ABC News President David Westin told TelevisionWeek the reasoning behind the choice of Charles Gibson to interview Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. He attributed the decision to “Rick Davis or Steve Schmidt,” both senior members of Sen. John McCain’s campaign staff, saying, “I think it’s because Charlie has spent almost an entire career in covering politics, from being a junior correspondent at the White House and then on Capitol Hill before he went to ‘Good Morning America.’ He loves politics. I know from talking to newsmakers that they value being interviewed by Charlie—whether he is being probing or not—they enjoy the experience because he’s a true professional.”
—Hillary Atkin