Sarah Palin "Today" Show Interview With Matt Lauer (VIDEO)

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin intensified her war of words with comedian David Letterman on Friday, claiming his controversial joke about one of her daughters had contributed to the "acceptance of abuse of young women" and calling on people to "start really rising up."

Appearing on NBC's Today show, Palin also told host Matt Lauer that he was "extremely naive" if he believed the "Late Show" host's explanation of the joke.

When Lauer noted that Letterman had not mentioned Willow by name and later denied that he was referring to her, Palin responded, "Matt, I would say that you and anybody else are extremely naive to believe that very convenient excuse of David Letterman's the other day. He took a couple of days for him to think of that excuse that, oh, no, he wasn't talking about my daughter who was there with me at the [Yankees] game, the 14-year-old. Well, I think it's a weak excuse."

She added, "I would hope that people really start -- really rising up and deciding it's not acceptable. No wonder young girls, especially, have such low self-esteem in America." Palin said that she could "connect the dots to a degrading statement made about young women, and that does contribute to some acceptance of abuse of young women."

Later, Lauer pressed Palin to explain a line in a statement from her spokesperson that "it would be wise to keep Willow away from David Letterman." Lauer asked, "Are you suggesting that David Letterman can't be trusted around a 14-year-old girl?"

"Hey, take it however you want to take it," she said. "It is a comment that came from the heart that Willow, no doubt, would want to stay away from David Letterman after he made such a comment. And you can interpret that however you want to interpret it."

"Well is that not perhaps in bad taste also, governor?" Lauer asked.

"No, it's not in bad taste," she said. "Hey, maybe he couldn't be trusted because Willow's had enough of this type of comments and maybe Willow would want to react to him in a way that maybe would catch him off guard. That's one way to interpret such a comment."

Moving on to Republican Party politics, Lauer told Palin that "your name has been on a list with people like Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney," and that she was considered a fund-raising superstar. "Does that translate to you being the future of the GOP?" he asked. Her answer: "Absolutely not necessarily."

"You know, I want to help," she explained. "I want to be able to help the cause. And the cause is to get Americans to remember that big government is not the answer. That's not the way that we're going to secure our nation and progress our nation and get our economy back on the right track."

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Comments

[Truelee]

SAVE THE PALIN CHILDREN FROM THEIR MOTHER!! Sarah Palin, please stop exploiting your children for your political career!!

[ZIPCODE]

Over 10,500 Comments!

Sarah Palin, the next President of the United States of America!

[pipp]

ahem...she would need a bit more than 10,500 comments on the HP. By the next election, she will have revealed so much more than her ready willingness to eat her children for fame, that she will be like dandelion tufts scattered in a breeze. Too bad her children don't have the right to life.

[tisme53]

You can't say that.

Gov. Palin never announced she was running. Not only do you sound demented in such a lewd comment that I'm sooo glad you're not MY friend, but the context makes you sound like a Noodle Head. You get glee from that?

[Gatorray11]

And about 10,000 of them are negative. All she has succeeded in doing is to ruther expose how dysfunctional her family is.

Now I am not excusing what David Letterman did. The joke ws in poor taste and he should not have made it.

But the Palins are far from blameless. Letterman was clearly talking about Bristol and it was Sarah and Todd Palin who outed their oldest daughter. They obviously did it to cover-up that the daughter of a "Christian family" got pregnant through premarital sex. And, of course, as part of that cover-up for her right to life and Christian base, she tried to make Bristol as part of a model of woman who is making a sacrifice, rather than having an abortion.

This is not to say that Todd, Sarah and Bristol don't believe that abortion is wrong or even murder. I don't go around questioning people's religious beliefs. To me that is between them and God.

I think all women -- regardless of their ideology -- have a legitimate beef with Letterman. The joke was in poor taste and degrades women. But it also emphasizes Sarah's shortcomings as a mother.

[Gatorray11]

While Sarah Palin goes around lecturing us on Christian and family values look at her record. She was pregnant with her eldest son when she married Todd. Her daughter got pregnant at 17 and dumped the father after she had their son. Sarah reportedly let Levi Johnston sleep over with Bristol. What kind of monitoring did the Governor have to let her daughter date? His mother has since been arrested on drug dealing charges.

Bristol drove the story. She went on TV and said "abstinence only was unrealistic." I'd say. But later -- may be a political adjustment by Sarah and Todd -- she became a sokeswoman for abstinence only.

A Palin son joined the Army after a judge gave him the choice, join the Army or go to jail. Todd tried to fire a state trooper who had a messy divorce with Sarah's sister. And Todd's half sister was arrested after she broke into a neighbor's house and was caught by the owner. She is charged with doing it twice. This is the family model you are going to offer 2012? What about a new qualification for foreign policy other than "I can see Russia from Alaska?" Don't you think she might be better off studying up on issues?

You know who she reminds off? Spiro T. Agnew with lipstick. Remember the man who took $10,000 bribe payments in the basement of the White House? Where do the Republicans get these people?

[pipp]

How dare Palin justify her continued exploitation of her 14 year old daughter Willow? This woman continues to abuse her children, under the banner of "equal opportunity", as in knocking all her children, even the underage, she hasn't sent out on some weird abstinence mission.

the gal is as misinformed and confused as ever. SAVE WILLOW AND PIPER!!

[tisme53]

Earth? Calling Earth???

[pipp]

You don't understand??? Earth to tisme53, your gal exploits her children, BIG TIME.

[Gatorray11]

What I want to know did Todd and Sarah talk and educate Bristol about birth control? Did Levi Johnston's parents talk to him about the subject? It's a legitimate question since she now is a spokeswoman for abstinence only.

If they didn't it proves how absurd it is. It works while it is practiced. But unless you oputlaw dating, when young couples kiss and it gets a little dicey what happens when hormones take over? Do you want your son and daughter to do it without proper protection? Do you want the coupleto risk pregnancy? STDs? How about AIDS? Or even possible death?

You would think parents where the mother was pregnant when they married would know better. Or is not offending their right wing base more important?

[redsongia]

Her answers are weird and demented. As usual, she can't even make sense addressing a totally banal and substanceless issue, which are the only kind she ever seems eager to discuss.

[grammylibber]

For Sarah P. to ignore SNL in 2008 and Jay Leno's raunchy jokes about her daughter during the campaign only confirms that she's jumping on Letterman for a "publicity ride." If she wants to keep her family out of the news....keep them out of the news instead of selectively grabbing a soundbite whenever she thinks she needs the extra media attention (something she obviously adores). Not to mention having her 18 Y/O hopping from talk show to talk show sharing her views on being an "unwed teen mother"......so what else is new?

[aloha43]

You are right.

Why can't any of the Palin fans figure this out? Because all of her fans are unintelligent, uneducated dimwits just like Palin.

[tisme53]

Wrong. ALL politicians introduce their families to the voters ... that's the way it is. "Earth, Calling Earth???"

[aloha43]

Do you have a problem with "finding" earth?

No....politicians don't ALL make a spectacle out of their children like Sarah Palin does. No way EVER!

She uses them as props to further her political career.

[Gatorray11]

keeping them out of the news. Are you kidding? Remember how Trigg, the Down syndrome infant was paraded at the Republican convention morning, noon and night?

And Bristol became the model of a pregnant 17-year-old unwed mother keeping her baby.What ia next? The dysfunctional family being named family of the year by some right wing family organization?

[mediasheep]

Where was the outrage from the Palin family in Sept of 2008 when SNL ran a skit in reference to Scott Palin: "What about the husband?" asked a Times reporter during a mock assignment meeting for the paper. "You know he's doing those daughters. I mean, come on. It's Alaska." ????? Sara Palin than appeared on SNL Oct 18 2008. Did I miss something? Is this not identical to the Letterman joke?

[NYHawk]

I wonder if Sarah Palin understands the awful implications she made about her daughter because of her inflammatory statement to Matt Lauer that she is supposedly offended by Letterman's joke, which Palin characterized as being "about the statutory rape of my 14 year-old daughter." Palin probably thought that "statutory rape" sounded highfalutin.

There is a big difference between "rape" and "statutory rape." If a person, regardless of their age, has sex against his or her will it is called "rape." If, however, a minor (a person below a certain age) has consensual sex (that is, consents to the sex) it is called "statutory rape," because by the written law in all states (called statutes) a minor cannot legally consent to have sex.

So, understanding what "statutory rape" actually means, by saying the joke was about "statutory rape," the logical inference is that Palin was implying that her minor daughter would have consented to have sex -- the very definition of "statutory rape" -- that is, CONSENSUAL sex with a minor.

In other words, by using the phrase "statutory rape" Palin was actually implying that her minor daughter is "easy."

What a horrible thing for a parent to imply about their daughter.

I wonder if Palin's minor daughter understands what her mother implied by using the phrase "statutory rape."

[DivergentMary]

Great post, NYHawk. People are wondering if 14-year-old Willow was even at the game.

I am wondering why her mother hasn't noticed that she is already 15 as of January 21st. Is Willow refusing to age? Or does she belong to the "Sixteen Candles" family?

[aloha43]

Have we all seen this yet?

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1843259/fire_david_letterman_rally_called_for_pg0.html?cat=2#comments

Her stupid fans are trying to get Letterman fired.

If he gets fired....then all comedians should get fired.

If they fire David Letterman for his JOKE....then someone had better fire Limbaugh for his tasteless Chelsea Clinton joke, McCain for HIS Chelsea joke, Conan O'Brian for his Palin daughter joke, Jay Leno for his Palin daughter joke, Bill Maher for his Palin daughter joke.....etc. This is ridiculous to think that anyone could get a comedian fired, for a joke.

[helloworld2008]

It's part of her campaign of alienating everyone in America who still doesn't loathe her.

[obamaluv]

Ridicule her. Go ahead but you should fear her. She has turned what most of you think is just a joke into another cycle of attention for her. Gaining some support but certainly keeping her on the national stage

[aloha43]

Yea....but all of her "attention" has been "negative".

She is negative, and in the end.....she won't come up on the top.

[Gatorray11]

You really think this soap opera has helped her? If she had issued a short statement and let people react to David Letterman's clearly tasteless and out of bounds joke, she might have won a lot of sympathy. Instead she once again is exploiting her family for political gain

This is not going to help her. In fact, this continued focus on her dysfunctional family shows how phony her "family values" stuff is. When you live in a glass house it's not wise to throw stones..

[spotchester]

Might help her with her base, which wasn't enough in 2010 and has shrunk since.

[Gatorray11]

Her base is fanatical about her. They are for her no matter what.

[spotchester]

2010 = 2008

[foygreenwood]

It is obvious that Sarah Palin, failed parent that she is, harbors a valid fear that her younger daughter will follow in the promiscious footsteps of her older sibling. It is ridiculous that a woman who flaunted her daughter's sexual irresponsibility during a presidential campaign takes umbrage with a comedian using the issue as fodder for a monologue. She opened this can of worms, and her hypocrisy is undeniable and revolting to anyone with a brain.

[One more Thing]

Does anyone know the screen name she uses on THE COUGARCONN­ECTION.COM­?

[seahorsy13]

nicely said.

[aloha43]

I still want to see proof that Willow was at that Yankees game.

I think Sarah Palin made that up so she could drum up some rank publicity for her political gain. She just put Willow int he spotlight just like she did with Bristol during the campaign. I can't believe her supporters can't see that.

Show me some proof.....

[1lauralei]

Good point.

[Orphie]

So, if Sarah Palin is so focused on statutory rape, why hasn't she seen that Levi Johnston was charged with that crime?

[aloha43]

No kidding.

[Gatorray11]

Was he 18 when they had sex? What is the age of consent in Alaska? Does anybody know off the top of his/her head?

[redsongia]

Palin better make sure that while she's out making a scene over Letterman's comments, her 15 year old isn't getting pregnant for real back home.

[anchorman119]

I like Sarah but I wish she wouldn't give Letterman free publicity he desperately wants. Letterman has been a loser in the ratings for 15 years. He's not relevant.

[Henry Porter]

Comedian talk show hosts stitch together topical news threads for crass humor. Letterman's jokes tied Spitzer, Bristol, Sarah, & other public persons together in NYC, with gaffs that expose the frailties & "newsworthiness" of each.

Bristol's mom brought her into the spotlight of U.S. awareness during a presidential campaign, as Bristol's pregnancy countermanded Sarah's ill-conceived abstinence-only sex-ed philosophy. Bristol has kept herself, & her child, in this spotlight with prolonged tv & magazine exposure. She spoke aganist her mom's philosophy, & subsequently supported it. One wonders how handsomely a daughter is rewarded for such politically expedient spin.

The Palin family has publicly aired Springeresque feuds. This makes them fair game for the same humor few people have objected to in reference to other pop culture figures over the years. What our nation is becoming increrasingly exposed to is Sarah Palin's inability to respond to adversaries, real or perceived, with a style other than vengeance. Letterman held a mirror; the Palins don't like what we see.

[conservativelady]

You are right, Palin does seem vengeful. Her supporters mistakenly take this for being a strong leader. Ronald Reagan was never vengeful. He didn't respond to attacks, he set his own agenda. I see Palin responding to attacks as a political tool to gain points with her supporters. She doesn't seem like a true conservative because true conservatives don't manipulate. They are supposed to be driven by what they honestly believe is the truth, not to be exaggerating to score points. Palin has very poor leadership skills.

[Gatorray11]

She is a female version of George II. She has his bad ethics and lying habits too.

[Jaxy]

She is catty, self-indulgent and sophomoric. Not presidential in the least.

Can you imagine a Palin "Administration"? Every perceived slight would be met with threats like: "We are invading Germany today. They insulted my make-up." "We shall be dropping bombs on Colombia within the hour. They criticised my use of the Spanish language." And so on.

If the "Troopergate" scandal taught us anything, it is that this harpy can, and will, use public office to exact payback for private wrongs. And this is a lesson that 19-year-old Levi Johnston has come to learn the very hard way ...

[Circulum Quadrare]

Look at the Branchflower-report from the bipartisan Troopergate investigation where Sarah was found guilty of ethics abuses and see her real face.

http://media.adn.com/smedia/2008/10/10/16/Branchflowerreport.source.prod_affiliate.7.pdf

[Gatorray11]

I said earlier both she and George II needed a remedial Enlish class, and while taking what they missed in school, they should take an ethics class. It's amazing a journalism major needs to plagiarize to give a routine speech. And George's English is just amazing. No wonder he was a Yale University affirmative action for the wealthy admission case.

[anchorman119]

Bush graduated from Yale with the same grades Gore achieved at Harvard and Kerry at Yale. At least those liberals were man enough to publish their academic record. Obama didn't want to reveal that he was an Ivy league affirmative action charity case. So if you want to put down Bush's academic performance, recognize liberal heroes like Gore and Kerry's record too