Why did Katie Couric edit Sarah Palin's answer down to, "You know, you can see Russia from Alaska", from......?

• "Well, Alaska's geographic position makes our relations with Pacific Rim countries a great strategic import, and we're the air crossroads of the world. Russian bombers often play cat and mouse with our Air Force near Alaska's airspace. I have dealt with Canadian officials on a weekly basis and have signed agreements with them concerning everything from security to salmon fishing, and, of course, NAFTA has significantly affected our economy." "The melting polar sea ice has created new trade routes, but has also created great security threats to North America. Alaska routinely takes on Japanese and Russian fishing trawlers that want to ravage our ocean floor. There is a delicate balancing act required to manage and responsibly develop our abundant wildlife resources." "The Chinese and Russian energy companies had both sought access to, and possibly control of, our natural gas resources. These countries were staking their own resource claims in Arctic waters while the U.S. sat on its hands. Alaska contributes a great deal to the US economy and it has the potential to help the nation reduce its dependence on foreign energy sources." "You know, you can see Russia from Alaska."

• Answer:

  WARNING: the surgeon general has established that facts make liberals heads explode!!!