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September 12th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

Video & Photos: Sarah Palin Interview with Charles Gibson 9-12-08 ABC World News, 20/20, Nightline (Part 2)

Sarah Palin interview with ABC News anchor Charles Gibson, September 12, 2008

The second day of ABC News anchor Charles Gibson’s exclusive interview with Republican Vice Presidential candidate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s took place on September 12, 2008 in Wasilla, Alaska. The interview was broadcast on September 12, 2008 on ABC World News, 20/20, and Nightline.

Gov. Sarah Palin made sure Friday that the Republican Party’s conservative base heard loud and clear that when it comes to traditional platforms like cutting wasteful spending, and upholding the right to life, she is on their side.

In her third and final exclusive interview with ABC News’ Charles Gibson, Palin discussed a range of domestic issues and defended herself against allegations that she flip-flopped on a controversial and costly infrastructure project and fired a state official who refused to sack her former brother-in-law.

Touting her experience as a reformer who shares running-mate John McCain’s passion for cutting taxes and slashing Congressional pork, Palin also drew contrasts between herself and the Arizona Senator on issues like stem cell research and abortion.

Palin took a harder line than McCain on those social issues, but called her sentiments “personal opinion[s]” that could potentially differ from official policy in a McCain White House.

McCain supports abortion in instances of rape or incest, but Palin, a mother of a 5-month-old infant with Down syndrome, said she would advocate abortion only if a mother’s life was in danger.

“My personal opinion is that abortion [should be] allowed if the life of the mother is endangered. Please understand me on this. I do understand McCain’s position on this. I do understand others who are very passionate about this issue who have a differing opinion,” she said.

Sarah Palin interview with ABC News anchor Charles Gibson, September 12, 2008

On earmarks and “the bridge to nowhere”

Palin said she opposed earmarks and defended her own record as the former mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, which received around $27 million in federal funding and her decision to first back and then withdraw support of the so-called ‘Bridge to Nowhere’.

The governor withdrew support of the bridge slated to be built with $398 million in federal funds to a small island with 50 residents after the project became synonymous with needless government spending.

When pushed by Gibson for supporting the bridge and then opposing it, Palin said she never fought for the bridge but was instead in favor of money used to improve Alaska’s infrastructure. The state still received the federal funds even though the bridge project was nixed.

On Hillary Clinton

Palin told Gibson that she thinks Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., regrets not picking Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., as his vice presidential running mate.

“I think he’s regretting not picking her now, I do. What, what determination, and grit, and even grace through some tough shots that were fired her way — she handled those well,” she said.

Palin took the mantle of the campaign’s only female contender after Obama defeated Clinton for their party’s nomination, and picked Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., as his Democratic running mate over Clinton and others.

Palin has praised Clinton on the campaign trail, and when she was first introduced as McCain’s running mate last month in Ohio.

“The women of America aren’t finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all,” Palin said as she accepted McCain’s invitation to join the 2008 Republican ticket, referring to a line made famous in Clinton’s concession to Obama.

Source: Sarah Palin Defends Abortion Stance, Explains ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ Support

Photo credit: Donna Svennik/ABC

See also:

ABC World News Charles Gibson Sarah Palin interview video September 12, 2008 Part 1 (Day 2)

ABC World News Charles Gibson Sarah Palin interview on 20/20 video September 12, 2008 (Day 2)

(Will be added when available)

ABC World News Charles Gibson Sarah Palin interview video on Nightline September 12, 2008 (Day 2)