, should we show them just how badly mistaken that they really are?
My collie says:
CyberCipher on September 25, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Cross-examined is a good characterization when she’s being interviewed by hostile media figures whose objective is not to conduct an informative interview, but rather, to trip her up.
thirteen28 on September 25, 2008 at 6:34 PM
She has my vote!
ocbrat on September 25, 2008 at 6:34 PM
She’s normal. You guys are expecting what? We want real people. She talks just like most of us. Good Lord people she’s a successful women Gov.. She obviously communicated well enough to get that job.
Mercy4Me on September 25, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Which, in the case of the Drive-Bys, she is.
ManlyRash on September 25, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Sure. Because he was only speaking for himself. Look, I’m not trying to make excuses, I enjoy honesty. But I’ve seen her speak when speaking for herself and her state and she was fantastic. So either she’s nervous or she’s edited or she’s not as good talking for someone else, ie McCain. All those are temporary.
I’ve pointed this out before, when she was given material to study, it wasn’t basics it was books of McCain’s speeches – she’s been learning HIS positions to parrot.
Put her up there and let her speak spontaneously on energy or accountability, she’ll knock your socks off.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Britt just mentioned Biden’s statement (today?) that Bush recently sent the assistant secretary of state to Tehran to negotiate with the Iranians… but hey, that’s just Joe being Joe.
Pianobuff on September 25, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Too many people hanging on her every word … I doubt I could utter a sentence to a reporter knowing that each word would be dissected in blogs and on the evening news. That even my verbal inflections would be scrutinized under a microscope. I’m not going to watch this one … not because I’m afraid it might suck … but because I’m too busy watching to see if McCain will pwn Obama in D.C. this week! Hahaha!
HondaV65 on September 25, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Chavez was seen crying hysterically in New York, and his diapers showed heavy traces of yellow stains.
Entelechy on September 25, 2008 at 6:35 PM
I want to make a joke about Frank knowing testy, but I’m going to pass.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Allah, you just don’t like her, GET OVER IT! You know you would love to lip lock her. LOL ;-)
Mercy4Me on September 25, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Yeah, buddy. We’re swamped at the Veterans for McCain office ~ people begging for yard signs.
tree hugging sister on September 25, 2008 at 6:36 PM
She’s not an experiment, she’s a human being – that’s what I get from the clips. As for the Palin part, sheesh – is this going to be another 400-post thread of tough conservatives going all wet noodle over an interview? Please. I think the trolls and nutjobs have made us all too defensive. She’s getting the 3rd Degree (thus the tight close-ups) and the sneering interrogators because she’s new on the scene. As long as she doesn’t vomit on the interviewer or say something unbelievably stupid about about FDR going on TV during the Civil War, we’re doing fine.
We’ll see how she does in the debate, but, even then, it won’t matter anywhere near as much as most of us will think.
CK MacLeod on September 25, 2008 at 6:36 PM
The one-on-one interview just isn’t her strong suit, it might seem. From what I’ve gathered, she handled herself pretty well in the ad hoc presser in NY, and she’s great in fielding extemporaneous questions in a town hall format. The problem also is that she has to be somewhat circumscribed in her answers, and yes, she is on her guard vis a vis these journalists–and for good reason.
Look, at the end of the day people are going to make their decisions based on a wide variety of factors. Hopefully, they’ll see that going with McCain and Palin is the way to go. If not, then we might well be in for a long four years.
Matt Helm on September 25, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Uh. OK. I still don’t get what’s so wrong about her answer. In truth there is no other Governor in America that can say they share a border with Russia. And yes, there are many maritime treaties and dealings between the two countries. Naturally, Couric didn’t ask if Palin had any direct dealings with Canada, which would have included that tiny little major pipeline deal.
JonPrichard on September 25, 2008 at 6:37 PM
This better be SarahCudas last interview till after
the election,and if not,I want names,and then
I’m going to write the RNC a real nasty letter
about how they are allowing liberal journalists
to have their way* with Governor Sarah Palin!
*( canopfor sincerely regrets utilizing the ‘words’
“have their way”,and is not to be intended,or
the likeness of any form of debauchery)haha:)
canopfor on September 25, 2008 at 6:37 PM
She’s not stumbling on explaining her ideology or her campaign’s positions. She’s talking about her experience and her past remarks on Alaska’s relation to Russia and Canada.
amerpundit on September 25, 2008 at 6:37 PM
It’s an open thread, though.
Entelechy on September 25, 2008 at 6:37 PM
I can’t believe Palin didn’t prepare for that question. It’s been all over the media she should have been prepared to answer it.
Maxx on September 25, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Bambi is on with Brit Hume.
tru2tx on September 25, 2008 at 6:38 PM
WTF is Obama doing polluting my Special Report? Go away, Barry. Or ask him about Ayers and the Annenberg Challenge, Brit.
CK MacLeod on September 25, 2008 at 6:38 PM
She’s finding her “sea legs” that’s for sure.
But it helps to conjure up what the “what if ” scenario would be… if she was Democrat.
The deification machinery would be working full bore 24/7.
Actually, she would never have been a surprise to the nation if she was a Democrat.
She would have been pumped up and floated over the nation long ago.
silverfox on September 25, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Katie Couric couldn’t hold SARAH’S jock strap!
Mercy4Me on September 25, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Not Presidential working on the current crisis?
What a clown.
tru2tx on September 25, 2008 at 6:40 PM
I see – now it’s the “injecting presidential politics” hurts the process line. Get ready for 50 Obama surrogates using exactly those words in 50 interviews – and then they’ll dumb it down for the trolls to share.
CK MacLeod on September 25, 2008 at 6:40 PM
If you have not done so, review her past interviews and debate performances.
If you have done so, then you can see the difference – and the difference is Maverick. Trouble is, if he lets Sarah be Sarah, her only choice is to bury a shiv in his side.
ManlyRash on September 25, 2008 at 6:40 PM
I watched part of it and well she fumbled on the Russia answer and it looked like Curic helped here get back on track. But hey, I would not call it as bad a “My Muslim Faith” correction from The O!.
jharada on September 25, 2008 at 6:40 PM
http://culture11.com/blogs/theconfabulum/2008/09/25/animated-suspension/#comment-961
Team McCain should make Ross Douthat and James Poulos secret informal pro bono advisors…
Well, because we need to know how she thinks… it’s going to be harder on her… Team McCain should have focused harder on making good fresh speeches, impromptu press conferences, and interviews with friendly reporters… they should have made some sensible policy pivots that built into her narrative early on when they were on top that could have solidified their gains… but no they’re stupid and just wanted to use her as a puppet…
ninjapirate on September 25, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Barney Frank yelling? Was he banging the gavel, too?
SouthernGent on September 25, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Obviously? It should be, and we should be engaged in doing whatever is necessary to win the election.
Connie on September 25, 2008 at 6:41 PM
I live in a red state. Pre-Palin Obama signs vastly outnumbered McCain’s. I don’t know how she’ll play out at the end of the day with indies, but she sure as heck made a big difference with the base.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Yeah, that’s the thing. Whatever one thinks of Gibson’s question about the Bush Doctrine, Couric at least isn’t throwing curveballs at her. The question last night about instances where McCain’s proposed more regulation for Wall Street should have been a gimme. The recycled question about Russia, even more so.
Allahpundit on September 25, 2008 at 6:42 PM
I don’t either, and I’m totally with you (my sarcasm above notwithstanding). I just think you and I are in the minority here, while others will try to play a game of one-upsmanship in the nitpicking department, parsing everything she says and every little movement to death. Heck, who need the liberal MSM to tear her down anymore?
thirteen28 on September 25, 2008 at 6:42 PM
It wasn’t her best showing but I don’t think it’s the disaster some of you guys are making it to be.
powerpro on September 25, 2008 at 6:44 PM
I loved her answer about the passport :)
terryannonline on September 25, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Yeah, she’s very good and perfectly fluid in her Alaska debates/interviews, evidently because she’s comfortable with the subject matter. Compare that to her syntax in these recent interviews; half the time, she’s jumbled up or grasping for words. It feels like she’s distracted because she’s trying to remember all of her talking points, which makes the answers sound canned and awkward.
Allahpundit on September 25, 2008 at 6:45 PM
She answered the question correctly. Is she supposed to be a historical hagiographic version of Churchill in these interviews. Yo’re bar is too high for her and way too low for both Obama and Biden.
JonPrichard on September 25, 2008 at 6:47 PM
God she is bad.
WOW… JUST WOW….
Empty skirt?
Borislav on September 25, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Me too. That was great.
So how do we get back to “very good and perfectly fluid”? When she does that, she’s going to be unstoppable.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 6:49 PM
OK, so how do you explain the ums and ahhs and overall uncomfortability of Obama whose been doing national interviews for two years now? How do you explain Gaffe-A-Day Biden whose been running for President for the last millenium?
JonPrichard on September 25, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Her main weakness is in her sentances. Some of the transcripts I’ve read of her interviews come across as a mish-mash of phrazes. I majored in English but I have never considered some one who is not as verbal as I am as in any way unintelligent. Intelligence takes many forms and we all must specialize.
Nyog_of_the_Bog on September 25, 2008 at 6:50 PM
The libs will make a big deal out of this but at least she didn’t say no coal for America like Mr. Gaffe/Biden said.
Maxx on September 25, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Have her only talk about her good issues and not have to field any more questions about foreign policy or her past remarks.
amerpundit on September 25, 2008 at 6:51 PM
“Good Guys vs. Bad Guys” Not the best choice of terms.
Nyog_of_the_Bog on September 25, 2008 at 6:51 PM
That was better then last night.
I didn’t realize that Kissinger was opposed to the Bush, and Clinton I should add, approach with Iran.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Totally disagree.
JonPrichard on September 25, 2008 at 6:52 PM
If the Dems had put someone with similar background, age and experience on the ticket (say Chet Culver of Iowa) I think the PalinDefenders would have an entirely different reaction.
I shudder to think how she would do if she wasn’t getting the labor intensive prep that she is…
Bradky on September 25, 2008 at 6:54 PM
I don’t think Allah’s the one who set the bar “too high”. The bar for VP is pretty high already, and the combination of McCain’s previously stated standards (the VP should be able to take over on day one), conservative heroine worship, and fudges of her record (e.g. foreign policy experience) by the McCain campaign only kicked it a few notches higher.
Big S on September 25, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Katie gave a snarky wrap up regarding Kissinger and meeting with Iran with no preconditions.
mrsmwp on September 25, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Can’t do that in interviews without the argument that she won’t answer questions be the theme. Besides I’ll take any speedbumps now if it helps her prep for the debate.
I do think we expect a very high level from her because of her past excellence and her superior convention speech. But for any hesitation, she hasn’t called any of McCain’s decisions ‘terrible’, etc.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 6:54 PM
No – unless I misunderstand what you’re getting it, the regulation question was more complicated than it seemed on the surface, because No. 1 was heading off to negotiate with the people that everyone on the right wants Palin and others to trash. She could and perhaps should have tried to draw a distinction between regulation and oversight, and gotten into the weeds of the issue, but it would have been a much higher-risk tactic than most concede. She sees her job as supporting McCain, not outflanking him.
On the Russia question, she had a detailed answer, but got a little tongue-tied. She made her point. Again, she wasn’t as slick as a veteran like McCain, or a DC insider, but the significance of this interview is nil. On a list of the top 10 stories of the day, it’s number 17.
CK MacLeod on September 25, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Well, gee, I can’t imagine why Sarah would feel any pressure. Every word she says is parsed and obsessed over.
SouthernGent on September 25, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Check this out you dumb Democrats.
http://patdollard.com/2008/09/man-dies-after-waiting-34-hours-in-er-with-video/
Rick007 on September 25, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Why is that a bad choice of words? I doubt many Americans would disagree that Amedinijad is a bad. Personally, that man gives me shills every time I hear him speak. Pure evil.
terryannonline on September 25, 2008 at 6:55 PM
I love when the Lefties make fun of Gov. Palin for not having an Ivy undergraduate degree, and not having a professional degree from Harvard — like their hero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George W. Bush.
AZCoyote on September 25, 2008 at 6:55 PM
I thought she was good…her confidence level is up.
The good guy/bad guy thing is just plain simple talk…hell, isn’t that was this is all about anyway…the world is mostly black and white…very little gray.
Go Sarah!
joepub on September 25, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Yeap, she’s been given McCain’s speeches, policy positions, and talking points.. it’s a complete f’n joke… she should be getting some socratic grilling by sympathetic people from many different perspectives… there’s no way she can be natural trying to just parrot the crap McCain is feeding her…
The many different perspectives in important because without that then you are left without an awareness of the presuppositions of the positions which are required to know if you’re actually going to reason about the issue…
ninjapirate on September 25, 2008 at 6:56 PM
She’d look like BO without teleprompter. Well, hopefully not that bad.
On the larger point: I don’t see it differently then Obama. I find her experience more significant then his. No lie. He came up through party politics to a moderately significant office, she came up against to an important office.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 6:56 PM
No disagreement on the Obama comparison. However, the lack of objective analysis from some is bordering on cultist.
Bradky on September 25, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Ya know I dont understand what you want her to say. Courics question about regulation had a ridiculous premise with the “other than the bill that would have stopped this mess” what else has he done. You want her to point out 2 things that he has done that has enraged conservatives? Immigration and fundraising?
And about the Russia gaffe, it was just that, a gaffe. How is she supposed to explain it? It would be like Couric asking Biden “What did you mean that Roosevelt was on TV?”
She made a gaffe, why relive it except to make it again. I thought these interviews were “So the American people can get to know her”. These 2 interviews didnt further that mantra one bit.
broker1 on September 25, 2008 at 7:00 PM
I thought she did very well on this. What is wrong with you guys? Were any of you around when Ronald Reagan was talking to the media?
Guys take a deep breath she is doing very well. Stop drinking the Kool Aid with the likes of George Will and Charles Krauthammer.
Jdripper on September 25, 2008 at 7:00 PM
So she’s not a forgien policy expert, yet. Why not ask her questions she has extensive experience in, such as cutting government waste. Fighting corruption. Having the integrity and courage to do the right thing even if it means going against those in your own party.
I don’t care if a person has all the expertise in the world on a particular subject. What difference does it make if they vote “Present” most of the time? And no, I’m not saying Duh 1 is a forgiegn policy expert.
Hog Wild on September 25, 2008 at 7:01 PM
They need to let Palin off the leash and let Americans set a baseline of expectations for her. A rare commodity may be more highly valued in the market, but an unknown commodity doesn’t inspire confidence. Let her talk. She’s got great instincts, she’s a natural communicator, and her foundational principals are as solid as we could ever hope for. After a few days of dealing with hostile questions and ambushes, she’ll hit her stride and the press will start treating her with a modicum of respect.
Immolate on September 25, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Palin is no Gipper.
Bradky on September 25, 2008 at 7:02 PM
I love sarah but even I can admit that she seems like a totally different person compare to the one in her other interviews. It’s just weird. She wasn’t horrible but she just seems a bit off and choppy…
Dritanian on September 25, 2008 at 7:02 PM
The people prepping are part of the problem…
ninjapirate on September 25, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Couric is a bit of a bit*h, but WOW Palin stinks up this interview realllllll good.
The McCain Buyer’s Remorse Express is coming BEEP BEEP!
Dave Rywall on September 25, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Why is that a bad choice of words? I doubt many Americans would disagree that Amedinijad is a bad. Personally, that man gives me shills every time I hear him speak. Pure evil.
terryannonline on September 25, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Thanks Terry. I didn’t say bad. I said not best. It was a bit reductive. And I wasn’t questioning the premise behind her statement at all.
The Good-Guy/Bad Guy terminology reminds me of saturday morning cartoons.
Nyog_of_the_Bog on September 25, 2008 at 7:03 PM
That was awful. Flat out awful.
She’s going to blow this whole thing if she keeps answering questions by simply repeating the words she was asked.
I’ve defended her in the past, but the stuff about the missiles? What the hell was that? She doesn’t look like she knows what she’s talking about, and that is a killer. The other side can at least BS and make it sound good.
This clip will be everywhere. Get on with the debate already.
WisCon on September 25, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Something that has been lost from this debate is that Governors are not Constitutionally authorized to make foreign policy or to even engage in it. Neither are individual Senators for that matter. That power is reserved to the federal body of Congress, the State Department or the President.
Maxx on September 25, 2008 at 7:04 PM
My point precisely. She is a great communicator. Right now she is off-stride because she has been on the national stage and in the spotlight for less than a month after a brutal hazing at the hands of the Drive-By media in just the first five days, followed by two ambush-style interviews – and all the while struggling to commit to memory twenty-years worth of the Maverick evangel, with some of which she totally disagrees.
All things considered, she should receive a farking medal.
ManlyRash on September 25, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Her role is to support McCain’s policies and direction. She is simply not doing it well. It is entirely possible the “preppers” are pulling their hair out with the difficult task they have been assigned.
Bradky on September 25, 2008 at 7:05 PM
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