Despite confirmation that Sarah Palin will be on Charlie Gibson's ABC show for her first interview since she was named VP nominee, the McCain camp lashed out at the media and said Palin wouldn't be talking to anyone until they can behave themselves. "Behave themselves" being code for "not mentioning anything about her children," apparently:
On Fox, (campaign manager Rick) Davis said that Palin would agree to an interview "when we think it's time and when she feels comfortable doing it." He also said she is "not scared to answer questions."
"Why would we want to throw Sarah Palin into a cycle of piranhas called the news media that have nothing better to ask questions about than her personal life and her children?" Davis said, adding: "Until . . . we feel like the news media is going to treat her with some level of respect and deference, I think it would be foolhardy to put her out into that kind of environment."
This is a clever campaign trick that has the potential to backfire all up in the GOP's wrinkly faces.
Palin was the only politico on a ticket not to appear on a network talk-show yesterday, though last week she was probably the most talked about. By keeping Palin out of reach from reporters' prying mics, McCain can argue this lack of media respect thing without the candidate ever being forced to prove that she knows anything about politics, national security, the economy, or moose.
So far the only thing the public knows about Sarah Palin is that she hates the media, and is some sort of canine cosmetology analogy. But refusing to give interviews can quickly turn any leftover sympathy that NBC (or, say, Fox News) might have for her into cynical questioning of her competency. CNN's Campbell Brown showed this was the way when she brow-beat McCain surrogate Tucker Bounds into naming one good reason Palin should be VP (he couldn't).
Too bad Palin can't blame her lack of foreign policy experience on the media's obsession with daughter Bristol's pregnancy. Yes, it's a nod toward sexism that the first woman on the ticket is getting bombarded with questions about her motherly abilities, rather than her politician wherewithal. But so far no one knows anything about the resources she's got on tap, or what to expect from a Palin administration if McCain is elected and then dies in office.
Interviews that don't involve stump speeches or teleprompters would be the best way for the ex-beauty queen to prove this election is not about her or her family's collective baby-making abilities. And it'd help if the person asking the questions didn't acquiesce, either.
Editorial Director
Behave themselves?? They're falling lockstep behind the RNC playbook and praising this frighteningly unqualified woman to the hilt! MSNBC online had a big picture of her on their "front page" on an ATV with a 'story' about her as an outdoorswoman. Are you 'fing kidding me? With all the problems that we have in this country we're focused on how spunky she is?? It's like Iraq all over again - the press is taking the RNC talking points and spitting them back as news. Madness.
Campbell Brown is a serious journalist and she should be reckoned with! Boy is she tough when talking over people, repeating the question over and over again while interrupting the attempt at the answer! Why doesn't the media do a timeline as to when Gov. Palin's daughter actually conceived her child! That way the media can get a blow by blow of the event and can determine how Palin will be a VP based on this useless information. While they're at it ask Joe Biden HOW MANY hair plugs he has implanted on his skull and do (the implants) impact his ability to be a good VP. Jossip writers are morons.
The media is once again rolling over and playing dead and letting the Republicans piss all over them just like they did during the run up to the Iraq war. They are all but useless now.
the hyprocracy of the republican party is amazing. obama had every single thing thrown at him–and he was fair game to the fear mongers. like it or not, palin's daughter's pregnancy is also fair game–it is directly linked to her stand on sex education–ABSTINANCE. she can't govern 5 at home but can be a heartbeat away from leading the nation? this gimmick is sure to backfire if she makes it to the white house. isn't bush proof that a spunky personality is a hollow reason to elect some one?
leesa, time to put down thr crack pipe, sweetie. "Obama had every single thing thrown at him…"?
Huh? When exactly did that happen? The media has done nothing but fellate Obama for the last 6 months.
You kniow your country is full of morons when a journalist asks a question and the knucklehead "spokeperson" can't answer. Then whines that the Journalist is picking on him..
The spokesWhore in question is Tucker Bounds. The uneducated village idiot that is McCain & Palin's mouth piece. Now all the other clowns are following suit.
This country is going to the dogs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....23082.html
No. 2 ILoveAmerica says:
Campbell Brown is a serious journalist and she should be reckoned with! Boy is she tough when talking over people, repeating the question over and over again while interrupting the attempt at the answer!
If she added being smug, self-righteous, sanctimonious, condescending, egomaniacal and hypocritical to her journalistic repertoire she'd be almost on par with the Fox News golden boy O'Reilly. Or would that be Hannity? Or Morris. Oh heck, insert any Fox News anchor’s or analyst’s name. Dare to dream big Brown!
Slutty Chola Cobbler: typical unhinged, hate-filled, spittle-speckling liberal.
Needs more cowbell, Slutty.
I sure this is the approach she will take with the PMs of Iran & Russia. I can't wait!
Hey Snoop Diggity whatever you sound like you`re the one on crack - anyone with a half a brain can see through the thin veil of whats going on - this is all about ratings for the media and the media is the only one left who can effectively vet Palin and, the media is failing the American people in the most blatant and miserable way possible, by not properly vetting Sarah Palin. For you to say Obama hasn`t been properly vetted shows you are out of touch with the facts: Obama has been slandered on his faith, his not being American enough, his wife`s love of her country, his experience, his leadership qualities, whether he is an alien from outer space planning to take over the planet and anything else the fear mongering GOP`s can think of - now you`re going to spew some nonsense about fellatio - get a grip-grow a brain. If Sarah Palin was put to an iota of the litmus test that Obama has endured she would evapourate…the McCain camp knows this but you people are too stupid to realize when the wool is being pulled over your eyes. When you are shivering in the dark because he`s squandered away your money on war and the rest of the world won`t give you the sweat off their balls maybe then you will say maybe we should`ve given Obama a chance… It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that McCain picked her as VP, in keeping with his political strategy, McCain does not care about women`s equality or bringing the cretins in the Republican Party into the 21st century. McCain only cares about being elected president so that he can wage more wars and secure American oil interests in the moment. John McCain is adept in gunboat diplomacy and is another term of Bush, he will drill to his hearts content and give you what you want in the moment… but what about the future, what about the children. What kind of world do they inherit. If we are unwilling to make some sacrifices in cleaning up the wreckage of the past then how do we get to the future.
Campbell Brown needs to get on the View, or ET.
Brown, Maddow, Brzetski, and others are hostile and dripping venom, from their jealousy of Palin.
Mike-you are truly insane!The women you named are the only ones with the courage to speak up about the McSame/Snow Bunny show and show it for what it is! Can't think of any male except Keith Olbermann with balls enough to ask the tough questions and demand answers! I love Mia and Rachel although I don't know how Mika can stand working with Joe Scarborough.
In order to get respect you must first give it; her performance at the convention was utterly disrespectul, sarcastic, and immature. Why should she be treated any differently than anyone else? I think this is reverse discrimination on the part of Rove and his boys and they are playing the American public in the same manner as they did in '00 and '04. Let's get back to the issues and quit hiding behind Rovain tactics. The voters deserve much better than this and should demand it.
God Bless Campbell Brown, and others like her who challenge those that try to bullshit the American public simply because they can. You need only take a look at some of the comments on this site which are representative of our general public, and tell me that the American public doesn't need a champion, or two!
Sara has more executive experience than Mcain, obama,and biden COMBINED!do you agree?IF not your mother raised a fool!Obama is the LEAST qualified canidate in history!Sara Palin is the HOTTEST canidate in history!Obama sat in the senate for one year and all he did was vote present every time.Oh yea then he has ran for president ever since.The facts speak for her.Obama is a white man hating,baby killing,comunity organizor from da hood,muslim worshiping,bastard child,and talks a good line of crap!
You must live in a vacuum if think the media doesn't have a liberal bias. They are extremely condescending and vindictive. If you ask someone why they are voting for Obama-there is a very good chance they will say "for change"…then they won't have the ability to back it up with any substantive. Hollywood and the media are creating rumors and attacking Palin, not on the issues that actually matter but regarding personal and family matters. Although, does anyone REALLY give a s**t what Hollywood thinks? The liberals want a nanny state in the US and want people like me who have worked since 16 to create a good income and life for myself-to pay for it all. Palin is the ONLY REAL candidate in this race who has an inkling of what normal people are challenged with on a daily basis. She has the integrity we need in a leader.
Ummmmm wow. I like Palin, I think she's honest and true and I think the only way she could get her kids to do exactly what she wanted to do is keep them home under lock and key. You raise your children and they do as they please period. They either hang onto what you teach them or they don't. The media has only come at Obama for his muslim faith, why not, they are the reason this war started anyway. It may not be continuing because of Bin Laden but it started. And didn't a Hussein just get put to death for all of his horrible acts and we're going to vote someone who was named after him into office! Sometimes our freedom bites us in the hindquarters. Democrats want money Republicans want money, Democrats raise taxes, everytime they get into office they raise taxes. Most people can't afford to pay their bills and yet taxes are raised once again. Hollywood is stupid. They should stick to making movies which by the way for some strange reason, during this economic down fall has anyone noticed they're still making movies and actors are still making millions. Like Reece Witherspoon, $28 mil/movie. I don't see her out there hurting or being threatened of losing her home. I'm glad her kids have a warm bed to sleep in at night. It's pathetic and Osama Bin Laden said he will destroy the United States from the inside out….HMMM