Interview reactions

We watched it last night from the 'Net and we have to say that Sarah Palin -- in her first major media interview -- did a superb job with Charles Gibson. Some on the Left have lost their minds, accusing her of getting a question wrong, but if that's the only gripe they have, then they're desperately grasping at straws like Obama is in attacking the ticket.

But, in actuality, she didn't get the question wrong. The question was regarding the Bush Doctrine. Beldar is guest-blogging over at Hugh's site and he breaks it down for "Excitable" Andy Sullivan and crew that are trying to savage her on her answer. Bad news guys, she's right, Gibson's wrong, and you guys couldn't figure it out if you tried. Look, when the Wiki guys can present it plainly and succinctly, and get it right, then you know that the excitable ones are having problems.

Also, there seems to be a bit of controversy over the interview. J-Pod at Commentary took note of the mistake made by Charles Gibson in the interview. The problem is, according to Ace and Crew the mistake was cleverly edited out so no one could see it. See, J-Pod and others jumped on this from the excerpts printed on ABC's website as a teaser for the interview. But, after seeing how the 'Sphere reacted to the excerpts they removed it.

What was the controversy?

GIBSON: You said recently, in your old church, “Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God.” Are we fighting a holy war?

PALIN: You know, I don’t know if that was my exact quote.

GIBSON: Exact words.

Liar, liar, pants on fire, Charlie. This is what she said:

“Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God,” she exhorted the congregants. “That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan.”

Big difference there. But ABC, in it's infinite wisdom, decided that the exchange wasn't needed. Might it be that they didn't want poor Charlie embarrassed by his rank amateurish journalistic skills? We think so.

She did a good job, and even though the Left is trying to spin it as showing a relative inexperience and inability to understand key issues, she didn't do that at all. She understands foreign policy, and she understands things like the Bush Doctrine. Charles Gibson threw fastballs at her, and she connected every time.

Publius II