Interesting post. While some of the things Palin said in her interviews struck me as odd, (well, not so much odd as she seemed slightly unprepared) I definitely didn't see her as a war monger in this statement. She basically said that if Georgia were to be accepted into NATO and Russia attacked them, we would come to their defense. Isn't that part of the point of NATO?

I thought that to be true too, Kim. I just posted this based on the grumblings and pro-Russian comments I heard all day Friday and this weekend about her being a war monger, especially ones on Citizen.

I definitely agree. And I saw similar comments, as well. I didn't state that well. I meant to say that I disagree with those who see her as a war monger in that statement.

She is not a war monger. She said in the interview that war is always the last measure to be used. And Charlie Gibson was trying to trap her into a corner with a couple of his questions on war to get her to say she would go to war. Like the question about Palestine (?) that he asked her three times and she refused to give him a yes, I would invade. You can't just say that. There are always circumstances, etc, what is going on... McCain or Obama would have backed politely out of the question, too. You know they wanted her to say that so they could have that headline on the news the next day in addition to the Russia one.

Anyways, I got sidetracked as always. I think it does give validity to her answer that NATO agrees.

I just got flagged twice for having the words R**ssia and P**lestine in my comments. Okey dokey.

I think it was in the manner that she said it and her statement about being able to see Russia from Alaska, as if that made them a threat to America. It didn't sound like diplomacy to me, more like gun boat diplomacy.

To me, the seeing Russia from Alaska thing was in reference to foreign policy experience in general, not this situation specifically. What specifically did she say that made you think she is a war monger, beach?

Here is the exact exchange:

GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions particularly in the last couple weeks does the proximity of the state give you? To me, Gibson brought up the question and didn't ask if it gives Palin insight, but rather what insight it gives her.

PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors. And you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska. Again, this is just my opinion, but I don't at all here how she is saying that this makes Russia a threat.

GIBSON: You favor putting Georgia and Ukraine into NATO?

PALIN: Ukraine definitely yes. Yes. And Georgia. Putin thinks otherwise, obviously he thinks otherwise.I see this as her simply saying that she thinks the two countries should be part of NATO.

GIBSON: Under the NATO treaty, wouldn’t we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?

PALIN: Perhaps so. That is the agreement. When you are a NATO ally, is, if another country is attacked, you are going to be expected to be called upon and help.Obviously if another country is your ally, you help that country. She says nothing about supporting a Georgian invasion of Russia or about attacking Russia in any way. Again, just how I view it.

That's the point - she could see no answer other than going to war. She could not broaden the discussion - she lacks experience.

Gibson specifically asked if Russia was attacked, would their allies defend them. He didn't ask what her first choice would be.

And actually, she said we would be expected to "be called upon and help." That doesn't necessarily equate with going to war.

I still don't see the point you're trying to make. He asked a very specific question about war. If she had said something about diplomacy, she would have been accused of dodging the war question.

Of course Palin is still wrong. If Obama had said it first, it would've been like sunlight from a cloudy day. But because it was a conservative, and someone who is perceived as a novice, she was completely incorrect in her assesment.

She did have to answer specifically - she could have taken control of the interview and broadened his question. An experienced Politician knows how to do that. Her inability to do that is concerning. It's like having a leader who cannot think outside of the box.

God forbid a politician answer the question actually given to them. Yes, I think we all prefer when politicians ignore the question they are specifically asked and go on about whatever topic they please.

Well, I disagree. When she didn't answer another question specifically, she was criticized for redirecting. And since when is being an experienced politician desirable? Politics is a game. Governing is much more important.

I think I would have preferred to hear about how she and her party would look for ways to address the crisis other than war. She didn't even go there. At all.

I don't see how she could have answered specifically.
A true and complete answer would depend on the direction NATO decides to take.
At the time of the interview, that had not yet been determined.
While I have high expectations of my elected officials, I don't think they must be psychic.

Dave: It's important to consider motivations as well as actions.
If a conservative considers the possibility of any aggressive action, it must by definition be war-mongering.
If a conservative is compelled--against their higher inclinations--to be threatening, it is only in defense of the "little guy".
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How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin.
And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
-- Ronald Reagan

It's the "little guy" who goes to war. Lots of little guys around 18 years old.

I'm sure Palin knows that as her son is one of those "little guys". You can't convince anyone that she'd be willing to go guns blazing everywhere since her own son is the one who would be going.

I'm sure Palin knows that as her son is one of those "little guys". You can't convince anyone that she'd be willing to go guns blazing everywhere since her own son is the one who would be going.

My son has proud plans for a military career in two to six years.
It's all he has wanted to do since he was about six, through no indoctrination on my part. There are other military wives and mothers here, too.
I think the condescending attitude about it is unnecessary.
It also (conveniently) distracts from the actual point.
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How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin.
And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
-- Ronald Reagan

I like this post Sy because it asks a very existential question.. if a Conservative says something and there is no Liberal around to hear it, is the Conservative still wrong?

hausfrau - If Palin does not want her children in the battle she needs to understand she would be representing them if she gets elected. If you are taking a position of aggression against a super power - you had better be ready to understand what that means.

I don't think she really took a position of aggression. It was an imprecise answer to a hypothetical question.

Lainetm - no distraction from the actual point - the actual point is about as you put it - an aggressive stance being taken for the 'little guy'.

respectfully speaking; your son wants that role - Palin would be representing citizens that clearly don't and would not have a choice if drafted.

if she is to be a leader - there are no hypothetical questions, especially about the current Crisis.

alright well we've obviously wandered out of reality if we're talking about reinstating the draft WHICH NO ONE HAS EVER BROUGHT UP... EVER.

and you are completely missing the point, the point is that here is a woman with REAL ties to the military so OBVIOUSLY she's not just going to throw them in harms way for no reason. thinking that she would is just irrational.

"there are no hypothetical questions"
That doesn't even make sense. Of course it was hypothetical. Georgia is not a member of NATO. She was responding only to a "what if" situation, which makes it a hypothetical question.

oh and you are misinformed about those who "clearly don't", actually the majority of people in the military beleive in their mission and see the good things that are being done on a daily basis, you know, the ones that media doesn't like to report on.

mich - i think she's saying that candidates need to be omniscient and know the answer to every possible scenario... I would never hold a candidate to that standard, there's no reason to make a choice without all the information, saying that one would keep all their options open is more than adequate.

Beachwalker: Do you believe that Georgia should be allowed to be an independent state, or should the world / NATO allow Russia to reabsorb it?
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How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin.
And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
-- Ronald Reagan

BTW, by "little guy", I meant small country.
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How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin.
And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
-- Ronald Reagan

I will restate my position on this. My position is that Palin does not have the experience to be a world leader, and could by circumstance lead us into a war. She does not have the experience to be in that kind of position. 2 years as Governor of Alaska - not enough.

McCain should have thought this out a lot better.

That is a perfectly valid stance--not that I'm the validation authority.

I'm sure there are a number of questions which Palin would not have good and informed answers for, but in this specific case, none of the four candidates could possibly have had a thorough answer, due to the developing situation.

I believe criticisms of all the candidates should be fair and honest.
There are undoubtedly enough real imperfections in all of them; no need to create any.
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How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin.
And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
-- Ronald Reagan

Well it has been a good discussion. Let's hope that someone with experience is able to answer these serious questions that are impacting us in these trying times.

Beach - Palin is going to be VP. What is it with Obama and the Libs that they keep implying she is to be President. TYou are running against the VP - is Obama scared to go toe to toe with McCain?
If a country is a member of NATO we have signed the agreement to back them. It is not a choice - we are not the French.
Oh and it Israel not Palestine.
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"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."

Oh wow - I got my first flag- who knows when my comment will appear. i feel special.
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"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."

It's interesting how the critique of Palin made no mention of neither Georgia, nor NATO. I would have much rathered if we could have stayed on topic here.

I tried - I got flagged.
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"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."

Sam: Of *course* you're special!
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How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin.
And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
-- Ronald Reagan

UM....not ride the short bus special - right?!
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"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."

Short bus window licking special.

Will you be my seat mate?

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"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."

OOOOO my comment is showing itself - YEAH!
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"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."

Sam: Of course not "short bus" special.
I was brief, because I was dashing off, and didn't have time to look for this smiley:
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How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin.
And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
-- Ronald Reagan

"She did have to answer specifically - she could have taken control of the interview and broadened his question. An experienced Politician knows how to do that. Her inability to do that is concerning. It's like having a leader who cannot think outside of the box."

That is your opinion. I however, don't like it when politicians "broaden" the question because invariably they lead the conversation off on a tangent and talk about things that have nothing to do with the original question. I like it when politicians stay on-topic. I think it is a huge leap to say because she stayed on topic, she can't think outside the box.

I'll be your seat mate anytime!

All of a sudden that song popped in my head, you know the one that starts "The wheels on the bus go round and round." Now its stuck in my head - DAMN!
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"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."

Just read that the Ukrainian gov't collapsed. I bet Putin is salivating at this one.
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"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."

Beach, I'm not sure if you're still "here", but thanks for sticking around so long and explaining your views!