McCain-Palin decry “gotcha” journalism in Couric sit-down
The ballyhooed dual sit-down with CBS’ Katie Couric interviewing both John McCain and Sarah Palin produced some questionable comments from the pair. It involved complaints from the GOP ticket on Palin’s treatment in the media and whether or not a mumbled question from a voter at a campaign event is “gotcha journalism.”
Most of the interview was fairly tame, although McCain perpetuated his somewhat pained visage and angry comments on the media and how they have treated his campaign and running mate. So goes the happy warrior?
The eye-opening back-and-forth came when Couric asked both McCain and Palin about her intriguing response to that voter’s Pakistan question, where Palin responded with what was virtually Barack Obama’s position on cross-border raids by the U.S. It was asked off-the-cuff by a voter, but McCain-Palin turned it into a troubling representation of media bias and “gotcha journalism,” with McCain awkwardly injecting himself and his answers into a Couric query initially aimed strictly at Palin.
Find excerpts and video below.
Katie Couric: Over the weekend, Gov. Palin, you said the U.S. should absolutely launch cross-border attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan to, quote, “stop the terrorists from coming any further in.” Now, that’s almost the exact position that Barack Obama has taken and that you, Sen. McCain, have criticized as something you do not say out loud. So, Gov. Palin, are you two on the same page on this?
Sarah Palin: We had a great discussion with President Zardari as we talked about what it is that America can and should be doing together to make sure that the terrorists do not cross borders and do not ultimately put themselves in a position of attacking America again or her allies. And we will do what we have to do to secure the United States of America and her allies.
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 “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: 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.
Couric: But you were pretty specific about what you wanted to do, cross-border …
Palin: Well, as Sen. McCain is suggesting here, also, never would our administration get out there and show our cards to terrorists, in this case, to enemies and let them know what the game plan was, not when that could ultimately adversely affect a plan to keep America secure.
Couric: What did you learn from that experience?
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What Palin needs to do is obvious. Because the bailout bill failed, she must immediately suspend her campaign, go to Washington to broker a deal and then resume campaigning only after the bill becomes law. Unfortunately, this will mean she has to miss the debate.
It all makes sense.
…..John, I have a better idea, not only will I suspend my V.P. campaign with you and even postpone the VP debate with Sen Biden, I’ll EVEN best myself and DROP OUT as your Veep. How’s that!?
….Sarah, DON’T BE SILLY!!! Just because the media has been catching us in mores lies, there is no need to duck and run…. I want you to make that 3 a.m. margin call to Wall Street and give ‘em hell….
…John, you’re such a trooper!
…..uhhhhh, Sarah, don’t use that word, trooper(gate), okay…