Palin joins McCain for Michigan town hall meeting
By GLEN JOHNSON
Associated Press
September 18, 2008
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- Sarah Palin, cloistered since her surprise pick as the Republican Party's vice presidential candidate, symbolically butted in Wednesday night and answered her first question from a member of the public since joining the ticket.
The Alaska governor, appearing at a town hall with GOP presidential nominee John McCain, interrupted him, saying: "John, John, can I add something?"
McCain, smiling, replied: "Always."
Palin argued that McCain's support for sending thousands more U.S. troops to Iraq put the country on the cusp of victory and was freeing it to focus elsewhere in its battle against terrorists.
"We must win there so that we can win in Afghanistan also," Palin said. "He knows how to win a war."
During the more than hourlong session in a steamy gymnasium at Grand Rapids Community College, Palin also:
- "Rejected those who question whether she can balance being a mother of five, including a newborn with Down syndrome, with being vice president.
"Let's prove 'em wrong," Palin told her questioner.
Palin noted that she was pregnant as governor and carried out her duties. She also lauded the symbolism of McCain choosing her as his running, which he did after Democratic rival Barack Obama decided against Hillary Rodham Clinton and chose Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden as his No. 2.
"This is the maverick who would have even chosen such a candidate to partner up, and this is the party that embraces the change and the promise that America and American women are craving and deserving," Palin said.
- "Credited Title IX, landmark legislation that bars gender bias in athletics and other education programs, with fueling her athletic achievements. Palin was point guard on her championship Alaska high school basketball team.
Palin said just as Title IX transformed sports, if there is a need for a similar program in the workplace, "then we're there." McCain himself was less committal, saying existing laws would address discrimination and ensure equal opportunity.
- "Rebuffed criticism that she doesn't have enough foreign policy experience to assume the presidency, if necessary.
"If you want specifics and specific policy or countries, go ahead, you can ask me. You can even play stump-the-candidate if you want," Palin challenged her questioner.
McCain stepped in to note that she had negotiated with oil companies for a massive natural gas pipeline, is commander of the Alaska National Guard and has a son, Track, who is deploying for Army service in Iraq.
"I think because I'm a Washington outsider, opponents are going to be looking for a whole lot of things that they can criticize," Palin said.
She said that by Inauguration Day in January, "Certainly we'll be ready, I'll be ready. I have that confidence."
- "Traded quips with McCain when asked if she had persuaded him to support oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
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