No Questions: Palin Won't Talk To Press

A John McCain campaign aide tells Jay Carney that she sees no reason why Sarah Palin should have to answer reporters' queries:

According to Nicole Wallace of the McCain campaign, the American people don't care whether Sarah Palin can answer specific questions about foreign and domestic policy. According to Wallace -- in an appearance I did with her this morning on Joe Scarborough's show -- the American people will learn all they need to know (and all they deserve to know) from Palin's scripted speeches and choreographed appearances on the campaign trail and in campaign ads.

Watch the exchange:

Newsweek's Jonathan Alter predicts how this strategy will play out:

I'd imagine that Palin will dodge press conferences in favor of interviews with people like Sean Hannity, Larry King and Ellen DeGeneres. Then, when the media complain that she is being kept away, the McCain campaign will cite the half dozen or so interviews she has granted as proof that the campaign press is just bellyaching. Brief press "avails" on the plane will be useless, unless reporters ask open-ended queries designed to elicit proof of real knowledge.

That should get Palin through the next three weeks. By the end of the month, the McCain camp can say she has to go to ground to prepare for the Oct. 2 vice presidential debate, where expectations will be so low for Palin that she will likely emerge intact. It will be up to the press and public to raise enough of a stink about this, that Palin is forced to submit to real interviews with real questions that show whether her real-life experience is any preparation for assuming high office. In that sense, the Palin nomination is as much of a test of us as it is of her.

And Marc Ambinder suggests they can get away with it:

What harm would befall the McCain campaign if Palin sat for one major television interivew with, say, a gentle but probing Diane Sawyer... and then an interview with her local paper in Alaska... and then gave no press avails and held no press conferences. The media would complain a lot. Would people care?

Comments

[Fagin0]

Palin getting on the GOP ticket has turned the 2008 U.S. Election into a circus. I suppose that they have as much chance of convincing Americans of her presidenti­al-ability as they did when they erected G.W. Bush as president of the U.S. With coaching and training, just like G.W. she'll get by.

Though, can you imagine - John McCain - 72 y.o. President fallen ill and incapacitated - Palin acting as President?

I can't imagine her in a discussion with Musharraf or Merkel or Sarkozy...­.or with PUTIN or Hu Jintao

uh....scar­y

[somsoc]

Just like W, the strings are being pulled from the right-wing thug-tanks, i.e. the Federalists, the Heritage Foundation, Mellon-Schaiffe, Adolph Coors, Krystol. McSame is a figure head and Palin is a diversion, that is reality. It is not a circus, but McSame and Palin are clowns!

[knowhelpnow]

It doesn't matter they are all trained and ready to be a figure heads, we can just play the game it doesn't matter anymore unless we walk out of the box and really do something. This 2 party system is just a set up, take our attention and just proceed as always it's been going on for over 50 years.
Who is really in charge of the US?

[gretcheno]

IA and I am joining the fight to help the Obama campaign. Today I am going to see the local office to give them whatever support is needed.

I challange others in your cities to do the same.

[Dwade313]

Republicans think they have energized their base with this pinhead pick of VP, then I'm here to tell you what they are doing to the Democratic base. Not only have they energized our base, they have made me mad as hell and not about to take it anymore. Today, I am going down to my local Barack Obama campaign office and volunteer for the first time in my life. I'll do whatever it takes to keep them NEONUTS out of office.

Obama/Biden!!!

[chili1]

Good for you! I am also going to volunteer to keep the NEONUTS out of office. I can't stand the thought of Palin in office. It turns my stomach! Obama/Biden 08

[gretcheno]

I am too, and lets get out thier and campain in our COMMUNITIES.


OBAMA/BIDEN 08 yeah!!

[bush4life]

it's been 12 days, not 3 months. relax you freaks! She's doing charlie gibson on Thursday although I know all of u nutbags would love to crucify her for doing foxnews first. I'm sure none of you will mention that though. Don't point it out when it doesn't fit your talking point of foxnews controlling conservatives.

like i said, she's doing gibson on thurs. and I'm sure will do the sun circuit shortly there-after. Relax!!!!!!!!!

[sawdustinhershoes]

Nutbags? You support Palin and you think we're nutbags? Take a gander into her background, instead of just listening to Fox, and you'll see who the real nutbag is.

[reshas1]

How about taking a "gander" into Obama's background??? All of HIS associations!!! All of his RADICAL associatio­ns.....

[JonRaymond]

Charlie Gibson? What a pit bull he is. You think Friday is enough time to set up the questions and answers?

[leb32]

First of all, She does not need to approval of the media. Where in the Constitution does it say you have to submit to a critique of the radid, foaming at the mouth media to be elected? That is NOT a requirement for elected office. But since you are crtiicizing her for it. Why did Barak wait until after his nomination to sit down with Bill O' Riley? You like to slam other for not doing it. WHY DIDN'T YOUR CANDIDATE SUBMIT TO YOUR SELF-IMPOSED REQUIREMENT??

And besides, this claim (as the majority of the media claims) is untrue. She is sitting down with the media. But you know what I think it is? The liberals are just mad that wonderboy, community organizer, has been knocked off his high horse.

[Dwade313]

You neocons don't possess substance so you resort to name calling. If nothing else you people are predictable. Don't you want to know everything about a candidate before you make them head of your country?? Or are you so entrenched in your own blind loyalty to your party, that you would take a chance on the most important office in this country??

[reshas1]

ROLFOL, check out this next post, McHitler?????? Now, now, who is doing the name calling? You guys are FREAKING OUT.. CHeck out his am's polls....

[gretcheno]

Yes they are and they are use to the DUMB leading the BLIND.

[sawdustinhershoes]

If you were intelligent, you'd understand what Palin means for this country.

But, alas, you were born the way you are, and obviously, no one can make you think.

[reshas1]

If YOU were intelligent(not just a blind follower), you'd understand what Obama means to this country.
But, ALAS, you were born the way you are, and obviously, no one can make you think, or maybe better, stupid is as stupid does...

[shelobo]

McHitler and Palin don't talk to ANYONE that has a question http://www.americablog.com/200/200 8/09/how-a­mericablog­-reader-as ked-john-a­nd.html

[tiger2471]

This woman is a fraud and that is why she won't give interviews. It blows me away and it shows just how RACIST this country STILL is. Barack Obama has 20+ debates, give dozens of interviews, goes to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Europe and is well received by the world but some Americans and Republicans say we Still don't know who this guy is?Unbelievable! FOX news makes fun of Michelle Obama bashes her and calls her unpatriotic; but Sarah Palin won't give an interview and the media doesn't need to vet her? She preaches abstinence and her daughter gets pregnant while still in High School? She gives one speech and she rallies the Republican base; are you kidding me? Republicans must think that most Americans are stupid, but they must be referring to their own supporters, you remember the same ones that said "Drill baby, drill"; what idiots.

[BeltwayBette]

Here we go again. McBush and Political Barbie are saying to Hell with the First Amendment. We'll keep reporters from asking any questions the American public may have about this Cutie Distraction. Then we'll say terrible lies about our opponent and woo the right wing just like Bush did and then, aka Bush/Cheny imperialilst administration, we've tear this nation into little pieces and pass them out to the corporistas -- and tough luck for the little guys and gals.

Even Republican little guys and gals.
If you are a Republican and hesitate to vote for Sen.Obama/­Sen. Biden for party loyalty reasons, why not take a look at why some life long Republicans are now supporting the Democratic ticket?

This may be our last chance to take back our nation and reverse some of the Bush/Cheney/Rove policies.

These Republicans examined their reasons to choose Obama over McCain carefully. Their reasons may resonate with your heart and head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3PbiplAXTo&feature=user
Another military veteran who would follow President Obama and his plans for our national security with absolute trust in his ability to keep us safe in the world. JMB

[bobhobard]

I agree with Schoogy. Every time Obama has the stage, he should be asking for Palin's point of view. It shouid become a mantra-where's Palin. If you saw Biden on Meet the Press, he was awesome-kn­owledgeabl­e, articulate and composed. I would like to see Palin contend with that same set of questions. She probably couldn't find Afghanistan on a map.

[JeffL]

Anyone who does due dilligence as a voter already has huge concerns.
The audacity of only using her as a commercial and spokesmodel is an affront to every voter.
The Republicans think this will work.
They're wrong again.

She's reached the top of her game.
When she is subjected to interviews she will lose her credibility, her charm and her unearned enthusiam.

It's all down hill from here

[Schoogy]

i'm thinking that Obama should be 'calling her out' whenever he's on camera.

make the American public question what the Retardlicans have to hide.

i'm personally demanding that she show herself.

[Janus]

PART TWO......

Comes now the word that she will have a press conference. It will be no surprise if the Fox Cesspool scoundrels are the interviewers, tossing her harmless questioning as a father would toss an easy softball to his ten year old son learning to bat.

[Janus]

PART ONE.......

The Fox Newstwister Cesspool with its well-deserved reputation as the Cheney-Add­ington-Bus­h administraion boombox and blatant propagandist venue of the our Plutocracy'Gilded Age II governmental status, came through on Sunday afternoon with another deceitful gem.


The anchor Greg, accompanied by the inevitable female (most of them blonde with harsh, nasal voices), announced to us all that the media are unfair to Palin because she is so effective. He proceeded to read an e-mail containing the same opinion of some listener, who seemed to suggest that "libruls" are afraid that Palin will make the difference in the election.

Of course, Fox managed to turn the facts upside down or inside out. What most of us can see is that Palin is being kept from the members of the press. She was shown on Sunday running about with McCain and not out on her own on the trail. She is something of an evangelical zealot and rightwinger nutcase, and the last thing the Plutocrats want is their newest Stooge facing the press prematurely. This seems to be more a case of the vice-presidential nominee and her handlers being unfair to the press and by extension the citizens of this Country. Again, Fox as usual deceptively describes Palin as the victim in order to work the aforesaid vacuous Dupes into a red-faced foaming mouth frenzy against "them libruls."

[LilyMaskew]

McCain/Palin have no intention of being fair to the American people. That's not their "style". They just revel in telling their lies and half-truths. I guess they don't think we deserve for them to be open, honest and decent.

[DjMissapae]

I care. Joe Biden went on Meet the Press yesterday, and Tom Brokaw made it clear that Palin had been invited to appear as well. Who wants to hedge bets that she never goes anywhere near that stage?

Sure her speech was well delivered- great insulting rallying one liners designed for repetition. But how scripted can you get? I want to see her on the fly, answering tough questions. Is she easily ruffled? Does she think things through before answering? These are things the American people deserve to know about a person serving as a vp to a senior citizen!

And don't say the American people won't fall for the press blackout. Americans frequently fall for a lot of crap.

[Bush 08]

I'm glad to see that Palin/McCain is not in anyway like Bush or Cheney, and that they have the utmost respect for the media and the American public...

[DjMissapae]

Are you listening?

[PlainBread]

Not in anyway? Their difference is lipstick.

[NTO08]

After the crap that has been spewed about her, I see no reason for her to...

[Bubba Gump]

Every politician endures "crap" but owes the public a fair hearing to know who the person is, whether they are qualified, and why they deserve the office for which they are seeking. To quote John McCain, "Country First." It is Sarah Palin's DUTY to submit for review of the U.S. electorate via the media. If she refuses, she should withdraw her nomination as the GOP VP candidate. Would you hire someone who refuses to meet for a job interview?