Palin: No Press Conference, No Medical Records, No Big Surprise

Sarah Palin hasn't had a press conference or released her medical records. I'm not surprised.

The McCain/Palin camp telegraphed that Palin wouldn't have a press conference. Back in early September, McCain's Head Mudslinger Rick Davis said Palin wouldn't take tough questions from reporters "until the point in time when she'll be treated with respect and deference."

Winking, Blinking And Nod

Given Palin's interviews to date, I can't imagine any non-Fox reporter giving her adequate "deference" when it comes to asking her about: Troopergate, the road to nowhere, the VP's job description, Ted Stevens, her wardrobe, going rogue, pallin' around with First Dude and Secessionist Todd , Putin rearing his head, her witch-doctor pastor, being a drag on the ticket, etc.

Her Katie Couric interview was the beginning of the end.The McCain team just can't afford to have Palin answer any pesky follow-up questions, only to have her look like a deer in headlights, asking "In what respect, Charlie?"

I think McCain will always be haunted by his impulsive pick of the unqualified and unvetted Palin. Especially if he loses. Oh well. They'll always have St. Paul.

It would be nice if the media highlighted these omissions in the next 24 hours and held Palin accountable for agreeing to release her medical records, not releasing them and not having a press conference. Sigh...

Palin said she didn't blink when McCain asked her to be VP. People blink when they lie. Palin blinked a lot when Brian Williams asked to about releasing her medical records. Palin was for releasing them before she was against it.

Palin's been winking and blinking a lot on the campaign trail. Luckily, voters won't be giving her and McCain the nod - if we turn out our vote. It's in our hands now.

Follow Karen Russell on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Karen_Russell

Comments

[sb17]

Palin was a calculated choice, not an impulsive one. The GOP powerbrokers never wanted to take over Bush's mess. They'll gladly give it to Obama and make his job as difficult as possible ever step of the way. In the meantime they'll regroup and rearm for 2012 with a highly energized base in place. They don't want Palin to run in 2012; she's already served her purpose, but she will serve them in 2012 by making whomever they do promote look moderate in comparison.

If Obama wins, he'll need the support of all the reasonable and just people in the country to bring about the needed change. It will take work and sacrifice.

[MarianneEvans11]

If Palin was a calculated choice, who in the world picked her for the female choice when there were so many other INTELLIGENT senators and governors out there in these states! Why a totally unknown uneducated individual! She has degraded intelligent females all over the world...She has almost set us back 20+ years in all that we have worked for all these years. What a mistake!!!!!!!!!!! She is an opportunist and out for only one person - she is not for family - only for herself!

VOTE for respect returning to the White House! VOTE FOR OBAMA-BIDEN!!!!!!!!! The only lady I want to see in the White House is Michelle! (and Jill next door!)

[Foreground]

I believe what sb17 is saying, is that the Republicans chose Palin in order to throw this election so that when Obama's administration is barely able to slog through the mess left behind by Bush (no offense to his talents, but Bush has arguably left enough work for 5 Obamas -- and 50 McCains), the Democrat's will take the heat for the mess and allow the Republicans to swing back into power, apparently hyper-reformed because whoever they run in 2012 will make Palin look like a genius by default.

However, I doubt that's the case, as the current GOP ruling class don't seem to be that good at thinking in the long term (much preferring dirty tricks at the last minute). Of course, that lack of experience at over-arching strategy may well be the reason that they flubbed the attempt, as the heavy losses they're suffering in Congress may well reduce they're political power for a few decades, perhaps even sending them the way of the Whigs and the No-Nothings.

What? I can dream, can't I?

[showmestategal]

That is because really she is a non-enity! Maybe will be a scapegoat but really that prize should go to the christian right!

[munki]

"until the point in time when she'll be treated with respect and deference."
wow...
she was until she asked for it...

[collegemadhous]

lol..

What about Palin 'respecting' the media and the public? They're only doing their jobs..asking questions millioins of voters wished to know..um..some questions that we still don't have answers to and probably won't for awhile, if ever.

Of course I can see how Palin would see these interviews as not being respectful..she can't handle confrontation (she can't even shoot a moose on its own turf but has to use a high powered rifle and from a helicopter to boot!) and unfortunately, shes a lil dee-ta-dee to realize she created the problem by snubbing the media.

[AngelaQuattrano]

It isn't that she can't handle "confrontation". The problem is that she can't answer what her handlers call "process questions", and so they think she shouldn't have to. She, of course, views such questions as attacks.

[ElevateArtvertising]

I have seen such a tremendous CHANGE already from the campaign Barack Obama has run, and its envigorating and exciting. I was so pleased to see all the people at the rallies and at the polls; and they are mostly in support for Obama – and these are former Republicans who voted for George Bush…Thanks again Sarah Palin. I have not come across any passionate McCain supporters since Palin joined him, because he lost all credibility with that decision.

And "people blink when they lie" also reminded me when I watched the McCain-Obama Debate at University of Miami and I was shocked at how much McCain was blinking and how uncomfortable he was around Obama. He can't even look Obama in the eye, nor can he look America in the eye and say he is the best candidate. And his smile and grin is very creepy, and I don’t want to get into that now!

I guess we can thank Sarah Palin for being such a great help to Obama!

[GaiaTerra7]

She is in the flesh all of the weaknesses they claim Obama possesses.

[S-Jane]

McCain also. Everything they tossed out, both were guilty of.

[MarianneEvans11]

YEs.YES. YES.....I was throwing things at the TV everytime I heard Palin and McCain utter the very words that were THEM! Liars! Same goes for Hannity and Limbaugh! What frauds! I'll never listen to their radio shows again!

VOTE OBAMA-BIDEN!

[flhu]

...and then some. I mean, they never said Obama lacked a basic understanding of Constitutional Law... at least, I don't think they did... It would be really funny if they did.

[RonCanada]

That's why it's so incredibly naive to think she would consider being a candidate in 2012. Can you imagine her in the primary debates, where her fellow Republicans wouldn't be quite as gracious to her as Joe Biden. Man oh man, they would chew her up and spit her out.

[MarianneEvans11]

Oh, I can't wait and probably neither can the media! What a show that could turn out to be!

But first, let's vote OBAMA-BIDEN and get this nation back on the road to prosperity once again!

[DeSwiss]

Amen, sister, amen.....

[ElevateArtvertising]

Its completely preposterous of McCain to have picked Palin in the first place, McCain should have been disqualified for his judgment. Then to have the potential VP completely deny the American public an insight to who she really was?, oh the nerve! I could not believe that she has the time to go to hockey games and shopping for clothes at Saks, but no time to reveal her character and personality to the voters. She has no character or personality to reveal, she's the ultimate politician, that's obvious now. She has become the biggest liability for McCain voters that thought they had an argument! And her hurling personal attacks on Obama only made her look more ignorant.

Palin is one of the most uninformed candidates for the VP position, I certainly hope to see her hosting more Saturday Night Live and less world leaders.

It’s remarkable how many Republicans recognize who Palin really is. We have been to many Obama rallies / events and have met many Republicans who were voting for McCain; until we pointed out how likely it is that Palin could be the next President. We have successfully campaigned to Republicans in Miami and they have really had a great impact on the Election, and the number one reason they see change in Obama is McCain's choice for VP. These Republicans now have so much respect for Obama that its uplifting and inspiring...this is what Barack Obama brings!!

YES WE CAN! 2 More days to History!!!

[Pdubya]

mccain didn't pick palin.

just as you won't pick obama.

house wins.

[redriverpak]

Imagine the buyers remorse if McCain was to win and her first news conference as the actual VP comes off as terrible as her interviews. People will be screaming about their wasted votes!

[XME]

And imagine if, in her discussions with world leaders, she spoke exactly like she did on the prank call from "Sarkozy". http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/01/masked-avengers-prank-cal_n_140023.htmll)

[TParrish]

There would be no buyer's remorse. Everybody has heard the same interviews/debates/speeches that we have. Her supporters seem to like what they heard, and would not see a thing wrong with more of the same mindlessness.

[Freesia2]

Thank you for drawing attention to....all of it Ms. Russell. What a travesty that choice was and I have no idea what he was thinking in choosing her except that it seems he wasn't thinking at all.

I believe John McCain learned very quickly that he had made a terrible mistake. Brilliant in terms of drawing in the evangelicals and single-issue Republican voters. A complete turn off to most every one else. And I honestly believe that he and Rick Davis decided the best option was to try to just sneak her into the White House and no one would be the wiser. What a strategy. How Presidential.

Hopefully we'll all show our wisdom on Tuesday.

[mm29464]

agreed.

[Godammit]

Of course she hasn't released her medical records. If she had nothing to hide, they'd have beedn released long before they became an issue.

One day, we'll find out what those records would reveal. I can't wait.

http://godammit.com

[DeSwiss]

Love your site!!!

[jbgnyc]

Since Gov. Palin won't release her medical records, that leaves the rest of us free to speculate on why? Hmmmmm. Maybe some recent lyposuction? Some facial work? New boobs? Thanks, Sarah. Just when I thought you couldn't be more of a joke, you've got me laughing. What a two-for: no medical records and a prank radio call. Wow.