Read excerpts from Charlie Gibson's exclusive interview with Governor Palin With only two years' executive experience as governor of the 49th state -- some of Sarah Palin's critics have questioned whether she has enough experience to be vice president.
"I do, Charlie, and on January 20th, when John McCain and I are sworn in, if we are so privileged to serve this country, we'll be ready. I'm ready," Alaska Governor Sarah Palin told Charles Gibson in Thursday's broadcast interview.
The Alaskan governor arrived home in Alaska last night for the first time since being nominated. Critics have said she has to start answering questions. And she has.
"I answered [McCain] 'yes,' because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink," said Palin.
Palin is quoted as saying recently that U.S. soldiers are on a "task that is from God."
"I would never presume to know God's will or to speak God's words. But what Abraham Lincoln had said, and that's a repeat in my comments, was let us not pray that God is on our side in a war or any other time, but let us pray that we are on God's side," said Palin.
During the same statement, John McCain's running mate went on to say there is a plan and it's God's plan.
"I believe there is a plan for this world and it is for good. I believe there is great hope and potential for every country to be protected with inalienable rights that I believe are God-given and that there is a worldview of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that is the grand plan," said Palin.
Palin's 19-year-old son Track is going to be deploying this month to Iraq. The ceremony was held Thursday.
"But are you sending your son on a task that is from God?" asked Gibson.
"I don't know if it's from God," replied Palin. "I know my son has made a decision."
Not long ago Governor Palin spoke at the deployment ceremony for her son, Track. She called the fight in Iraq a righteous cause and told the soldiers that God will be there to defend the innocent.
Palin toed the Republican line for much of the interview, but when questioned whether she supports the Bush Doctrine, Palin didn't seem to understand the question.
"His worldview?" asked Palin.
"No, the Bush Doctrine, enunciated September 2002, before the Iraq war," said Gibson.
"I believe what President Bush intended to do is rid this world of Islamic extremism, terrorists that are hell-bent on destroying our nation," replied Palin. "There have been blunders along the way, though." Read excerpts from Charlie Gibson's exclusive interview with Governor Palin
Eyewitness News Reporters John North and Leslie Miller contributed to this report.
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