Buck Up, Media. If You're The Enemy, You're Finally Doing Something Right

Sarah Palin isn't even finished her speech and already the "blame the media" meme has been pushed explicitly to the forefront — this woman who has spent less than a week in the media spotlight, who has thus far made herself completely unavailable for interviews, has blasted the media with both barrels, deriding them for daring to cover her and the revelations that continue to emerge about this untested, unknown and unvetted candidate.

Here's how she characterized the media's coverage of her for these past few days, since it's been revealed that John McCain met her once and didn't investigate her political past:

I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.

Really? Care to qualify that with any examples? Because I haven't seen you submit to any interviews, sit for a grilling on "Meet The Press" (oh, to have Russert here right now!), or open yourself up willingly to the scrutiny of the fourth estate, whose importance as a check on the political process is so critical that it was enshrined in the U.S. Constitution by the founders.

I don't think the press has any problem with mavericks — hell, John McCain has gotten by on that one with the help of his 'base' for eight years now. And I don't think that the press requires any candidate to be party of the "Washington elite" or the "permanent political establishment" — otherwise a certain former community organizer (new dirty word!) wouldn't have had a hope in hell of those glowing magazine covers. But it's not unreasonable to expect that a candidate for the second-highest office in the land make herself available to the media — the representative of the people, at least in terms of asking the hard questions that a governor might, say, hire a lawyer to consult with before answering. Just by way of example.

So the McCain campaign was so miffed by Campbell Brown's tough questioning of their surrogate — a trained, smooth, competent, TV-ready surrogate well-versed in talking points — who still couldn't muster up proof of Palin's leadership mettle in the Alaska National Guard — that they pulled McCain from an interview? So they're accusing the press of being "on a mission to destroy" Sarah Palin? That's crazy. No one has had time yet to form an opinion — let alone enough information. And a campaign with nothing to fear would have no problem throwing open the doors and saying, come on in, we've got nothing to hide...and we know that because we actually, you know, checked. You need a whole lot less bluster when the facts are on your side.

There's no reason for Sarah Palin — or the McCain campaign — to be so shocked that the media might want to actually know something about a VP nominee. My God, how many weeks of speculation and discussions about vetting did we endure between the end of the primaries and this point? Palin was a wild-card candidate, so far better known for her penchant for moose-burgers, aerial wolf hunting, and — yes — her pregnant and unmarried 17 year old daughter than she is for her actual qualifications that being a heartbeat away from the presidency. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the media's desire to even that score. That is its job, plain and simple — and if it doesn't always thrill the guy on the Straight Talk Express, well, so be it.

So — here's a little newsflash for Sarah Palin, to paraphrase her speech: The media isn't writing about you to seek your good opinion — they're writing about you to serve the people of this country. Americans expect the media to investigate their candidates for office for the right reasons, not just to get the right access. If you really want to serve the people — as opposed to just your party, or yourself — then you'll do well to remember that.

Update: Quoting Joe Klein from earlier today:

There is a tendency in the media to kick ourselves, cringe and withdraw, when we are criticized. But I hope my colleagues stand strong in this case: it is important for the public to know that Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is "a task from God." The attempts by the McCain campaign to bully us into not reporting such things are not only stupidly aggressive, but unprofessional in the extreme.

Related:
Sarah Palin's Speech: Text
Sarah Palin's Speech: Video

Comments

[JamesInDenver]

It's now no longer enough to simply report Palin's record as Governor. At this point the story is not about her record, it is about her lying about her record. Her lack of truthfullness is the only thing that matters now. Fact checking remarks after they are made, should be a courtesy reserved for honest people, not for Palin and McCain. The McCain campaign is making the National Press Corp look like a bunch of pathetic fools. For the last week, we've been getting nothing put regurgitated GOP talking points.

[ObamaEdwards]

Sklar, this is your best post to date! I am thrilled by the mighty sound of your voice. Keep it going.

[FaceofAmerica]

Finally a journalist with some grit; proud to have read your article and keep up the good work. You know the old saying,"If your not being criticized, then your not doing your Job. Thank you for your courage...
Save us from W W 3 .

[Nonpartay]

What is not getting much press is that if McCain/Palin wins, Roe v. Wade WILL be overturned, there is no doubt about it. And within a year or so, depending on when certain Supreme Court Justices leave the bench. Good luck, America. I see riots in the streets if that happens.

[nyc251]

Bravo Rachel! Why journalists aren't utterly appalled with the McCain campaign preventing Palin from answering direct questions from them is beyond me - this is terribly frightening and completely disgusting. We are headed for four more years of Republican hell if these journalists don't get off their asses and stop sucking up to conservatives.

[janinius]

i miss tim russert. he would have a field day with her. luring her in, sweetly chatting her up and then saying - what?????

[AshevilleVoice]

The irony is that her degree is in journalism!

[jedonspring]

She's a puppet

[Fenianheart]

Isn't Palin herself a journalist? I would think that since she is "always asking questions" she would be able to comprehend that the media is just doing what they are paid to do.
Maybe it's time the media shows her what "tough" is.

[calspach]

Very well said. If she would submit to some interviews so we could get to know her, maybe more of us would like her. As it is, all we have is what the media can find...

[Megan Pillow - Huffpost Blogger]

Great post - thanks for the reminder that the media is just doing its job, and that it really is a service role.
Here's another of my faves of the day: J-Money over at The Typing Makes Me Sound Busy had a hi-larious and apt commentary on McCain's Veep selection: she said "selecting Sarah Palin reminds me of when Black & Decker said they made a drill for women but it was just a regular drill with a pink handle."

[Liberoservative]

Thank you Rachel!

We have every right to know who would want to have the number two spot in our great nation.

Don't give up and don't give in..... even Politico is offended... now that's PROGRESS!!!

[Housewife]

I hope Joe Klein is right. The MSM needs to stay on the ball this time so we don't end up with another disastorous Presidency.

[WolfLarsen]

Sarah you are not entitled to a place at the table simply because you are a woman or the people who picked you vouch for you. You cannot cry foul when the scrutiny that you feel other women should be subjected to without whining is turned on you.....as you whine. There is no double standard for you.

The fact that it surprises you is troubling. Makes one wonder how well you follow the electoral process beyond Alaskan borders. You cannot use your family as political props at one moment and then wring your hands about how the media scrutinizes them in another. You cannot make conflicting statements and then scream sexism when they are exposed. If your tears are real you are deluded, if they are crocodile tears then you are dishonest. Either way you are incompetent or a fraud. Maybe both.

You will learn fast that your words and your deeds have a far longer life on the national stage then they do in Wasilla. You cannot be blamed for being ignorant but you can be blamed for the hubris of stupidity and arrogance.

Paying the piper is something you will eventually have to face. The size of the bill depends upon you.

[KateAB]

I admit to not understand much of the rules/ethics of journalism, but it seems to me that when the public can effectively determine who your darling is, you're not sticking to 'just the facts, ma'am'.

The Right does need to grow up and realize that the definition of journalists has changed. That impartiality is no longer a virtue and to trust that smart Americans can see right through the slanted coverage to still make informed decisions.