PHILADELPHIA (CNN) – Sarah Palin partook in an established political ritual on Saturday night when she headed to Tony Luke's in south Philadelphia to order a pair of cheesesteaks with whiz and onions.
But as the kitchen sizzled and orders were barked out, Palin found herself talking politics, calling McCain's debate performance "awesome" and taking questions from a voter about the hunt for terrorists in Pakistan.
While waiting in line with her daughter Willow to place her order, a reporter asked Palin if she watched Friday's debate, and what her impressions were.
"I did, I did," she said. "McCain did awesome. He was great. He was absolutely on his game."
Palin added that she is ready to debate Joe Biden next Thursday in St. Louis.
"I am," she said. "Look forward to it. Look forward to getting to speak to Americans through that debate, absolutely."
The governor got a more serious interrogation moments later when Temple graduate student Michael Rovito approached her to inquire about Pakistan.
"How about the Pakistan situation?," asked Rovito, who said he was not a Palin supporter. "What's your thoughts about that?"
"In Pakistan?," she asked, looking surprised.
"What's going on over there, like Waziristan?"
"It's working with [Pakistani president] Zardari to make sure that we're all working together to stop the guys from coming in over the border," she told him. "And we'll go from there."
Rovito wasn't finished. "Waziristan is blowing up!," he said.
"Yeah it is," Palin said, "and the economy there is blowing up too."
"So we do cross border, like from Afghanistan to Pakistan you think?," Rovito asked.
"If that's what we have to do stop the terrorists from coming any further in, absolutely, we should," Palin responded, before moving on to greet other voters.
Palin ordered the two sandwiches, but the managers refused to let her pay, so she slipped a bill into their tip jar. She did not chow down at the restaurant, opting instead to take the food with her in the motorcade.
From CNN Politics
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HUH?
"McCain did awesome." Eloquent. And why does she always refer to him as simply..."McCain?"
Please stop the madness. Just drop her and pick up Lieberman, please?
She makes Cheney look like a dove and Bush look like a genius.
Countdown to the debate...looking forward to Oct 2.
Please, America, it would be tragic enough if McShame becomes President, but, really, does anyone want this woman second in line for the job?
Hopefully she won't curse under her breath during the debate like McCain did.
So, she can order a "cheesesteake and whiz" and apparently wants to talk to the American public. Hope she looks up where Pakistan is... wonder if she thinks it's in DC?
I can't wait for the debate...
Wow, clueless.
Yea! What she said!!?????
AS REPUB...IM VOTING FOR SOMEONE THAT I NEVRE THOUGHT I WOULD....OBAMA..YES OBAMA..PALIN IS A JOKE. SHE SCARES ME.
hand her a pre-written speech and she can deliver... but please don't let her speak her mind. She has not a clue to what is going on outside of Alaska.
so she agree's with Obama
Tubular!
So much for McCain's statement during the debate to not invade a sovereign nation.
Isn't the hope that the terrorists come in (to Afghanistan) so that we can take care of them efficiently.
Love the economy statement about a tribal region where Pakistan central government has questionable power.
Can't wait for Thursday.
This lady remind me of my mum. you can love her but who would trust her to run the country. She appears she doesn't know much about what going on in Pakistan.
Oh, give me a break.
She is fantastic. All she has to do is listen to Biden for the 90 minute debate and the country will learn just why Barack and Biden are a scary pick.
Questions Barack and Biden can't answer:
So what are you going to do for us to help our economy?
Answer: Well I am not going to go into Iraq and repeat what Bush has done the last 8 years.
More specifically Barack and Biden what can you do for the American people besides increase their taxes and increase government and increase regulation?
Well I wouldn't have gone into Iraq and repeat what Bush has done the last 8 years.
More specifically what are you going to do for the American people?
I don't know, am I suppose to? My team just said to live in the past and that we don't need to worry about the future?
Barack what programs will you cut?
Well I wouldn't have gone into Iraq and I wouldn't do what Bush has done for 8 years?
Ok more specifically what are you really going to do for us going forward?
I don't know, I am only a Monday morning quarterback that loves to talk about the past and haven't got a clue how to manage anything that has to do with real problems facing Americans in the present of the future.
Doesn't matter guys, I just have to be a Monday morning quarterback and look cute and I should win.
God help us all when Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barack Obama, and Biden turn our country into a Socialist state.
Goodbye smart businessmen we will miss your business. I understand why you left? The excessive taxes and regulation probably had a lot to do with it right?
McCain\Palin and Hillary supporters 2008
isn't she primitive ???????
I'm sitting here wondering if she thinks Waziristan is its own sovereign country.....probably does
we have to work together to make sure that we're working together to stop the bad guys and such as that need to be stopped.
Words flow from her mouth like a symphony.
Wouldn't surprise me one bit if she has been replaced by Thursday.
I'm actually starting to feel sorry for her, and I loathe her politics.
What!? Is she crazy? "awesome"... "awesome"??!! No wonder they didn't want her on TV last night.
That student had to be a McCain plant.. 1st – who walks up on the VP pick and asks about Pakistain? She hasn't answered hardly any questions in public so why would she answer yours. 2nd – what kind of answer was that? it was like she was practicing a book report.
Lastly – wasn't she supposed to pay for the sandwiches? politicians aren't supposed to accept gifts (big or small).
Just sayin....
agree wth you disappointed Republican. Lieberman would be a better choice
Please let her stay in...we need a good laugh!
Like Idiot. Like more than clueless! Like valley girl stupid! Like!
WOW! And she is one heartbeat away from the big chair. McCain has shown how he makes decisions – on the fly. That is the really scary part!
I'm sure Gov. Palin has some good qualities, but they do not qualify her to run for V.P. of the United States.
let's be honest can you honestly vote for mccain what if he should take ill or die do you really want her running our county let's be real please think about that he is an angry old man...
"Awesome." The most incredibly otiose, ill-descriptive, puerile, and odiously overused adjective in the entire language. Was there nowhere else a better word to be found, look as hard as she may?
How much money was wasted on that college education? Couldn't that money have been put to better waste elsewhere?
DID ANY ONE ELSE CATCH MCCAIN WHEN, WHILE TRYING TO 'SCHOOL' BARACK OBAMA ON FOREIGN POLICY, HE BADLY MISSTATED HISTORY IN CLAIMING PAKISTAN WAS A FAILED STATE IN 1999 WHEN MUSHARRAF TOOK POWER??!! SOME ONE PLEASE REPORT THIS – MUSHARRAF CAME TO POWER IN A COUP D'ETAT, OUSTING THEN PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF, WHO HAD JUST PARTICIPATED IN A RECENT ELECTION!!!
FOR SOMEONE CLAIMING EXTENSIVE FOREIGN POLICY KNOWLEDGE, THIS IS SIMPLY NOT ACCEPTABLE. SENATOR MCCAIN, WE MAY EXPECT THIS FROM YOUR RUNNING MATE, BUT NOT FROM YOU, SIR. YOU ARE WRONG ON THE FACTS AND WRONG ON JUDGMENT, AND NO LONGER HAVE ANY BASIS FOR LECTURING OBAMA ON KNOWLEDGE OF FOREIGN POLICY.
"So we do cross border, like from Afghanistan to Pakistan you think?," Rovito asked.
"If that's what we have to do stop the terrorists from coming any further in, absolutely, we should," Palin responded, before moving on to greet other voters.
-------------------–
So let me get this straight.
Less than 24 hours after John McCain criticized Barack Obama on national TV for suggesting the United States might go into Pakistan if it meant capturing suspected al Qaeda members . . .
Sarah Palin suggests United States might go into Pakistan if it meant capturing suspected al Qaeda members.
Forget Biden vs. Palin.
The McCain vs. Palin debate might be more exciting to watch.
drop the vice president
And now she supports illegally invading a country because we think there may be terrorists there. There are certain ways you have to do things, you know?
What's a Pakistan????
After those three DUMB and STUPID interviews that she was let off the chains to give, and the MEDIA has stump to this type of NEWS? If this was the type of NEWS CNN and other MAIN media was reporting about Obama and Biden, the Repubs and supporters WOULD be OUTRAGED and would be WHINNING louder then they a THREE year old. The color of skin is so PLAIN to see here.
Obama/Biden 08
McCain was reckless in nominating her after a 70 slot questionnaire and a one hour meeting, as she was accepting.
Maverick: Wild, impulsive, drama queen, reckless, unstable.
didn't mccain just say in the debate that is naive and wrong to openly say you'd go into pakistan?
SarahLiar,was caught by suprise by an extremely inteligent young man, and she failed to engaged, I can't imagined what she'll do on the debate this coming Thursday, will she pulled an " I'll get back to ya"?. Her Grand Pa made a total fool out of himself last night, what a bunch of moron!
omg... this woman is clueless! If she actually watched the debate then she would see that McShame was not even at the game! The more I see of this woman and the more she talks the more I wonder how in the hell she ever got to be a Mayor, let alone a Governor. There is no way this woman should be anywhere near a heartbeat away from the Presidency! Omg... what was McShame thinking??? Sarah needs to go back to her igloo!
i went to the rally in greensboro it was great
mccain is erratic, angry, grumpy and is out of touch especially when he choose palin she knows nothing how can someone get away from testifying in troopergate any one of us would have been arrested she kills innocent animals and guts them and even brings her kids gross
The governor got a more serious interrogation moments later when Temple graduate student Michael Rovito approached her to inquire about Pakistan.
_____________________________________________________
How is it that a graduate student can question her, but the media at large cannot? Why is the media afraid of this woman?
WILL PALIN SHOW UP FOR THE DEBATE. WORD IS OUR MCCAIN IS TRYING TO POSTPONE THE V.P. DEBATE. I SAY HELL NO, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Does anybody else wonder why after the debate Biden was able to come on the air the speak about it, yet the Republicans had Rudy Giullani comment instead of Palin? She was at her hotel, right? Are they that scared to put her on live network TV?
This is truly scary.
Can she chew gum and walk at the same time
Seriously, this is getting pathetic. The rep should reconsider. I do believe Sarah Palin is a capable woman, I appreciate her courage. But maybe this is too much over her head, there is nothing wrong with being ignorant in some subject. It is wrong when that ignorant will have to deal with that subject everyday. As a concerned of this country first, as a feminist second, please stop this madness, republican. She clearly is not the one we need right now, if you want a woman that badly, pick one with more knowledge then that
I don't even know what to say! What debate was she watching. Foreign policy is suppose to be McCains specialty. I have been a life long democrat. I have to say this women should recuse herself from the ticket. Maybe she will surprise us in her debate. I would at least like to be entertained.
mccain shiuldnt even have a vice president
McCain's performance was like a lecture by a boring history professor who forgot what the topic was.
Palin's thoughts aloud-
"Waziristan??? Now, I think that was the funny little teacup ride at the Wasilla Fair wasn't it Willow? I wonder how he knew about that..."
She is brilliant!
Wow!! no Whoa!! Failed foreign policy in Iraq, economy in the tank and we are putting someone like her in second command to bring about change. Well, that should restore our image around the world. WHAT A JOKE SHE IS!!
Why isn't Willow in school? Oh, she's babysitting I suppose to help Mom out. Another sacrifical lamb in waiting. What a shameful situation for all the kiddos.
Yeah...I bet she's ready to debate...unless McCain suspends his campaign again so that he, this time with his VP in tow, can run to Washington to pretend to be relevant.
I hope Biden brings his A game on Thursday because expectations are REALLY high for him!
(Palin...I just don't know... Is she REALLY the most qualified woman McCain could have found?)
I give the GOP 5 days before the knock her off the ticket. She's clueless to the max.
I guess McCain's gamble just isn't working out so well.
Makes Bush look articulate.
Maybe, she can look up Pakistan, and specifically Waziristan, on "The Google" and figure things out prior to October 2nd.
OBama and McCain might almost be equal rivals but for his pick of her. You can make a case for either man being qualified to be president, but the possibility that this woman is a heartbeat behind a 72 year old cancer survivor clears the slate in favor of Obama. It is now a matter of national interest that Obama wins, just to prevent her from possibly having her finger on the button.
Riiiiiiiight–keep up your elitist garbage, latte liberals. The fact is she speaks like a majority of the people in America, just the way George W. Bush does. Attacking his grammar and diction got you real far, didnt it?
CAN ANYONE, ANYONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE MCSAME CAMPAIGN HAS PUSHED TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN PALIN AND BIDEN SHORTENED??? APPEARENTLY, HER ADVISORS WANTED IT SHORTED BECAUSE PALIN IS NOT AN EXPERIENCED DEBATOR ... WHAT????
HOW CAN SHE BE A HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENCY, AND NOT BE EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO HANDLE A FIVE MINUTE DISCUSSION WITH BIDEN????
THIS SICKENS ME, BUT DO YOU KNOW WHO I FELL SORRY FOR?? HILLARY CLINTON (NOT THAT I BELIEVE THAT OBAMA SHOULD HAVE CHOSEN HER FOR VP)... BUT HILLARY IS SOOO MUCH MORE EXPERIENCED THAN PALIN AND MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE (SHE HAS THE RECORD TO PROVE IT) ... AND THEN OUT OF NO WHERE HERE COMES PALIN WHO IS TOTALLY UNDER QUALIFIED TO EVEN SELL MOOSE BURGERS LET ALONE RUN AS MCCAIN'S RUNNING MATE ...
JOE, I HOPE YOU RIP HER A NEW ONE ... AND ALL OF YOU WHO STILL THINK THAT SHE IS QUALIFIED TO POSSIBLY RUN THIS COUNTRY, JUST ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION: "WAS SARAH PALIN THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON THAT MCCAIN COULD HAVE CHOSEN AS VP?"
GOD HELP US ALL!!
While this lady is obviously an absolute kook, what's crazier...and perhaps even more scary...is that there are actually people (voters) in this country who are swooning over her. That's what really sad.
McCain slammed Obama in last night's debate for his opinion that we should do cross-border excursions into Pakistan if intelligence suggests that we could take out terrorists there in a direct strike. I actually agree with Obama (and, god help me, apparently with Palin), but I just wanted to point out that Palin can't even keep her own boss's policy points straight in her head.
I have been a long time republican voter, and while I do not like everything about Obama/Biden, particularly taxes etc., our country has to do better than this. I cannot believe McCain would pick this in-experience, although nice, vice presidential candidate. I am going to vote democrat for the first time...good luck to us all.
It is a shame that CNN has to write a blogpost about Palin answering a question! Her answering a question is such a rare and special event that it requires a blog post! Unbelieveable! Her answering a question should be mundane and routine at this moment.
McCain / Palin what a laugh.
I seen enough of these 2 none is presidential.
Obama / Biden 08
Did he reminder her she has to show up for the debate and not phone in her answers? Spell it with me, Sarah ... P-A-K-I-S-T-A-N!
John McCain is a racist: Always has been, always will be. Those who served with him in the Navy say he treated black sailors with disrespect and scorn. His collection of off-color jokes are riddled with racist words and sentiments. Advisors have toned down the raunchy rhetoric of his early years in Congress but close aides say his attitudes have not changed.
McCain's campaign strategy seeks to raise racial fear about Barack Obama, the first African-American with a serious shot at the Presidency of the United States.
McCain opposed making the birthday of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King a national holiday. During his 2000 campaign for President, he told reporters on his "Straight Talk Express: "I hated the gooks (North Vietnamese). I will hate them as long as I live."
Katie Hong of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, who reported the remark, wrote:
It is offensive because by using a racial epithet that has historically been used to demean all Asians to describe his captors, McCain failed to make a distinction between his torturers and an entire racial group.
It is alarming because a major candidate for president publicly used a racial epithet, refused to apologize for doing so and remains a legitimate contender.
Can't wait for the bimbo to take the grand stage. I wonder has McCain give her the questions and answers to practice practice practice!!
Why all the haters? She may not be as eloquent as Obama, but the substance of what she has to say is not far off. Obama just talks and talks, with nothing substantive ever coming out (I need to check with my committee advisors does not count). At least she gets to the point and speaks in a way that people can understand. Remember that big group of voters in the rust belt who voted for Hillary – not exactly the type of people who like people that talk like lawyers. Pallin is a straight talker and speaks with real meaning, not confusing fluff.
This woman is seemingly as dumb as a tree stump. This would be hysterical if it weren't so scary...
OBAMA/BIDEN
likable. Must admit. As crazy as her platform is, she knows people and how to be liked by them.
"Yeah it is," Palin said, "and the economy there is blowing up too."
Bet you that Cheesesteak she gobbled down that the woman has no clue what or where Waziristan is.
It is amazing how we have people who think she is intelligent. She is a moron and doesnt have any right being a heartbeat away from President of the United States.
Jeez, just shut up, Palin. Every time she opens her mouth she shows herself unfit, which tells us as much about McCain as Palin. He was reckless and impulsive in this choice of VP. We've had eight years of careless, impulsive choices. No more! Now America faces a haunting prospect. If God forbid McCain wins the election, and if God forbid he dies in office, then please God, forbid us Palin. If she sincerely puts country first as she says, she should resign.
She is totally refreshing. It is curious that some people want to attack her. She served her city, her county, her state and straightened out her own party on the way. She should be respected whether you agree with her or not.
I am hoping Sarah Palin walks all over Joe Biden. I have heard and seen enough of BO's mockery and lies. I have changed my mind on who I am voting for – this year it will be Senator McCain!
I can't believe he chose her as a running mate! Did she graduate from high school??
She couldn't find Pakistan on a map, much less figure out how to solve the problems there.
Interesting what Gov. Palin said of the situation in Waziristan:
"It's working with [Pakistani president] Zardari to make sure that we're all working together to stop the guys from coming in over the border," she told him. "And we'll go from there."
What saddens me in her statement is her cavalier reference to ruthless terrorists as "the guys." She does not seem to me to have any grip on the seriousness of the security situation that this nation faces. She is said to be a quick study, and perhaps those claims are true, but so far she has not said or done a thing to allay my concerns at the prospect of her becoming our vice president.
Gov. Palin sounds like an has been cheerleader. She knows nothing about domestic nor foreign affairs. She is a disgrace to women everywhere. I understand her desire to be Vice President, but she does not possess the knowledge, intelligence, nor character to hold the position.
The entire population of the world is watching. I'm sure they are wondering what the American people of thinking to put forth such an obvious unqualified candidate. The American standing within the world is already at an all time low, and with Palin running for a position that she is not equipped to handle, will not increase their opinion of the U.S.
We have Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin lying and getting caught, but continue to lie. If they manage to steal their way into the White House, we can definitely kiss our Allies goodbye. Our reputation and credibility as a Super Power will be non-existent.
o brian!!!! o brian who loves palin!!! get a girlfriend and stop being turned on by a married woman.
McCain-Palin 2008
She will do great in the debate with Biden. Wishing her well.
Please leave this lady alone. she going to make a great VP for the republican party. She represents the value of the conservations party(women).
I am sure she will do just fine. she needs more time to get used to the public.
The Republican party is leaving a mess for Obama and are already looking at 2012. Is there another explanation?
Well – the expectations for her cannot be any lower – if she even survives Thurs – it will be a miraculous victory – which says a lot about our political system...
This woman you just plan stupid... My 5th grader forms better sentences than her.. If we the USA allow his McCain and Palin ticket to run our highest office, then that just proves that a White person would allow us to fail as a nation than to vote in a Black man. It will forever divide the USA. WE CAN'T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN PLEASE VOTE OBAMA -BIDEN
Do now will McCain also call Palin dangerous her announcement that she will send in our military into Pakistan? He called Obama names so let's hear it, Palin should be no different. Or am I just being sexist?
Hey left-wing Obama-bots – your day is coming, NOVEMBER 5th. You people just don't get it. This is the same situation as with Kerry, as with Gore. The GOP was slightly behind at the start of the debates (which really means a tie given more independents tend..correctly...to vote REPUBLICAN).
The public will gradually start waking up bit by bit and FIGURE OUT OBAMA IS A HOUSE OF CARDS WITH NO EXPERIENCE AND TIES TO RADICAL PEOPLE.
You all are smoking crack and snortin' coke like NOBAMA if you think your guy has a liberal lib-tard's chance in heck of getting in MCCAIN's Whitehouse.
If palin made such a comment is that not a complete contradiction to what mccain said about pakistan? To roughly paraphrase, Mccain said it was irresponsible for Obama to talk about going into Pakistan and than we need to do other things in regard to that country? Was it not Obama who explicitly said that if Osama Bin Rotten (my term for him, sorry) was in Pakistan that we should seek him there?
So Palins thoughts are in line with Obama on this? Am I wrong on this topic? I think that for some of this worlds' situations Obama/Biden/Palin/McCain might have similiarities and only present it in different contexts. No presidential nominee will take a anti-war stand for fear of losing the majority of americans; while I feel that Obama is closest to wanting to end the Iraq war, I don't believe he will actually say how much of a mistake he truly feels it is that we went there.
Rather than flame McCain/Palin, I am trying to be a bit more patient and listen between the hostile nature of politics. When you read certain peoples' comments on CNN/FOX etc it reeks of stubborn self-rightousness rather than having any sort of intellectual curiousity or possibly admiting to being wrong? This ain't a college football game, I think its ridiculous to root and cheer for Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin like they are the next American Idol.
After the next president is elected, we still as a nation have to come together to solve our issues. Which unfortunately I thought would happen after 9/11 but it seems that people are more concerned being individually safe or even worse, being 'right' rather than viewing our nation as having a common dream. Maybe I am too optimistic that our country can reach its full potential.
Not sure what tradition she is keeping by going to Tony Lukes. Maybe the folks at Pat's told her to go away because they wouldn't put her picture on the wall. Looking forward to her night under the lights against Joe. I need to head up to Philly . All of this cheesesteak talk has got me droolin'.
Some observations:
1. Apparently Failin' Palin did not get the memo to suspend the campaign since she spent time bashing Obama.
2. Now I know why it took you 5 years and 6 six schools to finally get that degree in journalism. Something, you appeared to have missed, do not end a sentence with a preposition.
3. She learned another new word "recuse" in addition to "impactful" in the "cone of silence" and just repeats the same canned answer!
4. "Folksy" is code for stupid, i.e. "I'll try to find ya some, and bring 'em to ya". Well this be her answer to Russia?(YIKES!)
5. Failin' Palin is a "breath of fresh air" alright, every time she opens her mouth, the rush of air from her head is strong enough to cause a breeze!
6. Here’s the deal Sarah, you cannot charm the American people with you wit, if you only have half of one.
7. Forget answering the 3 A.M. call, I am not sure this 2008 human version of “Chatty Cathy” can even find the phone, especially without those highly prized and fashion forward spectacles!
8. And I thought my gene pool was shallow, compared to this woman, I am in the deep end of the pool!
Even this writer, who has been known to be a bit snarky on blogs(I consider it a badge of honor), is a human being and as such, you are so pathetic in these interviews, and your total lack of knowledge on anything(other than “field dressing a moose“) is so appalling, you ALMOST illicit a human reaction of pity.
Not to worry tho‘, I have b!)#h-slapped myself and I’m over it!
I cannot believe that many AMERICANS can even think of considering such an ill informed person as Gov. Palin to possibly be president of our great country.
I know of many intelligent republicans, male and female that Senator McCain could have chosen as a running mate. God help the USA if McCain is elected and God forbid Gov. Palin becomes president.
President Bush is Bull Headed and listens to no one, but Gov. Palin makes G.W. look like Einstien.
Robert
Palin is a right wing ya hoo. McCain is a senile old fool. Biden is a hypocrite. Obama is an egomaniac with a messianic complex; just looking at him makes me want to puke. If this is the best America has to offer I fear for our future.
The debate with Biden on Thursday is going to be a wake up call to the GOP. This is a nation where in theory anyone can run for office. It doesn't mean they are qualified.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2008/2012
"I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don't have maps. And I believe that our education, like, such as in South Africa and the Iraq, everywhere, like such as, and I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., or should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for our children."
I guess she agrees with Obama and disagrees with McCain.
Did she ever get back to Couric? How Pathetic!