ABC's Sarah Palin Interview Plan: World News, Nightline, GMA, 20/20

NEW YORK — Charles Gibson's interviews with Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will form the basis of a special prime-time edition of "20/20" Friday, ABC said Wednesday.

Gibson is traveling to Fairbanks and Wasilla, Alaska, for the first TV interviews with Palin since she was selected as John McCain's running mate. The first excerpts of the talks will be shown on "World News" Thursday.

Gibson is having three separate interviews with Palin, ABC said. Parts of the interviews will be spread around other ABC news programs, including "Nightline" and "Good Morning America."

The prime-time special, at 10 p.m. EDT, will also include a bio of Palin by ABC's Kate Snow and a round-table discussion on the presidential race moderated by George Stephanopoulos.

The Alaska Republican has proven to be a ratings-grabber during her short time on the national political scene. Her speech to the GOP national convention last week was seen by more than 40 million people, according to Nielsen Media Research.

A Fox News Channel documentary, "Governor Palin: An American Woman" last Saturday was the highest-rated prime-time documentary in the network's history, with 2.7 million viewers.

CNN is also planning a Palin special this weekend.

Comments

[Juran14]

Republican "Amnesia"
"Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."

The Republicans are conveniently, (but not responsibly) forgetting history.

In discussing the pregnancy of Sarah Palin's daughter with MY daughter, she said, "That's not a reflection on the qualifications of Palin for VEEP."

After agreeing with her, I added, "But, the Republicans would not react the same if she was the daughter of a Democratic candidate."

My daughter is too young to remember the huge controversy created by another Republican Vice-presidential candidate, Dan Quayle, who coincidentally was only 45 when nominated by George Bush (Senior). In 1992, he raged criticism against the "Liberals" for allowing a fictional character of "Murphy Brown" (Candice Bergen) portraying an unwed mother on the show. "It shows their lack of 'family values.'"

So, why are the Republicans now "canonizing" this REAL woman (& a minor) having a child out of wedlock?

Another reminder about Palin's qualifications... In the vice-presidential debate, Quayle compared his amount of Congressional experience to that of John. F. Kennedy when he was running for president. Democratic candidate Lloyd Bentsen said in rebuttal, "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

Quayle went on to be elected and became the 45th Vice-president under Bush Senior. Fortunately, the President did not become incapacitated or die while in office. Can we afford to gamble on such luck with Sarah Palin?

[lovethesinner]

It's like selling anything, except ABC isn't charging the client in this case. Why? Because the client is THE BOSS. We no longer live in a democracy, "MY FRIENDS", we live in a PLUTOCRACY.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutocracy

[oldmanjack]

When picked, Charlie Rose gave us this preview of The Good Mother - Sly politician, nobody listened...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlie-rose/my-conversation-with-sara_b_122415.html

[p2p2008]

The Republican wants us to believe that Palin is qualified, a pitt bull with a lipstick as she desrcibed herself, but yet their campaign ask the media to treat her with deference. WHY? If she is tough, then let her answer questions all the questions.

I doubt Charlie boy will ask any tough questions. This is one show I won't be watching. Oh wait, I stop watching ABC long time ago.

[Time2WakeUpUSA]

Yeah....this is going to be one softball question after another and Palin will come out smelling like a rose...

Keep falling for it America - the 1950s are coming back soon.

[rtwyatt6]

All I can say it that ( fill in the blank) better be covered in flag pins!

I haven't watched ABC since the Obama/Clinton debacle.

[northcan]

It's absolutely sickening what their doing with this woman as a V.P. choice. I think for those women that climb to the top on their backs, coniving, lying, .cheating, stealing, corruption and targeting...take a good look, this is what can be your's if you're lucky.

For the woman that excel and reach their goals on their feet, claiming that knowledge, education and hard work will give you success, even if in the end you are a community organizer or a stay at home mom, (unlike Sarah Palin)....­..........­.........y­ou have reached success and integrity, repect and abundance of reward.

[felinetta]

NO way no how will I watch this. It is already starting to smell real bad.

[DixieMelody]

At the halfway point on ABC news last night (Sept 10), there was one of John McCain's "Two Mavericks" ads touting how he had reformed Washington D.C. and Gov. Palin had reformed Alaska politics by saying "no" to the Bridge to Nowhere.

I don't remember ever seeing that before . . . a major national newscast running an ad that is pro one nominee for any office, especially an ad that is filled with lies that have already been exposed.

Did anyone else see that, and if so, did you also find it unbelievably offensive and another reason to call ABC News and Charles Gibson out on supposedly being unbiased?

[Findley]

Locking in the image. It's PR 101. Easy to do. Harder to undo.

[KarlaElisa]

Considering the Mccain camps insistence of the media treating her with 'deference' I had hoped they would ignore her altogether.
I for one, will NOT be watching these shows. She's already been stuffed in my face beyond what's tolerable.
I think I'll write ABC and let them know this.

[musicka]

This will also be the first time in history people are swept up by a comic book character, not based in reality, as part of a scary political ticket. Voting on myth, scripts, image, and one-liners. What a proud time in our history! Vote no on Caribou Barbie before it is too late for this nation.

[dadw5boys]

IT APPEARS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY THE USA WILL FAIL TO MAKE THE INTERST PAYMENT ON IT'S NATIONAL DEBT !!!!!!

DUE OCTOBER 1st ----- $ 511,000,000.000.OO BILLION DOLLAR INTERST PAYMENT !!!!!

GOVERNOR PALIN WHAT IS YOUR SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM ???
Governor?
YOO HOO GOVERNOR ?? WHERE ARE YOU ? COME OUT COME OUT WHERE EVER YOU ARE!

[tbadger]

Let's see..... ABC is not getting any part of the debates, so the Palin is sent there on the promise of getting a safe harbor in return for the exclusive interview. Where is Ted Koppel when you need him?

[motley2]

Mourning the death of journalism?

[obamasOHangel]

I will watch it on you tube, won't give ABC the ratings.

[RJPasadena]

I won't give ABC the ratings either. I will watch it on the web

[tammany]

Unless you're a Nielsen family, your viewing won't be noted. Watch it wherever you like.

[drec1500Madrid]

Let the love fest begin!!