Palin's ABC comments on Russia misrepresented in new smear-Palin did NOT say that she would attack Russia

Some Democrats and their allies in the liberal media and leftist blogosphere have begun to spin a new smear against Sarah Palin on the basis of comments made in an interview with Charlie Gibson on ABC.
This interview was laced with booby traps.

In the interview Palin stressed her support for Georgian membership of NATO. Barack Obama and Joe Biden also support Georgian membership of NATO. Now it is important to bear in mind that NATO policy, states that an armed attack against one or more of the Allies in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. Obama and Biden obviously agree with this.
GIBSON: "And under the NATO treaty, wouldn't we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?
PALIN: PERHAPS SO. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help."

It is important to consider Palin's words carefully here. Her reply is nuanced. She holds to NATO policy. However she uses the words PERHAPS SO. This is the mark of a skilful politician. She did not state that she favoured an attack on Russia. She left open the possibility. She has wriggle room. The word "Perhaps" according to Websters dictionary means any of the following: possibly but not certainly, maybe or something open to doubt.
If she had not held to NATO policy she would have given Russia the green light to attack NATO countries such as Poland. Russia has already threatened Poland.

Russia respects tough opponents. Russia will not risk adventurism if it knows the likely consequences. It will risk adventurism if it detects weakness. Sarah Palin did not say she would go to war with Russia. She said PERHAPS SO. JFK adopted the same policy. Remember Cuban Missile Crisis.
In the interview also:
PALIN: "We cannot repeat the Cold War. We are thankful that, under Reagan, we won the Cold War, without a shot fired, also. We've learned lessons from that in our relationship with Russia, previously the Soviet Union.
We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it's in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along. "

Democrat smear merchants omitted these comments.

She clearly has a strong grasp of foreign policy detail and has the pragmatism to accompany it.