Palin On Bin Laden: "Such A Leader Of This Terrorist Movement"

More excerpts have been released from Sarah Palin's interview with Katie Couric, this time on the topic of foreign policy. These things take on the feeling of a soldier maneuvering through a minefield, and Palin more or less avoids any major mistake when discussing why the war in Afghanistan has become such a hard slog. But her reference to Osama bin Laden as "such a leader of this terrorist movement," does have the potential to become a cultural mainstay.

"The logistics that we are already suggesting here, not having enough troops in the area right now," Palin said. "The... things like the terrain even in Afghanistan and that border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, where, you know, we believe that-- Bin Laden is-- is hiding out right now and... and is still such a leader of this terrorist movement. There... there are many more challenges there. So, again, I believe that... a surge in Afghanistan also will lead us to victory there as it has proven to have done in Iraq. And as I say, Katie, that we cannot afford to retreat, to withdraw in Iraq. That's not gonna get us any better off in Afghanistan either. And as our leaders are telling us in our military, we do need to ramp it up in Afghanistan, counting on our friends and allies to assist with us there because these terrorists who hate America, they hate what we stand for with the... the freedoms, the democracy, the... the women's rights, the tolerance, they hate what it is that we represent and our allies, too, and our friends, what they represent. If we were... were to allow a stronghold to be captured by these terrorists then the world is in even greater peril than it is today. We cannot afford to lose in Afghanistan."

This portion will air on CBS tonight. In the first part, which aired Wednesday evening, Palin had a bit more trouble discussing John McCain's history (or lack thereof) of pushing for greater regulation of the markets. Asked for specifics, she replied: "I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you."

Couric, nevertheless, offered Palin some praise, saying this morning that her guest was "confident, cool calm and collected under difficult circumstances." But, she added, the vice presidential nominee was "not always responsive when she answers questions and falls back to her talking points."

Comments

[Stanmans]

Your worst nightmare. Sarah P. discussing "nucular" issues with Putin. I can just picture him scratching his head as he tries to figure out what the hell she is talking about..
She is representing America? God help us.

[StillIRise]

PATHETIC!

Once again, will someone ... ANYONE ... please tell me why you are supporting the McCain/Palin ticket. I already know how you feel about Senator Obama, but what I do not know is a rational justification for supporting John McCain and Sarah Palin. I can only assume that you will vote for them because a) you are a die hard Republican blinded by partisan loyalty and cannot therefore make the distinction between a good candidate and a horrible candidate; b) you hate America and see this election as an opportunity to bring about its downfall; or c) you're a rabid racist. If my assumption is correct, please explain your position (a, b or c) or, as Chris Matthews says, tell me something I don't know! I truly look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

[boophus]

They think by getting her in they can impose thier beliefs on us. Since McCain has stated he wants to select justices that will damage or destroy habeas corpus, the heart of our constitution so that they can lock up, torture and execute dissidents. Fine by Palin, destroy the US instead of seceding.

[Boriginal]

HUH?????? ..... Yep....just please explain to me why this woman is even asked an intelligent question. This whole campaign has become a joke at a time when America needs real leadership.

[Budokan]

That sound you heard was the remnant of Palin's credibility imploding....

[Budokan]

What a freak show. I should start selling tickets. I'd make more money than my current side show attractions of Alligator Boy and Chicken Head Man.

[ProudLeftist]

Check out this exchange about the bailout, and Couric's expression.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/the-couric-inte.html

[Atomicjim]

I sit here in stunned silence. First of all, though, their should be no periods in the transcript; Palin doesn't use them. I have never heard such absolute dribble and crap. She is all over the place and in the end says nothing. Is this an act or is she really that stupid?

[KelliJ]

"They hate us for the freedoms, the women's rights"? Palin doesn't seem to believe in women's rights either - just like Bin Laden - isn't there a little issue like a woman's right to choose...hmmmm.

[boomer1949]

If this crew makes it to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.? God help us -- we're doomed.

[pazcu]

Dan Quayle with lipstick!

[Jingo]

She makes Quayle look like JFK.

[Budokan]

That's being cruel to Dan Quayle.

[sharri]

potatoe

LOL

spell check has highlighted pototoe.....

[Atomicjim]

Yes, please. Some one drag Quayle out of retirement, quick.

[demofem]

This is so scary.

[qwr]

Palin is not just uninformed. She is unintelligent. She has had plenty of time, with I'm sure the best coaches. The level that one needs to approach in order to give a TV interview is not that high, and there aren't too many issues on the table. Sarah has a below-average intelligence. The McCain / Palin campaign is bottom-feeding. How in the world could one support this ticket? I think a lot of intelligent Repubs are going to stay home on election night.

[Budokan]

She's a typical Republican: Vapid and ignorant.

[pgurlatl]

I have to agree with you. I actually wanted to like Sarah Palin but she is dumber than rocks! She is the queen of the run on sentences! She cannot convey herself in a coherent and cohesive manner whatsoever. Does her husband even listen to her?

[Balloonman]

She's bright enuf to win Alaska. For VP she is just so midnight oil advised, counseled, rehearsed, and crammed to the cuff notes she is unable to think it all out straight. She is out of her league. She's not 'confidant'. She is insecure, scared and desperate. Running sentences together with no periods is likely because crib memorized she is afraid to take a breath for fear she will lose even her fractured thread.

[BobSacomano]

John McCain, it's not too late to dump this woman! Pulleeez!

[BobSacomano]

I can't take it, this is totally pathetic. :-(

[MIVOTE]

McCain is always looking for headlines not solutions. He picked Palin for the headlne not for ability. He doesn't want to debate, because (I'm so economically knowledgeable) has to help those with less ability get America out of this mess even though he hasn't been present for most of the negotiations. McCain-Palin = a joke. Why waste time on them, it's time to take the country foward! Obama-Biden 08

[suuzie]

In addition to Palin not being knowlegable to give an intelligent answer to Katie's questions, she cannot grammatically construct a complete sentence in her giving her non-anwsers. She seriously needs to go back to grammar school and start over. What she needs to get up to speed on cannot be learned in four weeks. Her first step to the VP spot is learning to communicate, effectively.

[jja]

It reminds me of watching Bush debate. In 2000, I thought no one will vote for this guy, he can't even construct a sentence. Then again in 2004, I thought he still can't construct a sentence and by now the American people have seen what he is all about and surely no one will vote for him again.

I am scared. I can understand that running for office may require a certain amount of flip-flopping on issues, but McCain is like a fish out of water. I can't even stomach watching the Republicans trying to smile and say that the economic crisis is the fault of the Democrats. In what universe? I expect people to support their candidate but this is obscene. I really don't know how they can sleep at night.

[StillIRise]

I know what you mean. My husband kept saying, "Bush can't win! No one will vote for that idiot!" Never did we imagine that they would steal the election! Even so, not even Bush was as bad as Palin is. Yet, knowing what we now know about the Republicans and their base, anything is possible! It seems like the dumber their candidates are, the more they support them! All they want is someone just like them, and apparently, they 're not asking for very much!