Was ABC News Kidding?

Newsbusters offers the unedited transcript of Governor Palin's interview with Charles Gibson of ABC News.

Now, do remember - prior to the release of the first interview, this was the ABC tease:

EXCLUSIVE: GOV. SARAH PALIN WARNS WAR MAY BE NECESSARY IF RUSSIA INVADES ANOTHER COUNTRY

From the unedited transcript it is astonishing the length to which ABC went to get to that hawkish headline.  The bold text represents passages that were originally edited out:

GIBSON: Let me ask you about some specific national security situations.

PALIN: Sure.

GIBSON: Let’s start, because we are near Russia, let’s start with Russia and Georgia.

The administration has said we’ve got to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia. Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?

PALIN: First off, we’re going to continue good relations with Saakashvili there. I was able to speak with him the other day and giving him my commitment, as John McCain’s running mate, that we will be committed to Georgia. And we’ve got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable and we have to keep…

GIBSON: You believe unprovoked.

PALIN: I do believe unprovoked and we have got to keep our eyes on Russia, under the leadership there. I think it was unfortunate. That manifestation that we saw with that invasion of Georgia shows us some steps backwards that Russia has recently taken away from the race toward a more democratic nation with democratic ideals. That’s why we have to keep an eye on Russia.

And, Charlie, you’re in Alaska. We have that very narrow maritime border between the United States, and the 49th state, Alaska, and Russia. They are our next door neighbors.We need to have a good relationship with them. They’re very, very important to us and they are our next door neighbor.

GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, 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, from an island in Alaska.

GIBSON: What insight does that give you into what they’re doing in Georgia?

PALIN: Well, I’m giving you that perspective of how small our world is and how important it is that we work with our allies to keep good relation with all of these countries, especially Russia. We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it’s in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.

We also see from Palin's following remark, which was also edited out, that she is far from some sort of latter day Cold Warrior which the edited interview made her seem to be:

 

We cannot repeat the Cold War. We are thankful that, under Reagan, we won the Cold War, without a shot fired, also. We’ve learned lessons from that in our relationship with Russia, previously the Soviet Union.

We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it’s in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.

Palin's extended remarks about defending our NATO allies were edited out to make it seem that she was ready to go to war with Russia.

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.

Sure - clipped carefuly she is an insane warmongerer.  She says repeatedly that we must have good relations with Russia and we won't have a war, acknowledges Gibson's point that sending troops is one alternative among many under Article Five of our NATO obligations, cites her preference for economic sanctions and voila! - she is Dr. Strangelove.

Whatever - maybe its just as well that ABC did not clip this to make her appear a Helpless Dove.

 

And yes, Obama favors NATO membership for Georgia as well.

Comments

[Danube of Thought]

Not so long ago, no one would have been the wiser about the deliberate distortion performed by ABC News. We would have been limited to writing irate letters, none of which would ever have seen the light of day. But today, every literate citizen can see exactly what was done, and can discuss it freely and openly with others.

I guess this means we have got inside the MSM's OODA loop, right?

[Rocco]

This is getting ridiculous. Now Randi Rhodes is claiming Sarah Palin sleeps with teenaged boys.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I don't believe Rhodes meant to imply that.

If she had, she'd have said "that f'ing whore Palin sleeps with her f'ing son's friends!"

I just bought a terabyte hard drive; I think I'm going to need it to keep up with the rumors.

[Pofarmer]

I listened to Randi Rhodes radio show one evening while driving home from my inlaws. Every one else was asleep. I took it for about 20 minutes before she had to go. What a raving lunatic.

[Pofarmer]

Ya know whats sad? I find Fox news to generally be center/right. It's just the fact the other networks are so far left that they appear conservative.

[bad]

How much input did Charlie Gibson have with the editing process? Was he actively involved or were editors inartful?

[PaulL]

What a despicable hatchet job. Gibson & Co. should be ashamed of their disgusting selves.

[John Loki]

Contact ABC to complain

http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346&cat=World%20News%20with%20Charles%20Gibson

[PeterUK]

Better still contact ABC's advertisers and stockholders.

[Laddy]

bad said: "How much input did Charlie Gibson have with the editing process? Was he actively involved or were editors inartful?"

Given his gotcha questioning, his smirking faces and dripping condescension, I'd guess he was in on it. Even at the local level, reporters usually oversee the editing of their own stories. I'd assume (maybe wrongly so), it's the same at the national level.

[JB]

What a bunch of creeps.

I just watched the Nighline show and if they've ever put The Messiah through such a wringer, I surely missed it.

But you know what? You can tell she was honest. She answered confidently and knowledgeably. Gibson came off as a bully.

[PeterUK]

Laddy,
It makes no difference whether Gibson was in on it or not,the programme went out under his imprimatur.He owns it.

[MayBee]

I don't like the editing.

I could not be more pleased, however, that Palin had a tough tough interview. It is really what we/she needed.

[Pofarmer]

MayBee

The Left wing will just howl for more. Personally, I'd say No Mas if I was the McCain/Palin Campaign. They've got an election to win. I'm sure that there will be all types calling for more extensive interviews on Monday. I would, however, like to hear her on Rush Limbaugh or Fox with Sean Hannity.

[Captain Hate]

I used to think Gibson was a straight shooter that was above stooping to partisan "gotcha" smears. I now know better.

[MayBee]

The left wing may howl for more, but even pretty fair reporters (Jay Carney, Jake Tapper) were up in arms over Palin not subjecting herself to a tough interview by a real, bonafide member of the press. It was coloring everything they wrote.
This took care of that talking point.

[Antimedia]

Pofarmer, Palin will be on Hannity on Tuesday night at 9PM (Eastern) for the first half of a two-part exclusive interview with Hannity.

It will be one of the extremely few times that I watch a cable news show. (I'm watching Fox News Channel right now because they are covering Ike full time, but I don't usually watch them, much less the raving lunatics on the other channels.)

[Jane]

I think she is on with Hannity on Tuesday Pofarmer.

[JM Hanes]

As ABC Anchor, I believe he would be the editor in charge of the news dept.

In my letter, I will be looking forward to an equally adversarial interview with Joe Biden. I will also point out that while the left howled over the questions he and Steph put to the primary candidates, the right is howling at his ex post facto cutting and shaping of the candidate's answers.

[matt]

Politico is now accusing the McCain campaign of hitting below the belt, and praising The View for taking him to task for "stretching the truth"...This campaign is turning into a miasma of disinformation, wild allegations and overall smoke blowing on an epic proportion.

If I was McCain at this point I would stay out of the land of political smoke and mirrors and hammer on Obama's qualifications and a simple summary of his record.

A 1st term Senator with a left record and no paper trail with huge gaps in his resume who began running as soon as he entered office is worse than even Chuck Schumer in his blind need for power and recognition. This guy has some really serious issues, and that alone should disqualify him.

[MayBee]

In my letter, I will be looking forward to an equally adversarial interview with Joe Biden.

That's just it, isn't it? Or Obama, for that matter.

[Pofarmer]

but even pretty fair reporters (Jay Carney, Jake Tapper) were up in arms over Palin not subjecting herself to a tough interview by a real

I'll expect tough interviews of Obama and Biden any day now.

[ex-democrat]

.. and don't forget, JMH, they need to provide an inquisitor who can condescend and sneer at them while doing it.

[MayBee]

I'll expect tough interviews of Obama and Biden any day now.

Yeah, right.
The problem is, those are the guys with the ink and the audience. The press, as a group, reacts poorly to being ignored or criticized. Even the good ones. We can hope they change and actually listen to criticism and react reasonably, but that's going to be a long wait. In the meantime, I'm happy that particular distraction w/r/t Palin is gone for a while. So those that choose to at least try to report fairly will go back about their business.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

I'm crossposting this from the last thread.
___________________

So did you think the Obama campaign would apologize for the sleaze they laid on McCain yesterday with their "doesn't do email" ad? Nah, here is they are today:

Obama
press sec. accuses McCain of 'sleaziest, least honorable
campaign in history'...

[JM Hanes]

Pretty hard to say much when they only give you 500 characters (not words!) to do it in. I pretty much limits you to one issue, though, which is probably not a bad thing -- especially for me!. Biden bit the dust. If you want to know what 500 characters looks like, here ya go:

Voters have a right to expect unedited interviews of candidates for highest office. It protects the touted public's right to know and your own reputation. If you can't get what you need in the time allotted, it's a reflection on your editorial judgment and skill. Do not pretend that being tarred by left and right is proof you're in the middle. The left howled over the questions you posed in the primaries. The right obects to the ex post facto cutting and shaping of the candidate's answers.

Perhaps someone else can bang the Biden/Obama drum.

[MayBee]

Sara-
And right on queue, the NYTs runs a story with the same slant. And TIME's bloggers blog about it.

I think Obama's campaign is suffering from paying too much attention to their netroots supporters right now.

[jc]

Can we deal with a couple hypothetical questions without getting too far ahead?

Should McCain win the White House, what can he do about this kind of press? Clearly, FDR did not have to host Tokyo Rose in the pressroom. Gibson, et al.'s behavior is just the latest example that makes it clear to me that modern-day republicans are not so fortunate.

What could a McCain administration do? What can concerned citizens do to help? Does the mandate of digital TV make a difference? Can the administration successfully broadcast directly to the people without allowing the obviously biased press interests any opportunity to play these games?

[MayBee]

Sara- did you see they think the Metrolink engineer failed to stop at a red light?

Oh, how awful.

[Elroy Jetson]

Here is the latest off the AP wire:

Sep 13, 2:02 PM (ET)

By BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Sarah Palin is hitting the road to campaign on her own.

The Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential nominee said farewell - for now - to friendly crowds in her home state Saturday before beginning to campaign without running mate John McCain.

She told a cheering crowd of more than 2,000 people that she will be back home in November - and would like to bring the Arizona senator with her.

Palin spent the past few days in her hometown of Wasilla, sheltered from the public and the media, except for three public speeches. She has campaign stops in Nevada and Colorado this weekend.

Sheltered from the media? Did the Gibson interview slip down the memory hole?

[sbw]

jc: what can he do about this kind of press?

That's easy. Tony Snow.

[sbw]

Well, sniff, maybe it's not so easy.

[capitano]

What could a McCain administration do?

C-SPAN (EXECUTIVE BRANCH) -- Unedited, unfiltered White House communication, also available in podcast and live streaming from the White House servers. Totally bypass the MSM and use it to explain White House initiatives, to call attention to earmarkers ("I'll make them famous"), and notify constituents about which legislators are obstructing reform.

[Neo]

ABC is trash. Charlie Gibson should go to Candy Mountain.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Sara- did you see they think the Metrolink engineer failed to stop at a red light?

I didn't see that, but I heard yesterday that the freight train was coming fast on a downhill slope while the Metrolink was coming around a blind curve from the opposite direction. A few years ago they installed a parallel track so that one train could pull over and allow the other to pass and somehow this did not happen. Yesterday it wasn't clear which train was supposed to be on the side track. Sounds like maybe this is an extension of that story and the freight train is the one who screwed the pooch, especially since it was the Metrolink that was running blind around the curve.

[TMF]

What special insight does PRESIDENTIAL nominee, Barak Hussein Obama have about US/Russian relations?

THeres a peirogi stand near Hyde Park?

What an F'ing joke

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

jc: what can he do about this kind of press?

Name Karl Rove as press secretary?

[Neo]

I think it is safe to say that Charlie Gibson won't be doing any interviews with VP Palin.

[MayBee]

Sara-- I think Metrolink is saying it was their fault.

[Topsecretk9]

Politico is now accusing the McCain campaign of hitting below the belt, and praising The View for taking him to task for "stretching the truth"...

The Election The Media Lost

LUN

[boris]

It's good that some are finally saying "I knew it was bad but I didn't think it was this bad".

The first step to doing something about it is the realization yeah it really is this bad and maybe even worse. I sure hope most are not going to say "Sarah just needs a better answers with a more informed public relations approach".

[Jane]

Name Karl Rove as press secretary?

Wouldn't that be fun!

[GMax]

You know I would like to report that I am shocked to find that ABC edited the responses of the V/P candidate to any question asked let alone all of them. But sadly, that would be incorrect on my part. I expect so little though, and still these shadows of their former selves, manage to underperform and then act like its totally appropriate.

My school textbooks always talked about "yellow journalism" as if it was a historical abberation. Given this hacked up edited transcript would not be any more yellow if my Bishon used it a place to relieve herself, it seems less historical and more surreal.

[Neo]

Contact World News with Charlle Gibson direct here.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Maybee, I just heard a report that they have recovered the black boxes from both trains (who knew trains have black boxes) and the video from both. I am glad I don't have to watch that video, although it will probably end up on Youtube.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

My school textbooks always talked about "yellow journalism"

GMAX: And as I recall it was always linked to something like making sausage or some such that had no reference to anything in our daily lives. And whereas we read Upton Sinclair in Lit. class, we never got any historical connection through history or civics classes.

[centralcal]

Charlie Gibson - ABC's venerable and senior hack anchor - went to Alaska and set a trap. Trouble is, ol' Charlie got caught in the trap and his prey, Sarah Palin, smilingly waltzed away.

Time was when folks only knew what they saw on their T.V. news and news smear programs. But, now with the internet, bloggers, talk radio, and a few (very few) reporters who have some personal ethics, the Charlies of this world are exposed.

And, once they are exposed, we have a responsibility to condemn them. I sent an email (two actually) to ABC and got back the rote form as a response. That was merely step one, for me. Step two is to never tune in to any program which features Charlie Gibson.

[centralcal]

An interesting article from The UK Telegraph:

"A senior aide to one of the most powerful Democrats in the House of Representatives voiced the fears of many: "Palin doesn't just play to the Republican base. She has much broader appeal."

The aide said that her repeated mockery of Mr Obama's boasts about his time as a community organiser in Chicago are "the most effective criticisms of Barack Obama we have yet seen." He said: "Americans in small and medium size towns dont know what the hell a community organiser is. Real Americans graduate from high school or college and get a job that pays a wage. Campus radicals go off and organise a community."

LUN

[jc]

This press situation is bad during campaigns but it worse during the actual administration. If something does not change, a lot of bad things can happen.

Note that ABC deliberately changed Palin's words to attack her without caring what effect their misrepresentations might have on Russian thinking. It is not just unfair. It is reckless, irresponsible and stupid.

[jpe]

"We don't want to war, we just want to commit ourselves to going to war if they invade Georgia or Ukraine."

On top of being reckless, the unedited interview now lets us know just how incoherent she is.

[jc]

jpe, whom are you quoting and from where?

[Mark E]

contact Gibson here and let him know what you think of his bias please

http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346&cat=World%20News%20with%20Charles%20Gibson

[Jane]

Centralcal,

I just linked to the same UK Telegraph article as you did. For me that was the best read of the day.

I also sent 2 messages to ABC with the same rote response. And I'm taking the same pledge as you.

[clarice]

Wasn't that article the best though! I wonder who on the Dem side spoke to the writer?

[daveinboca]

I thought Randi passed out on the sidewalk after thirteen Ketel One Bloody Marys one Sunday in NYC, where she sucks up bad vibes and spews them across the country.

Of course, the useful idiots immediately claimed she was assaulted by a so-called "wingnut." This was shortly before she was thrown off Air America [a difficult feat] for over-the-top abuse of Hillary.

[steveaz]

ABC edited out a good 70% of the Republican candidate's responses!

Most of Palin's thoughtful elocution got cut, coils of it lay like entrails on the cutting-room floor.

ABC's viewers got gyped big time. They tuned in for product, and thin gruel's what they got. Cold fries and no napkins. A cup of chili with a dead mouse in it. That's ABC.

I'd be shopping elsewhere.

[Pofarmer]

sheltered from the public and the media, except for three public speeches

I told ya that they would be wanting more shots at Palin. I mean she ONLY did a two day interview with ABC.

[mj]

So how did Newsbusters and Levin get this transcript? Are we allowed to ask that question or is that rocking the boat too much?

[Thomas Collins]

Let me get this straight. Some folks are arguing that the Gibson interview shows that Palin can't cut the mustard in foreign policy, while ignoring Obama's initial willingness (since modified when he or his handlers realized that no serious practitioner of statecraft operates this way) to meet without preconditions the leaders of just about any type of regime. Get a clue, folks. Compared to Obama's initial foreign policy mutterings, Palin is a mistress of statecraft. If you believe in high marginal tax rates for higher income folks and refundable tax credits for lower income folks (in effect expanding the use of the tax system as part of the welfare state), skepticism of missile defense (which in effect leaves us at the mercy of any nuclear power) and a policy of conciliatory accomodation with our adversaries, by all means give money to, exhort other people to support, and vote for Obama. But spare me the meretricious nonsense that Palin is not ready to be Veep or Prez. If she isn't ready, Zero most assuredly isn't.

By the way, is Obama really arguing that he is more fit to be Prez because McCain doesn't use email? I would say that if this is a standard of fitness, Obama's inability to bowl (nine year olds using both hands can top his pathetic score) shows he is not tough enough to deal with the Russian, Chinese, Iranian and North Korean kingpins!!!

[bad]

LOL TC

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

Nice point about the bowling, Tom.

But, I'm wondering why broadcast journalists are exempt from using ellipses. If Charlie Gibson was quoting Palin in an interview in a newspaper, he'd be required to use ... (or [...] every time he left something out.

It's simply dishonest to present an interview in the way he did. And unethical.

[Dan S]

"exact words!" (minus a few)

[CNC]

I suggest that Republicans only agree to interviews with the Democratic propaganda machine, aka the MSM, under two conditions: they have their own cameras and crew taping AND ONLY LIVE INTERVIEWS WILL BE ALLOWED!

[CNC]

I suggest that Republicans only agree to interviews with the Democratic propaganda machine, aka the MSM, under two conditions: they have their own cameras and crew taping AND ONLY LIVE INTERVIEWS WILL BE ALLOWED!

[reliapundit]

ABCNEWS ALSO MANIPULATED TO SOUNDTRACK:

THEY MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR CHARLES BARITONE TO BE SOFT-SPOKEN YET VOLUMINOUS

AND PALIN'S MORE SHRILL/TREBLY/BRIGHTER.

THEY DO THIS ON PURPOSE, LIKE THE SET UP AND LIGHTING AND EDITING.

NOTHING IS LEFT FOR CHANCE.

EVERYTHING WAS SLANTED/EDITED/SHAPED TO MAKE HER LOOK AS BAD AS POSSIBLE.

AND THEY DIDN'T TAKE ONE SHOT THAT WAS FLATTERING TOSS HER A SINGLE SOFTBALL, LIKE "HOW DID IT FEEL TO TAKE DOWN THE GOOD OL' BOYS?" OR, "WHAT'S OT LIKE TO HAVE 80% APPROVAL RATING?"

IT AIN;T ACCIDENTAL: ALL THE BIAS OF THE MSM ALWASY SEEMS TO ALWAYS GO IN ONE SINGLE DIRECTION.

ONE THAT FAVORS THE LEFT.

[Mike @ Naught Relevant]

I am still waiting for Obama's first news conference. Obama hasn't stood in front of the camera's for an unscripted news conference in the 3 years he's been running.

Maybe he has, but I don't rmeber it.

[Topsecretk9]

Maybe he has, but I don't rmeber it.

He took 8 questions about Rev. Nutcase Wright.

[Mike Devx]

A few sites, including Instapundit, are promoting the idea that politicians should now ALWAYS do their own taping of the interview sessions. It's a very good idea.

I'm waiting to get the full, unedited video of the complete Gibson/Palin interview(s). I suspect I will never see them.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Via Flopping Aces:

There is a long post detailing the ridiculous onslaught of the media on the small town of Wasilla to get dirt on Palin.

One example:

Richard Best, Palmer City Councilman, wrote an opinion piece for The Frontiersman telling the locals how the NYT’s was calling his wife to get the skinny on a car accident between the Councilman and Bristol Palin. He let ‘em have it in no uncertain terms in the op-ed.

If “journalists” really want answers, then ask the right question. If Obama really wants to be the “leader of change,” then ask him “why he does not demand and then produce all his papers that are being held out of the public’s eye.” This information includes his involvement with a Bill Ayers, an admitted terrorist against the United States of America, and his Tony Rezko issues.

I challenge everybody including “journalists” to dig deep into Obama’s past with the same fervor that they have with the past of a 17-year-old daughter of the Republican VP pick.

It was explained to this reporter that he indeed had his facts wrong.

I believe she IS the working-class lunch-pail folk that cling to our guns and our religion and it IS here across the Heart Lands of American that Obama will find his defeat that he has been so eagerly seeking!

[DavidInOpelika]

How about open sourcing press conferences? Anyone in America gets to submit questions and the president's or press secretary's answers get put on YouTube. Completely bypass the Washington press corps permanently.

Nothing in the Constitution says that the press's questions are privileged over mine.

[Publicserf]

It could be said that due to extensive editing the interview as broadcast was fake but accurate. Funny how that happens.

[Moptop]

I don't know about you guys, but I don't want somebody in the White House who thinks that they way to deal with political enemies is to sick the IRS on them, the way Obama is threatening Palin.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Say what you want about Sarah Palin, I doubt she ever had friends on the FBI's Most Wanted list.

[kim]

That's disturbing, Reliapundit, and I don't know why it should be. It's not surprising.
====================================

[Joe S.]

Karl Rove caused all of this.

[Bruce]

A story about the Seattle Post Intelligen cer, in the past one of Hearst's yellow dog papers.
Two reporteeers meeet on the street, one says "it has been a long time since we have seen you,I hear you are working for the PI". The second reporter replies,"Yes, but please don't tell my Mother the shock would kill her, she thinks I'm playing a piano in a house of ill repute". (ABC,CBS,NBC)? All would qualify.

[bc]

I for one would like to hear the back story. Why is ABC in the tank for Obama? What is the history and background of C Gibson that makes him willing to throw away his career as a serious journalist for team Obama? His bias is evident, but why? Personal gain-How? Ideology-from where? Honestly, I don't get it. Who is this guy obviously beholden to? Who says "Jump" and then Gibson says,"How high?".

[Hugh Smith]

At what point does the media slant become in-kind campaign contributions?

[Bryan Allen]

Text of what I sent to ABC:
***
Have seen the transcript of Palin interview - suggest for the most responsible reporting your network should release (post-broadcast, of course) the COMPLETE interview and out-takes on the internet. After all, this is 2008, not 1968; there has been a bit of progress over the last few decades and the internet facilitates the free and unaltered distribution of information which I hope your news organization is committed to providing.

Thank you.
***

And yes, Sancho, I DO enjoy tilting at windmills. :-)

[LogicalUS]

Two items leap out about this shameful display:

1) Look at the interview of Obama and the questions to Obama about how does it feel to be the first nominee, yada..yada....none of that with Governor Palin, no how does feel to be the 1st Women VP candidate for the Republican party or the 1st from Alaska...immediately Gibson jumps into the interrogation...basically how dare you think you are qualified to be VP without our consent. Shameful.

2) What is it with the grilling of Governor Palin about the attacking across the Pakistani border? It was the moron Obama who made the statement that he would pull the troops out of Iraq to invade Pakistan.

Can anybody in their wildest dreams imagine Gibson barking at Obama like he does with Palin? I believe when Obama was asked by one reporter, they let him slide with the campaign rhetoric excuse without following up.

[riggword]

All the assaults,

All the smears,

All the censors,

Cannot sink,

Unsinkable Sarah!
http://riggword.wordpress.com/

[joanne]

Has anyone read Clarice Feldman's awesome article about the Big O? She has many questions, and I'm sure she'll keep digging for info on O's birth certificate, transcript of schools he said he attended, where he was born, and One friend who is not a terrorist or one person who remembers him from his schools? And did he take the bar exam? Go Clarice!!

[riggword]

Joanne,

I have not read, "Clarice Feldman's awesome article" yet. But I have read other articles on each of those subjects.

Two thoughts:
Woulkdn't it be funny if after all of this Oabama is no legally qualified to be elected as the Commander in Chief of the United States of America.

Wouldn't it be better for our nation if Americans would wake up, understand what Obama represents, turn back to the American way of excellence and vote McCain Palin in by a landslide.

It is more important to me that the American public learn the difference between leftist liberalism and the American way that has made us the most prosperous nation ever to exist on the planet than it is for Obama to go down in a blaze of scandal.

That is the lesson our children need to learn.

Thank you for your time.

riggword

[kozyshak]

You guys are talking about ethics now? that's rich....

[GMax]

OT Oil fell to $99 a barrel today in NY. And Valero has announced no significant damage to its refinerys in Houston ( 3 of them ). I think we are looking at $3 gasoline soon. Maybe the House Republicans can make a big deal about building some more Refineries and aways inland?

[clarice]

joanne-thanks but all the wor on that was done by Tom Maguire and Dan Riehl whom I credited. Riehl gave AT permission to use a longer quote than we normally would.

[Robot Pirate Ninja]

This is a whole lot of comments for no one to realize that Palin didn't know that Georgia shelled a civilian center before Russia invaded.

Russia's President is calling it their 9/11 and using it as justification for the response.

Palin says the attack was unprovoked. Twice. This is a complete fabrication.

But yes, please, go on with the victim card.

And I'm glad McCain has picked up the "She's an expert because Russia is close to Alaska" line. Boy is *that* a strong argument.

[Christina]

I find it disturbing that she was able to stumble her way through this interview(remember she IS trying to become our next VP of the United States), obviously memorizing lines and could not think on her toes...is this what you want in a leader who very possibly(unless McCain's medical records show differently, oh wait he won't release them...) could end up POTUS.

Since when is it acceptable for a VP candidate to stumble through an interview where she is basically trying to prove that she has the knowledge to help run the country(which IMO she did not accomplish) given that no one really knew her before, and then people comment "yeah she did ok, no huge mistakes".

I'm sorry, but when I am considering someone who wants to be the leader of the country I live in, they are under more scrutiny and I do not want someone who memorizes lines and "doesn't make too many mistakes".

I want someone who knows what he/she is doing.

[Christina]

I find it disturbing that she was able to stumble her way through this interview(remember she IS trying to become our next VP of the United States), obviously memorizing lines and could not think on her toes...is this what you want in a leader who very possibly(unless McCain's medical records show differently, oh wait he won't release them...) could end up POTUS.

Since when is it acceptable for a VP candidate to stumble through an interview where she is basically trying to prove that she has the knowledge to help run the country(which IMO she did not accomplish) given that no one really knew her before, and then people comment "yeah she did ok, no huge mistakes".

I'm sorry, but when I am considering someone who wants to be the leader of the country I live in, they are under more scrutiny and I do not want someone who memorizes lines and "doesn't make too many mistakes".

I want someone who knows what he/she is doing.

[Captain Hate]

This is a complete fabrication.

Thank you comrade. I remember all the fabrications that were coming in justifying Russia's actions at Belmont Club that were laughed at. Sorry you didn't make your quota then but hopefully you won't get paid for this pathetic catch-up effort.

[Jim]

This is a whole lot of comments for no one to realize that Palin didn't know that Georgia shelled a civilian center before Russia invaded.

Ah, yes, this old pattern. You have a controversial and tendentious interpretation of events. You assert that anyone who doesn't share your interpretation is either stupid or not well-informed. It's a boring and unhelpful tic for a member of the forum to have.

[Jim]

obviously memorizing lines

Ah, yes, this old pattern... etc.

[Captain Hate]

unless McCain's medical records show differently, oh wait he won't release them...

Lying isn't appreciated. McCain has released his complete medical records unlike chain-smoking Oblammo. While you're asking Barry for them, since not having access to these documents is important to a person of integrity like you, try and get his Columbia transcript also. Thanks in advance Sweetie.

[Veteran Newsman]

This is crap. I've worked in television and print news for more than 30 years, and I can assure you this DID NOT HAPPEN. Even Fox News, which routinely shapes quotes and stories before airing them, wouldn't go this far. It didn't happen, and only a moron would believe it did.

[Angus Anderson]

MSM is The Lying King

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWP5ljQV79s

[clarice]

Christina, tell Axelrod we sent our love and kisses, but said you should only get paid for one post, not two, honey.

[Robot Pirate Ninja]

--
Ah, yes, this old pattern. You have a controversial and tendentious interpretation of events. You assert that anyone who doesn't share your interpretation is either stupid or not well-informed.
--

So this is "unprovoked"?
--
MOSCOW - Georgian troops launched a massive assault on the breakaway province of South Ossetia on Friday, taking control of much of the region and bringing Georgia's U.S.-allied government closer to the brink of full-scale conflict with Russia.

Just hours after Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili declared a cease-fire with South Ossetian separatist troops, Georgian military forces unleashed a barrage of shelling on the province's capital, Tskhinvali, late Thursday and early Friday. By the morning, Georgian tanks had entered the South Ossetian capital.

The assault put Georgia, a former Soviet republic strongly allied with Washington and Western Europe, on a collision course with the Kremlin, which for years has firmly backed South Ossetia in its resistance to Georgian authority.
--

You don't consider that to be "poking the bear?" It was a serious miscalculation from Georgia, and now their military power is severely weakend.

How, pray tell, does that reality fit with this description?

--
PALIN: ... For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable and we have to keep…

GIBSON: You believe unprovoked.

PALIN: I do believe unprovoked and we have got to keep our eyes on Russia, under the leadership there.
--

[Robot Pirate Ninja]

Oh, and the conspiration tone of this post is silly (which is why I'm going after the meat of it). At first ABC released excerpts from the interview, then the released the whole thing WHEN IT AIRED.

I mean...gimme a break. Do you accuse (evil, liberal, etc) Hollywood of misleading the public with movie trailers?

I mean, they don't even include the whole movie. It's like a promotion for a show or something...

[qrstuv]

"... even pretty fair reporters (Jay Carney, Jake Tapper) were up in arms over Palin not subjecting herself to a tough interview by a real, bonafide member of the press."

Since when does "tough interview" mean "using editing to cut out the Republican's tough answers"?

I hate these assholes.

[qrstuv]

Robot/Christina,

I suggest you read Michael Totten before you assert so boldly that Vladimir KGB Putin didn't start that fight.