Palin Attacks Obama, Gets Kissinger's Position Wrong

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:20:30 PM EST
Tags: Sarah Palin (all tags)

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Update: The New York Times reviews Palin's performance and the Kissinger portion described below. Verdict: Her worst so far, and she may not be able to regroup.

I just finished watching the live version of Katie Couric's CBS interview with Sarah Palin. In addition to the sections I wrote up here, there's more.

Katie brought up Palin's meeting with Henry Kissinger this week, mentioning he is for direct diplomacy with Iran and Syria. She asked Palin whether the U.S. should meet with leaders of Iran and Syria.

Palin said you can't meet with leaders like Ahmadinejad without preconditions. She mocked Obama and called his plan to meet with leaders of Iran without preconditions "so off base," "beyond naive" and "beyond bad judgment." She gave Katie a little lecture on what diplomacy means.

More...

Katie asked her if Kissinger was naive for supporting meetings with these leaders without preconditions.

Palin responded that she never heard Kissinger say he would meet with these leaders without preconditions. After the interview ended, Katie came on with an update and said CBS checked with Kissinger and he confirmed he supports meeting with high ranking Iranian officials without preconditions.

Back to school, Gov. Palin. Speed learning may not be your forte. So much data to take in, so little time.

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Palin Attacks Obama, Gets Kissinger's Position Wrong | 39 comments (39 topical)

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I get it now (5.00 / 0) (#3)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:31:13 PM EST

I bust on McCain and you bust on Palin.

Fair enough.

Good old American... (5.00 / 0) (#11)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:39:27 PM EST

...division of labor. The dreaded TL tag-team!

There's enough stuff to be down right peeved about for everyone.


: lol (none / 0) (#24)
by Lil on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 08:16:47 PM EST

By the way (none / 0) (#4)
by Steve M on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:32:30 PM EST

the conversation at my Wall Street lunch today was half about the bailout and half about Sarah Palin. No joke!


Not a joke? (5.00 / 0) (#29)
by Ellis on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 09:38:16 PM EST

...the conversation...was half about the bailout and half about Sarah Palin. No joke!

I couldn't disagree more! Sarah Palin is too a joke.

A bad, dangerous, offensive, embarrassing joke, but a joke nonetheless.

(Note: I know what you meant, I just couldn't wait any longer to express my outrage so I pretended to misunderstand.)

What I can't figure out is who would actually be a worse president? McCain or Palin.

McCain -- dumb and senile.
Palin -- years from being senile.

McCain -- unprincipled liar extraordinaire.
Palin -- an even more outrageous liar than the boss; and she probably believes every word.

McCain -- who knows what he believes any more (I'm sure he doesn't).
Palin -- we can find out what she believes (and knows) by reading the Bible; focus on the Old Testament.

McCain -- narcissistic drama queen.
Palin -- mindlessly arrogant like any good Christian fundamentalist.

McCain -- known for his temper.
Palin -- more vindictive than Cheney and Bush combined?

McCain -- believes he is the center of the universe.
Palin -- believes God created the universe and gave it to her to run.

Palin -- could kill a moose from an airplane.
McCain -- could kill a moose by crashing his airplane on top of it (Sarah's way is more fiscally conservative).

And on and on and on.

Help me, I can't decide.


Then point to Jerayln (none / 0) (#6)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:33:48 PM EST

I'm sure everyone. . . (none / 0) (#7)
by LarryInNYC on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:33:49 PM EST

was very attracted to the bailout. What did they think of Palin?


They are really freaked out (none / 0) (#9)
by Steve M on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:36:59 PM EST

These are right-leaning independents, but they are more scared of Palin than they are of Obama. They react like George Will or David Frum, they think that she's just not anywhere near a serious candidate and she proves McCain is totally reckless.

My boss makes a particularly great bellwether because he did not decide between Bush and Kerry until Election Day. I don't know anyone else who fits that category. He never shuts up about Obama raising taxes, but I think Palin will ultimately win us his vote for this cycle.


: My experience as well. . . (none / 0) (#15)
by LarryInNYC on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:43:21 PM EST

I quote from a money guy (two time Bush voter) "Can't we effing just effing have someone who effing can run the effing country for once?"

: that folk like him are out there ... (none / 0) (#42)
by wystler on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:19:03 AM EST

... allows me to hold out hope that the GOP will take Palin off the ticket, and name Alan Keyes to replace her

you have the economy covered (none / 0) (#8)
by Jeralyn on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:35:49 PM EST

there are other things going on and I'm determined to cover them, from Palin and the election to the latest detainee news and other injustices going on.


Apparently (5.00 / 0) (#10)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:38:29 PM EST

as Steve M reports, Palin is still on folks' mind so good for you.

I am on full tilt on MCCain and the economy right now. What a piece of sh*t he is - sorry for the language but it is what It hink.


News flash, BTD (5.00 / 0) (#19)
by Lou Grinzo on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 08:00:07 PM EST

After McCain's "visible from Neptune with the unaided eye" stunt today on the "bailout" deal, you're far from the only one who shares that opinion of him.

Until fairly recently I saw him as an opportunist who was milking the ridiculous "maverick" thing for all it was worth, but was still essentially a decent, if misguided, person. Then the Palin pick happened, and now his leaping into the middle of the financial mess, without having even read the bloody deal(!!!). How utterly sad to see any US Senator stoop to such a level.

I had already decided to vote for Obama/Biden, but now I'll enjoy it much more than I ever expected.


: Stooping Senator (none / 0) (#30)
by Ellis on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 09:47:08 PM EST

But, but, but...he's a former POW!

These types of details on Palin are helpful (5.00 / 0) (#22)
by barryluda on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 08:05:29 PM EST

in showing the pattern of McCain's reckless behavior motivated by "me first" rather than his phony "country first" mantra. As someone here wrote, he tried his Hail Sarah and is now trying his Hail Mary. Neither is going to work.

I think J and BTD are a great one two punch. Keep it up!


also (none / 0) (#12)
by Jeralyn on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:39:40 PM EST

it's not quite comparable. You have 12 posts on the economy today and I have 2 on Palin and 1 on other injustices.


Thanks to you both (5.00 / 0) (#21)
by Maggie on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 08:01:34 PM EST

McCain is showing himself to be massively unfit for the presidency. The drama queen business over the bail-out/debate is one big piece of evidence. His choice to put Palin on the ticket is the other. So good on you both for hammering this down.

I'm stunned that anybody takes McCain seriously at this point.

Not sure which major failing will be most evident to the public at large. But I'm very sympathetic to the view that McCain's stunt yesterday was largely aimed at taking attention away from Palin's disastrous interview with Couric. Cause it's pretty easy to see that she's clueless. And I think that hurts McCain a lot because that's a judgment voters can make for themselves. McCain has vouched for her repeatedly -- and now that we see what he was vouching for, he just looks terrible. With the bailout business there's more room for McCain to get away with things because people don't really understand what's at stake.


I was ticked today (none / 0) (#18)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:58:27 PM EST

Tomorrow you do 12 and I'll do 2.


: Unfair to Jeralyn. . . (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by LarryInNYC on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 08:00:44 PM EST

they hardly let Palin out in public anymore -- what's she going to have to right about?

: I like when you do 12 (none / 0) (#32)
by Jeralyn on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 10:29:57 PM EST

it gives me time to get to the jail-- I'd rather do that than write about the economy.

I did ask a friend who cannot (none / 0) (#35)
by andrys on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 01:05:53 AM EST

bear to even think about Palin, this question, after she said that Bush's speech was disturbing.

Me: Who's worse? in your mind? Bush? or Palin?
Friend: Bush!

I asked if she was sure and she said she was.

But I don't think I would be able to answer that.

However, Bush seems to have no interest in anything, so the decisions are made by people like Cheney, Rumsfeld & Rove (when they were there), and it would seem that it'd be similar in Palin's place (if she succeeded McCain prematurely) except for this Washington Post article's description of her activity as Governor.


Katie is perfect to interview Palin (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by Jeralyn on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:33:46 PM EST

It removes the sexism angle. Katie is the first woman to "break the glass ceiling" of solo anchoring a major network's evening news. And she's articulate, not to mention experienced at interviewing world leaders and politicians.

The difference between them was striking.

She probably had the highest ratings to date tonight with all the media artices (and blog posts) about it.

I thought she was tough (5.00 / 0) (#13)
by Steve M on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:41:26 PM EST

She seemed very sharp with the followup questions when Palin started rambling or changing the subject. Not an easy interview.


Having a woman do the interview (5.00 / 3) (#14)
by tootired on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:43:08 PM EST

does not remove the sexism angle. If you remember on February 11th, Katie Couric referred to Hillary Clinton as "Miss Frigidaire" during an interview. Some of the worst offenders are other women.


: sure there are (5.00 / 0) (#16)
by Jeralyn on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:47:30 PM EST

and Katie has never struck me as one of them.

Proud of Katie to hang in there and get where she (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by thereyougo on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:48:55 PM EST

is today; but, what must she be thinking of this GOP VP choice?

She must be rolling her eyes. Seriously, like all of us.


and since the hostility toward palin (none / 0) (#39)
by sancho on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 07:04:48 AM EST

is so great in some quarters, palin is couric's chance to look like a real journalist. take down another woman and maybe the male-analysts will say she's earned her way as an anchor. katie's cahnce to profit by the sexism toward palin.

re: the next post: i hope didion writes at some point about this election. her political writings are brilliant too. love to get her take on both palin and obama.


I thought Couric (5.00 / 2) (#23)
by Lil on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 08:15:46 PM EST

looked skeptical of her answers and almost a little like she couldn't believe how bad the answers were. Then I thought she almost looked like she felt sorry for her, or like she was thinking, "is this for real?" Something. I don't watch Katie Couric much so I'm not sure if she's always like this or was it just this particular interview. Very Weird. What I get watching Palin is that she is 100% idealog. Scary to think she is this close. I hope the McCain campaign will be seen for the sham and scam that it is.

A scary thought (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by Alien Abductee on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 08:19:49 PM EST

What if she has learned everything McCain and his team can teach her about foreign policy?

I'm curious about two things. (5.00 / 2) (#26)
by alexei on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 08:54:52 PM EST

Do you all think that it is ok to meet with Iranian leaders without pre-conditions?
Do you all think that Kissinger is the person that should ever be respected in his "opinions?

: Seems like Kissinger's stock in (none / 0) (#34)
by oculus on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 01:01:19 AM EST

trade just went waaaay up.

: It's not - Kissinger is the guy we should (none / 0) (#37)
by JoeA on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 05:53:17 AM EST

be looking to for foreign policy.
It's more. . . "if even Henry Kissinger thinks we should meet with the Iranians without preconditions" then what kind of extreme wacko policy is it that McCain/Bush/Palin are pushing?

Maybe she was thinking of some (none / 0) (#1)
by robrecht on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:24:43 PM EST

other Kissinger?

Good on Katie (none / 0) (#2)
by magster on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 07:29:29 PM EST

Did I just say that?

A Disaster (none / 0) (#31)
by MTSINAIMAMA on Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 09:56:08 PM EST

http://www.bigeddieradio.com/

"Breaking News from Big Eddie:

McCain Camp insiders say Palin "clueless"

Capitol Hill sources are telling me that senior McCain people are more than concerned about Palin. The campaign has held a mock debate and a mock press conference; both are being described as "disastrous." One senior McCain aide was quoted as saying, "What are we going to do?" The McCain people want to move this first debate to some later, undetermined date, possibly never. People on the inside are saying the Alaska Governor is "clueless."

never certainly qualifies (none / 0) (#33)
by cpinva on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 12:38:16 AM EST

as a later, undetermined date. lol

actually jeralyn, it matters very little what you, or i, or anyone else on this blog thinks of gov. palin's fitness for the veep slot. we weren't the ones being targeted by her nomination, the right-wing christian fundies were, anything else was always gravy.

most of those targeted probably haven't a clue or care who henry kissenger is, or what his position on meeting with the leaders of iran and syria are. gov. palin's secular ignorance will have zero effect on the religious base.

Sounds like nitpicking, but (none / 0) (#36)
by outsider on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 02:26:54 AM EST

Palin responded that she never heard Kissinger say he would meet with these leaders without preconditions.

Compared with...

After the interview ended, Katie came on with an update and said CBS checked with Kissinger and he confirmed he supports meeting with high ranking Iranian officials without preconditions.

Ergo: Kissinger did not confirm that the supports meeting leaders like Ahmadinejad without preconditions. Question is, can the McCain camp even be bothered to make this point? She looks like such a lost cause at the moment...

Palin= Admiral Stockdale 2.0 n/t (none / 0) (#38)
by ctrenta on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 07:01:11 AM EST

The Peter Principle (none / 0) (#41)
by Natal on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 10:21:19 AM EST

is operating with Sarah now. It appears she has risen to the level of incompetence. Not to disparage her as we all can rise to that point at some level. Hers is particularly dangerous. No amount of knowledge of foreign affairs or economics is going to overcome the basic personality and emotional inadequacies. The tendency to state things with authority which aren't factually validated is worrisome. It's worse than lying as it's unconscious and hence less amenable to corrective behavior.