Palin, Biden Trade Views On Abortion

CBS Evening News: Biden And Palin Answer Katie Couric's Vice-Presidential Questions

(CBS)  Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin have put in some very long days preparing for their Thursday night debate. To give voters a better sense of who these candidate are, and where they stand on a number of issues, CBS News anchor Katie Couric asked Biden and Palin some "Vice Presidential Questions." This installment tackles Roe v. Wade and Supreme Court decisions.
Click here to read more of what the vice-presidential candidates had to say and see our series, "Presidential Questions."

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Katie Couric: Why do you think Roe v. Wade was a good decision?

Joe Biden: Because it's as close to a consensus that can exist in a society as heterogeneous as ours. What does it say? It says in the first three months that decision should be left to the woman. And the second three months, where Roe v. Wade says, well then the state, the government has a role, along with the women's health, they have a right to have some impact on that. And the third three months they say the weight of the government's input is on the fetus being carried.

And so that's sort of reflected as close as anybody is ever going to get in this heterogeneous, this multicultural society of religious people as to some sort of, not consensus, but as close it gets.

I think the liberty clause of the 14th Amendment … offers a right to privacy. Now that's one of the big debates that I have with my conservative scholar friends, that they say, you know, unless a right is enumerated - unless it's actually, unless [it] uses the word "privacy" in the Constitution - then no such "constitutional right" exists. Well, I think people have an inherent right.

Couric: Are there Supreme Court decisions you disagree with?

Biden: You know, I'm the guy who wrote the Violence Against Women Act. And I said that every woman in America, if they are beaten and abused by a man, should be able to take that person to court - meaning you should be able to go to federal court and sue in federal court the man who abused you if you can prove that abuse. But they said, "No, that a woman, there's no federal jurisdiction." And I held, they acknowledged, I held about 1,000 hours of hearings proving that there's an effect in interstate commerce.
Women who are abused and beaten and beaten are women who are not able to be in the work force. And the Supreme Court said, "Well, there is an impact on commerce, but this is federalizing a private crime and we're not going to allow it." I think the Supreme Court was wrong about that decision.

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Watch the vice presidential candidates' views on church and state separation

Read the transcript of the candidates' interviews on church and state

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Couric Why, in your view, is Roe v. Wade a bad decision?

Sarah Palin: I think it should be a states' issue not a federal government-mandated, mandating yes or no on such an important issue. I'm, in that sense, a federalist, where I believe that states should have more say in the laws of their lands and individual areas. Now, foundationally, also, though, it's no secret that I'm pro-life that I believe in a culture of life is very important for this country. Personally that's what I would like to see, um, further embraced by America.

Couric: Do you think there's an inherent right to privacy in the Constitution?

Palin: I do. Yeah, I do.

Couric: The cornerstone of Roe v. Wade.

Palin: I do. And I believe that individual states can best handle what the people within the different constituencies in the 50 states would like to see their will ushered in an issue like that.

Couric: What other Supreme Court decisions do you disagree with?

Palin: Well, let's see. There's, of course in the great history of America there have been rulings, that's never going to be absolute consensus by every American. And there are those issues, again, like Roe v. Wade, where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So you know, going through the history of America, there would be others but …

Couric: Can you think of any?

Palin: Well, I could think of … any again, that could be best dealt with on a more local level. Maybe I would take issue with. But, you know, as mayor, and then as governor and even as a vice president, if I'm so privileged to serve, wouldn't be in a position of changing those things but in supporting the law of the land as it reads today.

[n77nick]

Pure clown, i''m sorry. Sara Palin isn''t even worth talking about. She is a pure joke, i''m done even hearing about this unqualified person. Obama is the real candidate, no more sideshows. On to November.

[braveheartaz]

Poor Sarah Palin, having to deal with left-wing media questions like "Well, but can you at least give me the name of a newspaper you read?" and "Not to belabor the point, I''ll ask again, can you please give me an example in John McCain''s time in the Senate. . ." Thank goodness we can finally see her outside the such an unfair "filter" that expects her to actually answer the question. I think I''ll go back to watching Fox News.

[ccc1900]

I think it''s on to the big time for Sarah Palin -- lets see her on Meet the Press, This Week with George S. Let see Governor Palin "talk directly to the American people." Perhaps she might answer questions and not use her prepared phrases. I will give her this -- she can memorize words, phrases, but has absolutely no idea whats she''s saying -- nor could I for that matter.

[poulette23]

Excuse me? To the folks who think she won last night...
Other than the gay marriage question, can you please tell me one question that she actually answered?
She dodged one of the most important questions about the economy, and was utterly unable to defend John McCain''s record on deregulation. She smiled and winked her way through the debate, giving anecdotes about soccer moms and third graders, but clearly has no substantive understanding of any kind of policy. Plus--and this is the scariest thing of all--this woman who knows next to nothing wants to expand the powers of the Vice Presidency even more than *** Cheney has!
Scary, scary, scary...

[hjedtyj]

Bush/Cheney called 800 Battalions to harass Remaining House Members to Vote for Bailout Tomorrow!!

Just heard this - hot off the press at 9:30pm, Thursday night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will Bush/Cheney start WW III over this? We know they have been itching to start a war to counter/cancel November''s elections so they can stay in power for the past year. Is this it?

The House members whom voted against are those who represent poor and low income areas throughout the country and areas that do not benefit from bailout. They are enough in numbers to make a difference in Monday''s voting. Let''s keep supporting them!!!

Pass this around to others so they know they have and are supported by the public!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hjedtyj]

Bush/Cheney called 800 Battalions to harass Remaining House Members to Vote for Bailout Tomorrow!!

Just heard this - hot off the press at 9:30pm, Thursday night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will Bush/Cheney start WW III over this? We know they have been itching to start a war to counter/cancel November''s elections so they can stay in power for the past year. Is this it?

The House members whom voted against are those who represent poor and low income areas throughout the country and areas that do not benefit from bailout. They are enough in numbers to make a difference in Monday''s voting. Let''s keep supporting them!!!

Pass this around to others so they know they have and are supported by the public!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[catlady1412]

Wow! Palin has not said anything but drill, baby, drill. She has put no policies or actions forth, just flawed accusations and a lot of emoting and feelings to divert people from the real issues. She is definitely a lightweight and pretty stupid to boot.

[dj282008]

The likelihood of her becoming president are nil, and even if she did, she couldn''''t skrew the US up anymore than the men leading it have.

I guess the likihood of Obama *** the country up is the same?

[adepaor]

"The likelihood of her becoming president are nil, and even if she did, she couldn''''t skrew the US up anymore than the men leading it have."

McBush is 73 years old. Your chances of Palin being president are pretty good. And those guys who screwed us up include Mcbush. 8 years of stupid is enough. No more bush republicans!!!

[adepaor]

going to get ready to watch Sarah babble her way through the debate,

"Well, there is a danger in allowing some obsessive partisanship to get into the issue that we''re talking about today. And that''s something that John McCain, too, his track record, proving that he can work both sides of the aisle, he can surpass the partisanship that must be surpassed to deal with an issue like this."

Sure hope they provide a translator.

[velma179]

I wanted to add... I have watched all the available footage of Ms. Palin''s interviews including the ones broadcast on Fox News and I have read articles and information on the ''net and in print as well as items sent me from the McCain/Palin campaign site in order to make my assessment of the candidate. I am signed to both campaign sites, I truly want to make an informed decision in this difficult time of American history. I choose Obama/Biden with no reservations.

[velma179]

The only person responsible for my opinion of Sarah Palin is... Sarah Palin. I perceive her to be someone who is more interested in appearance than substance. This is a fundamentally dishonest approach in revealing oneself to others.

She may acquit herself to those who support her (in fact, I''m certain these folks will buy whatever she''s selling) in tonight''s debate -- but I ask people with keen intellect and curiosity to pay attention to who she is, not just what she says.

[rmnews]

As for Katie Couric''s journalism, it''s not professional or objective. Honestly, the only reputable person I''ve seen on CBS is Bob Schieffer. The only other reputable person I''ve seen in news or political media is Tim Russert.

When she was on the "Today" show, Couric once made it clear that she was at a pro-choice rally over the weekend. How "objective."

Truthfully, you rarely see people covering the news who really deserve their jobs. Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, for examples, are also terrible.

Couric''s very, very attractive; I''ll say that much for her, but that''s about all I can say for her.

[rmnews]

Just when I''m thrilled to hear a candidate say he/she is 100% Pro-Life, here comes that all-too-familiar and all-too-unwelcomed compromise, as Sarah Palin tells Katie Couric she''s willing to let states have jurisdiction. What a copout.

Abortion is wrong. It''s murder. It''s wrong in every case, just like slavery is wrong in every case. We don''t need Americans taking halfhearted stances against Roe v. Wade when we should be standing loudly and clearly against it.

I''m pulling for McCain and Palin, but it angers me to see such compromise on this subject, which is CLEARLY wrong, no matter how hard Katie Couric and other pro-choice advocates try to pass it off as just a medical "choice." (By the way, Ms. Couric, no, the "right to privacy" has absolutely nothing to do with Roe v. Wade, just like a drive-by shooter''s privacy isn''t the subject behind his shooting someone.)

Barack Obama adamantly supports abortion and infanticide. Now Palin, as McCain has done, is backing off on her stance against abortion. We don''t need compromise but instead progression, and I will say one thing for Obama: He''s right about right-wing fiscal policies largely being terrible. If the Mit Romneys and George W. Bushs and Rudolph Giulianis and John McCains, etc. would take firm stances for the unborn and not be so passionate about not offending pro-choice advocates--as well as promoting exploitative, right-wing fiscal policies, I wouldn''t be considering voting for Obama right now.

[cancersurvir]

I''m voting for Obama but rooting for Palin. Why? It was obvious that Couric was out to make a name for herself (to firm up her shakey job performance) by squashing Palin. She smiled at Biden and snarled at Palin. Shame on you Katie, I thought you learned humanity while dealing with your husband''s disease. Apparently not. I suspect he would be disappointed.

[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.

[velma179]

Sarah Palin made a comment referring to the Irag war as a "task from God". The war was initiated based on lies. God is NOT a liar.
Before any of you "one issue..." folks start calling Katie Couric "of the devil"... please refer to Jesus Christ (the part of Christianity so many of you neglect to get to know) and His telling us exactly whom the lie and the father of lies is...

[anya136]

serious cringe when palin spoke! she is unprepared, inexperienced and dangerous.

biden was so much more impressive and trustworthy.

[smidget5]

@phoenician06

No, the ditz would be the person who couldn''t remember the Supreme Court decision that she strongly disagreed with not 4 months ago, and spoke of in an interview, as it related DIRECTLY to her state and the residents therein.

http://gov.state.ak.us/archive-37768.html

So....Really? You actually have the nerve to defend this stupidity? WOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW.

[toby2957]

At the end of Bill Clinton''s presidency we had the highest budget surplus in our nation''s history. Now, eight years of near total Republican rule and we have an economy in the toilet, and endless war, spiraling debt, home values evaporating, record fuel, food and heating costs, massive financial institutions failing and collapsing and then being paid for by corporate welfare through taxpayer funds, and the neocons STILL try to blame the democrats. These are the facts. It''s just so incredibly pathetic.

McSame/Palin''s platform is the radical right wing agenda. McSame is no longer McCain, he''s completely reverted to type, and Palin is scary beyond all belief. She''ll be rolling around on the oval office floor speaking in "tongues". It is quite simply not possible to be patriotic American and vote for McSame. The ONLY reason anyone might want to vote for McSame is if they hate minorities and/or want to advance a radical religious agenda (Much like Iraq has done in their government).

Stop the hate. Be a patriot. Vote Obama/Biden 2008!