Proximity Quotes
Misquoted. Comedian Tina Fey, while impersonating Ms. Palin on Saturday Night Live, uttered this line that is now widely attributed to the former Alaska governor. The basis for this line comes from a Sept. 11, 2008 interview with ABC News's Charles Gibson, who asked Palin what insights she had from her state being so close to Russia. She responded: "They're our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska." This is true. On a clear day, those on the Alaskan island of Little Diomede can see the Russian island of Big Diomede, some two and a half miles away. There are other points in Alaska where you can see Russia on a clear day.
The discussion was about Nelson Mandela.
George W. Bush had become very unpopular and many politicians were trying to distance themselves from him, his policies, and the poor implementation of those policies. Senator Joseph Lieberman, a Democrat, had just lost his own primary election and was attacked because he advocated support of the American president in war and foreign policy.
