Palin On U.S. Raids In Pakistan: America Should Have All Options On The Table

September 11, 2008 8:51 p.m. EST

Fairbanks, AK (AHN) - Excerpts of ABC's interview with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Thursday had network anchor Charlie Gibson posing tough questions on the first-term governor, who revealed that "didn't blink" when she was asked to be Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) running mate, and that she was sufficiently versed on foreign policy but not quite familiar with the Bush doctrine.

In her first substantial interview since being name to the Republican ticket, the 44-year old Palin said she "didn't hesitate" when McCain asked her to be his VP. When prodded by Gibson if that "didn't take some hubris" and if she "can look the country in the eye" and say she had the experience to be commander-in-chief, she replied, "I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink."

She said the United States needs "to continue good relations" with Georgia and will do so if she is elected vice president. She called Russia's actions "unprovoked" and "unacceptable."

"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," she added.

When talk turned to NATO, however, Palin appeared less certain, insisting that Georgia should be allowed to the Atlantic Alliance without directly responding to Gibson's argument that the United States may have to go to war with Russia, which objects to NATO influence in the Caucasus.

"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," the first-term governor said before turning her focus on Ukraine's membership in the alliance.

Gibson tried again, asking if she thought Georgia was worth a war with Russia. Palin said, "What I think is that smaller democratic countries that are invaded by a larger power is something for us to be vigilant against.... The support that we can show is economic sanctions perhaps against Russia, if this is what it leads to."

She made clear her opposition to a nuclear Iran, saying "We have got to make sure... that nuclear weapons are not given to those hands of Ahmadinejad, not that he would use them, but that he would allow terrorists to be able to use them. So we have got to put the pressure on Iran." But was not quite as detailed in her response about what she would do if Israel made a unilateral decision to take out Iran's nuclear facilities.

"We cannot second guess the steps that Israel has to take to defend itself," she simply insisted.

Palin, the first woman Republican vice presidential nominee, seemed to have no idea when Gibson asked her for her opinion about the Bush doctrine. "In what respect, Charlie?," she asked before taking a short lecture from the news anchor about the doctrine "enunciated September 2002, before the Iraq war... that we have the right of anticipatory self-defense."

Palin's answers ranged from "war has got to be, a military strike, a last option," to "we must do whatever it takes and we must not blink, Charlie, in making those tough decisions of where we go and even who we target," that Gibson made a last foray, "I got lost in a blizzard of words there. Is that a yes?"

"I believe that America has to exercise all options in order to stop the terrorists who are hell bent on destroying America and our allies," Palid said.

ABC will run more excerpts of the interview on 'Nightline,' 'Good Morning America" and '20/20.'

Before the sit-down with Gibson, Palin had not held a press conference or given a major interview since being named part of the ticket on Aug. 29. Critics had questioned why her only interview since that time has been with People magazine, saying the campaign seems to be afraid of letting her make an unscripted appearance.

The McCain campaign has said the "smear campaign" and "sexism" from the media is the reason it was keeping Palin on a tight leash. " The governor, a mother of five, has renewed excitement among Republicans about McCain's candidacy, but is proving to be a polarizing figure in the elections. Numerous polls have come out saying she has closed the enthusiasm gap between Democratic and Republican voters, and given McCain his biggest support among women. An even more number of reports, however, have come out with unfavorable news about her past.