Sarah Palin Defends Experience, Takes Hard Line Approach on National Security

ABC News ^

[Chet 99]

ABC News

Sarah Palin Defends Experience, Takes Hard Line Approach on National Security

Republican VP Candidate Speaks with ABC News' Charlie Gibson in Exclusive Interview

By RUSSELL GOLDMAN

Sept. 11, 2008—

On the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, Gov. Sarah Palin took a hard-line approach on national security and said that war with Russia may be necessary if that nation invades another country.

In her first of three interviews with ABC News's Charles Gibson and the only interview since being picked by Sen. John McCain as his Republican vice presidential nominee, Palin categorized the Russian invasion of Georgia as "unacceptable" and warned of the threats from Islamic terrorists and a nuclear Iran.

The Governor advocated the accession of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO.

When asked by Gibson if under the NATO treaty, the U.S. would have to go to war if Russia again invaded Georgia, Palin responded: "Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help.

"And we've got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable," she told ABC News' Charles Gibson in an exclusive interview.

[DoughtyOne]

LOL. Of course she’s right, but the left is going to love this.

She said precisely the right thing. Putin just as well know right now, he’s not going to get away with this stuff.

[Williams]

She made no mistake, she advocated NATO membership, then was asked if we’d have to fight Russia if it invaded a member like Georgia and she correctly referred to the Treaty’s defense and help requirements, she did not say all out war with Russia would be required. Frankly, a response to what just happened to Georgia would be very similar to what we did this time, except Russia probably would not take the chance in the first place.

[Conservababe]

Isn’t anyone going to start a live thread so some of us can find out what time the interview is aired.

[filbert]

Two points:

1) Whatever Palin said, the Democrats would find something to shriek about, and

2) From the excerpts released so far, Palin’s thinking is smack dab in the mainstream of conservative thinking. Which is of course all it takes to engender shrieking from the Dems.

I don’t see any flubs or gaffes in what’s been released until now. And if she had whiffed on a question, you can BET we would know about it.

So far, it looks like a win for Palin.

[SumProVita]

BIG-time exciting. I am really loving all this.....

;-)) Ohhhh yeahhhhhhh....

[mojito]

Even a President Obama would be under the obligation to militarily defend a NATO ally from attack, no matter who the attacker.

This will be tough for Dems to spin unless Obama would care to say that he won't honor our NATO treaty obligations.

[Texas Songwriter]

When Gibson said if under the NATO treaty, the United States would have to go to war if Russia again invaded Georgia, Palin responded: "Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help.

But, Georgia is not a member of NATO, yet.

[dfwgator]

I am a huge Bolton fan.

"For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings 'When a Man Loves a Woman'."

[rwilliam]

See post 48 for the entire exchange and the proper context.

-Bob

[Tramonto]

Gibson quoted her as saying: "Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God."

This is a deliberate miss quote.

[diamond6]

She knew that. She said she would be in favor of it being a NATO nation.

[MayflowerMadam]

A caller to Hannity noted, re the “experience” issue, that Golda Maier was a school teacher before recruited in to her position. Don’t know if it’s true, but these amazing female leaders seem to spring up out of nowhere and do remarkable jobs.

[quesney]

CHURCHILL has returned...and he’s wearing high-heels.

[roses of sharon]

Your correct.

For instance if Gibson were interviewing any of us Freepers, we could answer 80-90% of the questions the same as Gov Palin.

I am sure she is informed, as we are.

I doubt she needed much coaching...other than making sure she stated McCain's positions correctly.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

Uh oh -a repeat of the canard they used against Barry Goldwater in 1964 -” if he’s elected President he’ll start a nuclear war”.

[chessplayer]

“Even a President Obama would be under the obligation to militarily defend a NATO ally from attack, no matter who the attacker.
This will be tough for Dems to spin unless Obama would care to say that he won’t honor our NATO treaty obligations.”

And he favors admitting Georgia and Ukraine into NATO. Then again, a lot of libs feel we have no obligation to defend (despite the treaty) a NATO member if they are attacked. A lot of European libs feel the same way. They felt they were`nt obligated to help us in Afghanistan after 9/11.

[bushfamfan]

Yes, she is aware of that. Read it again.

[9YearLurker]

You’re right, roses of sharon. Also, I’ve wondered if she might even have been a Freeper at some point herself. Have we been missing any especially plain-spoken, sharp and charming Freepers from Alaska as of late?

[rwilliam]

Here are 2 video excerpts:

WATCH: Does Palin Have Experience for VP?
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5782791

WATCH: Palin Clarifies ‘God’ and War Remarks
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5782873

-Bob

[Blue Turtle]

She called him on that misquote....he stood firm...and rather argue the point...she politely moved on.