November 16, 2009
Posted: November 16th, 2009 12:52 PM ET

From
Palin talks about controversies and future with Oprah.
Palin talks about controversies and future with Oprah.

(CNN) – When Sarah Palin got a surprise phone call from the McCain campaign one August afternoon asking if she'd like to be on the Republican presidential ticket, the then-Alaska governor didn't doubt for a moment she was ready for the challenge.

"When I got the call, it was not such a shocking call to me," Palin told talk-show host Oprah Winfrey in a highly anticipated interview that aired Monday. "I felt quite confident in my abilities and my executive experience and I knew that this is an executive administrative job. I was happy to get in there and contribute."

Nor was Palin deterred by the fact she had five kids at home, including an infant with special needs.

"It never occurred to me that I couldn't do the job because of children," she said. "My children are my strength. ... They allow me to be grounded."

But what did shock Palin was just how much the campaign knew about her and her family before she even formally met with Sen. John McCain to discuss the job. Contrary to what was reported in the media, Palin said, she was extensively vetted and the campaign knew exactly "who they were getting."

Full story

Filed under: McCain campaign • Oprah Winfrey • Sarah Palin


southerncousin   November 16th, 2009 2:49 pm ET

Three Palin stories today, CNN has really outdone itself.

Jane/Seattle   November 16th, 2009 2:39 pm ET

While Sarah Palin IS a real person, her interests lie more wioth Big Money and Oil than with the issues of ordinary people. She is trying to paint herself as one of us-an ordinary person, but she is not. The fact that she comes off ignorant about many issues, that she is a Republican, and that she likes to kill animals in inhumane ways are the factors that make me leary of her being in Politics! She simply takes the WRONG positions on Everything! Pretty is as Pretty does as my mother would say. No matter what she says now, we already know that she is not qualified. Get some education, some ideals and then I might listen to her. Oh, NO, better change parties or go Independent cuz I'll NEVER vote Republican! Peace

Betty Phillips   November 16th, 2009 2:25 pm ET

Hey Palin, I will hang with you until the very end. I was blessed at birth with a brain, as you know we do not have many brainy scholars, for example look at Biden, oh yes! I forgot he had brain surgery, I did not hear if it was a Lobotmy, but, there had to be a reason Obama picked Biden, Oh I know the real reason was Obama needed someone that would let Obama think he was the one to Lead us, now look where we are at?? Obama could not even lead a fox or two to the hen house.We are certainly in a mess with the three muskateers, Obama. Pelosi and Reid have shown their true red (cowardly) colors.
Betty

Charlotte   November 16th, 2009 2:24 pm ET

Pity they only vetted for family connections and not brains or education. Or maybe not a pity. With her on the ticket, McCain was guaranteed to lose so we should be grateful she was chosen.

Ron Martin   November 16th, 2009 2:24 pm ET

If the McCain campaign knew who they were getting she would not have been picked. She was a joke.

Enough   November 16th, 2009 2:22 pm ET

So her interviews with the venemous Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson didn't go so well. Let's put teleprompter king Obama in that much unfriendly territory and see how well he does.................did you notice Obama only stuck to slobbering love fest for him and stayed away from the real tough questions. Obama did one interview with Bill O'reilly and he was a stuttering idiot. Would have loved to see a few more of those. The media let us down, we deserved to know WHO the real Barack Obama was BEFORE we elected him. Litlle by little we are finding out Obama was the WORST choice ever for president......Thanks CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS, ABC, New York Times, Newsweek.....etc.

hot shot   November 16th, 2009 2:19 pm ET

Lines are already foaming to buy her book.

Wes B.   November 16th, 2009 2:15 pm ET

My favorite train wreck.

I can't wait for her to get a reality show.

But God help us if she ever holds a public office ever again.

george from alaska   November 16th, 2009 2:15 pm ET

go to a clown tailor and get the suit that fits you best...i hear barnum & baily's circus is hiring. you are such a wonderful clown! since alaska state employees call you "big sarah" for your gigantically swelled head full of childish egocentrism, you'll probably need an extra large nose. be careful and don't shop at pinnochio's wood shop...you won't do well with a pinnochio nose...unless you are proud of your lies!

mk   November 16th, 2009 2:14 pm ET

It is amazing how everything is someones else's fault. She NEVER takes one ounce of responsibility for anything.

Marry   November 16th, 2009 2:09 pm ET

CNN, please move Sarah to the entertainment section!! Interesting that she has not even now checked that she was not, is not, and never will in any way be qualified to be President of the USA!

Golden State Girl   November 16th, 2009 2:04 pm ET

She is beyond confident, Palin is delusional!

Executive? She chronicled in her new book how "badgering" Katie Couric was because she simply asked Palin what newspapers she readsand Pailn looked dumbfounded.

She will be chewed alive by the media if she even thinks about running for president.........you're expected to, at the very least, be able to name a major newspaper!

PaulaAP   November 16th, 2009 2:04 pm ET

Yesss...Palin's problem was WHO she talked to and the QUESTIONS she was asked – real tough ones, like "what do you read?" – NOT WHAT SHE SAID.

So, McCain's people wouldn't let her speak? WHAT'S BEEN STOPPING HER SINCE THEN?? I'm thinking she's smart enough to know to keep her trap shut as much as possible speak only to friendly (VETTED) audiences.

Can we please move on from this idiot?

Ken Williams   November 16th, 2009 2:03 pm ET

Good for you Sahra! Don't let the hateful left keep you down.

Chris   November 16th, 2009 1:59 pm ET

Palin, just get out of politics and get out of the state of Alaska before you do more damage. Your political experience/knowledge is equal to that of a Freshman in College majoring in political science. However, if you feel you must stay, then please make sure you are the GOPer Presidential Nominee in 2012. I would love to see President Obama demolish you in a debate.

Mack   November 16th, 2009 1:59 pm ET

Sarah Palin continues to talk out of both sides of her mouth. Out of one side, she said the campaign knew about her and her family before she formally met with John McCain; she was extensively vetted and the campaign knew exactly who they were getting. Then out of the other side, she said she was blindsided by the fact McCain's aides already knew Bristol was pregnant. Earth to Sarah – wouldn't the extensive vetting disclose that fact?

And upset at having her family's wardrobe overhauled ... the advisors didn't want the Wasilla Hillbillies standing next to Cindy McCain in her $1,500 designer suits!!! So what charity were all the new clothes donated to after the campaign?

Ryan   November 16th, 2009 1:57 pm ET

Katie Couric is a good interviewer. My guess is that if she felt 'badgered' then it was likely because Palin wasn't answering the question. I wish more reporters would badger politicians who ignore the tough question being asked, and decide to formulate an answer based on what they decide the question should be.

george from alaska   November 16th, 2009 1:56 pm ET

tick toc...tick toc...tick toc your 15 minutes of fame are fading away...just like you book sales. i'm looking forward to you getting out there and making a lying, self serving fool of yoursef as usual on the book trail...because after that ridiculois fiasco, the camera will go away (and nobody will care about your silly facebook ramblings) enjoy...ms. hitler wannabe...it's almost over...maybe you should ban your own book...THANK GOD!

gl, From Pittsburgh   November 16th, 2009 1:55 pm ET

We came back [from the campaign] to a new normal in Alaska. Everything had so changed in my administration," Palin continued. "There were so many opposition researchers up there in Alaska that were sent, probably, by the Obama camp. ...

THIS WOMAN IS STILL MAD ABOUT LOSING TO OBAMA THAT SHE CONTINUE TO BLAME HIM FOR EVERYTHING THAT WENT WRONG.

NC   November 16th, 2009 1:53 pm ET

OH my gosh everyone is to blame except Palin.

Jack Fl   November 16th, 2009 1:52 pm ET

Ego,arrogance and ignorance

jaye   November 16th, 2009 1:51 pm ET

Palin is an out and out liar....and the news media too scared to print the truth about her evil lies.

gl, From Pittsburgh   November 16th, 2009 1:51 pm ET

I resigned as governor of Alaska because I wasn't going to run for a second term and I was heading into a lame duck term," Palin said of that decision, which shocked political observers.

THAT A LAME EXCUSE!

star   November 16th, 2009 1:48 pm ET

What a narcissist..How do you get that ego through the door

A small town mayor, gov of Alaska for less than 2 yrs and already vice presidential material...lol

Doc in Virginia   November 16th, 2009 1:47 pm ET

Wow...how many times does she have to rehash how she blew it for Couric's interview? She tanked it, all by herself. She was annoyed with Couric? Had he lived, and had she ever had the guts to appear on MTP, Tim Russert would have skewered her; a speared frog. Her retreat to softer, safter grounds, FOX News ONLY, and never coming out again to face the guns of significant journalists, left or right, also make her look silly and think skinned.
In a word, Couric just asked the questions, Palin annoyed ALL of us.

gl, From Pittsburgh   November 16th, 2009 1:42 pm ET

Why do this woman keep trying to re-write history. She was no vetted and she needs to stop lying about she was.

Susan   November 16th, 2009 1:42 pm ET

I'm not a gambler, but I'd bet money that half the readers won't understand the meaning behind Palin's quote from her Dad; "'She's not retreating, she's reloading.'"
Most of us no longer exemplify and can't identify with the original image of an 'American'; those self reliant, independent pioneers who ventured into the unknown, with only their wits and the tools they could carry.

Shadysider   November 16th, 2009 1:38 pm ET

She wasn't deterred by her lack of knowledge about world affairs or history, or by her inability to look like anything more than hack in interviews, or her inability to hide the some-what racist, but absolutely playing on prejudices and bias and completely hate-filled speeches and rallies she held, or her inability to hold a world-view other than the fabricated narrative that Fox spews as 'news,' or 'a story.'

Disgusted Republican   November 16th, 2009 1:37 pm ET

Take the lipstick off the pig and you still have a pig!

AEK   November 16th, 2009 1:33 pm ET

"Not surprised", "Not deterred", NO CLUE!!!!!!!!

C. Farrell, Houston, Tx   November 16th, 2009 1:32 pm ET

Confident in ones abilities does require knowing the job description first and Palin didn't know what a VP does. I'm sure millions of Americans who are applying for jobs know the job description for which they are applying that's the first thing a potential employer will ask. There is nothing to learn from Palin or her husband Todd, both quit their job without in consideration for their children and especially one who has special needs and requires 24 hour parental care.

David in Houston   November 16th, 2009 1:30 pm ET

"She's not retreating, she's reloading."

She's not a moron, she's a...oh, wait...nevermind.

Steve in Ct   November 16th, 2009 1:29 pm ET

I have a great concern that if she's not the pick of the GOP she'll go Independant (perhaps with Lieberman) and be a spoiler taking votes from the GOP. Remember Ross P. at 21%? The right ticket should be Huckabee/Palin. We're seeing with Obama that we can't trust Romney who is too much like Obama in self centerdness and self promotion that the government would be about him rather than about us.

Jeff Brown in Jersey   November 16th, 2009 1:25 pm ET

A true legend in her own mind!

gfoos   November 16th, 2009 1:24 pm ET

Sarah 2012! PLEASE!!!

Dominican mama 4 Obama   November 16th, 2009 1:22 pm ET

Who's Lying Now?

(Sung to the tune of: Who's Crying Now)

Donna   November 16th, 2009 1:21 pm ET

how did she know what the job entailed when she stated in a televised interview that she didn't know what the "Vice President does?"

Georgia   November 16th, 2009 1:20 pm ET

Why won't she go away? (because people like me keep reading and tuning in)

C from middle GA   November 16th, 2009 1:20 pm ET

Why is it always someone else's fault when Palin is asked why something went badly? Can't she own up to anything?

Voice of Reason   November 16th, 2009 1:20 pm ET

"I resigned as governor of Alaska because ... There were so many opposition researchers up there in Alaska that were sent, probably, by the Obama camp..."

Sent by the Obama camp? Apparently her grasp of the calendar is as weak as her grasp on economics. She resigned AFTER the election... Why would a president, who already has his hands full with many non-Governor-of-Alaska issues, waste time on this?

Is she delusional – or is this just the megalomaniacal streak surfacing again?

ChristianValues   November 16th, 2009 1:19 pm ET

She may be low on "IQ" but she is the best person – for e.g., families having children with any disability, down syndrome and so forth love her – I have NEVER seen any politician openly equating such kids with the smart / more privileged children – they should be equal – why not?? After all, this is a God's decision – you know...

I also agree with everything she talks about

a) Oil and Natural Gas – who cares about dependence on the Oil producing nations – they need us too

b) War and Terrorists – why should we befriend these terrorists and extreme Islamists? Look what happened at Fort Hood. Declare a war on Iran and Palestine (even Korea) – we have the resources

c) Government and Businesses – Give the complete power to Business folks. Don't look at the recent Wall St mess – it was just a mistake (everyone makes mistakes, you know) etc etc

JonDie   November 16th, 2009 1:18 pm ET

She didn't feel qualified because she's a daily reader of the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times...or because she's a clueless illiterate, one of the two.

sammieb51   November 16th, 2009 1:18 pm ET

How many people in Alaska again - 600,000?? And she couldn't handle that but COULD handle running the 240,000,000 OTHER Americans? This woman's delusions are a national security threat.

chelle   November 16th, 2009 1:17 pm ET

See this is what scares me about her...not even her views so much. This idea that she did have to think about running for Vice-President!!! WHAT????? Who doesn't think about something like that? It is an enormous decision!!! How can someone who so cavalierly decided to run for that office, make the calculated decisions necessary as VP or President?

Jesse in Madison   November 16th, 2009 1:17 pm ET

why are so many people mentioned in her book having to make statements that Palin is not telling the truth?

and not even just stretching or embellishing the truth which people do often to sell books, but they are saying they are flat out lies?

i think Sarah Palin has created her own fantasy world and actually believes the lies she has created over this past year.

Gorbashov - Long Beach, Ca.   November 16th, 2009 1:15 pm ET

LOL

She is by far one of my favorite comedians!

PALIN/BACHMANN 2012!

Oh, please!!!!!

chris   November 16th, 2009 1:12 pm ET

She's reloading the pipe to take a few more tokes to see what other paranoid delusions will manifest.

single mom   November 16th, 2009 1:12 pm ET

If a VP candidate is male with five kids, including a special needs baby, NO ONE would have asked how he would manage to be a father and VP. No one asked Obama how he planned to be President and father to two young girls!!

The way HRC was treated during the primaries and the way former Gov. Palin was treated during the campaign was disgraceful. I was especially shocked at how these two women were treated by other women!

Really Sad 4 the country   November 16th, 2009 1:12 pm ET

would somebody bury this women

Anonymous   November 16th, 2009 1:11 pm ET

"When I got the call, it was not such a shocking call to me," Palin told talk-show host Oprah ......because she didn't even realize what the call was all about......typical

NotFooledTX   November 16th, 2009 1:10 pm ET

"I felt quite confident in my abilities and my executive experience and I knew that this is an executive administrative job. "

That's one of her fatal characteristics – her overblown ego

I didn't realize failure and quitting in the face of adversity would give anyone confidence.

Truth-Bomb Thrower   November 16th, 2009 1:10 pm ET

Oprah openly campaigned for her defeat when she was running for vice president, she refused to have her on her show after having Obama on TWICE. So what does Sarah do? She rewards Oprah by probably giving her the best ratings she has had in years.

Sarah, with judgement like that, I'm having second thoughts about what kind of vice president you would have been. You should have told the "big O" to go take a flying leap at the moon. You may have sold a few less books but you could have kept more of your dignity.

John J, IN   November 16th, 2009 1:07 pm ET

She's a village idiot, and done nothing before or after her nomination to make any not-already-crazy person to think otherwise.

Go away already.

Russ   November 16th, 2009 1:05 pm ET

What an idiot!!

Josh   November 16th, 2009 1:05 pm ET

I HATE THIS WOMAN. I am a conservative saying that! She REFUSES to take even the remotest semblance of responsibility for anything that happened during that campaign.

"Katie's badgering questions..." what a load of absolute crap. That was a softball interview, Palin was "badgered" because she wouldn't answer the questions. She still blames Couric for her own stupidity!

Enough of her, every time she speaks she drives people into the Democratic party!

Happy   November 16th, 2009 1:04 pm ET

My dear,

You didn't represent the status quo
you represented the status ho. The "D" in your pathetic college career doesn't even make it on the radar. You were chosen as arctic window dressing – and that began to smell bad after the first week.

Death Assurance Companies   November 16th, 2009 1:02 pm ET

She was Alaskas best Exxon Mobil spokesperson.hahaha

Big Daddy   November 16th, 2009 1:02 pm ET

Edith Bunker will never die !!!

Jim   November 16th, 2009 12:59 pm ET

Sarah Palin's favorite word? Me. Me. Me. Second favorite? I. I. I.
Please, please please just leave the rest of the country alone, Ms. Palin. Your views spur hatred and intolerance. So please, stop saying things that are A) lies, B) Half-Baked, and C) destructive.

B   November 16th, 2009 12:57 pm ET

McCain is an OLD fool and created a stage for another fool..

Dominican mama 4 Obama   November 16th, 2009 12:55 pm ET

Thanks CNN. No more for me.

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