NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2008

One-On-One With Sarah Palin

CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric Interviews Alaska's Governor On The Ailing Economy

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  • Play CBS Video Video Exclusive: Sarah Palin

    "CBS News Exclusive:" Katie Couric speaks with GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin about the nation's economic concerns and the McCain campaign's ties to lobbyists.

  • Video Exclusive: Sarah Palin Part II

    "Only On The Web:" GOP V.P. candidate Sarah Palin talks to Katie Couric about the importance of bipartisanship during tough economic times.

    • Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate, joined Katie Couric for an exclusive interview Sept. 24, 2008.

      Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate, joined Katie Couric for an exclusive interview Sept. 24, 2008.  (CBS)

    • Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate, joined Katie Couric for an exclusive interview in New York Sept. 24, 2008.

      Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate, joined Katie Couric for an exclusive interview in New York Sept. 24, 2008.  (CBS)

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  • Timeline Palin's Path

    A look at Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's life and career

  • Photo Essay Sarah Palin

    Alaska's first female governor and former vice presidential candidate.

Exclusive Interview

More of Katie Couric's interview with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Behind The Scenes On The Campaign: Sarah Palin Opens Up On Controversial Issues
Transcript | Watch Video

Joint Palin-McCain Interview
Transcript | Watch Video

Palin On The Economy
Transcript |  Clip One | Clip Two |
Short Clip: Another Great Depression?

Palin On Foreign Policy
Transcript | Video with online exclusives |
Short clip: Alaska's Neighbor, Russia
(CBS)  When CBS News anchor Katie Couric sat down for an exclusive interview with vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, she focused on the economy - but also addressed reports that the lobbying firm of Sen. John McCain's campaign manager received payments from the controversial mortgage giant Freddie Mac until last month. Couric asked for the Alaska governor's reaction to that. Watch Day II of the interview, on foreign policy, here.

Sarah Palin: My understanding is that Rick Davis recused himself from the dealings of the firm. I don't know how long ago, a year or two ago that he's not benefiting from that. And you know, I was - I would hope that's not the case.

Katie Couric: But he still has a stake in the company so isn't that a conflict of interest?

Palin: Again, my understanding is that he recused himself from the dealings with Freddie and Fannie, any lobbying efforts on his part there. And I would hope that's the case because, as John McCain has been saying, and as I've on a much more local level been also rallying against is the undue influence of lobbyists in public policy decisions being made.

Next, Couric asked about the $700 billion government bailout of bad debt - and whether she supports it.

Palin: I'm all about the position that America is in and that we have to look at a $700 billion bailout. And as Sen. McCain has said unless this nearly trillion dollar bailout is what it may end up to be, unless there are amendments in Paulson's proposal, really I don't believe that Americans are going to support this and we will not support this. The interesting thing in the last couple of days that I have seen is that Americans are waiting to see what John McCain will do on this proposal. They're not waiting to see what Barack Obama is going to do. Is he going to do this and see what way the political wind's blowing? They're waiting to see if John McCain will be able to see these amendments implemented in Paulson's proposal.

Couric: Why do you say that? Why are they waiting for John McCain and not Barack Obama?

Palin: He's got the track record of the leadership qualities and the pragmatism that's needed at a crisis time like this.

Couric: But polls have shown that Sen. Obama has actually gotten a boost as a result of this latest crisis, with more people feeling that he can handle the situation better than John McCain.

Palin: I'm not looking at poll numbers. What I think Americans at the end of the day are going to be able to go back and look at track records and see who's more apt to be talking about solutions and wishing for and hoping for solutions for some opportunity to change, and who's actually done it?

Couric: If this doesn't pass, do you think there's a risk of another Great Depression?

Palin: Unfortunately, that is the road that America may find itself on. Not necessarily this, as it's been proposed, has to pass or we're going to find ourselves in another Great Depression. But, there has got to be action - bipartisan effort - Congress not pointing fingers at one another but finding the solution to this, taking action, and being serious about the reforms on Wall Street that are needed.

Couric: Would you support a moratorium on foreclosures to help average Americans keep their homes?

Palin: That's something that John McCain and I have both been discussing - whether that ... is part of the solution or not. You know, it's going to be a multi-faceted solution that has to be found here.

Couric: So you haven't decided whether you'll support it or not?

Palin: I have not.

Couric: What are the pros and cons of it do you think?

Palin: Oh, well, some decisions that have been made poorly should not be rewarded, of course.

Couric: By consumers, you're saying?

Palin: Consumers - and those who were predator lenders also. That's, you know, that has to be considered also. But again, it's got to be a comprehensive, long-term solution found ... for this problem that America is facing today. As I say, we are getting into crisis mode here.

Couric: You've said, quote, "John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?

Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie - that, that's paramount. That's more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.

Couric: But he's been in Congress for 26 years. He's been chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee. And he has almost always sided with less regulation, not more.

Palin: He's also known as the maverick though, taking shots from his own party, and certainly taking shots from the other party. Trying to get people to understand what he's been talking about - the need to reform government.

Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you've said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?

Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.

Couric: I'm just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you.


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Add a Comment See all 4140 Comments
by OttoOp_dot_com April 15, 2010 2:33 AM EDT
OttoOp.com dubs Sarah Palin "Chamomile Sarah" Read the new Opinion blog - "Chamomile Sarah Palin and Her Bendable Straws"
How can the TEA Baggers embrace a Political Quitter?
What does Chamomile Sarah and Sponge Bob have in common?
Is Chamomile Sarah going to sip her tea through a bendable straw?
For these and other important questions, subscribe www.OttoOp.com or OttoOp on Facebook
Reply to this comment
by OttoOp_dot_com April 15, 2010 2:33 AM EDT
OttoOp.com dubs Sarah Palin "Chamomile Sarah" Read the new Opinion blog - "Chamomile Sarah Palin and Her Bendable Straws"
How can the TEA Baggers embrace a Political Quitter?
What does Chamomile Sarah and Sponge Bob have in common?
Is Chamomile Sarah going to sip her tea through a bendable straw?
For these and other important questions, subscribe www.OttoOp.com or OttoOp on Facebook
Reply to this comment
by IdahoKH November 17, 2009 2:16 AM EST
I think Sarah Palin did a beautiful job. It would be much appreciated if CBS did they're job correctly and presented the news in an unbiased manner. If more of the media had.. the people of this nation may have recognized that Obama and his administration are not here to represent the people but rather to accomplish their hidden agendas. Chicago politics at it's finest. Work hard.. they need your tax dollars.. this nation may never recover from this magnitude of spending.
Reply to this comment
by nimbleswitch April 11, 2010 1:07 AM EDT
Oh, my, you're so close. You just have the parties reversed. The Repubs are the ones with the hidden agenda: The multibillionaires who pull the elephant's strings have always wanted to get as much money in as few hands as possible. And you're absolutely right that our nation may never recover from the magnitude of George W. Bush's spending on a war based on lies to the American people.

If you really think Sarah Palin did a beautiful job during the Couric interview, you must be duller-witted than she is. Truly, how could you be otherwise and think that?
by Alphaelite122 November 13, 2009 10:31 AM EST
Typo "She is the reason why he did not when." should be " She is the reason why John McCain did not win."
Reply to this comment
by tonyc48 November 13, 2009 2:17 AM EST
WHY IS THIS CLIP STILL ON THE FRONT PAGE OF CBS EVENING NEWS?? IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR NOW!

Clearly, this interview is the best thing that ever happened to Katie Couric in the evening news.

This is evidence of the liberal media bias of CBS and Couric.
Reply to this comment
by cognitogrrl November 15, 2009 1:58 AM EST
This clip is LINKED to be available becoz Ms. Palin's book is in the news now. Most particularly, becoz she insinuates that Katie Couric butchered the interview with her. What's pathetic about that is that CBS probably had a hard time choosing ANY responses by La Palin that made any sense. Not being able to name even ONE newspaper that she read regularly set off my Airhead Warnning LOL
by liselle3 October 18, 2009 6:07 PM EDT
Sarah, your 15 min of fame are up... go away.
Reply to this comment
by Ms_enza October 13, 2009 4:09 PM EDT
One-on-one-half...
Reply to this comment
by buddyboyz October 12, 2009 7:35 PM EDT
Halloween is near come and look at the wonderful Items and also for Birthdays and the Holidays. At robscountrystore.org
Reply to this comment
by expressways October 7, 2009 5:43 PM EDT
Why did Sarah Palin team up with a leading white supremist to author her memoir? How can 21st century America be expected to embrace this dangerous, hate-mongering woman from a by-gone era? Hundreds have died to move this country beyond rule by racial prejudice. Not our America!!!!!!!!!!

Cover that Katie Couric
Reply to this comment
by cowgurl10 September 11, 2009 4:48 PM EDT
if you want fair and balanced news, go to fox. ya thats right. i know this is way off track, it is Sept. 11, i would like to know where the news on Acorn is, oh let me see, CBS only reports what they want you to hear.

I for one love Sara Palin. Go Sara

I bet hafe the people who use to watch CBS, now watch FOX. they report all the news, ya they are on your side.

ABC is the same way, not one word on what is happening right now with Acorn. And Obama use to be there lawyer. What a laugh. Get real people.
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