Huffington Post Blogger Shannyn Moore in Palin's Cross Hairs (UPDATED - Press Conference in Anchorage)

There is an old expression which says, "In a crisis, do nothing." Wise words indeed, which means that soon-to-be-ex-governor Sarah Palin no doubt would never heed them. She's sort of adopted another philosophy. It's more like, "In a crisis, fly off the handle, be reactionary and threaten to sue someone for defamation in the hopes of intimidating the entire blogosphere and all national print and televised media into not talking about something." I'm not an oddsmaker, but this strategy seems destined to become a crumpled up tin can on the refuse pile of epic failure.

There's no doubt that the week has been a bad one for the governor. It started with an unflattering Vanity Fair article. This was followed by a CBS piece detailing several leaked emails in which she asked the McCain campaign to lie about Todd Palin's 7-year membership in a secessionist party. McCain strategist Steve Schmidt responded to her request saying that Todd was a member, and it was a secessionist party and he wasn't going to create an issue in the media if it didn't exist already, nor would he lie for her.

The statement you are suggesting be released would be inaccurate. The inaccuracy would bring greater media attention to this matter and be a distraction. According to your staff there have been no media inquiries into this and you received no questions about it during your interviews. If you are asked about it you should smile and say many Alaskans who love their country join the party because it speaks to a tradition of political independence. Todd loves his country.

We will not put out a statement and inflame this and create a situation where john has to adress this."

Palin's week culminated, of course, in a strange, twitchy, impulsive announcement from her home on the shore of Lake Lucille, that she would be stepping down from office, and resigning. The last time Alaskans were this gobsmacked by the governor was when she said 'yes' to John McCain when he popped the question back in August.

Her reason for resigning? Here's where it got really strange. The media was unfair. People were filing ethics complaints against her. Bloggers were making silly photoshops. She didn't want to be a lame duck. The state would be better off without her. We kept waiting to hear the real reason, the reason that would explain it all. We waited for the reason that would come at the end, after all the silly stuff. But it never came. That was it.

We were left scratching our heads. A woman who was the Vice Presidential candidate for the Republican Party, and who has been deemed in some circles to be a plausible contender for her party's presidential nominee in 2012, is quitting her job as governor, 17 months before the end of her first term, because people are picking on her? This just didn't compute. Even in the wildest contortionist spin of her most ardent supporters, this was not going to improve her chances in 2012.

What this means is that now, the line on her resume right underneath "Almost-one-term governor" reads "Mayor of a small Alaskan town with a population of 7000 people." This is not the way to be taken seriously. Yes, she draws crowds, but so does Britney Spears, and I sure wouldn't vote for her to take up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Naturally, with the overwhelming doubt in the minds of the public that these could possibly be the real reasons she was stepping down, questions were asked. Phones started ringing in Alaska from friends and relatives who wanted the "real story." Alaskans were even asking each other what they thought was really going on. Questions were many and answers were few.

There seemed to be dozens of rumors circulating about the governor at any given point in time, and this week was no different. People were muttering about personal family problems, about new ethics complaints, about legal cases involving her use of personal off-the-radar Yahoo email accounts to conduct state business. Then there was talk about the legality of her legal defense fund which is currently being questioned, or maybe even personal illness. But the ones that seems to have gotten under the governor's skin were reports involving rumors floating about town that there was some kind of shenanigans going on with the simultaneous building of the governor's house, and the Wasilla Sports Complex, and a supposed IRS investigation. Was this the infamous rumor of an "iceberg" that could sink the S.S. Palin as had been reported on another Alaskan blog? Are any of these rumors actually true? Who knows. Are they being talked about in open conversation at holiday barbeques all over the state today? Oh, yes.

And all this brings us to the issue at hand which involves Palin, her attorney Thomas Van Flein, and a certain Shannyn Moore. Moore is a radio personality, a Huffington Post blogger, and frequent guest on MSNBC''s Countdown with Keith Olbermann. There were scads of blogs, both local and national that reported on the rumors above, many in greater detail and with more certainty than Moore did. But Moore really got under the soon-to-be-ex governor's skin. Why? Presumably because Palin watches TV more than she reads.

Today Van Flein issued a four page letter regarding the reporting of these rumors and it was sent by SarahPAC spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton to media outlets across the state.

Van Flein's letter threatening legal action specifically pointed the finger at Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore as "most notably" claiming as "fact" that Palin resigned under federal investigation.

Van Flein, asked why he singled out Moore, said it's because she went on national television and talked about it. Moore was on with MSNBC's David Shuster on Friday, the day Palin said she will resign.

"There is a scandal rumor here that there is a criminal investigation into some activities and that's been rumored for about, I don't know, probably six weeks or two months," Moore told him.

Despite the fact that she specifically refers twice to the report as a "rumor," Van Flein says she portrayed the story as fact. The only fact is that there are rumors. I know because I've been hearing them since last October. They even have a name - "Housegate." If you Google "Palin Housegate," you get 8,600 references, beginning back with an article that appeared in the Village Voice. Googling "Palin sports complex scandal" gets you 230,000. How many mentions are required to constitute a rumor? It's probably less than 230,000. I'm not exactly sure how the legal dynamic duo of Palin-Van Flein is planning to un-rumorize almost a quarter of a million online references to a rumor that started 8 months ago, but it will be interesting to watch.

"I'll sue you for defamation!" is the toothless wonder of the legal world. The bluster is meant to scare people, intimidate them, and get them to be quiet. In this particular case, it's not going to work. Moore has already discussed the threat on her radio show, where she said emphatically, "Bring it on." She said she had already gotten legal advice, and has a long list of attorneys who had emailed her, stepping up and eagerly offering to depose Sarah Palin in such a case. Now that would make for some damn good blogging material.

So why would this bizarre comical scenario be taking place at all? Remember how McCain strategist Steve Schmidt had to intervene and explain to Palin that it just wasn't a good idea to over-react and start making grand statements to the media about negative things being said about her? He firmly told her no. And he had to do it twice. Her personal attorney, on the other hand, is being paid to do what she wants. After a recent online fundraiser, Palin's legal defense fund may be well stocked, so it's no skin off the nose of her legal counsel who has been appearing on talk radio shows, and now writing intimidating letters. And there's obviously nobody in Palin's inner sanctum who feels like telling her it's a really bad idea. So she marches on.

Using the substantial might of the Executive branch of government to bring down unenforceable legal threats on a private citizen in Alaska, and attempting to curtail free speech through intimidation on the Fourth of July? Not a particularly brilliant PR move. By specifically singling out and naming Moore, Palin has done two things; she has shown herself to be a reactionary immature politician, and she has made Shannyn Moore a lot better known. And she is not the only one in Sarah Palin's crosshairs, mind you. You stand warned Huffington Post, New York Times, MSNBC and The Washington Post! You just better knock it off!

The New York Times and Washington Post haven't written anything about this, but Van Flein said he believed they were asking questions. "What I've been informed is that they've been interviewing people in Wasilla about this, and have tried to interview the governor's parents about it," Van Flein said.

OK, in the case of The New York Times and the Washington Post, you'd better stop even thinking about asking questions about it.

In solidarity with my friend and fellow Alaskan blogger, may I be the next to report to the team of Palin-Van Flein, and to the entire blogosphere at large:

THERE ARE RUMORS.

There. I said it.

Sue me.

UPDATE:

Today, Shannyn Moore stood before reporters and television cameras in front of the governor's Anchorage office and read a prepared statement.

On the Fourth of July, when Americans everywhere were celebrating our most sacred national holiday with parades and barbeques, Governor Sarah Palin was busy having me, Shannyn Moore, declared an Enemy of the State.

In a rambling quasi-legal letter, the most powerful person in this state accused me of defaming her for pointing out the fact that there have been rumors, -rumors- of corruption, rumors that have been around for years.

When Sarah Palin gave her three-weeks notice to the people of Alaska, aborting her term as Governor, a lot of people wondered why she quit. Mid-level managers turn-in their notice, not elected public officials. It didn't make sense. It still doesn't. People have been trying to guess why she really quit, and everyone in Alaska has been playing the guessing game. They're rumors. There are a lot of rumors. And with all the corruption we've had here in Alaska, of course we wonder what's really behind her resignation.

Governors don't just quit. But Governor Palin did.

The governor's massive overreaction -on the Fourth of July no less- should make any reasonable person wonder what's wrong with her. The Lady protests way too much. Eventually we'll all find out why she really walked off the job.

Sarah Palin is a coward and a bully. What kind of politician attacks an ordinary American on the Fourth of July for speaking her mind? What's wrong with her? The First Amendment was designed to protect people like me from the likes of people like her. Our American Revolution got rid of kings. And queens, too. Am I jacked-up? You betcha.

Sarah Palin, if you have a problem with me, then sue me. Shannyn Moore will not be muzzled!

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Comments

[Hambone2u]

One other thing i forget to mention. I know that these frivolous ethics charges has been dismissed against her. But what is stopping the rigt from doing what the left has done to her. Its not like there are only republicans in the senate and the house up there. My granddaddy always told me when you play with fire expect to one day get burned.

I guess that goes for all the liberals and progressives who thought that it was funny to file bogus ethic charges and tie up state funds that could have been used to better alaskans.

[ProChoiceGrandma]

Even though the Alaska Personnel Board’s total expenditures as of 7-1-09 was only $296,042.58, Palin keeps claiming $2 million as being wasted on ethics violations complaints. I keep saying, you have to fact-check EVERYTHING Palin says:

“But David Murrow, a spokesperson for the Governor, said in an interview that much of this money was budgeted to the lawyers in advance and would have gone to them anyway, even if state lawyers hadn’t been defending against these ethics complaints.”

“In other words, while these lawyers might have been free to do other legal work for the state, the ethics complaints have apparently not had the real world impact Palin has claimed, and didn’t drain money away from cops, teachers, roads and other things.”

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/republican-party/key-reason-palin-gave-for-quitting-appears-to-be-false/

[Demster]

The difference between a winner and a quitter?

Lipstick.

[Hambone2u]

Sounds Just Like HIllary Clinton during her campaign for the presidency

[Wiseup2Day]

Wait..let's be faitr here..Obama continues to single out journalists..and he also during the campaign singled out Joe the Plumber..so I guess by your standards we have an immature POTUS.

[WIpatriot]

Oh, that's SO fair.

[LesR22]

I think people may be focusing on isolated events, and not getting the full picture. Sarah Palin is running for President of the United States in the 2012 election. there's no secret motive, nor is there any big looming scandal that required a hurried resignation. she announced her resignation as governor in front of an all-American crowd, holding pre-printed 'country first' signs. she then went on a photo-op fishing trip, during which she took a break to publicly criticize President Obama. next will come the listening tours, and the highly-publicized speaking engagements, and the photos of enthusiastic crowds, during the course of which, she will - at the appropriate moment - formally announce her candidacy, because she 'really feels that she has no choice but to step forward in these troubled times', or whatever folsky slogan her pac-staff and focus groups dream up for her.
and as far as the threats and intimidation go - this is all part of a very formulaic strategy that has, to date, worked very well for her. deflect and distract: ' the media is the enemy. the media lies about me. the media ( bloggers / network news anchors / snl / late night tv hosts / whatever ) is out to get me. but I'm a regular person, just like you, and when you hear people trash me or see them make fun of me, don't you believe a single word of it.'

[Thabor]

I guess it will all be down to the VP pick then, since we know she won't be in office more than a year or so. If you can't take the hear as governor you sure won't be able to handle the office of president for long.

[UKOH]

I actually agree with you that there is almost certainly no more to this than meets the eye. I don't believe the rumours and I certainly DO believe the FBI that there is no pending investigation. And - for the record - I cannot stand Sarah Palin and have even less time for her political posturings.

I am sure that getting to the lower 48 to prepare for a serious run in 2012 is at the bottom of this move. However, she has demonstrated both abismal personal judgement and a poor choice of advisors. Look at where this has left her. The arguments against her candicy are now:

(1) She put her own interests before the responsibilities of the only real poliitcal position she has ever held. After shoving the people of Alaska under the proverbial bus how can we have any confidence that she would be different to the people of the entire USA?

(2) As presidential candidate and president she would have to put up with far worse from the media and the blogosphere (look at what Obama and Clinton had to go through) - her reaction inspires no confidence in her ability to handle that.

(3) Having no quit on every job she has ever had why do we think she would not quit as president?

All of the above should be enough to leave her with almost no chances in a Republican primary. What chance would she stand against Barack Obama?

[rocketdog56]

Greta Van Susteren's husband John Coale, is the guy who set up Sarah Palin's political action committee, any wonder she has had such access to the then Governor, and her sickening, sycophantic
fox news exclusive?

[rickrobertspas]

Harper Collins reportedly will pay her 11million dollars for her book, 7 out of 10 Republicans will vote for her, are these people crazy? I guess we created Sarah Palin, and obviously she deserves all these attentions and financial rewards.

She's quitting being a governor midway through her term because she can't handle the pressures of her job and media bias that always criticizing her; she apparently has thin skin. She threatening to sue her critics for slander ad many more reasons. We as citizens of this great country can still remember how she slandered and mocked Obama to the max where some loonies actually threatened Obama physically.

I guess Sarah must missed the Bible quote of "Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you."

That's why she would never ever hold the highest office in the land. I just want to say good luck to her fans and supporters, because independents and democrats would never vote for her.

[englishmjr]

Even though I cant remember the reporters name who has been bashing Sarah Palin, this is Americia, not Iran. I happen to like Sarah Palin Alot and wish her nothing but success. Its time for Sarah to get thick skin and ignore these type of people, not everyone will like her, but there are quite a lot of us who do!

[JayJay333]

I think the point is whether or not the reports are lies or not. If that reporter stated that this investigation is real, and that is not the truth, I support Palin's response. It's hard enough to figure out politics without having to sort through a bunch of lies.

[englishmjr]

I think Sarah Palin is AWESOME! Even if she doesnt run for President I think she can make a difference in the World!

[idesign]

Go Sarah go!

[mwinik]

she'd first have to learn to read and then go find a newspaper to find out what the hell is going in the "World!"

[seekingtounderstand]

Wow... its amazing what power Palin must have to bring such a fury. I never paid her any attention but now, I can't wait to read her book. I bet she will sell millions and make millions of dollars at speaking engagements. She wins big, and you guys throwing hate made it all possible. Yeah, Palin will be renting a private jet and enjoying herself....and you guys will just keep on blogging hate.
Guess you can pick on Al Franken now........

[americanrevolution]

so...sell your and your family's souls... and you can rent a private jet....cool!!!!!!!

[CherokeeGirl]

It's appropriate that she was wearing waders, with the knee deep doo doo she spews.

[QueenZel]

So clever.

[CherokeeGirl]

thanks, i've been wanting to use that one since Rachel wore waders on her show the other night.

[diahni]

My mother told me to never take seriously a woman who wears red shoes.

[Darsimaj]

Yep, another strong-willed, duty-bound republican bites the dust. I believe the word of the day is; "Giddy". Ex-Gov Palin quits when the going gets tough, yeah that's a good line to add to a presidential resume. Hire me and I'll keep the country safe, unless they start picking on me. What a joke this lady is. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[effitol]

Sarah Palin is a Waste of Time!

Of the top 12 most viewed stories on HP- 7 are Palin-related. That’s actually down from 10 stories yesterday.

How much time are we wasting on Palin while she’s gone fishing? Let’s do the math…

Total views on the 7 stories was 1,469,575.
Lets say each view was 4 minutes.
So collectively we have wasted 5,878,300 minutes; 97,971.7 hours; 4082.2 days OR 11.2 years of “Palin-time”.

And I’m not counting the time it took 13,605 of us to write comments! (18 minutes on this one by the way).

Compare that to time spent viewing and commenting on stories that might just actually affect us like climate change, the current status of the “bail-out”, the climate bill, Big Coal in West Virginia, Big Ag, our dieing oceans, unemployment, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Go ahead- look for your self! The total time spent on all of these stories combined doesn’t even come close to the time we’ve wasted on “Caribou-Barbie” (I love that one). You’ll have to do the math however; I’ve wasted too much time on this already…

[zenmonkman]

Excellent analysis ... but now I feel guilty for wasting my time time saying that to you.

[QueenZel]

You sure did waste a LOT of time! "Caribou-Barbie," my, my, how very cute.

[effitol]

Yes, I did waste a lot of time didn't I. And I guess it was especially wasted on you wasn't it...

[turningmypaige]

Palin 2012, can't wait to vote for her.....

[idesign]

Second.

[Whitley2009]

Don't forget she'll be coming out with some great books for you guys to read between now and 2012:

WHO'S WHO IN WASILLA

THE INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT CRISIS IN WASILLA

WASILLA SECESSIONISTS I HAVE KNOWN

THE MC-CAIN-PALIN HANDBOOK FOR GLORIFICATION OF FAILURE THROUGH PUBLICATION

HOW TO FIELD DRESS A MOOSE