Sarah Palin's Greatest Defender

I sat down to interview the combative John Ziegler, director of the Sarah Palin doc Media Malpractice. It's no Frost/Nixon. But it is a dialogue of disconnect and discontent, sure to stir reactions.

I sought the opportunity to discuss the failures of our media in elections, a topic I explore in my documentary on election integrity, FREE FOR ALL! In my ongoing quest of documenting truth, I look to continually challenge assumptions, find new sources of information, and seek common ground on important social issues in hopes to transcend knee-jerk obstructionism.

Part of me wanted to just give him a mic to say his piece to the liberal blogosphere and maybe clear up some misconceptions. Beyond my perceptions of the media's shortcomings, I wanted to hear from a staunch conservative where he perceived the media failed. Perhaps I could point out other trends in the mainstream press that Ziegler would recognize in the media's handling of Sarah Palin -- sexism, tabloid journalism, opinion reported as news, or shirking journalistic standards.

And though I was relieved to have Obama elected, I am deeply suspect of all politicians, and I do not identify myself as a Democrat. I figured we could laugh over the common caricature of opportunistic politicians poorly posturing.

John Ziegler took me up on my invitation to talk about his film and these issues, knowing full well that this was for the Huffington Post, the #1 political website featured frequently in his film, known for progressive opinion leaders and celebrity nipples. We met at the Center For Inquiry in Hollywood, home to the Steve Allen Theater. He arrived casually contemptuous.

I had no delusion of persuasion. But in my deep desire to dissolve the two-party mentality, I hoped that through our conversation we could point out larger problems of media failure that people of any persuasion would appreciate.

On Being a "Conservative" Filmmaker

Ziegler began by discussing his unfair treatment in the media because he is openly conservative.

I have every possible advantage over conservatives in Los Angeles? Like what? Is there a lefty diamond lane I do not know about on the 101? Do I get parking privileges with my ACLU card? Must investigate...

How Hillary Clinton suffered the same media bias as Sarah Palin

Here, Ziegler talks about how the media coverage of Obama inspired him to make the film before Sarah Palin even entered the picture.

"In fact, the co-founder of the PUMAs has viewed and endorsed this film... which I think speaks to my objectivity."

How the Media Went Easy on Obama's ties to Rev. Wright

When I inquire about the media's focus on Rev. Wright compared with Sarah Palin's pastor's protection from witchcraft, or Pentecostals speaking in tongues at her church, it is greeted with an outraged admonishment for outlandish allegations. It is not refuted or discounted; the question is attacked. "Are you serious? You're really going to compare -- in your world...?!?"

You can view Ziegler's segment on Rev. Wright from his film here.

Why Sarah Palin was such a threat

I did not realize that women in the news media were so intimidated by Sarah Palin and felt badly about themselves because she has a career and a family and is pro-life and "looking dynamite." However, I do believe that her love of shooting at animals (especially from a helicopter, 'Nam-style) would be alienating to many professional women.

The Fairness Doctrine

Would restoring the Fairness Doctrine -- a deep fear on the Right recently discussed at CPAC (where Ziegler also spoke) -- be a solution to the media bias he perceives? Ziegler asserts he knows more about the Fairness Doctrine than anyone, so apparently I asked the right guy.

The Lack of GOP leadership

Lest one think that Ziegler's vitriol spews only along party lines, here he breaks down in detail his sad assessment of the future of the Republican Party.

Why Palin Should Be President

As a matter of course, before the interview concluded, I asked Ziegler to list the policies or proposals of Sarah Palin that made her a preferable presidential candidate. To my astonishment, Ziegler freely admitted it was based not on any specific policy, but because "she gets it." After all of this benefit of the doubt and open-mindedness -- you can't even sell me on her, except as a victim of meanie media types who apparently did not see this potential either??

While I maintained my role as interviewer, not debater, I later noticed on the tape that as Ziegler rattles off a laundry list of cliche pleasantries, it appears as though my head is about to explode from restraint. I would make a bad poker player: my lips purse, my jaw clenches, my eyes widen in disbelief, I fidget incredulously. My wordless reaction is the focus of this clip.

What is Truth?

I wrapped up my interview by asking Ziegler the same question I ended all of my interviews with for FREE FOR ALL!: "What is truth?"

The purpose in my film was to assess the criteria by which we accept our election results -- is what the media reports "truth"? Is an official report by a brazenly partisan government official like Ken Blackwell "truth"? Is someone's first-person account of events "truth"? What if they are mistaken? Strikingly, no two people had the same definition of truth, though many interview subjects wrestled with the weight and importance of truth in today's media saturated din.

So it came as something of a shock when I got Ziegler's answer to this question.

To hear that truth is meaningless is as close to heresy as I can fathom, as an apatheist.

In our talk, Ziegler said that the reason he has been on The View, the Today Show, CNN, and other mainstream outlets is not just because they still love to talk about Palin, but because deep down, the media knows he's right, they really did do everything to undermine Sarah Palin, and they are trying to make up for it.

Ziegeler does not care about truth -- he cares about being right. It's like firing a pistol with blanks. Loud ones.

You can also read my review of Media Malpractice.

UPDATE: The originally posted version of this article included a statement that Mr. Ziegler refused to shake my cameraman's hand upon arrival. Upon clarification, my cameraman has informed me that after Mr. Ziegler first waved off shaking his hand when offered, he then made a repeated thrust at Mr. Ziegler of his hand to ensure a proper greeting. We regret the error.

2nd UPDATE: Mr. Ziegler was not satisfied with the previous retraction on the handshake claim by my cameraman, so I am now printing his exact words so that how cordial he is cannot be called into question:

I saw your update. Do you even remotely care about being a lying sack of crap? I told you what happened with the "handshake" and you still lie about it. I have no idea what delusions your cameraman is under but I can assure you that I did not avoid shaking his hand. Once again, do you not recall that I was on the phone with you when this person unknown to me tried to introduce himself and I had no hands available?! You people are absolutely amazing. You have no standards, no principles, no argument other than trying to do anything you can, no matter how petty or inaccurate, to make someone look bad. Is that really all you have? Really? Wow.

Comments

[BlackJAC]

"Truth" is simply the one interpretation of existing facts that at least 51% of the populace can agree upon.

[Virgil Kane]

It is ironic that Ziegler criticizes the people that voted for Obama based off of personality, but it is the exact reason he gives for why he supports Sarah Palin. However, I do agree that the MSM was incredibly biased for Obama, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

[July rose]

Mr. Ziegeler personifies what a conservative is in my eyes. Someone who has no ideas, stands for nothing, and loves to play victim. As for Sarah Palin, the fact that he couldn't think of a single thing she stood for politically, also magnifies what a conservative is.

[orihime]

I loved John's film too! It was fascinating to watch and it really opened my eyes. I had some moments where I just sat there in disbelief at what I witnessed in John's film. There was such a coordination among the MSM outlets to assassinate the characters and destroy the candidacies of Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Sarah Palin in order for their favorite Obama to win. I no longer trust the MSM reports.

Everyone should see the film and judge for themselves. It is absolutely frightening when the Media is engaged in political propaganda and advocacy rather than journalism and being the watchdog for public. We are living in "1984."

John Z. - You rock! Keep up the good work and being unafraid to challenge the Media!

[JohnnyRussia]

I have experienced Ziegler's failure at cordiality first-hand in several e-mail exchanges. He is perpetually in full combat mode, and is the angriest person that I've never met!

[reshas1]

The job of a liberal/Democrat? To destroy any up and coming Republican­.. Just like the MSM, WE ARE ON TO YOU...
Go John Zeigler, you are putting out GREAT stuff, keep it up.

[Slappo]

Two things about that last clip:

1) I think you should have asked "What is truth?" not "What is THE Truth"? Those two things are very different, and the first one is much more objective and answerable, the second one is not.

But, as far as his response to it: To me, it sounds like he's saying that truth doesn't matter at all to anyone "in this society", not that he doesn't care about it. There's no more to the end of this clip that would clarify his position? Because, if there is, it is not very "truthful" to selectively present footage for our examination.

[John Wellington Ennis - Huffpost Blogger]

The question was "What is Truth," as it was for every other interview in my film FREE FOR ALL!

By the end of the clip, Mr. Ziegler concludes, "I think that pretty much says it."

[Cory Martin]

I agree with your evaluation, Slappo. I recognize disgust and dissappoint from John (perhaps because those are the same emotions I'm experiencing). It is disheartening to say the least to realize that so many intellegent people have handed their minds over to the BO media and have willingly agreed to give up their rights as Americans.­.. it's more than sad.

[RedDogRepub]

Go get them John
They do not like you because you showed them a mirror that they do not like.
They want to be journalists but the are not they have no ethics what so ever.

Keep up the great work!

[BigDogRepublican]

Got get 'em John. Watch the movie!!!

[JBritto]

Great film John. You tell it like it is. No fair person could deny the treatment Sarah Palin received by some of the top news people was grossly unfair. And, the "View" gals were a disgrace in the highest order. Keep up the good work. Most people that will have negative comments about the film probably haven't seen it because they are still too busy drinking their Kool Aid.

[imfedup]

Run along home, BigDog.