Sarah Palin Answers What Newspapers, Magazines Inform Her Worldview: "Most Of 'Em...All Of 'Em...Any Of 'Em," "Alaska Is Like A Microcosm Of America"

During their interview Monday, Katie Couric asked Sarah Palin what newspapers and magazines she read to inform her worldview before being tapped as John McCain's Vice Presidential running mate. And Tuesday on the "CBS Evening News," Palin's answer was revealed: "most of them," "all of 'em," and "any of 'em."

Palin would not, or could not, name a specific news source, saying only, "I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news too. Alaska isn't a foreign country, where, it's kind of suggested and it seems like, 'Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C. may be thinking and doing when you live up there in Alaska?' Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America."

Watch (discussion of media sources begins approximately 3:45 in):

TRANSCRIPT:

Katie Couric: And when it comes to establishing your worldview, I was curious: what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this to stay informed and to understand the world?
Sarah Palin: I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.
KC: But, like, what ones specifically? I'm curious.
SP: All of 'em, any of 'em that have been in front of me over all these years.
KC: Can you name a few?
SP: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news too. Alaska isn't a foreign country, where, it's kind of suggested and it seems like, 'Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C. may be thinking and doing when you live up there in Alaska?' Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.

Comments

[gsuescum]

09:09 AM on 10/04/2008

I really do hate this woman and I am terrified that she might possibly be VP.

I wouldn't vote for her if Jesus came back and she was his running mate.

[scrutiny1]

03:38 PM on 10/06/2008

Don't lose any sleep. She won't be VP.

[cycle3man]

01:29 AM on 10/04/2008

AIRHEAD, "faking it" and in,
way over her head comes to mind!

[ReElectNoOne]

01:09 PM on 10/03/2008

I am sure she reads such noted publicatio­ns as:

The Enquirer
The Globe
Micky Mouse Comics
McCain's web site.

[RobinSeattle]

11:29 PM on 10/02/2008

You know, I grew up in Orange County, California­, which people think as a conservati­ve all white enclave. But if you get around thee, you will hear Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese­, Spanish, Urdu, Laotian, Arabic, Farsi, Armenian, Portuguese­, Indian dialects and Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwan dialects).

I really doubt that Alaska is as polyglot as even Orange County, CA.

[carriellbee]

12:07 PM on 10/03/2008

I don't know about the rest of Alaska, but clearly Palin is not even a monoglot.

(I grew up in OC, too.)

[marymansour]

04:28 PM on 10/02/2008

This could be the funniest running show on television except for the fact that THIS IS OUR COUNTRY and these dumb@sses could be voted into office.

[hollybork]

01:46 PM on 10/02/2008

With a degree in journalism from University of Idaho, Palin should be able to name the exact papers she reads every day. This does not compute. Was she afraid that admitting to newspaper reading would turn her into an elitist, or that keeping current with the Washington Post or NY Times every day would not meet the approval of her constituen­cey, Joe Six Pack? Or does she just not read papers? The more we see of the lady, the more perplexed we get. There is simply no flattering way of interpreti­ng her non sequitor respose to Katie Couric. Either Palin is a compulsive liar or she is a non reader. We already have had one notable liar and non reader in the White House. God help us from making the same mistake again.

[RobinSeattle]

11:36 PM on 10/02/2008

She could have said the Washington Times because it was her beloved Ronnie's favorite paper (even though it is owned by a foreign national, the cult leader Reverend Sun-myong Moon).

But I have to say that if I were running a newspaper and somebody with a journalism degree from Idaho University applied for a job there, I would look at that degree as being from a glorified diploma mill given that Palin is a graduate from that institutio­n.

If any graduate from that university votes for her now that school should lose its accreditat­ion because it obviously doesn't foster thinking skills among its student body.

[bootcamp]

11:52 AM on 10/02/2008

McCain has nowhere to go now but down. He can run away from President Bush, but he can't run away from the Republican Party. The Republican­s will be regarded from now on as "the party that wrecked America." Over the weeks ahead, as carnage in the economy and the financial markets ramps up, it will become increasing­ly clear. It is important that this meme be spread through the internet. I urge all commentato­rs to adopt and spread the idea that the Republican­s are "the party that wrecked America." It will work because it is the truth. Use it freely. Just spread the word.

[philtll]

09:24 AM on 10/02/2008

Which is worse, the chance that she literally cannot name a newspaper off the top of her head, or the disgusting­ly political notion that she refuses to, lest one she picks be tarred as the hated "liberal"? And that it's better to be thought witless than risk hitting off the right's random flash points?

[Tamalpais]

07:47 PM on 10/02/2008

Actually if she had said that she refused to so as not to endorse a particular source that would have been an accepatabl­e answer. But she couldn't even do that.

[grf67]

05:16 AM on 10/02/2008

Dumber than a bag of hammers, but smart enough not to say that she gets her informatio­n from Guns & Ammo and the American Mercenary.

[Groundswell]

03:32 AM on 10/02/2008

Someone with a camera and a desire to entertain and get some young people to vote try this today ...

Americans on both sides of the political fence are looking at today’s VP debates with morbid curiosity. With Biden’s habit of speaking off the cuff and Palin’s lack of depth, a lot of fairly average Americans are legitimate­ly wondering if they themselves might be as qualified as the candidates­.

The idea is simple. TODAY, hit the street with a camera and ask everyone you meet if they would be willing to participat­e. Tell them they will be interviewe­d tonight, live and without preparatio­n - but you’re willing to mask their identity if they wish. It’s important to tape the volunteer search, so viewers know you found someone at random.

Next, have the volunteer sit in front of a TV with Tivo / DVR. When the debates start, let them listen just to Gwen Ifill’s questions. Pause the program between questions and have the volunteer give their best answer – top of mind, no prep. Tape it with the TV in the background­, with a clock or other evidence that the responses were live.

Later, edit the piece: Gwen’s question, the volunteer’­s answer, then the candidates­’ answers. Show the piece on TV news, post it on a blog - and let the viewers cast their votes.

Put this actual recent quote to the test: "It's time that normal 'Joe Six Pack' American is finally presented in the position of the vice

[Cerridwen]

03:28 AM on 10/02/2008

Sarah Palin knows everything in all the magazines and newspapers­...
She can see the library from her house.

[Whinger]

03:22 AM on 10/02/2008

Her favorites are The Moose Hunter, Airborne Wolf Hunter, and Pravda!

And now, my good friends, you can sleep nights, I'll continue to stand tall.
You can trust me, for I promise, I shall keep a watchful eye upon ya'll...

[bandillero]

01:34 AM on 10/02/2008

Why is it hard to believe that Sarah Palin reads everything that is ever published? Haven't you guys heard about Osmosis?

[pjburns11]

01:21 AM on 10/02/2008

I can see in each interview, Katie kind of counting the rise in her ratings as Palin continues to shock and awe us with her ignorance.

Check out this article about Palin's specs - and I don't mean specificat­ions!

http://the­truthburns­.wordpress­.com/2008/­09/11/you-­can-put-ey­eglasses-o­n-a-flock-­of-sheep-t­hey-are-st­ill-a-floc­k-of-sheep­/

[skyfish]

01:06 AM on 10/02/2008

Maybe she can't read.