Update: I posted the entire interview. Russia comes in about halfway in.
Republican VP Candidate Sarah Palin finally sat down for an interview. Lo and behold, Russia came up in her exclusive with ABC’s Charles Gibson. Here are her thoughts on Russia resurgent, letting Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, and going to war to defend those “smaller democratic countries.” And she says we can’t repeat the Cold War.
Sarah Palin on Russia:
We cannot repeat the Cold War. We are thankful that, under Reagan, we won the Cold War, without a shot fired, also. We’ve learned lessons from that in our relationship with Russia, previously the Soviet Union.
We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it’s in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.
GIBSON: Would you favor putting Georgia and Ukraine in NATO?
PALIN: Ukraine, definitely, yes. Yes, and Georgia.
GIBSON: Because Putin has said he would not tolerate NATO incursion into the Caucasus.
PALIN: Well, you know, the Rose Revolution, the Orange Revolution, those actions have showed us that those democratic nations, I believe, deserve to be in NATO.
Putin thinks otherwise. Obviously, he thinks otherwise, but…
GIBSON: And under the NATO treaty, wouldn’t we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?
PALIN: Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you’re going to be expected to be called upon and help.
But NATO, I think, should include Ukraine, definitely, at this point and I think that we need to — especially with new leadership coming in on January 20, being sworn on, on either ticket, we have got to make sure that we strengthen our allies, our ties with each one of those NATO members.
We have got to make sure that that is the group that can be counted upon to defend one another in a very dangerous world today.
GIBSON: And you think it would be worth it to the United States, Georgia is worth it to the United States to go to war if Russia were to invade.
PALIN: What I think is that smaller democratic countries that are invaded by a larger power is something for us to be vigilant against. We have got to be cognizant of what the consequences are if a larger power is able to take over smaller democratic countries.
And we have got to be vigilant. We have got to show the support, in this case, for Georgia. The support that we can show is economic sanctions perhaps against Russia, if this is what it leads to.
It doesn’t have to lead to war and it doesn’t have to lead, as I said, to a Cold War, but economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, again, counting on our allies to help us do that in this mission of keeping our eye on Russia and Putin and some of his desire to control and to control much more than smaller democratic countries.
Well, Mrs. Palin, if you get into office I hope you and Grandpa McCain put your money where your vigilant mouth is. I know a lot of Russia scholars in need of some of that war machine money. It’s been slim pickin’s since the Evil Empire went belly up in 1991.
I’m considering writing in VVP. Living in Obama’s backyard, my vote won’t make a shred of difference anyway.
Or maybe his dog Connie, or Chtulhu, or “Against All”…
We can debate which country is less democratic, but Russia seems to be having more fun with their democracy…
My wife and I will vote for Obama. We voted for him during the Vermont Democratic primaries (in which he easily beat Hilary.) By the way, I was never cocky about an Obama victory in November. I’m afraid that if the polls show Obama ahead by a few points this could mean a McCain win (the infamous Bradley effect). At the moment the polls show McCain ahead, but things can still go either way.
Incidentally, my wife yesterday worked the phones in the Obama headquarters in Vermont (at about 630,000 people, it’s a small state). Vermont being a safe Obama state, she was working on a list of New Hampshire residents. Of the people she ended up talking with, she was amazed by the number (no less than half, she thought) that had no interest in the election at all. It’s hard to believe, but some of them did not know the names of the candidates. More of them although knew the names did not know who was the Democrat and who was the Republican.
F..ck the democracy!
Palin was definitely on edge and on the defensive in that interview. I haven’t had a chance to see the whole thing yet, just the “controversial” parts on the Bush doctrine and Lincoln prayer thing. She could have definitely been more succinct in her responses dealing with foreign policy, but nothing she said was really all that new or controversial. She should have probably taken a shot or two before doing the interview; I think she would have been clearer if she was a bit more relaxed.
It must be stated once again, she is running for the VP slot. If McCain were to die, there would still be plenty of advisors and other staff to make the transition pretty painless. Truman probably didn’t look like such a great VP pick either at the time, or at the end of his term with his approval ratings lower than Bush’s are right now. But history has shown him to be a pretty good president, all things considered.
If Palin does end up becoming the president, she just has to make John Bolton Secretary of State and all will be golden.
Seriously though, America (and I would argue the democratic world at large) has always benefited in the long run from a US that is overly aggressive towards rouge nations and dictatorships. A Palin administration would follow in that tradition with respect to foreign policy.
Can someone tell me where all the sane people are?
Spasibo.
Truman probably didn’t look like such a great VP
You must be joking. Truman was educated in the law (hey, that might come in handy working in government) and a two term Senator.
Less than 3 years ago, Palin was the mayor of a podunk village. She became governor of perhaps the most rural state in the US. The mayor of Columbus, Ohio was a larger constituency than the Governor of Alaska. Upon being elected governor, she almost immediately became embroiled in hillbilly scandals.
If she becomes VP, at least we can be sure that her cousin Jethro will get a good job, maybe working for them Secret Service fellas.
Hi poemless,
I grew up in chicago. I’m married (15 years) to a Russian, born in peter. My Russian in-laws practically moved in with us when the children were young. They came to the U.S. 6 months at a time over 11 years- staggering their trips to help with childcare and to teach the kids their language, instill some Russian culture. In me too! As they and my husband are all only children, they soon were enamored with being a part of my big Irish Cath family. They were a welcome exotic addition to our tight-knit Southside neighborhood, where neighbors arrived unannounced whenever for a drink and a chat. Our Kitchen politics were familiar; they got into it. They loved taking trips to our Michigan dacha (It’s just like Finland!) They were sure my Wisconsin German/Swede farmboy brother-in-law was a Ukranian. Likewise,they were loved by all…Fast forward to today, I live on the West Coast, work in tech with Russians/Ukranians. A number of my old Southside friends/family are so rightwing – in reaction to being the minority in a majority black area (It reminds me of the South Ossetians) that they are sure to vote GOP. Those Northern Illinois/Wisconsin people that seemed like Ukranians to my in-laws – They like Palin because they identify with her down-homeness. Meanwhile my son is getting automatically signed up in high school for calls from military recruiters – so he can go fight the Russians, I guess. So, you’re not alone in feeling depressed about all this.
Tess,
Ooh. I spent the winter canvassing the southside. They all vote Dem, (or Ron Paul), but their Dem congressman votes with Bush all of the time. Very weird and rather depressing areas I must say. (I have theory of American sovoks that might apply to them.) I work in Hyde Park (different kind of south side) – not too worried about Obama winning here! Actually, he’ll handily get the IL vote. But as much as I hate to say it, I do think race will play a factor in this election. In an election when the GOP should not be able to win, given the events of the past 8 years, they have the good luck to be running against a black urban intellectual many people still believe is Muslim.
Why are we talking about the US elections? Can we get Biden on record as not ruling out war with Russia? Otherwise…
BTW, uhm, so do you know Chris? There’s some weird Bermuda triangle of Chicago-West Coast-Russia going on here. Creeping me out (Totten-like).
I lived in Chicago when I was 5. I barely remember it.
When I call Palin “bitch” I do it for reason.
I had met her and known her for TEN years.
Same tone, same manners, same face, same glasses, same hair style, same clothes and same high hills.
The only difference – she spoke Russian and was a director of my school. And she was The Bitch I have to say….
when I saw Palin (and heard her) I was scared again….
I think Ivanov must have issues with his mom.
No I don’t know Chris or anyone else here…though I’ve certainly met “Irishman” – Go into any pub along S. Western Ave. and he’s there. So his rants seem very familiar.
Yes BO/Biden are voicing the Russian hardline too. M. McFaul doesn’t bring much new to the table. So on the issue of Russian-relations, the outcome of the election doesn’t matter much. A McCain/Palin win will just validate CCARF’s “dumb fucks” comment. That’s what hurts.
This group might appreciate this:
http://donald.tetto.org/mccain/slogans.php
Don’t trouble my mom, boy! Then Palin will look like Snowwhite for you
Look out! Palin is gettin’ uppity! http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/a-what-administ.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiOIEGM7XEs
this is real one.
At least you can see – she is really good to tell ANYTHING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anxkrm9uEJk
This was interesting (although he is just an actor). He makes a passing reference to the idea of Palin having no experience and having to possibly deal with Putin, etc.
Yikes. There’s more.
http://www.cbs.com/thunder/player/thunder.php?pid=hdkxamTi8l_uCAJ2ORKSzF3marEPn7Ul
Something about Putin rearing his head in Alaska.