The Palin Interview (Updated)

Are you kidding meeee????? How DARE ABC NEWS take advantage of an exclusive opportunity to do the ONLY interview of Palin that GOP has granted, and then air only blips and blurbs of it and drag it out in a blatant attempt to increase viewers for ABC World News Tonight, Nightline, and Good Morning America. And, I might add, this tactic also prevents anyone on any other network from commenting on how she did in the interview. SHAME on ABC>
You need to air the ENTIRE interview in one sitting, as in a Sunday talk show, because the McCain campaign is obviously not going to let her be exposed to anything resembling a thorough vetting by competent journalists. I wish Tim Russert were still alive.

Charlie Gibson, I have always been a big fan of yours but this interview was so strong, so one-sided and so closed-minded, I am appalled at your style and you better get Joe Biden on your show soon and be just as pushy, demanding and rude as you were with Sarah Palin. I am very tired of the media trying to make my political decisions for me and the rest of the US. Back off!

you softball Sarah Palin fans get real Obama has had to answer many, many, many difficult questions in the 19 months he has campaigning. this is for the Vp or maybe president of our country not pta president get real people!

When and why did she speak to Saakashvili? I would imagine (and hope) that there are journalist fact checking that statement as I type.

I was a Democrat, but now I’m going to vote for McCain. The media has changed my mind! You are doing a great job of converting us! Being a Democrat doesnt’ automatically mean that we’re going to fall all over the media’s bias. Hopefully we Americans will see through what you’re doing and use our common sense. Right now we need someone who’s had a LOT of experience –we’re in the middle of a war, and that war will continue in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan,etc. Now is not the time to break in someone new who has too many foggy facts about his citizenship, patriotism, pride in being an American, etc. McCain’s mother is 96 and going really strong. His age shouldn’t be an issue at this point. And Palin tonight handled herself very well against some riduculously not-pertinent questions. You should be ashamed of yourself. And where is Obama’s birth certificate? Just why can’t the American public see it?

She can take the tough questions. I never had a doubt. I would love to see Matt Daemon answer a few like this.

I don’t believe in all these interview crap.
We need a live debate “Obama-McCain”, “Biden-Palin” face to face.
I am sure people will come to know who McCain and Palin are and how unqualified they are.

Gov Palin is finally talking. I see why she has been under close wraps. This is frightening for someone who is running for vice president she is very ill informed and totally incapable of the nomination let alone the vice-presidency. I guess she should stick to speaking engagements with Senator McCain. She is embarrashing the whole country.

Charlie, I feel like you are my dad and I have been one of your biggest fans, trusted your words and tone with every major life and world event. After Peter Jennings died, there was only you to rely upon. You need to know that tonight your interview with Sarah Palin missed the mark big time. YOUR politics was seething through (which I have never noticed before) and the condesending style you took with her bordered on disrespectful. This interview tone was beneath you. Try again.

Charlie, You should be ashamed of yourself. I have watched you for over 20 years and tonight you lost me. How dare you treat Sarah like you did.

how in the world could this …this person…this Gomer Pyle mixed with Lucy from Charlie Brown be picked by any sane leader to be the “backup” for them
the back up to decide if we go to war
the back up to decide if we need to shoot down commercial airplanes with hundred of Americans on board over NYC
the backup and representatie to other nations
“what do you think of the Bush Doctinre?”

whaddya mean charll…
charlie I think we do …terrorists are bad…and russia is bad and if they attack…someplace…we have to go to war”
this woman…this woman that was on this interview is going to be a heart beat away from being the leader of the freakin free world ! are yuo freakin kidding me!
this is worse than the worst decision a presidential candidate has ever made…
if you put that interview/scene in a clip in a comedy film about the presidency
people would say it was over the top…that no person could be that much like Tootie from facts of Livfe, the german commander from Hogan’s Heroes and Gomer Pyle put together and be close to living in washington …never mind the FREAKIN VICE PRESIDENT NOMINEE FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
this woman might have access to decide whether nuclear bombs are launched on another country?!!!
scariest thing I have seriously and sincerely seen in my liffe that interview this evening.
holy cr@p

Why are you people protecting this woman from questioning and possible criticism if she is so “tough” and “strong willed.” Do you not think she would be subjected to even more scrutiny if she did become Vice President? Stop whining! If McCain didn’t vet her, shouldn’t someone else do it?

Go Girl!!! where are all the uhh, ah, ummms? oh yeah, that is barack obama that does that.

And when Vladimir Putin puts Palin through the mangle what blog are you republicans going to go onto to complain about him? This from the party ‘tough guys’. Give me a break!

Wow I shocked by Charlie it wasn’t fluff. Her lack of knowledge is frightening and for all you McCain fans I assure you his camp is not doing handstands tonight. Her answers were bad and her body language was even worse.

Gov. Sarah Palin did an excellent job answering questions about foreign policy. This information alone has solitified my support for the McCain-Palin ticket in November. I have no doubt that McCain and Palin will serve and protect or should I say “protect and serve” our country. GREAT JOB, SARAH PALIN!!!

How scary to think that she could be the president and make decisions without the blink of an eye. She may be great as a governor but in all honesty, she is in no way ready to be a Vice president or potential president. John McCain did not have the best interest of the country or its citizens when he chose Sarah Palin

Well, one can tell the interview went well on both parts. Both the dems and rep are angered over it. Great job Charlie and Sarah.

you people are blaming CHARLIE!
are you freakin kidding me!!!!!!!!
she …she …there are no words on how she could not answerr the most basic lowballs on freakin nuclear war and the freakin BUSH DOCTRINE
she DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS
how many people on here heard inundation of just the talk on the news
Charlie did an unbeleivable job..
He lives in this country too.
her answer sshould scare the **** out of ALL OF YOU!
John mcCain picked this woman to take care of our country in the threat of a nuclear war if something happended to him. do you get that!
do you get that she was horrific this evening!!!!
do you understand that this woman would be deciding military and economic policy issues if a 72 year old man who has had cancer twice …didn’t finish his term!
this woman…this clearly unprepared woman who does not have the knowledge base of any historical perspective on just the issues he asked tonight!
stop blaming Charlie for tryjing not to laugh and get loud …
like saying “gov palin are you freakin kidding me”
when she avoided huge answers and obviously had no clue or basic knowledge of huge issues on some of those questions.
this is not my American idol contestant didn’t get judged well
this is the Vice presidency of the United States of America.

Charlie Gibson was always a favorite of mind. After the way he went after Palin, I no longer feel the same. Even O’Reilly, who is a touch interviewer with Obama, didn’t treat Obama the way Charlie did Palin. His questioninig was clearly an attempt trick her and then get her to say yes to things that would then turn to “policy”. Obama wouldn’t have given a flat out yes or no either, but has he or Binden been interviewed with such blatent biased opionion and attitude? I think not! O’Reilly was tough, but when Obama danced he did get so openly indignant. Clearly Charlie’s agenda was to trip her up and ask her questions with a determination to “get her” seen through his body language and facial expressions. Is ABC following CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and CNN movement to the obvious liberal/left when reporting and interviewing? Thanks Charlie for finally showing ABC’s true colors.

If that were I sitting in Sarah Palin’s spot, I would have asked Charlie Gibson to take off his stupid Carl Levin nose-job glasses, and to stop looking at me over their top. I’d be constantly afraid I’d laugh in his face. He looks, as does Levin, like a Merchant of Venice watch repairman instead of a distinguished news anchor.

EXCELLENT ANSWERS SARAH!!!
MCCAIN / PALIN ’08

you all are blaming the media now for that horrific interview from Palin?!
this is why we got Bush Jr. and why 8 years we have been going down the drain.
get smarter. please if you don’t care about your kids I implore you to care about mine.

28205bj. Get real. The USA is waking up. We are yawning and stretching and voting Republican. Why are you stuck on issues that are none of your business. A young girls decisions are her own. And, the last time I checked, it is OK to get pregnant at seventeen. As for the other issues- boring Biden and “present” obama had all the opportunites they needed to halt the foreclosure mess. The greedy democrats own that one.

Frank Campo…
Well, Obama has been asked many tough questions, but (until O’Reilly interview) has refused to answer the.
Obama tries to formulate a logical answer that doesn’t tip his hand one way or another. So you never know what he meants.
At least Sarah answered the questions!
Good Job Sarah, can’t wait to see the interview, but will not watch ABC after I see the interview!
KSL.

You people are morons! Stop complaining about the interview just because your girl looked LOST!
If I can remember this is the same guy (Gibson) who bashed and hit Obama with way tougher questions during a national televised debate earlier this year! Stop with your phony outrage.
You people make me sick!

drilled by left-wing media,Gov Palin stood her ground well….. kudos Gov and shame on you Charlie Gibson.
I will never watch A.B.C.world news again.

Sarah did fantastic. Just wonder why these tough questions aren’t asked to the current Presidential candidate Obama. If I had to choose a President, I would trust her judgment on any issue over Obama. I wanted to tell Gibson when he asked her those tough National Security questions that if she needed help with a decision she could ask for 300 National Security advisors to help her, similar to the 300 that Obama ALREADY HAS helping him answer questions. A President always has lots of advisors before making a decision.
I never remember in history any interviews like this with the nominated Vice Presidential candidate.

Charlie wearing his Obama kneepads. Total disgrace.

Sankofa…
Funny that Sarah is not qualified but Obama is?
Obama isn’t even a good Senator! But you expect him to be a GREAT President!
He’s drafted no signficant legislation, votes 100% party line, will not make a vote on controversial issues. Never held any executive decision, never had to make a tough decision!

You people are idiots! Stop blaming the media for your candidates ignorance!
Charlie is tough on everyone and is condenscending to all!
Get over it! He did the same to Obama earlier in the primary.
Morons

I think Charlie did a great job. Who knows if Palin will ever agree to another interview. This is our one chance (other than the VP Debate) to understand who this person is unscripted. Charlie’s questions were not difficult. That is the scary part. Palin could not answer softball questions without going straight to her talking points. Simply put, two weeks of cramming on foreign policy does not make a person qualified to become vice president.

It’s too bad you never went after Obama the way you did Gov. Palin. The American people might know some of the truth about him. I have been a Dem all my life and I am in my early 60′s, so I’m not a young, fall for any hype, and act like a blind lover, type of person. You certainly did show your Obama colors with this lady. She held her own. You and all the other media networks did the same thing to Senator Clinton. You’re not vetting-as you like to call it-you’re out to destroy. I heard you say Obama had been vetted. NO. You’ve pushed some major problems of his “under the rug”, and covered it up. Keep going after Gov. Palin. You’re sending more people to her side. I, for one, am voting for Senator McCain AND Gov. Palin. Keep excusing Obama for his dirty campaigning and his words that he can deny, but watching him, he knows exactly what he’s putting across, as do his followers, and you also. We, who are watching, aren’t stupid. So, continue treating Gov Palin with disrespect. The media will not choose the president for a great many of us. That is certainy NOT your job.

Wow! Palin has to be the most dangerous choice for VP that’s ever been put forth.
She hasn’t a clue, and Charlie G was only asking the easy questions. Wait until someone asks her some really tough ones.
If any Palin supporters think this process is tough, what do you think is involved in the actual job?
Anyone that wants serious consideration for the job needs to spend a full hour on each of the Sunday morning talk shows the way Cheyney, Rice, Obama, McCain, Biden, and a whole long list of anyone else — Democratic, Republican, and otherwise — who was in or wanted a high level position in the US.
Why should she get a “pass”?
I wonder what she was doing in those 5 different colleges in 6 years to get a BS degree in Journalism?

Wow- Charlie shame on you. You were extremely condescending in your tone, in your facial expressions, and in your words. Next time try not to have such an axe to grind when you are interviewing a person who may just be the next vice president of the United States. I have been a fan of yours and of ABC, but not after this. This wasn’t a debate – this was an interview, so viewers could get to know this person’s views. I felt you were disrespectful – sorry, but I am changing my vote to McCain and changing my TV to a different channel.

Message to Sarah…you’re not running for Miss America…we need real answers, not platitudes…i’m sorry you got yourself into this situation…you seem like a nice person but you are not qualified for the VP position…ask us in a few years and we’ll see.

I have always been a fan of yours, Charlie, but after the interview with Sarah Palin, I won’t watch ANYTHING that has to do with you. The rude smurk on your face, your condicending attitude, and the fact you tried to overtalk any of her answers reminded me of a prosecuting attorney instead of an anchorman. This was supposed to be an informative interview. Instead you turned it into a witch hunt and an attack on her. If you are going to so one sided, you should consider giving up your career. Let’s see you speak to Obama on HIS experience and also bless us with the smurks and put-down attitude with him. Maybe you can re-earn the respect you have lost.

Gibson’s condescending tone, lack of eye contact and overall body language evoked such disrespect that any notion of fair reporting was lost immediately. I was outraged by this. The Bush Doctrine? Was that a pop quiz to show how smart the media anchors reading teleprompters can be? Shame on ABC. We in middle America are not going to allow our election to be hijacked by the bias.

I just read this post and I have not seen the interview..if she comes across on tv as good as she has done here on paper. I am voting for her.
We finally found out Margaret Thatcher! We finally found our Goldie Maier! and we finally have our own Merckel.
Finally America..

I agree that Charlie Gibson showed increasing irritability in his tone and demeanor during the interview, but to me it seemed that his irritation was over her unwillingness to stray off her coached, canned answers, even when they weren’t adequately addressing the questions she’d been asked. Terrible performance on her part. I’d been waiting to see what she’d be like unscripted, and this was a big disappointment.

Charlie’s efforts to be “tough” came across as being downright rude and condescending. I read that “what makes an idiot like you think you can run a country” attitude which came thru loud and clear. I have to say that Charlie was one of the very few in the media that I respected and if the remaining interview is not so cold and harsh I will have to write off ABC news…and I really like Diane Sawyer….but I will talk with my feet (or remote as the case may be!)

Some of you aren’t listening! It is not that a VP shouldn’t be asked the tough questions. The issue is the way the questions were asked, the obvious biased views of the interviewer and the fact that both sides are not being interviewed in the same manner with the same toughness, opinionated manner, eagerness to trip up the interviewee.
Also, the question of being qualified is a great debate to have. People are so concerend with Palin’s experience. Okay, let’s put her resume’ up against Obama’s. She has more experience (please read up on her before exploding from this comment) than Obama and we are suppose to make him President? Isn’t the person with the most experience suppose to be the candidate for President? Obama/Biden has it backwards. Go ahead, compare Obama and Palin….She wins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thought this was a great start — FOR BOTH! Charlie Gibson is the dean of the anchors, and had to get to the nub of the issues. Hard and pointed questions? YES! But, thought that Gov Palin came across as decisive, caring, and rather than giving a flip answer to a question requiring a book, did SUPER! If I were Russia, don’t think that I would want for her to perceive me as a MOOSE!! A Maggie Thatcher in waiting!!
Can’t wait until round two!!

i guess you all skipped the bill oriley interview of obama then lol
she needs to be able to answer these questions… and it seems on par with mccain other then agreeing with obama that diplomacy first…
which is not mccains first move

It was so obvious that she had practiced the “difficult” words but someone forgot to tell her about the Bush Doctrine. The deer in the headlights look told it all! I really think she believes all the strange things she says and that makes me even more fearful of her being elected.

I was undecided on Sarah up to your interview. I found her portion of the interview GREAT!!!
YOU … on the other hand, looked uncomfortable, like a stuffed potato, talking fast and low, looking over those
grandpappy glasses,and wiggling your feet. You tried to make her uncomfortable saying she gave you a lot of words, when in fact, she answered your question. Thanks for helping me make up my mind. You read from a script, she didn’t have one. Omit your
cheat sheet.MargaretFLorida

I Think Gov. Palin Did A Great Job Of “Sticking To” the script that was made for her. She Did An Amazing Job Of Avoiding Having to Answer Any Questions.
What Is She Gonna Do When She Has To Debate And Really Answer The Questions? She Won’t Be Able To Play The Gender Card Forever.

Thanks Charlie for asking some good questions.
To all those who says they feel Charlie was too tough. Get Real
He asks – 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?”
She says Yes – so she should be able to answer tough questions then. She is supposed to be a pitbull in lipstick right? So all of the people who are whining about the interview being to tough – too bad.

Wow! Sounds to me you Repubs are upset at the way Palin handled herself tonight. Let the truth be told! She is unfit, uneducated and certainly not suitable to lead our country. (although I did like her hot red pumps with the black suit today)! VP, NOT! Go back to Alaska Palin. She has bit off more caribou than she can chew!

Yes, totally out of her league. So uncomfortable listening to her, and to think she really could be in charge and not know such basic things.
This has nothing to do with Right or Left folks, she makes going to war as easy as a stroll thru the park.
I love America, and we better wake up. This is not a job at Dysneyland , and its starting to look like Rome more and more.
God Bless America.

I didn’t like the tone of your questions to the VP candidate, Palin. They were designed to trip her up or make her look foolish. I don’t believe you would have aproached the other candidates in the same fashion. I just didn’t like it.

We get to tune in next week where Charlie is going to ask the very same questions of Barack Obama, right? Oh I am giddy in anticipation of his answer to the “hubris” question!

I was originally a Hillary supporter. And since watching the conventions and now this interview, I can honestly say that the only thing that I have in common with this woman is that we have the same type of reproductive organs.
This woman is clearly not educated enough, nor is she capable of not only being the V.P. but Commander in Chief of this country that I so love, if it were necessary.
It was very obvious that Charlie Gibson was going very soft on her throughout the entire interview. I don’t think that is fair at all. But in all fairness, if she was incapable of conducting herself during a staged interview, just imagine how capable she will be during a crisis situation. Not well at all.
She is making a mockery of everything that I believe in and I am offended that she is allowing herself to be used as a tool by John McSame. If she thinks herself to be eligible to be in this race, why doesn’t she tackle the issues that she wants to be a part of to “change”? She should have used that interview as a platform to discuss the real issues that are haunting the American public.
Now it makes perfect sense as to why the Republicans have been so frightened to allow Sarah speak for herself during unscripted interviews.
Now I don’t know if she realizes this, but she comes across as being unprepared, unintelligent, and certainly unqualified. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself and ask if this was a joke?? Sadly no, it was not. lol
Sarah Palin and John McCain, represent everything that I have disliked about the Bush administration and the reason why our country is falling apart.
I find it offensive that they think that the general public is stupid enough to fall for stuff like this. Do they not think that we are capable of making up our own minds? Or do they hide what really matters, the truth, because they know that if they come out and state what their version of “change” is, is really nothing more than what Bush has been doing already. It’s no wonder why Bush’s #1 fan has been distancing himself from Bush lately.
My mind is definitely made up, I’m going with Obama. Because I do want change. Not more of the same.

What a disappointment! I have been a fan of yours for many years but tonight may be the end of that. You came across like an attack dog intent on “bringing her down.” Your whole manner was different even the expression on your face and the speed with which you questioned Sarah. Your colors were so obvious and guess what…..she held her own. Bravo! Learn to be more impartial as a good newsman should be.

What a one sided biased interview! You tried your best to trap her and you failed! Did you see Obama on O’Riley?

I love the people who claim they are Democrats but are now voting for McCain/Palin. The attempted deception is so transparent it is funny. There is no way that a real Democrat is going to vote McCain as a protest against the media. So stop the astroturfing.
And I’m sick of hearing that the media has liberal bias. The kid gloves treatment that McCain and Palin have gotten is ridiculous. I think Charlie was reasonably unbiased tonight but we all need to hear the rest of the interview to pass judgement.

she can not even be a VP for somalia,shame on Mccain .she need to be ready and i would like to thank Charle for his wonderfull interview and i just made my mind not to vote for this lady

Good thing that Palin got an opportunity to stress her foreign policy credentials: She’s from Alaska and Alaska is close to Russia. So I guess that now Obama can call himself a four-star general because he was born in Hawaii where the bombing of Pearl Harbour took place, right?

I thought Sarah Palin was excellent. No stammering and “Uh’s” like Obama and great command of the issues. She did not buckle and give Charlie a “Yes” or “No” answer to questions that deserved more serious responses. Charles Gibson tried every cheap trick in the book to trap her and failed at every turn. She even knew the names of people. What did Charlie expect her to say about travels out of the country–”Gosh, Charlie, I never been out of my county except once on a turnip truck to the state fair”? The arrogance of the liberal establishment was there is full glory for all to see. It must frustrate the mainstream media no end to see “their” candidate fizzling and Sarah Palin and John McCain doing so well. Palin is one bright and tough woman! This is the most exciting election in a long time. Thanks ABC for solidifying my resolve to go vote.

Wow, I have come home from work every night for many years and turned on ABC news at 6:30. I won’t be doing that again! Wipe that smug look off of your face Charlie Gibson. I was embarrassed for you dwelling on the “God’s plan” comment. Sarah Palin has a son that she loves very much who is headed to war in Iraq as my son has done and will most likely be doing again soon. We believe with all of our hearts that our sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers are there to make the Iraqi people’s lives better. Isn’t that God’s plan?
I was so disappointed in you while watching that interview. The only thing missing was your “Vote for Barack Obama” button. Also, very appropriate that you should air it on 9/11. Way to go Charlie, keep up the good work!

It is obvious that Palin isn’t ready for prime time and more importantly she is NOT ready to debate Biden.
She needs more tutoring sessions.

As a Canadian I am appauled at the response by these emails wanting to protect her. These are legitimate questions that impact all of our lives and she has shown stubborness and bullishness that you precisely don’t want. They ( McCain and Palin ) will continue the misguided foreign policy that will bring on even more ill feelings to towards the US worldwide. All of America had better wake up to the state of world relations and the future of America. Now we know what Cheney looks like with lipstick on !

I can’t believe that the people of this country would seriously consider electing a Governor who’s state is in the bottom 1/3 of the nation in education and economic development to such an important political office. Not to mention a Governor that has no foreign policy experience! Oh wait….nevermind, we elected Bill Clinton in 1992. Sorry.

ABC edited our Sarah Palin’s response on Russia. It is horrible and UnAmerica. It is censorship. Charlie Gibson should just join Obama’s campaign full time. The editing was done so poorly by partisans at ABC.

Whos says Palin isn’t ready to debate Biden? Biden is all mouth and no brains!

Actually, I think Charlie did a GOOD job of pointing out her lack of knowledge. She looks like she was up late cramming for an exam and the teacher caught her.
Good job. I was thinking he was going to play it safe and ask her about her kids or something.
Way to go on the tough questions!
And for the others out there who think these were “hard” or not “important” questions, ask Biden any of these things. He has answers BECAUSE HE’S EXPERIENCED!
Palin is SCARY!

Hey Bonny…
Winning the democratic nomination has nothing to do with experience. No one picked Biden either. Biden was thrown in to “beef” up the ticket with someone who had experience and international experience because the PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE had little to none. Obama has spent more time campaigning that he has been in the Senate, and what does he say he’s accomplished in his little time in the Senate????????????

Great lady
This is a great politician in the making
The media has been howling for a “gotcha’.Youre not getting one with this lady.
Palin is better prepared FOR PRESIDENT than obama will ever be..
Could you ever imagine the amount of garbage the media and obamamaniacs are spewing on this woman?
UNBELIEVABLE!

I too am a female, and I too am Sara’s age. I also am a Journalism major — I went on to get an MBA though and I’ve traveled extensively outside the US. I wasn’t governor for 22 months, but I have demonstrated civic responsibility in my lifetime; yet I would never presume to run for mayor let alone VP.
I also have a keen sense of having something glib, content-free and overly cheerful shoved at me – that’s how I feel about this dangerous McVP choice.
The questions are tame so far and Sara’s answers to Charlies questions and her lack of humility answers lacking in worldly substance or understanding of NATO and many other critical topics don’t work. This candidate is the wrong answer for the 2nd and potentially highest office in our nation.
Be informed. Listen to how these questions are being carefully dodged and re-scripted to get across “key message points” over and over – in a crafty, sound-bite packaged and elusive way. Watch the body language, the foot shaking (meaning “get me out of here” from time to time). The “I’m holding an invisible chop-stick” poised thumb and index finger now replaces her finger pointing from the republican convention — it’s all choreographed and the next thing we’ll see is a cropped hair do and designer suits — it’s coming! There’s no meaningful or inspiring content here. Women have worked to hard for too long to let our efforts take backward steps so that all could recite that we have a “gutsy gal” for VP.
Let’s get back to issues and not silly, dumb-it-down campaign snipes. We are in way too deep as a country and have too much at stake for our future to let this election be diverted.

From the bits and bites we got to hear it was not bad. Of course our local station advertised it would be aired at 7:30 versus what should have been 6:30, so some of us missed it.
Charlie should have asked if she, a mere woman not from the northeast and not a Washington insider nor of the right pedigree, would be able to lead our nation in times of crisis AND… according to a blogger you Ms. Palin used your power to fire a poor old librarian for not banning books you dislike. Did You?
No sense in beating around the bush, just go for the gotchas!

When we get into WWIII with this unprepared lady all of you idiots will reap what you sow!

Wow! Great Job Charlie! If she can’t handle this most low-key of interviews, with very BASIC questions of capability and readiness, then I don’t know what to tell you! That she didn’t know the Bush Doctrine, that she couldn’t articulate any position on Israel attacking Iran, that she couldn’t even articulate what she could bring to the table in terms of national security, wow! She needs to spend a few more years boning up on World Affairs. Heck forget WORLD affairs, she needs to bone up on HER OWN COUNTRY’S affairs!

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. I think you did a Hell of a great job at showing the media’s bias for Obama. Did Barack forget to give you your Obama/Biden campaign button? We Americans can only hope that when John McCain and Sahara Palin get into office that they will look into the attempt of the mainstream press “Steal” the Presidential election. We the people believe and damand a separation of “Free Press” and Government. Long Live Fair Press!!!!!!!

I have to be honest. I was shocked on just how unprepared she was for these questions.

Waaaah,waaah,waaah – how dare you charlie, how dare you ask the important questions to the parrot that mcsame has picked. Why he would never ask obama those questions…..first of all – your girl is speaking on her own (except for the endless hours of rehearsal she has had at the GOP upper staff), second – don’t put her hands anywhere near the football, cuz it sounds to me that she is going to continue as bush has and shoot first, ask questions later, and thirdly – now those words she spoke in church are Abraham Linlcons words – but in her mind she is doing God’s will (so did the crusaders and look where they ended up)
Stayed tuned for more mind numbing outtakes of the GOP’ers (i am in it for the womens vote because I have a uterus) sleaze politics of the Mcsame/palin ticket!

In the video excerpt, Charlie Gibson sounds as if he is tiptoeing around his questions.
There should be a rule that you can only explain your answer if you actually answer the question.
And Ms. Palin obviously learned something at the “personability class” since she kept repeating his name, “Charlie.”
And ABC, what’s with the “stay tuned”? Post the whole thing. Unedited. With transcript. Not all Americans are satisfied with the paltry soundbites fed us from mainstream media. Give us the meat and let us digest it ourselves.

one more thing – abc your sexist, just like NBC, CBS, PBS & obama. I would include fauxnews, but they are on the GOP payroll…..

BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! For those that are saying Governor Palin was unprepared, how would you be better prepared? What would your answers have been?
Its easy to spout but I doubt any of you who are criticizing this governor would of or could of been any stronger under this kind of hostile questioning.
If her answers had been perfect you would still take issue for a minimum of several reason.
One, she has a faith in God that she admits to and claims to inform and direct her life, which makes you a hypocrite, because Obama does as well.
Two, she is Republican so again, since you would never ever consider voting for a Republican, your flatulence is simply that, foul gas. It not like you would actually have ever considered to honestly consider to vote for her anyway.
Three, for a good portion of you, you simply cannot handle the combination of a woman and a Republican and a person of faith being VP.
Four, many of you are just plain classic tiresome chauvinist pigs and not even lipstick will help that because we both know your ugly all the way to the bone.

Folks, please remember that McCain/Palin CHOSE Charlie Gibson to do this interview. It was their decision to put her in his hands. You can’t really complain now, can you? Oh yeah, I forgot. That’s how you operate. Turn it around so it looks like it wasn’t your idea in the first place. Is that the change the Republicans have in mind?

Charlie Gibson and ABC has sunk to the lowest of low! Gibson followed Obama around like a lap dog, drooling at every word spoken. In the interview with Gov. Palin, he acts more like an attack dog!! Words cannot explain the contempt audiences feel for interviewers in the media who act as Gibson did during his talk with Gov. Palin. The entire media is sickening in their disrespectful manner of handling this woman!!!

Perhaps Gov. Palin went to six colleges in six years because she couldn’t pass a basic course in geography. I’d love to know which part of Alaska she thinks she can stand in and actually see the Ukraine. Clearly this person is not prepared to deal with international issues.

dl…that’s because she didn’t have to actually think an original thought…all hers were given to her by her “tutors” over the last 2 weeks.

ok as an on the fence voter I have a question for all of the individuals on here that is stating that Palin is an idiot or that they are afraid of her being near the whitehouse based on this interview. Why is this? cite your reasons, what has she said in the interview so far that has caused you to be afraid of her leadership. Please answer this to me in an adult like manner.

Governor Palin is a step away from the presidency, she is not one of the bloggers online. Who wouldn’t expect her to be knowledgeable. There are many other republicans who although I may disagree with their politics are knowledgeable about word affairs and don’t need a crash course. God forbid she answers the phone at 3 am.

LOL the Palin cheerleading section is getting whiny?
She’s a vice presidential candidate…she’s going to be challenged every step of the way. Stop acting like a bunch of whining crybabies.

Pro-Palin camp – chill, please.
If she’s ready to be VP, she’s ready to face the press.
There are plenty of reporters, papers, news stations out there who have harder questions for Palin (and Obama, and McCain and Biden) than this interview.
Even if you like Palin, you have to know she’s informed and what she really thinks right? You weren’t going to vote for her just because you like her and she’s smart, right?
Even many of her closest circle of friends “The Elite Six” they call themselves, are not planning to vote for her, as much as they like her and respect her.

Hey ABC
How about an interview with Michelle Obama?

Mr. Gibson did a decent job. He made sure his ethical responsibility as a journalist would not be suppressed. There were several times he could have hammered her over her clear lack of knowledge, but took the high road.
Those claiming he was somehow mean spirited, or over the top are likely spin doctors attempting to mitigate the clear damage done to her undeserved massiah-like reputation.
Guess she isn’t as clever as those sound bites she repeated ad nauseum.
Sure is a lot tougher to appear intelligent and an alleged person of the people when you don’t know the questions or have others prepare your words for you. We saw her real personality exposed tonight and it sure wasn’t pretty.
I was worried that Charlie would only throw pre-scripted softballs in exchange for an exclusive opportunity, but again his integrity won out.
Kudos, Mr. Gibson–you did your profession proud.
Troopergate should have been addressed as well as the librarian and police chief issues. Hopefully, they will be part of the 20/20 broadcast.
And just think, this is only the first true Northern Exposure–can’t wait for the encores.
SP: Nice Legs–no brain.

Charlie,
I actually expected a fair minded balanced and respectful interview–what was i think ing—One more biased, liberal journalist with an agenda. Shame on you. THat interview was beneath you—but typical of the Obama-manics.

I didn’t like the interview because it didn’t go my way .. and if not – I’ll cry and whine!
Signed,
A Democrat and Republican

We have always watched Charlie Gibson, but that stops now. We have never seen you so rude and demeaning in interviewing before. Reagan, Clinton to name a few were also Governor’s what experiance did they have. Once a VP is chosen, as you should know, they are briefed on all matters of state.

I didn’t care for Charlie Gibsons attitude. The look on his face along with how he ask the questions, showed a bias towards Palin.
He doesn’t seem to think much of her and it showed. So much for just reporting.

Why is it perfectly acceptable for ALL blacks to support Obama (and don’t be a fool and say it’s his policies) .. but if women were to turn the tables and ALL vote for the McCain ticket because of a woman .. that would be wrong? LOL! That’s good stuff ..

I think that in 12 days Palin has accomplished what Obama took one year to get to. She didn’t do any ‘Uh’s-Uh’s’, ‘Yo’, ‘Y’all know’, ‘Hold up’ ,read off teleprompter or simply refuse to make eye contact, interrupt host, talk in Harvard paragraphs meant to confuse those less educated [His ploy to avoid answering questions because he’s ambivalent-always wants to have two choices]. She is genuine, spoke clearly, unscripted, looked Gibson straight in the eye, spoke common language, and I commend her for holding her own. Does anyone recall O’Reilly interviews with Hillary and Obama-they looked like the deer in headlights. Same thing here and they had plenty of time to prep. Given 3 more weeks of grueling policy and she should be able to combat Biden.

Charlie, always been a fan of yours but you looked so uncomfortable doing this interviw. Where is the Charlie “warmth”. You were rude…period. OK, get Joe Biden on and ask same rapid fire questions in rude manner. Where is jounalism going?

Bonny,
Yes, I know that American’s choose the presidential candidate, I didn’t argue with you on that point. Once again, those against McCain/Palin sway from the issue…..Biden has more experience that Obama…..but the left media can’t stop bringing up Palin’s experience which again his more than Obama’s and she is NOT the presidential candidate.
And by the way, I think ANY President and Vice President current or past no matter from which party they are deserve our respect, admiration, and thanks. It is a hard job and I take offense as an American to your references to “idiot” or any derrogatory words towards the President and VP of the USA. I don’t care if they are democrats or republicans they have deserve our respect, even if we don’t always agree with decisions they make…..I don’t think any President (Clinton, Carter, Reagan, Bush 1 and 2) make decisions to hurt this country, they do have the best interests in mind.

kathy,
“Perhaps Gov. Palin went to six colleges in six years because she couldn’t pass a basic course in geography. I’d love to know which part of Alaska she thinks she can stand in and actually see the Ukraine. Clearly this person is not prepared to deal with international issues.”
Clearly you need to take a critical reading course. She did not say she could see Ukraine from Alaska. She stated you can see Russia from one of the farthest out islands of the Aleutian Island chain which are part of Alaska which you are probably to ignorant in geography to know as you cannot read.

Deb
Is that panic?

Senator Obama – what do you think about anything?
“Well .. Michelle and I .. sell out America .. tax tax tax .. I’m a moron .. the kids and Michelle .. umm .. shoot for a 3!”
Thanks Senator .. sheesh!

Palin was spectacular, she looked old charlie in the eye and Defended the United States and the Nato Alliance. WOW she was good. even with the horriblie editing trying to make her look bad. LMAO I would like to see Obama answer those questions lmao

I just don’t get it. I really don’t. On one hand people are complaining that Palin doesn’t get enough credit just because she’s a woman, then they complain that she is asked tough (and I’m not sure they really were) questions by Charlie Gibson?
Seriously??
This woman is telling us that she has what it takes to go toe to to with PUTIN, and you are complaining because you don’t like the tone that Charlie Gibson took with her in an interview. REALLY??
Her answers were canned and rambling, and while I agree she’s a talented and intelligent woman, she is clearly in over her head.
(And don’t even try to say that Obama hasn’t gotten the same treatment. Did you watch the countless primary debates in which he was asked every possible question by a wide range of moderators?)
Please. See this for what it is and save us from another four years of this nightmare.

GREAT INTERVIEW SO FAR.
To all you idiots that can change from one canidate to another because of an interview you werent committed to that 1st canidate at all.
Sarah Palin has a prepared text and when you interupt her she babbles like all the republican stragegist.
She should be able to answer any of these questions without repeating the same thing over& Over.
Just like her only speach she knows.
To be qualified as a Vice President in the campaign of the oldest person running for president you need to feel this information as if you have thought about the answers for the time it takes you to memorize the prepared text from some speechwriter.
Biden knows these answers because he has lived them……
Keep calling her on her own words. That tells us more about her and how she feels than the things she has been saying for the last 3 weeks.
If she doesn’t know what the Bush Doctrine is where has she been for the last 8 years?????????
Good Interview so far, wish it wasn’t so broken up.
Remember not every women or masn is qualified to be President or Vice President of the United States

I thought I had seen it all. It wasn’t so much the questions that were asked but the attitude behind them. You are so obviously behind Obama that you could hardly control your disdain for Palin. It’s time for you to be benched like your cronies at MSNBC. Maybe you people should take a lesson from Fox News. I don’t always agree with them but they are fair.

Thank you Charles Gibson, for actually vetting this person who has the gall to think she is ready to lead this country. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. And please ABC, don’t fall for these commentors who have obviously been rehearsed by some right wing group to bombard you with complaints. That’s the tactics of the right-wingers isn’t it?

Shame on you, Mr. Gibson. You were rude and disrespectful towards Gov. Palin. We, too, have lost all our respect for you because of the mean nature of your nasty demeanor. We certainly expected more.
We believe that all the candidates should (and must) face and answer all the tough questions. We believe that mature adults can disagree and can have strong disagreements, at that. But we also believe that our civil discourse must be….civil. You weren’t.

Sarah Palin Interview = EPIC FAIL!!

The tone and the style of Charlie’s questions were inappropriate because he has never used that tone, that condescending manner or that rude style of cutting off her answers with anyone else in this campaign. i did not see unbiased journalism in this interview and I expected better from Charlie Gibson. Let me be clear, I am a lifelong Democrat and was major Hillary supporter. My outrage is not at the questions..I hope for tough questions, but rather that these same type of tough questions (and this tough approach) be asked of all the candidates in the same manner, not just of the one woman running.

STOP posting paragraphs people .. nobody reads them!

“I got lost in a blizzard of words?” Welcome to my world whenever Obama opens his mouth. Did you see the Saddleback Debate? He couldn’t answer ANY question in less than 5 minutes…half that time taken up by stuttering as he attempted to figure out what people wanted him to say rather than what he actually thought.

This is another clear example of network media bias, both gender and political! Gibson’s interview was shameful and beyond contempt. This was a minefield, carefully planned to try and trip her up and cast her unfavorably. Imagine Mr. Gibson asking Obama those questions, especially the ones asking if she was experienced or qualified enough or “ready” to be President. You can’t, because none of the media EVER HAVE! Obama is far LESS experienced than Sarah Palin is. Kitty, you are out to lunch! If you can’t see it, you are drunk on the liberal Kool-ade!

(looks like some nut-job rightie site had everyone link over and leave negative comments) give me a break people, he could have demolished her and he didn’t. those were softballs. is it charlie gibsons fault that she doesn’t know what the bush doctrine is? get over it – two weeks can’t prepare you for an actual interview and all her handlers know it. let’s sit her sit down on meet the press for 30 minutes. laughable!

Way to go, Charlie. I thought it might be a fluff interview where Sarah was allowed to skate through spewing Republican rhetoric and answering evasively. She certainly tried but Charlie had great follow through on the questions and they were fair questions for anyone who seekss the second highest office in America.
Keeping getting to the issues and don’t let politicians get by on fluff and personality.
We don’t want just “any” woman is office we want a qualified one.

Thanks Sally – I don’t really care but I’m not voting for him because he’s black ..

Charlie, Where was your Obama button? My days of watching and praising your telecast are over-You went way over board-

No panic, incredulity at the insanity on this list.
The woman is a stark raving idiot, doesn’t know a thing, wasn’t attacked at all by Gibson, and read some of thes posts:
I suspect if this woman were found guilty of some heinous crime, there would still be people on this list who would insist the media were in league with the devil and should never have revealed the truth about darling Sarah.
Wake up, folks–the woman IS NOT qualified to be anything more than a part time governor of a outpost state.

So, when does Mr. Gibson ask Obama these same questions. Probably never, because there is no such thing as fairness in journalism. ABC is as left as every other agency

I am not a citizen yet, and do not realy know if I want to became one with Sarah Palin in the White House. I am scared to death!!!

Reading some of these posts (not reading them – just seeing the length of them) .. it’s like a bad date where they won’t shut up! Blah blah blah! STOP IT .. nobody reads your rants!

I liked the piece . There were 2 things that caught my eyes :
1- She answered the questions straight forward and, as importantly, she was very emotional when responding.
2- Obama never answer anything straight. He always wrap it in something and then give it to you. Obama shows no passion and does not come as strong .
Sarah came across as a strong leader .
Obama comes across as a soft leader and Charles Gibson asked him about it during an interview and Obama had no response

Charley
Calling your interogation of Governor Palin, an interview was certainly a misnomer. One could listen to you begin with “but” in your next exchange (question)and know that you had not gotten the response that fit your debate script.You have obviously been watching the same “law” programs that advise the “lawyer” to not ask a question that you do not know the answer that you will get. Gov. Palin may not have to create an answer – she may already have the truth in her.

Charlie shame on you. Very poor interview. You really came across not likeing this women. As a journalist that shouldn’t show. While this Palin women gives us something to be excited about from the standpoint that she is new,probably in an income bracket closer to ours and has day care issues, didn’t go to Harvard or Princeton. I really think that in the end people will just stay home from the polls. Politician have been telling us how they are going to change this and that and we still have waste everywhere in Washington with nothing being done.
I am sick of the 2 years of campaning 100′s of millions of dollars so that they can rob us blind and not do the job they were sent there for. When a party puts up a canidate that will lead not talk about change then I will get excited. Actions have always spoken louder than words.

Look people .. it’s a cut and paste night from the Obama campaign members!

Gibson was no more hard on Palin than he would have been on anyone else (except McCain).
You guys who now HATE Gibson must realize that the only reason you hate him is that he tore the curtains down and showed the empty house that is Palin.
What you hate isn’t Gibson or the interview, but the fact that if you are honest with yourself, you would acknowledge Palin is empty, empty, empty.
We deserve better.

I thought the interview was tough…but if you run for the second most important job in the country what do you expect? Your entire job will require you to be able to handle tough issues, tough people and be under public scrutiny…It scares me in reading through these comments that so many people aren’t demanding to know more about her..she has been in the public view for 2 whole weeks. If I could call her up myself I would ask her the same questions, and try to get to the bottom of her beliefs, not just listen to a speech that someone else wrote for her…but the truth is that for better or for worse the media has to ask the questions instead of me, and I agree that Biden and McKain and Obama should all be asked similar questions.
If you look at the content of the answers I don’t think she was eloquent at all, and needless to say her handlers should have spent a bit more time preparing her, there is only so much you can cram for. And frankly, I don’t think it was MY GOD’s “plan” that 90,000 Iraqui civilians should lose their life during our invasion.

Charlie – without doubt the worst interview you have ever conducted. You acted like a high school principal trying to get a confession from a student. Are the Ben Franklin’s for effect? -just to make you more ‘investigative’. Come on Charlie you are better than this interview.We all know that no one person makes the decisions in government – it is always by committee no matter how the decision comes out to the public. Max

I have to ask are you Democrats for real. McCain & Palin know we have to protect our country no matter what, if that means crossing boarders that is what we have to do. Did you all forget what happened 7 years ago!If Clinton was doing his job Bin Laden would never had the chance to kill 3000 Americans.If Obama is elected the US will be like sitting ducks.Good to know Palin will protect the US!!!

PALIN WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A REAGAN LIKE LANDSLIDE IN NOVEMBER she could do it by herself. Charlie Gibson sounded like a definite propagandist. He might as well work for the politboro, his questioning was grand standing. I have heard of more democrats converting or crossing over in the last few days. AND COUNT THE RATIO of SUPPORT for PALIN in this comment column–better a brometer than all your lousy slanted polls. It is MCCAIN-PALIN in 2008.

No wonder the McCain campaign does not want her to campaign or talk to the press on her own. McCain, by picking Palin even though there were better choices available, shows that his “country first” slogan is just talk and he puts winning the election over picking a qualified VP.

Mr. Gibson, I was just wondering when you intend to grill Senator Obama about just why it is that he thinks he is ready to be President. Oh yes, and where was your response when you were “lost in a blizzard of words” from Senator Obama? Having just watched the video files of your previous interviews with Senator Obama as you patiently and very near reverentially sat back silently and let him speak his mind with no interruptions or even redirection to your initial question, I was appalled by your impatience and abruptness while interviewing Governor Palin. Tough interviews should be expected – especially when the subject is who should be the next leader of the free world. I just find it disappointing that you reserve such treatment for a Vice Presidential candidate while letting the opportunity pass, on more than one occasion, to press a candidate for President in the same fashion. Sarah Palin may actually be “a heart beat away” from the presidency some day, but Barack Obama is asking to be closer than that. I think he deserves even more direct and blunt questioning. I expect more of our free press. I expect more of you.

Let me get this straight…first, it was CBS, then CNN, then NBC/MSNBC, and now it’s ABC being accused of a “liberal bias” against the Republican party because they ask questions that Republicans don’t want to be asked or that they don’t want to answer. What are you people so afraid of? Why are you people so ignorant? The American public has the right to hear the answers to a wide range of questions, whether they make someone look “bad” or “good.”
I feel sorry for those of you who only watch FIX News or listen to Rush Limbaugh…no wonder your views are so twisted!!!

Folks, it all right to ‘like’ Sarah Palin.
It is not all right to think, after this disaster, that she has the qualities to be vice president–and potential president.
If you can’t separate liking her as a person and thinking she is qualified for this critical job after tonight, you have got serious, serious problems.

I want to know why Charlie Gibson had his eyes closed fo a few seconds as if looking impatient facing a whining child. I know what a blink is. He showed his dislike for Palin and couldn’t help himself but insult her and mistaking her quick answers to “BLIZZARD OF WORDS”. We should note that it was Gibson who had a note pad on his lap and Palin only talked with her hands. Bush’s “Doctrine”, Charlie? Are you serious? Obama would have answered you with ah, uh, ah, uh, ah… without his ear piece or teleprompter.
Gibson looked unpleasantly irritated as if to tell himself, “Just what am I doing with woman? Who is this nobody?”
Yeah, Charlie, you showed your bad opinion of Palin. I wished Matt Lauer would have been the one to interview Palin. He would have looked very decent doing it.

Obama Interview With Bill O’Reilly, Claims That He Is NOT Against Nuclear Energy:
Obama: “I am not against nuclear energy.” (Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor,” 9/10/08)
December 30, 2007,Remarks At Town Hall Event, Newton, IA, , Obama Said He Is “Not A Nuclear Energy Proponent”:
SO WHICH IS HE? WHERE DOES THIS MAN STAND—ONE WAY TODAY, ANOTHER TOMORROW

She doesn’t need to pass the exam – which many think is what this interview is about. She showed her strength, and her leadership style. That is what I like.
Anybody can learn all these foreign relationship stuff. She does not need to be an expert on these things, she needs to have a good heart and can bring good people together to help her. She convinced me that she can do that.
McCain/Palin 2008

The smug look on Charles Gibson’s face (over his spectacles) during the Palin interview made me embarrassed for him. I have seen many interviews by Charlie and this is the first I’ve witnessed with the “gotcha” approach. Even Bill O’Reilly who can be confrontational, smiled some during his interview w/ Obama. The best interviewer is one who asks tough questions of both parties and in doing so never allows his party preference to be known to the viewer. As it stands now, Chris Wallace is the only one who carries this high journalistic standard.

I agree with an earlier comment. The DUMMER Sarah looks, the more she helps the democratic ticket. Keep up the good work Sarah. By the way, as a women and once supported Hillary and Obama, Sarah doesnt come close. Hillary proved women could be strong and knowlegeable on the issues. Sarah proves, that if you put Paris Hilton on the ticket you will get attention.

It seems that Biden gets it…Hillary should have been the pick.
Biden wants to abandon ship but he can’t!

Mr. Gibson was overbearing, bullying and highly condescending at the very least! He made no attempt to hide his bias against her. I have no problem with tough, probing questions as long as BOTH sides are treated the same. Have you ever seen Obama treated like that? Never, because they are cheerleaders. The liberal media gives Obama a complete pass.

To DREW and NICOLE, I agree 110% If you want to have the most important job in the country, you need to have the knowledge. Hillary Clinton had it. Sara Palin doesn’t

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s headlines from the Republicans: ABC sexist!
I’m sure they will spin this disaster as hard as many on this list are trying to do, but their fake outrage is only going to go so far in light of the fact the evidence is on tape…………….

I live just outside of Chicago and Obama hasn’t done squat for Illinois. He’s spent his whole time in the Senate trying to obtain the golden ring he has been lusting after all along–the Presidency.
Someone please ask him why his home state ranks 51st in funding for programming for disabled people. We are dead last behind all 50 states and the District of Columbia. I’m not sure that Palin is the right person for the job–but I cannot support Obama for so many more reasons.
I would like to invite her to come and run for Governor of Illinois if she does not get elected. God knows we need someone to come and clean up the cesspool we call our capital.
I did not watch Charlie Gibson before this interview and I will certainly never watch him again. And I applaude Sarah Palin for holding her own beside a so obviously hostile interviewer.

Way to go, Sarah! You just showed me and my husband that you can handle yourself in hostile territory! This interview was a JOKE. Charlie – you should have taken lessons from Tim Russert. Never show your hand!

who come out worse in this interview? Good old left wing Charlie, even the wing nuts over at MSNBC are saying Palin did GREAT

I was wondering if ABC would have to supply Palin with the questions prior to the interview so she could have someone write her answers for her. It is obvious that wasn’t the case (or if it was she needs to fire whoever prepared her). Good job Charlie! This is exactly the type of questioning any person running for V.P. needs to be put through. Unfortunately, she failed miserably. It was nice to see her without John McCain standing behind her pulling her strings.

Yeah, the interview was a bust. You can tell from the desperation of some of the posters who won’t address the interview but will bring up discredited Obama stories, lying about him as they always do.
This is about Palin and her horrible, horrible interview, folks!
And, Country First, the one who came out worst in the interview was SARAH PALIN.

I have watched Charlie Gibson for over 20 years and I can honestly say that this is the first time I have ever found his behavior to be pompous and arrogant. His non verbal mannerisms dismissed Governor Palin and screamed of disrespect. As seasoned a journalist as he is, that type of behavior should have never shown through to the camera. How disappointing.

Charlie:
We have never seen you so unprofessional, uncomfortable and uptight in interviewing anyone else!
You were clearly on a mission to discredit Sarah Palin. She held her own and showed class – something you did not do!

Panic among the shallow one’s followers.
Xtra Xtra – Read all about it!

I don’t think Sarah’s LIMITED experience of two years as a governor of a state that has a 90 days legislative session is much executive experience–and if you look at the experience she did have, there is a lot that seems shady and disreptuable.
Yeah, I’ll take Obama over an ethically challenged woman who lies frequently, exaggerates constantly, and knows nothing except how to be a beauty queen contestant.

Charlie…
I’ve been a fan of yours for years and a faithful viewer of ABC news and especially since your anchoring of the World News Tonight; however, after this unbelievable interview you did with Sarah Pahlin, I don’t intend to tune in to ABC and especially any show you host. I was disappointed at your rude and pushy mannerisms. I have seen you give other interviews which showed a much more “human” side. What is this new stance other than being 100% in favor of the O’Bama ticket and trying to shoot down Pahlin. Hooray for Sarah! is what I have to say. I couldn’t believe you actually said you needed to cut through all the verbage…why because she wouldn’t give you a simple “yes” or “no” answer…where have all your non-biased reporter skills evaporated to?

Robert F wrote:
“She could be just a heart beat away from the Presidency. We deserve, we NEED to know what her views are. If she becomes President she will have the codes to launch nuclear weapons!”
Robert, just because you are President of the USA does not mean you can just get up one morning and say, “I think I’ll launch a nuclear warhead at somebody today.”
Sorry, There is a whole chain of command that has to agree for that to happen and I don’t care what the consequences to them personally, nobody is going to execute a command to launch nukes, just think. sorry, you’re scenario only works that way in hollywood movies.

She didn’t show class. She didn’t show grace. She showed beauty pageant acting 101.
LOL. How on earth can you seriously think this woman showed anything except her emptiness and shallowness!
Oh, I forgot: she lives right next door to Russia.
LOL!

This will probably get buried under the avalanche of comments – none the less.
These are not the soft questions I was expecting – so thank you – these are the questions that should be asked of any candidate regardless of gender or party.
For those of you crying foul for Madam Governor – remember this… If her and her supporters can’t handle Charlie Gibson — god forbid if she’s ever in the position to be POTUS – these questions are nothing compared to what international leaders will demand of her.

Obama has campaigned in all 57 states, and agrees that McCain has not asked about his ‘Muslim faith’.
But he’s such a genius, right???

What is “a disaster of epic proportions in the political world” is that so many “who would vote for a kangaroo if it was a registered” Democrat are so “convinced” that that man “has what it takes to be on a national ticket as” President! Once again, the democrats have their ticket reversed.
Senator Obama has led nothing, directed nothing, managed nothing, authored not even one single significant piece of legislation either in IL or the US Senate. He has never even run a paper route — not a small or large company. He has less experience than any of the other three candidates in this race. Talk about the Emperor having no clothes! What a perfect analogy for the total pass this year’s democratic nominee has gotten.
You are soooo right! What a sad day indeed!

Charlie was very rude. Too bad someone doesn’t ask Obama the same questions with the same arrogant atttitude!
Way to go Palin. You did great. Better then Obama does one on one. More and more people are voting for McCain/Palin.

2006 population of the entire state of Alaska: 670,000
2006 population of just Fairfield County, CT: 900,000
Amateur Hour, however I see the time honored tactic of answering the question you WISH the reporter had asked is familiar to Mrs. Palin.
“Energy is the foundation of our foreign policy?” Huh?!?!?

God, ABC is so righty. I can tell by these posts. Charles Gibson throws softballs at this woman and she couldn’t even give intelligent answers. Reminder: SHE’S RUNNING FOR VP. She has to answer these questions people, as the other three already have. I can’t believe she has been sequestered all this time and yet if this is what she has to deliver, it’s no wonder. Already making noises about Putin and Russia-God help up with this broad.

PALIN: We have to keep our eyes on Russia. Under the leadership there.
GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions does the proximity of the state give you?
PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors. And you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska.
====
and on a clear day I bet she can see Putin sitting at his desk in the Kremlin. So?
Be afraid.. be very afraid.

But she’s a woman, and by golly that’s enough for some women to vote for her.
And she’s an attractive woman, and by golly that’s enough for some men to vote for her.
For those who care less about looks and more about substance, thanks, but no thanks.
For those who care more about truth and honesty and intregity, thanks, but no thanks.
You die-hard republicans and conservative keep championing this woman. If by some disaster she and McCain gete into the WH, you will be responsible for the terrible things that lie ahead.
And stop blaming Charlie for doing his job and start blaming McCain for failing to do his.

This was a no-win situation. If she talked tough, the the entire media and leftist chattering class would be all over her as a “dangerous warmonger”. If she didn’t talk tough, she would be a mousy wimp. The perfect “gotcha”.
Sarah Palin decided to talk tough – good for her! Should she ever find herself in the Oval Office, I would rather that the Russians, Iranians, and other potential adversaries were frightened of her than not. Some people can’t understand that or accept it, but that is how the real, dangerous world works.
I will be looking forward to hearing Obama answer the same questions. It is about time that he had to answer some tough questions.

As a Canadian following this election because of it’s possible affect on Canada-US relations, it’s incredible the blinders that some people have on when it comes to Palin. Some of the comments accuse Charlie of coming on too strong because she is a woman. Get real, this is a woman who might become President one day if something happens to McCain (he’s in his 70s and could have any number of medical problems). I, as well as alot of other people in countries would like to know what she stands for. And thank you, Charlie, for asking the tough questions.
Bbecause now I’m really scared if this McCain/Palin team gets in. She is well coached not to commit to anything and to giving vague answers but some of things said already give a very indication of her views, no matter how you want to explain it away.
The answers I’m hearing blows me away….she wants to sound confident and to come across as a strong leader. It certainly comes across very strong … like the present President, George Bush.
She will sent in US troops wherever necessary. So much for respecting other country’s rights.
And with regard to her explanation that the reason why the terrorists attacked the U.S. was because they don’t like the American ideals. What kind of crap answer is that, that line is straight out of the George Bush media manual. That’s like saying everyone hates the pretty girl because she is pretty…No, it’s because she is arrogant, stuck up, and disrespectful.
Don’t let the pretty image of her fool you into thinking that she isn’t a pitbull. I hope everyone get past this halo effect and really start to examine what she stands for.

I think some are missing what some comments are trying to say.
It wasn’t about the content of the questions asked, it was more in the manner in which they were asked. Charlie was rude, blatant, and transparent. He is definitely one of the msm…and it showed.
His intentions were to as all the other crap out there in internet world…destroy her.
Charlie asked the hard questions at the debate? I think you are mistaken. George asked the hard stuff, Obama got ticked, you could see it in his face, and gave the bird to Hillary.

I came away from this interview, disappointed in Gibson’s condescending attitude toward Gov Palin. He had no enthusiasm and didn’t seem to be interested in being there, so why was he? On the other hand I found Gov Palin to be just the opposite. She answered the questions openly and honestly and was extremely kind to Gibson who treated her with indifference. Gov Palin wins this interview handsdown over Gibson’s attitude style.

Kiwi wrote:
“If by some disaster she and McCain gete into the WH, you will be responsible for the terrible things that lie ahead.”
I am willing as an one among many Americans to take that responsibility. Though, as no one can see the future, the opposite is also true. If Obama and Biden are elected “by some disaster”, “you will be responsible for the terrible things that lie ahead.” Will you also take the responsiblity?

Question: Do we have the right to attack (Afghanistan) without the permission of Pakistan?
YES, Charlie, YES!!! YES!!!YES!!!
Is that what you expected from an intelligent woman? To give a quick answer without giving it some thought? Geez! There are consequences to consider. I’m not a corrupt politician, but I know that.

Charlie, it seems like you hit a button. Look at all these insults and threats, they are actually blaming you because she was incapable of clearly stating campaign policies and defend her positions. I sense some concern that the Palin luster may be fading. If she’s really ready to be the pit bull VP then hard questions should be no problem for her, right? This was child’s play compared to what every other candidate who has aspired to her position has faced at this point in a campaign. That includes Ferraro.
Charlie, I honestly under-estimated you. I thought that you were not going to do proper research or ask follow-up questions. We’ll see the rest of the interview but so far I think I’m ready to forgive you for the April debate. Good job.

Yes.

McAge arguably chose a relatively decent person to replace him when he dies. She is likeable and pretty smart, has poise and charisma. Okay, but I want more. Don’t you? I want the best of the best: I don’t want a gimmick, I don’t want a cheerleader, I don’t care if she is a woman I can relate to… I feel like I am at the homecoming game and the masses are rooting for their team, which is diametrically opposed to the fraudulent Country First mantra. The reality is McAilin failed to give us the best AMERICA had to offer, which would have been country first. Instead, he selfishly opted to burden the USA by sticking us with the person who best addressed the deficiencies of his then-struggling campaign. The debate is academic because we already know McAilin will win. It’s been rigged for eight years, and there’s no end in sight.
God help us.

Listen, the Press doesn’t need to be deferential to “lipstick-ladden pitbulls” who run for the Vice President slot.

I would want anyone who thinks they can lead this country to be able to handle an interview with the most hostile reporter, let alone world leader. I was really worried that Charlie would fall prey to the pressure that is being placed on the media to handle Palin with kid gloves, not “pick on her,” and let her slide on the tough questions. I thought Charlie was firm and respectful, and I do trust that he will continue in this vein, although I would have liked to see the whole interview uncut. I miss Tim Russert even more now, he would be completely unaffected by the whining that I am reading here, and would concentrate on the facts and what is best for the country, not the complaints of her protectors.

This is scary, Sarah Palin is no way ready for any VP slot. No matter how much she has crammed for this interview. She knew nothing 15 days ago. Another Neocon in lipstick, ready for war with everyone.. This is NUTS!! Puppets!! Bush oh Puppets!! Its a said day when they can get away with this scam..

It is hard to read some of these comments on here attacking Charlie Gipson’s “attitude”. Charlie has been enmeshed in world news and politics for years, and it must have been painful for him to listen to this small town soccer mom try and pretend she was in the know about world affairs or even current government policies. He is a seasoned professional, and to see this untested, Republican clearly desperate pick for VP struggle to answer very basic questions about the state of world and various conflicts that are current and relevent.
I felt like he was in basically being asked to go to a middle school and interview a student who was playing the part of Vice Presidential candidate. She could not answer directly any of his questions off the cuff, as if she had never given any of his questions any real thought beforehand, independent of this interview.
I think Sarah has enough to deal with in her own home, and state, she accepted this invitation for VP because
it would make her seem very important and successful. She sounds like an egomaniac who is so full of her own self importance, that she thinks she can give “talking points” answers to questions that clearly deserved a more thoughtful and specific answer.
I really feel this country still has a very deep base of racists. And when you consider the Republicans new base (red states, evangelicals, NASCAR fans), she is smart enough for them. When did these people actually begin to believe that Republicans had thier best interest at heart. Because they tout
“family values” and “prolife” stances, but McCain is pro-choice, and was a cheating husband who left his disabled wife for someone much younger, and richer. That is not the character of a “family values” man. Cindy McCain was addicted to drugs and got caught stealing them……has anyone done any research on this man and his values?
Yes he was a prisoner of war, and that deserves our respect, but it does place hhim at the top of the food chain. And he is clearly irresponsible and grasping at straws by picking Palin to attract the “female vote”. PLEASE, women are smarter than that (well some are).

Charlie,Will you offer the uncut interview to be seen? I watched the News only for the interview.I was surprised by all the cuts and edits in the viewing.I’m wondering what you left out. What was Sara saying that you didn’t want us to hear?

RICK,
Campaigning for 19 months is hardly a qualification or a comparison to running the White House. Think about it…Just because someone has proposals and big promises doesn’t mean he’s already done the job and is qualified.
Give Palin a break. It’s not as if she was picked 19 months ago and still had nothing to show for. B
By the way, with all this dirt-digging regarding Palin; whether true – it doesn’t make Obama less corrupt or Palin more righteous than Obama.

I’m already sick of seeing her face.
It is time to know what all of these candidates are about and quit the smoke and mirrors.
Puff answers with no substance “Fighting a holy war.” What does that mean? The Islamic extremists are fighting a holy war too, must be why there is so much killing.
3 times she was asked about Israel and gave the same non answer.
Okay okay I’m trying to keep an open mind. GOD help me it is a hard mission.

Mealseay wrote:
“Are you people so afraid of having an African American president that you are willing to accept this woman as a candidate for vice-president(possibly president)?”
I am getting really, really tired of this race card being played. Clearly by you stating this, you are the actual racist.
I am not apposed to Obama because he is Black. I am apposed to him because of his socialist views.
I actually wanted and was wanting to vote for, Colin Powell for President in 2004 and I really would have liked to see Condoleezza Rice on this McCain ticket as VP or even as the Presidential candidate. They did not run or have a desire to and the Democrats clearly would have had an issue with their association with Bush as part of his administration.

Charlie’s comment that he was “getting lost in a blizzard of words” was BS. She was explaining her position but Charlie was looking to trap her with a simple yes or no. If she would have simply blurted out YES! she would have been portrayed as a shoot from the hip type who can’t back up her position with reasoned thinking. Sorry Charlie the only thing you accomplished by that line was making yourself look manipulative. I lost respect for him this evening. And I still think that Sarah Palin would make a great president.

Interesting it is all the males that are jumping to “protect” the female from the nasty man asking difficult questions.
Come on who is going to protect her when she is VP?
You guys better get a grip. This is a country she’ll be governing. Look through different eyes. If she was a man giving these same answers would it be acceptable. Treat her like she was a man and ask yourself would I want this person in command?

Charlie Gibson you have done ABC News proud. Keep up the great work.. Someone has to ask her some tough questions. She is running for VP of the USA. Not Hockey Mom of the year. I wish he asked her tougher questions. ” too hard on Sarah ” Some of you are kidding right?

Now, tell me again about Obama’s vast foreign policy experience and his executive experience. Tell me why he is better qualified than McCain to be President. Is it because Biden is his choice for vice president?

Her level of knowledge is about the same I have when talking politics around the table with buddies. Not impressed. She did not answer the questions clearly.

stop whining some of you sound as if she is your mother.

Amazing how this discussion has turned into “shoot the messenger”. It is now all about Charlie being too tough and not being deferential enough in a “conversation” with Palin.
Excuse me, isn’t the whole idea about the interview is to find out what this woman stands for. A woman who had said, I’m ready to be the VP and the possibily the P (with the nuclear codes) one day. Those are very important foreign policy isses of the day – not cleaning up Congress. That’s been tried many times before and the system will never change.
It is reflection of how this election has become all about “lipstick” and not issues.

Why is it that Leftists’ main approach to “dialogue” is filled with vulgarity and name calling, Kyle?

Some of you are truly brainwashed! You feel that any “hard” questions that come her way, she should get a pass because the media is “coming down” on her. Well guess what? That’s the job she has chosen to accept. World leaders are NOT going to give her a pass because she is a female. They don’t care about her family or what she did in Alaska. Get over it.

Republican upset isn’t truly about Mr. Gibson, who did a good job at being fair.
Sarah Palin clearly does not have what it takes to be the next vice president, a heartbeat from the presidency.
Putin is laughing at us, as are others.
Let’s not make them lick their lips, too.
Obama/Biden ’08

She really looks like freshwoman in the international politics.
Can Gop offer professional politician for VP?
They just want nice look, harsh voice for the campaign trail.
They don’t think about our country to put this woman near the 72 years old with history of cancer.
GOP, Change your motto.
Maccain First, Country Last.

I notice the tone that people take it that Charlie was attacking Sarah Palin? If she cant handle Charlie Gibson – how can she handle world leaders and real problems… She is not a figurehead. She must handle tough questions and be tested.

How can any rational, informed human being cheer Palin’s interview? She blew it royally!!! Amazing how Republicans will NEVER critique their own.
Hate to say it, but the true underlying, unspoken reason Palin has support is flat out RACISM!!!
Yep, I said it!!!!

Stephanie,
To your question, “Treat her like she was a man and ask yourself would I want this person in command?”
My answer is yes and I am not worried if she were to end up as President. I have no doubt democrats Pelosi and Reid and the do nothing democratic controlled congress would ensure she was lame ducked.
As a non beltway insider, as a non bloodsucking lawyer which dominates Washington and the lives of everybody in general, and considering it would represent the most change possible due to someone completely outside the old boy politics, absolutely I have no issue at all with Palin in the executive branch. She could hardly do worse then where our partisan so called informed, intelligent, professional, politicians, Democrat and Republican, have taken this country over the last three decades.

Charlie, you were really big tonight! Are you big enough to admit your bias interview was rude and apologize for the lack of integrity and character you displayed to Sarah Palin? Thought not. Goodbye Charlie and ABC

Tim Russert asked hard questions. But, he was a gentleman. He was not rude and arrogant toward his guests. If he had interviewed Palin, we would not have this uproar about the interview. Gibson is no Russert. Obama is no President.

She has the political confidence of one of my city council members in my community. I live in a town of 3000.

Awesome Sarah! Charlie not so good. Perhaps Charlie you have reached your level of incompetence. You are old enough to know what I am saying. Back to GMA for you good buddy!

Being a true Republican, I do have to say they where not hard questions whatsoever. Palin was just nervous just as anyone else would be. She messed up sometimes but so did Obama. We have to remember she will be our next Vp and she better be ready to answer and make difficult decisions that will affect everyone of us.

I just rewatched part of the interview. What was difficult the first time through was painfully embarrassing the second time.
Palin used all the worst tricks in the book to avoid answering questions she didn’t have good answers for, and, yes, she used a blizzard of words rather than answering yes or no to a simple question asked several times.
What so many of you see as style and grace is phoney and canned, beauty pageant level 1. If you don’t know the answer, you bluff, and that was all she was doing.
Yeah, maybe Charlie was a bit incredulous, but then he was talking to the woman who would be VP of this country and had to have come to the interview expecting her to be minimally qualified.
And she wasn’t.

What was wrong with Charlie Gibson’s voice?

If she cannot handle Charlie – she is not qualified to be in the white house. I am not sure I want her in control of the largest military machine in the world.

Republicans must be really freaked out now that PTA Palin has opened her mouth unscripted. Just like when Bush gets near an open mike, Republicans hold their breath.
Palin is a joke to the intelligence of every American and would be a great mayor. Every day we talk more about this clown of a V.P. candidate is a win for the Republicans. Time to move on to solving this country’s problems and enough with these Republicans. 8 years is enough!

Gibson was hand-picked by the McCain team. You can’t please the extremists on either side of the political spectrum, as witnessed in these comments. Those of us in the middle say kudos to Charlie for being fair. He didn’t shy away from the relevant policy questions and managed to stayed out of the mud.
That said, I will say that the folks on here that think Palin did a great job may not have a command of the foreign policy issues our country faces. She even contradicted McCain’s positions on Pakistan. This reveals the chinks in the armour to those of us who follow international politics closely.
I don’t doubt she is a bright, gutsy, tenacious, hard-working person but frankly, that’s just not enough for me. I want someone that knows more than a soundbite-worth of info on these very serious problems facing our nation. This just doesn’t cut the mustard.
It makes we wonder why McCain didn’t ask Kay Bailey Hutchinson, the most senior female Republican senator. Lord knows she would have understood the Bush Doctrine.

I’m actually surprised that more of the Republicans aren’t out in more force: I suspect most of them understand how horrible tonight’s interview was.
Stop blaming Charlie. He wasn’t anything but what he was, the interviewer. Sarah was an impossible person to interview because she brought nothing to the set. He had to help her out again and again, reset her back to the question–at this level you expect some level of expertise.
Shame on Palin. Shame on McCain. Bravo Gibson.

My wife and I both agree that Charlie Gibson’s questions, tone of voice and behavior during this interview were unprofessional and clearly baised. Up until this evening, we did not put him into the “elitist/leftist/god-hating” media category, but we were wrong.
You may be sure we will find other outlets to find our national news in the future.

Very well done, Mr Gibson.
I admire your capacity to not be seduced by her words or her demeanor.
Palin is a terrifying choice as VP.
I pray that people can see beyond the glib surface style.
Now more than ever, we need intelligence, integrity and conscience.
We don’t need a Hockey-Mom who lacks even the ability to give thought to whether to run as VP and gives a knee-jerk response. That, in and of itself, shows her lack of intelligence and toughtfullness.

Sarah Palin now has ONE more notch in her belt of experiences that Barack Obama does not…..she’s actually HAD a tough, VETTING, interview.
Come on Barack when you gonna do one?

She didn’t know what the Bush Doctrine was – that’s not good. Reminded me of some BS’ing in an interview for a job that they didn’t know enough about. Tough questions, yes, but she ain’t interviewing for Dog Catcher. I don’t think Gibson would’ve treated a man any different, do you?
And, she still reminds me of Bush – a lot.

CHARLIE what side are you on!!! Do you not care about this country you live in? Do you like to live in fear of having another 9-11? Or do just want to get another story for your ratings. This anti-american reporting that you and ABC as a hole is why I stopped watching your news. As of three weeks ago I stopped watching “Good Morning America”. I have have watched that show for over 25 years. I have started watch “Fox” news and they do a much better job. They also are not so anti-american. ABC you need to change the feel of your news service.

Obama has been vetted, not only through interviews but through 19 months of biased news reporting.

Charlie, you did a better job on the first night than I expected but you still tossed some pitches easily hit. You didn’t hit her on all her fabrications and inconsistencies b/w campaign speech and reality as governor/mayor. But you know what, Charlie, I’m gonna give you the benefit of the doubt. You might come back tomorrow and ask her tough questions about factual inconsistencies (my 3rd grader knows factual inconsistencies to be also called LIES).
Also, people like Dona Parker…please stop wondering how Barack Obama would do under similar scrutiny. He endured countless debates and a Bill O’Reilly interview over the last 19 months. With regards to media scrutiny…there is absolutely no FACTUAL COMPARISON between Obama and Palin.

Come on people. When Charlie Gibson ‘attacked’ Obama in the Democratic debates, everyone on the left side cried fowl, now it’s just the same only the right side is crying fowl (or pig?!?). This is the relationship of politicians and the media. If anybody caught the Obama interview with Bill O’Reilly, you’ll actually witness a tough interview (at least Charlie wasn’t leaning into her face like Bill was with Obama). I can appreciate tough interviews, though sometimes it is hard to see one of your favorite people go through that. It shows character and perseverance. You can spin an interview anyway you like it depending on which side you are on. What it boils down to are the issues that these candidates represent. I think all the candidates are strong (they have to be to go through all the crap that gets thrown their way), however McCain and Palin do not represent my idealogy on where this country should be today and in the future, so that’s why I’m voting for Obama and Biden. Even though I’m a woman, I’m not voting for McCain/Palin just because a woman is on the ticket. For people who want the best for their themselves, their families and their country, we have to vote with our heads and not our gender or the fact that I feel like I could sit down and have a beer with this person. We need somebody (many somebodies!) to steer us on the right track again and it would be REALLY nice if this person and their cabinet could show solidarity towards the other party. Together we succeed, divided we will absolutely fail.

I liked Charlie Gibson on GMA. He was a lot softer. I thought he was trying to be another Peter Jennings tonight as he battered Palin with questions. She certainly stood up to him well. I think she has spent the last few days being drilled with the proper questions and was quite proud with her answers. I think we all know what she is, and it takes awhile to step up to the expectations of the American Public. Remember 9/11 and God Bless Our Country!

she has no idea what shes talking about every answer was like pulling teeth… ummm ok my talking points are…. iran bad, russia bad, iraq surge good, bush no good… bush docterine uh oh… whats that……..
ummmm so many other people havent had to meet heads of states
plus i can see russia if i fly a couple thousand miles from my town to the land bridge that forums in the winter for a few months
umm plus russia once owned alaska
lol wow, doesnt matter what you people say… she better get better fast, this was a terrible show of her inexperience and knowledge of how this world works and what is going on in the world….
oh wait keep yelling sexism perhaps we can confuse people long enough to win the election!

i am saddenedby a man who i believed might be above media bias. You were extremely biased and very condesending.
I have never seen your true colors. Would you ever have questioned a man with such harsh and trick questions? Please ask yourself that question. How many of us do you really believe have heard the media discuss the “BUSH DOCTRINE”?

i mean how is the american public suppose to feel comfortable that on day one if john mccain falls ill she is ready to take over as commander in chief
mccain and palin just became the risky scary pick

Charles Gibsons question to Sara Quote: Do you think america is fighting a Holy war is an insult to every American Christian or not. This question was intended to paint American soldiers with the same brush as Islamic Terrorist and to imply a religious fanatisim on the part of an American Vice Presidential candadate. America has never fought any war based on religious beliefs and Mr, Gibson knows it. As an American veteran I am insulted and outraged by this line of questioning. Mr. Gibson has for my part destroyed his credability as an American journalist and as an American period. As far as I’m concerned Mr. Gibson should never be allowed to perform another interview with any one. His entire interview was perjured and bias. I have never read or seen anything so skewered and prejudice in my entire life.

Charles Gibson expected VP-Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin,to give specific answers to the most difficult world issues without the benefit of all the information one would have when a decision had to be made. His manner was one of looking down his nose. But, you know what, Sarah Palin held her own and came up on top. I would love to see Charles Gibson interview PRESIDENTIAL candidate Barack Obama about his extreme liberal and dismal public record, his lack of administration experience and his empty rhetoric in the same haughty manner he displayed with Palin. Charles Gibson, your bent and agenda were apparent tonight.

Interesting how Obama fans point to Palin’s so called weakness and cannot fatham how that criticism points directly back to Obama. Get real! As for Gibson… even O’reilly seemed to enjoy Obama’s company and showed him the respect that occompanies the office he holds.

Obama has still never been vetted by the media. Sarah Palin’s first interview with Gibson was tougher than ANY interview he’s EVER had on the issues.
Obama may have had to answere questions about Wright that were uncomfortable…but those interviews were hardly TOUGH.
The worst he’s faced is sipping Mai Tai’s by a TV while Hannity yelled about him.

She not only did not answer, she lied when she did answer. I saw the video of her addressing her church and telling that this was was a act for God. Tonight she denied that is what she said. Her voice is annoying as all get out, she tried to act too familiar with “Charlie” I kept waiting to hear hear say “don’t you know” any minute.

How many GOP plants come to comment here? Obviously these comments are manufactured to help get media sympathy.
This VP pick did not know what the Bush DDoctrine is? When are we going to start holding out leaders to a higher standard than to which we hold ourselves ?

Bill Clinton HAD NO foreign policy experience when he became president…and he beat Daddy Bush who had TONS!!!
Jimmy Carter HAD NO foreign policy experience when he became president…and he beat Gerald Ford who had TONS!!!
next…..

Two weeks in hiding from the press and THIS is the best performance she could give?
WAS McCAIN DRUNK WHEN HE PICKED HER?
All you crybaby Republicans whining that the questions were “too hard” – what do you think this is? A beauty pageant? She couldn’t even win that!!!
McCAIN IS DONE.
BUH-BYE.

DJinFL
Perhaps you missed the debates? Idiot!
Gibson is a REPUBLICAN!

Little foreign policy experience?
Obama wants to run Iraq and he’s been there ONCE.
Next…..

Let’s look at this as an interview, which it is, Charlie. Your attitude told Candidate Palin that you had already found someone better qualified. Her answers to your questions confirmed your judgement. Her non-answers were desperte attempts to talk about something she did know (or could remember.) She is not qualified for the job (and she knows it as well as you do.) Ordinarily, you would not give her a secdond interview; but since in this case you must, be kind. The point was made.

Excellent answers, Sarah! As a former Democrat completely exhausted by their elitism and disconnect with the citizens of the country, I know you can do a better job for America. Everybody I know supports you!

lea
Actually, we’re cheering! She’s an idiot! Rambling Rose!

Regarding his question about the “Bush Doctrine” I’ll admit that she did not know what it was. But what’s more important is whether she would support it. This is where the liberals constantly trip themselves up. They think like a student in college (where it seems that liberals never mature beyond it) that takes a test or learns something, is actually equal to knowing the right direction to go regarding a decision. Palin has proven that she has an excellent moral compass and would in fact support the Bush Doctrine. which any leader who’s first responsibility is to protect the nation would do.

For all you woman who are giggling about abandoning Hillary Clinton and her ideals: may you get what you deserve.
You have, by your craven actions, done more to set women’s right back than anyone could have imagined.
You have shown women to be petty, hysterical, vindictive, and small-minded.
It must be hard to live with yourself knowing you are betraying Hillary, but then you really never cared about her at all; it was always about yourself.

Charlie,
You did a great job in this interview.
Obviously there are going to be critics, but you stood your ground and didn’t let that so called hockey mom turn it into an Obama smear interview. Bravo!!!
I actually thought you went easy on her, so I don’t see why people are complaining. She is trying to be VP after all, she should be scrutinized to the fullest. Also, I am sick of everyone crying foul just because she is a woman. Someone needs to make her own up to her past decisions and also make her prove that she is educated enough to be commander in chief.
If this interview is proof of anything, it is that she is not very well educated and should stick to politics in a small state, that is if she doesn’t get impeached.

While I distrust MSM and mourn ethical journalism I did expect better from Charley Gibson. He seemed bent on making her trip up -the ‘gotcha style’ that is not very informative. From another reader: “First interview. She did not answer the questions (in particular the question about the Iraq war, if it was directed by God). She looked aggressive/defensive. I got the impression that she is a radical person.”
Well, that was the impression Gibson tried to force. In fact he knowingly and deliberately lied when he quoted Gov Palin when she addressed her Church congregation a few months ago. I watched that 4 times to be sure. He quoted only a part of her sentences which gave a completely distorted and opposite statement. I’ve already published a refutation of this before I heard Gov Palin offer her own clarification. But hearing Charley Gibson do that so obviously dropped ALL CREDIBILITY from the rest of his interview. ABC will go the down the tubes now with MSNBC and CNN with CBS to follow. Fox is a lone survivor along with private bloggers on Internet. NObama. Go McCain/Palin ’08

Charlie had done a great job in asking the pertinent questions in a firm & persistent manner. After all, Sarah Palin is the VP candidate for the GOP who could be making some crucial decisions for the country. However, looking at Sarah Palin’s performance, it appears that she has the grit and determination to do her job well but not the knowledge base required for her position. She never answered any question to the point and her body language appeared uneasy. Her lack of knowledge on the “Bush Doctrine” takes the cake ! This is something every American adult would know. Instead of answering the question directly, she went round in circles until Charlie himself clarified it to her. As for the other candidates, they have been through their several interviews & debates to prove their depth of knowledge or lack thereof.

I strongly support this war…even now. I strongly support the USA in it’s fight of the war on terror. It is with absolute pride that I have an opportunity to do so on 9/11. I am forever grateful to President Bush for his leadership out and away from that dark day. His piercing focus and unwavering resolve have kept this country safe for seven years. I am utterly proud of the US service men and women who have gone to the danger zones to fight so that we can keep our way of life and go on with it. Without them being over there, we’d be looking over our shoulders here more vigilently.
I have no patience or inclination to listen to the whinning liberals who seem to think that this generation of Americans is somehow more priviledged than the generations who came before. The men of Normandy…who died and NEVER GOT THE CHANCE for any future.
Our nation was attacked by radical, islamic, extremeists who want to destroy our way of life and this country. They don’t care about Barack Obama’s “Neighborliness.”
I’m a ready, when the day comes, to welcome home the heroes from Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m ready to welcome them home and give them the homecomming that never happened for the men from Vietnam, the last war the liberals whined about, until no one was standing to greet them as they came home.
Viva McCain!!!

How about that for a gimmie: “Under the NATO treaty, wouldn’t we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?” (Presupposing Georgia was part of NATO.) And what do we get? A tepid: “Perhaps so,”

Boy Charlie, your pro-Obama slip was really showing tonight. You tried your best to make Palin look incompetent but all you succeeded in was showing your own bias. For some stupid reason I thought you were different from the rest of Democratic shills. Hell, you were worse. Each time you asked a question and she answered you gave that “I don’t believe you” look. You would never treat Obama or Biden in the same way. You’d ask one softball question on Reverend Wright and let Obama get away with whatever he wanted to say. No “I don’t believe you” stare, no follow up question. And there would be no hard questions about Biden. Weren’t you just so clever with your Bush Doctrine “gotcha” question. You really are a disappointment Charlie.

thank you Charlie for being fair and treating her like a Vice Presidential Candidate one breath away from the Presidency. People need to wake up… this is not a TV show or novel. This is the future of our country and our children. WAKE UP START THINKING GET YOUr FACTS STRAIGHT

There’s no way Obama would have survived this kind of biased questions against him. You can tell Charlie is in there to destroy, descredit Governor Palin – every single question from Charlie has a very unfriendly tone to them.

People are offended because Charlie Gibson asked hard questions?! This is potentially the next vice president. If she can’t take the heat, she should get out of the kitchen (It’s an idiom, NOT a sexist comment). The reason the candidate looked so bad in this interview is not the fault of ABC news or Charlie Gibson; it’s the fault of John McCain, selecting an unfit running mate. He should have picked governor Tim Pawlenty from Minnesota.

This is the first election I can vote in, so I am following it closely.
I watched Ms Palin tonight.
I expect more, much more, from a candidate than what she demonstrated.
And, no, it wasn’t the moderator’s fault.
Ms. Palin simply didn’t know enough or have enough experience to answer.
I don’t think I can vote for any ticket with someone like this on it.

SARAH’S A TOUGH LADY, IF SHE WAS’NT THEN SHE COULD’NT SURVIVE IN POLITICS. IT REALLY PAINS MY HEART WHEN PEOPLE START CRYING FOUL WHEN SHE’S CRITIZIED LIKE SHE CANT TAKE OPINIONS AND DISAGREEMENTS AND ARGUE HER POINT HERSELF. YALL MAKE HER SEEM FEEBLE AND WEAK. SHE DONT NEED A MILLION SUPERMEN TRYING TO SWOOP DOWN & SAVE THE VUNERABLE HELPLESS VICTIM WHEN SHE’S SHOWN SHE CAN DISH IT. MEDIA THIS MEDIA THAT, PLEEEEASE!!!! LET HER STAND UP, SO SHE CAN PROVE SHE CAN STAND STRONG FOR OUR COUNTRY ON HER OWN.

Liberals have a clear view of their world: liberals are intelligent, and conservatives are stupid.
Well, Based on the Palin interview and the folks who are desperately attempting to defend her abysmal performance, I would have to say this is a pretty accurate statement……

I thought the interview was very fair.
As a woman, I was pleased to see her treated like any other politician asking to be considered for the second highest office in the land.
Gov. Palin proved that she is woefully unfit to serve as Vice President, and that McCain was reckless and impulsive in choosing his running mate. She had no depth of understanding, and it was apparent that she was parroting the talking points that they have been spoonfeeding her.
John McCain is the oldest candidate ever to run for president, and unfortunately, he has had multiple bouts with cancer. America can not risk having Gov. Palin anywhere near the White House.
By the way, even I know what the Bush Doctrine is…she was frighteningly inept.

I personally didn’t have any real problems with Charlie…with his glasses..with his questions.
He seemed too stern with it all…but no big deal. And I didn’t at first catch the twisting of her statement in the church. However, if that’s so then that is a definite NO NO. You can’t put someone on camera like that then misquote their own line to them, and not expect people to complain about it.
The question on have you ever shaken the hand of a foreign leader was just a BS question in my book. It came off as arrogant and condecending. Like, “you’re a nobody.”
Tell me whoever approached Obama with that kind of disrespect in an interview? Honestly?

I don’t mind the hard questions. It’s just interesting how some of the media picks and choose to be tough too.
If Bill O’Reilly had been this tough with Obama there would have been backlash I would guess.

All you folks who come on this page aware that Sarah Palin blew her first prime time interview and then try to distract from the discussion by attacking Obama–shame on you.
This is about Palin’s poor performance.
But for those who say Obama hasn’t been ‘grilled’ in interview, check out the Fox interview last week.
And stop trying to deflect people from speaking the truth by unprovoked attacks against someone who wasn’t being interviewed by Charlie Gibson.

Now that’s just funny Deb!!! Touche’!!

People calling Charlie Gibson a blatant Obama-supporter? Sen. McCain’s team chose him for the interview.
Charlie Gibson was rude to Gov. Palin, condescending, and trying to trip her up? Do you think it will be easier to speak with leaders of Russia, Iran, or China?
I thought she was supposed to be “tough” and “prepared.”

Saying Sarah Palin qualifies to be VP and God forbid Prez. just because she is a Govenor of Alaska – Let me remind you all George W. Bush was the Govenor of Texas before he stole the election once and then the country made a mistake and elected him -
I REST MY CASE FOR GOVENORS MAKING LOUSY PRESIDENTS.
PS He must have been in the Special
Ed class at his Ivy League College.

I have read a good share of the coments here and so many blame Charlie for Sara not answering. I have watched Mr. Gibson do other interviews and I see nothing that shows he is looking down his nose at her, or any atempt to trick her into giving a wrong answer. It looked like a regular interview like many other interviews I have watched. Get over yourselves repo’s and thin skined woman.

Choices, choices…
Either a woefully inexperienced President (Obama) or a smart tough foreign inexperienced VP (Palin). hmmm…I’ll take the inexperienced VP please.

To the people who are angry at Gibson for asking Gov. Pitbull some of the BASIC QUESTIONS that are on everyones minds about this woman (who was a relative unknown two weeks ago) – Are you kidding me? What did you expect him to ask her? The past week of Palin-mania has had nothing to do with the major issues of this election and everything to do with baseless one liners & family drama. The McCain campaign knows that as soon as the focus gets back to the issues, they have nothing, which is why they’ve shielded her until now. I was expecting a fluff interview, but I’m actually surprised. Looks like there are some journalists left who actually have some integrity.

Mr. Gibson, Your interview with Sarah Palin was condescending and patronizing. Mr. Gibson you’ve lost your objectivity and impartiality. I couldn’t believe that I was watching ABC News with Charlie Gibson, reporting. It isn’t like you to be arrogant, degrading and demeaning to anyone and I hope you take a close look at your behavior during this interview and consider how many of us (I’m also speaking for a some who don’t have a PC and the Internet) think you baraged Sarah Palin with asking her the same question in different ways; you verbally attacked a strong woman on network television instead of asking well-thought out questions, waiting for her replies and going on the the next question as you did with Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain. Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain have been on the political scene longer than Sarah Palin and have had experiences that she hasn’t had; true; that doesn’t make her incompetent. There’s no reason for her to use money from the good people of Alaska to be a world traveler and meet with foreign dignitaries when she was elected to be the Governor of Alaska. When you commented that you were lost in the blizzard of words I wanted to reach into the TV and shake you. Get a grip, you were talking to a politician and she’s more straight-forward than most. Mrs. Palin didn’t back down and I’m proud of her for standing up to you. Your behavior, Mr. Gibson, was strongly sexist and if this pattern continues, my friends and I will be watching Mr. Williams and/or Ms. Couric. Your former collegue, Mr. Jennings, is watching. I watched his news reporting for years and he was always impartial. We all make mistakes and I’m watching and waiting for you to apologize to Mrs. Palin, then, and only then, will my friends and I continue to watch ABC News.

Doesn’t it take HUBRIS to think she’s qualified to be VP? That’s his first question?
That wasn’t a question, that was an insult. An insult that showed bias, which in turn set the tone for the rest of the interview. This was hostile, and it didn’t have to be. Fair questions, fine. The hostility was over the top. Anyone ever see Gibson not smile and be cordial in some way during an interview?
That being said, I think Governor Palin held her own. Stellar performance? NO. But good enough for the first time out.
Foreign policy–not the main strength of Governors, though governors very often enter the White House. You know, like Presidents Clinton and Reagan. Obama just met foreign leaders this summer for the first time. He’s only been to Iraq twice.
Obama has 300 foreign policy advisors. 301 if you count George Clooney. Why do you suppose that is? Because he can’t possibly know, or be an expert, on all aspects of foreign policy in the 19 months he’s been campaigning. He’s had 19 months of tutoring, and responded to the Georgian crisis 3 times before he got the answer right.
To those who think this interview is the end of Palin, think twice. There is video out there of Obama saying we have 57 states, for goodness sake. He said Kentucky borders Arkansas, and that’s why Clinton won there-umm, no, it borders Illinois, Senator. For every supposed gaffe or hesitant moment in this first interview, he has 50 out there. There are a couple where he turns into a blithering idiot in front of his rally…total meltdown. I can ost the link if you want.
If those things don’t derail Obama, there’s no way in hell this interview will harm Governor Palin.

That was a terrible interview. Charles Gibson should be ashamed for trying to do such a hatchet job.

Charlie kept asking questions about arming Israel if the US knew a strike would take place against Iran, and would she order a strike against Pakistan if we knew the enemy was there. Fair questions, but not just for Palin, but for McCain, Obama, and Biden. Those are tough questions that no President would make without a long period of study. How could she realistically answer the questions without a ton of variables added in? That’s why some of the interview questions were unfair and damn near unanswerable.
As far as the God and War question, what’s wrong with believing that God favors one side over another? Obama loves to say that the Republicans “just don’t get it.” He’s right to a certain extent, but the Liberal Democrats “don’t get some things either” They think that anyone that believes in the “God” thing is uneducated. Some of us believe that a Priest actually changes a piece of bread and a glass of wine into the actual body and blood of Christ. How crazy is that? But we believe it, and we aren’t afraid to vote for people who have religious beliefs. Those beliefs don’t scare us like they apparently do Matt Damon. Obama should be 20 points ahead, he isn’t, you Democrats better start waking up and finding out who all of us Americans are.

Man. I thought this would be softball with Charlie Gibson, but it was T-Ball. And Gov. Palin still managed to not hit any base hits, or even touch the ball.
How dare she run for VP and not know what the Bush Doctrine is–particularly on the day her son is going to Iraq BECAUSE there is such a thing as the Bush Doctrine?
The gall. Wow. I can see it now–my smart republican friends are going to quietly switch their votes away from this lunatic ticket.

One point. ABC News should release the entire UNEDITED interview to the web once the three days of broadcast coverage is complete. That should silence the naysayers.
Palin is an idiot. She very obviously did not know what the Bush Doctrine was.
Also, she had no answer indicating forethought or even familiarity with the foreign policy issues America faces today.
Finally, she stated that she had no hesitation in accepting the nomination. She said she felt she was qualified to be Vice-President and potentially President.
This is coming from a woman with one of the thinnest resumes in Presidential election history.
There’s a man in the White House who is similarly convinced of his infallibility. According to 60 Minutes his generals disagree.
So do most of the American people.
Statistically, based on his age alone, not counting his checkered medical history, John McCain has a 2 in 3 chance of dying in the next four years.
I was a moderate Republican. Now I’m a Libertarian.
Given any reasonable choice I wouldn’t vote Democrat on a bet.
Where is my reasonable choice?
A sincere war-hero that voted 95% with the Bush administration (the people who gave us a 10 billion$/month war that gets us nothing but dead soldiers) and who has only a 33% chance of surviving his first term or his dumb bunny running mate who described the Iraq War as a “task from God” and can’t pronounce nuclear (it’s NOT nuc-u-ler no matter how many times you say it –watch her in the Gibson interview).
If you can pull the trigger on it, you ought to be able to pronounce it.
Is this my only alternative to Democrats?
By comparison, the Democrats look like a shining example of competence and conservative common sense.
Dear God.
Saddest of all. The polls. Alas, America.

I can’t believe she actually thinks “God” has anything to do with with the “Mission” in Iraq. It boggles my mind that someone this dilutional could ever be in her position. She is obviously an intelligent capable woman – what’s amazing is the number of people who buy into what she is saying, its scary!

Any campaign that suggests that their candidate has foreign policy experience because they live close to Russia deserves no-ones support.

She looked scared and its not a good qaulity to have if you name yourself a pitbull, Charlie was not asking tough questions, for 10 days the McCain folks prepared her for this, and she was not good….

Unprofessional, rude, condescending, and arrogant, and those are the adjectives fit to print. Any shred of objective journalism, of unbiased pursuit of the facts, are gone. Mr. Gibson embarrassed himself and ABC with this interview. ABC should run “BHO for Prez” adds for free and formally announce the network’s support for him just to make the intentions clearer. Anyone objectively watching this interview, and with any working knowledge of non-verbal communication, got the point. Charles did everything he could to antagonize and intimidate Gov. Palin, without success.

For all of your democrats who think Charlie did a good job on the interview with Sarah Palin. I would expect nothing less from Democrate.
Charlie was Rude, his body langauge was offensive, he clearly crossed the line as being a less than medicore, self absorbed anchor man. You deserve all the criticism that you get.

Gibson was actually quite generous with her. A truly left wing journalist wouldn’t have bailed her out by explaining the bush doctrine to her.

Sarah Palin couldn’t even protect her daughter from becoming a teen statistic. What would make anyone think that she can protect the American people. Charlie Gibson, for all you silly uninformed women, is a conservative Republican. So don’t go blaming him because your cheerleader is an empty headed skirt. This interview was so embarassing. The McCain folks must be slapping themselves silly. This idiot lady did not even know whether she had met with any foreign heads of state. Sarah Palin needs to drop out of the race and go back to school. What a ditz.

i just watched nightline. a replay of the charlie gibson / sarah palin interview. it was more pathetic the second time around. charlie, i am more
upset with your arrogant demeanor and condescending ways than i was after watching abc world news earlier today. no folks it’s not the ‘tough’ questions but the rudeness he displayed. he was mean spirited, smug and unprofessional. count me out charlie … you lost a loyal viewer.

I was really excited that Charlie Gibson was the one to conduct this interview. I spent most of my adult life watching him on GMA & now World News. He has always been so gracious, intelligent, informed, and seemingly UNBIASED. I was literally shocked at how rude, condescending, and seemingly annoyed he seemed throughout this interview. Why the “tone” with this interview? I thought the questions were completely fair, but he continually interrupted her, which is simply rude and disrespectful. I understand that because she has been “sheltered” from media and real questioning, he may have felt the need to be aggressive with topics to get it all covered. Couldn’t that have been done with grace and class as we have come to associate with Charlie Gibson? I hope when he watched this back, he had the same sick feeling in his stomach as I had in mine. Very disappointing.

When Vladimir Putin takes Sarah Pitbull to the cleaners (which he would in a second) what blog are you people going to run to to say how awful he is being to such a wonderful, tough woman?

I measure someone largely by their work ethic. Charlie shame on you for missing this point…lost soooo much respect for your lack of objectivity. Experience… let’s look..Sarah Palin has done something Obama has never done. She has had to balance a budget, make payroll(most difficult thing I’ve EVER done), managed employees, and shone up for work EVERY day. Obama has done none of these things… he is Washington,he votes. WOW! And he gets to vote undecided…what a tough day. Sarah Palin is showing up for work EVERY day, dealing with the major oil companies, and kicking butt and taking names. Obama…certainly can’t match her work ethic. That’s what America wants… a strong work ethic. There is absolutely no comparison…come on.. undecided vote, what a tough day. Stop talking, Obama, go work!! Sara Palin does it EVERY day. What if she showed up for work as Govenor and voted undecided? Can you imagine? Everything she has been involved with( PTA, mayor, Govenor)she has been in charge of. That’s a leader. As a small business owner(25 employees) I know the difficulty of this ecomony. Charlie you missed your opportunity and you have lost a fan. Shame,,shame,,shame.

Once again Charlie has shown us why he continues to be the most ineffective newsperson and interviewer in the news business. With his eyes fluttering non-stop showing how nervous he was, he offered up so many softball questions that he ought to get a job pitching in a women’s softball league. His questions missed their target one after the other and were poorly chosen and explained. The idiot Palin handled him quite well.

I don’t know what’s more astonishing, that the right wing is howling about alleged sexism or that their VP choice to fight what they consider to be an existential global war against tyranny and terrorism (one so critical that the Commander-in-Chief must be given the power to declare citizens enemy combatants and imprison them without recourse, forever), doesn’t even know what the Bush Doctrine is?
What’s her position on our obligations vis-a-vis Taiwan, in the event of a Chinese blockade? How should an American president signal sufficient resolve to deter the Chinese without inadvertently encouraging the Taiwanese to provoke a conflict? What are our moral (and treaty) obligations to defend Taiwan? What are the geo-strategic, economic and military implications of a military conflict with China over Taiwan?
Under what conditions would she order air-strikes against suspected Iranian nuclear facilities? What is her assessment of the impact of such strikes on Iranian public opinion? How vulnerable are our troops’ supply-lines in Southern Iraq, should the Iranians respond (as most observers believe they would) with guerrilla attacks, roadside IEDs, or even overt military action?
And yes, Obama, Biden, and McCain should all have to provide detailed, specific answers to these (and other) vital questions.

Give me a break, Obama’s been a Senator for 2 1/2 years and spent most of that time campaigning for President. This is your idea of experience? To tell you the truth I don’t think any of them are worth voting for. Maybe I’ll sit this one out. They could make a movie out of it starring Kevin Costner. Nah, too stupid.

Wow, I can’t believe this report said the interview was “a global tour”. What? Where is China, America’s real big strategic partner/threat combo? And what about North Korea?
I am not sure if Palin was talking about God’s plan or her own grand plan. Jesus summarized God’s commandments succinctly: love God and love thy neighbors. I don’t know if we love our neighbors by bombing them in the name of some grand plan.
I don’t know if Putin was not provoked into invading Georgia. But even if he wasn’t, he was just following the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive strike. The Bush administration has set a very nice example for Russia.
It was good to hear Palin say that we should rely as much as we can on economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure to discipline Russia. But wait, using those things does NOT require us to include Georgia into NATO at all. NATO requires a different — and potentially more dangerous — level of commitment: we will have to militarily defend a member if the member is attacked by a country outside of NATO. The question is: is the US prepared to go to war with a nuclear-armed Russia for a small country like Georgia whose leader seemed to have acted so recklessly?
For those who whined about Gibson’s treatment of Palin, look at how O’Reilly grilled Obama. It was much much worse. Did the Obama camp or his supporters cry “racism”? No. For the sake of our country, pls stop flashing your gender card.

Amazing…Gibson had a chance to show balanced journalism and failed…when are we going to see the entire answers v. the clipped version.

Charlie, I have always been a great fan of yours; I thought you were fair and unbiased. Boy! Have I been wrong! You had your claws out with Sarah tonight and I don’t think I will bother watching the rest on 20/20. She has my vote and my confidence. When will you nail Biden with same degree of venom? or Obama what’s-his-name?

Hello???!!! Why are you mad a Charlie? She claimed herself to be a “pitbull in lipstick” so now she had a chance to prove herself as a tough cookie and she failed. Stumbling over answers, not answering half of the questions, h*ll, she didn’t even know what the Bush Doctrine is, something that everyone affected by this war has heard at least one time in their lives after 9/11. Get real people. Obama did get drilled, as well as McCain. Dont expect Charlie to show Palin any mercy simply because she’s a female…WATCH THE INTERVIEW AGAIN…you dont even have to let us know what you truly think…we understand that you are just trying to be loyal to your party…be loyal to America instead, and no, I’m not even Pro-Obama. I’m voting for McCain, but be truthful people, Palin failed this one. She’s not an idiot. She’s just not informed.

To those who thought Mr. Gibson was rude and disrespectful: did you see Bill O’Reilly’s interview with Senator Obama? Yes, Mr. Gibson asked some challenging questions, but — unlike Mr. O’Reilly — he never interrupted or badgered his subject.
To those who thought the questions too harsh or unfair: what would you prefer? Softball questions about hockey mommery and moose hunting? What does that say about your confidence in Governor Palin?
To those who thought Governor Palin handled herself well: did you listen to her responses? She rarely gave a direct answer — doing everything she could to shift to pre-packaged answers only marginally related to the questions.
To those who buy the claim that proximity to foreign soil counts as foreign policy experience: I’ve got a bridge to nowhere I’d love to sell you…

The editing staff at ABC is the best I have ever seen. Cutting Sarah off in mid-sentence and adding in a different sound bite to make it seem like it was what she actually said. WOW amazing work! It wasn’t obvious at all that it was a total cut and paste job. Maybe next time you can insert words she has said in previous interviews as well, that way you can make her say anything you want. The possibilities are endless. Just think you could almost make her sound like the total liberals you all are.

Charlie, You were always my guy…. the thing that pissed me off wasn’t you, it was the blatant and obvious chops of the network. ABC should be ashamed of it’s self…it gets the first interview and doesn’t even try to hide the fact that it’s chop chop chopping her words to fit there agenda!!! I’m so angry! ABC was my station. So much for our train ride!!!!!

I am completely and utterly disgusted with Mr. Gibson after this interview. It’s painfully obvious how hard he tries (and fails) throughout the interview to trip up Palin; the question “But then are you sending your son on a task that is from God?” serves no purpose in the interview but to trap her. Palin answered the questions Gibson posed to her much like Obama would have, but Gibson seemed hell-bent on trapping her (whereas Gibson would happily [and HAS happily in the past] accept such answers were they from Obama). There was a time when I respected Gibson as an unbiased reporter. It’s a shame to find that he has thrown his lot in with the rest of the outrageously biased media.

So what are we up to now? Sarah Palin didn’t do a good interview because:
1) Charlie Gibson was unprofessional
2) She was asked questions a VP candidate shouldn’t be expected to answer.
3) She was asked questions Obama has never been asked.
4) Charlie Gibson is a self-serving elitest
5) The interview was badly edited
6) Charlie Gibson bullied her
7) She was asked DNC talking points
How about the fact that she is simply not up to task? Everyone fell in love with her because of her convention speech, which was written for her and given in front the most sympathetic audience. Now she’s out in the sunlight everyone’s complaining about the brightness of the sun.

How can people whine that he asked to hard of questions? Pressed her for hard answers. She is running for vice president for gods sake, not Mayor of a tiny town. She is just lucky he didn’t call her out on all of her lies. Sold a plane on ebay,thanks but no thanks to earmarks, voted against the bridge to nowhere…it is all coming out. If you guys thought this was to tough wait till the debates. Oh by the way… asking her demeaning questions about what kind of moose burger she likes would be sexist, unlike asking relivant questions about the bush doctrine.

:::::Warning : Shell Shock:::::
I have been absolutely floored by Palin’s incompetence in the Gibson interview. So, my question is: Ethically, how can ABC News even present news flashes and headlines such as “Palin Takes Hard Line on National Security, Softens Stance on Global Warning” as if – these are HER stances? If her advisers would have said ‘preemptive strike may be be needed against Mexico’ she’d have said “preemptive strike may be be needed against Mexico”. She does not deserve the confidence such headlines grant to their subjects.
No How!
No Way! No Worse-than-Bush-Palin!
No McCain!
Dear ABC, the headline should be: “McCain’s Top Advisers Work 24/7 to Prepare Palin for Easy Interview; ALL FAIL.”

Why should ABC give in to the McCain campaign with some soft-focus ‘stop and chat’? Why should the rest of the country play the campaign’s game: ‘you’ll get to talk to her if you show ‘deference’?’ What’s that about? Voters have a right to know where she stands on issues. It was also the McCain campaign who chose ABC not the other way around.
Bet it’s Fox for the pitbull from here til November.

I guess some people were expecting tea and cookies with this interview.

Charlie’s questions were fair, but Palin generally avoided answering them. Her defenders say that Charlie was biased and his questions were unfair, but that is not true. She answered like she had been coached on the Republican talking points. Instead of answering the questions, she just repeated the talking points. It sounded like she was auditioning for Dana Perino’s job.

Get real!!! Obama gets asked the haredst questions. Your problem is that he has real answers so it just looks easy. Maybe you should start really listening to his answers because this is a very important election and he is the smartest and most thoughtful candidate. After 8 years of dumb, WE NEED SMART. He a new bumper sticker!

I think Charlie Gibson should replace Sarah Palin for the Republican, VP slot. He is far more knowledgeable. For those of you angry at Charlie, your anger is misdirected. (BTW, Gibson is obviously a Republican, did you watch the Democratic debates?) The anger should be directed at McCain for wasting our time this pathetic excuse for a VP nominee. Embarrassing moment for Sarah Palin. I actually cringed a few times as I was watching it. What a trainwreck this is turning out to be!

As is generally the case in these things commenters hear what they want to hear to reinforce their own point of view.
Here’s what I find interesting though. Generally when I come to a MSM-type post like this the comments are 4, maybe 5-1 anti-McCain/Palin. In this thread it is much closer to even. Hysterics aside, this should worry Obama supporters.

This is McCain’s fault for putting her out there like that – you can’t fault her courage but she is out of her depth.
Now I know why they’re using those attack ads with wolves in them. They already know she is going to tank and they want someone to blame (Obama, Gibson, the Left Wing Media, Santa Claus etc..)

Charles Gibson
You showed the clip of Gov Palin when she told the ministry students quote” Our national leaders are sending them out on a task from God” refering to Iraq but you failed to show the complete sentence she then said “THAT’S WHAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE PRAYING FOR, THAT THERE IS A PLAN AND THAT PLAN IS GOD”S PLAN”. Your reporting is biased and not presented fairly. I stopped watching the GMA program long before you left because of your arrogance and condencending attitude I have not watched the World News since you took over until this interview with GGov Palin and for sure I will not be watching again.

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie….you had an opportunity to shine, to get at the heart of the issues surrounding Palin and her experience (or lack thereof) and you absolutely blew it. Your personal views were openly on display tonight – so unprofessional. You were condescending, demeaning, and rude. Why was that necessary? It was clear that you had lost track of your role in the interview, such when you kept up with your line of questioning regarding Israel. You asked the same question and got the same answer more than once….are you hard of hearing? What was the purpose? You were loutish and a boor tonight. I am not a Palin fan, and I expected you to ask tought questions. However, the content and depth of her answers was often lost on the viewers because we were watching your embarassing behavior. She looked like a super star given your amateurish performance tonight. Shame on you.

I was watching TV when Frank Reynolds said “Let’s get it NAILED DOWN…somebody…let’s find out! Let’s get it straight so we can report this thing accurately!” I was impressed with his reporting and the honesty I thought he showed each and every time. I had the same impression of Peter Jennings. When Frank Reynolds and Peter Jennings were the anchors and principal reporters for ABC, I watched it exclusively. I’m not sure how either of them would have intervened Sarah Palin, but I think they would have done a better job. Tim Russert of NBC News would have done a better job.
We will never know because these men are no longer with us.
Let me just say, “ Frank Reynolds and Peter Jennings you are not.” I no longer watch ABC because it is not same as it once was.

If I were “sequestered” in a room somewhere, having my brain programmed with Rove-ian responses to questions designed for a potential VP of the USA, for 2 SOLID WEEKS, I’m pretty sure I could have done better in this particular interview.
And I have no interest in leading this country as President.
Way to go, GOP. I am looking forward to protecting my investment in HOPE this November.
Best of luck to you, and your Everyman Candidates. This election WILL see a free thinking, intelligent person in office, rather a Rove-Puppet somebody might want to have a beer with.

Charlie — did you ever ask your obvious Mr, Obama those same questions?? It was such a sexist interview IT MADE ME SICK! Perhaps we need another shake up and this time ABC!

Sounds like Bush with lipstick

Disappointing! Charlie was way out of line. His tome was inexcusable. He was rude and condescending. Charlie and Chris Cuomo need to learn how to remain neutral – it’s their job. After many, many years with GMA and World News I am now a new Today Show fan!

When I turned on GMA I was stunned by the the way Charlie Gibson went after Sara Palin. He hardly gave her time to formulate an answer to questions that are very important to everyone. I have NEVER seen an interview like that with anyone! Has any previous candidate ever had such an antagonistic, shotgun interview before? If so, I have never seen it. Can we now see the EXACT same type of interview with the other side of the fence? I thought Charlie and other “top ranked” press would be more professional, and not let their personal feelings be so obvious. In reading the other comments here, I find I’m not the only one. Are you folks reading these, or is this just for us to vent? I have never been so outraged, and I will now start watching another channel, even tho I have watched you for many years. I hope your advertisers read this too. I knew the press was slanted, but this was a little too obvious. You blew it!

Charlie
You made a fool of yourself trying to trip up Palin. That’s a cheap sophomoric trick to take a video/quote out of context to make her look stupid. You lost, Sarah won. Try “Fair and Balanced” next time. There’s a reason FOX trounced ABC at the convention and you displayed it again tonight with Gov Palin.

De we all watch the same interview? Gibson’s tone was mild, his body language showed that he was relaxed and interested, and his questions reasonable. Yes he pressed for answers (that is his JOB). Ms. Palin’s tone was sincere, and emphatic, while she did not directly answer some of the questions, she was not rattled by Gibson tring to get an answer.
All in all, the questions were reasonable, the answers as expected.
But the McCain campaign has used Ms. Palin to energize the base. As such, she is going to be under a microscope, her policies, her opinions, her knowledge, and her experience will all be researched, compared to others, and dissected by the press. THAT IS THEIR JOB!
If she is the politician, and woman, that she has declared herself to be, then she will be able to stand up to this scrutiny.
So let’s not shoot the messenger, Charlie Gibson, and ABC News, but view the interviews, and use the brains we have to make an informed decision come November. Or truly, we Americans will get what we deserve.

I thought Charlie came off as arrogant and biased. Overall I feel Govenor Palin held her own. Would love to see Obama be treated with the same skepticism.

I love Charlie Gibson. Maybe people will finally realize that Sarah Palin in no way is ready to be in the position of vice president. Four years ago I would have voted for McCain but not today. Obama has the fresh new ideas that Washington needs and Biden is the icing on the cake.

I’ve spent quite some time reading all the comments posted about Palin’s interview. I’m an avid Charlie fan, love ABC News & am therefore genuinely interested in what people have to say…
THAT being said, let me say this- to all you people who are SO DISAPPOINTED w/Charlie’s tone, arrogance & condescending ‘attitude’ & say Obama has NOT been asked such ‘tough questions’, get your facts straight! You’ve been watching ABC for all these years…. do you watch any other networks? Did you happen to see Obama’s interview w/Bill O’Reilly?
I can’t pretend to be the wiser here, I hadn’t seen it all myself until just now, before typing this message- I was ANXIOUS to see it!, all B/C of the thousands of responses that criticize Charlie, ABC, Obama & ‘favortism’ or as some like to say ‘sexism’ following Palin’s interview.
I encourage you to watch it. Talk about your tough questions! & they very well s/be! We’re talking about the President of the United States!
As far as the question of ‘unfairness’ to ‘drill’ a VP in an interview I have to say this-
People, it’s obvious. (or at least it is to ME)
The ONLY reason Sarah Palin is being scrutinized, interviewed, & investigated is b/c we knew almost NOTHING ABOUT HER 2wks ago! Be for real! Stop lying to yourselves! No one was even THINKING about this woman!
Therein lies the need for the spotlight. & she needs to handle it (whether it blinds or burns!) esp b/c this office is crucial.
So….
There is no BIAS. It’s not b/c she’s a woman. It’s b/c McCain’s ran for office b4, he’s been in Washington for sometime now… it seems BIDEN has been there FOREVER! & as for OBAMA, he’s been ‘drilled’ for the last 19mths! From his ties to alleged corruption to his horrible former pastor- everything bad to dig up as been searched for & found.
The reason her search has been executed w/more force & speed is b/c THERE ARE LESS THAN 2MTHS TIL THE 1ST&2ND OFFICES IN THIS COUNTRY ARE DECIDED UPON. There is no time to waste!
Focus on the real issues here: the country is in trouble & this election is one of the most important we’ve ever had. Stop w/all the whining about the reporting & listen to the responses of the candidates. Learn all you can about them for YOURSELF so you can make an informed decision this November.
The stories & interviews, lies & truths, opinions of celebrities & media are not what decides who wins this race.
We do.

C. Gibson’s interview with Gov. Palin had a tone that was condescending, arrogant and biased, at times.
C.G.’s body language spoke volumes.
Quit the rapid-fire questioning and give a person time to answer. This was not, “Beat the Clock”.
Congratulations…you, the press & journalists, are making it easy for me to vote for McCain/Palin.

Charlie,
I am sick and tired, flat sick up and fed with the political bias of the media. You are one of those with a very strong bias and an inability the “Do you job” of an un-biased news reporter. Down with ABC. Down with Charlie Gibson. The American people are sick and tired of the attitude, and political bias of you media elites. Do your jobs. Fair and Balanced is all we ask. Honestly, that’s why FOX is #1. Fair and Balanced. Signed, Discusted!

ABC should release the entire, unedited interview, so that Americans can judge her more fairly.
The biggest concern is that she appeared to not know what the Bush Doctrine is. There are, in fact, different definitions of it – but all have had an impact on this nation. One hopes Palin is more up to speed than she seemed.
Of course, she needs to be questioned on many issues – but this interview left us with little new information about her.

Charlie, I used to thiknk you were the one Major Media to still actually be worth watching. ABC should have shown hte full interview not an edited for content/spin one. Your true leanings were evident.

Give this woman the chance you would give any man. She has as much or more background and qualifications than O’Bama. What she does not have is his arrogance, nor his Islamic background! While she’s being criticized for everything from her daughter to her “inexperience” why doesn’t the media start questioning O’Bama about his previous drug use. Why did the democratic convention sideline John Edwards because of his lack or morals and have Clinton, who has no morals at all, make a keynote speach? There are lots of questions to be asked before anyone is crucified by the obviously biased media. Palin is a Christian lady, who has an extraordinary vision for our future. I personally would rather give her a chance than to chance someone like O’Bama!

Thank you Charles Gibson for showing patience with a well coached VP canidate. Remember she is as experienced as her resume says she is. PTA Mom, Resigned from the Alaskan Oil Conversvation Ethics commitee that she was head off because she couldn’t handle the lack of ethics. 20+ Month’s as Governor of a State with the overall population of 671,000 people, a Mayor of a town with the population of 6700 people. She is extensively well traveled Canada, Mexico, Germany, to name a few. She has not met with any heads of states, but can see Russia from an island in Alaska. Attended the University of Idaho that boasts in 2006-2007 student body population of 12,000 students. As a mayor of a city of only 6700. There is no intranational experience of value there. I live in a city where school district superintendants have had to deal with larger student body counts, school boards, and parents. Mayor Guilanni, as much as he praised her in his speech. He governed a larger city population wise than she has goverened as Governor of Alaska. Not to mention a large fiscal budget. But he wasn’t chosen. Her accomplishments are what they are. She is a good looking, evangelical, right wing mother of five, who happened to be at the right spot at the right time, To take people off the mark of Macain’s age and health, and lack of connection with the young women of the United States and the Middle class.

Charlie I have been a fan of yours a long time. NO More. You were to confrontational during your interview with Sarah. I think you were rude. Good Bye Charlie.

I was terribly disappointed with the demeaning and insistantly condescending manner in which Charlie held this interview.
I would be proud to have such as Mrs. Palin to represent our nation anywhere in the world.

This interview clearly shows how low any campaign would go to win. To put someone one their ticket who would put all of our lives at risk is insane.

It’s clear that the left is at it again. George Bush who has always been a likeable, effective and above-the-fray leader has been demonized & demonized by the bitter “selected not elected” left and left media & blogs so much and for so long that their bent, meanspirited perception has been taken as the reality.
Despite what these waaay-left & “journalists” like Charlie force down our throats, it is not true -the vast majority of Americans like, respect and appreciate the job Bush has done all these years.
As we will for Vice President Palin. The really sad thing is that they are trying to do the same thing to Governor Palin.

Shame on you Charlie Gibson. I used to respect your presentation of the news regards issues. I never thought twice. Not anymore. You were condescending by your voice (I have never heard this tone), your posture and looking over your glasses. Please!
I did think about the fact that Palin could not answer your question regarding the Bush Doctrine and your reluctance to specify what you meant. Like a lot of people I thought you were very knowledgeable about this issue and Palin came across a not knowing. However, this morning I watched CNN news and they had an expert on the Bush doctrine. He wrote 3 books regarding this subject. He said that the Bush doctrine is sooooo complex and listed mulitple points that could have been addressed. He said your question was vague and you should have verify the point as Palin had requested. So now you come off as having either limited knowledge of the Bush Doctrine or you were being deceitful. Maybe she knew more than you and that is why she asked you to verify. All I can say is Goodbye Charlie and your show.

I was amazed that Gibson didn’t challenge Palin’s statement that “Russia invaded Georgia without provocation.” On the opening day of the Beijing Olympics, Georgia invaded South Osetia in the attempt to regain the province.
Russia then retaliated with more force than was necessary. But they certainly were provoked into protecting the Russian citizens there.
If Sarah Palin is indeed ready to assume the position of being just a hearbeat away from the Presidency, then she should read the newspapers.

I was still clinging to ABC as a major network until this interview. The canidates should be asked the “hard” questions, but they should all be treated equally. The arrogance, snobbery, body and facial posture of Charlie Gibson’s interview will definately send me to only watch Fox News.

I can’t believe some of the reactions from the Palin supporters. Just because she’s a woman Charlie was supposed to not ask questions about issues that a VP of the most powerful country in the world is supposed to know? Doesn’t that belittle all women? Both Obama and McCain had to answer these questions and much tougher issue related questions. Woman or not, we need an informed VP who will be respected by heads of state of other countries, not just any woman for the sake of having a woman in the white house. Palin is unfit as proven by this interview, accept it! No wonder McCain is running those ads, you Palin supporters are so simple minded and easily manipulated. I would like a woman in the white house too, but Palin is not her, she’s not yet ready. McCain puts politics first instead of country first, because if he gets elected, dies, Palin takes over, our country would be a joke, we would lose all respect and credibility around the world. Afer an eight year run by a Republican President, we’re in two wars, our economy is in turmoil, millions of Americans have no healthcare, jobs are going overseas, we can’t compete because our education is in the toilet; and you finally have Obama who’s going to bring change with tax cuts for anyone who makes $250K or less, possible universal healthcare, new education policies, higher minimum wage, end to the Iraq war so some of the billions we’re spending there could come back here to help with improving our military, etc, and all you care about is Palin not having been cuddled by Charlie Gibson. You people are the same who voted for Bush’s second term and ready to give the Republican’s another 4 years to drive the country further down. When I listen to the lies in the McCain ads, I say to myself, surely he must know that the American people are not that stupid, and then I think of you the Palin fans (Oh my gosh, she’s just like me!).

Very disapointed in Charlie. Was this a debate? I thought it was going to be an interview. Yes we want to know all her views but did we have to get them through interigation rather than an interview. It was painful to watch. Nothing to do w/ her being “female”!!! Barbara Walters obviously took his lead this morning on The View! She was nasty as well. Thanks Elizabeth for being a polite citizen!!!At least someone on that show has morals!

I can already see that this interview has been designed to make Governor Palin look as uniformed and incapable as possible.
Posted by: earle barber
********************************************I think this fellow sums it up well. The only thing I would change is I would not place the blame on anybody else.
First we are told that Palin is tough like a pit bull and can stand up to the big boys network. Then we are told that she is so weak that she shouldn’t be asked real questions and she should be allowed to hide behind her skirt.
Which is it folks?
Palin looked uninformed and incapable for one reason and it didn’t have anything to do with Charlie Gibson.

Charlie you need to go!! You treated Sarah with the utmost arrogance and disrespect. You couldn’t hide your contempt for her. I used to like you but now I have lost all respect for you. You definitely seemed threatened by a woman. Your tone and your demeanor were unbelievable. You must go!!!!!!!!

Besides the media made up the term “Bush Doctrine.” It’s called a pre-emptive strike in English. But hey, the news media think they know everything. The joke’s on them, huh?

After watching the interview on TV, I am more convinced that Sarah Palin is more qualified than Obama to be the President.

Steve,
Everybody else on both tickets is more qualified to be president than OBama is.

It’s really a form of racism–this election.