It is well know what Governor Palin thinks of the MSM (main stream media). It seems that she has a unique perspective on internet bloggers too. Governor Palin said that bloggers are:
It is seventeen days from election day, November 4th. Is it possible that Governor Palin will stand for election with Senator John McCain without ever having has a full fledge news conference with the national / international media? If Governor Palin can achieve that, it would be absolutely unprecedented. She will have done what no other vice presidential candidate has managed - to run for the election for the second highest office in the country while not having one single news conference.
Governor Palin has had some one-on-one interviews with television news people, like Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric. There is a scheduled appearance by Governor Palin on Saturday Night Live. However, there is no hint of a open news conference where the media can ask questions and have Governor Palin’s answers clarified by follow-up questions.
Will the American people go to vote on November 4th with one of the candidates for Vice President never having faced open policy questions from the national media? Governor Palin is on a record setting pace to do just that.
Catherine Forsythe
I wanted Governor Palin to do well in her debate. I wanted her to represent women well, with a firm grasp of the ideas. I wanted to hear her vision of a McCain / Palin administration. My expectations were much too high.
Governor Palin set her agenda. Her appearance for a debate with Senator Biden was not a discourse of ideas. It was simply a performance and demonstrated that Governor Palin has good recall of the talking points. It is not a debate when Governor Palin unabashedly states:
“…And I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I’m going to talk straight to the American people and let them know my track record also…”
It is not an exercise in exchanging ideas or defending political platforms. The so-called debate becomes a performance of canned bits of dialogue. The moderator cannot surprise with unexpected question if there is no intent in answering. No follow up is necessary. The agenda is to repeat the prepared points - and repeat catch phrases that are suppose to resonate. Say words like “maverick”, “reform” and toss in some folksy phrases like “doggone it” to show that here is a real person.
It may come as a surprise to Governor Palin that I do not want my neighbour to be Vice President or President. My next door neighbour and her family are terrific. She has the common sense to know that she could not hold the second highest office in the United States. - It is a sham to pass off this performance as a debate. It was theatre - and it could have been performed by any of a multitude of theatre students, without the excessive winking and inappropriate smiling.
It is disingenuous and it is insulting to the American people, whether Democrat or Republican. That was an insult to women. We can be better than that. And eventually, Governor Palin will have a real news conference where she will have to answer questions from journalists. These journalists will have follow-up questions. It will not be possible to hide behind canned, prepared material. It is sad that it will have to reach that level of public embarrassment.
Catherine Forsythe
Perhaps it is unsettling sitting across from Katie Couric and answering her questions. Ms Couric seems pleasant enough. Nevertheless, Ms Couric presents an interview with Governor Sarah Palin that is completely baffling. In response to Ms Couric’s question on whether she agreed or disagreed with Roe v. Wade, Governor Palin replied:
“…”Hmmm.” - “Well, let’s see. There’s, of course in the great history of America there have been rulings, that’s never going to be absolute consensus by every American. And there are those issues, again, like Roe v. Wade, where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So you know, going through the history of America, there would be others but…”
Governor Palin opposes Roe v. Wade. However, she also states that she believes in the right of privacy, as an inherent right granted in the Constitution. Those two positions are fundamentally opposite. The 1973 Supreme Court decision established there was a Constitutional right to abortion. The basis of that decision is the right to privacy.
It is confusing, then, how Governor Palin can be opposed to the Roe v. Wade decision and, at the same time, support the right of privacy. It would have been informative if Ms Couric had asked how it is possible for Governor Palin to hold two opposing views - and advocate for both. Governor Palin may have bewildered Ms Couric.
Catherine Forsythe
In a segment with Katie Couric, Governor Sarah Palin was asked what publications she reads. This seems like a soft question and one which Governor Palin could use to her advantage. Nevertheless, Governor Palin dodged the question:
“Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin repeatedly failed to cite a newspaper or magazine when asked what she had read regularly before John McCain picked her as his running mate, saying only that she had read “most of them.”
link: Palin doesn’t specify where she gets her news
It is baffling why Governor Palin would avoid the question. She further could have cited the publication that she dislikes because of their editorial bias. It was a missed opportunity.
Catherine Forsythe
This has to be the most disturbing minute and twenty eight seconds of video. I apologize for the brief commercial segment at the beginning. However, this clip is important:
link: Foreign Policy
In all sincerity, can anyone explain how this candidate could be placed in a position to become the next President of the United States?
Catherine Forsythe
Governor Palin’s use of Yahoo email has been discussed in the press. It seems that hackers may have compromised the security of the Governor Palin’s Yahoo account:
“WASHINGTON — Hackers broke into the Yahoo! e-mail account that Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin used for official business as Alaska’s governor, revealing as evidence a few inconsequential personal messages she has received since John McCain selected her as his running mate.”
link: Hackers target Palin’s e-mail account, post screenshots
The details of how Governor Palin’s account may have been compromised were not revealed. However, Yahoo now has the attention of the Secret Service.
Catherine Forsythe
In case you missed it, here is a YouTube clip of Tina Fey opening Saturday Night Live as Governor Palin:
link: September 13th, 2008 - Saturday Night Live
Ms Fey has a wonderful ear. She is almost pitch-perfect.
Catherine
***”This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by NBC Universal”
***Since NBC forced YouTube to remove the video, here is the transcript of the sketch.
***
An NBC transcript of “SNL’s” opening sketch:
FEY AS PALIN: “Good evening, my fellow Americans. I was so excited when I was told Senator Clinton and I would be addressing you tonight.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “And I was told I would be addressing you alone.”
FEY AS PALIN: “Now I know it must be a little bit strange for all of you to see the two of us together. What with me being John McCain’s running mate.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “And me being a fervent supporter of Senator Barack Obama — as evidenced by this button.”
FEY AS PALIN: “But tonight we are crossing party lines to address the now very ugly role that sexism is playing in the campaign.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “An issue which I am frankly surprised to hear people suddenly care about.”
FEY AS PALIN: “You know, Hillary and I don’t agree on everything…”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: (OVERLAPPING) “Anything. I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.”
FEY AS PALIN: “And I can see Russia from my house.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “I believe global warming is caused by man.”
FEY AS PALIN: “And I believe it’s just God hugging us closer.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “I don’t agree with the Bush Doctrine.”
FEY AS PALIN: “I don’t know what that is.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “But Sarah, one thing we can agree on is that sexism can never be allowed to permeate an American election.”
FEY AS PALIN: “So please, stop photoshopping my head on sexy bikini pictures.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “And stop saying I have cankles.”
FEY AS PALIN: “Don’t refer to me as a ‘MILF.’”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “And don’t refer to me as a [flurge]. I Googled what it stands for and I do not like it.”
FEY AS PALIN: “So we ask reporters and commentators, stop using words that diminish us, like ‘pretty,’ ‘attractive,’ ‘beautiful.’”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “‘Harpy,’ ’shrew’ and ‘boner shrinker.’”
FEY AS PALIN: “While our politics may differ, my friend and I are both very tough ladies. You know it reminds me of a joke we tell in Alaska…”What’s the difference…
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “Lipstick.”
FEY AS PALIN: “…between a hockey mom…”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “Lipstick.”
FEY AS PALIN: “…and a pitbull?”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “Lipstick.”
FEY AS PALIN(AFTER A BEAT): “Lipstick. Just look at how far we’ve come. Hillary Clinton, who came so close to the White House. And me, Sarah Palin, who is even closer. Can you believe it, Hillary?”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: (AFTER A PAUSE)”I can not.”
FEY AS PALIN: “It’s truly amazing and I think women everywhere can agree, that no matter your politics, it’s time for a woman to make it to the White House.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “No. Mine! It’s supposed to be mine! I need to say something. I didn’t want a woman to be President. I wanted to be President and I just happen to be a woman. And I don’t want to hear you compare your road to the White House to my road to the White House. I scratched and clawed through mud and barbed wire and you just glided in on a dog sled wearing your pageant sash and your Tina Fey glasses.”
FEY AS PALIN:
“What an amazing time we live in. To think that just two years ago, I was a small town mayor of Alaska’s crystal meth capitol. And now I am just one heartbeat away from being President of the United States. It just goes to show that anyone can be President.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “Anyone.”
FEY AS PALIN: “All you have to do is want it.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: (LAUGHS) “Yeah, you know, Sarah, looking back, if I could change one thing, I should have wanted it more.” (RIPS OFF PIECE OF PODIUM)
FEY AS PALIN: “So in the next six weeks, I invite the media to be vigilant for sexist behavior.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “Although it is never sexist to question female politicians credentials. Please ask this one about dinosaurs. So I invite the media to grow a pair. And if you can’t, I will lend you mine.”
FEY AS PALIN: And as we say in Alaska…
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “We say it everywhere…”
FEY/POEHLER: “Live from New York, It’s Saturday Night!!!
Charlie Gibson knows. He is an experienced news journalist and his television network has landed the most sought-after interview of the 2008 elections. Charlie Gibson will have the first campaign interview with Governor Sarah Palin. And Charlie Gibson knows that this is not going to go well. Either half the country - or perhaps the whole country - will not like his conversation with Governor Palin.
The Democrats are hoping that Mr Gibson asks the questions that will test Governor Palin’s knowledge and skills. In doing so, Mr Gibson could appear to be the media bully. Senator McCain’s campaign already has cited issues with the main stream media. Intensive follow-up questions and requests for detailed clarification will be mentioned as evidence of media bias. The experience will be brought forth as one of the prime reasons why Governor Palin will be protected from a hostile media. Blame Charlie Gibson.
The Republicans are hoping that Charlie Gibson recognizes the historical significance of the interview. Governor Palin will be answering questions for the very first time as a vice presidential nominee. This is also a nominee who is sending her son to war. Mr Gibson could ask the questions that have been anticipated and for which answers / talking points have been prepared. It could be an interview during which Governor Palin reiterates prepared answers and the interview can be cited as a reference point. The interview will be characterized as ’soft’ journalism. The critics will be quick to cite the questions that should have been asked and follow-up questions that would have tested Governor Palin. And, of course, Charlie Gibson will be blamed.
One might think that the ‘middle of the road’ approach is the safest and the most expedient. Unfortunately, that approach will garner criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. From a journalistic perspective, it will be interesting to see how Mr Gibson, a seasoned television interviewer, navigates this most delicate matter. He may keep in mind the old axiom that ‘no good deed goes unpunished‘. No matter how the interview goes, Mr Gibson will be the target of enormous criticism. Mr Gibson’s peers are preparing already.
Catherine Forsythe
Thanks to the readers of this DogReader space who have sent me this link of Governor Sarah Palin. This is a sports cast, supposedly from 1988:
link: Governor Sarah Palin
It seems that, on that night, the Knicks lost. And the Clippers lost. Some things just don’t change that much.
Catherine
