At some point in the next few weeks, Governor Sarah Palin will sit down with ABC's Charlie Gibson and they'll have a little chat. Doubtless, Palin's claim of saying "Thanks, but no thanks" regarding the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" is going to come up.
In addition, it is impossible to imagine that the McCain folks aren't prepping Sarah night and day for her post-nomination press debut. Anticipating this very question, they will have an answer ready. And it'll be a doozy.
So let's say we take a crack at it ourselves?
Gibson: Gov. Palin, you've been saying on the campaign trail, as a regular part of your stump speech, that you said "Thanks, but no thanks" to the "Bridge to Nowhere." But it appears, based upon your statements at the time, that you actually supported funding for the bridge and never actually "turned it down" until after it had become an embarassment to the state. How do you answer that charge?
Palin: Well, Charlie, I'll tell you: I have spent my career in Alaskan politics fighting corruption, fighting political fat-cats and fighting for the people of my state. When you're the chief executive, you face a lot of challenges and this was certainly one of them. But the bottom line is that I determined that this project was a waste of federal money and was an unnecessary piece of pork and I got rid of it as soon as I could. This is exactly the kind of leadership that John McCain and I plan to bring to Washington.
(Long pause.)
Gibson: That doesn't exactly answer the question, Governor. I'm asking if, as your critics claim, you were for the bridge before you were against it.
Palin: My critics have made many charges against me, Charlie, and it has certainly been an education over the past few weeks at just how dirty politics can be. I've had any number of unfair, slanderous and downright sexist remarks hurled my way by my opponents and their surrogates but I'm here to tell you: John McCain and I will not be swayed and we will continue to fight for the American people all the way to the White House and beyond.
(Longer pause.)
Gibson: Look, Governor, it's a simple question: Were you for the bridge at one time or not?
Palin: Let me be clear, Charlie: This is an election about ideas. The direction of this country has got to change and my opponents' version of change is not, I believe, the way to go. John McCain and I have specific policy proposals to turn this economy around, to make this country energy independent, to clean up Washington and start anew. I am hoping that my fellow Americans will join me on that quest.
(At which point, Gibson's head explodes.)
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