Palin: Press "looking for that 'gotcha moment'"
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had a message Sunday for Rand Paul and other tea party or libertarian candidates this fall - never trust the press.
"There's certainly a double standard at play here," the 208 Republican vice presidential nominee said on "Fox News Sunday".
"One thing that we can learn in this lesson, that I have learned and Rand Paul has learned now, is don't assume that you can assume in a hypothetical discussion about constitutional impacts with a reporter or media personality who has an agenda, who may be prejudiced before they even get in the interview in regards to what your answer may be or the opportunity that they seize to getch ya," she said. "They're looking for that 'gotcha moment.' That's what it evidently appears to be what they did with Rand Paul."
Paul, who upset the Republican establishment candidate to win the GOP Senate nomination in Kentucky on Tuesday, caused a national controversy last week when he suggested that the 1964 Civil Rights Act and prohibitions against racial discrimination should not always be applied to private businesses or organizations. Paul later backed away from those comments.
Later, Palin ducked a question on whether she would run for president in 2012, but said she would be heavily engaged in this fall's midterm elections.
"I'm gonna keep out there, hearing from people who desire a less intrusive government in our businesses, in our lives, in our family matters, " Palin told Fox News' Chris Wallace. "It's a fun gig. It's a great thing to get to do to be able to get across the country with the my family, meeting these awesome Americans who are quite concerned about our country."
On her presidential ambitions, Palin said her decision on whether to seek the presidency really wasn't about her.
"It's not being about me or what I want or what I predict is gonna happen," Palin said. "It comes down to what the voters of America are in the mood for. If the voters of America are in the mood for an unconventional candidate, an honest public servant - and it doesn't necessarily have to be me - they'll let that be known, and they'll propel and push that candidate forward, and that candidate will make the decision to run or not. Don't know if that's gonna be me, Chris."
