Posted by
C.P. Meyer on Saturday, September 13, 2008 10:16:29 PM
I began to write this after watching the first day of Charles Gibson's interview with Sarah Palin. I'm glad I didn't finish it then. Gov. Palin was much better on the second day as she found her rhythm and relaxed more.
So with my internal panic subsided, I can focus more rationally on some things that need to get straightened out behind the scenes for her to come off better next time. Fortunately, they're only performance issues, not, you know, "issue" issues, but they should be noted before she opens herself up for more broadsides.
I give these notes since I'm sure the ABC interview is merely a shadow of what's to come. In other words, Gov. Palin can expect no end to the condescension and hostile, biased cross-examination in the media. (I mean if Charles Gibson is this pompous with her, what happens when she faces...um...anybody else in big media?)
So lesson number one: don't just survive the abuse...thrive on it. I think this is her natural inclination, but it didn't really come out in this interview. She needs to play the game. The more hate and invective and condescension is thrown at her, the more she needs to laugh at it, and joshingly decapitate each issue with a clear exposure of the media's hypocrisy and a clear embrace of the truth.
Lesson number two: the McCain camp needs to stop overwhelming her with facts and figures. She's not a 5th grader with a social studies exam coming up. It's her first interview. People aren't looking for facts and figures from her. They're looking for poise, grace, humor and self-control.
As an example (and to indulge myself, so I don't need to scream at the youtube clips anymore), I've rewritten the first part of the interview using Charles Gibson's verbatim questions. But I think you'll find more Sarah Palin in the new answers below, than in the ones she gave. And if she needs a speechwriter...(just joking...ok...not really...)
ABC Interview -- Revised
Charles Gibson: Can you look the country in the eye and say, “I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice-president, but, perhaps, president of the United States of America?”
Sarah Palin: Absolutely. And even better than me saying it, you can look at my record and see that for yourself. In a tough time for this country, when gas prices and the energy debate are front-burner issues for so many families, I think executive experience leading the nation’s largest energy-supplying state is a great qualification for vice-president.
And you didn’t say to yourself, “Am I experienced enough?” “Am I ready?” “Do I know enough about international affairs?” “Will I feel comfortable enough on the national stage to do this?”
(laughing) You know, Charlie, there’s a fine line between humility and self-doubt. Was I surprised to be nominated? Was I honored? Did I have to talk things over with my family? Yes. It’s a big decision and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. But I had no doubt I could do the job. That’s the confidence I’ve gained by the accomplishments we’ve made in Alaska. It’s shown me that it doesn’t take long -- heck, I’ve been in office 20 months -- to make real change, to fight corruption, to cut government waste and to make a positive impact on my constituants’ lives. So, no, I know there’s a lot of good I can accomplish as Vice-President.
But Governor, how does six years as the mayor of the small town and less than two years as Governor of a sparsely-populated state give you sufficient experience to, perhaps, be President?
(A grin) You know, Charlie, I didn’t go to an Ivy League school, and I haven’t spent a lot of time in Washington, so I’m not great at coming up with a lot of different ways to say the same thing...so let me answer you as best I can. I could give you a really flip answer that Alaska is bigger than, I don’t know...Delaware (a wink). Or I could explain that from the pipeline, to ANWR, to fighting corruption, to our highly-decorated National Guardsmen, Alaska is on the cutting edge of so many issues facing this country.
But let me get to the heart of what I think you’re getting at.
I really don’t believe it matters how long you’ve served -- it matters what you’ve done when you’ve served. Now you have someone like John McCain who’s served the people of the United States for a long time and has a major record of bipartisan accomplishment, and you’ve got someone like me who hasn’t served as long, but also has a record of fighting corruption and waste and big oil. So we’re mavericks of a feather -- and more than just saying it, you can look at our records and we’ve proven it -- despite the fact I haven’t served as long as he has.
But this is not just reforming a government, this is also running a government on the huge, international stage in a very dangerous world. When I asked John McCain about your national security credentials, he cited the fact that you have commanded the Alaska National Guard and that Alaska is close to Russia. Are those sufficient credentials?
(laughing) Charlie, I get the feeling you’re not getting the answer you want. (before he can respond) I’m just kidding you. Look, you could ask the same thing about any Governor. Did being Governor of Arkansas give President Clinton a lot of foreign policy experience? You see what I mean? But I think if you study the Governors that have gone on to be President, you’ll see that they were really well-prepared because as a Governor, you gotta make decisions and you gotta make the right decisions. You can’t pass the buck. (a grin) You can’t vote “present.” You have to weigh the issues, listen to your advisors and then pull the trigger. And there’s no better training ground for being in an executive position than being in an executive position.
Did you ever travel outside the country prior to your trip to Kuwait and Germany last year?
(a look of shock) There are other places outside of the country? (a laugh) I’m just kidding, Charlie. Sure, like most Americans, I’ve been to Canada and Mexico. But, you know, when you’re Governor of the State of Alaska and you’re trying to help this nation solve its energy crisis, you’re not in office to be globetrotting. You’re there to be doing the work of the state, the work you’re elected to do. And if John McCain and I are privileged enough to be elected, I’ll be putting the same effort into doing the work of the Vice-Presidency and then, you can bet I'll be traveling all over the globe.
Have you ever met a foreign head of state?
Like most people that don’t work in Washington, like most Governors, no. I’ve dealt with many foreign trade delegations, but never a head of state. And when I say that, I think it’s important for us to remember, if you want someone who has traveled all over the globe and has met a lot of foreign leaders, well then, you don’t need to look farther than the same old, Washington establishment, old-boy network. But if you want a breath of fresh air, an outsider’s perspective and a reform-minded maverick, then you come to Alaska. (a laugh) ‘Cuz you don’t get any further outside the Beltway than here.
Let me ask you about some specifc national security situations. Let’s start...with Russia and Georgia. The administration has said we’ve got to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia. Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignity over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?
Yes. Now how do we go about doing that? That’s gonna be the question. And that’s something I’m eager for John McCain and myself to work out if we’re privileged enough to be elected. For now, I think it’s safe to say that all options are on the table, and you can expect some heart-to-heart talks with Vladamir Putin.
What insights into Russian actions does the proximity of this state give you?
Good question. Let me ask you -- Why are the Russians holding on to South Ossetia and Abkahzia? Oil. Energy. That’s something we know a little about in Alaska. It shows strategically why our state and the independent energy solutions we offer are crucial in an international context.
Would you favor putting Georgia and Ukraine into NATO?
Absolutely.
Because Putin has said he would not tolerate NATO incursion into the Caucasus.
Well we’re not gonna tolerate Vladimir Putin telling sovereign nations what they can and can’t do on the basis of threats and intimidation. We are happy to talk with him and are happy to find a peaceful solution to regional tensions in the Caucasus. But if he thinks we can be bullied into doing what he wants, he is very mistaken.
Under the NATO treaty, wouldn’t we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?
Yes, if they are under the NATO treaty. So if Mr. Putin values peace, he will think twice about invading his neighbors. Think about it, Charlie -- we can force peaceful solutions in the Caucasus by a show of unity with our allies, rather than encouraging war by neglecting them. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a great incentive for bringing them into NATO.
Let’s turn to Iraq. In 2007, you were asked about the surge. You said, “I’ve been so focused on the state government, I haven’t really focused on the war in Iraq.” Really? Somebody who wants to be Vice-President and isn’t focused on Iraq?
Charlie, I’m pretty sure if your son was shipping off to Iraq today as mine is, you’d be focused a whole lot on Iraq. And you’d know how out of context that quote is.
You said recently in your old church, “Our national leaders are sending our soldiers on a task which is from God.” [plays video] Are we fighting a holy war?
No. If we were, I don’t think we’d be encouraging democracy and self-government in a Muslim state. Instead, I think we’d be trying to conquer and annex Iraq and convert it to Christianity. So I think that is an outrageous claim. And let me be clear. I don’t presume to know what God’s will is. And I don’t pray for God to be on our side. I pray for us to be on God’s side. And if you play that whole clip, I think you’ll see that’s what I was saying.
But you went on and said, “But there is a plan and it is God’s plan.”
Well, Charlie, that’s part of being a person of faith. I believe God always has a plan. Now it is up to us, individually and collectively to make sure we’re following it. I don’t presume to say what God’s plan is or speak for God. I was simply encouraging my fellow parishioners to trust that there is a divine plan and to pray that we AND our national leaders are following it.
But then, are you sending your son on a task that is from God?
(a laugh) I’m not sending my son anywhere. He makes his own choices. And let me be clear -- I don’t speak for God and I don’t claim to. I’m just a Mom who’s praying everyday that God is putting my son where he needs to be to do the most good.