Search This Site

Custom search this site for Election 2008 coverage

Katie Couric interviews Sarah Palin

1 < 2 < 3

Palin's cryptic comments on climate change had Couric scratching her head: "We all live in a climate, Katie, and it changes. If you read the Bible there are some serious climate changes going on during that busy six days. In Alaska we feel the effects of climate change everyday. It's getting warmer for polar bears, so they won't need such thick coats. I guess we all have to adapt."

On ways to avoid future crashes on Wall Street, Palin said: "The free market is based on good greed. When people are incredibly greedy, they make enough money for everyone. When they're not greedy enough, they make enough just for themselves. That's what we're seeing on Wall Street. It's greed, but it's the wrong kind of greed because it does not help the middle class. Unfortunately, we need regulations to create a better functioning deregulated market."

When pressed to name and explain specific banking and economic reforms that John McCain had championed in his 26 years in Washington, a flustered and irritated Palin could manage no better than, "I will try to find ya some and bring 'em to ya."

Couric attempted to press Palin on the Troopergate investigation, which has significant Republican backing in Alaska. Palin said: "I am willing to cooperate with the investigation, just not right now. Let me get elected first, then we can take a serious look at these matters. "

When Couric brought up the subject of Joe Biden, Palin was clearly irked. In response to a comment that Biden was having a tough time preparing for the Vice Presidential Debate because he didn't know Palin's stand on the important issues, Palin retorted: "If Joe's having a hard time, think of me. He's been studying this stuff for six terms and he still doesn't know it. When the time comes I will be ready for Joe Biden."

During her interview with Joe Biden, Couric had asked him whether he was worried he'd have to pull punches because of Palin's gender. Biden didn't think the gender issue mattered. Palin echoed his response:  "I sure won't pull any punches on Joe Biden," she said. "I can fight as dirty as any man."

On a lighter note, Couric asked Palin how she liked to spend her free time, whether she read books?

"Oh sure, I have read a whole bunch," said Palin.

"What books have you read?" asked Couric, sensing an opening.

"Oh, y'know, different books ... C.S, Lewis, he's way, way deep. And I like Runners World, the magazine. I'm not into literature, the deep stuff. I'm so busy. If a book can't grab my attention in the first paragraph, I have to put it down and do something else. I don't read many books really, they're not part of my life I guess. I'm not a book kinda gal. But I like movies."

Asked whether she was afraid of becoming a part of the Washington elite once elected to office, Palin smiled broadly: "I am interested in power, not politics, Katie. My aim is to be the facade of Republicanism. John McCain will handle the verbiage."

1 < 2 < 3