Hotline After Dark -- The New Wonkette
"World News" led with changes in breast cancer screenings and featured an interview with ex-AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R). "Evening News" led with Obama's trip to China. "Nightly News" led with changes in breast cancer screenings.
Palin discussed foreign affairs and the economy with ABC's Barbara Walters in an interview that aired 11/17.
Palin, on Israeli settlement freezes: "I disagree with the Obama administration on that. I believe that the Jewish settlements should be allowed to be expanded upon because that population of Israel is going to grow. More and more Jewish people will be flocking to Israel in the days and weeks and months ahead. And I don't think the Obama administration has any right to tell Israel that the Jewish settlements cannot expand."
Palin, on this stance, even if these are Palestinian lands: "I believe that Jewish settlements should be allowed to expand" ("World News," 11/17).
Palin, on what U.S. goals in Afghanistan should be: "To listen to McChrystal, to listen to the appointee that President Obama asked for, the advice from McChrystal gave the president advice and said, 'We need the essentially a surge strategy in Afghanistan so we can win in Afghanistan.' That means more resources, more troops there. It frustrates me and frightens me and many Americans that President Obama is dithering around with the decision in Afghanistan."
After the jump, more Palin, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) on her decision to stay in the Senate and talk about the FL GOP primary.
(RACHELLE DOUILLARD-PROULX & ABBY LIVINGSTON)
More Palin: "Afghanistan, the people there, should be able to take over and to have a more peaceful existence there for the people who live there, without American interference if you will" ("World News," 11/17).
Palin, on whether Alaska's "proximity" to Russia is "significant foreign policy experience": "Very significant and we are a gatekeeper for the continent for national security reasons and for energy independence and resource development reasons, Alaska should be recognized for its strategic location on the globe" ("World News," 11/17).
Palin, on her initial support for the bailout: "Yep, that very first bailout, yes. Now we have learned, too, it didn't fulfill the promises that were made by Congress and by the White House that bailing out these businesses that were, quote/unquote, 'too big to fail.' That did not put our economy on the right track. So, we learned from our mistakes." ("Nightline," 11/17).
ALL THE WAY WITH KAY
Hutchison went "On the Record" 11/17 p.m.
Hutchison, on Dick Cheney: "Oh, I respect and admire him so much. He has served our country. He has given so much of his life to trying to make America better. And to have his endorsement because he knows how conservative I am. He knows I have been a tax cutter and that I, not only I talk the talk, but I have walked the walk. This vice president knows me and I have known him for years. And I'm so proud to have him here with me."
Hutchison, on why she is staying in the Senate: "It is very tough for me, but I have decided once the majority leader said that this [health care reform] was going over into next year, I knew I couldn't leave my colleagues. I need to stay and fight the government takeover of health care. I think Texas wants me to do that."
More Hutchison: "If I'm going to do what's best for Texas, it's going to be to stay and fight these major issues that would affect their lives and certainly our Texas economy. So I felt like when that came about I had no other choice, and so I am going to fight with all the vigor I have. And I'm going to run for governor at the same time. And a woman can do it" (FNC, 11/17).
FOR CRIST, MARCO OH NO?
Pundits discussed the FL SEN race on cable last p.m.
Ex-Educ. Sec. Bill Bennett: "The hug aside, the comments about the stimulus and welcoming the stimulus I think are very problematic. Can Rubio beat Crist? Yes, he can beat Crist" ("Situation Room," CNN, 11/17).
GOP strategist Todd Harris: "I actually think that Marco Rubio is the mainstream, credible conservative in the Senate race in Florida. ... Marco's conservative message has made huge inroads against Governor Crist. And it's showing with the way that the Crist campaign is reacting. Just today, Charlie Crist's campaign said that they're going to start their negative attacks against Marco Rubio. So, obviously, they feel him fast on the governor's heels, and they're going to start attacking him for it" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 11/17).
Dem strategist Steve McMahon, on the photo of Obama with Crist: "Governor Crist is the kind of guy who wins general elections, because he appeals to the middle. And the picture that ... the Republicans are ridiculing him right now of him standing with Barack Obama may hurt him in the primary, but, in a general election, it's the kind of thing that demonstrates that he's willing to come together for the good of Florida, which is what he did" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 11/17).