| | Palin mocks: Obama regrets not picking Hillary now
 Sarah Palin, running mate of Republican presidential nominee John McCain, says she believes Democratic candidate Barack Obama is rueing his decision to pass on Hillary Clinton as his choice for veep.
"I think he's regretting not picking her now, I do," the Alaska governor told Charlie Gibson in the last portion of an exclusive interview series with ABC News. "What, what determination, and grit, and even grace through some tough shots that were fired her way -- she handled those well."
Sen. Obama (D-IL) chose Delaware senator Joe Biden after a long and contentious battle with Sen. Clinton (D-NY) for the Democratic nod which resulted in hard feelings between the camps that are still being smoothed over.
In the interview, airing tonight, Palin also praised Rep. Geraldine Ferraro, a Clinton ally who famously criticized the Obama campaign during the primaries.
Clinton, notes ABC's Russell Goldman, "has been reluctant to criticize Palin" as the presidential race enters its final weeks. "We should all be proud of Governor Sarah Palin's historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Senator McCain," wrote Clinton after Palin made her national debut as McCain's choice of VP. "While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Governor Palin will add an important new voice to the debate."
Yet a key supporter of both Clinton and Obama, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), had this reaction to Palin's comments: "Sarah Palin should spare us the phony sentiment and respect. Governor Palin accused Senator Clinton of whining and John McCain laughed when a questioner referred to her by using a demeaning expletive. John McCain and Sarah Palin represent no meaningful change, just the same failed policies and same divisive, demeaning politics that has devastated the middle class."
Elsewhere in Palin's interview with Gibson, she addresses her involvement in the "Bridge to Nowhere" fiscal fiasco that has gained steam recently in the press. Palin "withdrew support of the bridge slated to be built with $398 million in federal funds to a small island with 50 residents," Goldman notes, "after the project became synonymous with wasteful government earmarks."
Palin told Gibson that "she never fought for the bridge but was instead in favor of money used to improve Alaska's infrastructure." Goldman reports that Alaska "still received the federal funds even though the bridge project was nixed."
Roe v. Wade was also addressed, with Palin, a staunch pro-lifer, saying she feels the landmark Supreme Court decision should be reversed with the power to decide on the issue being returned to the states. "I do respect other people's opinion on this," she said, but "a culture of life is best for America." When Gibson asked about abortion in cases of rape and incest, Palin replied that it was her "personal opinion" that abortion should only be permitted if the life of the mother was in danger.
Media reaction to Palin's interview series has been unflattering, with the Associated Press noting her lack of understanding of Bush administration foreign policy and The New York Times calling her performance "strained."
Robert Schlesinger of U.S. News & World Report quipped, "We know she can memorize the talking points, but does she understand them?"
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