November 16, 2009 12:00 PM

Sarah Palin: I Was "Annoyed" by Katie Couric's Newspaper Question

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
Republicans
(AP/Harpo Productions/George Burns)
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey which airs today, 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin contends her Oct. 2008 interview with CBS News Anchor Katie Couric unfairly cast her in a negative light.

"For people who only know me from that interview, I don't blame people for thinking I was ill-qualified," Palin said on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Palin was roundly criticized after the interview for not naming any of the news sources she regularly reads. However, the former Alaska governor said she answered the way she did because she was bristling at the very question.

"It was more like, 'Are you kidding me, are you really asking me?" Palin said. "It seemed like [Couric] was discovering this nomadic tribe ... asking me, 'How do you stay in touch with the real world?"

"I rolled my eyes and was annoyed with the question," she continued, adding that she thought, "No matter what I say it will be twisted and perceived as a bit negative."

Palin was irritated at the start, she said, because she did not want to answer Couric's questions immediately following an exciting round of meeting with voters. She left the voters to come upon Couric, thinking, "There's the perky one again," Palin told Oprah.

Transcripts of Couric's Interviews with Palin: Economy | Foreign Policy | Other Issues | Palin and McCain Together

In her discussion with Oprah, Palin also discussed:

• Wardrobe issues: "It gave me a lot of appreciation for what Hillary Clinton had probbaly gone through."

• Why her ticket lost: "The economy tanked under a Republican administration... Unfortunately, our ticket represented what was perceived as status quo."

• Telling her husband their child would be born with Down Syndrome: "He probably had a better reaction than I did when he heard the news. I was much more frightened."

• Her family's relationship with her grandson's father Levi Johnston: "I hear he goes by the name Ricky Hollywood now... He's quite busy with his media tours and he hasn't seen [his son] in a while."

• Working as a politician while raising five children: "It never occurred to me that I couldn't do the job because of my children."

• Resigning from her position as Alaska governor: "My state, the state that I so dearly loved... was being hampered by my presence there being shackled behind the governor's desk."

• Possibly running for president in 2012: "It's not on my radar screen right now."

More Coverage of Sarah Palin's Book Tour:


Bob Schieffer on Palin: No Future in Politics

Palin Book Roils Former McCain Aides

Palin "Vindictiveness" in Her New Book?

Sarah Palin's Book: The Fact Check

Palin Publicity Blitz Full Speed Ahead

Palin Talks with Oprah About Katie Couric, Levi Johnston


Add a Comment See all 30 Comments
by mollydtt May 2, 2011 3:02 PM EDT
Sarah couldn't answer a simple question.
I hardly think Katie Couric was trying to trip her up. Most people could have answered intelligently.

Sarah Palin was obviously unqualified to run for office, but I have marveled at her bizarre behavior since her vice presidential run.
She just gets worse.
Reply to this comment
by mrd7006 November 18, 2009 4:47 PM EST
I lived in Alaska while she was Governor. The reason she quit is that everyone who had worked with her was fed up with her deceit, her double dealing and her vindictiveness. She wouldn't have been able to get anything done up because nobody trusted her or believed her any more. The newspapers were always full of stories about her latest feuds and attempts to "get" someone. Walter Hickel, "Mr. Alaska"-2 time governor and former sec. of interior under Nixon- supported her when she ran, but this summer said:
?When Governor Sarah Palin was elected in 2006, we believed she would put Alaska first. But once elected, she put Sarah first."
She is complaining about everyone in the Lower 48 who has stood in her way just the way she did in AK. She has ALWAYS been a clueless diva with a huge ego. Why is this beauty queen who has NO understanding of economics, history, foreign affairs etc. more than just a joke?
Reply to this comment
by weewillywonka November 17, 2009 11:32 AM EST
It's all about the money, Sarah - just admit it.
Reply to this comment
by 50BMS13 November 16, 2009 11:44 PM EST
Katie Courics jealousy of Sarah Palin is SO TRANSPARENT!
Reply to this comment
by John_Merritt November 16, 2009 7:33 PM EST
I'm not going to defend either Sarah or Katie because each has a job to do. Both jobs require a good amount of due diligence (research) which the handlers don't aways cover. That means you have to be prepared to look at anything and everything that would be considered 'fair play'.

When you get into politics we know there will be sniping and hunting for weak areas people can exploit. That means you have to look at all sides of every issue to point and counterpoint. That is a fact of life. Any good interviewer (Couric) would probably have done the same thing.

Sarah was thrust onto the scene and was not properly prepared by the handlers and/or she might have been overwhelmed with the information she was receiving (TMI). That is understandable. Than when you have two highly competitive (ex-cheerleaders) you are going to get some raised hackles or slightly below the belt subleties that may develop.

Katie is very good at what she does, and Sarah is learning the ropes. If you want to play in the big leagues you better be prepared for anything and eveything. Not everybody is cut out for it, and that is not a fault at all. Seasoning (experience) is an accumulation of age, experience and wisdom and you cannot read that in a book, you have to live it, or you are born with it.

Anyway, both are great ladies and I wish Sarah nothing but the best. If she needs any help from friends like me, I would be more than glad to help her develop skills.
Reply to this comment
by aeasus November 16, 2009 7:22 PM EST
Maybe Katie should have asked some political questions Sarah could answer, like:
What tooth paste do you use or who did your manicure?

A question like "what have you read" is just to personal !!

I mean really..just throw this train wreck off the stage!!
Reply to this comment
by tafhdyd November 16, 2009 6:34 PM EST
Possibly running for president in 2012: "It's not on my radar screen right now."


......Sarah, it is like the TV, you have to turn on the radar screen before you look at it.
Reply to this comment
by nanc12 November 16, 2009 5:30 PM EST
So, after being a vp candidate she felt "shackled behind the governor's desk." Not so glamorous up there in Alaska anymore? And she expected everyone to believe she was quitting out of concern for the citizens of Alaska? She's only concerned about one thing - Sarah Palin.
Reply to this comment
by billards53 November 16, 2009 5:20 PM EST
Worst things have happened. Ann Richards made the " poor george " comment about george bush during the Texas governors race and bushs campaign turned that around to where Gov. Richards was demeaning Georges manliness . OOH .Maybe she should have spoke about neural density . George becomes Governor and then President and now we are indebted to the tune of 14 trillion dollars .My respect to Ann and hers Doubt if george will do any Lays potato chips commercials with Mario Cuomo and Star crossed kudos to the people who campaign managed Bush up the ladder until he failed miserably .
Reply to this comment
by bonnieb732 November 17, 2009 10:58 PM EST
We will only continue to become more indebted as Obama passes bail outs like candy. He's going to run up the debt so far that our great great great great grandchildren won't pay off the interest!
by hungry1968-17 November 16, 2009 5:01 PM EST
"But I believe that God created us and also that He can create an evolutionary process that allows species to change and adapt." Schmidt winced and raised his eyebrows. In the dim light, his sunglasses shifted atop his head. I had just dared to mention the C-word: creationism. But I felt I was on solid factual ground."







Bwaaa haaa haaa haaa haaa!!!

This is the republicans "best hope" for 2012?!?!

ROFLMAO!!!

Why doesn't Michael Steele just come forward right now and concede on behalf of his party?

Too freakin' funny!!!
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