Shuster, McCain Flack Battle Over Palin, First Amendment

Here's a video of David Shuster battling with a McCain campaign flack named Ben Porritt over the fact that Sarah Palin doesn't understand the basics of the First Amendment. Porritt, who's showing up late in the game because the starters, having been routed, have all been pulled in favor of the bench, has little choice but to dodge and deflect the question, because Palin is horrible and everyone knows it.

Anyway, you can watch this at your leisure, but I'd suggest you view it with a bit of nostalgia in mind. You see, we've been bringing you these on air battles all year. Remember back in February, how Chris Matthews made Obama spokesman Kirk Watson look like a complete idiot? If you don't, you might remember Rick Sanchez, just last week, straight up PWNING McCain campaigner Michael Goldfarb. That's been the story of the past year; flacks and spokespersons coming on the teevee and frequently having their asses handed to them.

It's been enjoyable, but have some perspective: Watson will probably never appear on television outside of Texas ever again, and Goldfarb, prior to hooking up with the McCain campaign, lost many jobs to houseplants and particularly aggressive airborne diseases. In short: it hasn't been a fair fight. But after this week, the election year is over, and the cable news talking heads will have go back to speaking to competent people, instead of "strategists." That, and struggling to describe what's happening in car chases. So, enjoy these on-air battles while they last, because after Tuesday, they'll be over.

Also, I'm guessing that all this interest in Bill Ayers might diminish as well. We shall see.

Comments

[johnwinner]

"I'm guessing that all this interest in Bill Ayers might diminish as well."
Bill who? College professor or something wasn't he? What's that got to do with President Obama?

[LetMeUnderstandThis]

Not Relevant, 1 Day Left to change America! Get out and Vote!

Obama/Biden 08

[pthesmith]

People. The 1st Amendment does not guarantee "right of access." Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin could kick people of their plane if they so desire. If they did, it's more a PR issue. In other words, a reporter does not have the right to enter your business or home (or campaign bus) to get a story. However, if they have information in their possession, they have the right to publish it (as long as it's not a threat to national security). Again, the 1st Amendment guarantees "freedom of press" (right to free speech), not "right of access."

That being said, Palin clearly does not understand the point of "freedom of the press" is to keep government and government officials in check. That's the exact point of the 1st Amendment. I'd fear for this country if Palin gets into the White House.

[Pacojam]

From this interview we can see that Palin has not read the Constitution. We learned from the Couric interview that she hasn't read much of anything else either.

However I have to give her some credit -- she has some culture. From the Nicolas Sarkosi phone conversation we learned that she has seen the movie "Nailin' Palin".

[LesserFool2]

If you think spin and spinmeisters only exists during election season, you're dreaming.

[trisha08]

Interesting. But, I think David missed an opportunity to mention the way that the McCain/Palin camp has limited/restricted media access to a much larger degree than the Obama campaign. But, I'm glad someone was, at least, was questioning them about this.

Truth be told, the woman does NOT understand the First Amendment. That is perfectly clear.

[Sergioevans]

Yeah.
I love how the media somehow is biased when they are asking questions. Especially the ones like,
What is your opinion on some Supreme Court decisions. Pause..blank look...stare..Moose in the Headlights...Oops, the media SHOULDN'T ask those questions. Maybe she should have taken the 5th. Oh wait, she probably hasn't read the CONSTITUTION. lol.

[LisaLisa1234]

Or, "what newspapers and magazines do you read to shape your world view?"

Now THAT'S a gotcha question if I've ever heard one! :)

[jennifer Vizzo]

McCain's flacks banned Time Magazine's Joe Klein and NY Times Maureen Dowd.

[Yve72]

Okay? David asked about Palin's comments and this guy talks about reporters being kicked off planes.
Why is it that McCain flacks can't answer the questions that are asked of them?
They always have to bring up something supposedly negative about Obama in their responses.

1 day of of factual & moral ig.norance left.

[rukiddingmerightnow]

The one more day thing is exactly what I just said to myself. And it can't come soon enough

[vote the issues]

I became "addicted" to the political pundits and their analysis over the course of this election. It aggravated me to no end when presented with facts such as video clips they still moved the discussion to some negative Obama slant. I sometimes wondered if i was the only one annoyed with their evasions, many times the commentator would allow them to "escape", NOT David Shuster, he was relentless in his pursuit of an answer. I was very impressed with his tenacity and wrote the same to MSNBC (which was kind of difficult to do on their website, not easy to leave comments!)
Hopefully, he'll get his own show, he can count me as a viewer.

[Rnactivist]

Why is no one talking about how Palin has shielded herself from the press and does not take off the cuff questions? If she does take one which is rare, her answers are unintelliegent until she goes back and gets the correct answers.... You cannot attend any of her or mccains rallies unless you are a registered republican won't let you near them at all.... How does she and mccain supposedly justify their christian beliefs yet have no problem lying and smearing Obama? Why does no one talk about her husband successionist and treasonist....who she does not just pal around with but is married to? Why do we have a woman who thinks the VP has more powers than the constitution allows and no one is discussing it?

[militarymomforobama]

The way I see it the Righteous Right has this view that only their opinion should count. Scarborough just made a hateful remark about Paul Krugman and "all those hate spewing bloggers". So he and Mika are demonizing those of us who are seeking an outlet for our opinions.

[Nikonicus]

You know, when you send a spokesperson to represent your campaign, you should choose someone at least as smart and informed as the interviewer. Who is this guy, the weekend janitor?

I don't think Palin understands the First Amendment (or Constitution) at all. She thinks as VP she'd run the Senate. Somebody failed high school civics.

www.nikonicus.net

[dagdavid]

Aside from Sarah Palin, the biggest drag on the McCain campaign has been his spokespeople. Seriously, think about the completely repugnant morons he has speaking on his behalf every day: Tucker Bounds, Nancy Pfotenhauer, Michael Goldfarb, Rick Davis, Carly Fiorina, and this idiot. They'll all be out of work after Tuesday.

[militarymomforobama]

This will have to go down as the worst campaign ever.

[FlamingLibrul]

Don't forget the equally vapid- voice that sounds like nails on a chalkboard- Nicolle Wallace. As for the Schuster interview, typical repug response of We Have No Response so: Change The Subject Fast! Blame someone on the Dem side: Buhbuhbuh Biden...buhbuhbuh Obama said... They are all pathetic.

[jellybeanaddict]

Wow, I ALMOST felt sorry for the poor hack they sent in to field the questions. Did you see the big gulp he took when Shuster announced he was about to play a clip from a Palin interview?

I used to think Palin was just ignorant (which is scary enough)......but the ignorant are those who simply don't know. The STUPID are those who don't know and don't care. Palin clearly doesn't care or she would have picked up a copy of the Constitution after the "name the VP job" debacle!

[arvay]

The only real question is whether this flack actually believes in her novel interpretation of the First Amendment or is just dutifully reciting from the answer sheet - - -