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Exclusive: Palin On Foreign Policy
Katie Couric Interviews The Candidate About
Watching Russia, Her New Passport, And Her
Opinion Of Obama
Katie Couric: As we stand before this august
building and institution, what do you see as
the role of the United States in the world?
Sarah Palin: I see the United States as being
a force for good in the world. And as Ronald
Reagan used to talk about, America being the
beacon of light and hope for those who are
seeking democratic values and tolerance and
freedom. I see our country being able to
represent those things that can be looked to
as that leadership, that light needed across
the world.
Couric: In preparing for this conversation, a
lot of our viewers and Internet users wanted
to know why you did not get a passport until
last year. And they wondered if that
indicated a lack of interest and curiosity in
the world.
Palin: I'm not one of those who maybe came
from a background of, you know, kids who
perhaps graduate college and their parents
give them a passport and give them a backpack
and say go off and travel the world.
No, I've worked all my life. In fact, I
usually had two jobs all my life until I had
kids. I was not a part of, I guess, that
culture. The way that I have understood the
world is through education, through books,
through mediums that have provided me a lot
of perspective on the world.
Couric: Gov. Palin, you've had a very busy
week. And you're meeting with many world
leaders. You met with President Karzai of
Afghanistan. I know the McCain campaign has
called for a surge in Afghanistan. But that
country is, as you know, dramatically
different than Iraq. Why do you believe
additional troops, U.S. troops, will solve
the problem there?
Palin: Because we can't afford to lose in
Afghanistan, as we cannot afford to lose in
Iraq, either, these central fronts on the war
on terror. And I asked President Karzai, "Is
that what you are seeking, also? That
strategy that has worked in Iraq that John
McCain had pushed for, more troops? A
counterinsurgency strategy?" And he said,
"yes." And he also showed great appreciation
for what America and American troops are
providing in his country.
Couric: The United States is deeply unpopular
in Pakistan. Do you think the Pakistani
government is protecting al Qaeda within its
borders?
Palin: I don't believe that new President
Zardari has that mission at all. But no, the
Pakistani people also, they want freedom.
They want democratic values to be allowed in
their country, also. They understand the
dangers of terrorists having a stronghold in
regions of their country, also. And I believe
that they, too, want to rid not only their
country, but the world, of violent Islamic
terrorists.
Tags : CBS News Katie Sarah Palin 2008 ad Barack Campaign Democrat John McCain Obama Political President Republican TV web |
