'Beyond Naïve'

September 25, 2008— -- During an interview with CBS News' Katie Couric which aired Thursday evening, Sarah Palin called Barack Obama "beyond naïve" for wanting to talk "without preconditions" to rogue leaders.

"I think, with Ahmadinejad, personally, he is not one to negotiate with," said Palin, referring to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "You can't just sit down with him with no preconditions being met."

"Barack Obama is so off base in his proclamation that he would meet with some of these leaders around our world who would seek to destroy America and that, and without preconditions being met," she continued. "That's beyond naïve. And it's beyond bad judgment."

Asked if she considers former Republican Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to be "naïve" for supporting talks without preconditions, Palin said, "I've never heard Henry Kissinger say, 'Yeah, I'll meet with these leaders without preconditions being met.'"

Palin was overlooking that Kissinger (with whom she met earlier this week) has backed negotiating directly with Iran over its nuclear program and other bilateral issues -- a point which Couric reconfirmed at the closer of her interview.

"Incidentally," said Couric, "we confirmed Henry Kissinger's position following our interview, he told us he supports talks if not with Ahmadinejad, than with high-level Iranian officials without preconditions."

When contacted by ABC News about the split in position with Kissinger, the McCain-Palin campaign had no immediate comment.

The Kicker: "Frankly, I don't know if we get a second shot at this, a second bite at the apple." --Sen. John McCain to NBC's Brian Williams on the proposed financial bailout

On the campaign front. . .

JOHN McCAIN
-- 9:00 pm ET - Debates Barack Obama on foreign policy in Oxford, MS.

BARACK OBAMA
-- 9:00 pm ET – Debates John McCain on foreign policy in Oxford, MS.

Ralph Nader
-- 4:30 pm ET - Holds press conference in Los Angeles, CA.

At the White House. . .

PRESIDENT BUSH
-- 7 pm ET - Attends 2008 National Book Festival Gala performance in Washington, D.C.

POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM

ABC News' Jake Tapper and Z. Byron Wolf: Bailout Deal? Lawmakers Say They're Close LINK

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos: Republicans: We're Not There Yet LINK

ABC News' Michael S. James: Bush: Bail Out Economy, or Face 'Long and Painful Recession' LINK

ABC News' Imtiyaz Delawala: Palin Speaks to Reporters for First Time at Ground Zero LINK

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman: Bill Clinton: Don't 'Overly Parse' McCain Request to Delay Debate LINK

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos: On Track for Deal and Debate LINK

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman: Stewart, Colbert Recreate Controversial Obama Cover LINK

ABC News' Sam Donaldson: Commentary: Sam Explains 'Political Maneuvering' on Capitol Hill LINK

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe: On Economic Bailout, Biden Brags on Obama & Blasts McCain LINK

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe: Biden Chokes Up in Steeler Country LINK

ABC News' Jake Tapper: Bipartisan Panel Finds House GOP Was Right, Republicans Won Controversial 2007 Immigration Vote LINK

ABC News' Jake Tapper: McCain Campaign Staffer to Attend White House Meeting* LINK

ABC News' Jake Tapper: The Meeting LINK

ABC News' Jake Tapper: Unanswered Question Watch: What On Earth Was Obama Talking About on Executive Compensation and the Bailout Bill? LINK

ABC News' Jake Tapper: Pastor Muthee and Mayor Palin LINK

2005 video shows her in church for blessing to keep her free from witchcraft. LINK

Palin Visits Ground Zero
Gov. Sarah Palin says she agrees with Bush's handling of the war on terror. LINK

Dodd: We've Reached a 'Fundamental Agreement'
Bipartisan group of lawmakers say they now agree on bailout principles. LINK

Letterman Rips Into McCain for Canceling
John McCain pulls out of his late night show appearance setting Letterman off. LINK

Joy: I Want McCain to Debate!
"View" co-host doesn't think the senator should suspend his campaign events. LINK

Sam on Congressional Stalemate
Sam Donaldson on why both parties are dragging their feed on bailout bill. LINK

Hasselbeck: Don't Be Hating Palin
"The View" co-host defends the governor's witchcraft blessing at church. LINK

Kimmel: No Gay Clays in Iran
Jimmy shows that even Iran's president is aware of Clay Aiken's existence. LINK

Arkansas Divided Over Election
The presidential election is a hot topic among residents. LINK

Finance Experts Weigh In on Crisis
Wall Street heavyweights offer their views on the government bailout. LINK

Bill Clinton on the Economic Crisis
The former president gives his take of the crisis and the candidates' response. LINK

Will There Be a Debate?
John McCain will only participate if a bailout bill can be worked out in time. LINK

George Stephanopoulos discusses the impact of the bailout deal on the election. LINK

Current Bailout Plan Highly Unpopular
Many Americans and politicians seek revisions to the proposed $700B plan. LINK

George on Bush and the Bailout
President is set to address the nation on the Wall Street bailout bill. LINK

Market Holding Its Breath
Wall Street hopes a version of the Paulson plan will pass this week. LINK

Clinton, Bush Reflect on Debates
Former presidents remember the nerves and homework leading up to debates. LINK

President Urges Congress to Act Now
Bush delivers an urgent message to the nation regarding the $700B bailout plan. LINK