Katie Couric Interviews Palin and Biden
This one with both Palin and Biden, a preview to the presidential debate:
COURIC (to Palin): Why, in your view, is Roe v Wade a bad decision?
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 further embraced by America.
VJ: Great answer. She equates "foundational" with "personal". Thus suggesting that her personal beliefs on this matter rest on a solid foundation, presumably religion. Whether you think this is credible or not is purely your point of view. Trying to contradict Sarah would imply trying to debunk the thinking that religion is the foundation of morality. In a country that is 80% religious, this is a sure shot to failure. If he is smart, Biden would just agree with her and move on. (ps: Biden is probably not that smart).
COURIC (to Palin): 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
VJ: Roe Vs. Wade was justified by the supreme court on the basis of Right to Privacy. Couric is trying to figure out how Palin could say Roe Vs. Wade was a bad decision and at the same time defend Right to Privacy. Palin is either blissfully unaware of what is being asked of her, or the transcript of the interview does not convey her thoughts fully. Body language could possibly indicate that Palin feels Right to Privacy and restriction of Abortion rights are not mutually exclusive. But such a suggestion is not apparent from the transcript.
PALIN: I do. And I believe that –individual states can handle what the people within the different constituencies in the 50 states would like to see their will ushered in in an issue like that.
VJ: Not clear from the answer if Palin understands Couric's question. It is hard to imagine Right to Privacy as being a states issue. It is like saying Freedom of Speech is a states issue and that Texas can pass a law stating Democrats are allowed to communicate only in sign language. Conceptually does not make sense, however, there is a finite chance Palin may have a different concept in mind.
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 rulings 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?
VJ: When Katie first started as an Anchor I was not a big fan. However, she shows great instinct here in probing the candidate who is trying to cover up the issue.
PALIN: Well, I could think of–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.
VJ: She does not know of any other supreme court judgment. The answer is, in the immortal words of Lindsey Lohan, "word vomit".
COURIC: Thomas Jefferson wrote about the First Amendment, building a wall of separation between church and state. Why do you think that’s (so) important?
PALIN: His intention in expressing that was so that government did not mandate a religion on people. And Thomas Jefferson also said never underestimate the wisdom of the people. And the wisdom of the people I think in–in this issue is that people have the right and the ability and desire to express their own religious views–be it a very personal level, which is why I choose to express my faith in a more public forum. And the wisdom of the people, thankfully, engrained in the foundation of our country is so extremely important. And Thomas Jefferson wanted to protect that.
VJ: What she is saying is clearer when expressed discretely:
Thomas Jefferson did not want government to mandate religion on people.
Thomas Jefferson also said never underestimate wisdom of people (so forget about what he said about state and religion)
I (Sarah Palin) follow Thomas Jefferson's maxim and never underestimate the people (again, dont think about what he said about State and Religion ).
"People" clearly want expression of faith in public forum.
Individuals who are opposed to such expressions are clearly democrats and atheists, who can hardly be classified as "People"
Since I follow the wisdom of the "People" (who are predominantly Republicans), I choose to express my faith in public.
Inasmuch as I want to protect the wisdom of the "People", you should clearly see me as a legitimate inheritor of Thomas Jefferson's legacy.
BIDEN: The best way to look at it is look the every state where the wall’s not built. Look at every country in the world where religion is able to impact the governance. Almost every one of those countries are in real turmoil. Look, the founders were pretty smart. They had gone through — you know– several hundred years of wars. Religious wars. And they were in the midst of religious wars in Europe. The best way to do this is to keep the government out of religion. They took religion out of government. But they didn’t mean religion couldn’t be in a public place. In the public square.
VJ: Biden is loquacious and too smart by half. We cannot trust people like him. I mean, come on! he is the kind of guy who uses words like loquacious!
Prediction: Palin will be called winner of the debate because she did not slobber during the grilling. If anything other than this happens, then McCains' campaign is over.
COURIC (to Palin): Why, in your view, is Roe v Wade a bad decision?
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 further embraced by America.
VJ: Great answer. She equates "foundational" with "personal". Thus suggesting that her personal beliefs on this matter rest on a solid foundation, presumably religion. Whether you think this is credible or not is purely your point of view. Trying to contradict Sarah would imply trying to debunk the thinking that religion is the foundation of morality. In a country that is 80% religious, this is a sure shot to failure. If he is smart, Biden would just agree with her and move on. (ps: Biden is probably not that smart).
COURIC (to Palin): 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
VJ: Roe Vs. Wade was justified by the supreme court on the basis of Right to Privacy. Couric is trying to figure out how Palin could say Roe Vs. Wade was a bad decision and at the same time defend Right to Privacy. Palin is either blissfully unaware of what is being asked of her, or the transcript of the interview does not convey her thoughts fully. Body language could possibly indicate that Palin feels Right to Privacy and restriction of Abortion rights are not mutually exclusive. But such a suggestion is not apparent from the transcript.
PALIN: I do. And I believe that –individual states can handle what the people within the different constituencies in the 50 states would like to see their will ushered in in an issue like that.
VJ: Not clear from the answer if Palin understands Couric's question. It is hard to imagine Right to Privacy as being a states issue. It is like saying Freedom of Speech is a states issue and that Texas can pass a law stating Democrats are allowed to communicate only in sign language. Conceptually does not make sense, however, there is a finite chance Palin may have a different concept in mind.
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 rulings 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?
VJ: When Katie first started as an Anchor I was not a big fan. However, she shows great instinct here in probing the candidate who is trying to cover up the issue.
PALIN: Well, I could think of–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.
VJ: She does not know of any other supreme court judgment. The answer is, in the immortal words of Lindsey Lohan, "word vomit".
COURIC: Thomas Jefferson wrote about the First Amendment, building a wall of separation between church and state. Why do you think that’s (so) important?
PALIN: His intention in expressing that was so that government did not mandate a religion on people. And Thomas Jefferson also said never underestimate the wisdom of the people. And the wisdom of the people I think in–in this issue is that people have the right and the ability and desire to express their own religious views–be it a very personal level, which is why I choose to express my faith in a more public forum. And the wisdom of the people, thankfully, engrained in the foundation of our country is so extremely important. And Thomas Jefferson wanted to protect that.
VJ: What she is saying is clearer when expressed discretely:
Thomas Jefferson did not want government to mandate religion on people.
Thomas Jefferson also said never underestimate wisdom of people (so forget about what he said about state and religion)
I (Sarah Palin) follow Thomas Jefferson's maxim and never underestimate the people (again, dont think about what he said about State and Religion ).
"People" clearly want expression of faith in public forum.
Individuals who are opposed to such expressions are clearly democrats and atheists, who can hardly be classified as "People"
Since I follow the wisdom of the "People" (who are predominantly Republicans), I choose to express my faith in public.
Inasmuch as I want to protect the wisdom of the "People", you should clearly see me as a legitimate inheritor of Thomas Jefferson's legacy.
BIDEN: The best way to look at it is look the every state where the wall’s not built. Look at every country in the world where religion is able to impact the governance. Almost every one of those countries are in real turmoil. Look, the founders were pretty smart. They had gone through — you know– several hundred years of wars. Religious wars. And they were in the midst of religious wars in Europe. The best way to do this is to keep the government out of religion. They took religion out of government. But they didn’t mean religion couldn’t be in a public place. In the public square.
VJ: Biden is loquacious and too smart by half. We cannot trust people like him. I mean, come on! he is the kind of guy who uses words like loquacious!
Prediction: Palin will be called winner of the debate because she did not slobber during the grilling. If anything other than this happens, then McCains' campaign is over.
Comments