Palin Opens Up On Controversial Issues

VP Candidate Speaks Frankly With Katie Couric About Feminism, Homosexuality, Abortion And The Environment

(CBS)  As they gear up for the one and only vice presidential debate on Thursday night in St. Louis, candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin spent part of today prepping - separately, of course. Before the debate preps, CBS News anchor Katie Couric spent some time with Alaska's Gov. Palin on the campaign trail. And in an exclusive interview, she spoke frankly about a number of controversial issues - including at least one disagreement with her running mate, Sen. John McCain. Read an unedited transcript of all the answers to Couric's questions that were broadcast Sept. 30.

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The day began early. After being briefed by her staff, Sarah Palin heads out with her 14-year-old daughter Willow in tow.

"So nice to meet you," CBS News anchor Katie Couric said to Willow.

At 8 a.m., Palin hit the ground running - accompanied by Couric.

"Do you have any down-time, though?" Couric asked Palin.

"I get to go running every day, which is my sanity," Palin said. "Sweat is my sanity."

First, a photo-op with hotel staff.

Then it's off to the McCain campaign plane, where CBS News was invited up front to ask a handful of questions. Couric asked Palin whether she considers herself a feminist.

"I do," Palin said. "I'm a feminist who, uh, believes in equal rights and I believe that women certainly today have every opportunity that a man has to succeed, and to try to do it all, anyway. And I'm very, very thankful that I've been brought up in a family where gender hasn't been an issue. You know, I've been expected to do everything growing up that the boys were doing. We were out chopping wood and you're out hunting and fishing and filling our freezer with good wild Alaskan game to feed our family. So it kinda started with that."

Before a rally in Columbus, Ohio, the candidates sat down with Couric for their first joint interview, where Couric and Palin focused on energy policy.

Couric: Gov. Palin, almost every expert says it will take about 10 years for domestic drilling to have an impact on consumers. So isn't the notion of "drill, baby, drill" a little misleading to people who think this will automatically lower their gas prices, and quickly?

Palin: And it's why we should have started 10 years ago tapping into domestic supplies that America is so rich in. Alaska has billions of barrels of oil and hundreds of trillions of cubic feet of clean, green natural gas onshore and off-shore. Should have started doing it 10 years ago, but better late than never. It's gotta be an all-of-the-above approach to energy independence.

Couric: Gov. Palin, I know you'd like to see drilling take place in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And Sen. McCain, you oppose this. You call it, quote: "one of the most pristine and beautiful parts of the world."

McCain: Uh huh.

Couric: Who's right?

McCain: Did you expect two mavericks to agree on - (laughter) to agree on everything? Look, I …we just have, we'll be talking more and more about this issue. We do agree on the off-shore drilling and other means of limiting our dependence on foreign oil. But for us to agree on everything would make us, I think, a little boring. You can … say a lot about us, but we're anything but boring.

Palin has brought plenty of energy to the campaign, attracting huge, enthusiastic crowds, like one at Capital University.

Her trademark feistiness is on display as she delivers a punchy sound bite about her rival, Joe Biden.

"I'm looking forward to meeting him, too. I've never met him before. But I've been hearing about his Senate speeches since I was in, like, second grade," she said at a campaign rally.

Couric: You have a 72-year-old running mate - is that kind of a risky thing to say, insinuating that Joe Biden's been around a while?

Palin: Oh no, it's nothing negative at all. He's got a lot of experience and just stating the fact there, that we've been hearing his speeches for all these years. So he's got a tremendous amount of experience and, you know, I'm the new energy, the new face, the new ideas and he's got the experience.

Couric: And when it comes to establishing your worldview, I was curious, what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this to stay informed and to understand the world?

Palin: I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.

Couric: What, specifically?

Palin: Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.

Couric: Can you name a few?

Palin: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news, too. Alaska isn't a foreign country, where it's kind of suggested, "Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?" Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.

Then it's off to the bus where Palin sits down for a wide-ranging interview.

Couric: What's your position on global warming? Do you believe it's man-made or not?

Palin: Well, we're the only Arctic state, of course, Alaska. So we feel the impacts more than any other state, up there with the changes in climates. And certainly, it is apparent. We have erosion issues. And we have melting sea ice, of course. So, what I've done up there is form a sub-cabinet to focus solely on climate change. Understanding that it is real. And …

Couric: Is it man-made, though in your view?

Palin: You know there are - there are man's activities that can be contributed to the issues that we're dealing with now, these impacts. I'm not going to solely blame all of man's activities on changes in climate. Because the world's weather patterns are cyclical. And over history we have seen change there. But kind of doesn't matter at this point, as we debate what caused it. The point is: it's real; we need to do something about it.

Couric: If a 15-year-old is raped by her father, do you believe it should be illegal for her to get an abortion, and why?

Palin: I am pro-life. And I'm unapologetic in my position that I am pro-life. And I understand there are good people on both sides of the abortion debate. In fact, good people in my own family have differing views on abortion, and when it should be allowed. Do I respect people's opinions on this. Now, I would counsel to choose life. I would also like to see a culture of life in this country. But I would also like to take it one step further. Not just saying I am pro-life and I want fewer and fewer abortions in this country, but I want them, those women who find themselves in circumstances that are absolutely less than ideal, for them to be supported, and adoptions made easier.

Couric: But ideally, you think it should be illegal for a girl who was raped or the victim of incest to get an abortion?

Palin: I'm saying that, personally, I would counsel the person to choose life, despite horrific, horrific circumstances that this person would find themselves in. And, um, if you're asking, though, kind of foundationally here, should anyone end up in jail for having an … abortion, absolutely not. That's nothing I would ever support.

Couric: Some people have credited the morning-after pill for decreasing the number of abortions. How do you feel about the morning-after pill?

Palin: Well, I am all for contraception. And I am all for preventative measures that are legal and save, and should be taken, but Katie, again, I am one to believe that life starts at the moment of conception. And I would like to see …

Couric: And so you don't believe in the morning-after pill?

Palin: ... I would like to see fewer and fewer abortions in this world. And again, I haven't spoken with anyone who disagrees with my position on that.

Couric: I'm sorry, I just want to ask you again. Do you not support or do you condone or condemn the morning-after pill.

Palin: Personally, and this isn't McCain-Palin policy …

Couric: No, that's OK, I'm just asking you.

Palin: But personally, I would not choose to participate in that kind of contraception.

Couric: Do you believe evolution should be taught as an accepted scientific principle or as one of several theories?

Palin: Oh, I think it should be taught as an accepted principle. And, as you know, I say that also as the daughter of a school teacher, a science teacher, who has really instilled in me a respect for science. It should be taught in our schools. And I won't deny that I see the hand of God in this beautiful creation that is Earth. But that is not part of the state policy or a local curriculum in a school district. Science should be taught it science class.

The governor told us though she's not a member of any church, she visits a couple of them regularly when she's home. She took issue with news reports that one of them, The Wasilla Bible Church, sponsored a conference where gays could be made straight through prayer.

Palin: Well, it matters though, Katie, when the media gets it wrong. It frustrates Americans who are just trying to get the facts and … be able to make up their mind on, about a person's values. So it does matter.

But what you're talking about, I think, value here, what my position is on homosexuality and you can pray it away, because I think that was the title that was listed on that bulletin. And you know, I don't know what prayers are worthy of being prayed. I don't know what's prayers are going to be asked and answered. But as for homosexuality, I am not going to judge Americans and the decisions that they make in their adult personal relationships. I have one of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years happens to be gay, and I love her dearly. And she is not my "gay friend," she is one of my best friends, who happens to have made a choice that isn't a choice that I have made. But I am not going to judge people.

People may judge her after Thursday's debate, where she'll be unfiltered and unedited - something reporters complain the campaign has resisted.

Palin: The campaign knows that I am an open book. My record is out there and my life is out there.

[apicollo]

Who cares about what kind of newspapers she reads? Only you Katie...We want to hear about the war, the economy, health care, everyday things that affect us everyday people. Books, magazines and newspapers are the least of anyone concern right now. You wasted her time and mine. You are suppose to bring out the issues for us - the public- not be intimadated by a very attractive accoplished women Gov. Palin.

[rcreed4]

?...any of you reading and commenting on this version of the interview ever click and read the un-edited version?? There is a mighty big difference. I wouldn''t take any of you as "cliff note" readers.

I just noticed myself that comments to the same interview post on different pages depending on which version you read. Wonder Why?? Geee... maybe if we insure that those who only want to hear our side of the story don''t cross communicate w/ those who want to hear the whole story then we''ll have a better chance.

I remember this kind of behavior in high school or maybe it was 7th grade when it was cool to disregard your peer%u2019s b/c they weren''t "IN" with your crowd.

How being "IN" has proved priceless... I mean worthless. lol

[real_mccoy1]

The use of the term "waffling" (see posting of terrywaite12, Oct. 2) is a familiar refrain of conservatives who wish to argue that anyone who changes a point of view or opinion in the face of new evidence is somehow weak or not to be trusted. On the contrary, this trait should be viewed as a sign of flexible intelligence, which has been in critically short supply in the Executive office for the last eight years. McCain and Palin are "straight shooters" - they are rigid, inflexible, and represent the type of type of intolerance to come to the table that cannot be a part of America''s foreign policy. To think of McCain, who does not believe we should be at the table, and a "soccer mom" in charge of nuclear arms treaties in truly frightening indeed.

[tennyshoe29]

The idea that Sarah Palin could be our next potential president scares the hell out of me and frankly...after this interview and tonights vice presidential debate I don''t know why anyone would still vote McCain/Palin.
Given McCain%u2019s age, the odds of Palin becoming our next president are too high to take a chance! During her interview with Katie Couric: she didn''t answer the question asked about the ''drill baby drill'' slogan, for some reason (?) couldn%u2019t name one newspaper or magazine she reads and didn%u2019t give a straight answer on the issue of abortion. When she had something to say during the debate tonight it was either vague, a standard cookie-cutter answer or a complete avoidance of the question!! She made several comments like ''oh now here ya go again, Joe, talkin about the past...'' when he brought up the FAILED policies of the Bush Administration but yet when Biden DIRECTLY asked her to provide solid examples of how John McCain''s views differ from George Bush%u2019s she dodged the question! In fact she stated early on that she was going to say what she wanted to whether it answered the question or not. Yeah, it''s great that you''re a ''hockey mom'' and have a big family, but I want to hear SPECIFIACLLY what you will bring to the table as our next vice president or...president!! Anything?? Well in the event she does become president, she can just choose to deal with the issues she knows a thing or two about and avoid all the stuff she doesn''t...

[tutia-2009]

Dear Ms. Couric, Can you please ask Mrs. Palin why she''s Pro-Choice while claming to be Pro-Life? Yes Pro-Choice because she believes a woman has a right to abort a fetus if her life is in danger, meanwhile rape and incest is forbidden even during the 1st trimester. Is that why she had an amniocentisis done? Anyone who is a real Pro-Lifer does not believe in abortion even if her life is in danger; Especially someone who believes in god so deeply as she claims she does. Preventing a natural death by god is bascially being afraid to die and go to the heaven they claim to believe is waiting for them. Why else did she do an amniocentisis? To find out if her child was going to be deformed? Well why not wait for what god has given you instead of using science which she does not believe in to give her a way out of god''s naturally calling!

THANK YOU. PLEASE ASK THIS VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

[tutia-2009]

Dear Ms. Couric, Can you please ask Mrs. Palin why she is Pro-Choice while claming to be Pro-Life? Yes Pro-Choice because she is believes a woman has a right to abort a fetus if her life is in danger. That is why she had an amniocentisis done. Anyone who is a real Pro-Lifer does not believe in abortion even if her life is in danger; especially someone who believes in god so deeply as she claims she does. Preventing a natural death by god is bascially being afraid to die and go to the heaven they claim to believe is waiting for them. Why else did she do an mniocentisis? To find out if her child was going to be deformed? Well why not wait for what god has given you instead of using science which she does not believe in to give her a way out of god''s naturally calling!

THANK YOU. PLEASE ASK THIS VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

[terrywayne12]

I believe that Sarah Palin and John McCain are both "straight shooters". You may not agree with everything that they say, but you know where they stand. This is not true for Barack Hussein Obama who has mastered the art of waffling. After the VP debate tonight, I am even more assured that Palin is a genuine, passionate spokesperson for America and for family values. I believe that she does have experience on energy issues and will bring a "fresh point of view" to the White House. I am not convinced that McCain-Palin will be more of the same. I do believe that Democrats and Republicans both want change. However there is a silent majority that is rising up among us ready to voice their opinions on the true heart of America. The heart that beats to ensure our freedom, our family values, our independence, our work ethic. The media can spin it any way that they want. Middle-class America is not represented in the very biased media. We have a voice. Yes, we are tired of mistakes made in this administration. I believe that McCain-Palin has more of a barometer on what I feel is best for our country.

[nathayan]

I%u2019m a true Republican voter. Seeing how McCain is reacting, he lost all my esteem. It%u2019s true that McCain lacks wisdom and intelligence in his contradictory positions and ideas. Impulsion, anger, lack of self-control and agitation are not good qualities for a great leader. And that%u2019s McCain.He never wants to listen to people.

Now, McCain is old. He gonna die soon. It''s too late for him to lead and to leave the heritage of the high management of the U.S: a strongest economic, industrial and military power in the world in the hands of Sarah Palin, the most inexperienced woman in the history of the American presidencies.

Sarah Palin is playing the "theater" and the "emotional" by always talking about her children. One is pregnant and the other one, sick. Even an ordinary street%u2019s comedian can play that game to get compassion from people. This has nothing to do with managing a large and powerful country like the United States of America.

Sarah is not ready to lead, even if she could have be able to memorize all the arguments written for her by the McCain team and Republicans for this debate against Joe Biden. Sarah Palin is empty and without substance. That%u2019s the danger for the USA. We need to stop that.

[tstrapkovic]

What is the worse thing that VP *** has done? Palin answer, "The duck hunting incident." Can you say BIMBO? What about re-writing the constitution? What about outing Valerie Plame? What about letting CEO''s write our energy policy? What about lying to the American Public? The list goes on, and on, and on. Can you say BIMBO?

[maggietexas4]

It doesn''t matter how Palin does tonight. It is too late. Now we know she is just saying what she was told to say at debate camp. Now, we will never know what she believes. I''m voting Obama/Biden.
McCain/Palin is way too scary.

[krlang1-2009]

Regarding SSKINNER 9

"Biden hasn''''t told me what he stands for and what he has done, I wonder if he was just going through the motions for 40 years. McCain has a record..."

Of course Biden has a record - do you think he is a phantom? This course of thought is ridiculous. If you want to know his record - look it up on his website - every senator has one by the way.

"Don''''t see Obama''''s link of McCain to Bush superficially,"

Indeed, there''s nothing superficial at all linking McCain to Bush. Most of McCain''s current advisers are from Bush''s cabinet. Look into it.

"Do not be fooled, Obama%u2019s inexperience will not get us out of the woods because he has never been accountable for governing a thing."

Indeed - McCain''s own career started in the Armed Forces (where people obey orders) and then he moved on to politics. The reason the Republicans dropped this argument was they realized that McCain himself has never held a position in which he would be accountable for a bottom line.

"(Let%u2019s also remember the pink elephant in the room. The media is not addressing Obama%u2019s running as the biggest civil right movement since the 60%u2019s. This is and expression of the double standard.) 5 of 5)"

I''m not sure I even know what this means -- but I do wonder what exactly do find offensive about civil rights?

[omja]

That women is totally unfit to be VP. The world and the US can''t bare more stupidity and lies as being served in the last 8 years. We Europeans can''t believe our eyes and ears that someone with the qualities of an average miss is been selected to run for VP.

[psh723]

I am so tired of hearing that Sarah Palin is being picked on by the media. If a respected female republican such as Kay Bailey Hutchison were answering Katie''s questions there weren''t be any problem. The answers -- whether or not you agree with them -- would be clear and concise. We wouldn''t have the absurd "Joe Six-Pack" responses. Katie did a fantastic job interviewing Palin. I just don''t know how she kept from laughing.

[fillet4]

I''m sick of ''sickofpalin''. Get a job!

[fillet4]

Katie Couric lacks experience in interviewing anyone who is in the prominent news arena. To try to look down her nose at Sarah Palin like Charlie Gibson did made not only Couric, but CBS News look like a seventh grader at a high school prom. Of course Katie new the answers but I am sure the research department found those answers. Did we hear Katie correct Biden on FDR being on TV during the 1929 Depression?? NO. Was it because Couric did not know the inaccuracy of the statement or because she cannot stand up to the likes of blustery Biden?

[sickofpalin]

KC629

OBAMA SPENT 18 MONTHS IN THE SPOTLIGHT-YOU''RE AN IDIOT WHEN YOU WRITE THAT OBAMA NEVER SPENT TIME TO BE VETED BY THE MEDIA

YOUR IGNORANCE IS ONLY EXCEEDED BY YOUR LACK OF INTELLIGENCE

[sickofpalin]

TO: KC629

I DON''T KNOW IF YOU KNOW, BUT BIDEN HAS NOT BEEN A PRIOR CANDIDATE FOR VP

PALIN IS AN IDIOT AND MCCAIN SUFFERS FROM A REAL MENTAL PROBLEM IF HE THINKS SHE IS GOOD FOR HIM

[sickofpalin]

republican''s love to smear people when they can''t defend their own principles

[joe_transit]

Palin needs a change of clothing and also needs to rid her entourage of Todd and those kids. Her daughter tagging along and participating is not right.

[kc629]

Americans have seen enough of Joe Biden over the span of his career to know that he was not the right pick for a presidential candidate on more than one occasion.

Joe Biden won''''t be revealing anything new to anyone, or changing anyone''''s mind at the debate.

But it will be interesting to see how Sarah Palin performs, and what her stand on issues is - all under the intense media scrutiny that Obama has never faced.

I say that because of Americans recognizing his media-bubble protection, Obama has a lot more to lose in this debate than McCain does.



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Posted by OneAmerican6 at 02:27 PM : Oct 02, 2008


-----you''re right b/c he has already lost it!