Palin: First Amendment Rights Threatened By Criticism

ABC News reports:

In a conservative radio interview that aired in Washington, D.C. Friday morning, Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin said she fears her First Amendment rights may be threatened by "attacks" from reporters who suggest she is engaging in a negative campaign against Barack Obama.

Palin told WMAL-AM that her criticism of Obama's associations, like those with 1960s radical Bill Ayers and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, should not be considered negative attacks. Rather, for reporters or columnists to suggest that it is going negative may constitute an attack that threatens a candidate's free speech rights under the Constitution, Palin said.

"If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations," Palin told host Chris Plante, "then I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media."

Salon's Glenn Greenwald explains why this argument is frighteningly wrong:

If anything, Palin has this exactly backwards, since one thing that the First Amendment does actually guarantee is a free press. Thus, when the press criticizes a political candidate and a Governor such as Palin, that is a classic example of First Amendment rights being exercised, not abridged.

This isn't only about profound ignorance regarding our basic liberties, though it is obviously that. Palin here is also giving voice here to the standard right-wing grievance instinct: that it's inherently unfair when they're criticized. And now, apparently, it's even unconstitutional.

According to Palin, what the Founders intended with the First Amendment was that political candidates for the most powerful offices in the country and Governors of states would be free to say whatever they want without being criticized in the newspapers. The First Amendment was meant to ensure that powerful political officials would not be "attacked" in the papers. It is even possible to imagine more breathaking ignorance from someone holding high office and running for even higher office?

Comments

[Yeshuaslion]

04:11 PM on 11/04/2008

As we are speaking about freedom of speec h, I would think that this publication would be open to the free and open exchange of most expression and thought; right-thinking as well as leftist-thinking.

I would think, as well, that this then would indicate a progressive publication, as compared to one that is, let's say, regressive. I suggest that people truly open their minds to the ENTIRE concept of "Change." Obama's change would necessarily include those who are productively contributing to society, not being a drain on society due to an abusive life-style. After all, it is Obama who is speaking about preventative measures along with health-care, a non-smoking, non-excessive, non-abusive plenty-of-exercise healthy life-style. In that regard I suggest the children writing on these sites go outside and play and get some wonderful fresh air and sunshine.

Many in this post have moved to utter vicious attacks against Sarah Palin. Why? She, thankfully will never read them. It only proves to be an exercise in excess and the true revealing of a person's heart.

[Trimtab]

02:10 PM on 11/04/2008

Can accusation of the First Amdenment Rights be directing at anyone else beside the government agencies?

It's Ms. Palin opinion that "her First Amendment rights may be threatened by 'attacks' from reporters". It is also the media's opinion that "she is engaging in a negative campaign against Barack Obama. " Both can learn to agree to disagree.

Clearly, Ms. Palin is bother deeply by the opinions of the media. Ms. Palin should ask herself why does she let the Media's opinion affected her? Why does she cares about what anyone else says, especially when it is not true to her? Could there be a deep need for love, acceptance, and approval from the Media that she had longed for and could not get? After all, she 's a maverick and a true maverick stands alone. A true maverick would not let the media drags her into its drama. Instead she projected. She blames of the Media and may do things that actually violated the First Amendment, the very thing that she accused the media of doing. It is time for Ms. Palin to take responsibilty for her feelings and thoughts.

[quidprobequo]

01:33 PM on 11/04/2008

As the defendant in a lawsuit centered around first amendment rights (yes, I wrote something for the media "elite", and the publication is actually more right leaning than left) I find it interesting that this half baked Alaskan picks her arguments carefully and makes up the rules (and unsubstantiated facts) as she goes along.

Freedom of speech protects everyone by giving the RIGHT to express an OPINION (as long as it does not fall under "libel" or "slander"). Intimidating or punishing the media or individuals for expressing THEIRS creates a "chilling effect" that tries to force them to say nothing at all for fear of legal action, among other things.

Personally, I have had enough of Sarah's "idiotology" and don't think she has the capacity to read OR understand the Constitution. The only chilling effect she could probably identify with accuracy would be frostbite.

Oh, can I say all this? Am I still allowed to express my opinion? ;)

[SonyaInTx]

01:58 PM on 11/04/2008

Don't worry about Sarah Palin and her "idiotology". Just 12 more hours and we won't have to hear her voice for at least the next 4 years.

Did you vote?

Obama/Biden '08

Change we need, now!

[zackforester]

12:59 PM on 11/04/2008

Sarah Palin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1exiyBYnJ00

[mh01]

11:24 AM on 11/04/2008

I think she would have been correct, if she said that media assaults on a civilian, like Joe the plumber, result in people being afraid to speak up, or even ask a simple question of a candidate.

She's a candidate, she signed up for the scrutiny.

Joe asked a question, like the answer or not, he did not deserve to have people prying into his private life for ways to discredit him....

[Leota2]

11:44 AM on 11/04/2008

I think it's called living and dying by the sword.

[vagabondpixie]

11:54 AM on 11/04/2008

Um, didn't Joe the Plumber (whose name isn't Joe and isn't a plumber) hire a publicist?

[mh01]

01:05 PM on 11/04/2008

So your question is your sword, the assualt on your privacy is their sword?

Sounds like freedom...in the USSR.

[RC1]

11:45 AM on 11/04/2008

"Joe asked a question, like the answer or not, he did not deserve to have people prying into his private life for ways to discredit him...."

I agree with what you say, but Joe the plumber walked into the situation and McCain's policitcal machine took Joe to the next level by repeating over and over again to nausea, Joe the plumber, Joe the everything till it got sickening just to hear anyone called Joe something or another.

I'm just glad today is today and we can put to rest this campaigning season!!!

[mh01]

01:03 PM on 11/04/2008

I'm sick of it too, but the media assault was on well before joe started stumping and appearing on news shows.

Its sad.

I have reached my vomit point this election year, i just hope its over tonight, with no funny business by either side.

[biding4brilliance]

11:18 AM on 11/04/2008

"If anything, Palin has this exactly backwards, since one thing that the First Amendment does actually guarantee is a free press. Thus, when the press criticizes a political candidate and a Governor such as Palin, that is a classic example of First Amendment rights being exercised, not abridged. "

Bingo. I'm so ready to not hear about Sarah Palin anymore. Go home.

[Ron]

09:12 AM on 11/04/2008

Palins thoughts and idea's a threat to america's rights and freedoms, just like George Bush has pushed his ideaology on the world to disasterous results. Palin is very similar to Bush and believes she can force a belief on the rest of us if she repeats it enough and gets the power to do so. She cries the loudest when things don't go her way, but she's capable of being much worse then she lets on, when it comes to civil liberties and individual rights being taken away when she wants it to happen. Another Bush style say one thing and do another while claiming religion, freedom , and democracy, and accusations other are anti-american. Very disturbing, and should show many how they are trying to divide this country to gain more power, and promote their agenda's.

[topkatnc]

09:40 AM on 11/04/2008

Ron very well said. I agree with you and I hope when this is all over with she will go home and never will be heard from again.

[RC1]

10:42 AM on 11/04/2008

Ron makes a good point but topkatnc maybe Sarah can play Tina Fey on 30 rRock sholud Tina ever need a standin? McCain? maybe he can play a tired old man in a sitcom.

[chancho24]

08:30 AM on 11/04/2008

McCain's ploy of choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate in order to entice the Hillary vote, was as a stupid move.
These women are for Hillary because of her stand on the issues, and for McCain to assume that by showing them a woman for running mate, that the votes would start pouring in his favor, is just disrespectful on his part. And as we all now know, Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton.

[pup sydney]

07:27 AM on 11/04/2008

she appointed these commissioners that found her (now) not guilty of ethical violaiton . Rmember that the bipartisan commssion that was NOT appointed by her found she did. Only in America the investigated appoint his/her own judges. (by the way: I love to appoint my buddy Tom as the proctor at my exams at school. I guarantee you I will pass).

[UWNBM]

02:05 AM on 11/04/2008

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081104/pl_nm/us_usa_politics_palin_panel_3

Two myths debunked: Palin did not violate ethics rules...
Health is Excellent...


Any more lies we want to smash to pieces here?

[Bocado]

05:01 AM on 11/04/2008

SHOW THE RECORDS, getting a note from her doctor is much like getting a note from Mom.

I'd rather she actually release her medical records, instead of getting a note.

She's hiding an abortion maybe?
Or maybe hiding the fact that Trig is PROBABLY not hers - no medical records of her giving birth.

[karvictho]

05:36 AM on 11/04/2008

I wondered about her supposedly having begun labor (water broke) but finishing a speech, then getting on a plane back to her hometown in Alaska. That's too strange.

[Congzilla]

07:13 AM on 11/04/2008

The fact these were both were not released until election day wreaks of B.S.

[Bob the Liberal]

01:26 AM on 11/04/2008

Looking forward to her returning to Alaska after she and McLost get clobbered tonight!

[UWNBM]

02:06 AM on 11/04/2008

NOT guilty of ethics violations...oh well...there goes another falsehood tossed out by the Obama camp.

[Bocado]

05:02 AM on 11/04/2008

Ya, the first board was a board of people that were NOT appointed by her.

The second board she did appoint, geee, you think they were playing favorites?

[Congzilla]

07:15 AM on 11/04/2008

The Obama camp didn't "put out" the ethics violation. Her own state did.

She was already shown to be in violation, putting out a second probe result on election day doesn't count for anything in the mind of an intelligent person.

[watchingthings]

12:17 AM on 11/04/2008

The sad thing is, Sarah and people like her wind up taking the money...the more they take.....the more "working poor" are left behind. This has to stop. Now, with Obama there is a chance to stop this.

[watchingthings]

12:05 AM on 11/04/2008

She is all worried about free speach.....When she talked with these two guys from Montreal Quebec...she thought she was talking with President Sarkosi of France. They talked of hunting from a helicopter {she said she hunted wolves from a helicopter} Anyway....these guys from Montreal say...we just love to kill innocent animals with you...the guy says...but not with Dick Cheny...she says...no...no I'm a carefull shot. [At this point she still dosn't know it.s not Sarkosy she is talking to.

[Frankh]

10:32 PM on 11/03/2008

I finished reading the posted comments, I thought this sight might actually offer a intelligent place to communicate freedom. Do any of you have a job and children? If you are not a liberal by the time you are 20 you have no heart. If you are not a conservative by the time you are 40 you have no brain. That is proven by this blog. Have all the heart you want, but until you stop making yourselves feel better by stealing everyone blind and giving it to others for free, don't think for one minute that you have experienced life in its fullest. The only way to make this a better place is not through the socialist banner, but through each american being able to contribute freely to the causes they support. Not by force. Hitler came in with CHANGE on his lips, he screamed that he was being silenced by the powers that be. Obama is no different, he is coming in when so many are desperate for change, but his methods are not different than Hitler, take from the whole and let the government distribute it. This does not glorify a people or a nation, it only made hitler rich with power. Obama is an authoritarian.

[MrBwood]

01:13 AM on 11/04/2008

wow, do you even know what socialism is? You have so many inane statements, where does one start. First of all, the ONLY way to have a successful economy is to help the poor and middle class
they drive the economy. They actually spend most of what they make and keep this ship afloat. Trickle down does not work. Obviously.
before you spew this nonsense that you know nothing about, you should really read up.

actually I have no idea why I am typing this, because you are beyond help.

[Bob the Liberal]

01:34 AM on 11/04/2008

You must have a Fox News IV drip going into your arm! Your comments likening Obama to Hitler are ridiculous and have no basis in fact. Calling Obama "authoritarian" are also completely off base.

I have the greatest of respect and the highest of hopes for his Presidency. Decency, honor and compassion will finally return to Washington.

[rmonroe]

09:32 PM on 11/03/2008

My mama always said stupid is as stupid does