Cindy McCain on ABC Today: Palin Has National Security Experience Because Alaska Is Close To Russia

When a Fox News morning host, Steve Doocy, testified to Sarah Palin's national security experience on Friday by saying that her state, Alaska, was so close to Russia, it drew hoots across the media and blogosphere (and even, no doubt, from a few Fox viewers).

This morning, on ABC in an interview with George Stephanopoulos, Cindy McCain endorsed this very view.

Asked about Palin's national security experience, Cindy McCain could not come up with anything beyond the fact that, after all, her state is right next to Russia. "You know, the experience that she comes from is, what she has done in government -- and remember that Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia."

She added that Palin has "way more experience than...." but Stephanopoulos cut her off before she could say, for example, "Barack Obama" or maybe "others give her credit for."

Earlier in the interview, she said that Palin was "heavily experienced" in general, citing her going from the PTA to mayor to governor -- and having a son headed for Iraq. She actually said that she started her political career at the PTA "like everybody else."

Meanwhile, Palin's mother-in-law, Faye Palin, told a New York Daily News reporter that she didn't agree with Sarah on everything and hadn't yet decided how she would vote. She added: "I'm not sure what she brings to the ticket other than she's a woman and a conservative. Well, she's a better speaker than McCain," Faye Palin said with a laugh.

But this actually isn't as appalling as a phone interview Palin herself gave yesterday to reporter back home, at the Anchorage Daily News.

The reporter, Kyle Hopkins, asked, according to the transcript posted today, "Are you ready to be President Palin if necessary?"

"I am ... I am up to the task, of course, of focusing on the challenges that face America," she answered, and that was all she could say on her behalf on this question. Then she abruptly shifted to how her candidacy would help Alaska. "And I am very pleased with the situation that I am in, when, when you consider the situation now that Alaska will be in.

"And that is Alaska, and Alaskans will be allowed to contribute more to our great country and they'll be allowed to do that because I -- if we're elected -- will be in a position of opening the eyes of the country to what it is that Alaska is all about and what Alaska has to offer. So, I am happy to and very honored to be asked to do this. I know it's going to be great for Alaska."

Who said the woman was against earmarks? Actually, it seems like she sees herself as an Alaska earmark.

The early returns are not good, with most in the media still stepping lightly around the issue of John McCain's hypocrisy in asserting, for months, that Barack Obama is "dangerously" inexperienced in facing international threats -- and then appointing Palin as his running mate. See below for photo of Wasilla City Hall-- where she reigned less than two years ago.
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Greg Mitchell's new book is So Wrong for So Long: How the Press, the Pundits -- and the President -- Failed on Iraq. It has been hailed by Bill Moyers, Arianna Huffington and others and features a preface by Bruce Springsteen. His email is: [e-mail]

Comments

[watchingthings]

Surely she must have talent and alot of foreign experience to allow Russia to exist so near to Alaska.

[jmzuzu]

What about Canada? It's foreign too, eh?

[NCOak]

jeeeeeeeee­eeeeeeeeee­eeeeezus!
what is with these people?

[Beranek]

It's now obvious from this ruff & tumble interview by George that the questions posed to the candidates during the debates will be precisely tailored to their expertise on wide-ranging subjects.
If, by some miracle, George, Katy, Charles and Peter are reading this post, I hereby offer some sample questions for all of the candidates . . .
To Obama: Would you explain to our audience the geopolitical ramifications of the crisis in Georgia with emphasis on Russia's involvement?
To McCane: Some uninformed talking heads are saying that you have been flip-flopping in regards to your previous and current stands on the torture amendment, oil drilling, your favorite beer and other important matters. Would you please put these accusations to rest by telling us that these embarrassing revelations are all a Democrat conspiracy?
To: Biden: We know that the consensus among your Democrat supporters is that you are an expert in foreign affairs. All right smarty! Answer this one: What do you think of the affair between France's new president and that scandalous new wife of his--with special emphasis on the geopolitical ramifications of this sordid coupling.
To Palin: As you may be aware, borscht is a very popular dish in Russia. Have you ever tried it? If so, how does it compare to your moose stew?
Well, you get the idea.

[NealHib]

rattle, rattle, rattle

[cariintexas]

I fly on airlines from time to time, and i know how to lock and unlock my seat belt. I'm qualified to be a pilot or mechanic. Think I'll list both on my app.

[jdfast]

I guess that the governor of Florida has great foreign policy experience since Florida is only 90 miles from Cuba. HAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHA!!­!

Must be some kind of a blonde joke.

[DarkWitch]

It's called national security experience by osmosis. Hell, I lived in SE Asia for 3 years, can I be ambassador to Thailand? ;-)

[fltnsplr]

Unbelievable!

[Felicty]

Has First Lady material been cheapened to exclude intelligence?

THIS is what passes for Republican leadership?

[wakeupeverybody]

Women have really worked hard to dispell the "dumb blonde" theory, Cindy gives it a whole new meaning. Shame on you, there is an old saying that you should adhere to "It is better to be silent and let people wonder if you're a fool, then to open your mouth and prove it".

[maverick77]

You'll have to forgive Cindy. She thinks Canada and Mexico are the 52nd and 53rd states in the union. Oh, 51is our state in the middle east.

[KathyIndiana]

Maybe John and Cindy McCain are a better pair than I thought. Neither one knows what they are talking about.

[leftoflennon]

Whoa.

This isnt funny, but very scary.

WAKE UP AMERICA!

[peterg76]

Clearly Cindy McCain has no idea what national security is, but Cindy is *not* the one running.