American Broadcasting Chopper

ABC News Edited Out Key Parts of Sarah Palin Interview - NewsBusters

Sweet. On TV we get hear this...

GIBSON: Let me ask you about some specific national security situations.

PALIN: Sure.

GIBSON: Let’s start, because we are near Russia, let’s start with Russia and Georgia.

The administration has said we’ve got to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia. Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?

PALIN: First off, we’re going to continue good relations with Saakashvili there. I was able to speak with him the other day and giving him my commitment, as John McCain’s running mate, that we will be committed to Georgia. 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 and we have to keep…

GIBSON: You believe unprovoked.

PALIN: I do believe unprovoked and we have got to keep our eyes on Russia, under the leadership there.

GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?

PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.

But in reality this is what was said...

GIBSON: You believe unprovoked.

PALIN: I do believe unprovoked and we have got to keep our eyes on Russia, under the leadership there. I think it was unfortunate. That manifestation that we saw with that invasion of Georgia shows us some steps backwards that Russia has recently taken away from the race toward a more democratic nation with democratic ideals. That’s why we have to keep an eye on Russia.

And, Charlie, you’re in Alaska. We have that very narrow maritime border between the United States, and the 49th state, Alaska, and Russia. They are our next door neighbors.We need to have a good relationship with them. They’re very, very important to us and they are our next door neighbor.

GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?

PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.

GIBSON: What insight does that give you into what they’re doing in Georgia?

PALIN: Well, I’m giving you that perspective of how small our world is and how important it is that we work with our allies to keep good relation with all of these countries, especially Russia. We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it’s in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.

That isn't the only cut, there is more on the link.

I think it is totally acceptable to edit an interview of someone in this way if you are interviewing, say, Tom Cruise on his latest movie project. Or even Matt Damon on his views of the political landscape. Basically any interview for entertainment.

This interview isn't for entertainment though... This is a person that is running for vice president of the United States of America. I don't care if it is Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, John McCain, or Joe Biden. I want to hear every word they said. If Obama said he liked to beat up hobos for fun (who doesn't), I'd like to hear that.

Matt Damon said (7 seconds in) that he doesn't know any thing about Sarah Palin. Well Matt, maybe if ABC didn't cut big chunks of what she had to say, you might know more than just the facts that she was mayor of a "really REALLY small town" and that she was governor of Alaska for less than two years.

Thanks ABC for deciding what I need to hear.

Scary.