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GIBSON: Senator, since I've been following politics, every single presidential nominee has said that the first quality they look for in a vice presidential pick is the capability and the readiness to take over as president.
Can you look the country straight in the eye and say Sarah Palin has the qualities and has enough experience to be commander in chief?
MCCAIN: Oh, absolutely. Having been the governor of our largest state, the commander of their National Guard, she was once in charge of their natural resources assets, actually, until she found out there was corruption and she quit and said it had to be fixed.
Of course, it helps to be a mayor. When I think people compare her experience, in fact, and accomplishments, I think ethics in lobbying reform in a state that was beset by the influence of special interests, cutting taxes, giving the citizens back money.
I mean, she's got an incredible resume, including a beautiful family and a wonderful, loving, caring family. So I will think that, over time, people will compare her accomplishments with that of Sen. Obama, and his are very meager.
GIBSON: But he's been vetted. Nineteen months he's been debating...
MCCAIN: Sure.
GIBSON: ... in front of this country, 18 million times, the primaries people voted for him.
With her, we have your say-so.
MCCAIN: Well, the people of Alaska have vetted her. That's why she has an 80 percent approval rating.
The American people are going to vet her in the next couple of months, as we know, starting tonight. She has a proven record.
And, again, I don't like to make these comparisons. She's had positions of responsibility and authority. In all due respect to my friend, Joe Biden, he's never been executive of anything nor...
GIBSON: Neither have you.
