September 12, 2008 8:30 AM
Charles Gibson / Sarah Palin interview - Part 1
Catching up on this interview this morning. It is quite remarkable. The roar of the mainstream media over the fact that they didn't vet Sarah Palin - has reminded me of hungry sharks waiting for some chum.
In this interview you will see Charles Gibson accuse Sarah Palin of hubris - after all this time of a Democrat candidate who's been packaged as a Messiah. Not to mention the hubris of the media that seem to feel that they are entitled to coronate our leaders themselves.
I wish we could watch this together :) But this is the best I can do this morning - plug you in and give you my running comments, then let you add your own:
I'm watching this myself as I type - these are my impressions:
Charles Gibson is treating her as though she is on the witness stand and he is the prosecuting attorney. I wonder why no one has asked Obama these questions. . . .
He asks her if she's ready, if she hesitated when asked to serve and she said no. He says:
Gibson: "Doesn't that show some hubris?"
[uh, no, Mr. Gibson - it shows executive ability. I guess she could be like Joe Biden, thinking in retrospect that he wasn't really the best for the job? Now there/s leadership/executive ability!]
He's asking her all about national security credentials? Has she traveled in foreign countries? Has she met foreigh heads of state?
She doesn't skip a beat, but says historically many have been in her position who would have had the same answer - that those events happen when you are elected to national office - and that some who may have a thick resume in Washington are short on accomplishment.
I am actually stunned at how adversarial he is - Tripp says he's trying to win back his leftist friends because he fell out of favor with them for being too soft at the debates.
Check out 7:50 on where he puts on a mean face and asks: "Do you believe in the Bush doctrine?" She throws a question back at him: "In what respect, Charlie?"
This woman is made of steel. In the past 30 hours she has flown back to Alaska from Virginia, seen her son (as Mother) and the troops (as Governor) off as they were deployed to Iraq - for which she was criticized for being "political" and now she composes herself and sits down to this insulting, condescending media gatekeeper.
As you watch this, who do you see with hubris?
As Charlie Gibson presses for a "gotcha" by asking her the same question three times, he says: "I got lost in a blizzard of words." How insulting - considering they never say this to male Democrat politicians.
I dunno. I think this may backfire with a lot of women - even those who are "pro-choice" feminists. The one who spoke at the rally yesterday was as hardcore as they come = a little older than I and a former Hillary supporter who was willing to forsake the single issue of abortion because she was sick of the Democrats' hypocrisy around women.
Your thoughts? And remember, my comment policy is that I do not publish ad hominem attacks which insult me, my readers, or the people being discussed. In Alcoholics Anonymous, I learned a really valuable likfe skill: principles before personalities.
Part 2 Coming Up as I watch it this morning.
Posted in Campaign 2008 | Permalink
Comments
Yes!! I agree with you, shouldn't the voters of America now feel that they suddenly don't know Obama and even Biden at all? It shows a glowing contrast to what the other, male, candidates have to do to get to the top of the ticket (give a great speech).
I can only think that women will see how, once again, a woman has to be smarter and tougher to be "equal". Just like it was in the "old" days. (The same old days that Obama is framing his latest attack ad in...how ironic.)
Well, I'm cutting this short...off to work my first shift in the McCain/Palin office by my son's school!!
Posted by: Kelly | September 12, 2008 9:22 AM
I agree with you. She is made of steel and showed that she is more than capable of handling tough foreign policy issues. The American people are not stupid and can see right through Gibson and what he was trying to accomplish here.
During Fox News discussion following the interview, someone made the observation that Sarah Palin has high rates among men, and that her comments about "not blinking" is the kind of tough stance they would want to hear. I think that is an excellent point. I think that was one of the strongest parts of this portion of the interview.
As far as all of this resume talk goes, IMO it is no length of resume necessarily that matters, rather, substance. And hers certainly speaks for itself.
Posted by: Anne | September 12, 2008 9:33 AM
"I wonder why no one has asked Obama these questions. . . ."
This is exactly what I was thinking last night as I watched the interview. I've never seen Obama treated so rudely by the media. Props to Sarah for doing a great job and not letting Gibson's cross-examination ruffle her feathers.
Posted by: Erin | September 12, 2008 10:38 AM
I agree with you. She did a wonderful job. Watching Charlie talk to her reminded me of the times that I had been naughty as a teenager and had to face my father. I love that she called him Charlie and not Mr. Gibson. His expressions and tone were very angry, I feel a little sad for him (just a little). She was respectful yet didn't take any of his garbage. He was very condescending in parts and I agree that this will back fire.
Posted by: Kellie | September 12, 2008 10:48 AM
I thought she was amazing! Charlie Gibson was OBVIOUSLY trying to trap her into answers that could later be used against her. She will never be able to say anything that will make the press happy unless she said that Barack Obama should be the next president! I agree with you, Barbara, that she is made of steel. Not only did she see her first born son off to war, gave the going off speech as the Governor, was reunited with her family after 2 weeks on the campaign trail, and still did this grueling interview with Gibson. I pray for her everyday, often, because she needs all of our prayers to keep her strong. She is literally the leading lady/warrior against the Culture of Death. The St. Michael prayer is a powerful one to pray!
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, oh prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Posted by: Julie c.m. | September 12, 2008 11:06 AM
Ok, I have to admit that I had to go to the dictionary to look up the meaning of hubris. Now knowing the proper definition I'm speechless that Gibson accused Palin of this. Of all the hypocritical things I've heard, this one takes the cake! I used to like Gibson but this interview has made me re-think that position!
Posted by: Angela | September 12, 2008 12:02 PM
I had to look up the word hu•bris (–noun : excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance) after the Charlie Gibson interview with Sarah Palin. Thanks Charlie for expanding my vocabulary! Now it's my turn to use it in a sentence: "Charlie Gibson appeared to show hubris & superciliousness while interviewing Sarah Palin." (Okay, I admit looking up an alternative word for "condescending".)
2. In regards to the bashing of vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, I do not consider myself a feminist, but she has a right to raise a family and serve her country if she so chooses. When I served in the military, it was drilled into my brain: “Country before family". I got out because I wanted to stay home to raise a family. My choice (we should label this "pro-choice" not "killing fetuses" disingenuously labeled as such).
Well, thanks for letting me "divulge" my "exiguous" thoughts and thanks again to Charlie Gibson for expanding my terminology.
Posted by: Theresa | September 12, 2008 12:08 PM
I've been watching Charlie Gibson do interviews for at least 20 years. I can't recall one where he was so biting and condescending. Hooray for Gov. Palin for giving him straight answers & standing firm in her viewpoints. She showed she cannot be intimidated ans she certainly was "turning the other cheek" in this interview!
Posted by: Lori F | September 12, 2008 12:10 PM
I have been very upset about the media slamming Palin on everything. Why haven't we heard about any interviews of this nature with Obama or Biden ? My husband showed me several clips from "the View" and all of those women (except Elizabeth H.) are attacking Palin, spreading false rumours and just plain hateful. And Barbara Walters said that the media loves Sarah Palin ! I think we ought to earnestly pray for Sarah (and for Elizabeth who seems to be the only sensible woman on the View). I have a hard time watching these programs with such an obvious bias toward Obama and the left. And Whoppi Goldberg is something else. She thinks she knows and is right about everything. She kept saying "This isn't my opinion, this is fact !" Please !!
I know I'm off the Gibson/Palin topic but it seems all of the media is out to get Palin (or the Republicans, or the "right wing"). I don't know but it's depressing to me. I keep reading in the news and seeing on the tv that what's important to me isn't really important to most Americans and I just can't believe that.
Thanks for letting me vent and for your positive conservative political posts !
Posted by: dee | September 12, 2008 12:48 PM
What a woman! She handled that interview with intelligence, graciousness and wisdom.
Posted by: Kathy | September 12, 2008 4:55 PM
I remembered the interview on Nightline and turned on the television about 5 minute into the airing of this. I was appalled at how Charlie Gibson treated her! He acted as though he was in contempt of her. Several times he wouldn't allow her to completely finish her answer, treating her like a bad or misbehaved child and if you watched, he avoided making eye contact with her. How juvenile! How petty! She is a knowledgeable, experienced woman that deserves the same respect that Gibson's wife or his children deserve.
He asked her questions that I would LOVE to see him ask Obama!!!! However, I wouldn't like it if Gibson treated Obama (or anyone else) that way either. He showed no respect nor professionalism.
She was good to answer, sometimes in a slightly firm manner to off set his contemptousness, staying focused with her answers, and she was good at taking a slight upper-hand of the situation with his treatment of her when she would answer him, but beginning her statements by using his name.
Sarah looked good—hair, makeup, outfit—all well done, professional—just right. She did have a little nervous leaning to the right while sitting in the chair and once, she began to give her right leg a little nervous bob up and down, but she brought it right back under control. (I most always really pick up on body language issues—can you tell?!)
She was much more relaxed when she was showing him the pipeline. She was, again, firm, but admitted that she and McCain did different on a thing or two, but in the end would work it all out. She was a little lighter. I bet she can hold her own with any of the good 'ole boys in Washington or about anywhere else. She seems like one who, if she hasn't been in that setting before, she adapts quickly, fitting in well, and this confidence puts others at ease.
I thought she did well. The answers that she gives conveys a message that she and McCain are working as one unit.
Couldn't believe it…….she was giving this interview the same day that Track left for war with his unit. Wow! What strength! Yes, as far as I'm concerned, she CAN handle having the nuclear codes and honestly (and I don't mean this flippant—at all), I think she is so true, honest, experienced (yes!), and the "real deal"—so much so that she can have all of my codes----I'd trust her with all my account numbers. I think she's true and honest to the core.
I'll probably miss the part of Palin's interview on evening news, but you can bet we (probably let the children stay up late for this one, again) will be watching tonight on 20/20.
AND, as the democrats continue to whine, insult, and just act untrained selfish children, I do hope that everyone else will vent in private and maintain respectibility and decency when speaking with or of their opponents.
Posted by: von | September 12, 2008 8:14 PM
Thank you, Barbara, for sharing these clips of the Sarah Palin interview. I missed them and so I was glad to see you sharing them on your blog. I loved her comment, "We shouldn't blink when it comes to defending our nation...." and I noticed that in ALL of the interviews that you shared, that Sarah looked Gibson in the eye without blinking and gave her answers honestly, firmly, and unapologetically. Watch the clips again and see how she rarely blinks or looks away. She's amazing!
Jody
Posted by: Jody | September 13, 2008 12:13 AM
