CNN Running Two Weekend Specials On The Would-Be Veeps: Biden Interviewed, Palin Not
Not that you needed it, but here's more on the extraordinary lengths the McCain campaign is going to in order to protect Sarah Palin from genuine media scrutiny.
This coming Saturday night, CNN is running two big programs by the network's special investigations unit, one on each of the vice-presidential candidates, a network spokesperson says. Only one of the two is getting interviewed. Biden, yes; Palin, no.
This is from CNN's description of the Biden special, sent over by the spokesperson:
CNN special investigations unit correspondent Abbie Boudreau interviews the candidate who would be VP, his confidants, family members and challengers to report on the events that have shaped the life and career of Joe Biden.
In Biden's case, the "candidate who would be VP" sat for an interview. Meanwhile, this is from CNN's description of the Palin special:
CNN special investigations unit correspondent Drew Griffin interviews family members, friends, colleagues and critics in reports from Alaska on the events that have shaped the life and rise of Sarah Palin.
No Palin, obviously. What's particularly interesting here is that CNN got access to her family members and friends, which suggests that the McCain campaign and/or Palin were willing to cooperate all the way up to the point where she would have to answer a single question. It was okay to allow her family members to face questioning. Just not her.
Sincere apologies in advance for using this cliche, but it does apply: If Palin can't face a CNN reporter, how can she stand up to the porkers in Congress, not to say Hugo Chavez, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Al Qaeda?
That cliche certainly applies.
Furthermore, can we talk about sexism? By not allowing Palin to actually be interviewed by anyone other than lapdog Charlie, the McCain campaign is projecting the unspoken idea that this woman needs protection. They're demeaning her intellect, her ideas, and her understanding of the world by shielding her from "tough questions".
Taking a giant step back, if you ask me.
September 11, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
definitely a step back. And the fact that she can't even be treated the same way as a guy is even more sexist.
McCain Having Hard Time Without Palin
September 11, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reporters might ask her disrespectful questions. We could never have that.
By the way I love what Joe Klein did today. Instead of focusing on lipstick or any of the other crap the McCain campaign is dishing, he spent his column looking at McCain's health care plan. If Americans ever woke up to what he is proposing he would never be elected.
Tell Josh thanks for pointing me to Klein's column. I wish more pundits would follow suit.
September 11, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was having a similar thought on McCain's Social Security Privatization scam. Nothing would turn seniors off of McCain faster than knowing he's trying to pull the same crap that Bush tried to pull.
September 11, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think, in addition to emphasizing the health care tax of McCain and the privatization plans of McCain, that the Obama campaign should create a web site that people can enter their income and get an estimate of how much their taxes will decrease under Obama.
Some diarist at Kos linked to such a site, but I can't find it right now. It would emphasize in straightforward pocketbook terms how much McCain will cost taxpayers.
September 11, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
i agree. i think something like this would be very smart to be proactive on an issue without seeming defensive.
they could even run an ad where the main theme is: "tax breaks for middle class families". then you hit mccain hard on his "tax breaks for oil companies and the extremely wealthy".
September 11, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ask and ye shall recieve.
http://www.obamataxcut.com
September 11, 2008 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Dems should come out with an ad counting by the hour how long its been since Palin was nominated without doing an interview. Use the free media to get the bobbleheads talking.
Pufferfish
September 11, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Click here:
http://countemdown.blogspot.com/
September 11, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good stuff. Thanks.
September 11, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why not an ad with Palin saying she has no idea what the VP does day to day?
It's her own words on video -- there's nothing being taken out of context or that could be considered sexist and unfair -- and is so simple that the average voter who only pays attention to sound bytes and 30-second TV ads on MSM could see for themselves that see is not ready for this job.
September 11, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interviews by Sarah's friends and family: Bought and Paid for by mcShame!
September 11, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's going to end up being a PR piece for Palin. Just watch.
Along with Charlie Gibson's cuddly interview with her.
Why do I have the horrible feeling that a McCain/Palin administration will make me look back to the good old days of Bush/Cheney?
That's just too damn scary.
September 11, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Why do I have the horrible feeling that a McCain/Palin administration will make me look back to the good old days of Bush/Cheney?"
Because McCain's going to fire up the cold war again, then die, and leave it for Sarahbot to deal with.
September 11, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
i think this is a shrewd move by the mccain campaign. they control her narrative, they control what her life looks like to americans, and they control her exposure.
if media outlets were so concerned about her reluctance to actually answer questions, they would be putting "sarah palin clocks" on the screen to log how long she's refused to be interviewed. but, they're not that concerned, because they can still talk about her, and to people who know her- and to them, that might be good enough.
the obama campaign can't complain that sarah palin isn't being interviewed, they're best served by not bringing attention to her or repeating her name because of how much she has energized the base of her party.
or maybe the mccain campaign is using all this time to prep gov. palin for debate with sen. biden.
September 11, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love this quote:
"McCain, by the way, is the Republican nominee for president. You may remember him from the Sarah Palin convention in Minneapolis, where he gave a speech and was congratulated by Sarah Palin."
Great atricle - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/opinion/11collins.html?ex=1378872000&en=e4cda573c0ae30dd&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
--
Kevin B
I'm saying it now: President Barack H. Obama, Jr., 2009 - 2017
September 11, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeh, instead they'll show excerpts of ABC's interview of her and her son leaving for Iraq, as well as pictures of her newly born Downs Syndrome boy.
Family gal she is.
September 11, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's going to be horrible! Gibson will ask about the "lipstick on a pig" thing, and she'll be so wonderful about that.
It's all going to look like a Barbara Walters interview with Julia Roberts.
September 11, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Palin spoke people could critique her. But her family is speaking and we can't criticize them, they are off limits no matter what they say.
People need to step back, look at the situation, and see just how jacked up the republicans are acting with her! She has turned into this mythological creature that can't speak her own ideas but can be the president. What a puppet.
Her demand is high, supply is low. When that scale balances out it is going to sit heavy on a bubble and burst. There is no way she or McCain can keep this pace right now. She is a beloved figure for giving the same speech 8 times.
I say to you media, drill baby drill! DRILL BABY DRILL! We are gonna huff and puff and blow her house down! (Couldn't resist the big bad wolf and little piglet analogy)
September 11, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the Gibson interview is as much of a fluff piece as we think it will be, we should mail washcloths or kleenex tissues to Gibson at ABC HQ so he can wipe himself off after having his head so far up...
Along the same line it is a wonder that Kelly O'Donnell is still a red head given her "coverage" of McCain.
September 11, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ask and ye shall recieve.
http://www.obamataxcut.com
September 11, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
As Josh wrote last Sunday, just call it what it is: John McCain has chosen someone who he himself believes is unqualified to step in as President four months before taking office.
September 11, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wanna bet what the first words out of Gibson's mouth are?
I put my money on: "On behalf of the American press let me tell you how truly, deeply sorry I am for how we have treated you and your precious family. We are ashamed. Please forgive us."
Or something along those lines.
September 11, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
He won't go that far, but he'll ask about the treatment she's getting from the press so far--again, it's a set-up, she'll be so gracious and he'll eat it up.
This is what he'll say: "To get to know the real Sarah Palin you have to..." He'll be in coffee shops, meeting with members of the PTA, A ride with her in a jeep, looking at her husband's snowmobile, holding the new baby, etc.
She's going to come out this looking great. Gibson won't even realize that he was handled.
I wonder how many times we'll hear that she's "real"?
September 11, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
"How has your faith helped you cope with all the unfair and sexist attacks?"
September 11, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
And we all know how hard it is to get Joe Biden to talk . . .
:-P
September 11, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's because HE has nothing to hide and quite respectable knowledge and opinion on most subjects. Most great leaders are quite ready to talk - think about it. --- It's the ones like GWB hoard their words (with good reason!!)
Re: the "crush" on Sarah Palin. Look, the Republicans had a most-likely-losing candidate that they didn't even like and weren't enthused about --- then they get this 'nice package' with the only content being fully scripted by Karl Rove. What's not to like? And that is - still - all vthey know of her.
It's like that really good looking kid who transferred into your high school during junior year. You met him, he smiled nicely, you found out you were going to be sitting by him in some classes .... so you go home that night and your head is just FILLED with all the wit, charm, and good qualities (including his attraction to you) that YOU provide him with in your mind. ---- With a little real-life knowledge, of course, you learn that he taps his pencil irritatingly all though class, has a bitchy, no-brain girlfriend but wants to borrow your class notes; etc.
The only question, really, is whether McCain (and Rove, etc.) left the American people enough time in which to get to know her. Until SHE speaks, no one who thinks she looks good is really going to make up their mind ... although they may be filing away the information that is coming out now and be more willing to see flaws. That's the worst thing McCain has done: pick an unknown and then prevent her from becoming known. But - as with all things Rovian - it is based so solidly on the assumption that the voters are stupid and sheepish. And, since he's been so successful I guess that means ...................... sigh.
September 11, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's because HE has nothing to hide and quite respectable knowledge and opinion on most subjects. Most great leaders are quite ready to talk - think about it. --- It's the ones like GWB hoard their words (with good reason!!)
Re: the "crush" on Sarah Palin. Look, the Republicans had a most-likely-losing candidate that they didn't even like and weren't enthused about --- then they get this 'nice package' with the only content being fully scripted by Karl Rove. What's not to like? And that is - still - all vthey know of her.
It's like that really good looking kid who transferred into your high school during junior year. You met him, he smiled nicely, you found out you were going to be sitting by him in some classes .... so you go home that night and your head is just FILLED with all the wit, charm, and good qualities (including his attraction to you) that YOU provide him with in your mind. ---- With a little real-life knowledge, of course, you learn that he taps his pencil irritatingly all though class, has a bitchy, no-brain girlfriend but wants to borrow your class notes; etc.
The only question, really, is whether McCain (and Rove, etc.) left the American people enough time in which to get to know her. Until SHE speaks, no one who thinks she looks good is really going to make up their mind ... although they may be filing away the information that is coming out now and be more willing to see flaws. That's the worst thing McCain has done: pick an unknown and then prevent her from becoming known. But - as with all things Rovian - it is based so solidly on the assumption that the voters are stupid and sheepish. And, since he's been so successful I guess that means ...................... sigh.
September 11, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's a trophy running mate. She makes John McCain look good by being seen with him, as long as she doesn't have to say anything.
September 11, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, she makes McLimp look like second bananna standing by with his creepy vapid grin while she does the heavy lifting. Even better,
she makes him look downright impotent when he's on his own -- in front of a teeming throng of dozens.
After getting hooted off the stage in Philly, can he risk appearing without her?
...but can he risk NOT appearing without her?
LK
September 11, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain staffers have marched to K St.
By JEN DIMASCIO & SAMUEL LOEWENBERG | 9/11/08
John McCain has pledged that, if elected president, he would end the revolving-door practice of administration officials leaving office for lucrative lobbying jobs.
In an interview with Politico, the Republican senator from Arizona called lobbyists “birds of prey.” But, until recently, the revolving door in his Senate office has spun steadily.
At least 16 of McCain’s former Senate staffers have gone on to careers in the influence trade, according to an analysis of federal lobbying records. In many cases, they went to work for clients whose issues the staffers dealt with in the Senate.
“Actions speak louder than words,” Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, said, explaining that the senator has opened himself up to charges of hypocrisy by putting himself out front on ethics issues.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13365.html
September 11, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
What a pit bull in lipstick?
September 11, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is the website you want for the Obama tax cut calculation:
http://alchemytoday.com/obamataxcut/
September 11, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
www.womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com
September 11, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is exactly what McCaign camp hoped to accomplish...friens and family interviews like there is anything damning coming from them. This is why Palin was picked...she wears lipstick.
Show us your lipstick and hold up the baby for McCain to kiss...MOM.
Both are so unfit to be commander-in-chief but they have managed to get the press to show deference alright by telling them when and who and how they can ask questions.
"If you won't act like we want you to act then we won't talk to you".
Why is the press putting up with this crap...they can also use pressure to get interviews if they want. "Won't talk to us eh?...well we'll just report what we 'think' you'd say or how we would 'suppose' you'd answer." Deference my ass.
September 11, 2008 8:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
btw...for all the "Obama is just not tough or forceful enough in responding to McCain's attacks" that Josh and Kurtz mention over and over again as to why Obama will lose...here Josh introduces TPMTV video of Palin calling her blatant horse laugh lies about the bridge to nowhere as a "fib"...that's right...little girls fib, it's a no-no...men lie...but Palin "fibs"...it's so cute. Fibs are almost lies like a "poot" is almost a "fart"
No offense but just ironic to get in front of that camera and try to look likable makes you use words like "fib" to refer to "lying out her ass because her mouth is too full of lies from saying them over and over again...She lies so often now that she has time to dress the lies up a bit, even...here it comes...putting lipstick on them. The queen of pork barrel spending using lipstick to cover up the money stains around her gluttonous lips..now that is executive privilege.lol. Intelligent women aren't buying her performance, they are better at seeing what is genuine and what is not than McCain gives them credit.
Just saying Josh, it's funny like the difference between a bitch slap and a bitchy slap. A "fib"?
September 11, 2008 8:17 PM | Reply | Permalink