Pawlenty uses McCain talking point on MTP: "Palin, COMMANDER IN CHIEF of National Guard"

Palin is talk of the Sunday news shows

By Martin Kady II, Politico.com



The shoes of Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain and his vice presidential running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin are shown as they stand at a campaign event in Dayton, Ohio August 29, 2008.
(John Gress/Reuters)

It was hard to keep track of how many Republicans on Sunday morning referred to Gov. Sarah Palin as "commander in chief" of the Alaska National Guard.

Her single trip to Kuwait also made it into many talking points, as did the phrases "reformer" and "maverick," over and over.

Democrats had a different description: right-winger.

But no matter who was talking across the airwaves, it was all about Palin on Sunday.

There was scant analysis of Barack Obama's historic speech, and little talk about the Republican National Convention — outside of how Hurricane Gustav will affect the GOP gathering in the Twin Cities.

Starting with McCain himself in an interview with Fox News Sunday, Republicans launched their defensive stand against criticisms that Palin is not ready to be "one heartbeat away" from the presidency.

"She's been commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard. … She's had judgment on these issues," McCain said in his first nationally televised interview since his shocker VP pick in Dayton, Ohio on Friday. "She's had 12 years of elected office experience, including traveling to Kuwait."

And from McCain on down, Republicans were off and running with this message on the eve of the Republican National Convention.

"She's been a governor, she's been in charge of the National Guard. … That's more than Obama," said Sen. Lindsey Graham on ABC News' This Week.

"She's the commander in chief of the national guard," chimed in Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who was on the VP shortlist, on "Meet the Press."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-08-31-sunday-shows_N.htm