Palin stumbles on questions

Washington - Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin underlined her opposition to abortion in a televised interview on Wednesday, but stumbled on questions about the US Supreme Court.

Asked why she thought the Supreme Court decision legalising abortion in 1973 was a bad decision, she replied: "I think it should be a states' issue not a federal government-mandated (issue)."

"Also though, it's no secret that I'm pro-life, that I believe in a culture of life is very important for this country. Personally that's what I would like to see further embraced by America."

The Supreme Court decision is known as Roe versus Wade, one of the most controversial cases in US history. It legalised abortion on the basis that a woman had a right to privacy under the 14th Amendment to the US constitution.

Asked if the constitution afforded the right to privacy, the legal cornerstone of Roe versus Wade, she appeared to contradict herself. "I do. Yeah, I do," she replied.

She was then asked if there were other Supreme Court decisions she disagreed with. After a long pause, she was unable to name any.

"Well, let's see ... there have been rulings, that's never going to be absolute consensus by every American," she said.

The 44-year-old mother of five was little known nationally until she burst onto the political scene when Republican presidential candidate John McCain chose her as his running mate in late August.

In recent days she has faced widespread ridicule for the few interviews she has granted, which have included gaffes and have often shown her lost for words when faced with tough questioning.

She is to face her more experienced Democratic rival Joseph Biden in a live debate on Thursday.

- AFP