Palin: Russia's my next door neighbor
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/25/art.palinfighters0925.ap.jpg caption="Gov. Palin visited with firefighters near the World Trade Center in New York City Thursday."]
(CNN) - Sarah Palin defended the claim that Alaska’s proximity with Russia helps bolster her foreign policy resume in an interview released Thursday.
The Republican VP nominee, asked by CBS’s Katie Couric what she meant by that statement said: “That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land - boundary that we have with - Canada.
“…our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of,” said Palin.
The Alaska governor, asked if she had ever engaged in negotiations with Russia, said the country had swapped trade missions with her state. “It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border,” she said.
“It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to our state."
Palin has spent the week meeting with foreign leaders in New York, as she seeks to boost her national security and foreign policy credentials.
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"our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of,” said Palin.
Um, what? Now Russia is IN Alaska? OK, clearly you didn't mean that, but you can no more say that you have experience with Russia because you live next to it than you can say you've been to Ireland because you stopped there on a fuel stop. Some people might find your lack of knowledge charming, but as someone who cares about what happens to this country, I could not be more offended. You cannot just memorize what other people feed to be President or Vice President. You have to be able to hear all the different information and make hard decisions. You can't do that if you don't even understand what you are being told. Some might say that a Harvard Law degree and 12 years teaching consitutional law don't count as experience, but I look forward to again having a President that cares about the constitution and can think for himself. Go to Siberia, Sarah Palin. Come back in four years, and maybe I'll give you another shot.
I can see the moon from my house. Does that make me a diplomat?
WHAT in hell is she talking about, my grandkids make better sense than she does................!
I would like to announce my candidacy for vice president. I live in Southern California which borders Mexico. Good enough?
Just when you thought she couldn't say anything more stupid, Sarah has out done herself again!!!! "...'our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of,” said Palin. Ok, is it just me, but does any of that make sense? Where the heck did McCain find this one!!! Oh boy, me thinks we got trouble!!!
No wonder people like her...cute airhead. Speaks well for the right wing conservative base!
she is an idiot
ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH!!!!!
You should advise people to take Dramamine before they watch or read Palin's explanation of her foreign policy experience. All the circular talk... all those corkscrew twists and turns in her nonsensical word salad... Ooooh, I'm feeling nauseated.
doesn't need moderation, it's the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone notice she wasn't taken seriously! One leader looked like he was forcing himself on her. And 5 min with each leader qualifies her to be VP. I just spent 1 hr with my Dr. so I'm a brain surgeon?
Before Bush was President he governed Texas. Texas borders Mexico. Clearly that gave Bush all the foreigh policy credentials he needed...
We're so lucky to have a candidate for VP with such strong credentials, a rich education, and views that are indicative of how most Americans feel. We should all be honored and encouraged by the fact that our neighbors around the world are getting to know us all a little better through Sarah.
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth...
I've been to Canada and I can speak and read Spanish – Can I be Secretary of State?
What?
Has she lost her mind, or is she simply delusional?
It's alarming that someone with as little foreign policy experience could be next in line to the Presidency. The President handles our foreign policy and I do not want there to be a chance that someone who has rarely been out of the country to be in control (and I'd rather not have to listen to her try to answer questions that she is just unprepared for–it makes her look pitiful and the rest of us uneasy). Seriously, it's an outrage and the true blame falls squarely on McCain. He's destroyed any credibility he had prior to choosing her and now just seems like a dead man walking, willing to do anything outrageous in order to be called a maverick. I'm going to wager that he will try to avoid having Palin debate–he's already trying to postpone the debates but I believe he wants to avoid them altogether.
What?? I am still not following her logic. She has had no diplomatic, political, or military discussions with Russia yet she knows them intimately because her state does trade with Russia? I don't buy it.
Oh my God! She is governor of a state that is smaller than many cities.
For instance, Detroit is home to 300,000 more people than the whole state of Alaska and also shares a border with Canada. Should the mayor of Detroit be a VP candidate? (Not to bash Kilpatrick, but in general.)
The answer of course is, NO.
This woman has no record that recommends her to the Vice-Presidency, particularly with a significantly higher likelyhood than usual, that she might become Commander and Chief.
This pick was great for Dems and otherwise one of the stupidest political decisions ever.
Clearly she is not qualified, look how much effort is going into keeping her away from the press.
The Obama camp has to love this.
Also, Dan Quail can no officially stop being the lest qualified VP pick.
How can anybody seriously even think of voting for this woman?
The world will laugh at us!
This logic, suggests that since I can see the moon from outside my bedroom window, then it practically makes me an astronaut. Hey, I even own a telescope!
Seriously...I think Americans everywhere are can see that we're in the middle of some challenging times. We need a serious President who has proven his judgement, has outlined his plans, and has surrounded himself with the best possible team. To me, Obama is that President.
This woman is such a fraud. And it's now becoming more and more apparent to the country as a whole since McCain and his camp decided to add Palin as a ploy - nothing more, nothing less - to attract the woman voter. And that in itself is an insult to women, in my male opinion. I know I wouldn't want a guy added to the ticket simply to try and gain my male vote. Can anyone truly say there is anything impressive about Palin? Because the GOP throws her in front or world leaders for photo opportunities we as voters should someone recognize this as foreign relations experience and savvy?
p.s. I can see four states from Chicago's Sears Tower and she can only see Russia. I win 4-1!
Wow.
I don't know what to say, and yet, here I am saying it. I keep waiting for Palin to show me that she's competent, but simply shying from an unfair press. I keep waiting for her to prove everyone wrong, and really come out shining with all the promise (and snarkiness) of her convention speech. But she hasn't. Her responses to Couric have been, so far, nonsensical or robotic. She must be very, very tired. She's way off her game... or way out of her league.
Sorry Ms. Governor, you are out of your depth.
Russia could care less for a amateur like you. If you think just being close to Russia makes you an expert on Russia, then I guess the current Secretarty of State wasted years of higher education and should have instead moved to Alaska.
Give me a break.
If you are a foreign policy guru because of your residence in Alaska, then I am the financial wizard because I have a 401(K) {Which is going down by the way}
stupifyingly stupid.
God help us if this woman gets into the White House.
There is nothing you can do between now and November to make yourself more credible. Go home, Pitbull. Have a moose sandwich.