The US Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, has rejected criticism that she is not experienced enough, in her first US TV interview.
The US Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, has rejected criticism that she is not experienced enough, in her first US TV interview.
In the interview, conducted exclusively by ABC News, Mrs Palin insisted she was "ready" to serve as vice-president.
In the interview, conducted exclusively by ABC News, Mrs Palin insisted she was "ready" to serve as vice-president.
On foreign affairs, the Alaska governor said she backed Nato membership for Ukraine and Georgia.
On foreign affairs, the Alaska governor said she backed Nato membership for Ukraine and Georgia.
Mrs Palin was also quizzed on previous comments about describing the war in Iraq as being a "task from God".
Mrs Palin was also quizzed on previous comments about describing the war in Iraq as being a "task from God".
She said she was quoting the words of Abraham Lincoln: "Let us pray that we are on God's side'.
She said she was quoting the words of Abraham Lincoln: "Let us pray that we are on God's side'.
'Lack of experience'
'Lack of experience'
Observers were surprised when Republican presidential candidate John McCain picked Mrs Palin, 44, to be his running mate. When you are a Nato ally, if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help Sarah PalinUS vice-presidential candidate
Observers were surprised when Republican presidential candidate John McCain picked Mrs Palin, 44, to be his running mate. When you are a Nato ally, if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help Sarah PalinUS vice-presidential candidate
Mrs Palin has been governor of Alaska for less than two years, and many commentators said she lacked the necessary experience to be vice-president, especially in the foreign policy arena.
Mrs Palin has been governor of Alaska for less than two years, and many commentators said she lacked the necessary experience to be vice-president, especially in the foreign policy arena.
Nevertheless, the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington, says most American voters are likely to take away from the interview the same impressions they took into it.
Nevertheless, the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington, says most American voters are likely to take away from the interview the same impressions they took into it.
Mrs Palin was strong and confident enough to please her Republican supporters, our correspondent says, but her sketchiness on some details will have given her Democratic opponents plenty of ammunition as well.
Mrs Palin was strong and confident enough to please her Republican supporters, our correspondent says, but her sketchiness on some details will have given her Democratic opponents plenty of ammunition as well.
Asked whether her support for Georgian membership of Nato meant that the US would have to go to war if Russia again invaded Georgia, Mrs Palin said that was a possibility.
Asked whether her support for Georgian membership of Nato meant that the US would have to go to war if Russia again invaded Georgia, Mrs Palin said that was a possibility.
"Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a Nato ally, if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help."
"Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a Nato ally, if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help."
But she insisted that the US and Russia "cannot repeat the Cold War".
But she insisted that the US and Russia "cannot repeat the Cold War".
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