Palin: ‘I Didn’t Blink’

CNSNews.com
Palin: ‘I Didn’t Blink’
Friday, September 12, 2008
By Susan Jones, Senior Editor




In this image released by ABC, anchor Charles Gibson talks to Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/ABC, Donna Svennik) (CNSNews.com) - In his interview with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Thursday, ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson suggested that Palin’s willingness to accept John McCain's vice presidential offer without hesitation demonstrated "hubris."

Palin, expressing confidence in her readiness, said, “You can’t blink.” So -- “I didn’t.”

Gibson pressed her, “And you didn't say to yourself, ‘Am I experienced enough? Am I ready? Do I know enough about international affairs? Do I -- will I feel comfortable enough on the national stage to do this?’”

“I didn't hesitate, no,” Palin responded.

“Didn't that take some hubris?” Gibson asked.

“I answered him yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on -- reform of this country and victory in the war -- you can't blink. So I didn't blink then, even when asked to run as his running mate.”

Gibson also asked Palin if she’d ever traveled outside the country or met a foreign head of state, questions apparently designed to portray her as lacking in foreign policy expertise.

Later, in move that could be interpreted as “gotcha” journalism, Gibson asked Palin, “Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine?”

Palin, apparently not sure what the Bush Doctrine is, asked him, “In what respect?”

Gibson responded, “What do you interpret it to be?”

“His world view,” Palin said.

"The Bush Doctrine, enunciated in Sept. 2002, before the Iraq war," Gibson said.

Gibson let her talk -- Palin mentioned President Bush's attempt to rid the world of Islamic extremists and terrorists. Gibson then explained what the Bush Doctrine is.

“The Bush Doctrine, as I understand it, is that we have the right of anticipatory self-defense, that we have the right to a preemptive strike against any other country that we think is going to attack us. Do you agree with that?”

“I agree that a president's job, when they swear in their oath to uphold our Constitution, their top priority is to defend the United States of America,” Palin said.

Gibson also pressed Palin on a remark she made in her church, when she said, “Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God."

“Are we fighting a holy war?” Gibson asked Palin, following up with the question, “Are you sending your son on a task that is from God?

Palin said she doesn’t know if the task is from God. She said her remark in church was inspired by Abraham Lincoln: “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.”

Palin added: “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 the grand plan."







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denialator at 08:19 PM - September 12, 2008
IMO, Governor Palin did a better job answering the question on the "Bush Doctrine", a sly attempt to intimidate his guest and confuse the issue, than Gibson did in phrasing the question. The way the question was phrased, void of context or related to a particular subject, demonstrated poor etiquette and disrespect for a seasoned journalist. Ambiguity is undesirable when defining issues of importance, and unacceptable to force one to second guess one's intent, or to answer, with specificity, questions of such broad scope. Gibson failed to specify his context or even cite a reference to known subject material. The "Bush Doctrine" is not commonly known by all and could cover a myriad of topics from Energy to Homeland Security. Gibson should be cited for his own hubris. This is "gotcha politics" at work, not good live, broadcast journalism. Governor Palin's forthright approach and genuineness, whether in agreement with everyone or not, should be admired and respected.

Orator at 05:19 PM - September 12, 2008
Typically as a newsperson, Gibson doesn't even know what hubris is. He doesn't understand the difference between hubris and confidence. He doesn't think it to be hubris when he presses someone to say something he wants to hear and something they want to say. Again, it is all a part of the supreme hubris(thinking I know everything)and the moral rationalization of the media. I, for one, am sick of them. I wonder why they can stand to go to bed at night.

MrPitchfork at 04:44 PM - September 12, 2008
“The Bush Doctrine, as I understand it, is that we have the right of anticipatory self-defense, that we have the right to a preemptive strike against any other country that we think is going to attack us. Do you agree with that?” ... I think she should have said "NO to the preemptive strike B.S." because IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!! Its the same tactic that Hitler used in WWII. Maybe that's where Bush got the idea since his family did business with Hitler in WWII.. ...WE THE PEOPLE are soooo screwed...

geologan at 02:41 PM - September 12, 2008
Good ol' Charlie! Still a newsman seeking to get "one-up" on his interviewee! Using words that he hopes will trip up the subject and make him look good. Good for Sarah. She came back strong and met his challenge. (By the way, it's interesting that Jimmy and Bill were 'just governors' when they started their bid for the White House.) I just hope that Governor Palin keeps in mind that all the attacks are an indication that the other side thinks that she is the kind and quality of person that really can assume the presidency is called on to do so. Go Pit Bull!

NeitherNor at 02:21 PM - September 12, 2008
To "Liberty Call": does the word SENATOR mean anything to you? I am so sick of hearing people babble the words "community organizer" as if it was the ONLY thing that Obama has ever done in his career. He was Illinois state senator, he is a U.S. Senator, he has created legislation on weapons control, public accountability of federal funds, electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returning US soldiers. He has travelled on OFFICIAL trips to Europe, the Middle East, & Africa. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, and is an attorney. Now, in comparison, let's see... Sarah Palin has been Governor of Alaska for TWO YEARS? She's been a mayor, & a city councilperson. All in the State of Alaska. She's got a bachelor's degree in... journalism. She loves to brag about her hunting, fishing & barracuda hockey mom skills. That's quite a comparison. And as for Charlie Gibson... he is about the most impartial and fair news reporter and interviewer I know.


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