The usually genial Gibson was firm and authoritative - yes and obviously one-sided and ready to fry Palin publicly before our nation! From his facial expressions to the intonation of his voice this was an interview with an attempt to attack and discredit Palin. But Palin answered each question with authority, dignity, and self-confidence giving her more appeal to the audience watching to make her the VP of the U.S. Go Palin you are our next VP!!!!

She knew what the doctrine was, but not by the term that hasn't been used much for years - as least here in the Washington DC area. Here, it's widely known as the Find 'em, Fix 'em, F*** 'em Doctrine. It was a cheap trick by Gibson and he knew it and those in the know, know it.

Geez. Couldn't believe Gibson's demeanor. Hate to say this but bet he wouldn't have grilled a black woman candidate like that. Tough interview.

Gibson seemed as if he was talking down to Palin. Sorry Gibs but she has you beat 10 to nothing. She is a breath of fresh air in D.C.--I do not understand why the news does not want change in America. Could it be you are on the take.

It's nice to see the Republicans stay on message... Charlie was "such a sexist" to ask tough questions... "what a meany." For me, the whole interview was as cringe-inducing as the YouTube video of Miss Teen North Carolina, such as.

Don't worry, I'm sure sometime between Palin sending troops over to Georgia to start WWIII and Russia launching a few nukes, Putin and she will have a nice cuddly heart to heart and show up that mean ole Charles Gibson. Sheesh people, is your expectation of journalism so low that any question that isn't "So, tell me how awesome you are?" is somehow considered to be over the line and cruel?

I don't believe that Gibson was hard on her because if it was any other female, he would not have been "polite" and not try to "hurt her feelings". Instead, I felt the interview was not "hard" enough, too bad Tim isn't alive anymore to give it to her!

Gibson was fair in asking Palin all the right questions that the public wants to know. She is not who she said she was during the convention. This will expose her ignorance on global warming, foreign policies and a many other issues a VP should know.

To tough? Please! She may very well be the next president (don’t forget McCain has just celebrated his 72nd birthday). Do you think (or want) Ahmadinejad or Putin to treat her (our country) like a lady. Please don’t hold back. I can live without the world’s condescension & the typical male chauvinist superiority attitude towards us. Treat her just like Tim Russert would have treated any other (male) politician!

I guess it's all a matter of the viewer's pre-interview position. I thought Gibson asked legitimate questions for the most part and that Palin tap-danced around bullet points. I only hope that he does a similar interview, with comparable questions, with Biden. The VP is Plan B -- no one should base a presidential vote based on the VP candidate. If you were to do so, you would need to know each ones vision for the country both at home and abroad.

(1st effort may hv been sent incomplete)
Charles Gibson spoke as the recognized and experienced authority we all know him to be. Sarah Palin's attempt to reduce his stature by addressing him as "Charlie" suggests she will neither appreciate knowledge and wisdom nor show respect to substantive others. She appears overconfident and immodest.

Hi, Yes, this is the first I've seen of this message. Thanks for sending.Z

Gosh, I'm terrified that Gibson was too tough in the interview. We want our presidential candidates to be as weak and coddled as possible. Gibson was so mean. He should be attacked for asking any serious questions. God should forbid that our candidates be required to provide real answers.

Z, the editors put the experience question first. That wasn't Gibson's first. Gibson has been vilified by the Republican machine as a commie-liberal-leftist-non-patriot-Anti-American-Anti Mom& Apple Pie-Anti Babies, low down, dirt scratching, lice covered rat.

If the Red states want this woman to be their VP, and a heartbeat away from the Presidency, then you can have her.

As a Blue State resident, I would rather see the Blue States secede from the Union and we can send our own VP to negotiate our trade agreements with you, while you provide us with ..what?

I don't ever remember Oboma getting those type of questions and their follow ups.
When Charlie questions all of the candidates in the same way, I'll start regaining my respect for him.

Doesnt the fact that she didnt know what the Bush doctrine was debunk the argument that Obama has made that she is just a extension of George W Bush? It would seem to me that if her policies were the same as W's, that question would have been a slam dunk.

Food for thought for the nay sayers

Gibson lost! When he asked Palin about her reference to God and the statements she made at church, "One Sided Gibson" did not read her entire statement or it would have been a mute point. Gibson I ask you when is talking about God a bad thing? Sorry Zurawik but Palin won 10 to ZERO!

Too tough? Holy crap do people want him to ask her for her favorite cookie recipe?

A fair (but tough) question would have been to stand behind her statement that Obama has written zero laws at the state or federal level.

http://palincounter.blogspot.com/

We Americans are owed the right to grill this woman. It blows me away how people will stand behind someone that they know absolutely nothing about. A breath of fresh air, gimmie a break.

Sarah fumbled thru that entire interview so that makes it Gibson's fault? How do you think the interview should have gone....1. Who does your hair.....2. What's your favorite color? So far she's said she doesn't know what the Vice President does, had little knowledge of Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae, totally failed at her first interview.........Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid!

I am astounded that Palin could make it to the White House. She is obviously not knowledgeable about foreign policy. She's great with the camera--not something that gives me confidence in her wisdom.

What bugged me was that instead of saying she didn't know what the Bush Doctrine was, she tried unsuccessfully to fake it. This woman lies too easily, too well. We've had enough of that.

She is ignorant and has no understandign of foreign politics and affairs. Does a chance of her holding her finger on the nukes trigger appeals to you??? Gibson asked valid questions. I am a woman and I see nothing sexist about it. She endorsed things that were abandoned by current government.... the list is long.

Good interview on both sides of the isle. The doctrine questions confused me so I can see how it would have confused her, based on how it was phrased. Charlie asked important questions, Gov Palin gave important answers. It was a nice change from the sniping going on in the campaigns.

Gibson asked questions on distorted quotes, he knew what he was doing, He is not professor calabar, he was being decietful. to have so many people listening to him degrade himself with the distortion, closes the door on his career. ABC is fast going down the tubes, they need to hire some journalist, and get rid of their slop bucket jockeys.

She should have known what the Bush Doctrine is. "Joe" says its known as something else in Washington. Guess what? she's not from DC, hasn't spent any time there. She's from a state with a population smaller than Nashville.
don't forget 20% of U.S. presidents were vice presidents who took over

I'm an educated person and up to speed on the issues, and I couldn't have given you the definition of the Bush doctrine if you asked me. On a talk show this morning I witnessed political pundits, who I would expect know more about this than me, or Palin for that matter, arguing and disagreeing over the definition. I found Gibson's "over the bifocal" question bordering on condescending. If he wanted to know what her position was on preemptive strikes in the face of a threat he should have straight forward asked her the bloody question. The fact that she asked for clarification prior to answering made her appear wiser, not weaker.

Wow, I just love the double standard.
ABC neutral yeah OK. Now it's our turn I want Rush Limbaugh to interview Senator Joe biden. I know for a fact he won't do interviews cause Senator Joe Biden knows nothing. I want one of our guys to interview Senator Barack Hussein Obama (oyeah and I don't mean Bill O'reily)
When will that ever happen .........

Juan Collazo Dover Delaware

What happened to the tough barracuda without her prepared speech?I can't wait for the debate with Biden.When it is all said an done this flash in the pan holy roller will be an albatros hanging on McCain's neck.

OK. This was a one on one interview. When will we see an open press conference? Probably mid-November, I'm thinking.

Funny, all the points you had contention with have already been debunked - The Holy War question has been shown to NOT be her "exact" words but edited by the AP which was Gibson's source. Palin correctly corrected Gibson, but he'd have nothing of it. The Bush Doctrine question has already been shown to NOT only mean "preemptive strikes", but inclusive of a few other things including the democratization of nations, regimes harboring terrorists as allies to those terrorists,,,

This is not a good article. It has a lot of mistakes and mis quotes in it

Over confident, immodest, arrogant, self-righteous, unwordly bag of wind intent on carrying on the Bush Republican Army of God's mandate to subdue the world into American Corporate Christian hegemony.

Between this womens schooling - BA in journalism?? and McCain's graduating almost last in military academy - we actually have an intelligence deficit in these two that could rival W's. OMG

Mr. Zurawick wrote:
"But you see can also see the interviewer's strategy of trying to get inside Palin's mind and see if she is at all self-reflective. From the answer he received, it would appear she is not."

I think the any of the canidates have completed their self-reflection long before an interviewer gets to ask them a question.

The so called "Bush Doctrine" is not only a matter of self defense but has been formalized in treaties, agreements and documents throughout our history. The NATO agreement, John Kennedy and the Cuban missle crisis, Spanish American War, the Barbary Pirates to name a few.

I do not feel sorry for her. I expected her to answer every questions deligently and not blah, blah blah to distort the truth about how much she did not know. Remember she is not a bookworm. That's why she messed up her answers.

Charles Gibson completely changed his personality for this interview. He did not come off as tough -- he just came off as hostile. He could have asked tough questions without using such a negative affect. There is no question who he will be voting for.

Has Gibson asked Obama whether he has the ability and experience to be president? Why not? Ideological sympathies or sexism?

Mr Gibson you were simply fantastique - - as usual I enjoy your interview so much -- you are among the very best journalists
Good luck
Ray fom Canada

I don't care what party she is from, Sarah Palin is NOT qualified to be Vice President especially a 72 year old cancer survivor who has higher odds (sorry) or not completing his term in office. The McCain campaign hopes they can hide her from the press until early November and trick the American people by having her deliver the same stump speech 1000 times which incorrect statements such as she stopped a bridge she never stopped. I hope the media grills her as much as they did Clinton and Obama.. it's only fair.

I expect the next possible leader of the free world to say, "Excuse me, could you explain this term." instead of free-wheeling a baloney answer. Then she could have answered with some intelligence. Any leader on the international stage will not trust someone so obviously clueless and unable to say so. Caribou Barbie isn't impressing me.

is Obama qualified to lead the US? what are his qualifications? how long has he served in office? has he take on the democratic party and challenge them on issues? has he budget, managed, lead, trained and held responsibilities? hmmm i could continues with countless questions a city mayor or governor duties mr Obama could not related to.

Governor Palin knew what the Bush Doctrine is...that is not the point. She clearly saw that Charles Gibson was laying a trap by trying to draw her into statements supporting Bush's foreign policy. She was too smart for that. As soon as she heard the name "Bush" she correctly pushed back with her own statement about terrorism.

Gibson did his best. Tried to catch her, tried to make her stumble, and failed. I don't think it was too tough and facing a reporter is child's play when compared to the responsibilities of 2nd in command of the greatest nation on earth.

Palin knew they were going to try and catch her in something ...anything. She went in anyway ...more than Obama would do. That guy is scared of his own shadow.

She did just fine.

She's got more guts than the Democrats number one, by far. Obama looks like a whiney little kid next to her. She'll face the fire in fine fasion ...hell, she's got my vote.

Palin B-
Gibson D-

Typical news anchor trying to trap someone they don't support. More of the same news trash. No wonder "newpapers" and evening "news" shows are always losing viewers. And Chuckie is supposedly the best of the worst!

Just looking through many of these reader's comments; you seriously have to be lying to yourself to think Palin did well in that interview...it's obvious she's lying to herself and is simply trying to stick to a script that was provided only a week or two ago (entitled McCain's Views).

People, wake up, be honest with yourself...it's evident you've already made your decision and are simply looking for anything to justify it logically (unfortunately that doesn't work when the logic is not there).

As a Republican and witnessing this first interview I am astonished. Sarah Palin is in no way ready to lead this country. John McCain has shown that he does not have the intellectual ability to find a qualified running mate. Sorry fellow republicans but I am sitting this election out. I can in no way be party to someone who may potentially destroy this country.

Sarah Palin, you are not qualified to be one heartbeat away from the Presidency. You are not qualified to be governor of Alaska as far as I can tell. And quite honestly, I really don't think she is qualified to run my local Wal-mart.

Palin had been very well coached. She had all the buzz words memorized and when she didn't understand what Gibson was talking about she was able to fake it until she finally got it.

I'm so tired of the C students running things. I long for bright people who know how to pronounce nuclear.

Thank God for Charlie G. for raising the bar in journalism. Have we become a nation of "non thinkers" and low expectation of our media. When you compete for a national office you should expect the tough questions, male,female, black, white or any other race. I have a great deal of respect for those in this country who are real journalist and not the softies we hear now. This election should require a lot of soul seaching in the way we have done business, epecially in the media!
What happens when the Charlie Gibson's are no longer around to bring us back to the real issues and not concerned with the fluff. I don't care what the VP wears or how cute they think she is.

GW Bush was unqualified to be President but a lot of people had to find that out the hard way, and meanwhile take us all along for the miserable ride. But having had the GW experience, I can't help but think that almost everyone in their hearts really knows that Palin is unqualified. Nevertheless, many seem ready to drag us all on the same ride again.

I do think that Palin should be grilled because she is campaigning for a very important position in our country, however, it really surprises me that everyone in the country is so obsessed with the inexperience of a Vice Presidential candidate and not the even greater inexperience of a PRESIDENTIAL candidate. And in case you all are wondering who I am speaking of, it's Obama.

I do think that Palin should be grilled because she is campaigning for a very important position in our country, however, it really surprises me that everyone in the country is so obsessed with the inexperience of a Vice Presidential candidate and not the even greater inexperience of a PRESIDENTIAL candidate. And in case you all are wondering who I am speaking of, it's Obama.

"She dodged adroitly..."

??

He misquoted the hell out of her. What's the difference between praying for world peace and claiming there IS world peace? It's the difference between hope and delusion. Gibson misquoted her "God" remark badly, and she was dead-on in citing Lincoln, who was also hopeful, not deluded.

She definitely stumbled on Bush Doctrine, which is a bit surprising.

I doubt that wonderful Charlie 'Gibson would have skewered Hillary the same as he did Sarah. And please, stop telling us the bias was necessary to prove to the world that Sarah Palin is a bum, or worse? Her record show that she is not an extremist like the tree huggers, but is interested and involved with the environment, though not a worshipper of Sophie. What a looney political discourse this "hate Palin" has evolved into! -Dr.B.G.Drake

"Tough questions"? You're kidding, right? With the exception of that hilarious "Bush Doctrine" dirty trick, Charlie lobbed predictable softballs--so predictable that she was ready with well-rehearsed, rote, repetitious RNC talking points for each. (how many times did she say we shouldn't "second guess" Israel? like twenty? He should have made her find it on a map.) Gibson's likeable enough and does a decent job as an anchor, but the late Peter Jennings would have grilled her on questions that weren't so obvious, questions that would have revealed her true grasp of the domestic and international problems we face--this is the lady who thinks Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were taxpayer-funded institutions prior to their recent takeover, and that dinosaurs walked the earth around the time the pyramids went up. Ms. Palin has a lot of 'splaining to do, and Mr. Gibson made her do darn near none of it.

Gibson was a condescending jerk and I I expected more professionalism from him. It was obvious he was pandering to the 'hate Palin' crowd. Are there no objective journalists out there anymore?

It makes sense to force Gibson to define the Bush doctrine in the interview. Otherwise you answer the question and then it gets defined for you later by Gibson, other media, or Obama.

I mean, the Bush doctrine was once that you are with us or you are with the terrorists. But now apparenly it is pre-emptive war. I think it is whatever the questioner wants it to be on a specific day. There is no speech or quote anyone holds up as the Bush Doctrine the way we hold up the Monroe Doctrine.

So by definition it is nebulous and it is important that an interviewee finds out how he or she is going to be defined after the fact before answering.

Before you say I am in the tank for the GOP, well... it's not like this election is going to change anything. There is zero discussion about doing anything about the $53 trillion in unfunded mandates (Social Security and Medicare). No one is saying we should stop spending the FICA surplus as we have for 65+ years. Instead we talk about education funding, which isn't even a federal power and we hear about decisions that we can't take back.

It's not as if Obama or McCain have a time machine and can go back and change decisions in Iraq or Afghanistan, yet we vote like they can instead of what they will do from here on out.

...this was an interview with an attempt to attack and discredit Palin.

"June", the Republican fake outrage card has been long since overplayed.

Many Americans seem to believe that they will be voting for American idol, voting for Palin team, and not somebody that can start WWIII with Russia thus getting the world nuked out of existence or let Israel start a disasterous war with Iran that will draw hundreds of thousands of US soldiers into an endless war with the need to reintroduce draft. Americans may deserve Palin but does the rest of the world deserve her ?

Of course, Palin could say she felt ready to be president of the country.
She could hardly do worse than Bush!
Besides, she knows she will have lots of help from people like Carl Rove (who probably can't wait to get his hands on a new rookie). Talk about a third Bush administration!

Gibson was obviously trying to compensate for his laughable performance in the Clinton-Obama debate.

Palin was rehearsed and looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Her 'confident' answer seemed fake to me. Her foreign policy answers were terrifying.

I'm a Republican but we can't have four more years of Bush - and that is what she sounded like.

"The usually genial Gibson was firm and authoritative - yes and obviously one-sided and ready to fry Palin publicly before our nation!"

Yes, we've all heard the lame, and untrue whining before... "It's the liberal media! They don't like her! Waaaah!"

"From his facial expressions to the intonation of his voice this was an interview with an attempt to attack and discredit Palin."

By that you mean he didn't have a lilt in his voice, puppy dog eyes, and didn't just let her recite talking points. Good for him, letting her finally deal with a tough interview. It's about time.

"But Palin answered each question with authority, dignity, and self-confidence"

You mean. except for the ones that she couldn't even answer, like knowing what the Bush Doctrine was? My wife and I knew it immediately, and we're not running for the vice presidency. It just shows what people have long suspected - she has never had to think on the global level and she's clueless when it comes to foreign affairs, despite her ridiculous assertions about having some sort of international cred because she lives "near" Russia.

Then of course was her evasion of the question on meeting with foreign dignitaries... "Umm, well yeah, foreign people come to Alaska... the Governor has to meet with them sometimes." Notice that she never gave a simple, "Yes" answer (on many other questions as well).

Palin is dead in the water. She's out of her league and the American public is starting to quickly find that out, along with finding out that she has completely lied on the whole "Bridge to Nowhere" issue.

Gibson actually seemed very dismissive of Palin and not really "interested" in the answers. Like a lawyer asking rote questions to a suspect, "yawn, did you commit the crime" "just answer the question" bore bore. Like he knew the answers and was just trying to appear like he really cared.

I haven't seen anyone ask Obama these kinds of questions yet. Nor Biden, nor McCain for that matter. Why is it Sarah Palin is deemed "unqualified", while Obama simply gets a pass. Gibson;s interview questions seemed as if they were written by the Obama campaign. I expected him to blurt out "I HATE YOU" at any given moment!

Gibson was very good. Palin was what I expected. She was flustered and flummoxed. Her audience was not drinking the Kool-Ade of the neo conservative agenda. The Republicans obviously thought "Charlie" would be gentle. Imagine if she has to face the feared Katie or Brian!

Gibson was very good. Palin was what I expected. She was flustered and flummoxed. Her audience was not drinking the Kool-Ade of the neo conservative agenda. The Republicans obviously thought "Charlie" would be gentle. Imagine if she has to face the feared Katie or Brian!

Get over it! It doesn't make sense, it wasn’t sexist or any way demeaning. Charlie was very good, I think he was handling her with kid gloves. Look she want to be vice president or maybe even president we need to know this lady. If she can't be treated like all the other candidates then stay home. In the last 35 years or more all the vice president had experience far greater than what this lady is bring to the table. She is not qualified, let alone ready to lead. Now just face it, John McCain did this for a gimmick, and now we have a problem because people are racist toward Barack Obama, The rich keep taking from the poor, The economy is broken, and they have a 50% chance at winning and if that is the case it scary. Not only will it be more of the same but it will be a whole lot more biasness in the white house. So it will not be more of the same it will be worst.

Let me get this straight. Palin is applying for one of the most important spots in the world, Vice President of the United States, and. (considering McCain is 72 years old to add, she is really applying for President) And you want Charlie to give her, a "fluff" interview. And the fact Palin hasn't even done one interview after 13 days, before yesterday.

The American audience is not that dumb. Yes there are those partisan voters that will stick to their candidate no matter what, but the one's that actually decide, the swing voters, need to actually see the candidates tested, and see were they stand and what they are all about. You Republicans should be mad at McCain for insulting our intelligence, instead of Gibson for doing his job.

Ms. Palin needs to develop a thick skin and be willing to take all the questions Hillary answered during her campaign and answer them, not dodge them. I'm hoping Charles Gibson, whom I respect, questions her on her record on conservation and protection of wildlife in Alaska. I would have like to have seen an unedited interview.

Well the media is off to a great start.
Charlie was so stern and condescending the only thing he
accomplished was to send hundreds of women off door to door to make
sure Sarah is vice president. Sometimes old professors suffer a
boomerang effect--it will come back to haunt
him. Let's see a no smile, no warmth
interview with "whacky" Biden.

Whatever she answered, Palin was chosen to get women's votes. As the Vice Presidential candidate, she is the attacker. This old political fox John McCain has chosen her as the attack pitbull. If her attack is sucessful, McCain will gain. If it is unsucessful, it will not hurt him or her because she is just a "little girl".

I was disappointed in how cold and seemingly unpatriotic Gibson was to ignore Palin's comment that she had sent her son and 4000 others off to Iraq. It was disrespectful to her and all the other parents to not even acknowlege it.

Gibson is an arrogant and biased buffoon. Under the guise of the "hard-hitting news professional" he attempted to look like he was single-handedly vetting Palin for the American voter. Instead, he failed to deliver his true desired result: sound bites for the DNC's propaganda machine. He was NO MATCH for the woman who WILL become the first female President of the United States. (Katie Couric, don't even think of trying...) Palin is smart, committed, confident, articulate, and honest. She is the real deal. McCain was brilliant to choose her. Obama has already lost the election. Oprah can not save him. Clinton can not save him. Major media outlets can not save him. Hollywood can not save him. Move On PAC will continue to spend the hard-earned cash of misguided fools. Give it up, socialists! And a word of wisdom to Biden... resign your nomination before the first Vice Presidential debate... don't embarrass your family.

Get over it! It doesn't make sense, it wasn’t sexist or any way demeaning. Charlie was very good, I think he was handling her with kid gloves. Look she want to be vice president or maybe even president we need to know this lady. If she can't be treated like all the other candidates then stay home. In the last 35 years or more all the vice president had experience far greater than what this lady is bring to the table. She is not qualified, let alone ready to lead. Now just face it, John McCain did this for a gimmick, and now we have a problem because people are racist toward Barack Obama, The rich keep taking from the poor, The economy is broken, and they have a 50% chance at winning and if that is the case it scary. Not only will it be more of the same but it will be a whole lot more biasness in the white house. So it will not be more of the same it will be worst.

Imagine this interview: "Barack - do you really think you are qualified? After all, you've never made any executive decisions and even though you have been in the Senate for two years, you have been running for president most of the time."
How about this one: "Barack - I'm getting lost in all of the words. Can't you just give me a yes or a no?" Or finally, "Barack - If a baby is born alive, what could you possibly have against providing it with treatment? Wouldn't the baby deserve health care, as well? How old do you have to be, according to the Constitution, before you are considered a person (Barack is supposedly a Constitutional Law prof)?" Palin did well and she will tackle any question given to her. We all know Barack is too fragile to handle it - that's why we take care of him.

The little Eskimo lady gave it her best shot based on her very limited knowledge.

When did journalism become a competition between the "journalist" and his/her subject? Why didn't Gibson ask Obama if he considered it "hubris" if he's confident he can fill the position he's running for? And, why can't the posters here tell the difference between "tough questions" and media bias?

I expected to be impressed last night, but was patently UNIMPRESSED. In fact, that interview is the reason I will vote for Obama. Palin reminds me of Bush, spouting clever sayings but not explaining her position with any real grasp of the issues. And Gibson very well grill her - she may be president one day, which scares me to death.

Final comment. I never supported Hillary during the primaries, but I would take her IN A SECOND over Palin to be president.

I have Never submitted a comment
previously---what a way to decide what
you print. It's not my style.
Carol Young
Greenville, SC 29681

10 people have already said what I think, but I will post anyway so people can spend their time reading the same thing over and over and over. Much easier than having an original thought.

I have Never submitted a comment
previously---what a way to decide what
you print. It's not my style.
Carol Young
Greenville, SC 29681

I don't get it. If you like Palin, Gibson was too hard. If you don't like Palin, Gibson was too soft.
I admire Mr. Gibson; he asked the questions everyone wants to know. He did not show partialilty based on the fact she was a woman. Had I been the interviewee though, I would have probably felt threatened. Palin showed great constraint and poise. I like her! It was a good interview.

President Palin is a scary thought. Look at her record: she shows a pattern of self-entitlement, is currently being investigated for abuse of power, and under educated. This television interview reenforces it. A smugness - just like Bush. I can't bear the thought of four more years. Oh, by the way Cheney is a pit bull with a gun too.

C'mon Barackocrats. The suggestion was that Gibson acted out of character towards Palin. I agree that he acted in a manner not consistent with his treatment of other issues.

Why be tough on Palin if you aren't gonna be tough towards Hussein?

That is the direction of the "tough" comments.

I agree with the Haters in this thread on one thing though: true reporters should be as tough as they can be on all candidates.

But that would not be possible, Hussein is the golden child.

The Bush Doctrine? When did that label become elevated to 'must-know' status for every candidate? And by whom?

When did the administration officially roll it out and declare 'The Bush Doctrine' should be ingrained in the permanent historical record?

Or is it a pet phrase of the media?

Just asking because I could not have cited it myself and would like to know if I have missed something truly important...

Let's all remember that Gibson was already fried for the softballs he threw during one of the primary debates. I'm sure HE remembers.

Not only that, but McCain's efforts to keep her sequestered from the real world is going to mean tougher, no nonsense questions when a reporter DOES get her in front of him or her. This is not a joke. Some of you may want someone "just like me" in the VP or POTUS role. I, frankly, want someone who knows what the heck they are doing. WE need to know.

Also, don't forget that she was seriously coached up front. It was obvious that, for the most part, she was reciting her lines. We still have not seen Sarah 'unplugged'.

Gibson tried very hard to box Palen into the 'unqualified' category to be president, even though she is running for VP. I wish he had vetted Obama with the same critical questions. Obama is running for president, but ABC lets OBama off on the tough questions.

Palen brings a wealth of experience as a town mayor and state governor. Those are perspectives that McCain does not have.

I believe that we would get a better understanding of Sarah Palin, her experience and knowledge if we saw the entire interview, unedited. I am unsatisified with the notion that they (ABC) will show me only what they want me to see. The mainstream media is still attempting to get a leg up on Govenor Palin, why not just look for the truth. The public can then vote their conscience in November.

Gibson tried very hard to box Palen into the 'unqualified' category to be president, even though she is running for VP. I wish he had vetted Obama with the same critical questions. Obama is running for president, but ABC lets OBama off on the tough questions.

Palen brings a wealth of experience as a town mayor and state governor. Those are perspectives that McCain does not have.

I believe that we would get a better understanding of Sarah Palin, her experience and knowledge if we saw the entire interview, unedited. I am unsatisified with the notion that they (ABC) will show me only what they want me to see. The mainstream media is still attempting to get a leg up on Govenor Palin, why not just look for the truth. The public can then vote their conscience in November.

I thought Gibson did a good interview and I also thought that for someone many are trying to paint as "too inexperienced" she had no problem hitting back with firm, confident answers. To think she had to stop and reflect on the 1st question (after hearing is posed 2,387 times this year) shows lack of attention by the author of this article.

Also, she never said anything about wanting war with Russia, she confidently explained that IF Georgia was part of NATO (which it is not right now) and IF Russua attacked them, then under the agreement, yes, we and all other member nations would help defend them. Any other answer would have been incorrect so was this a set up for the "OMG, WAR WITH RUSSIA!" headlines afterwards?

I was an Obama supporter who moved to Independent because of how poorly Obama handles pressure and how lost he appears without a teleprompter. Right now, Palin is only running for VP and focus is on her. It's pushing more and more to McCain each day.

He was absolutely hard on her. But that came from the need to find out who exactly she was. This isn't about sexism, he would have grilled Barack Obama if Biden had been the nominee and picked the inexperienced first term senator as his VP. Sexism is not at the heart of what's going on in the news lately. Her family is certainly off limits and that is frustrating to watch but as for her record, the American people have a right to the truth. (And I mean the factual truth not that BS Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow spew out nightly) As a strong Palin supporter I'll say that most of what I've heard since her nomination has been offensive and this interview was hardly at the top of that list.

I always have liked Charles Gibson until last night. The interview was obviously an attempt to discredit Sarah Palin. Bet he would have been groveling to Barack Obama. If I had been Sarah I would have said this interview is over. Bad journalism by any standard. Ruby

You neglect to mention that this is the first (and so far) only interview that Palin has granted since becoming selected as the VP candidate; plus the fact that virtually no one in America knows anything very specific about her, her policies, or her governing philosophy. There are only 53 days until the election. I think he had the responsibility to get down to business, not show favoritism, and ask tough questions. If she wanted kinder treatment or a chance to talk about issues she knows better, she should be giving more interviews so that she can get a broader range of questions.

Keeping oneself from the press does enable one to tightly control one's image, but it also necessitates that any interview you have--especially this close to the election--will have to be tough.

I didn't see the interview. Fox news has taght me everything that I need to know. She has a sister and a friend from high school. they think she can do it. she belives that sex education, even to teach children how to avoid being taken advantage of by predators, is wrong. But her name doesn't sound Muslim, and she likes guns. And we can all trust her because she is a 2nd place beauty queen. And aren't those the things that are really important to most americans who get their talking points from FOX news?

Palin, hands down. Gibson used fabricated and distorted quotes and was very condescending when he announced that she had "hubris." I had really hoped that I could go somewhere other than FOX. The obvious editing was more than a little obscene.

Looks as though ABC has joined MSNBC, NBC, and CBS in throwing ethical and objective journalism over the cliff in this election. Look for them to take Ted Koppel out of mothballs next.

Palin, hands down. Gibson used fabricated and distorted quotes and was very condescending when he announced that she had "hubris." I had really hoped that I could go somewhere other than FOX. The obvious editing was more than a little obscene.

Looks as though ABC has joined MSNBC, NBC, and CBS in throwing ethical and objective journalism over the cliff in this election. Look for them to take Ted Koppel out of mothballs next.

Charlie, had the right questions, but did not stop asking the same thing until he got the answer he was looking for! I wonder how many people including members of Congress know the Bush Doctrine, or if they do, refer to it by that name??
People have gone out of they way to blame Bush for everything, not mentioning all the good he has done for this country.

The video editing was terrible and slanted to make Charles look better than he was and Palin to look worse, heck they cut her off mid sentence once.

No worries though... She did very well and even detractors have to give her at least a "C" which is good enough to get them in to the White House.

The answer about Lincoln was telling. It reminded me of religious school board candidates who want to combat secularism in the schools, but have to run a stealth campaign to do so, as the majority of folks disagree with this. This is a sensible strategy, but it cuts against the mythical image of the straight-shooting hockey mom. More performances like this will dilute her credibility.

only pansy liberals would complain that an interview was "outrageously harsh and sexist". We are so glad that we picked a nobody and got all the white women to vote republican for the 1st time in their lives. Now we can continue with our plan of WORLD DOMINATION!!!

For those people who said Gibson was tough on her, why not ask her to have a staged perfect interview by Fox News?

Wouldn't that satisfy you?

Gibson came across as a condescending arse.

Palin hit a triple....
THE BIG SHOCK:
How little Gibson understood about ARTICLE 5 ofthe NATO TREATY in his attempt to play gotcha.

WORSE YET:
Seems Gibson has never heard and/or read the speeches of John Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt, or Abrahsm Lincoln --

Palin's 'church speech' was edited by ABC and it was tit for tat right out of the Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Kennedy playbook..
.
For a first interview, where the 'journalist' is trying to play gotcha, Charlie was the one who was 'got'...

PALIN--HITS A TRIPLE ....

gibson used kid gloves on palin and she could not even answer a simple question..she is under qualified and you just seen a little bit of her interview..war with russia and iran for georgia and israel..and the interviews with obama and mccain last night..obama looked and sounded presidential..graduated from columbia and top of his class at harvard..gave solutions to our problems..mccain look like he graduated almost dead last at the navel academy..sounded just like bush and his failed foreign and domestic policies.

OK...I get it. Palin supports Bush policy both foreign and domestic but is a crusader for change. Huhhh????? I think the change she and McCain envision is a change in who runs the executive branch not a change in past failed policies.

Its expected that someone who is leading the country and indeed setting a global vision and direction should be able to answer tough questions.

We need a LEADER who can lead the world and not just accept what a motley bunch of "experts" teach him / her.

Stop crying sexist / he was rough etc. The world is a rough place and we need leaders who can LEAD.

I agree that questions were tough but thats the way the world is ...

PS: Just a thought, most of us through more "interviews" and tougher processes to just get plain old jobs ...

There has to be an interview EVERYDAY for the next 8 weeks to vet and learn about this "new" candidate.

A real professor probably would have failed her right there

A "real" professor would have asked a "real" question. A professor would not have played games with the wording of questions to misconstrue and misrepresent the information on hand.

Nothing is "too tough" for a person who vies to be a president - vice or not.

I think she made it seem like a student interview with her posture, body language etc.

she did pretty baaaad if you ask me. but here are some questions i want to ask her..

How many wars can we fight at a time? When does she think the universe was created? what does she think of things like...say US-India Nuclear treaty? What are her view on Tibet? where is East Timor located on the world map?
yes..Her new boss fought in Vietnam, but US lost it. didn't it? how does he say he knows how to win wars?
how long in her last life before the RNC has she ever been with McCain? what's so sexist about suggesting that you should fund stem-cell research if you have a baby with Down Syndrome? so when is Alaska plannign to build the bridge-to-nowhere? even if you build it yourself, how will the bridge suddenly go somewhere? if you want less govt. why tell people what should they do in pregnancies? and why do you care to define marriage then?

ARE YOU AFRAID OF APPEARING IN PUBLIC WHERE PEOPLE CAN ASK YOU DIRECT QUESTIONS...?

His demeanor seemed to be the same as it always is during debates. He seemed to be asking her questions the way an employer does during a job interview for the second highest job in the company. Her answers showed she does agree with everything Bush asserts, including the doctrine to which she was clearly unfamiliar. What it's called and whether she knew about it is beside the point. The real point is that she was willing to and trying to fudge her answers so it appears she knows more than she does, just like people do on job interviews when the position is way over their heads. If she feels like she needs to fake the funk, we need to trust her judgment on that. She also appeared to be unnecessarily combative. We don't need a fighter now. We need to make peace so we can concentrate on our infrastructure, just as we always lecture other foreign countries to do.

Frankly, I'd feel more safe were Michael Palin the vice-presidential candidate ...at very least he knows the definition of hubris quite obviously Sara did not ... sadly Michael is not permitted to run, something about Spanish Inquisition issues.

I especially liked her wink when she was talking about military strikes. She's got her schtick down, gotta give her that. But VP, no way, now how. Unless we want to stay in the position we are currently globally, reviled and disrespected. Then I say go Sarah!

I didn't think Charles (Charlie) Gibson was over the top at all. He asked the questions correctly and paused to show the world what type of person John McCain picked to be leader of the Senate or maybe the President someday. Sarah Palin answered as about as appropriately as she could (if she wanted a second try at the Miss Alaska title).

I think we all should stop and think a moment about what is happening. So much attention has been given to Palin that McCain is left to wonder in la la land.

Comon, let's also fire tough questions at McCain as well, He is the one who will be President not Palin (or will she?)

The whole "Can you look the country in the eye..." question is stupid (funny that neither Charlie Gibson nor ANY journalist is asking this of Obama, who has LESS experience - spare the flame wars libs, you know it's true).

If she answers no, she's called unqualified, if she answers yes, she's over-confident.

She's been in elected office longer and as GOVERNOR has run a far bigger organization accountable to the people who elected her (not a campaign, which is accountable to no one and is run by a campaign manager anyway) than Obama has ever dreamed of.

Keep pounding the experience question, libs, and you only show how much less experience your OWN candidate for PRESIDENT has.

I've only seen part of this interview, but tough questions are part of the deal. Sarah Palin may be less informed than more experienced Washington politicians, but she has exhibited great character and judgement when faced with the tasks at hand, whether it be the corrupt political "good ol boys of Alaska" or any other situation. She has a Moral Compass, Character, Honesty, and she's real to the every day American who just does the best he can. I believe that what she lacks in experience will easily be overcome with good, honest, and prudent judgement as the issues of our Nation are laid out before her. She offers a fresh perspective and realism that reflects to all Americans...I know who
you are and I know what you're going through. No matter what Gibson asked Governor Palin, he can't remove
the integrity that she's exhibited and the results she's had as she's served in every capacity.

Charley Gibson has sent me to another biased channel to watch the news! He was a great disappointment since I have always thought that he was fair but not in the case of Palin Interview!!!

I do not believe the questions were too "tough". Charlie was interviewing Sarah unlike any I have ever witnessed he has had. He was obviously out of control of the interview. Any of you who think cute little Sarah, would bow down to a "Charlie, or a Putin, or the Iranian mouth piece, have totally mistaken her resolve. She is not afraid to stand up to a Charlie,and anyone else, and that is what made him mad. "How dare a woman to not let me lead her in conversation". As for her qualifications she exceeds all ring combatants, in her experience of business affairs, community organizing, negotiating and even foreign affairs,. Once you look at what Biden has actually accomplished with his so called "foreign affairs experience, he is using "visits" as percieved action. And in placing Obama's credientials along side either McCain or Palen he has an empty shirt and shoes. He can talk more about nothing, than any politician I have ever encountered in my many years of listening. He has "bumper car" mentality, bouncing from one idea to another. I believe so many people want Sarah to be so-called political correct and phony as her opponents. I much rather have her for a neighborhood watch participant than either Obama or Biden, who would want to talk to the intruders, while they were stealing the neighbors belongings. She would at least stand her ground unlike those two.

The interview was good. I thought Gibson treated her with the same amount of deference & respect he would accord to any MALE politician in the same position. I think it is crazy that some of you women are trying to say he was overbearing! What do you want? Make up your minds! You can not have it both ways. As an executive woman working on wall street I absolutely do not want ANY of my co-workers or bosses treating me with ‘delicate gloves’ because I am woman. It is demeaning. It is saying you have been hired to meet a female quota and nothing else. I expect the woman (Sarah) to roll up her sleeves and work just as hard as any man in this position (if not harder!). This is going to be a demanding, challenging job as VP and with a 72 year old man as President we all (Men & Women) should be demanding that Sarah Palin be truly vetted! Why are we allowing the Republicans to tell us its okay to play with our lives? This is not just about who is gonna win; but what will happen to US the civilians in the aftermath. As far as the suggestion that if Sarah was a Black woman Charles Gibson would not have asked tough questions I think that is just pure stupid racist nonsense! First of all a Black woman would never be nominated to a Republican VP ticket! It would be sacrilege and dishonor to them. Did the republicans not try to smear John McCain with the story about his having a half-black child? What a stupid thing to say. If Condaleeza Rice was running for VP she would get far more tough questions then Sarah Palin. Again I thought it was far of Charles to ask about the Bush Doctrine – Sarah is a Republican and she should know what it means for goodness sake its her party!

She seemed a bit "over-prepped" for the interview and not as smooth and confident as when she spoke at the convention. This may bother some of her less committed fans. Gibson, as always, was well prepared and asked the questions that needed to be asked. Can't wait for the rest of the interview to air.

It's amazing that after what has been the longest presidential campaign season in recent history that people (mostly Rs) could still be up in arms over the media's treatment of Sarah Palin. I suppose the Alaska governor's staunchest supporters would like others to be left drunkenly dizzy from Palin's spin all the way to the election. We are only NOW learning about who she really is beyond a repetitive stump speech.

I think he asked the questions America wanted to hear, and she showed us she is uncertain about a lot of things, like Bush's policies.
She is a lot more certain about things like what books we should be allowed to read from our public library.
The same people that scream about their Second Ammendment right to bear arms don't give a damn about the First Ammendment rights for the rest of us.
Palin is no different than any other religious extremist, including the Islamics she speaks against.

Joe- You sound proud of this doctrine. Does this mean we found, fixed and f---------d the 650,000+ dead Iraqis or the 4.8 million who have fled the country or been displaced from their homes? Or was it the weapons of mass destruction that we found and fixed? Perhaps it was Bin Laden? But, you're right, it probably is misnamed. Folks would better recognize it as the Unjust War Doctrine.

it wasn't too tough, but she did alright. i'd now like to see obama go through a tough interview. even when he was on fox, they were softies to him, for fear he'd whine like he did against hillary.

Repeated phrases rehearsed with the campaign team over the last two weeks delivered "confidently" does not a national leader make. Whenever Palin was asked a question that put her into the position of thinking for herself, she flubbed it until she reached out, found the right handed-to-her script and spit it back out.

To think Gibson is "frying" Palin with such questions shows a desire to protect and keep the fake image of her intact rather than to truly uncover her own understanding of free-world governance beyond what the puppet-masters have told her to parrot.

Sorry - I expect any unknown this late in the game to take very, very tough questions if they think they are "ready" to be President or one heart-beat away from it. If Dan Quayle, of all people, took open questions the very next day, why not Palin?

Tough? I doubt Palin thought it was tough. Maybe someone should ask Barry the same questions.

Charles Gibson must believe in "Bush Doctrine" Boy he was on the attack.

See the comment below. Hard to believe that the American people can be really so blind and so easy to be manipulated just by gestures and tones of a speech without carrying a brain to look into the contents of it!!! Horrible, you people of the 1st country with power in the world!

----''The usually genial Gibson was firm and authoritative - yes and obviously one-sided and ready to fry Palin publicly before our nation! From his facial expressions to the intonation of his voice this was an interview with an attempt to attack and discredit Palin. But Palin answered each question with authority, dignity, and self-confidence giving her more appeal to the audience watching to make her the VP of the U.S. Go Palin you are our next VP!!!!

Posted by: June McBride | September 11, 2008 8:32 PM''

Charlie Gibson was doing his job. The american people have a right to know what they are getting.

If I was the McCain - I would go back to hiding her from the press.
She is an embarrasment.

I thought the interview was fair and Palin responded admirably, she did well and held her own and was direct and not evasive, I am getting the impression that Palin will continue to do well and get even better as she gives more interviews. She was certainly a surprise candidate for me, and everyone else, but she is fairly impressive.

A little tenative for a first interview, but remember what George Patton once said. Even the best hound dog is gun shy the first time out. She will only get better.

The GOP's shielding of Palin is far more sexist than any charge of sexism they've tried to lay on the media or the Dems. This attitude that she must be protected, must be treated with chivalry only shows that they don't think she's capable of dealing with the stresses that come with running for national office. Compare the way she's being treated with what Hillary faced in her campaign. The GOP wants us to believe that Palin is tough, but their protective attitude shows they really see her as the "little lady" on the ticket.

Charlie began asking Alaska Gov Palin tough questions. She answered tha
m well. Now let us see if ABC and Charlie are real reporters. Will he now grill Obama on his experience... how will he lead a country when he has never lead a city or a state and has spent the majority of his time in the senate running for President. Will he ask Obama why he never once held a meeting in the committee he chairs and is that his type of leadership?
If ABC and Charlie Gibson do that then this attacking interview will hold merit. If not the this will be seen by all as another attack of Gov. Palin by a journalist with an agenda.

Mr. Gibson acted like a professional. Tough questions without being disrespectful. Palin did fine. She's inexperienced in national media just like Obama was 18 months ago. She hasn't had enough interviews yet to refine her talking points, practiced the canned ready to go answers. Give her a few more interviews a few weeks on the speach tour and she'll have all the 'experience' of Obama. This election isn't about experience, if it were Hillary would be the nominee. The election is about culture and values (again). Some folks like Obama's style, others like McCain/Palin values. Utimately its an election of style vs. values. That will decide the election. The interviews are necessary but just a side show. Palin the Cinderella VP vs Obama the empty suit Pres. - neither qualified today. I'll take McCain. he can train Palin.

Reminded me alot of the O'reilly and obama interview or the interview with abc when obama struggled talking about his religious beliefs. She handled herself pretty well, could you imagine how frustrated obama would have been with someone talking down to him like charlie. I am sure if they had asked obama about the bush doctrine they would have edited to make him look like he was an expert about it. Biden can't even remember when someone is in a wheelchair.

Regarding Ms. Palin's interview...
Unfortunately her answers were "fluff" and, while she will be defended to the death by the Republican party. It was unfair to her that the Republican party selected her for their own desperate reasons. She'll be an asset to them in future years but for the present she's just heading the "pep rally. For now she is a "cheerleader only so it must be "half-time" in the game..

Did you see Gibson's face when he was throwing questions at Palin? There was no professionalism. He was just too mean! He was out to destroy her and you could see that.
Did Palin answer to questions? Of course, she did. She was really good.
Gibson shot himself!

It would be to our advantage as Americans to have the liberal media, including Charles Gibson, get as tough with Obama as they are on Palin. What are they afraid of??? That Obama's lack of experience would be obvious? You sure don't see anybody nailing Obama to the wall like Gibson tried to do with the Alaskan Governor. Palin showed confidence in her abilities-something that liberal media has already attacked. Keep the tough questions coming - she is capable of staying on course and she will be a powerful VP.

My wife pointed out that the edited version shown in the evening news cast Palin in the most unfavorable light. The unedited version later on Nightline revealed Palin's answers were much more thoughful and cognizant. It shows ABCs mission.

Governor Palin is real, not a lawyer, so presumed not on anyones leash (or payroll). Making her the most dangerous independant thinking reform minded candidate in my lifetime. Why else would so many be on a mission to trip her up. We already know she's human like most of us. Whens the last time a common American citizen could identify with a candidate. It's mystifying to me that at election time so many elite-minded millionaires feel our pain of higher prices. Did their personal shoppers relay this information to their speech writers? McCain stop prepping her, she can hold her own if left alone. Heck she's the one that America wants anyway.

I was most disturbed by Sarah Palin's comment that she is "committed to the mission." Over the years, that mindset among our leaders has resulted in many anti-American policies which remove the right of self-determination from the people and weaken our democracy. And now we aren't allowed to even question the mission because all documents are classified "Secret" and the public officials hide behind executive privilege. We need to stop this trend of the Federal government dictating our beliefs to us and, as citizens, reclaim responsibility for our own lives. I would choose a transparent government that responds to the will of the people, over a "mission" any day.

So Charlie Gibson is rude and confrontational, so what? Let's see if he maintains the same tone with BO and his VP.

Gibson was tough but fair. Palin needs the practice. She will learn from it. I know more about International Affairs than 90% of my friends and co-workers and I didnt know what Gibson was referring to by Bush Doctrine either at first. The term is not commonly used and only academics and a very few "politicians" call it the Bush Doctrine. "Pre-emptive strike" would have been more approprite, but you know what, good for Sarah because she will learn from this. Shes a quick study and needs to ramp up her learning curve. I support McCain/Palin, the more she has to learn, the sooner she gets tested, the better she will become. What she has that Obama/Biden lack is down to earth common sense and that is the foundation she can build on. I'll take an honest woman over a two faced politician any day.

The single most terrifying thing on the planet.

Agressive, vapid, programmed automaton.

Be afraid. Be very afraid

I work at ABC News, and have been an editor for 10 years so I know what I'm talking about when I say this. Every television in the building was tuned to the raw footage coming in from the interview as it was happening. Palin was extremely nervous, and the more she talked the worse it exposed her ignorance and inexperience on foreign policy. The version that aired on World News made Palin look way better than she actually did because it was cut down considerably, because of time restraints in the show. This made her answers seem quicker and to the point, where prepared talking points made her seem decisive. The version that ran on Nightline was hardly cut down at all. Gibson was only allowed twenty minutes in the face-to-face sit down interview, once even being interrupted that he had to wrap things up. The Nightline interview was completely unedited for large portions, the natural flow of the back and forth came through much clearer, and unquestionably Palin's mistakes and uneasiness on topics she knows very little about came through. The more you cut her up with edits the better she is, no question about it.
If you think she did badly in this interview I can't even imagine what the train wreck will be like on Meet the Press that is a live uninterrupted, unedited show.
As for Palin herself after the interview she and Charlie walked outside to take pictures and shoot a little b-roll. She was a completely different person when the grilling was over, relaxed ad charming greeting people, telling anecdotes, you could see the politician's skill comig through on the personal level. But ready to lead the free world she is not.

And anyone that says Charlie Gibson was being condescending and therefore sexist towards Palin, just imagine him asking the same exact questions to Hillary Clinton. No one would even blink an eye, because she actually knows what she's talking about. No one is nervous when they are confident that they know what they are doing. Palin was out of her depths. A split decision is very generous. A TKO is more like it.

I was shocked she didn't know what the Bush doctrine was. There was lots of news coverage on it when he started the Iraq war. That she's a politician and doesn't know shows she should not be second in line to be president.

Sarah Palin [i]never[/i] said that the Iraq War was a mission from God. That anchor is taking her words out of context.

In the address to her church, Palin said "Pray... that our leaders are sending them out on a mission that is from God." That's an entreaty to the people in the congregation to pray that the leaders are on the right path. Not a declaratory statement claiming religious justification for her actions and the actions of the US military.

She's simply praying that the US is acting in accord with God's will by deposing dictators and rooting out violent regimes in a traditionally repressive and violent part of the world.

Whether you agree with the Iraq War or not, a distinction has to be drawn between what she said, and what the rest of the world wished she would have said for the sake of the headlines.

How easily you swing voting monkeys forget. Gibson was equally stern with Obama during the democratic debates he wouldnt let Obamsky the marxist off the hook with his foolish tax policies. Equal tougness for both sides, that's all I ask out of real reporters. And let me say it's refreshing to see Gibson take on this role in an ABC / Disney ( It's a small world so let's make everyone happy and hold hands while singing Kumbaya network).

Remove your blinders and do what is best for the country I love. I don't make decisions lightly. I've weighed the pros cons of each candidate and their positions very carefully. Politics has been a life-long interest to me. Sarah Palin is woefully unprepared to be our V.P. I'm a registered Independent. My swing votes goes to Obama. FINAL

I didn't see the interview but just from seeing sound bites, the American word for news, I would have to agree that Charles Gibson has every right to ask her what the Bush Doctrine is even if the term hasn't been used in 5 years. She is supposed to be on top of the policies of this country, good and bad. If not, how is she going to lead in any capacity, as vice president or president. It is time for the Palin supporters to stop treating her like a fragile flower and understand that she may one day have to talk to General Petreus-and she doesn't know much about the Iraq war. Her head must have been either in an oil well or an igloo.

The question shouldn't be whether or not Gibson's questions were too stern, but if he would have asked them to Osama Obama.. I thnk not.

Why is there the presumption that Palin should be treated differently. The Republican machine has asserted that she should be treated "respectfully." Is that a new euphemism for "kid gloves?" Hard questions should be asked to see if she can answer questions that force her to use her brain rather than some script that the Bush/McSame machine gave her. She already has lied about the bridge to nowhere and has questionable ethics in dealing with employees. If we were to have here as president, how long will it take before we have internment camps for all the non-christians (including catholics in the view of evangelicals) and pro-choice supporters. Be afraid of a McCain / Palin legacy and its effect on our Supreme Court.

Tough on her? The lady is running for Vice President of the United States people and we need to know much more than the political spin lines.

I, for one, would like to see her interviewed by Mike Wallace.

Well, finally a newsman with the courage to ask the tough questions. Who'd of thunk it of Charles Gibson, "Charlie" the nice guy? Ask Barry and Hilary and his many adoring ABC fans about his heretofore undaunted senses of kindness and sincerity. Well, by gosh, so much for those. For the first time ever my 69 years I saw Charlie tenaciouly mustering up the grit to probe and truly interrogate. (Was the waterboard to come next? Just kidding.) So much for our fears that he might continue his gracious ways during this critically important journalistic inquiry. Kudos, Charles ! After all these years, you have now faced a journalistic right of passage, a true milestone in your life, by facing this formidable, obstinate, ruthless, cold and insensitive woman. And with such a fresh new sense of petulance too.. Now that took guts. Yes sir! So congratulations on doing the best "rookie" interview of your life. You have shown yourself as a world class tough guy journalist to Sarah Palin and certainly a stern father image for the rest of us. Bet your kids loved that about you. Nice touch with furrowed brow over the glasses, too.

One difference in this interview and the one Obama did with OReilly was that Obama was uncut. This one was obviously edited not letting Palin get out her entire thought when asked a question. You can tell so many times where they have just cut her off. Pretty cheap if you ask me Charlie.

The interview went well but the way it is being portrayed in articles and the media is that she failed miserably when if you actually watch or read the text from the interview, she did just as well as anyone else in the hot seat. If you asked about 300 million Americans, following up a 9/11 question, "Do you believe in the Bush Doctrine?" Most Americans would say "What? That Bush likes coco pebbles better than fruity pebbles?" Just saying "The Bush Doctrine" means nothing.

I don't mind that Gibson asked tough questions. Tough questions should be asked (of all candidates - view the Gibson/Obama interview for comparison). However, tough questions can be asked in a respectful manner. In Gibson/Palin's case, they were not. He was snide, condescending, and smug.

He showed a good bit of disdain for her. That is not professional. I don't watch ABC/Gibson, so I had to look on YouTube at his other interveiws for comparison, and what I saw is that with others, he was tough, but respectful. With Palin, he was smug/condescending & tough. Tough is fine. Smug & condescending is not.

Hey,ruth you want to play the race game about grilling a black they
media and people like you are grilling Barack. Remember she say she was a pitbull with lipstick meaning she is able to handle a but kicking. As the old saying goes if you can't stand the heat in the kitchen stay out. This is just the beginning of her being grill. If she was'nt able to answer a reporter questions without mumbling her response what will she do when she would have to meet with leader from other countries.

As far as I can tell, all of our past president have come from the general population. Who among us are truly prepared for situation that may arise on a daily basis in our own lives. The only people who are truly qualified for the job are past preidents. Everyone else requires, on the job training. The quality you must possess is the ability to make decisions. In that light, I believe she is more qualified then someone who voted "present" some 130 times. There are no "present" votes for the president.

Charlie wow what a agenda you have it shows load and clear left left left. questions withoutt substance so sad. use your powere for selling laundy detergant not your agenda.

I do not think Ms. Palin answered the questions. She evaded direct answers, cognitively choosing the answers on which she had been prepped. The most dangerous answer was her defense policy experience, being able to see Russia for a "the little islands" which I assume she was referring to the Diomedes. The fact that Russia is close to Alaska-- "our neighbor" as she put it-- does not address national defense and the capability to make sound decisions.

Ms. Palin also claimed she was the "manager" of the town of Wasilla when she was mayor. She in fact, hired a city manager to that job after getting into hot water.

Ms. Palin is attractive, a good public speaker with a script, and jubilant. She is married to a very wealthy man, has never held a paying job other than elected-- she is a "career politician" like the ones she spoke negatively of, her kids have gone to private school, and the list goes on. Her family is not the average American family, unless you consider that to be one that can spend thousands of dollars on a snowmachining hobby, send your kids to private school, and never have to earn a paycheck to maintain your standard of living.

Ms. Palin hires her friends. Look at the people she hired after being elected Govenor of the State of Alaska. Is it really possible that many of her friends for her old days before being mayor, and in fact high school, are the most qualified to hold administrative positions in the state government? If someone is truly for change, do they not listen to people who oppose their view, gather evidence and make informed decisions? Ms. Palin's record shows that she terminates people, in fact destroying respectable careers of hardworking public servants, to surround herself with her selfmade old boy network.

Ms. Palin is a seeker of the spotlight, evidenced by her beauty pagent days, her very recent pitch for television shows, and marketing herself to the press and Washington elite -- the ones she expressed disdain for in her RNC speech.

I wanted to vote for McCain. I counted on a running mate that had qualifications and experience with the foreign presence. Why didn't McCain or the GOP select Palin for a cabinet position, perhaps with energy, and groom her for a political future that would not put us all in peril?

I am very afraid of the what the future holds for America when we are so easily duped and captivated by a person who can speak and look good doing it, but when actually probed - cannot answer a question straight on without spin, and then back it up with background knowledge and experience.

SHE HAD THE QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME!!!! HOW TOUGH CAN A QUESTION BE, IF SHE ALREADY KNEW WHAT WOULD BE ASKED!!! AND SHE STILL SOUNDED IRRATIONAL, AND BACKPEDALED ON GLOBAL WARMING!!!

Sarah Palin is clearly not the one for V.P. What an idiot.

If it were Obama knee to knee would Gibson have asked the same questions? Where would Obama put the Teleprompter? If it were McCain in the oppositie chair, Gibson would be sporting more than a bruised ego.

The Palin Doctrine: God created the world in seven days, and I could end it all in a couple of hours - God willing.
You Go, Girl!!

It's sad that in journalism (if that is even still what it is called) we have to score the interviewer vs. the interviewee. If the questions are hard, that's great. That's how we will get to know the candidate. I wish ABC would replay the equally-hard interviews with Biden and Obama. Since Obama has been running for president for over a year, I would guess they will have to go back in their archives for that interview.

McCain should have chosen Gibson as his running mate. He's better informed than Palin.

Ray commented:
"I don't care what party she is from, Sarah Palin is NOT qualified to be Vice President especially a 72 year old cancer survivor who has higher odds (sorry) or not completing his term in office."

Senator Obama who has had 2 terms as a state Senator and less then one term as a U.S. Senator IS qualified to be President? Governor Palin has at least managed a town (no matter how small) and a state with about the same population as Senator Biden's and Ray is worried about the possibility that she might become President. If elected Senator Obama WOULD be President with even less experience.

no-nonsense senior professors are condescending pricks who treat women they don't approve of like little girls?

Weird ..... learn something new everyday.

Good for Palin stomping on him throughout. The editing obviously shows their agenda.

But hey keep talking libtards ......... more votes for McCain/Palin.

All of us who did know immediately upon hearing the question what the Bush Doctrine is, please raise your hands. (I did, as did several co-workers I asked this morning - and I didn't even need the helpful pompt in which Mr. Gibson provided the date on which it was enunciated and the tip that it was before the Iraq war.)

I can't help being incredulous about all the people who don't seem to care whether we have a vice president who knows any more than they do. I sure want someone in both offices who knows more than I do about a whole range of issues! That's why I don't presume I'm qualified to run. Maybe Gov. Palin should display some of the same self reflection.

Compare Gibson's interview of Obama and with Palin, and you get a sense that he is pulling punches with Obama while piling on everything including the kitchen sink with Palin. Shouldn't Gibson be harder on the presidential candidate than the vice presidential candidate? However, Palin came out very well. I doubt Obama would do better if given the same type of attention by Gibson.

Gibson was a complete jerk in this interview... It wasn't the questions he asked it was the manner in which he asked them. As for this article to suggest she didn't answer the question on Religion is completely false. She did answer it.. and if you had read the entire speech you would know that the Press yes MSM used that against her to stir up needless garbage... As far as the Bush Doctrine.. that is another MSM made up catch phrase....She answered that question too. Once again though it is easy to tell that the B.O. PAID people are out in force slamming on all the news stories and blogs...

Mr. Gibson is a talk show host; put in front of Ted Koppel, a real journalist. This business with the Gibber is a joke.

Here is something we need to be concerned about as Americans:

VOTING MANIPULATION
State Republicans, though, have a plan to give the McCain campaign an edge: suppress the vote.
The chairman of the Republican Party in Macomb County Michigan, a key swing county in a key swing state, is planning to use a list of foreclosed homes to block people from voting in the upcoming election as part of the state GOP's effort to challenge some voters on Election Day. "We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses," party chairman James Carabelli told Michigan Messenger in a telephone interview earlier this week. He said the local party wanted to make sure that proper electoral procedures were followed.

State election rules allow parties to assign "election challengers" to polls to monitor the election. In addition to observing the poll workers, these volunteers can challenge the eligibility of any voter provided they "have a good reason to believe" that the person is not eligible to vote. One allowable reason is that the person is not a "true resident of the city or township."

The Michigan Republicans' planned use of foreclosure lists is apparently an attempt to challenge ineligible voters as not being "true residents."

The scheme would, of course, disproportionately affect African-American families in the area, who are more likely to vote Democratic, and more likely to be in foreclosure as a result of sub-prime loans.

This is just part of a "comprehensive voter-challenge campaign" Michigan Republicans are launching this year, which will coordinate with the regional McCain campaign to train volunteers in challenging those who wish to vote on Election Day. (Whether the foreclosure-driven scheme will be implemented statewide is unclear.)

Asked about the GOP's efforts, Carabelli said, "I would rather not tell you all the things we are doing."

I wouldn't exactly call it a tough interview. A lot of chances to dig deeper into answers to see if she actually knows what she's talking about but he didn't do it at all. Pretty much just let her say her prefab'd answers and left it at that. Pointless to interview that way. But that's the extent of what the media does these days.

INTELLIGENT REPUBLICAN... your not a Republican. Your a liberal Democrat on here working for Obama. Just like many of the others on this board commenting.I love the ones that say well I am not a republican or democrat BUT... you guys are so transparent

It seems all these Democratics want to give McCain & Palin hell all the time. Where are the tough questions and rudeness for Obama? Don't you care that this man is a US Senator who has done NOTHING in the 200 days he has been in office? Don't you care that this man can't make a decision on how to vote - yea or nay - not just "Present". Who cares if he is there. Can't you Demo idoits see through this man of gab. He actually has NO qualifications to be street sweeper much less run for Presi of the US! If he wins you can kiss this country good-bye. It will be the beginning of the end for the US. He want even salute the flag! Barack Obama is a liar and deciteful person.
His wife is a racist and bigot. Check her work at Harvard.

Jesus loves Karl Rove, too.

Huh? Why wouldn't he??

Please stop the race card, that is not even an issue here. Let's not do that. The bottom line is that, this must be done. If you are going to be the VP and one day the potential President, you have to go through this. Every President and Vice President has in the past and it will continue to happen in the future. I'm surprised that people think that Charles Gibson was suppose to be friendly and display a joking demeanor with Sara Palin. If we want to compare, lets throw Barack Obama and his interview with Bill O'Reilly. O'Reilly was not the most friendliest person and was very harsh and crude to be honest, but the interview was done and the questions were answered that the people who watch the O'Reilly factor wanted. Yeah Bill O'Reilly was condescending, smug, snide and completely disrespectful...he had a snide look on his face during every answer from Barack, but what can you do? Let's not place a double standard on this. Sarah Palin is open game just like Barack, John and Joe are. Let's not forget this is a nasty election and everyone is placing a ton of spin on everything...more than anything the McCain camp are the kings/queens of spin.(A little off topic) But my point is, is that she is not a victim, this is what is suppose to happen...you're grilled and you show people that you are able to stay strong and answer the question with tenacity. If you can't do that then why are you even in this election?

Final note, Gibson was doing his job and was tough while doing it. Applause to him. If you want to find out the answers as a nation then the key questions have to be asked. They seemed direct and to the point. I'm not a McCain fan, but if McCain were asked about the Bush Doctrine I think he would have been able to answer the question legitimately without the run around. This basically shows that Sarah Palin is not the most knowledgeable person on that topic, but I can't say the same for everything in regards to her. She hasn't given enough interviews for me to figure out, but if it were based off of her display off of that interview then she isn't the most strongest person. We as the people of the US have the right to know where she stands. She needs to be grilled because we know nothing about her just like they did and still do with Barack because we knew nothing about him. Let's think about it a little deeper.

Someone with Palin's obvious lack of experience should be looked at through a stronger microscope. In the workplace, when an employer interviews a candidate with minimal experience for a VP role, you can bet the hiring manager is going to put that candidate through a tougher, more thorough interview than a seasoned industry veteran. In a Presidential election, we the people are the hiring managers.

For all of you asking how Obama would do if Gibson were to ask him tough questions, you may want to keep in mind that Obama just sat for an interview with Bill O'Reilly. Just think how Palin would do if she were to sit down for an interview with Keith Olbermann or Rachel Maddow.

When is Palin going to make an appearance on SNL? After last night's performance, it's clear that she'd fit right in with the Not Ready for Prime Time Players.

All I can say is that Sarah Palin is a disgrace. She is not informed and didn't even bother getting informed. Oh, yeah, it's real trickery to ask her about the Bush Doctrine, right.

As an Obama supporter, I find it kind of amusing to see Palin supporters bashing the same ABC anchor that we all bashed for being too hard on Obama in the Philadelphia debate. I think we can agree that he can be condescending and ask "gotcha" questions, but he did the same thing to Obama in April, so I hardly think we can call it sexism.

I was very disappointed with Charles Gibson's interview with Sarah Palin. Mr. Gibson appeared arrogant, demeaning and disrespectful. It was very apparent that the interview was heavily edited. Viewers didn't see a true interview with "everything" that was said. Instead, we saw a network/anchor manipulation of words and statements.

Tough and direct questions should be asked of all candidates. But with respect, please!

Charlie and ABC . . . you disappoint me!

As someone said earlier:

She had the questions ahead of time, the McCain camp PICKED Wilson, this thing has been set up to favor her from day one and people are STILL saying "they were to hard on her."?

ARE YOU SERIOUS. Because she was forced to have an original thought that wasn't on a pre-approved list if talking points?

We actually asked her to form a thought on her own!

The bottom line is this, the McCain camp is going out of their way to "protect her" from the media. Why does she need protecting?

I thought she was a pitbull with lipstick? I thought she was a tough independent broad from Alaska who "won't blink" in the face of adversity?

You're saying reporters can be mean and unfair? NO CRAP! That hasn't changed in fifty years! The media is vicious on both sides to everyone. Why should she be "protected" from it?

If she can stand up to the media on her own then how will she stand up to anyone else on her own?

If she can't stand up to the 200lb bucket of smarm that is Keith Olberman how will she do against people that want to kill us?

Republican or democrat, if she is ready for this job she should be ready to face a tough media.

The McCain campaign said that they were going to completely control all her public speaking events and interviews. Sad about the editing? Well, blame the McCain advisors because they had editing rights. If it was edited havily, that means there was muvh more we didn't see. I don't think the McCain campaign would have let them edit out the good stuff - so this 10 minute interview was completely controlled.

Palin is one tough cookie! Gibson looked like he was talking down to her...which is a good thing I think cuz she might very well be the next President of the US, this was a good way to probe her to see if she's got what it takes.

Seems like she's a toughie....stuck with her answers and stood firm! I admire that.

Anyone notice Palin says NUCULAR, not nuclear?

The really big question is did John McCain know that Sarah Palin has a pregnant out of control 17 year old daughter, a son immediately deploying to Iraq and a 4 month old special needs baby when he picked her? Does Sarah Palin know it? Maybe after her hubristic response to being asked we can now see it was not the right time for her to be asked to be a V.P. candidate.

America only cares about the form, not the substance. Palin's ignorance about issues is quite appalling. She's a decent actor with this "I'm a tough hockey-PTA mom" shtick, and America is lining up to buy it! This is all from the George Bush school of "I don't want a smart president, I want a president whom I can have a beer with." Palin's performance last night showed she is unqualified to make the decisions of a huge nation. She certainly understands that all she has to do is ACT like she knows what she's talking about, and America will buy it. Sarah, the product, is nothing different than the other consumer products American's loves to spend what little money they now earn on, like American Idol CD's, big screen TV's or whatever new fanged crap that's just popped up. Just mind-numbing rubbish that appeals to the ignorant American. Sadly, as America continues to elect these clowns and fools, their economy continues to plunder and their country continues to become less significant.

The question about the "Bush Doctrine" gave up a big blank on her account.

When people make comments type of comments on names etc. It only shows that they are nothing but prejudice uneducated folks. We Feel sorry for them being deprived of education. Also, why are so many hispanics Replublicans. What have Replublicans ever done for them?

After her comments about the Iraq War being the work of God, it is further proof that this woman is a liar. More than that, she is a know-nothing who needs a lot more prepping before she can be let loose on her own. Apparently she is like George W. Bush who takes his orders directly from God. Scary Sarah is truly unprepared and unqualified. She all set to start WWIII - if God tells her its the right thing to do. McCain has put at risk the long term stability of this country by bringing this wingnut into the election. He has made a mockery of the electoral process. Palin must be rejected for the sake of future generations and for the entire world. Shoot First is not an acceptable policy in a nuclear world. She is another Goldwater.

I am so embarrassed for Sarah Palin after watching her interview with Charlie Gibson. If anyone including even the most partisan republicans still thinks she is ready to be a heartbeat away from the presidency I have some beautiful swampland I would like to sell you.

Being a Democrat I have to admit that I was expecting her to be highly coached but I had not idea that she would ramble on when she obviously didn't have a clue about what the answer should be. I had no idea how scary she would be either. If I had a son heading overseas I wouldn't be thumbing my nose at Russia, especially when most of the credible evidence supports Russia’s story about the clash being Georgia's fault. It sure didn’t give me a safe and easy feeling learning that Palin was in contact with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. I wonder if she also got Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin or Russian President Dmitry Medvedev take on what happened or did she just take John McCain’s version of the events? She says she doesn’t like corruption. I wonder how she would like to find out that the attacks were orchestrated to effect the U.S presidential election. That could be the corruption that ends all corruption and unfortunately the earth as we know it. Then I guess her corruption fighting would be complete, but who would be left to tell the story of what a heroine she is?

I knew the Republicans were capable of doing almost anything to stay in power, but I absolutely sincerely pray that George Bush and his cronies had nothing to do with encouraging Georgia to attack Russian peace keepers to effect the U.S presidential elections. I hope even they can’t be that hungry for power that they would risk a nuclear war. Explain to me how all of us being dead would help their corporate backers?
Russia has flexed their muscle a little recently, but nothing like the days of old. This is a Russia that is getting rich on energy sales to Western Europe. So why would they jeopardize such a good thing for so little gain and such bad international relations?

Sarah Palin is not only someone that I don’t want as president, but the idea of her attending State funerals around the world as Vice President with her nonstop blabbing and know it all attitude scares the hell out of me. After hearing her I seriously question if she is even sane. What kind of person is asked to take on such a momentous task that will not only change her life but everyone around hers life and doesn’t even hesitate for even a split second to think it over? Only an insane person with grandiose delusions would act this selfishly. She is acting like someone called up and asked her to help make sand bags for a flood or asked her to go bowling. She doesn’t even have a clue of the vast amount knowledge that is in the heads of the people that are actually qualified for this position. You can’t learn it in a quickie cram session. It takes years to have a firm grasp of these matters.

For those of you that think Joe Biden doesn't know when to shut up, wait until you hear this woman drone on repeating herself in an attempt to try to avoid the next question.

How could any serious candidate for national office and especially a republican not know what the "Bush Doctrine" is?

Some might find how absolutely naive Sarah Palin is as refreshing but frankly I think it is dangerous and down right scary and choosing her was an absolute insult by John McCain towards the people of America, Democrats and Republicans alike. How could anyone that claims to love his country betray the American people in this way? He had so many better choices of both men and women most of which I would not have agreed with politically, but at least I could not have said they were absolutely incompetent for the job at hand.

I imagine after last night most of you Republicans feel the same way even though you dare not breathe a word of it for fear of being ostracized by your party bosses, but I beg of you to stand up and be heard and demand that your party put a qualified person in her position, please for the sake of our country.

I didn't think it could get worse than Bush. Boy was I wrong.

Maybe I'm missing something from some of the comments shown. Please get it right people. This is potentially the next president of our country. Perhaps yopu think Mrs. Palin should have been given a full body massage by Mr. Gibson ! I want my country's VP to be able and staunch in what she needs to do. Be that answer few questions from a reporter or those from Heads of State ! Perhaps you all realize that shes not qualified as a "hockey mom" and whatever else it is she does. Oh yeah,... not knowing what goes on in her own household...and she's qualified to be VP?like her daughter getting pregnant! By the way Ruth...geez..I wonder if one of the Obama's kids were pregnant, what would have happened. The race would have been over. Case closed. I guess you think its cute for a 17 yr old to be pregnant by a 19 yr old thug(she was probably 16 at the time of conception-isn't that against the law?). Stop dragging race in every doggone issue when you don't have a leg to stand on. The GOP is trying to shove her down our throats (I'm sure Mccain didn't know about this when he picked her).trying to make her smell like a rose. If it were Mr. Obama's family this was happening to or any poor family in America, they would be called dysfunctional and a burden. Just because she's governor doesn't make this....Geez...OK.

Ok I dont think he was necessarily hard on her because I think those are the types of questions we need to be asking all of our candidates however I haven't seen many questions like those posed to Obama and/or Biden. My only real issue with this interview is that it was so severely edited to depict a certain image. How can you expect people to make educated decisions when you are only putting out the info that supports YOUR argument. The "war is a task from God" question took the credibility away from NBC and Charles Gibson because they botched her quote completely. What she really said was "Pray that it is a task from God".

I thought Palin was clever and quick. I was wrong. She's a puppet. I'm a woman and I'm voting Obama. She has a glass jaw and that should never be in the White House. You can't just sit there flapping your jaws. I won't vote to jeopardize our nation's security even if it does break the glass ceiling. We need someone better for THAT job.

Gov. Palin kicked Charlie's butt. Your Sun-led liberal, anti-God bias and Obama-worship is obvious.

Oh, yes - Gibson was poised as the Assassin for the Democrat Party, and he failed miserably - a Tougher opponent quashed him.

Barry-O would have had his teleprompter, and Gibson would have been on one knee with a cold drink in hand for Obama, along with the rest of the lib lap-dogs. Charlie would have asked Barry tough questions, such as "What attracted you to your wife first when you met or?" Maybe another toughie would have thrown in, such as, "What does it feel like, to be the first African-American nominee to be this close to the White House?'

Please...the judge who voted for Obama was, to say the least...Bought and paid for...and Biased.

Remember Gibson and the others just panting around the Messiah on his World Tour several weeks ago???

What a Freaking JOKE! She sounded like a high school kid unprepared for a final exam! She sounded like she just crammed the night before and was so nervous you could see it in her face. This woman was unprepared for this interview...how do you expect her to be prepared to be VICE president, or maybe even president one day!???! If McCain and Palin win, this country is headed down the tubes. Gibson showed more knowledge on Foreign Policy and National Security than Palin did! Obama will kick McCain's rear in the debates, and Biden will walk all over Palin. Palin is a bafoon. She needs to spend some more time cramming for her next exam if she wants to do anymore interviews! Obama may not have the "experience" but he CERTAINLY has the intelligence to lead our country. Experience is just ONE factor in considering a president...McCain has experience but no brains. Obama has brains but little experience. I'll take brains over experience any day. And with a clueless beauty pageant contestant as a runningmate, I'll most certainly pass on the McCain/Palin ticket! So are all of my friends and family here in PA! GOOOOO-BAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAhahahahahahahahahaha.

Are you serious? This idiot redneck could be the next President. You have got to be kidding me. i know I am going to wake up form this nightmare any time now. I hope.

Puhleeze, there is NO SUCH THING AS THE "BUSH DOCTRINE." The media just made it up. Yes President Bush has the POLICY that Gibson outlined, but it is not a binding doctrine. Do you really think future Presidents will feel obligated to follow that policy, as say, the MONROE DOCTRINE? I don't think so.

This interview is exposing Sarah Palin as having some of the same failings as the current president. She comes across as overconfident to the point of being reckless in her beliefs. I would never trust her to lead this country and make well reasoned decisions. The fact she clearly does not even know the Bush Doctrine is beyond believe for someone who could be a heart beat away from becoming the most important world leader of the planet.

God help the world if that ever happens!

Chuck Kleinhans
Wisconsin

wow. is she dumb....maybe something more than a communications degree from university of the middle of nowhere is necessary to run a country? ridiculous and disgusting that she would even be considered by the American public; how dumb are you people?

I can't believe how little Palin knows about national security, foreign affairs, and the environment.

Your everyday average American is more qualified as McCain's VP, than she is.

As and African American self proclaimed femenist, these have been very exciting times for me.

While Senator Obama has always personally appealed to me, it was GREAT to see Senator Clinton hold her own and then some in the race. In all honesty Obama-Clinton would have been my dream ticket.

That said, I find it personally insulting to my intelligence and emotional fortitude that McCain chose a woman and not a well qualified running mate. She has yet to express an actual opinion (and by opinion I mean something other than prepared party line talking points). She has a journalism degree and lives in Alaska and this is supposed to have prepared her for the presidency that she is "confident" she's ready to undertake?

She has a son who is in Iraq - yet she comes across as frivilous when discussing her willingness to go to war with any and everyone she THINKS MIGHT go bump in the night. As a U.S. Marine, the prospect of a Vice Commander-in-Chief who has little care for my life or the lives of my brethren in arms makes me nervous to say the least.

Overall, I liked McCain. I never agreed with all of his politics but I can't say that about anyone. However, I no longer believe he is the servant of the people he claims to be. McCain has become a servant of his party and moreover the corporatist agenda...Palin is just the pretty "dummy" on sitting on his lap.

I wouldn't even hire Sarah Palin as a live-in maid, specially were she to bring:
1. Five kids, one in need of special care and attention.
2. One a pregnant teen-age
3. The baby due to be born in a few weeks.
4. The teen-age, high-school father of the baby.
5. The "First-Dude" husband.
She just couldn't do the job.
-Now, for the White House, ask yourselves if she could do the job of high office which requires excellence in honesty, good judgment, education, valid experience, preparation, and availability. She has no world culture nor unbiased religious insight. She THINKS that she knows, and that's her greatest ignorance. Wishful Thinking is no substitute for real capability.
-But if she really knows which are God's tasks and which are not, then she should be running for Even Higher Office.

I think Charlie Gibson is a biasis reporter. His interview was not anything like that with Obama. Just go a head and say your for Obama Charlie! Palin held her own. She knows what the Bush doctrine is. Charlie was just wanting her to say she was totally for it. She is for defending our country. The" wuss" Democrats want to talk about keeping our country safe. Republicans are going make sure our counrty is safe. What is the deal people WAKE UP ! Obama had Jimmy Carter speek at the democratic Convention. Jimmy Carter wanted to tie yellow ribbons around trees and wait for our soilders of war to come home. This is a dangerous time. Do we need another Jimmy Carter? NO !

This woman is a banana peal away from the presidency. What a joke we are as a nation that half of the popluation will vote for this farce and pretender to be a heartbeat away. Is the GOP this stupid to put someone in power next to the red button? I rather have Bush in power for another 4 years than to have her this close to be leader of the free world... Thats right... i rather have Bush in there instead of Pallin a heartbeat away.

A 'menu' of follish questions issued by a so-called jounalist of the NATIONAL ^SSHOLE MEDIA who once stated: "...there are those AMISH in their costumes." CHARLES GIBSON is an unintelligent moribund YUTZ!!! GIBSON was filleted, skewered, grilled; by the ALASKAN hockey-mom and hoisted on his own idjit petard + that was served with a dose of spittle from the outraged NAM + DEMBHOLES on the side.

Good grief! Was Charles Gibson mocking Sarah Palin's religion? Isn't that religious discrimination?

And, aside from this interview which was held in an unfriendly way to Sarah Palin, why did the liberal media fry and traumatize a 17 year old girl who's pregnant? They were figuretively dragging that poor girl through the streets. Disgraceful media reporting.

I think she did a pretty good job for a person who is totally unqualified to be our V.P. Her fans with children should think about how confident they would feel about her if she sent their sons and daughters off to war- maybe with Russia.

Baracky Hussein Obama has an extremely liberal Senate voting record - he cannot run and hide from that fact.

Democrats for John McCain and Sarah Palin in 2008

From a trial lawyer who knows how to manipulate the stage: Gibson's chair, 10 inches from the next VP's was a stage set for control and domination. Fair? Balanced? Intelligent? Ha... a good game of test the student. Score: Palin 1 Left 0 (but a very nice try by the Left).

"Under the guise of the "hard-hitting news professional" he attempted to look like he was single-handedly vetting Palin for the American voter."

UUUHHH, yes, if McCain would have chosen to do this himself, she wouldn't have looked so ridiculous and so totally pathetic. I actually felt sorry for her and was cringing at the answers.

Again, let's look at McCain's judgement in having this woman vetted in the public domain. Ya gotta take the heat when deserved.

Well, a tad of redemption for Gibson ... just a tad - Alas, the reality of this selection by the GOP has surfaced ... proof that fecal matter does float ...

She should have some gratitude, she's getting 15 days rather than minutes

Truly a frightening proposal, Palin any where near the lower 48 ...

This is coming from a redneck in Northern Idaho - keep her close to the Bering Strait where she can keep an eye on Russia for the rest of us ... God Bless the field dressin sows of the world ... but let's keep em on the tundra, out of sight and OUT of OFFICE ... slick move McNutt

She sounded lie she was reading the answers. I was leaning toward mccain, but after that I am firmly for Obama/Biden. She scares me. She seemed like she was trying so hard to recall information that has been taught to her.

Were U.S. politics a business, Ms. Palin would qualify as an intern, at best. The very thought of her as VP is ludicrous. The GOP (Good Oil Pussies), shameful as it is, has set the bar at the lowest point in American history. Enron, 4,000 dead soldiers, record foreclosures, illegal wiretapping, torture, Guantanamo, tax cuts for the rich, 46 million people w/o health insurance, a horrible economy, hated around the world when we were once heroes, more terrorists, biggest defecit in history. Yeah, Palin is the man for the job. Creationism, fraud, no right to choose, Troopergate, Bridge to Nowhere, charges govt. to sleep at her own home, no contraceptives, charge rape victims for medical exams, radical religous beliefs even for GOP, doesn't even know what the Bush doctrine is. God help us.

Sarah Palin's Motto: If all else fails, talk about terrorism!

Bush Doctrine = blah,blah,blah, blah .. terrorism ... blah, blah, blah ... terrorists!

Iraq War = blah, blah, blah ... terrorism ... blah, blah, blah, blah ... terrorists, terrorists, terrorists!

If you didn't know what the "Bush Doctrine was, it's okay! Just ask, instead of blabbering about generalized non-sense about fighting terrorism. Please, STOP exploiting 9/11 for your political gains!

Let's face facts - neither Governor Palin or Senator Obama are qualified to lead our country. Still, this simple fact cannot be ignored - the media is not and has not treated Senator Obama in the same way they have treated Hillary Clinton and are treating Governor Palin. As a woman, I expected that these women would be held to a higher standard and treated tougher - after all women still need to prove themselves to the world - right? As for Mr. Gibson, you were Charlie to the nation for many years as co-host of Good Morning America. Perhaps ABC should consider changing your name once again from Charles to Richard.

"From a trial lawyer who knows how to manipulate the stage: Gibson's chair, 10 inches from the next VP's was a stage set for control and domination."

Soontobe, what court are you talking about? No opposing counsel is allowed to place a chair next to the witness stand. The only person you can sit that close to is your own client. In many states, permission must be *granted* by the judge to approach a witness. There is typically considerable distance placed between plaintiff / defendant attorneys and the witness stand, usually to prevent intimidation and/or attacks to the witness. Leaning into someone and setting your feet down in preparation to come out of the chair would be more intimidating than sitting back with your legs crossed (which is how most talk shows are set up).

Gibson *was* tough, no doubt - But when you're competing for the second, possibly the top position in our government, you had better get used to the heat. "Mavericks" are used to roughing it, and since that is the image she and McCain are promoting, I will hold her to it, and don't have much sympathy when the going gets tough.

I like McCain, but Palin's "wow and flutter" wording is going to be a problem once her novelty dies down. The reason for this is if/when Palin has to deal with non English-speaking dignitaries, translators are not going to convey all the pretty wording she thows out to wow the listener; the translator will simply answer yes or no, based on what they think she said. That's makes her far less effective than the loose-tongued and blunt VP candidate Obama has chosen.

I simply haven't heard from Biden (that may be a good thing), but Palin's repeated avoidance of clearly answering the question left me flat, especially with the possibility of McCain falling ill and her assuming the office.

McCain says he "isn't a financial guy" and Obama has no real experience... Who to choose? I'm at a loss....

Neither Obama or Palin are ready to be President, the difference is Obama's running for it. And Gibson was an AH and he would never had spoken to Obama that way.

Jaun since your so set on "one of our guys" interviewing Obama and Biden, Who would be the perfect GOP candidate to do so?

Charlie could have asked the same questions with a level of respect due a sitting Governor. Instead he chose to act like a condescending A.....Hole, clearly showing his political bias and futile attempt to discredit her. Inteviews such as this will almost guarantee her election in Nov. Its time to get our Country back from all these wacko's.

New campaign slogan for Palin

Blink don't think! YAY, I'm going to blow you away!

This woman does not represent my gender. Not the way Hilary did.

Go Obama 2008

I appreciated Charles Gibson's interview. I don't like labels of democrat or republican as if there is nothing in between. I don't like being lied to or deceived by our leaders and I think most politicians are full of ...well you know. I do think it is my privilege and right to think for myself about who the best 2 people would be to run this country after what we have been through the last 8 years.
We as a nation can't continue on as we have in the last administration. The average American family is hurting so badly from the unemployment, gas prices, education crisis, higher taxes for those of us who are paying both the way of those who stay on welfare that could be paying their own taxes and making up for the tax breaks giving to large corporations, the mortgage crisis, even Katrina which has been 3 years ago and people are still not in their homes, the war in Iraq and the deception that got us there.
Now all of a sudden you have Bush who has suddenly decided he wants to "find" Bin Laden" before the election...gee we Americans are just too stupid to figure out what that is about and gee because I am a woman voter I am too stupid to look past the fact that just because Mr. McCain chose a woman to be VP to get the women votes that Hillary had. And we American's are just too stupid to figure out for ourselves that when Ms. Palin was giving her speech they kept panning back and forth to her 7 year old daughter holding her down syndrome child and some how that gave all of us Americans the warm fuzzies so how dare a journalist come in a ask hard questions when we should just all shut up and vote for her. I beg all of America to think first, don't go by all of the media hype, don't just see the headlines and make a judgement. Look at what that person is saying or not saying. Do their actions match their words. All I heard her doing during that interview is what many politicians do....dance, dance, dance around the hard questions.....she could very easily become vice president and frankly I don't give a damn what color is her favorite or her cookie recipe. I'm not hearing any real answers but I was watching her reaction and she was getting really pissed off. I would like to see all of the candidates pushed to a point that we might really see WHO they are under the pressure of hard questions.

Palin plays a good game for a small state governor, but she is too shallow to handle a substantive interview. This really showed in her attempt to bluff on the Bush doctrine, but it was evident everywhere.

Top Republicans know she is not qualified. (Recall Noonan's hot mic comments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg). Their willingness to say the opposite publicly exhibits an unflinching willingness to lie for political gain, even at great cost to the nation. (So much for the Republican claim to be committed to the good of the country.) The choice of Palin is sad and cynical. Hopefully it will not succeed.

I am thoroughly disappointed in ABC News for trashy editing of Palin, and in Gibson's patronizing mannerism. He would never have treated Obama or McCain this way.

The only mistake Governor Palin made was agreeing to that interview without preconditions. From this point on, the McCain team should stipulate that the footage of their interviews should not be edited. The unedited transcript of that interview paints and entirely different picture and ABC deserves to be raked over the coals for their very own version of "memo gate".

That interview, even in its "unedited" form, displayed how painfully clear it is that that Gov. Palin is not ready to be VP much less President if that should ever be necessary. Some will argue otherwise but calling that a success is a tough sell.

But it's important to remember she's not the issue. The real issue is why McCain chose her. Did he really not vet her properly or did he just not realize that she's not qualified and this is just an indication of his poor judgment? The other option is that this this choice was solely a political move and he was obviously putting politics and his own ambition to win ahead of what is best for the country. In either case, it's a cause for serious concern about a McCain Presidency.

The Republicans (and yes this is between Republicans and Democrats) will herald this as an indication of her competency. They will viciously attack anyone that says otherwise or claim blind bias. There will be claims that any negative view of this interview, edited or unedited, is a political or sexist attack because they will try to divert the issue of her competence into something that is a non-issue. Will it work? Unfortunately I'm not sure but I'm worried.

We are facing serious issues in this country and most people know it. Approximately 80% of us believe we're on the wrong path. We need a completely new direction and competent Administration to get us back on track . We all know that; even the McCain Campaign as they are running from the Bush Administration and claiming they can bring "change". The record, however, speaks otherwise. McCain-Palin will not take us anywhere we haven't been already.

When I heard Sarah Palin was giving Charles Gibson her first interview, my first thought was, "Great choice, he's fair and balanced," like Tim Russert was. The great thing about Tim was that he went to the grave without viewers having any idea who he was going to vote for or who he had voted for in prior elections. This made him a great reporter. In listening and watching Charlie, the thoughts that immediately surfaced were patronizing,
condescending, and Obama
supporter. If the interview were conducted in the same manner as Saddleback church, and Obama received the exact same questions in the same tone, Sarah would have come out looking like a champion. Of course, Charlie would never have treated Obama in the same manner and tone, nor would he have held him "to task" as he did Sarah, because Obama has been getting away with skirting issues for 18 months. Charlie, you are no Tim Russert, and you have lost credibility.

Unedited Transcript of the interview. ABC edited out portions that clearly shows Governor Palin more educated and "with it" than the botched edit job leads viewers to believe,

http://marklevinshow.com/gibson-interview/

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/p-j-gladnick/2008/09/13/abc-news-edited-out-key-parts-sarah-palin-interview

I really wish people would stop kidding themselves into thinking that McCain-Palin is what this country needs. This is just getting beyond ridiculous. More than anything, I wish I did not have to deal with the ignorance that so many people still have in 2008. Lets just be honest; there are a lot of people that just do not want to vote for a black man. Yes, that's right, I said it. And please cut all the "under the radar" Muslim jokes. Barack Obama is a Christian, not a Muslim. I know all you BIGGETS out there want to make him out to be something he is not, but you are just liars, which is probably why you like McCain and Palin so much. McCain is just like Bush and chose Palin solely for political gain. He himself knows she is not qualified to lead this nation. Especially in the shape his party has left it in. He went along with Bush every step of the way, but now wants to preach Change? Give me a break. If Obama would have chosen Hilary as a running mate, we would never have heard of Palin. Why? Because she cannot hold a candle to Hilary. He chose Palin only to get the votes of Hilary supporters. If you supported Hilary and are now switching to McCain, you are a FOOL!

yes...read the underlined portions of the "unedited" version in these blogs

http://marklevinshow.com/gibson-interview/

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/p-j-gladnick/2008/09/13/abc-news-edited-out-key-parts-sarah-palin-interview

She is good at repeating what she's been told to say in response to specific "topics". She has been well-coached and to her credit she's a good study and takes coaching well. But she is NOT what this country needs.

But again, she's not the issue. So let's not worry about that interview. The issue is McCain-the nominee for President. It's a frightening that he selected her and it makes one wonder about his motivation and priorities. Our country is ill. We have problems with our: economy, foreign policy, domestic policies (e.g. health care), and global policies (e.g. energy, environment). We need some new thoughts and McCain-Palin offer little if any.