Governor Palin Dodges the Question

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

Running Hewlett Packard Not a Job for Sarah Palin

Carly Fiorina, the former chief executive officer of Hewlett Packard, is a staunch Republican. She has campaigned for Senator McCain vigorously. And, undoubtedly, she is supporting the McCain / Palin ticket. However, a bit of damage control will be needed as a result of her comments:

“…KTRS in St. Louis, Missouri, scheduled the interview with her this morning with host McGraw Milhaven, who asks Fiorina if she thinks Palin has enough experience to run Hewlett Packard.

“No, I don’t,” said Fiorina. “But you know what? That’s not what she’s running for. Running a corporation is a different set of things.”

link: Carly Fiorina: Palin doesn’t have enough experience to run HP

Ms Fiorina will review the fine art of not-giving-a-direct-answer.

Catherine Forsythe

Poor Charlie Gibson Will Be Crushed - Either Way

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