Reflecting the media's continued disdain for the pro-life position, interviewing Cindy McCain for Wednesday's CBS Evening News, Katie Couric painted Sarah Palin as an extremist, zeroing in how “even Republicans” supposedly, “seemed surprised that Senator McCain picked a running mate who opposes abortion even in the cases of rape and incest.” Couric then turned the session into an interrogation about Mrs. McCain's personal views on abortion:
Where do you stand on abortion?
So, do you oppose it even in the cases of rape and incest?
Do you believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned?
Why not? Your husband does.
So you do believe it should be overturned or shouldn't be?
The latter half of the interview played on the Wednesday, September 3 CBS Evening News:
KATIE COURIC: Some, even Republicans, seemed surprised that Senator McCain picked a running mate who opposes abortion even in the cases of rape and incest and believes creationism should be taught in schools and I'm just curious, do you agree with that?
CINDY McCAIN: What I agree with is the fact that she is a social conservative, she is a reform-minded woman, she is someone that will shake the Washington up, which is exactly what we want to do. We differ on many issues. We differ across the board with people. We don't have to agree on every issue.
COURIC: Where do you stand on abortion?
McCAIN: I'm pro life. I'm on the record as being pro life like my husband.
COURIC: So, do you oppose it even in the cases of rape and incest?
McCAIN: No.
COURIC: So that's where you two differ in terms of your position on that?
McCAIN: Uh-huh.
COURIC: Do you believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned?
McCAIN: No.
COURIC: Why not? Your husband does.
McCAIN: No, I don't think he does.
COURIC: He believes it should be overturned. That's what he told me that and that it should go to the states.
McCAIN: Well, in that respect, yes. I understand what you're saying. It is a states issue, absolutely. That I do believe.
COURIC: So you do believe it should be overturned or shouldn't be?
McCAIN: I believe it's a states issue. That I do believe.
COURIC: How do you feel about creationism. Do you think it should be taught in schools?
McCAIN: I think both sides should be taught in schools. I think the more children have a frame of reference and an opportunity to read and to know and to make better decisions and judgments when they're adults. So I think, you know, I don't have any problem with education of any kind.
COURIC, BACK ON LIVE: After the interview, we contacted the McCain campaign to clarify Cindy McCain's position on abortion. They told us that, like Laura Bush, Mrs. McCain does not favor overturning Roe v. Wade which guarantees the legal right to an abortion.
