With God On Our Side

Sign me up for the Sarah Palin fan club.  Unlike a Dem poser at a candidates debate in 2004, our next Vice President knows her Lincoln and knows who is on whose side in wartime.  Here she is with Charles Gibson:

Sarah Palin on God:

GIBSON: You said recently, in your old church, "Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God." Are we fighting a holy war?

PALIN:  You know, I don't know if that was my exact quote.

GIBSON:  Exact words.

PALIN: But the reference there is a repeat of Abraham Lincoln's words when he said -- first, he suggested never presume to know what God's will is, and I would never presume to know God's will or to speak God's words.

But what Abraham Lincoln had said, and that's a repeat in my comments, was let us not pray that God is on our side in a war or any other time, but let us pray that we are on God's side.

That's what that comment was all about, Charlie.

For non-link followers, the poser at the Dem debate was John Kerry; John Edwards actually nailed the Lincoln connection.  So there you go - on this topic anyway, Sarah Palin is at least as prepared for the Vice-Presidency as John Edwards.

I'll post the exchange and my snideries after the break.  [The Gateway Pundit has the accurate Palin quote which Gibson misrepresented:

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

For folks with an actual nose for news, the question about expanding NATO to include Georgia and the Ukraine is interesting.  Presumably Ms. Palin is simply defending McCain's approach here (which is to expand NATO to include both), and Gibson asks the obvious follow-up:

GIBSON: And under the NATO treaty, wouldn't we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?

PALIN: Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help.

But NATO, I think, should include Ukraine, definitely, at this point and I think that we need to -- especially with new leadership coming in on January 20, being sworn on, on either ticket, we have got to make sure that we strengthen our allies, our ties with each one of those NATO members.

We have got to make sure that that is the group that can be counted upon to defend one another in a very dangerous world today.

GIBSON: And you think it would be worth it to the United States, Georgia is worth it to the United States to go to war if Russia were to invade.

PALIN: What I think is that smaller democratic countries that are invaded by a larger power is something for us to be vigilant against. We have got to be cognizant of what the consequences are if a larger power is able to take over smaller democratic countries.

And we have got to be vigilant. We have got to show the support, in this case, for Georgia. The support that we can show is economic sanctions perhaps against Russia, if this is what it leads to.

It doesn't have to lead to war and it doesn't have to lead, as I said, to a Cold War, but economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, again, counting on our allies to help us do that in this mission of keeping our eye on Russia and Putin and some of his desire to control and to control much more than smaller democratic countries.

His mission, if it is to control energy supplies, also, coming from and through Russia, that's a dangerous position for our world to be in, if we were to allow that to happen.

Her "perhaps" was accurate and Gibson was wrong about the US incurring an obligation to go to war - that's odd, since Gibson had prepared the question.  I am not an authority on our NATO treaty obligations, but Article Five looks like the relevant paragraph:

Article 5

The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.            

Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.

OK, that includes but does not require an armed response - I'll score one for Palin's briefers and smite the ABC News prep team.  Geez, maybe Palin is ready to be Vice President and maybe she's not, but is ABC qualified to interview Vice Presidents?

In the closing scramble of the Democratic candidates debate, John "Coin-toss" Kerry manages to come down on both sides what should have been an easy question from Elisabeth Bumiller of the NY Times:

BUMILLER: Really fast, on a Sunday morning, President Bush has said that freedom and fear have always been at war, and God is not neutral between them. He's made quite clear in his speeches that he feels God is on America's side.

Really quick, is God on America's side?

KERRY: Well, God will -- look, I think -- I believe in God, but I don't believe, the way President Bush does, in invoking it all the time in that way. I think it is -- we pray that God is on our side, and we pray hard. And God has been on our side through most of our existence.

Man, is this guy a long-time, big-time professional politician, or what?  Memo to Kerry staff:  The questions will get progressively more difficult; if your candidate is intent on having an authentic moment, let him shout something like "Yankees Suck!", and hope that Hillary! will help repair the damage.  However, if he really has doubts about God's positioning vis a vis the USA, he had best keep them to himself.

There is an easy answer to this question.  Johnny On the Spot Edwards had his hand up, and was called on immediately; George Bush has heard this before, from Edwards, and was paying attention; Ronald Reagan knew it, and folks familiar with wars other than Vietnam, such as the Civil War or WWII, also knew it.  Let's go to Senator Edwards:

BUMILLER: Senator?

EDWARDS: Well, there's a wonderful story about Abraham Lincoln during the middle of the Civil War bringing in a group of leaders, and at the end of the meeting one of the leaders said, "Mr. President, can we pray, can we please join in prayer that God is on our side?" And Abraham Lincoln's response was, "I won't join you in that prayer, but I'll join you in a prayer that we're on God's side."

Not a trick question.  But not easy, if you haven't thought about it.  We serve God's plan, not vice versa.

Comments

[Danube of Thought]

Note that Barack Obama says that he prays to Jesus every day, and he believes that Jesus died on the cross for Obama's personal salvation.

I don't have a problem with that at all, but I think it would be a good idea to keep it in mind when those who enjoy mocking religious beliefs begin their usual mischief.

[royf]

Sarah was right those weren't her exact words, here's her prayer.

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending them out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

[centralcal]

So, Charlie Gibson gets her quote wrong, because he relied on a truncated version by AP. What else is he getting wrong? How poor was his research for these questions?

It seems that Charlie may come out looking rather "unqualified" and "unprepared" to be a JOURNALIST!

[boris]

Allahpundit gives the Sarah palin quote:

“Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God,” she exhorted the congregants. “That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan.”

Here's Gibson challanging Sarah with misquotes ...

GIBSON: You said recently, in your old church, "Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God." Are we fighting a holy war?

PALIN: You know, I don't know if that was my exact quote.

GIBSON: Exact words.

Wrong Gibson

GIBSON: I take your point about Lincoln's words, but you went on and said, "There is a plan and it is God's plan."

Equally misquoted

GIBSON: But then are you sending your son on a task that is from God?

What impression is that going to leave with anybody who doesn't know the accurate quote?

Gotcha Sarah!

[centralcal]

Email ABC (I just did) with the correct quote and express your doubts about their research. If they are overwhelmed with emails pointing out THEIR errors, they will probably correct them. I don't think every network would, but I do hope that ABC will.

[kim]

The interpolated 'US soldiers' need not be there. It's the country being sent. Small point, but not what she said, and would not lead to the question about her son, if quoted correctly.
============================

[clarice]

Seven out of 10 voters (69%) remain convinced that reporters try to help the candidate they want to win, and this year by a nearly five-to-one margin voters believe they are trying to help Barack Obama.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of voters think most reporters are trying to help Obama win versus 11% who believe they are trying to help his Republican opponent John McCain. Twenty-six percent (26%) say reporters offer unbiased coverage (demographic crosstabs available for Premium Members).

Just last week a Rasmussen Reports survey found that 51% of voters believed reporters were trying to hurt McCain’s running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, with their news coverage.

Interestingly, while 83% of Republican voters think most reporters are trying to help Obama, 19% of Democrats agree, one percentage point higher than the number of Democrats who believe they are trying to help McCain. Unaffiliated voters by a 53% to 10% margin see reporters trying to help Obama.

Forty-five percent (45%) of Democrats say most reporters are providing unbiased coverage in the current presidential campaign, but only 20% of unaffiliateds and nine percent (9%) of Republicans agree.

[Ann]

I won't ruin it for you guys on the West coast, but so far Palin is holding her own. She came locked and loaded and Charlie looks like an elite a$$.

[bgates]

royf - half a sentence omitted, but Charlie got all the words he quoted in the right order. Pretty good for tv news.

Palin's weakest point is that she has a journalism degree, which puts her in the company of the most highly visible group of idiots in the country.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Ann, I would rather hear now than sit here with a lump in my stomach for the next 2 1/2 hours.

[Sue]

What was with the horrible editing? Were they trying to make her look unprofessional? I am really disappointed in Gibson.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

O ye of little faith.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

And I'll have you know I've got the whole qu...
oh, you meant Gibson.

[hit and run]

Centralcal:
Email ABC (I just did) with the correct quote and express your doubts about their research. If they are overwhelmed with emails pointing out THEIR errors, they will probably correct them. I don't think every network would, but I do hope that ABC will.

Wonder if Jake Tapper is interested in helping sort this out?

[centralcal]

Yeah, Ann - I am on the west coast and don't want to wait. Let us in on any relevant stuff!

[bgates]

Gibson Quotes the Presidents:
"the government is the cause of all our problems, and if only we had no government, we'd have no problems."
"I have changed government policy solely because of a contribution." - Bill Clinton
"fear the prospect of failure"
"'I hate gay men and women'"
"California unfortunately has an inclination to spread. " - Jimmy Carter

[Ann]

Sara, Get rid of the lumps. She was terrific!!!
I can't wait to see more on Nightline.

Oddly, ABC shot it from behind Sarah's head when Charlie was asking some questions. He has his glasses on the end of his nose and it looks like he is above her (looking down at her) when he asks a question. His breathing was weird too. Watch and tell me what you think.

[The Other Ed]

After seeing the ABC interview, Palin is not ready to be President. Anyone with even a passing interest in foreign affairs is familar with the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive war and her not being able to answer shows that she was prepped with some set talking points and has no real inherent understanding of the issues.

She is not ready to be a heartbeat away from the leadership of the free world.

[centralcal]

"His breathing was weird too."

Oh, the places I could go with that, Ann!!! But, I will be good instead.

[Enlightened]

Ruin it for me - PLEASE???? I'm at work!

More - More.

[centralcal]

T.O.E. - go back to trollville.

[bgates]

Ed - I find your views intriguing, and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[FISHER]

My sister just called from back East. I guess Gibson comes off as a complete jackass.

[bgates]

Gibson Quotes Ed on Palin:
"ready to be a heartbeat away from the leadership of the free world."

[Enlightened]

Shut up you idiot talking hEaD.

Go play dinosaurs with Matt Damon.

[Porchlight]

I am so very, very weary of the "heartbeat away" formulation. Better cliches, please.

[Hoo Dat]

Do you think Ed is Gibson?

[Chuck G]

Is Pelosi ready to be two heartbeats away from the Presidency?

I just scared myself.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Just an aside, but during the Greta specials from Wasilla, she asked Sarah's sister what she remembers most/best about her sister while growing up. Her answer was that she always had a book in her hand, that she was/is an avid reader.

[SWarren]

Definitely very obvious editing, sometimes cutting in mid-sentence. Made me yell "what are they cutting out"

[Ann]

Centralcal, LOL

Her answers were great. Who knew Sarah has steely eyes when she needs them. :)

She talked about sending off her first born to serve his country and how proud she was of him deciding to serve something greater than himself. How she did it without tears is beyond me.

Charlie was so condescending when he asked her if she was ready to be V.P. She said she didn't blink when asked by McCain. I think that was when Charlie took a big disgusting gulp of air. LOL

[bgates]

SWarren - no Republican should ever agree to an interview without making their own recording of the whole thing. Bandwidth is cheap. It's obvious the media is going to screw them, why play along with it?

[MayBee]

Better Gibson comes off as an ass than a softball pitcher. You know?

[Sue]

I think she was nervous. And I think Gibson was trying to play gotcha with her. Probably because he knew he was going to be under the microscope as much as her. He was not his usual jovial self, for sure. Bottom line, if you liked her before, you will still like her. If you didn't, you still won't like her. I have no idea how the "muddle" will view it. They have to be told by someone apparently.

[centralcal]

Ann: in some brief reading around the web, I am seeing some commenters that are, frankly, disgusted with Charlie. He apparently had some attitude and a whole lotta condesencion. This could backfire big time. Isn't he also supposed to be a debate moderator?

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Well it has made NRO:

re: Gibson Excerpts

By Kathryn Jean Lopez

I'm getting a lot of e-mails like these: Mr. Gibson left out a couple of words when he quoted Mrs. Palin.  She was admonishing the congregation and said, 'Pray that our national leaders are sending our troops on a task that is from God.'  When he quoted her, he left out the admonishment to pray and said her quote began with " Our leaders are sending. . .   That totally changes the meaning, thus, he can construe her 'real' meaning and take the interview in the direction of 'mission from God', aka holy war.

She was not saying that we were fighting a holy war.  But, praying for the leaders, that they would send our troops to fight for righteous and noble causes that align with our values. Isn't that what Americans have always done?  This infuriates me.  If they cannot make their points by using our words, they attempt to create false impressions by omitting words and distorting their true meaning.  I had hoped Mr. Gibson would be more honest. Disappointed again by the MSM.

[Enlightened]

"She is not ready to be a heartbeat away from the leadership of the free world."

If you are going to use someone else's talking points - at least try to understand what you are saying you nitwit.

You idiots have been saying that for 14 days and already she is 1,411,200 heartbeats closer to the Leadership of the Free World.

Keep up the good work though - it's pretty fun watching you guys spin the hamster wheel.

[Barney Frank]

Since this is a Palin thread and I'm on the west coast waiting don't suppose anyone will mind this link to the usual Iowahawk genius. Apologies if someone already linked it; it's a few days old.

[PeterUK]

"After seeing the ABC interview, Palin is not ready to be President."

She isn't standing for president

"Anyone with even a passing interest in foreign affairs is familar with the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive war"

Of course when Palin is VP it will be the McCain Doctrine of whatever.Palin isn't standing as VP for Bush.

[Sue]

She should have told Gibson, when he asked her if she had been out of the country before, besides her trip to Kuwait last year, that no, other than Canada and Mexico, I haven't had time to schedule my world tour. I've been a little busy running a state.

[ex-democrat]

Clarice - we should compare and contrast the troll comments here with those appearing on other sites.

[Porchlight]

Is it too much to hope that the full unedited (or less edited) version will air later? I've already forgotten how they're parceling this thing out.

If not, Gibson is going to take some heat for deliberately lopping off her quote like that.

[M. Simon]

Let them do their worst.

Landslide!

[boris]

My email to ABC (500 word limit):

GIBSON: You said recently ... "Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God."

Wrong she said "Pray that ... our leaders ..."

GIBSON: Exact words.

Wrong, completely different meaning

GIBSON: you went on and said, "There is a plan and it is God's plan."

Wrong she said "what we have to make sure that we’re praying for, that there is a plan ..."

That's just dishonest.

[M. Simon]

Fortunately after 3 days ∅ came around to McCain's Position on Georgia.

He is one quick study.

I think we should eliminate the Middle Man and elect McCain.

[Mattisawoosyboy]

Palin is going to cut foreign aid. We just gave away billions in loans(yes, loans like your mortgage and Biden can send a letter to Treasury and the loans are paid) and do every year since 1996. These loans are entitlements like the five year budgets for other aid. She is going to have this stopped.

Obama and Biden and Dems are going to increase the aid. They are cash for foreign countries which is how they get their jobs.

Palin won't say that Georgia will never be part of NATO. They killed their own people.

Obama and Biden and Dems had 2 billion immediately for Georgia.

Palin won't say we really can't give more aid. They do fine on their own.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

They seem to be slamming her at The Corner and a few other sites that surprise me in how negative they are.

[Jim Rhoads aka Vnjagvet]

She uses the same techniques that all politicians use when being subjected to these interviews. And she applies them at least as well as W, BHO, Biden, McCain, Hillary and Edwards have.

She is not yet at Reagan's, Cheney's or WJC's level yet.

On the "Bush Doctrine" she asked initially "which part" and Gibson hid the ball for a while.

I think her request to clarify was fair, and the fact that Gibson would not do that was a tip off that this is a "gotcha" question.

Mr. Ed's comment above seems to me consistent with the tip off.

[centralcal]

ah yes, boris! dishonest.

That pretty much sums up 95% of our press these days.

[mkultra]

"PALIN: Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help."

She is dumber than dirt. The agreement is if you are a NATO MEMBER - not ally. There are plenty of allies of NATO - much fewer members.

Another knuckle dragging wingnut. Nice close reading there, TM.