Katie Couric on Sarah Palin
"CBS Evening News" 6:43pm
Interview
TOPIC: Abortion and separation of church and state
TRANSCRIPT:
KATIE COURIC: Why, in your view, is Roe v. Wade a bad decision?
SARAH PALIN: I think it should be states issue. Not federal government mandating yes or no on such an important issue. Im, in that sense a federalist, where I believe that states should have more say in the laws of their lands and individual areas. Now, foundationally also though, its no seceret that Im pro-life, that I believe that a culture of life is, is very important for this country and personally thats what I would like to see further embraced by, by America.
COURIC: Do you think theres an inherent right to privacy in the consitution?
PALIN: I do. I do.
COURIC: Thats the cornerstone of Roe. v Wade.
PALIN: I do and I believe that individual states can best handle what the people within the different constituencies within the fifty states would like to see their will ushered in in an issue like that.
COURIC: What other supreme court decisions do you disagree with?
PALIN: Hmm. Well, lets see, theres, of course, in the great history of America there have been rulings that theres never going to be absolute consensus by every American. And there are those issues again, like Roe v. Wade where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. Going through the history of America, there would be others.
COURIC: Can you think of any?
PALIN: Well, I would think of, of, any again that could best be dealt with on a more local leve. Maybe I would take issue with. But you know, as a mayor and as a governor and even as a vice president . . . I wouldnt be in a position of changing those things but in supporting the law of the land as it lays today.
COURIC: Thomas Jefferson wrote about building a wall of separation between church and state. Why do you think thats so important?
PALIN: . . . so that government did not mandate a religion on the people . . . people have the ability and the desire to express their own religious views. Be it on a very personal level, which is where I choose to express my faith, or in a more public forum . . .
Clip Label: KC SP CBS 10-01-08 18.42 (EW#467) WL
