(CNN) – Sarah Palin has increasingly embraced the attack dog role on the Republican ticket – but in a new interview, she seems to endorse a line of attack John McCain had distanced himself from earlier this year.
The Republican VP nominee told Bill Kristol of the New York Times that Obama's long-time relationship with minister Jeremiah Wright should be a bigger issue on the campaign trail. "I don't know why that association isn't discussed more," she said.
Watch: Wright situation 'difficult' Obama says
"Because those were appalling things that that pastor had said about our great country, and to have sat in the pews for 20 years and listened to that - with, I don't know, a sense of condoning it, I guess, because he didn't get up and leave - to me, that does say something about character," said Palin. ".I guess that would be a John McCain call on whether he wants to bring that up."
Watch: Obama hits back after Palin accuses him of 'palling around with terrorists'
When the North Carolina Republican Party launched a television ad this spring taking aim at Obama's ties to Wright, McCain first repudiated the attack. "I've said again and again, I do not believe that Sen. Obama shares Rev. Wright's extremist views which he has stated, whether it be the United States Marine Corps or the flag or what," McCain said. "I am leaving that issue to a dialogue between Sen. Obama and American people."
He added that all he could do, "in as visible way as possible, is disassociate myself from that kind of campaigning."
But McCain soon signaled that he might have changed his position on whether state Republican parties or downballot GOP candidates should exploit the Wright issue in local campaigns, suggesting that he had shifted his stance after Obama told an interviewer that the controversy surrounding his ex-pastor was "a legitimate political issue."
"As I said before, I am of the belief that Sen. Obama does not reflect the extremist statements that Rev. Wright has given," McCain told reporters. "I have no comments on it, but I also understand why millions of Americans may, as Sen. Obama said yesterday, view this as a political issue."
Still, the issue has not been major fodder on the trail since McCain himself dealt with fallout from the endorsements of headline-grabbing pastors this spring. Reports of controversial statements by evangelical leaders John Hagee and Rod Parsley ultimately led him to reject the backing of both men.
From CNN Politics
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I wish palin would stay in Alaska and dont leave because American dont want to hear this negative attacks against Obama is she out of her mind....Palin and McCain are coo coo need to be in a cage
If Sarah Palin has any sense she should leave this alone. What about a minister praying to keep the witches out of soul.
Yes... Fall into the trap Palin... Your witchhunting pastor is not gonna be brought up...promise.
she is Unbelievable
is that why u want people to vote for you?
It appears to me that Rocky & Bullwinkle are
D>>>E>>>S>>>P>>>E>>>R>>>A>>>T>>>E
Look McShame & Betty Boop..... We have read this book & we know the ending.
YOU LOSE!!!!
Barack Your Vote!!!
Maybe Governor Palin would rather address something really timely and pertinent like the economic freefall due to deregulation and, above all, the rescinding of legislation prohibiting banks from engaging in certain activities. McCain's mantra just hit the fan big time.
When you have nothing to offer but past policy you resort to attacks like this. By the way, Governor Palin, perhaps you'd like to ask your "hero" McCain about the "Keating Five" and the failed Lincoln Federal Savings and loan. Yogi was right! "Deja vu all over again!"
Why are McCain and Palin so afraid to come up with solutions to problems that we're facing today? The market and the economy are "tanking" on a daily basis and all they want to discuss is "old" news.
And what about her religious ties?
But I guess she will not be answering questions concerning that...Why is the media even covering her? Since she has decided that she does not need the media to get her message across-I do no see why the media needs to cover her!
Doesn't she remind you of Peggy Hill from King of the Hill!
McGimmick and his sidekick have run out of ideas to fix the economy and now have to resort to distortions, lies, and mud-slinging.
So much for running an honorable campaign. You used to have integrity, John. What happened to you?
Actually, Bill Kristol raised the issue of Rev. Wright. Palin was answering a question about Wright.
Is it really a good idea to call attention to things "crazy" pastors say Sarah?
You have some videos of your own pastor to talk about if you do.
BRING IT ON!!!
Both McCain and Parrot Palin have some shaddy Rev's in their past.
While these two go after Obama on stuff that people do not care about, at least the ones who are undecided, the dow is tanking. Let's see what Parrot Palin and her Grandfather have to say about that.
They are trying to turn the page and the country is hurting bad in the economy.
Desperate and disgusting! McCain and Palin have no record to run on and no ideas on now to solve the economic crisis, so they think they can dupe and distract Americans with discussions of Rev. Wright and Ayers.
McCain and Palin have become total jokes.
McCain and Palin: erratic, incompetent, and out of touch!
Palin a trial is coming regarding all your lies.. and plus. So please you must shot up now, before it blow up in your face sooner than you think
Smears! Smears! Smears!
America has already rejected these lies and tenuous personal connections for Senator Obama.
McCain/Palin is disgusting! We've got REAL PROBLEMS in America right now, and McFrankenstein and Caribou Barbie are trying to distract us all from what's really important to everyday Americans and their families.
Reject these politics, America! Vote for real change in '08!
Obama/Biden '08!!!
Look who's trying to take the attention off of themselves. Since she and McCain completely suck at policy their only option left is to fight dirty. hahaha so desperate.
This is such old news. Lets talk about Troopergate and the returns that don't include the per diems she charged the state for staying in your own house.
OMG.
OH NO SHE DIDNT.
What, are they really bringing this crap back up?! Are they really that lacking in attack stories??
this is lower than low
Uggh! That woman disgusts me. What a piece of work. What kind of self-respecting "Christian" woman would go around espouting such things. Trashy, trashy, trashy.
she need to be careful as her minister is one who can be questioned as well, a bring her beliefs into the forefront.
Once again McCain is talking out of both side of his mouth...of course i am begining to wonder who is really running that campaign her or him?
and what about Palin's own involvement in a church which advocates the "Rapture" and in which she was blessed by someone seeking to keep her free from witchcraft? Or her presence when a Jews for Jesus minister spoke? Or her husband's long-term membership in the radical Alaska Independence Party, whose anti-American rhetoric exceeds anything ever said by Wright?
By all means, let's not talk about Obama's character. After all, he swept his preacher under the bus several months back. Let's look at Obama's nuances of today only. Only the racists and foolish who support Obama would ignore his past.
Sarah is just another in a long line of rethuglican sleeze merchants.
Palin: Just another right wing mouthpiece.
It's sad that a candidate's only role in a campaign is attack dog tactics. But then again Sara Palin, a venemous airhead, really isn't capable of doing anything else. Vice Presidential material? I think not!