Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan What is with this "protecting" Sarah Palin? The maverick. Barracuda. The reformer. The change agent. Hockey mom. Hunter. Lifelong NRA member. So, quit "protecting" her as if she's some damsel in distress, you sexist elitists. She should be out there getting asked tough questions by tough reporters so we, the people, can make up our minds if we feel she's ready to be our (potential) president. This "protecting" her is the ultimate insult to women everywhere. Give her a chance to say something brilliant or make a horrendous mistake. That's how the American system should work.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I'm curious about the debates. She can obviously handle a speech, and she's articulate and has spunk. What I wonder is how well she does under pressure, and under attack in the same room? Can she keep composure, or will she turn into the "pit bull" and say something really off-the-cuff in response? I'm hoping she really isn't able to hold her tongue and it gets her into trouble.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan She is America's Most Popular Governor™. Debates are fine, but they are largely scripted events, preloaded with "gotcha" one liners. I am interested in some follow up questions after her remarks about Freddie and Fannie revealed some fundamental misunderstanding about how they operate. Let Sarah speak!
Originally Posted By Dabob2 McCain's campaign manager actually said that she wouldn't meet with reporters until they showed that they would treat her with "some level of respect and deference." His words. Deference??? Since when is that a requirement? Did Tim Russert ever show deference to anyone? If journalists show pols deference, they're not doing their job. EJ Dionne had a good column about this today: <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/09/mccain_campaign_running_a_pali.html" target="_blank">http://www.realclearpolitics.c...ali.html</a> "John McCain's campaign acknowledged this weekend that Sarah Palin is unprepared to be vice president or president of the United States. Of course, McCain's people said no such thing. But their actions told you all you needed to know. McCain, Barack Obama and Joe Biden all subjected themselves to tough questioning on the regular Sunday news programs. Palin was the only no-show. And it's not just the Sunday interviews. She has not opened herself to any serious questioning since McCain picked her to be next in line for the presidency. McCain's advisers clearly don't trust Palin to answer questions about policy, and don't want her to answer many of the questions that have been raised about her tenure as governor of Alaska. " (snip) "Deference? That's a word used in monarchies or aristocracies. Democracies don't give "deference" to politicians. When have McCain, Obama, Biden or, for that matter, Hillary Clinton asked for deference?" (snip) "Nonetheless, what matters is not Palin's personal life, but whether she is prepared to assume the presidency if called upon. The actions of McCain's lieutenants suggest that they know the answer. And they are doing everything they can to keep the media from finding it."
Originally Posted By dshyates You know they will put her out there for some tough questions. My guess is starting with a grilling by the vicious hosts of FOX & Friends. Lets not forget the tough, smart as a tack Elizabeth Hasselback on "The View". And maybe a tough interview by Matt Lauer.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA With the glasses, scary pile of hair, and just a tad too much make-up, anyone else think that Sarah Palin looks a bit like like Karen Walker from 'Will & Grace.' Seriously, when Palin is on TV the next time, turn down the sound, and imagine Megan Mullaly doing that high-pitched voice of her's. It's quite humorous. And now, back to protecting America's Treasure.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<Sarah Palin looks a bit like like Karen Walker from 'Will & Grace.'>> Yes, yes, YES!! And I meant to post that before, but completely forgot. All I could think of during her acceptance speech was that if you put a half-empty bottle of vodka in her hand, you'd have Karen Walker!! Too funny!!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Deference? That's a word used in monarchies or aristocracies.<< Yeah, that word got me too. As if, "who do these reporters think they are, daring to ask hard questions of Sarah Palin?" 11 days and not a peep, other than a couple speeches written by others. Let Sarah speak, you sexist elitists!!!! Don't put words in her mouth, let's hear her own thoughts and feelings on: - the economy, and what to do about it - the war in Iraq, and what to do about it - the issue of millions of uninsured Americans, and what to do about it - thoughts on American foreign policy Let Sarah speak! And let her answer questions and then let the American people decide if this is the team we want to elect or not. She may knock it out of the park. DEFERENCE!? How dare you. You know, people wanted George Washington to be king. Really. But in DEFERENCE to the US CONSTITUTION, he said no way. Deference. Pffft! That's one of the most condescending, sexist, elitest phrases I have heard a political team make.
Originally Posted By ecdc Jeffrey Toobin make a great point the other day. He said the McCain campaign has tried, with great success, to merge the questions about Palin's personal life (which we could debate as appropriate or inappropriate) with very legitimate questions about her credentials, experience, and politics. So, for example, when Campbell Brown of CNN asked McCain what decisions Sarah Palin had made as head of the Alaska National Guard, since they're touting that as great national security experience, McCain got all up in arms and said it was way over the line. So now apparently we can't ask any questions of Sarah Palin or we're sexist, beating up her family, or not being deferential enough. Gotcha.
Originally Posted By ecdc BTW, Toobin added, "Sarah Palin is supposed to be qualified enough to face off with Vladimir Putin, but Campbell Brown is too mean?" The McCain camp has officially gone into laughable territory.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Amazing. That's a question that has nothing to do with anything personal, and all about her qualifications (or lack thereof). But I'm not surprised it got McCain huffy. "That question is over the line?" Ppfff. More like "That question makes me uncomfortable."
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<The McCain camp has officially gone into laughable territory.>> It would be laughable if it wasn't so scary. People in this country seem to eat this stuff up -- they've been conditioned to think the media is "out to get" everyone. They see the media do it to celebrities, and now they feel bad when the media is "too hard" on politicians. It's just ridiculous, but people can't seem to see the difference between why it's innapropriate for the media to hound people like Britany Spears, but appropriate for them to take government officials to task and ask about their policies.
Originally Posted By Elderp The media is lame, the fact that a pretty face gets so much media attention is proof enough for me.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<The media is lame, the fact that a pretty face gets so much media attention is proof enough for me.>> And we made it that way. The media is run by huge corporations who care about one thing - making money. And they make money buy selling advertisements, which can be sold for more money if you have more viewers watching your shows. So, the media wants to get as many eyes as possible on each and every channel -- and the only way to do that is to show things that the vast majority of the people in this country are interested in. And apparently, all we really care about is crap - so that's what the media gives us. If people would actually tune-in to watch real news about real issues, then that's what would be on tv. But sadly, those shows don't get even half the viewers that American Idol gets every time it's on.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Ask and ye shall receive. From yesterday's news: >>Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has agreed to sit down with ABC's Charles Gibson later this week for her first television interview since John McCain chose her as his running mate more than a week ago.<< <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-gibson8-2008sep08,0,922162.story" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/news/po...62.story</a> Yesterday's LA Times had a story about this, too, pointing out that three of the four major party candidates made the rounds of the Sunday morning talk shows, with only Palin as a no-show. But, perversely, it meant that everybody ended up talking about her. Go figure. "Deference" carries many shades of meaning, but I would bet that the McCain spokesman who used it was unaware of this. It also means with regard or respect. In light of the media circus that has surrounded Palin since she was named McCain's running mate, it's no surprise that the campaign would seek this. I don't think it is unreasonable to ask that any public figure be approached with a certain amount of respect. But deference? From the media? No, not at all. He chose (drum roll, please) the wrong word. Oh, and as far as anybody getting "respect" from the media these days, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it...
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>I'm curious about the debates. She can obviously handle a speech, and she's articulate and has spunk. What I wonder is how well she does under pressure, and under attack in the same room? Can she keep composure, or will she turn into the "pit bull" and say something really off-the-cuff in response? I'm hoping she really isn't able to hold her tongue and it gets her into trouble.<< Apparently, Palin does quite well in open forums. I am sure both campaigns will start "managing expectations" in advance of the Vice Presidential debate. Biden is certainly known for his cringe-worthy gaffes. Not having actually seen Palin in action, it's hard to say if this will be a night of zingers or duds.
Originally Posted By oc_dean I'm not interesting in hearing her deliver a "happy peppy Hockey Mom" ~presentation~. I want to see her answer tough questions that are important to the security and prosperity of our country!
Originally Posted By oc_dean So you want to knock Biden huh? His 30 year experience in Washington .. to her minor experiences in the small populous state of Alaska! Should be a good show!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Ask and ye shall receive.<< Yay, one interview. It's a start. How about a press conference? She is applying for the most important job in the land (potentially). She could face dictators and thugs. I know the Washington press corps is an ungainly bunch, but honestly, if that's too scary... hmmm..... >>But deference? From the media? No, not at all. He chose (drum roll, please) the wrong word.<< Thank you. And, he chose the wrong mindset. Candidates should face the media and shine or wither under the glare of the spotlight. Bullfeathers with this hiding their candidate from it. >>Not having actually seen Palin in action, it's hard to say if this will be a night of zingers or duds.<< I'd hope for a night without either zingers or duds. We know she can deliver zinger lines written by others as she did at the GOP speech. Instead, actual discussion of policy and a vision for the next 4 years would be nice. Smart alec retorts aren't going to convince me that Mrs. Palin is ready to be commander in chief should the need arise. I want to be pleasantly surprised by the depth of her understanding of a variety of issues we'll be facing.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>So you want to knock Biden huh?<< Hey, I don't need to. There are far better people than I who have been doing that for the last 30 years. They've had Sarah Palin for only the last ten days or so, but she seems to be bearing up. >>Should be a good show!<< Sadly, I think you're right.
