One-On-One With Sarah Palin

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

(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.

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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.

[hypnotoad72]

"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. "

There, right there, you have it. Ms Palin sure as heck sounds competent.

"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."

I honestly hope she does. There are a lot of reasons why I like her, and showing some proof would help the McCain/Palin ticket immensely.

And she is correct, it is a multifaceted issue. Offshoring being a potentially tangential issue too, as McCain himself said on CBS News tonight that the economy is pertinent to foreign policy.

[bannednancy]

Palin is trash. Not EVEN good enough for a trailer.

[chetking]

About a C- and I''m a high grader.

Go Katie Go ...

[kcpaull]

Katie Rocks! I love it when someone asks a polititian point blank about something they can''t answer because the answer is detrimental to their campaign.

[pastdue1]

You did good, Katie.

[elz523]

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 that has to be found here.


Boy, I hope these are just transcription errors. I''m not sure what a multi-faceted is, but I''m afraid this dunce thinks she knows and it scares me.

[kellyfish3]

I''d like Katie to ask Obama to name ONE thing he has done to bring change anywhere, anytime. I promise you there will be silence.

[Chezrobin]

What a lame interview with Palin. Katie was her usual astute, precise self, but Palin showed the country what an idiot she truly is. She has no idea what she is doing and she has no business applying for second in command of this country. God be with us all if McCain/Palin make it into the White House.

[Chezrobin]

What a lame interview with Palin. Katie was her usual astute, precise self, but Palin showed the country what an idiot she truly is. She has no idea what she is doing and she has no business applying for second in command of this country. God be with us all if McCain/Palin make it into the White House.

[elz523]

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 that has to be found here.

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

Palin: I have not.


Translation: "They haven''t told me what to say I think about this yet."

[wildejj]

I think the media will be the downfall of the United States of America. Oh well...it''s all part of God''s plan.

[elz523]

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?

Translation: "I''m not looking at poll numbers because I just made this up."

[pmowpaint]

Palin is squirming. Way to go Katie. your intelligence is showing!

[elz523]

I think the media will be the downfall of the United States of America. Oh well...it''''s all part of God''''s plan.


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Posted by wildejj at 06:59 PM : Sep 24, 2008

Why would the media be the downfall? This is a poor interview by Palin, but nobody put the words in her mouth and the interview was fair.

[sbirnbaum1]

Wow... I rarely watch Couric (1% of the time or less) but I was hooked when I saw she was going to interview Palin. I believed that Palin would have canned and repetitious responses (not answers). She most certainly did. She showed me again that she cannot think. Palin needs to go back to whence she came. I agree with others, she looked and sounded like an idiot. Great job, Ms. Couric, you hounded her well and very professionally. You have a new viewer, CBS.

[elz523]

I''''d like Katie to ask Obama to name ONE thing he has done to bring change anywhere, anytime. I promise you there will be silence.


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Posted by kellyfish3 at 06:55 PM : Sep 24, 2008


They have asked Obama a number of times. Watch the debates. Oh yeah, can''t do that, sorry, seems McCain just backed out.

[whitemale08]

Come on Palin, saying the "world is waiting for John McCain to find a solution" because neither of you knows what to do is not leadership; it''s incompetence.

These times are too dangerous for an amatuer like you.

[austinrrt]

Couric did a great job in pushing Palin to give an answer that did''nt come out like a soundbite. In other words Palin did not have an answer.

[dvndva-2009]

It is so clear this woman has no business running for a leadership position as important as VP when she can''t answer questions from a stern reporter like Mrs. Couric. She merely needs to go home and start preparing for the birth of her grandchild.

The McCain and Palin ticket is a JOKE!

[wmatt111]

Talk about putting words into someone''s mouth! Katie Couric is the one who suggested the term "Great Depression" in her interview with Sarah Palin. She then turns around in her interview with John McCain and suggests that Palin compared our current economic crisis to the next Great Depression. Another example of "journalists" like Couric putting her slant on things.

[curiousohian]

I have seen and heard Cov. Palin speak, and I''m not sure that she has an opinion of her own. Every question that is answered by her is about something that John Mccain believes. What is her opinion on the financial crisis? Does she need to be told by her handlers what to say and think? Katie did a great job as usual, its just hard to pin down someone is trying hard to evade answers and be glib with other answers. Maybe she will stop finding ways to not answer and give a straight answer without trotting out what mccain thinks.

[smartlady1-2009]

Katie-
The TV was accidently left turned on during your news report-
I was fascinated by your constant smirking and rolling your eyes during your interview with John McCain. Why the need for glasses halfway through? Are you trying to place subliminal suggestions of the negative press that''s been circulating about Sarah Palin''s glasses? Why don''t you just put on a clown hat and red nose-and stop masquarading as a journalist?
Your attitude was showing during the clips of your interview with Palin too. Constant scowls and looking off camera- Katie- it makes your wrinkles deeper!
Funny how you looked straight at the camera with a sincere expression when talking about Obama. As someone who earns over $1 million a year yourself, I''m sure you identify with his concern for the common American (my own smirk).
We used to be a country with a free press- now our press is controlled by very specific political interests-and overpaid "news" propoganda artists.

[pmowpaint]

Way to go Katie. Palin was squirming. Your intelligence is showing bright!

[danabera]

Palin-"I''ll try to find you some and I''ll bring them to You"????? Is she freaking kidding me! Oh my God. Someone please wake me from this wacky dream. Poor Katie. I thought she was going jump out of her chair and yell "okay all right You got me Ashton cool punk stunt"! Now bring in the real candidate he chose!! Good Lord do you all think she''s really going to go do some actual research and get back to Katie? Ummm I hear there''s a bridge for sale up north I can sell you. Wow,,,

[dmcmaxx]

Shameful "gotcha" interviewing Ms. Couric!! I watched your interview of Gov. Palin and Sen. McCain.
Couric, you first used the term "great depression" in questioning Palin, then you had the gall to question McCain if it was helpful for Palin to "scare" the public with a "great depression" comparison. I hope that just as you did on McCain''s record you will repeatedly ask for specifics from O''Bama as to what he did to avert the crisis during his 4 years in the Senate! I suspect I''ll hope in vain. AND THIS IS NOT FROM A MCCAIN/PALIN FAN just a person who believes in honest reporting.

[clpasm]

Great interview, great job, Ms. Couric. You have new viewer.

[whitemale08]

Come on Palin, this is ridiculous...at least elaborate your views on what you would do to help the economy.

Your not ready!

[susk39]

I now know why i stopped watching the Today Show back when Katie Couric was on. Her smug look when she interviews anyone who may have an opinion other than her own is nauseating. Would love to see how Obama or Biden would answer that in a short interview. But i am sure they would only show the good remarks, not when they stumbles or stutters. No on has all the answers on these extremely tough questions. All I know is TIm Russert is soooo missed during these times. I have no idea where he stood polically, but I do know that he was fair to both sides. This country will never come together. Too many egos!!!
God Bless America!!!

[amazing9]

I watched the interview and came away from it wondering why Katie seemed so much more desirable as a VP candidate than Sarah. If I were interviewing the two there would be no question which of the two I would prefer.

[Chezrobin]

What a lame interview with Palin! Katie was her usual astute, precise self, but Palin showed the country what an idiot she truly is. She has no idea what she is doing and she has no business applying for second in command of this country. I am sick to death of her canned one-liners and her redneck comebacks. She has no answers, she has no leadership ability, and she acts like she is in high school spreading malicious rumors about someone who intimidates her. There is no truth passing over her lips. She has no honor. She is not White House material that is for sure! God be with us all if McCain/Palin make it into the White House.

[donnaheinlei]

I was annoyed with the whole interview...wishing the entire time that Palin would prevail....hoping Katie would step above the routine media spin.

[jim_in_stl]

Great job by Katie. She was watching Sarah like a hawk. The first part that was outside I thought I picked up that Sarah''s voice was under stress. Then at the end, she totally dissed Katie by baby snooking her voice "well how bout I get some and bring them to you next time" What waste of a pick for VP. Now can you imagine if she became Pres? That is scary.

[cornwallco]

Katie was little more than a female Charlie Gibson. They could both take lessons from Sean Hannity in how to interview but, maybe it wasn''t an interview as much as it was an examination. In that case, both she and Charlie did great. (Not!)

CBSNEWS did a great little number in putting out the sneak preview of the interview where Sarah Palin says we are heading for a Great Depression. Other so-called news agencies picked up on that and spread it around. ONLY PROBLEM IS, it was Katie that brought up the words, "Great Depression". In her answer Sarah was not committal... she used the word ''might''. It was certainly not a definitive statement.

If the press is so curious to know what Sarah Palin thinks, why ask her questions about what John McCain has done.....

[aramj08]

Just like we are having a meltdown financially, we will experience a meltdown in news media reporting if we continue to have people like Katie Couric do interviews. I am not saying we need to be soft, but we need to be consistent.

The questions regarding Senator McCain (being 26 years in Congress), Katie should have asked of Senator McCain, not Governor Palin. As soon as the interview started, I saw the venom and hatred radiating from Katie Couric. Her demeanor and disrespect was evident.

CBS, start by cleaning your act. Get rid of Katie Couric and get some news media professionals who will as in a professional manner and ask questions pertinent to the individual and the country, not go for the jugular with a "gotha!".

I thought Katie was different and above board, but she is conniving and self-serving. Out with Katie and in with news media professionals so we can avert a news media meltdown (people are losing their respect for news media). Governor Palin was outstanding. She sidestepped the jugular swipes. One thing that Katie needs to know is that NO ONE knows everything about government functionings, not even the experts (based on the financial meltdown). We need mavericks with a known record in Washington to clean house. Katie, stand for America and American values!
John Arambula Sr.

[walkshe]

Well, has anyone taken a look at Obama''s voting record? Seems that either he doesn''t care enough or doesn''t know enough about the issues to even enter a vote on about 80% of the issues. As for McCain, I think he shot himself in the foot when he added Palin to his ticket. Mind you, I have nothing against a redneck (in the words of Jeff Foxworthy "I are one"), but I sure don''t want one in the Whitehouse. I think Palin is one of the worst examples of a female to have chosen for this honor. Surely, there must be other more intelligent, honest (yes, I know that''s an oxymoron when it comes to politics), and moral women to have chosen from. Or did they just want a puppet? If that''s so, it sounds as if they surely have what they were looking for. Too bad we have such a poor selection to choose from this election.

[kerrjac]

I consider myself a loyal viewer of CBS Evening News and this is honestly the most ugly and biased political interview I''ve seen from Couric.

First of all, you could tell that Palin wasn''t in her element walking outside and being asked hard questions about the economy. And who would be in their element while talking about a complex unfolding issue for a national interview with cars whizzing by.

But that paled in comparison to what came next - quite literally - when she was brought inside under morbid fluorescent light, which is inexcusable in a professional indoor studio. The background was fine, and heck even Couric''s face was well-lit.

And then on top of taking advantage of two environments in the same interview were Couric''s pointless closed-ended questions. The interview was more about Couric''s liberal views than Palin''s policies. It''s an interview let the guest speak for god sake. Not to mention the blurred distinction between governmental "oversight" and "regulation".

[elz523]

What a lame interview with Palin! Katie was her usual astute, precise self, but Palin showed the country what an idiot she truly is. She has no idea what she is doing and she has no business applying for second in command of this country.

Second in command is not what scares me. I am afraid of what happens if she becomes commander in chief. Think about that Palin supporters. Would you want this person in charge of our military? Even Laura Bush says she isn''t ready. I don''t want a "quick study" in charge of the military facing down Russia or Iran.

By the way Palin supporters, do you know who her foreign affairs advisers are? Try Max Boot and Robert Kagan, two of the neocon supporters of the Iraq war. Who will be giving her advice is John McCain dies in office? You know the neocons have no problem with the 4000 American dead soldiers. They would also have no problem knocking off McCain to achieve their goal of US hegemony over the Mideast. THINK about it!

[donnaheinlei]

I was disappointed with Katie...rolling of the eyes, smirking....undeservingly disrespectful. I thought the way Palin handled it, and everything else she is being thrown by the media, is remarkably calm, professional and impressive.

[elz523]

Surely, there must be other more intelligent, honest (yes, I know that''''s an oxymoron when it comes to politics), and moral women to have chosen from. Or did they just want a puppet? If that''''s so, it sounds as if they surely have what they were looking for. Too bad we have such a poor selection to choose from this election.


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Posted by walkshe at 07:13 PM : Sep 24, 2008

Again, look at who the foreign affairs advisers are onthe McCain campaign. Max Boot and Robert Kagan. Google them. The answer is YES they do want a puppet.

[renodda-2009]

I think that those who are in support of Sara Palin are just caught up in the idea that we could possibly get a woman in office in the White House. Honestly, if you listen to her in interviews you can''t say that you think she is ready for the White House. I have listened to her in several interviews (now that she is allowed to speak publicly without McCain) and she does poorly. The questions that are directed to her are never answered. She reminds me of student in grade school who doesn''t know the answer to a question, so all she does is restate the question in the form of a statement. Any halfway educated individual should be able to pick up on that. Restating the question is not an answer...as an educator, myself, I know!! Another issue that I have concerns about is the fact that she has to take a "crash course" on foreign affairs. Anyone who has ever been to high school knows that "cliff notes" don''t get you far! Half of the time you only get a forth of the information that you need to know...and then what?!? It doesn''t take Visine to see that Palin is "clearly" not the right choice for VP of the USA!

[motivatejss]

Thank you Katie for introducing us to Governor Palin. I felt I knew very little about her before I saw your interview today and I was most impressed with how she handled the pressure. I have only one question; if she did not know enough to prepare for an interview with you, how is she going to serve as vice president. I am reminded of J. Danforth Quale who was the vice president during the George Herbert Walker Bush presidency; good for a few laughs, but not to be taken seriously.

[lovedotme]

Go Katie! Great interview! I will be passing the transcript onto my friends!

[clestes-2009]

donnaheinlei,

did you actually listen to the interview? I wonder if you had the sound off and just watched it, because frankly it doesn''t sound like you did any real listening.

Who cares about smirks or whatever. It is the words that actually matter here, not facial expressions.

Palin has NO answers. She says a lot of rambling BS but cannot answer any question that does not require a canned response that she has memorized.

I think that is pretty apparent and frankly should scare the *** out of you.

Do you really think someone who cannot answer a question based on experience can handle the job of VP or more importantly President??

[jmurrieta11]

"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. "



She''s the VP candidate, but she can''t give a single example?

She''ll have her publicist get back to you Katie!

In other developments, Katie mentioned to Palin that Russia had invaded the Ukraine, and asked Palin what we should do.

Palin: "I''ll have my publicist get back to you. McCain is still napping and he can''t be waked from a nap or he''s all grouchy! And my pastor is getting ready for the battle of Armageddon!"

[teeturtle]

When I took Journalism in school the first day the Professor told us the media could not show their personal opinion. It seems Katie Couric forgot Journalism 101. You never ever let your personal opinion show. Of course everyone knows the Democrats control the Press, a sad thing for America

[mom4kids1]

I cannot believe that the left cannot see their own bias! It is a disgrace how the media uses itself. Katie stated to John McCain that Palin said that we could be in a depression if things are not taken care of and didn''t he think that she was scaring the public. Palin did not say that! Katie brought it up to Palin then used that for the McCain interview then all the other media picked up on it without watching the Palin interview. If they would have watched it, they would realize that Katie brought up the word depression in her question and Palin did not agree with her as Katie leads you to believe. What type of reporting is that? Fair.

Isn''t is funny when reporters point out that McCain has been a Senator for 26 some years? How long has Biden been serving? Then again, Joe Biden is just Joe Biden- he can make such outrageous statements and everyone shrugs him off as being Joe Biden. Wake up left, he could be the VP!!

Obama should be asked about his community organizer position and how he helped his buddies invest in houses that they never intended on occupying. They have left them for foreclosure. Is that being a contributor?

The interview was very self serving and it is just a confirmation to the right that the left leads with emotions and conveniently leaves behind the facts.

[princessdimd]

Amazing 9, those were my thoughts exactly. I actually felt sorry for Palin. Maybe if she were a candidate for a High School Senior Class Vice Presidency, she''d be credible, but to help run the greatest country in the nation...laughable. I wish commoners would lay off the media. If they weren''t reporting the news...uncut and uncensored, we''d have a problem with that too.

[elz523]

When I took Journalism in school the first day the Professor told us the media could not show their personal opinion. It seems Katie Couric forgot Journalism 101. You never ever let your personal opinion show. Of course everyone knows the Democrats control the Press, a sad thing for America


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Posted by teeturtle at 07:29 PM : Sep 24, 2008

Even if true, that doesn''t change the actual anwers that Palin gave. That is whats important. Good Lord wake up!

[jab232]

Palin is not the issue. Deregulation John McCain is the issue. He and his buddies like Phil Gramm supported the deregulation which set the table for this mess, and now he wants to grandstand it by coming in at the last minute to "save the day." They have been negotiating several days now. You know there are delicate issues at stake, issues on which they have dealt back and forth for hours on end. All kinds of reliable people like Warren Buffet have said if there isn''t some kind of deal there will be a depression. So now John McCain drops everything, upstages the president of the United States who is speaking tonight, and inserts presidential politics into the negotiations. McCain needs to go home to one of his seven houses.

[zippy2221]

GOVENOR Palin did not bring up a depression, Katie did. But Katie sure did twist that around, didn''t she. Katie was smug and nasty to GOVENOR Palin. I watched Katie''s interview because I wanted to be informed. I was very disappointed by you Katie. I will never watch you again.

[pastdue1]

-"I''''ll try to find you some and I''''ll bring them to You"

Don''t be so hard on Palin, this is the first time she has given an answer of her own.