Hotline After Dark -- I Can See Clearly Now
In her first interview with CNN, Sarah Palin spoke with Drew Griffin in NV. During the interview, Palin brought up Joe Biden saying Barack Obama will be tested by an int'l crisis within six months. She also apologized for suggesting some parts of America are more patriotic than others.
Griffin: "Governor, if in two weeks, you are not elected ... do you come back at the top of the ticket in 2012?"
Palin: "I'm concerned about and focused on just the next two weeks. ... Thankfully, too, the American public is seeing clearer and clearer what the choices are in these tickets. I think some revelation just occurred, not just with Joe the Plumber, but revelation occurred with Joe Biden's comment the other night that ... he said, Mark my word. There's going to be economic and -- or international crisis, he said, if Barack Obama is elected, because he will be tested. And he said, there are four or five scenarios that will result in an international crisis with this untested presidential candidate in Barack Obama."
More Palin: "I think we need to thank Joe for the warning there. But Joe's words there, I think, can shed some light, too, in terms of the contrast you have on the tickets. John McCain is a tested leader. He has gone through great adversity. He has the scars to prove it. He has shown this true leadership. It hasn't just been all talk. And Joe Biden's comments there about an untested, as he had said in the primary, unprepared candidate to be president, I think, was very telling."
More after the jump, including McCain's PA strategy.
(KATHERINE LEHR)
Palin, asked if Biden gets a pass: "Drew, you need to ask your colleagues and I guess your bosses or whoever is in charge of all of this, why does Joe Biden get a pass on such a thing? Can you imagine if I would have said such a thing? No, I think that we would be hounded and held accountable for, what in the world did you mean by that, VP ... candidate? Why would you say that mark my words, this nation will undergo international crisis if you elect Barack Obama? If I would have said that, you guys would have clobbered me."
Griffin: "You are right. ... You have talked about America and certain parts of America ... that are maybe more American than other parts of America? ... Are there?"
Palin: "No, I do not want that misunderstood. When I go to these rallies, and we see the patriotism just shining through these people's faces and the Vietnam veterans wearing their hats so proudly, and they have tears in their eyes as we sing our national anthem, and it is so inspiring. And I say that this is true America. You get it. You understand how important it is that, in the next four years, we have a leader who will fight for you. I certainly don't want that interpreted as one area being more patriotic or more American than another. If that is the way it has come across, I apologize."
More from the interview:
Palin, asked if Obama is a socialist: "I'm not going to call him a socialist. But, as Joe the plumber has suggested -- in fact, he came right out and said it -- it sounds like socialism to him, and he speaks for so many Americans who are quite concerned now after hearing, finally, what Barack Obama's true intentions are with his tax and economic plan."
Griffin: "Do you think his intentions are, if not a socialist, is to move away from capitalism, true capitalism?"
Palin: "Well, anyone who would want to increase taxes at a time like this, especially with economic woes that are adversely affecting all of us. Anybody who would want to do that, to take more from businesses and our families and then dole those dollars out according to their priorities, that is not a principle of capitalism."
Griffin: "The press has been pretty hard on you. The Democrats have been pretty hard on you, but also some conservatives have been pretty hard on you as well. The National Review had a story saying that, you know, 'I can't tell if Sarah Palin is incompetent, stupid, unqualified, corrupt, or all of the above.'"
Palin: "Who wrote it? I would like to talk to that person."
Griffin: "But they were talking about the fact that your experience as governor is not getting out. Do you feel trapped in this campaign, that your message is not getting out? And, if so, who do you blame?"
Palin: "No, I am getting my message right now out, through you, with you, Drew, to the American people who are watching CNN. And I appreciate this opportunity. ... It's good for the American electorate to understand, they have a choice here in our ticket of having the experience and the reputation that comes with John McCain as being the patriot and the maverick in the Senate. You have that. And you combine it with a team member who is new and fresh, with new ideas, new vision, new energy that needs to be infused into Washington, D.C. ... You have that combination. And I think that some in the media, maybe in the National Review, they don't know what to make of that. ... I think we have the right message, despite a mocking that comes our way."
Griffin: "I must ask you just two questions. One is on the Trooper Wooten. If there is one thing that has followed you negatively..."
Palin: "Tasergate, right, right."
Griffin: "You call it Tasergate?"
Palin: "We sure do."
Griffin: "Troopergate, whatever. The Branchflower report said you were perfectly in your right to fire Monegan ... but also found out that you violated the ethics. Was it a mistake to allow your husband to use your office to try to pressure the Troopers to fire Mr. Wooten?"
Palin: "Not at all. ... My husband did exactly, I think, what any sensible, reasonable father, husband would do who was concerned about their family's safety."
Griffin: "But was it a mistake to allow him to use the governor's office to that extent?"
Palin: "Not when you look at other governor's track records when they have their spouse, as, for instance, Governor Murkowski had his spouse as his top adviser. And she was in meetings. She was in the office -- so, kind of a double standard here" ("Situation Room," 10/21).
CITY OF McCAIN LOVE?
There was also a lot of talk about the McCain camp refocusing its attention on a "comeback" in PA:
CNN's Bash: "McCain sources say winning Pennsylvania is a must because of alarming trends elsewhere. It looks increasingly tough for McCain in three recently Republican states, Colorado, New Mexico and Iowa. Together, those add up to 21 electoral votes. To make up for any losses there, he would have to win the 21 electoral votes that Pennsylvania delivers. A huge challenge, considering a Republican hasn't won the state in 20 years and an average of polls show McCain trailing Obama by 13 points" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 10/21).
Time's Carney, asked why McCain is taking such a strong stand in PA: "Because I don't think McCain has much other choice. He's pulled out of Michigan ... scaling back in New Hampshire and Wisconsin. All these states that John Kerry won in 2004 that McCain needed at least one of them to make up for his definite loss in Iowa and probable loss in New Mexico. He's got problems in Virginia, a Bush state. So Pennsylvania is really his only chance, as he sees it, to pick up a significant Kerry state, a blue state" ("Race for the WH," MSNBC, 10/21).
FNC's Cameron: "They see some polls that show particularly out here in the western part of the state they have a chance. They believe that they're leading west of Harrisburg. All they got to do, they think, is pick up two or three counties or at least compete closely in Philadelphia. Their eyes are on Bucks County, Chester County, and they think they can pull it out here" ("Special Report," 10/21).
CNN's J. King: "Pennsylvania, they think, is their best option. Number one, there are culturally conservative voters there. Number two, President Bush did try very hard in Pennsylvania twice, so there is a Republican operation and organization that fought in two presidential campaigns. And, number three, they think they will do better in the suburbs than George W. Bush did around Philadelphia, and that is the critical area. ... Number four ... the McCain people believe that a number of Hillary Clinton voters and other blue collar Democrats are open to voting against Barack Obama or have reservations about Barack Obama because of his race and they believe that will help them" ("Situation Room," 10/21).
Well, well, well.... what a big surprise. Another "maverick" Repuplican caught red-handed with her hands in the public's till.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state for her children to travel with her, including to events where they were not invited, and later amended expense reports to specify that they were on official business.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has charged the state $21,012 for her three daughters' plane flights.
The charges included costs for hotel and commercial flights for three daughters to join Palin to watch their father in a snowmobile race, and a trip to New York, where the governor attended a five-hour conference and stayed with 17-year-old Bristol for five days and four nights in a luxury hotel.
In all, Palin has charged the state $21,012 for her three daughters' 64 one-way and 12 round-trip commercial flights since she took office in December 2006. She also has charged the state for hotel rooms for the girls and herself, at $707/night.
Republicans ALWAYS travel in style. Palin's excuse for bringing along her repcious daughters? "I want to spend as much time with them as possible." Isn't that admirable -- such a dedicated Mom -- as long as someone else pays for it, that is....
If the trips are allowed then so be it. I am curious why Palin does not care enough about their education to have them in school. That would be a wise parental decision.
Supposedly, the children are being home-schooled, but what could that really consist of at this point. Palin is understandably busy, Todd seems to be a remote father, and, frankly, neither appears to be bright enough to teach a child much of anything. Moreover, the children are being trotted out from early morning to evening. Clearly, there is little education happening.
I think more information should be provided on this before people start passing judgement. I know that in my profession we are allowed reimbursements for child care while on official business, etc. Sometimes, having older teenage children, it comes out to be the same cost to have someone come in and care for the children as it does to have the kids come with me and then I can be with them during the down times. As a governor she is probably very busy and so this time would be important. In my profession I also receive an educational reimbursement for my children of $250 per year per child. As a homeschooling mom I take that reimbursement for school supplies. I have others in my profession who are quick to judge on this yet these same people take a child care allowance to pay for someone else to watch their kids. There is always two sides to the story. I think on the clothing issue the RNC probably hired an image consultant and they went hog wild. If someone brought you several nice suits and dresses for the campaign trail and you are used to buying your own clothes for $200-$300 per suit or dress would you even think there was a possibility that these clothes cost so much? She probably never even saw the receipts.
I think more information should be provided on this before people start passing judgement. I know that in my profession we are allowed reimbursements for child care while on official business, etc. Sometimes, having older teenage children, it comes out to be the same cost to have someone come in and care for the children as it does to have the kids come with me and then I can be with them during the down times. As a governor she is probably very busy and so this time would be important. In my profession I also receive an educational reimbursement for my children of $250 per year per child. As a homeschooling mom I take that reimbursement for school supplies. I have others in my profession who are quick to judge on this yet these same people take a child care allowance to pay for someone else to watch their kids. There is always two sides to the story. I think on the clothing issue the RNC probably hired an image consultant and they went hog wild. If someone brought you several nice suits and dresses for the campaign trail and you are used to buying your own clothes for $200-$300 per suit or dress would you even think there was a possibility that these clothes cost so much? She probably never even saw the receipts.
I can agree that there might be more to the story about the clothes, but there is no way that she didn't know the difference between a designer suit and a more affordable one. This is a woman who has appeared in Vogue - she knew.
I feel like the GOP just doesn't get it and donating the clothes to charity after the election isn't a solution.
What kind of reform is this. Is this what we will see done with the donation we send in to the McCain campaign. With this be the nonsense we'll see in the White House. She spent all of this on the campaign trail what will she spend once they get elected. 300,000 maybe more.
This women is full of it,I'm done with her. I still respect John McCain,But sara is so corrupted it is not too late to drop her out of the race fore the benefit of the country.
Palin is bad news all the way around. If she doesn't go home and take of those other two girls they will be pregnant too. Talking about a free pass. Bristol is getting a free pass and it seems like there is no penalty for what she did so what is to stop the other girls from following in her footsteps? She almost seems to be getting praised.
She apologized for virtually saying the same thing Obama said about guns and religion. It is the same thing he said only in reverse. But is the media jumping all over it? I don't think so.
For many average Americans, this clothing spree is equal to three years income! Are we so stupid to be taken in by this unqualified VP elect and if we do not open our eyes it will cost us another four years of devistation for the US. McCain/Palin spend all their time in rhetoric and lay out no real plans of helping us. is this being maverick? Have you all given any serious thought to McCains age and how this would guarantee Palin to become president in the possibly near future? think it through people!
For many average Americans, this clothing spree is equal to three years income! Are we so stupid to be taken in by this unqualified VP elect and if we do not open our eyes it will cost us another four years of devastation for the US. McCain/Palin spend all their time in rhetoric and lay out no real plans of helping us. is this being maverick? Have you all given any serious thought to McCains age and how this would guarantee Palin to become president in the possibly near future? think it through people!
The money this VP hopeful has used for clothing, makeup, and hairstyling in a mere 2 months would pay my house in full. She has no clue what it is to have to pay as you go. She has no clue what it is like to be what used to be considered a 'middle-class' American - those of us who are now considered in the poverty class due to the give aways to corporate America, oil barons, CEO's and friends of Cheney & Bush.
Dateline: Nov 5 2008
John the Maverick had this to say in his concession speech.
"My friends, I am sorry you have chosen to elect Senator Obama.
I regret to inform you all that due to this, I will elect not to inform
you how to win the war on terror, and especially not how to capture
Osama Bin Laden. My friends, you have spoken and I have heard you
loud and clear. In response let me now inform you that I will not
clue you in on how to save America's economy. You brought this
upon your self America, and I see no reason to help you anymore.
My friends, Governor Palin has promised me a little bit of Alaska,
including a yearly check from oil profits for doing nothing at all, where
I can join the Alaskan Independence Party, and be free of America's tryanny
once and for all."
this has been a work of fiction by the future for america's children workshop
sarah palin embodies everything that is wrong with politics these days.
F*ck Drew Griffin and CNN for totally mischaracterizing Byron York's comment and article about Sarah Palin in the National Review.
The completely dishonest characterization of Byron York's remark IDENTIFIES CNN and DREW GRIFFIN as F****** SEXIST LIARS who are so AFRAID of GOVERNOR PALIN that they resort to being the ABSOLUTE WORST of media reporting. CNN and DREW GRIFFIN are more DISPICABLE and WORSE than NATIONAL ENQUIRER at the lowest point in its dishonorable history.
CNN and DREW GRIFFIN OWE GOVERNOR PALIN a HUMBLE HEADLINE APOLOGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mr griffin you are one amazing guy...some journalism...do you know how to read the news paper? or you just make up stories as you go along...even a 5th grader can tell what the article written by byron was saying ABOUT PALIN...but not you,you added some ugly things to that article and attacked palin with it shame on on you...really how old are you did you just greaduate from school? why dont you reread that article and be man enough and a real journalist and say oops made a booboo sarah...what are scared of that sarah palin has more class than most of the lefties you serve....ah...i dont think you will even read this blogg nor will your so call journalist cnn even give a hoot weather you were right or wrong....you may think no one notices how low the media/journalists have gotten...but sorry to shock you all americans are NOT fools..we see what is going on what are expecting to get from your democrat canidate if and when he becomes the pres...????what kind of favors are YOU expecting ha..??? you want to be freinds with the big brother so you can feed us all the bullschiza he wants you to feed us...??? again shame on you and cnn ah sorry in order to feel shame you most have contious...iam afraid its too late for you folks....CNN AND GRIFFIN YOU ARE WICKED AND EVIL JOURNALISTS.....
Yeah I'm a conservative so you know that means that I'm dumb, when inteligent democrats make stupid comments such as good old gaff a minute Joe Bidden thats a gaff, but when a stupid old republican does it they are just dumb, you know like dumb old bush, dumb old reagan, etc. oh if we could only be smart like Jimmy Carter, etc. and the intelligent comments about sara Palin's clothing budget?????????? I'm sure nobody cares about whether or not Hillary's pant suits came from walmart yea right!! best of all, Drew Griffin, we know you are too smart to have misquoted the article, no it's more along the lines of that arrogant left wing news media that we can say what we want to those idiots that cling to their guns and bibles, yeah we can just do and say what we want because we are the intelligent liberal press doing our duty to continue to fool the mass idiots out there. Mr Griffin,is it true that you are just building a resume for NBC and MSNBC????????????
Yeah I'm a conservative so you know that means that I'm dumb, when inteligent democrats make stupid comments such as good old gaff a minute Joe Bidden thats a gaff, but when a stupid old republican does it they are just dumb, you know like dumb old bush, dumb old reagan, etc. oh if we could only be smart like Jimmy Carter, etc. and the intelligent comments about sara Palin's clothing budget?????????? I'm sure nobody cares about whether or not Hillary's pant suits came from walmart yea right!! best of all, Drew Griffin, we know you are too smart to have misquoted the article, no it's more along the lines of that arrogant left wing news media that we can say what we want to those idiots that cling to their guns and bibles, yeah we can just do and say what we want because we are the intelligent liberal press doing our duty to continue to fool the mass idiots out there. Mr Griffin,is it true that you are just building a resume for NBC and MSNBC????????????
Hummm... I can't imagine that CNN would tolerate such a biased misquote between Griffin and Governer Palin. You owe that lady an apology Your job is suppose to report the news, not make it. There was a time in my life that I looked up to the press; but as time goes by I'm losing respect for the profession. And especally for CNN. I'm beginning to think that the only thing we can believe from CNN is that it is windy, during a hurrican when you see a reporter holding onto a street sign and their hat. But maybe that is fabricated for sensationism.
CNN's coverage concerning the election is so one sided, and pathetic. Perhaps you should change your logo to something like "Obama's goons" I'm sure he is very proud of you. I just thank God, I can rely on Fox News for fair and objective reporting.
Hummm... I can't imagine that CNN would tolerate such a biased misquote between Griffin and Governer Palin. You owe that lady an apology Your job is suppose to report the news, not make it. There was a time in my life that I looked up to the press; but as time goes by I'm losing respect for the profession. And especally for CNN. I'm beginning to think that the only thing we can believe from CNN is that it is windy, during a hurrican when you see a reporter holding onto a street sign and their hat. But maybe that is fabricated for sensationism.
CNN's coverage concerning the election is so one sided, and pathetic. Perhaps you should change your logo to something like "Obama's goons" I'm sure he is very proud of you. I just thank God, I can rely on Fox News for fair and objective reporting.