Hmmmmm.....she has the audacity to stand up before a congregation and actually say that God has a plan?
Is that the best they can come up with? This is taking on an absurdity that is almost beyond belief

Sent by jmellett | 9:43 PM ET | 09-02-2008

This sounds a lot like the Blues Brothers ("We're on a mission from God!") The problem is that it's the hubris implied in the message that our invading a country on trumped up charges is the will of the Almighty.

Sent by Randy | 9:49 PM ET | 09-02-2008

Well, it's right up Bush's alley--the idea that the Christian God and the U.S. are somehow in cahoots. It's this kind of arrogance that got us into Iraq in the first place. Does God have a nationality?

Sent by L. Howe | 9:53 PM ET | 09-02-2008

It isn't that praying to God for guidance is what should be criticized. It's the audacity that all too often, far too many leaders of men commit to their worldly, and secularly-motivated purposes first, then praying to God for moral justification second. Moreover, we Americans do not own a monopoly of godly understanding, certainly less a political party.

Sent by B Cassels | 9:59 PM ET | 09-02-2008

It's not audacity to say God has a plan, it is audacity to pretend like you and all those who agree with you are the only ones who could understand that plan properly. That's the presumptuous double talk that got us into Iraq when Bin Laden was in Afgahistan.

Sent by Bill Giss | 10:07 PM ET | 09-02-2008

What we have to remember is that the Republicans do actually believe that only they know God well enough to know his plan. Having a belief in a God that one can go to and ask for guidance and strength is everyone's right.

Sent by DHartman | 10:29 PM ET | 09-02-2008

I typically vote Republican, and probably will in this presidential race, but previous comments by Cassels (9:59 PM ET) and Giss (10:07 PM ET)on 09-02 are correct.

Sent by Jim | 10:46 PM ET | 09-02-2008

Is it God's plan that America rule the world?
Military is Monetary and there is no money in Peace

Religious people scare me!

Sent by Boyd | 10:50 PM ET | 09-02-2008

Divide 'em up.

Sent by Lucy Fur | 10:59 PM ET | 09-02-2008

Its true, there is almost no difference between Mrs. Palin's comment and Barak's mentor and campaign surrogate father Michael Pfleger:

"I also believe that America is the greatest sin against God."

In April 2004, Barack Obama told a reporter from the Chicago Sun-Times that he had three spiritual mentors or counselors: Jeremiah Wright, James Meeks, and Father Michael Pfleger--for a change of pace, a white Catholic preacher who has a close personal feeling for the man he calls (as does Obama) Minister Farrakhan.

He was a prominent early endorser of Obama's successful 2004 Senate campaign, as well as his unsuccessful 2000 challenge to U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush.

He helped set Barack Obama's "moral compass" for 22 years -- which is longer than Obama has known Wright.

In September, the Obama campaign brought Pfleger to Iowa to host one of several interfaith forums for the campaign. Pfleger has given money to Obama's campaigns and Obama as a state legislator directed at least $225,000 towards social programs at St. Sabina's, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Sent by ROA | 11:16 PM ET | 09-02-2008

Unbelievable! I can't even respond, I have so many thoughts going through my head. What's next?

Sent by Steve | 11:23 PM ET | 09-02-2008

I'm not even sure I know how to parse what she said. I could read this as praying that we are hoping that our leaders have sent our troops to war on a righteous (moral) mission. That's pretty standard.

Or I could go on and think she is expressing doubts in the Bush administration. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan." In other words, I pray that there is a plan that I can't yet see and that the way the war is unfolding is consonant with God's long term plan.

OR I could read this and say she is advocating national policy based on spiritual revelation.

Overall, I'm not sure what she is saying. Given that, I can't say I think it's damning overall.

Sent by Nancy | 11:27 PM ET | 09-02-2008

Seems pretty unremarkable to me. When one believes in God such a sentiment is perfectly natural.

Its essentially hoping that some good comes out of the whole thing. (God being good)

Get a grip.

Sent by RageKage | 11:39 PM ET | 09-02-2008

I am sickened and terrified that Presidential nominee McCain would place the country in such danger as to name Palin as his V.P. It shows both his and her lack of care and judgment for our country. We do not not need a clueless V.P. and possible President in these times today. McCain certainly demonstrated his poor judgment for his own political agenda versus the needs of our country. Sound familiar. McBush! And the sacrilegious use of God for selfish ends too!!

Sent by Mary Ruthenburg | 12:02 AM ET | 09-03-2008

I have no problem with praying for the safety of our soldiers, but what I find offensive is Palin's assertion that this is God's task and plan. That sounds a little bit like Osama bin Laden's world view. According to some, God's plan was to ethinically cleanse their countries or start the Crusades. Who are we to say as mere humans that we even understand God's scope, power, and plans, etc.? This woman should not in the White House.

Sent by Aimee | 12:10 AM ET | 09-03-2008

"We are operating on a plan, and that plan is god's plan" Though Ms Palin uttered those words as a hope only, they echo the words of innumerable demogogues, tyrants and conquerors. How much easier it is to wreak havoc, abandon scruples and destroy when doing so in accordance with "god's plan". They are ignorant words which permit much evil.

Sent by dan kelly | 12:34 AM ET | 09-03-2008

I appreciate what I saw and read on the web page of Gov Sarah Palin. I heard on
NPR today they are concerned about her "Pentecostalism". I say "Amen" to
her religious back ground and her leadrship skills seem to be what we need
in D.C. I'm looking forward to hearing her speach at the GOP convention. mf

Sent by M.F,B, | 12:37 AM ET | 09-03-2008

We are witnessing the decay of the Great American Civilization. No, it is not because of McCain's VP pick. But the reaction of our society to the pick shows the absolute inability of our society to be respectful of people who do not exactly agree with each other. The spirit of America is dying and the leaders of our two party system are directly responsible. It just keeps getting worse and neither Obama or McCain represent any change as evidenced by their inability to reign in the extremists of their parties. What a farce.

Sent by Joe | 12:47 AM ET | 09-03-2008

In response to Nancy (11:27pm):
I agree with your first parsing: "praying that we are hoping that our leaders have sent our troops to war on a righteous (moral) mission." Or, more in her own words, "Pray that our national leaders are sending our military men and women out on a task that is from God." Nothing too exciting there. It's merely a version of the "Lord, may what we do be pleasing in your sight" prayer.

Now, the end of the quote, "Pray... that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan" isn't as clear to me. Are we to pray that our plan exists (I don't know how it couldn't) and that it aligns with God's?

Either way, I don't see how this quote is asserting that what we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan is God's task and plan. She's just saying that it should be our goal.

Sent by Dan | 12:55 AM ET | 09-03-2008

This is nothing more than common religious speak from any of the tens of thousands of conservative protestant denomination churches you could find in any state across the country. She's simply asking for guidance and wisdom for our leaders. Not really that scary...

Sent by Craig | 12:56 AM ET | 09-03-2008

I'm not shocked by the quote. What's more shocking is that someone of such limited experience could be so close to being president. Surely, Obama also lacks McCain's lengthy political career, but he at least has an understanding of both national and foreign affairs, having served for three years on senate committees: Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works, Veterans' Affairs, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He was also a law professor for twelve years. Palin was a sportscaster.

Sent by GM | 1:15 AM ET | 09-03-2008

Drip, Drip, Drip...

Sent by reggie | 1:47 AM ET | 09-03-2008

I think it is that scary. Any leader in executive office (or any for that matter) represents a great number of diverse citizens. Claiming to know what "God's plan" is means that her actions as an elected official are largely guided by her belief in a holy plan rather than a belief in fair, unbiased civic service.

Sent by James S | 2:12 AM ET | 09-03-2008

jmellett: at the TOP:
Palin can definitely say that and more about God in front of a congregation, but take that stuff out of the White House: we don't need another Prez or VP with "God's Plan" for solitary guidance. We've had 8 years of it now. You obviously like the past 8 years: you and the people in that convention center in St. Paul, that's all.

Sent by Jim | 2:16 AM ET | 09-03-2008

Relax people. That little pharse hardly worse fussing about. She was being nice-ish... or trying to. No need to over analyse misworded, but obviously well-intended speeches. I'm not Republican, but hating on people and twisting thier innocent words isn't so cool. This is why half of us are dying of heart attacks. Do some yoga, have a drink, take a breath.

Sent by Miranda | 2:28 AM ET | 09-03-2008

Not that scary? This is the same spirit that sent the First Crusade out in the 11th century. Is she raising some doubt that America's "plan," whatever it is, is indeed "God's plan"? Is that why she urges the congregation to pray that whatever the plan is we're following, it is from God? I think she's voicing doubts.

Sent by Harry | 2:46 AM ET | 09-03-2008

Quite apart from her ludicrously inadequate experience, every day it becomes clearer that Palin is yet another throwback to our national dark side -- a successor to the traditions of massacring natives, trading slaves, burning witches, slandering innocents (a la McCarthy/Nixon), starting pointless wars, etc. and ad nauseum. The current form of this trait features, per usual, thumping the Bible and waving the flag, plus the contemporary refinement of threatening to waggle a fetus. Ridding the body politic of troglodytes like Palin is precisely the change that multitudes thirst for, not tinkering with the margins of a corrupt and badly broken "system" that increasingly serves only the greedy and crazy.

Sent by John Gilmore | 3:04 AM ET | 09-03-2008

Palin now takes the position that only a Personnel Board of her own appointees can investigate her potential abuse of power in the firing of her the Public Safety Commissioner who was pressured twenty times to fire her ex brother-in-law from the State Police once he divorced her sister.

It's not the crime, it's the cover up. Just ask the Bush Justice Department.

Sent by Drew Sedrel | 4:44 AM ET | 09-03-2008

In a way this prayer echoes the collective words of some great Americans I know of - "In God We Trust" - In my view a prayer such as this is neither right or wrong, it just is. Intelligent people will see through these attacks just as they saw through the Reverend Wright association attacks. I personally hope that whoever is elected will include prayer as a part of their spiritual life. Whether they choose to pray in a community church or in private should be their choice. Please NPR, let's get on with discussing the issues of how to best run the federal government.

Sent by Christopher Hayes | 4:48 AM ET | 09-03-2008

"...the arrogance of power, the tendency of great nations to equate power with virtue and major responsibilities with a universal mission." J. William Fulbright

I thought this quote summaries a point we all need to remember.

Sent by Stephanie | 6:36 AM ET | 09-03-2008

Someone who prays that our leaders are acting in a godly way? Oh no...what is the world coming to...? Gimme a break. That isn't anything that will convince me - one of those fence sitters - that there's something wrong with her. I welcome a candidate who has this sort of paltry thing as dirt.

Sent by Shannon | 7:46 AM ET | 09-03-2008

You liberals are so sad.............this compares to Wright?????? Are you all idiots ???? Are you so intent on bashing this women that you will say and do anything. I feel sorry for you and your pathetically small brains.

Sent by Terry | 9:16 AM ET | 09-03-2008

Plenty of haters here

Sent by Riley | 2:59 PM ET | 09-03-2008

To suggest that God and war goes together, hand in hand, is Christian? READ YOUR BIBLE PEOPLE, READ YOUR Damn BIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sent by Pamela A. Hairston | 3:02 PM ET | 09-03-2008

I am not a Palin supporter, but this is an example of the kind of deliberate misinterpretation that has become de rigeur for this campaign. No, Sarah Palin did not say that our actions in Iraq are God's plan. She asked that people pray for them to be so. In other words, she expressed a desire that our leaders and military be led by God. One can infer, as I do, that she meant to express wishes for a righteous and merciful outcome. But it's so much juicier to pretend she was proclaiming our government's divine mandate and moral superiority, right? Just like it's fun to believe Obama called Palin a pig. Welcome to Infotainment, folks.

Sent by Bronwen Green | 9:58 PM ET | 09-11-2008

I REALLY, REALLY don't understand all the fuss about what Sarah Palin was praying for. As a Christian, we all pray seeking God's Will in every situation. Not knowing what that may be, but praying that we do God's will and follow his plan. Loosen up people! What are you so worried about? Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Frankline D. Roosevelt all prayed (and asked in public) for God's will, God's plan in times of crisis. I think it's time for all religious-fearing liberals to sit down, shut up, and listen to what God's plan is for you!

Sent by Joel | 11:05 PM ET | 09-11-2008

Pelosi: "A leader that God has blessed us with at this time." about Obama. But that's ok, right? What is the problem that radical Liberals have reading problems? The quote is saying she HOPES THERE IS A PLAN THAT IS A RIGHT MINDED PLAN. Not unlike a Buddhist philosophy.

But you already knew that, and are determined to replace a decent person with an empty suit, racist Marxist.

Sent by cindy | 3:15 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Lincoln's words about God's plan were from his second inaugural address, in which he expressed America's need for slavery and its punishment for "offenses" in regards to slavery being part of God's plan in a speech that ended with: "Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said 'the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'"

I wish people like Pamela, Stephanie, and John (above) could recall that it is "bible thumping" people like Lincoln and those that believe in a divine plan who shed blood to end slavery, approved suffrage for women and minorities, and sent their sons overseas to stop the Nazis and Communism. Don't put your flag down to follow these know-nothings, or you'll end up at a multicultural head chopping party. E Pluribus Unum.

Sent by Digging For Fire | 3:07 PM ET | 09-22-2008

Why can't God have a plan? I think Palin is right to say that. She spoke with Charlie Gibson and quoted Abraham lincoln that it wasn't that we wanted God to be on our side, but that we are on His side. I find it scary when those who will not acknowledge God.

Sent by Jean | 10:14 PM ET | 09-22-2008