Palin speaks to reporters aboard plane
Posted: Friday, October 17, 2008 6:13 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:
Sarah Palin
From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Palin today spoke with reporters for about eight minutes during a bumpy flight from Cincinnati to Muncie. She answered questions about her plan to appear on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, about the growing questions that she is unqualified to be commander in chief, and even about the controversial Jeremiah Wright.
Palin said she was excited about her SNL appearance, but said she didn’t know what to expect. “The opportunity to show American television watchers anyway that you get to have a sense of humor through all of this or even just this really would be wearin’, tearin’ on you so an opportunity to show that sense of humor and that side of all of this I look forward to it."
Asked about concerns -- even from some conservatives -- that she's unqualified to be commander-in-chief, Palin replied: "Well, we talked a lot already about my executive experience that will be put to good use as vice president. And if heaven forbid, anything happened to John McCain, if we're so blessed to be elected president and vice president, that executive experience will be put to good use -- as coming from a mayor and a manager, small business owner and a governor and a regulator of oil and gas."
Palin also explained a comment she made at a fundraiser Thursday night, when she told the crowd she was excited to be in a “pro-America” part of the country. Palin responded that she believed all parts of the country -- including those visited by her opponent -- were pro-America.
“I was just reinforcing the fact that there, where I was, there’s good patriotic people there in these rallies, so excited about positive change and reform of government that’s coming that they are so appreciative of hearing our message, hearing our plan,” she said. “Not, not any one area of America is more pro-America patriotically than others.”
Palin said she had not asked McCain to bring up Obama’s association with Wright, his former pastor. McCain had said he would not raise the issue, which made headlines during the primary season. However, she added that Obama heard things from Wright “that most people would find a bit concerning,” but said the ultimate decision to raise the Wright issue on the campaign trail remained with McCain.
“[Obama] sat in the pews for 20 years and heard Reverend Wright say some things that most people would find a bit concerning,” Palin said of Obama. “But again that is John McCain's call.”
While she has raised questions about Obama’s character repeatedly on the campaign trial. Palin said Friday that she did not question his love of America. “I know Obama loves America,” she said. “I’m sure that is why he’s running for president. It’s because he wants to do what he believes is in the best interest of this great nation.”
Palin noted that she speaks with McCain several times a day while they are campaigning separately. “We talk about the news of the day, about what the issues are that seem to be resonating that, certainly, that you all are reporting on,” she said. “And just a lot of reinforcement and encouragement of each other that again we are on the right track and explaining to all Americans our plans to reduce taxes and to get our economy back on track. They’re great conversations, and very productive, very helpful for both of us.”