Palin finally agrees to first tv interview.
By on Sep 7th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Palin finally agrees to first tv interview.
Under intense criticism for refusing to talk to the media, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) “is offering her first televised interview to ABC News in the coming week in Alaska.” The campaign said that an interview “was offered to ABC’s Charlie Gibson several days ago and that they expect it to happen in the latter part of the week in Alaska.”
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Wanna bet she shows up in a hooded parka, packing her moose gun?
September 7th, 2008 at 1:57 pmHey Charlie, please ask Sarah:
In your CSPAN interview, you characterized the Exxon Valdez spill as 11,000 gallons of fuel when it was 10.8 million gallons of crude oil. Was that an error or an energy company talking point?
I’d like to know the answer.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:59 pmCharlie’s questions…
Where do you get your hair done?
Isn’t Obama a dumb, stupid liberal?
God, Alaska’s beautiful, isn’t it?
Being so close to Russia, can you share your expertise on it?
Hey, did you see Obama the other day? The liberal commie doesn’t wear a flag pin.
I love the GOP, don’t you, Sarah? I hope you guys win.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:00 pmShocked that it isn’t on Faux News.
IMO, if the interview is “tough” (I doubt it will be) they use the “Liberal Media” BS…
September 7th, 2008 at 2:03 pm“An interview was offered” means what? Did they limit the scope of questioning? Did they require screening of questions?
A reporter might want to give up something in order to be first…
September 7th, 2008 at 2:05 pmCan you say: “fluff piece”?
September 7th, 2008 at 2:06 pmThey have succeeded in lowering the bar, now we are all suppose to be impressed that she is going to face a soft-ball interview with one of the rats at disney’s abc.
Just more pandering and manipulation.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:06 pmIt needs to be a press conference. Palin will get the questions beforehand.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:08 pmWill she be wired?
September 7th, 2008 at 2:08 pmThey should let Jake Tapper do the interview. Charlie will ask her how she gets the strength to withstand all the unfair barbs aimed at her.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:13 pmWill he be asking about her flag pin?
September 7th, 2008 at 2:17 pmwijg Says:
It needs to be a press conference. Palin will get the questions beforehand.
___________
Oh, nonsense… she will be in a “cone of silence”…
snark/off…
September 7th, 2008 at 2:18 pmhuh… this morning mcBUSH promised bob scheiffer an interview, when they were ready, or she is ready… something about 85 (?) appearances planned?
also, ed schultz is going to fairbanks for a townhall event next week, sept 13… said he was working with obama people to represent also… should be quite a kick.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:19 pmhttp://wegoted.com/
Oh Good. ABC – the one network that is in the pocket of the RNC. This should be interesting. If they ask her nothing but soft ball questions, the press is going to have a field day criticizing ABC. If they ask her real questions, the RNC is going to be pissed at ABC.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:19 pmStaged event is how I read this. I suspect ABC was given the questions they were to ask. If they stick to script, they’ll get another exclusive interview with Palin.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pmPalin finally agrees to first tv interview.
And the first dog-and-Palin show of the campaign…
September 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pmQuestion for Shara
When you shoot a moose do you go for the kill shot, or
September 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pmdo you just wing them so you can track them while they
bleed out?
katy Says:
something about 85 (?) appearances planned?
____________
I heard yesterday or Friday that McStain and “the lovely Sarah” are already out campaigning to the Party Line Faithful (read: hardcore delusional…).
Does the GOOP really intend to end run the electoral process? What are they telling their glassy-eyed followers in private they don’t want the rest of us to hear? I am ASTONISHED at the GOOPers gall here… trying to sell Ms Half-baked Alaska as “ready to step in when Johnny goes down” all whilst trying to keep the rest of us as far away from her as possible.
This goes beyond cynical and hints at a desperation that’s hard to fathom.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:33 pmHey Charlie, please ask Sarah:
Did you really refer to Obama as Sambo?
September 7th, 2008 at 2:34 pmAs reported by Charley James in the LA Progressive.
Will he ask her about how she constantly votes against the environment? Will he ask her about the high incidence of cancer rates, particularly among women in Alaska? Will he ask her if she thinks that aerial shooting of wolves is humane?
September 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pmNo, he’ll ask her about her family and how does she find time for family and politics and what impact is all this media attention having on her family. That’s what he’ll ask. There will not be any questions regarding foreign policies or about universal health care for Americans or the economy.
good one here:
[...]
Just remember the next time a politician tells you he’s not talking to the press, it’s not for your benefit. It’s for his. So when McCain and Palin expect you to cheer that they’re sticking it to the media, they’re really asking you to celebrate that they’re sticking it to you.
And here’s a roundup of some intriguing stories on Palin in light of my posts this week:
September 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm[...]
http://blog.mlive.com/capitolchronicles/2008/09/sarah_palin_learns_to_play_the.html
oh – the title:
Sarah Palin learns to play the victim
September 7th, 2008 at 2:37 pmTahut Says:
Staged event is how I read this. I suspect ABC was given the questions they were to ask. If they stick to script, they’ll get another exclusive interview with Palin.
I don’t know, ABC might just surprise us. After all the insults the McBush camp has thrown to the press, ABC might just decide to do the job they are there for. If they make it into a fluff piece, they are likely to be widely criticized for it by the MSM. Remember how badly they were criticized for their slanted Democratic debate?
September 7th, 2008 at 2:40 pmI feel sorry for Charlie. At this point in his career the Corporate media is going to make him hold his nose, grab his ankles, and take one for the team.
How about a press conference?
September 7th, 2008 at 2:42 pmExpect Gibson to ask her about her tiara.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:42 pmfrom a link at the article i posted above (really, you should check out the links there):
Reflections on Palin from a Christian in Wasilla
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008159242_webwasillamom04.html
September 7th, 2008 at 2:47 pmOh, goodie! The same Charlie Gibson that was 1/2 of THE WORST Presidential debate EVER?? The questions ought to be really insightful:) Thanks, Ms. Palin…chicken sh#%
September 7th, 2008 at 2:51 pmAn interview with ‘Charlie do you want to see my Nazi badge and fascist credentials papers to prove I’m a Republican lacky? Gibson…that one?
September 7th, 2008 at 2:54 pmI’m waiting for Charlie to be true to himself and move to Fox to replace Tony Snow.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:55 pmShe needs to be interviewed by Olbermann or Maddow.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:01 pmShe should appear in a bikini, since thats what many of the conservative men care about.
Gibson: [reading from http://www.pageant-tips.com/sample-pageant-interview-questions.html
1. What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life? Why?
2. At what point does a girl become a woman?
3. What do you think about the growing number of foreign investments in the United States?
4. Do you consider yourself to be a giver or a taker? Why?
September 7th, 2008 at 3:02 pmWonder why not Katie Couric on CBS. Maybe they thought a woman would be tougher on a woman. No doubt Charlie will tippy-toe on eggshells.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:07 pmABOUT SARAH PALIN
I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992. Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her
father was my child’s favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the
residents of the city.
She is enormously popular; in every way she’s like the most popular girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and won’t vote for her can’t quit smiling when talking about her because she is a ‘babe’.
It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents for seven months.
She is ‘pro-life’. She recently gave birth to a Down’s syndrome baby. There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby.
She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.
She is savvy. She doesn’t take positions; she just ‘puts things out there’ and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit. Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin’s kind of job is highly sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been anything like that of native Alaskans.
Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.
She’s smart.
Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000 (at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about 670,000 residents.
During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had
gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had given rise to a recall campaign.
Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a ‘fiscal conservative’. During her 6 years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation (1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they benefited residents.
The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration weren’t enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece of property that the City didn’t even have clear title to, that was still in litigation 7 yrs later–to the delight of the lawyers involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the community but a huge money pit, not the profit-generator she claimed it would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing.
While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office redecorated more than once.
These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.
As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state. In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today’s surplus, borrow for needs.
She’s not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren’t generated by her or her staff. Ideas weren’t evaluated on their merits, but on the basis of who proposed them.
While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin’s attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the Librarian are on her enemies list to this day.
Sarah complained about the ‘old boy’s club’ when she first ran for Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of ‘old boys’. Palin fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people, creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally grateful and fiercely loyal–loyal to the point of abusing their power to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the case of pressuring the State’s top cop (see below).
As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla’s Police Chief because he ‘intimidated’ her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska’s top cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure and she had every legal right to fire him, but it’s pretty clear that an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn’t fire her sister’s ex-husband, a State Trooper. Under investigation for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she later fired,pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew her support.
She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn’t like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness.
Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything publicly about her.
When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party) engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a gutsy fighter against the ‘old boys’ club’ when she dramatically quit, exposing this man’s ethics violations (for which he was fined).
As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the ‘bridge to nowhere’ after it became clear that it would be unwise not to.
As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative action restored most of these projects–which had been vetoed simply because she was not aware of their importance–but with the unobservant she had gained a reputation as ‘anti-pork’.
She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a fiscal
conservative.
Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah. They call her ‘Sarah Barracuda’ because of her unbridled ambition and predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made point guard on the high school basketball team.
When Sarah’s mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her.
As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package of legislation known as ‘AGIA’ that forced the oil companies to march to the beat of her drum.
Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to global warming. She campaigned ‘as a private citizen’ against a state initiaitive that would have either a) protected salmon streams from pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State’s lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior’s decision to list polar bears as threatened species.
McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a heartbeat away from being President. There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more knowledgeable and experienced than she.
However, there’s a lot of people who have underestimated her and are regretting it.
CLAIM VS FACT
- ‘Hockey mom’: true for a few years
- ‘PTA mom’: true years ago when her first-born was in elementary school, not since
- ‘NRA supporter’: absolutely true
- social conservative: mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships (said she did this because it was unconsitutional).
- pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to promote it.
- ‘Pro-life’: mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down’s syndrome baby BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life legislation
- ‘Experienced’: Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska. No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city administrator to run town of about 5,000.
- political maverick: not at all
- gutsy: absolutely!
- open & transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at explaining actions.
- has a developed philosophy of public policy: no
-’a Greenie’: no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling off-shore and in ANWR.
- fiscal conservative: not by my definition!
- pro-infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built streets to early 20th century standards.
- pro-tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden on residents
- pro-small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city government in Wasilla’s history.
- pro-labor/pro-union. No. Just because her husband works union doesn’t make her pro-labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim that she is pro-labor/pro-union.
WHY AM I WRITING THIS?
First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting programs in the schools. If you google my name (Anne Kilkenny + Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local government, education, and PTA/parent organizations.
Secondly, I’ve always operated in the belief that ‘Bad things happen when good people stay silent’. Few people know as much as I do because few have gone to as many City Council meetings.
Third, I am just a housewife. I don’t have a job she can bump me out of. I don’t belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely that this will cost me somehow in the future: that’s life.
Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100 or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah’s attempt at censorship.
Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to say anything because they were somehow vulnerable.
CAVEATS
I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in spending & taxation 2 years ago (when Palin was running for Governor) from information supplied to me by the Finance Director of the City of
Wasilla, and I can’t recall exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust for inflation? for population increases? Right now, it is impossible for a private person to get any info out of City Hall–they are swamped. So I can’t verify my numbers.
You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the population of Wasilla, ranging from my ‘about 5,000′, up to 9,000. The day Palin’s selection was announced a city official told me that the current population is about 7,000. The official 2000 census count was 5,460. I have used about 5,000 because Palin was Mayor from 1996 to 2002, and the city was growing rapidly in the mid-90’s.
Anne Kilkenny
September 7th, 2008 at 3:14 pmannekilkenny@hotmail.com
August 31, 2008
Why not The View…
September 7th, 2008 at 3:16 pmInteresting. Do I sense a split in the conservative movement?
September 7th, 2008 at 3:20 pmFigures. She grants a TV interview to the android, Charlie Gibson, but when is she going to grant a TV interview to a human journalist?
That Charlie Gibson model has been around forever. Unchanged from day one!
September 7th, 2008 at 3:22 pmSarah attended 5 colleges in 6 years. As for vetting, no top Republicans in Alaska were contacted by the GOP prior to McCain’s announcement.
There’s no need to vet a narrative. But there’s tremendous pressure to keep the fiction going…
September 7th, 2008 at 3:23 pmGood. And of course the repugs never said their condescending remarks, basically saying f-u United Stated citizens we will rehearse her first then, peons, only then, 29%er, you may see the queen. Then peons-29%ers you will agree with her for she is “spontaneous” and a woman. Damn repugs are funny as hell.
Oh hail the psyduo queen of the 29%er.
I never thought I would say this but I’m damn proud of Sen. Clinton.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:24 pmABC the mouse ridden neocon hideout with a RatKing doing the “interview”? I am betting the only question here is how well Palin remembers her script or the teleprompter prompts her.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:27 pmThe requirement that Gibson be the interviewer is a calculated one.
They want someone with as much of a political background as she has (ie: “very little”). And it also increase the chances it will be a Prime Time interview with more viewers.
We’ll see.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:30 pmDo you think they will follow this with a fake documentary that will tell us 9/11 was bill clinton’s fault?
September 7th, 2008 at 3:41 pmHoly crap, Alecto, that is one long post – wearing out my scroll wheel. Couldn’t you have just provided a linky?
September 7th, 2008 at 3:42 pmRumor is her nickname for hubby is Moose…? No…?
====
September 7th, 2008 at 3:43 pmAlecto@33:
I would thank you on a balance piece on palin but her childish behavior outdo any “semi-good” she’d done. It’s no way anyone can produce a balance piece on this clown.
But I do thank you for you piece.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:54 pmMugsy Says:
The requirement that Gibson be the interviewer is a calculated one.
They want someone with as much of a political background as she has (ie: “very little”). And it also increase the chances it will be a Prime Time interview with more viewers.
We’ll see.
Since palin believes she’s a “feminist” wouldn’t it be befitting for her to choose a female interviewer?
Lipstick Power! Bulldog Power!
She chose a man believing he will be so mesmerized by her “fineness.” HAHAHAHAHA
September 7th, 2008 at 3:59 pmIt will be interesting to see what questions Gibson will pose.
His past behavior in the primaries was detestable, but that was before the McCain campaign signalled their intention to use the “liberal media” as a punching bag. Watching Matthews today, all the pundits were dismissive of McCain’s pick, and referenced Palin’s anti-media speech as a loser political strategy for attracting independent voters.
While they did give McCain props for choosing an unconventional VP, they were unanimous in their opinion that she wasn’t qualified to be a heart-beat away from the presidency.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:03 pmI figured it would be FOX but hey ABC is probably the second biggest conservative propagandist outlet in this country.
Softballs every one.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:08 pmWhoever “interviews” Ms. Palin, it is just a matter of time before she lies. And, if she challenges any who are brave enough to call her on it? She’ll be toast.
I really think she is more dangerous to the GOP than she is to sen. Obama. Jebus/Palin/McSpin just isn’t looking like a good bet.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:15 pmI hope he doesn’t even mention the word “family,” let alone focus a single question on it.
Let it be entirely issues, issues, issues.
Since she’s been studying intensely, we’ll see what an accompplished student she is.
Please, ABC, not a single mention of “family.”
September 7th, 2008 at 4:25 pm….. ahhh, we’ll see what an “accomplished” student she is.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:26 pmToo much coffee. Too little editing. My apologies.
Too bad she’s being interviewed by someone on the Republican payroll. Gibson is as crooked as Tom DeLay.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm#33 Alecto Says:
WHY AM I WRITING THIS?
First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting programs in the schools. If you google my name (Anne Kilkenny + Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local government, education, and PTA/parent organizations.
Secondly, I’ve always operated in the belief that ‘Bad things happen when good people stay silent’. Few people know as much as I do because few have gone to as many City Council meetings.
Third, I am just a housewife. I don’t have a job she can bump me out of. I don’t belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely that this will cost me somehow in the future: that’s life.
Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100 or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah’s attempt at censorship.
Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to say anything because they were somehow vulnerable.
Maybe you should have put that paragraph in first…as quite frankly, I was beginning to think this was propaganda in favor of Sarah.
You said she knows how to keep a secret as she demonstrated hiding her pregnancy. I am not convinced she was pregnant with the fifth child and all this is beginning to remind me of a weird Lifetime for women movie.
The thought of Palin becoming the next VP under a McCain administration is extremely worrisome.
Yes.. she is probably likable to many, can deliver a speech written by bush’s speech writer even better than Bush with such venom, … but so far this is the only talent I see.
She does not want to interview with the press, therefore this shows she is EMPTY HEADED… she is of the RAPTURE READY crowd…she is for and enjoys Ariel shooting of animals… what a great choice to run this country if gramps buys the farm.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:42 pmOff message…Gallup has McCain 48% Obama 45%…not that I believe in polls all that much..just noting the change
September 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pmThere is no way in hell that Palin can claim that she is a feminist. Sorry, I’m not buying that about her.
September 7th, 2008 at 5:00 pmelectoral wise:
Obama 301 McCain 224 Ties 13
September 7th, 2008 at 5:06 pmWhat a travesty. I’ve got to say, other than over-stating the timeframe involved, Glenn Greenwald pretty much knocked this one out of the park.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/09/06/carney/
Here I quote:
“When they decide in a couple of weeks that Palin is ready to do so, she’ll go and sit down with Brit Hume or Larry King or Charlie Gibson or some other pleasant, accommodating person who plays a journalist on TV and have a nice, amiable, entertaining chat about topics that are easily anticipated. Having been preceded by all sorts of campaign drama about her first interview and the excitement that she’s not up to the task, her TV appearance will be widely touted, score big ratings, and will be nice entertainment for the network that presents it. It will achieve many things. Undermining propaganda isn’t one of them.”
(My emphasis.)
September 7th, 2008 at 5:07 pmHAHAHAHA….BRAIN DEAD CHARLIE GIBSON? THAT SHOULD BE A DOG AND P0NY SHOW OF HARD HITTING FLAG LAPEL PIN QUESTIONS
September 7th, 2008 at 5:21 pmWhat I find telling about the comments sections of various blogs, papers, and web sites is the total lack of moderate voices who say, “I may have been leaning Obama but she changed my mind”.
The ONLY supportive comments have come from people would have voted Rep anyway, plus a few who may have voted third party because, help us Jebus, McSpin and the GOP are “too librul”.
And I haven’t seen many outside the Right hand fringe of the Reichwing who don’t question her qualifications and McSpin’s judgment for taking such a risk. But, then again, these are the same Reckless Radicals whose only regret is that Chimpy hasn’t nuked anyone, yet.
September 7th, 2008 at 5:21 pm#55…
Obama is up in North Dakota (barely, but it’s weak Dem)? Holy s***.
September 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pmMeanwhile…
Flippy McSpin says: “Joe!. Who’s that chick? Is she my wife”?
September 7th, 2008 at 5:26 pmJoe: “No, she’s not your wife”.
Flippy: “Is she my daughter”?
Joe: “No.”
Flippy: “Am I doing her”?
Joe: “No”.
Flippy: “Then get the Trollop off my effing bus”.
I assume the only way ABC/Gibson got this exclusive is because they agreed to provide the questions in advance and granted the McCain campaign final editing rights.
I’ll be curious to see if Gibson asks her about increasing taxses on capital gains since that one issue seemed most important to him during the Obama/Clinton debacle, er, I mean debate.
Remember, ABC was the outfit who brought us “Path to 9/11″ which depicted that American tragedy as Clinton’s fault.
I’m guessing that Chris Wallace was tougher than usual this morning because he/FOX didn’t get the first interview.
None of us should be focusing on Palin. She is just the GOP’s latest “bright shiny object” attracting attention. I’m reminded of the movie “Disclosure” and encourage all to focus on the real problem, not the interim distraction.
PEACE
September 7th, 2008 at 5:36 pm#33
September 7th, 2008 at 5:38 pmShe is runing for vice presidency with a candidate who is pro WAR. Concile that with the pro-life instance! Her party stole two elections and lie to the country and to the world about the reason to invade and occupy Iraq and Afegahnistan. Remember WMD? Mushroom clouds? Her party destroyed the geneva convention and practice Torture! Under their watch, 9/11 happened (and to me that was an inside job!).
Check this out…I think that the Alaskan Gov. Debate from 2006 on CSPAN tonight at 6:30EST..
September 7th, 2008 at 5:48 pmWill Charles bring his large duffelbag for all the softballs he’ll bring?
September 7th, 2008 at 6:31 pmNo question about it – Gibson belongs on Fox.
September 7th, 2008 at 6:39 pmJust for the record, here is the list of books Palin tried to ban from the Wasilla Public Library:
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
September 7th, 2008 at 7:03 pmA Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Blubber by Judy Blume
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Canterbury Tales by Chaucer
Carrie by Stephen King
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Christine by Stephen King
Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Cujo by Stephen King
Curses, Hexes, and Spells by Daniel Cohen Daddy’s Roommate by Michael
Willhoite
Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Peck
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Decameron by Boccaccio
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Fallen Angels by Walter Myers
Fanny Hill (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure) by John Cleland Flowers For
Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Forever by Judy Blume
Grendel by John Champlin Gardner
Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and
the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Prizoner of
Azkaban by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K.
Rowling Have to Go by Robert Munsch
Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman How to Eat Fried Worms by
Thomas Rockwell Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Impressions edited by
Jack Booth
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
It’s Okay if You Don’t Love Me by Norma Klein James and the Giant Peach
by Roald Dahl
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Little Red Riding Hood by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Lord of the Flies by
William Golding
Love is One of the Choices by Norma Klein Lysistrata by Aristophanes
More Scary Stories in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz My Brother Sam Is Dead
by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
My House by Nikki Giovanni
My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara
Night Chills by Dean Koontz
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
One Day in The Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn One
Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey One Hundred Years of Solitude
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Ordinary People by Judith Guest
Our Bodies, Ourselves by Boston Women’s Health Collective Prince of
Tides by Pat Conroy
Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones by Alvin Schwartz Scary
Stories in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz Separate Peace by John Knowles
Silas Marner by George Eliot
Slaughterhouse- Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar
Rice Burroughs The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain The
Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain The Bastard by John Jakes
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Devil’s Alternative by Frederick Forsyth The Figure in the Shadows
by John Bellairs The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson The Handmaid’s Tale by
Margaret Atwood
The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Snyder
The Learning Tree by Gordon Parks
The Living Bible by William C. Bower
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare The New Teenage Body Book
by Kathy McCoy and Charles Wibbelsman The Pigman by Paul Zindel
The Seduction of Peter S. by Lawrence Sanders The Shining by Stephen
King
The Witches by Roald Dahl
The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Snyder
Then Again, Maybe I Won’t by Judy Blume
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary by the Merriam-Webster
Editorial Staff
Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween
Symbols by Edna Barth
To Fixate on Sarah Palin, without Understanding her TRUE role in this election , could be a costly Mistake.
All Democrats Would Do Well to Read This .
http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/7/75712/01778/66/589788
From AndrewMC’s diary:
“whatever else that Veep pick has done, it has derailed our central message, causing us to lose focus, lose message, and send ourselves into a potentially downward spiral from which we might not recover.
Follow me.”
September 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pmTalked to Charlie Gibson several days ago, my ass. They set this up after being pummeled today. Can this campaign issue a single statement that does not contain at least one blatant lie?
September 7th, 2008 at 7:10 pmTawdry Says:
Wonder why not Katie Couric on CBS. Maybe they thought a woman would be tougher on a woman. No doubt Charlie will tippy-toe on eggshells.
For some strange reason the right is now calling Katie Couric a “liberal” so she is poison to them. Funny thing, if Katie Couric is a “liberal” it is a recent conversion because all I can remember her doing is carrying water for the Republicans.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:13 pmBrain From Planet Arous Says:
Just for the record, here is the list of books Palin tried to ban from the Wasilla Public Library:
If she had her way, the only book that would be in the library would be the bible.
This woman is a real nutcase. I am starting to get worried.
Come on Democrats, show the public who Sarah Palin really is, because the “liberal” media isn’t going to do it for us.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:14 pmPalin as VP is a sure way to completely derail McCain’s chances. Whoever is pulling the strings (telecoms, Military, Israel, Oil, Pharmaceuticals, all of the above), knows that McCain/Palin would not be good for business, as you would want the populace lulled into a false sense of security. A Fundamentalist Pig/Pitbull with lipstick and a deranged POW does not give any sense of security, but, an ass-kisser and a Zionist War-Monger does, and that is the new face we should be getting used to.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:15 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
If she had her way, the only book that would be in the library would be the bible.
This woman is a real nutcase. I am starting to get worried.
Come on Democrats, show the public who Sarah Palin really is, because the “liberal” media isn’t going to do it for us.
Bilbo, I too am worried, and the Obama-Biden side as you can see, has me concerned, though not quite as much. If the F*****g bible disappeared, I would not care in the least. What concerns me about Obama and Biden is their loyalties, FISA, stopping Scott Ritter, Rave Act, and the bold face lies on the Russia-Georgia conflict. We will have better social conditions, but I still think there will be war and surveillance.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pmCharlie is a rightwing tool. The debate he and Snuffleupaguss
September 7th, 2008 at 7:37 pmmoderated was a disgrace and they both should be ashamed.
By putting her on ABC, the campaign believes it will have more credibility than if it were on Fox, but will the public be fooled? Again??
I don’t think Charlie can give a good interview, but we’ll see won’t we.
Had Enough
September 7th, 2008 at 7:39 pmThere is no doubt in my mind that Palin is a redneck in a parka.
I just did a Google search of Terry Schiavo +John McCain, to see what showed up…you know, just curious.
I found a June 19, 2005 transcript from Meet The Press, with Tim Russert interviewing John McCain over a whole slew of issues, including the Schiavo controversy.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8245636/
Global warming.
Stem cell research.
Iraq War.
Roe vs. Wade.
His being a member of Gang of 14.
Immigration.
His maybe running for president in 2008.
His age.
His recurring cancer.
Actually, Tim Russert conducted a fairly good interview.
It is interesting, though, to hear McCain talking over three years ago about issues and then to see him today, especially after he chose Plain…er, Palin as his running mate, with her hardcore religious views and anti-global warming stance.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:50 pmAlecto #33
September 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pmThanks for that. I have sent it on to a few others.
I doubt Charlie Gibson will be allowed to ask Tonya-Harding with-a-makeover-and-scriptwriter about the upcoming conference at her chosen house of worship that calls them to “pray away the gay.”
Folks, I can’t make this stuff up – I keep expecting Bruce Villanch to step out from behind the curtain and tell us all that he’s been scripting this as a big yank…but, alas…no.
Link to the story about their plans to convert teh gays via prayer? Here ya go.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pmOh, and I agree with you Marie.
The ABC producers are all Republican tools, so ABC is the “perfect” Republican choice, but hardly represents anything good for our country.
Obama appeared on O’Reilly.
Until Gov. Plain…er, Palin appears on Countdown with Keith Olbermann or on Rachel Maddow’s new show, then she’ll just be a pretender to the throne, unwilling to go face-to-face with someone who will ask tough, but honest, questions, challenging her on her policy stances, but in a respectful manner.
If she is afraid to do an interview with “the enemy” in the U.S. news media, then how can she be expected to go toe-to-toe with world leaders, some of whom are actually the real “enemy.”
September 7th, 2008 at 7:57 pm#71
Is that list true??
If it is, that is outrageous.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:15 pmdbadass Says:
Why not The View…
Tawdry Says:
Wonder why not Katie Couric on CBS. Maybe they thought a woman would be tougher on a woman. No doubt Charlie will tippy-toe on eggshells.
may have been pointed out already, but i must pipe in here…
it HAS to be a man… she is a flirt, a “babe”…
those woman would have her exposed in a few quick easy steps…
September 7th, 2008 at 8:30 pmwell, they would if allowed… barbara! it has to be her…
she has the clout AND ability – and nothing really to lose…
maybe?
A great spot:
Mudflats
Tiptoeing Through the Muck of Alaskan Politics
http://mudflats.wordpress.com/
September 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm“Hello America. I’m Charlie Shallow, here in the typical American living room of charming, amazing, maverick mom Sarah Shallow, so you can see for yourself how wonderful she is. And for balance, we’ll give her plenty of time to respond to those outlandish criticisms of her on the liberal blogs. Well, Sarah, I’m sure glad to see that you are wearing a flag lapel pin. Could you tell us about your down home patriotism?”
September 7th, 2008 at 8:49 pmi had a good experience this evening…
after spending the day with my righty family (the dittohead has a new sticker, a small oval “mccain… like a whisper… replaced the “i stand behind president george w. bush” rectangle. heh)…
i’m in the checkout lane with a few groceries, and the lady ahead of me, while her husband was doing the purchase, was looking at the tabloids, lifted one up to read the bottom and dropped it back down… i glanced at and noticed 3 different magazines with palin on the cover, and even saw the word “lies” in one headline…
i’m guessing this couple to be mid-late 60s… and i took a chance, saying to the lady:
“ain’t she just so cute?! too bad she’s such a liar!”
and this woman turned to me, and she was so happy to hear that and then asked if i’d read it yet and started telling me about the story in the chicago paper today (which?) and we had a fun little chat about what a hoot this palin woman is…
never saw her before, and i’m sure she was passing through (definitely a chicAgo accent), but it was great the way we cheered each other up…
and then i turned to the checker – “are you going to vote?”, and she smiles, says “yes” and i said, “good! hope you do the right thing” and she asked, “what’s the right thing?”
“OBAMA!” and she smiled big and said, “oh i know!”
being on a roll, i let the guy behind me know how i felt (tho i think he was aware) about the cute little LIAR on the magazine covers… he didn’t seem to appreciate it…
quit while you’re ahead, i said to self…
but i planted that seed.
and left with a big smile…
September 7th, 2008 at 9:08 pmMarie Says:
#71
Is that list true??
If it is, that is outrageous.
Marie, I tracked it down, and the only discrepancy could be some of the Harry Potter’s, but seems to come from the library’s meeting minutes. This is a “hit list” for all Fanatical Religious Crackpots. Remember the Beatles record burning? Well, I sure do, and perhaps the Inquisitors are making their last gasp at Burning Witches.
I simply want Israel, Pharmaceuticals, Oil, Telecoms, banks, and the military out of the public’s financing through corporate welfare. Let private companies finance these corporations and our taxes go towards helping ourselves instead of Dick Cheney and War Profiteers. And BTW, I am not letting Ted Kennedy off the hook. He was attempting to basically eliminate small herb and vitamin companies, and toss patents back to the Pharmaceuticals. I keep saying, the Deocrats are other breed of corporate stooges, this time with a friendly “carrot” approach. Until we get true Constitutional Antiwar people in, we will see no big overall change. What will Democrats do when Obama starts spying on Republicans and even Libertarians? Will we complain, or will we play the same game the Republicans have? Time will tell.
September 7th, 2008 at 9:21 pm#33 sounds a lot like the LA Progressive article by Charlie James, like someone didn’t give someone credit:
http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/09/05/alaskans-speak-in-a-frightened-whisper-palin-is-%E2%80%9Cracist-sexist-vindictive-and-mean%E2%80%9D/
Brain From Planet Arous, what is your source for that list of books? Cujo? Really?
September 7th, 2008 at 9:21 pmI don’t think that following up on Palin is being “distracted”. Historically, the choice of VP and influence on the official platform are the “practice decisions” made by the candidates. They are viewed as a “what will he do when he’s in the Oval Office” opportunity. And they can define an entire candidacy.
I don’t think any impartial observer could say that McSpin has not bombed on both decisions. He has either forgotten he once used to, at least, talk about moderate views or, he wasn’t even consulted on these defining decisions.
September 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pmFor all the scrutiny the repugs are gleefully applying to anything related to the Democratic party, I want to know when the media is going to focus on Palin’s bizarro-world church, in addition to her bizarro-world separatist sect that wants to see Alaska secede from the Union, and its headmaster declared that John Birchers are too liberal, and he himself won’t be buried under the damn United States flag.
Can you imagine the reaction if a Democrat running for office were attached to these kind of weirdos?
So far, the msm has been quite silent; people don’t know of these way-out-there people who inhabit Palin’s world.
September 7th, 2008 at 9:27 pmAnd I should have given “had enough” credit for sending me to the LA Progressive article.
September 7th, 2008 at 9:30 pmMcCain doesn’t care what would happen if he died in office. He ‘ll check the box on his bucket list –
September 7th, 2008 at 9:36 pmPresident, check
it’s not Country First
From his autobiography:
“I didn’t decide to run for president to start a national crusade for the political reforms I believed in or to run a campaign as if it were some grand act of patriotism. In truth, I wanted to be president because it had become my ambition to be president. ”
So it’s all just an ego trip for McCain. He’ll run with the scary Alaska Firecracker if it helps him win. Once he’s in office, he’ll get bored and delegate everything, just the way the current lazy boy does it. If Armageddon Sarah takes over, he won’t be around to see it.
Brain From Planet Arous Says:
Just for the record, here is the list of books Palin tried to ban from the Wasilla Public Library:
This list is not correct. The Harry Potter books alone include at least two that were published after Palin left office.
Please, let’s keep focused on the real problem, McCain. Everything else is a distraction, and that distraction is by design.
PEACE
September 7th, 2008 at 9:59 pmWhat is Gibson’s background as a questioner? As I recall, he moderated one of the Presidential debates and he let it get out of hand.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:21 pmCharlie Gibson!?
Softball interview for sure.
**eyes rolling**
September 7th, 2008 at 10:28 pmCharlie Gibson won’t be tossing softballs to Palin. He’ll be tossing marshmallows. He is one of the rich celebrity “journalists” that is wedded to the status quo. His handling of the Obama-Clinton debate with his accomplice in that travesty, Stephanpolus, speaks volumes to his bias. He also indicated during a debate in New Hampshire that college professors would stand to lose if Bush’s tax cuts were not renewed because professors make over $100,000. You could hear the groans from the audience, many of whom were surely professors. He is out of touch if not out to lunch.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:46 pmHow will we know that she doesn’t have a “bug” in her ear with someone (leiberman? He’s so good at that..worked wonders for McCain)telling her what to say?? Crap. I never used to be this cynical.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:52 pmCharlie Gibson is a fluffer for the Republican Party.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:52 pmIf that list of books is correct, forget about Harry Potter, she is a dangerous Nazi FOOL. Shakespear? Chaucer? Brave New World Of Mice and Men? TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? This is some of the great literature every written. It is more than shocking it is unfathomable.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:26 pmEugeneDebs Says:
If that list of books is correct, forget about Harry Potter, she is a dangerous Nazi FOOL. Shakespear? Chaucer? Brave New World Of Mice and Men? TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? This is some of the great literature every written. It is more than shocking it is unfathomable.
Not if you live on Bizarro World.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:50 pmThis list keeps changing. Some sources give the complete list, and others say she never tried to ban. There is an awful lot of damage control on this Palin.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:55 pmThere really is only one question to be asked. “What makes you qualified to be Commander-in-Chief, in case you are required to serve in that capacity?” At which point Charlie should simply fold his hands and sit in his chair until they run out of tape. If she’s a credible public official, she’ll be raring for the opportunity. If not, then we have out answer.
And, no, I don’t imagine he’ll do anything of the kind.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:25 amHere’s a link to the books Palin attempted to ban. I can’t find the site where I originally saw the list (4), but I believe this to be accurate.
http://www.lostbrain.com/images/Banned.pdf
September 8th, 2008 at 2:43 amI haven’t had time to read all of the comments, so this might be repetitious: I’m not so interested in the questions Gibson will ask because we KNOW
September 8th, 2008 at 3:32 amSorry, slip of my clumsy fingers.
I haven’t had time to read all of the comments, so this might be repetitious: I’m not so interested in the questions Gibson will ask because we KNOW that his questions will be innocuous. What I would like to know is what the McCain campaign will tell Gibson is absolutely off limits. Years ago, I used to have a radio show where I interviewed authors – all different kinds, from William F. Buckley to The Sweet Potato Queens and I can tell you that most book promoters gave me a list of “suggested” questions. I never really paid any attention to the list. The upshot was: many authors said (on air) “Good question, but, you know, nobody’s ever asked that before, and I’ve been on the promotion tour for four weeks now.”
If Gibson gets a “suggested questions” list and says “thanks, but no thanks,” he will definitely garner some harsh words – from his network execs. In other words, he CAN’T ask any pithy questions. ABC won’t let him. And if he does manage to sneak some in, they will be edited out.
God, I wish I could get a copy of those “ask, but don’t ask” items. I would be choice.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:47 ambarfly Says:
Palin finally agrees to first tv interview.
And the first dog-and-Palin show of the campaign…
Shouldn’t that be:
… pitbull and Palin….
?
September 8th, 2008 at 8:12 amHere’s ABC’s chance to redeem themselves in part for their misleading reports shortly after 9-11 that helped erroneously tie Iraq to the anthrax letters, for which they have not to this day cleared up by revealing their “well-placed sources” for those fabricated stories.
If they ask as much as one tough, important question, I will be surprised. It’ll be softball practice for point guard Sarah Barracuda, as many of us expect.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:39 amHome game! Larry King and Chris Wallace will not like this one bit…
September 8th, 2008 at 4:38 pmShe’s running for VP of the entire US. What’s she doing holed up in Alaska?
How many votes is she going to pull up there? Or has McCain already called her dirty names and she ran home to hide from him?
September 8th, 2008 at 5:59 pm