McCain, Palin Discuss Pakistan Remarks with Couric

Katie Couric had another exclusive interview tonight--one with both John McCain and his running Sarah Palin. And in the video above, Couric asks Palin about her remarks--made while getting a cheesesteak in Philadelphia, to a Temple University graduate student--saying the U.S. should cross the Afghanistan border to Pakistan ("If that's what we have to do stop the terrorists from coming any further in, absolutely, we should").

Couric: Is that something you shouldn't say out loud, Sen. McCain?

John McCain: Of course not. But, look, I understand this day and age of "gotcha" journalism. Is that a pizza place? In a conversation with someone who you didn't hear … the question very well, you don't know the context of the conversation, grab a phrase. Gov. Palin and I agree that you don't announce that you're going to attack another country …

Couric [to Palin]: Are you sorry you said it?

McCain: … and the fact …

Couric: Governor?

McCain: Wait a minute. Before you say, "is she sorry she said it," this was a "gotcha" sound bite that, look …

Couric: It wasn't a "gotcha." She was talking to a voter.

McCain: No, she was in a conversation with a group of people and talking back and forth. And … I'll let Gov. Palin speak for herself.

Palin: Well, it … in fact, you're absolutely right on. In the context, this was a voter, a constituent, hollering out a question from across an area asking, "What are you gonna do about Pakistan? You better have an answer to Pakistan." I said we're gonna do what we have to do to protect the United States of America.

Of course, McCain had criticized rival Barack Obama during Friday's debate for that (McCain is pro-negotiation, whereas Obama is more hawkish, especially if al Qaeda were "in our sights and Pakistan is unwilling or unable to act"). So the Republican candidate used his Sunday appearance with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos to retract Palin's statement.

And since she did such a great job with Palin's interviews last week, we hope Tina Fey gets to recite Palin's response about being a VP candidate, "Well, not only am I ready but willing and able to serve as Vice President with Sen. McCain if Americans so bless us and privilege us with the opportunity of serving them, ready with my executive experience as a city mayor and manager, as a governor, as a commissioner, a regulator of oil and gas."

Politico's Jonathan Martin says there's a "still-undisclosed clip" from Couric's interviews where Palin is asked about Supreme Court decisions and was "apparently unable to discuss any major court cases" besides Roe vs. Wade--she was just silent.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on September 29, 2008 9:50 PM

Comments [rss]

everyAframe

Oh...wait...that's when 19 religious freaks hijacked four planes and killed 3 or 4 thousand civilians on our own turf.

Anyway, yeah, vote for the OTHER religious freaks, the American ones, and bring some more of that strong security.

everyAframe

Yeah, I remember the strong security you guys brought to the table in fall of 2001.

Dude69

#13 and #27 - loosen up and enjoy Thursday's debate, and watch the pitbull with lipstick destroy the windbag Biden with her charm and brillance. Look forward to 4 years strong security, traditional values and unlimited growth under President Palin.

Palin/McCain 2008!!

everyAframe

Dude69 and jessecal, it's God's will that you lose what little money you have left and land at Wal Mart as a greeter. Hope you're God Squad can get you out of the jams. BTW, Bin Laden is alive and well.

Amanda Harletsch

Pathetic attempts to make this woman look coherent: so much effort in this Puppet of a vice.

Republican shenanigans with a sad obvious outcome.

BaxterJ

McCain camp tries new strategy with Palin. Result? Massive fail.

matthew gannon

I like it when we can all predict how SNL will open on Saturday by noon on Tuesday. The opening skit writes itself w/ this ticket.

billybob

Overstating the obvious but, she is going to get schooled Thursday night

lagomorph

Gotcha journalism is being asked a policy question, giving an answer, and having the press report on it?

Reagan was always much better at handling that sort of situation. He would just always smile, wave, and pretend he couldn't hear you.

Qraymond

Wait, this is the SNL sketch right? It's not real...

...oh shit.

The Man Bat

Wow....I cannot WAIT until Nov. 5th when we NEVER have to see this G-dawful woman again.

What. A. Joke.

Felix Hoenikker

For having a running mate that 'must not blink', JMc sure blinks a lot.

Billiamsburg

Show some respect you peons! Youre looking at your next two presidents! (this is why poor people shouldnt be allowed to vote)

citizenerased

The dementia kicks in around 2:55

This has to be a joke

Felix Hoenikker

If you look closely as the camera pans down you can see Karl Rove's hand up Palin's ass and his lips move when she speaks.

UnrepentantFenian

I have not given Katie Couric enough credit. I can't imagine how hard it was not to just breakinot laughter or stare at Palin with jaw dropped.

Nobody is working harder to elect Obama than John McCain.

Gothamist_Cynic

Anyone who votes for these tools are idiots.

VanessaNYC

Dude69 and jessecal,

You're joking, right?

Uh... see you at the polls.

jessecal

Who the heck is Katie Curic/!?

A failed TV 'news anchor-ess'! A nothing.

Is 'Katie' sorry she asked Governor Palin that stupid question about 'being sorry' and trying to embarass the Govenor?!

Let's move on to the election!

See you at the polls on November 4th!

American is ot going to elect a1/2 term senator for president; his always-cranky wife to be the First Lady'- and a two-time loser senator who suffers from a terminal case of 'foot-in-mouth' disease to be the Vice President! (Bad hair-plugs and all!!)

Dude69

I fully support the Palin/McCain ticket! After the UN meetings with foreign leaders, Palin is more than qualified to be President and to handle our wars in Irag and Afghanistan. As governor, her extensive dealings with the Russians and stauch protection of our northern borders and airspace make her 10X more qualify than Barack Hussein Obama.

Palin/McCain 2008!