Excerpts from Palin interview

From TV Newser:

First on TVNewser: Insiders tell us the first Charlie Gibson/Sarah Palin interview is complete. The first sit-down lasted 30 minutes and included questions about energy independence, foreign affairs and whether Gov. Palin is ready to be Vice President. "Absolutely," is her response. When asked if she is ready to step in and be president of the United States. Palin answers, "You bet."

We're told Gibson asked for two extra minutes and used it to ask Palin whether she agrees with the "Bush Doctrine." Among Palin's responses:

• "The top priority is to defend the United States of America. I know that John McCain would do that."

• "With new leadership comes opportunity to do things better."

• "War has got to be a last option."

• "If a strike is imminent we have every right to defend our country...and that's what a McCain/Palin administration would do."

• "In order to stop Islamic extremists we must do whatever it takes. We must not blink, Charlie."

Update: More from USAToday:

When asked by Gibson if under the NATO treaty, the U.S. would have to go to war if Russia again invaded Georgia, Palin responded: "Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help."And we've got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable."

Also:

Palin defended a previous statement in which she reportedly characterized the war in Iraq as "task from God".Gibson quoted her as saying: "Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God."But Palin said she was referencing a famous quote by Abraham Lincoln."I would never presume to know God's will or to speak God's words. But what Abraham Lincoln had said, and that's a repeat in my comments, was let us not pray that God is on our side in a war or any other time, but let us pray that we are on God's side."

More:

Gibson: "Governor, let me start by asking you a question that I asked John McCain about you, and it is really the central question. Can you look the country in the eye and say 'I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice president, but perhaps president of the United States of America?' "Palin: "I do, Charlie, and on January 20, when John McCain and I are sworn in, if we are so privileged to be elected to serve this country, we'll be ready. I'm ready."Gibson: "And you didn't say to yourself, "Am I experienced enough? Am I ready? Do I know enough about international affairs? Do I -- will I feel comfortable enough on the national stage to do this?"Palin: "I didn't hesitate, no."Gibson: "Didn't that take some hubris?"Palin: "I -- I answered him yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink. So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate."

I would hope that her explaining her remark about God's task would shut up those who insist she was speaking for God, but it probably won't because nothing will stop them.

What irks me is that Obama always goes on about God when he is speaking in Churches, but he never gets drilled like this. Why do you think that is?

GIBSON: I take your point about Lincoln's words, but you went on and said, "There is a plan and it is God's plan."

PALIN: I believe that there is a plan for this world and that plan for this world is for good. I believe that there is great hope and great potential for every country to be able to live and be protected with inalienable rights that I believe are God-given, Charlie, and I believe that those are the rights to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That, in my world view, is a grand -- the grand plan.

GIBSON: But then are you sending your son on a task that is from God?
PALIN: I don't know if the task is from God, Charlie. What I know is that my son has made a decision. I am so proud of his independent and strong decision he has made, what he decided to do and serving for the right reasons and serving something greater than himself and not choosing a real easy path where he could be more comfortable and certainly safer.