Oh. NOW, She Wants to Talk

For two months, when she was unknown, yet asking the American public to elect her vice president of the United States - when it mattered seriously for Americans to know precisely who she was and see her vetted in public- Sarah Palin couldn't be found anywhere near a challenging microphone. Even in the midst of an actual debate, she haughtily refused to answer questions asked of her.

Now, however, you can't keep her away from reporters. Now, if you were standing between Sarah Palin and a camera, you'd be stampeded. Now, it's like she's morphed into the creepy Norma Desmond at the end of "Sunset Boulevard," eerily gliding down the stairs of her home, calling out, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."

Now.

Now.

Except, now, it doesn't matter. Now, we're no longer deciding who should be elected to lead the United States. Now, we don't care what she reads, what she can see from her porch. We already chose who we wanted. Sarah Palin lost, even if she didn't get to give her "concession speech."

Sarah Palin kept insisting she would only talk when she wasn't filtered. That was why she wouldn't do interviews, so people could get to know the Real Sarah.

But at some point between "You lost" and "Last boarding call for Anchorage," Sarah Palin miraculously realized that people could discover the Real Sarah even when filtered through a reporter. In fact, the more filters the merrier.

It's a smarmy, cowardly act. Just like her whole campaign. Hinting at her opponent being a traitor created a dangerous atmosphere in the country that lingers, all the while hiding behind a fake-whine that she should be the one protected against criticism.

And her cowardice continues: slamming the press she avoided, yet now courts. Smearing bloggers, yet "palinforVP.blogspot.com" started her crusade to become vice president.

Mind you, while it's annoying to see her empty interviews, that's not the problem. The problem is that too many interviewers are letting her get away, at best, with blather. And at worst, lying. When she told Matt Lauer that she couldn't have banned "Harry Potter" when she was mayor because the books hadn't yet been published, he should have said, "Yes, they had!" When she told a reporter she was annoyed by Katie Couric's question because "Alaskans read what everyone reads," he should have replied, "No, you were being asked what specific newspapers inform your world view. And you still haven't answered." And someone should have pointed out to Ms. Palin that she still hasn't delivered to Katie Couric that list of McCain regulations she promised she'd get. Or that she still hasn't made her medical records public, that she also promised.

So, as much as I hate seeing this losing candidate using up airspace that could be better spent on Barney (Fife, Rubble or the purple dinosaur), I'd LOVE to see reporters actually interview her. Not just hand over a microphone and let her continue to slam the president-elect, lie about her clothes, and cook a homey stew as if the state didn't provide her a chef that she never did, in fact, fire.

So many questions. Yet amid them all, sometimes I wonder what if I was allowed to ask Sarah Palin a question - but only one. What would it be?

After much thought, I've honed it down to this:

"Throughout the campaign, you talked endlessly about Joe the Plumber. How you cared about Joe the Plumber. How Joe the Plumber was what America was all about. How Joe the Plumber was what you were all about. How you understood Joe the Plumber to the depths of your very soul. My question is - What is Joe the Plumber's name?"

I have cash money on the table that she couldn't answer, "Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher."

Of course, I won't get the chance. But since every TV reporter in America with a camera will likely get their chance, here are some questions gratis they are welcome to ask Sarah Palin.

Why isn't the oil distribution payout you made to Alaskans socialism?

How could you say, "I'm comfortable with Barack Obama as our Commander-in-Chief," after suggesting he dangerously palled around with terrorists?

Did you find it creepy to have hands laid on you in church by a witch doctor?

Were you in church, as your pastor insists, when the invited speaker said it was God's will that Jews in Israel were killed in terrorist attacks?

Whether you were in church or not, why haven't you ever condemned the statement?

Why did you tape a greeting for the Alaskan Independence Party convention that wants Alaska to secede from the United States?

Your husband was a member of the secessionist AIP, which affiliated itself with the Iran dictatorship. Doesn't that mean you palled around with a domestic terrorist?

What was a typical day like as mayor of Wasilla?

Would you like to try that answer about your foreign policy experience and seeing Russia again?

You said that you also got experience from books you read. What books have made you an expert on Russia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, France, North Korea, Venezuela and Spain?

What newspapers do you read?

What places in America aren't pro-America?

Do you believe that Barack Obama is an anti-American terrorist?

Do you understand the great and lasting danger you caused America by hinting that he was?

When people at your rallies continually yelled "Traitor" and "Kill him," why didn't you say anything to them?

What do you want?

After insisting your family was off limits, why did you carry your children around like stage props, even bringing your two daughters onto the ice when you dropped a hockey puck?

Is something wrong with your eye?

If Sarah Palin wants to talk now - she has to now be willing to answer questions that she avoided before.

If Sarah Palin wants to talk now - she has to talk about "now." Yet she's still grasping at her old, divisive, hollow, losing stump speech. What the American public demands is someone who can speak to the collapsing economy - and offer solutions. To finally ending the Iraq War. Getting health care.

And the empty Sarah Palin keeps showing she has nothing to add to the public discourse. Yet talks anyway. Now.

Sarah Palin seemingly wants to lead the Republican Party in four years. Fat chance, but still, she should at least take the advice of the founder of her party, Abraham Lincoln. No, not that advice about, "You can't fool all the people all of the time" - though admittedly that's pretty good.

No, the advice I'm referring to is another from Lincoln --

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

Updated.

Comments

[gemiwing]

I am nauseated by the amount of press she is still receiving. You're correct that it's all fluff and nonsense. I don't care if she likes moose stew, I could give a #&%@ what she thinks about Entertainment Tonight and I sure as spit don't care to see her on a boat in horrible 80's tastic lycra.

Give me a real interview with Palin and I'll pay attention. Until then, she's just like watching a washed up supermodel who swears she can make a comeback. Vapid, vain and a waste of my time.

[scooperss]

Hard but accurate.

[ObjectiveRealist]

Candidate Barack Obama did a better job of turning the commercial press back to substantive topics than Ron Paul did, especially in live interviews. Both had enthusiastic, financially generous supporters, and last November I would have bet on Ron Paul to win the Presidency and Barack Obama to almost get nominated by the Democrats. I think what made the difference was Obama's superior ability to tell the press what the voters wanted to know [not always what we wanted to hear], and to remain *composed* while doing so.

Both have a consistent record of turning silly questions into opportunities to say relevant things about important national policies, and both have been asked a LOT of silly questions! But President Obama is in a league of his own when it comes to using any time he has in a spotlight to make a positive impression on voters. Although I'd prefer Ron Paul for the economic policies, I have to admit his passion tends to frequently leave him looking disconcerted and not like somebody who will make a terrific first impression on very many people. He's not very visually appealing to "swing voters" so he didn't swing many and the Republican base's inertia determined too many of the primaries.

[ObjectiveRealist]

[continued]
My point is that Obama's combination of substance and style is not to be taken for granted. We cannot depend on every candidate to be as pro-active as President Obama in sticking to the subject even when "good press" or a cheap point against an opponent might be available by talking about something trivial. The press will continue to cover trivia as long as people are willing to buy trivia, which is to say, forever. Palin's ineloquence is an ironic, poignant reminder of what kind of garbage we are likely to get in the future, unless we become as vigilant as our Founders intended.

Dyslexic webloggers of the world, untie!

[studioh!]

She's SO over - but with regards to Joe da Plumber (soon-to-be best selling author Joe), McCain initially said from the stage his name was Samuel Werzelberger. He's simply another 'prop'.

[also there also]

I wanna know what charity she donated the red leather jacket to, cause I'm thinking it would look good on my wife and I can't afford Nieman Markus prices...

[zippitydoo]

You should not be mean to your wife.

[tomoleary]

It continually astounds me that everyone who interviews Gov. Palin (especially after the campaign when the media sensitivity toward her should have ended) lets her ramble on with a generic response to a question - and then (after a slight pause) moves onto another question without any follow up.

I know that it's hard to follow up with a question when the first answer is such a muddled mess; but there were ample opportunities to have her expound (somewhat more specifically) on her initial response.

For example when she talked about the 'media gossip' of her banning Harry Potter when Harry Potter wasn't even written when she was Mayor - they could have said, "Actually, Harry Potter was written then." And then to follow up by asking if she thinks that certain books shouldn't be available in public libraries in Wasilla or anywhere else in the world? Or to follow up by asking why the librarian in Wasilla was fired.

But no. Ask a fluffy question. Get a fluffy answer. Ask a fluffy question..­..

[Ipanemagirl]

It makes you wonder if reporters are scared to proffessional, that by insisting on real answers they will scare away other possible interviews­,,,where's your "cohones" as Colbert would say, I ask???

[mjl422]

I think they realize that follow-up doesn't work with her. Katie Couric tried it and it went nowhere. And they are probably wondering "why do I have to do this joke of an interview?"

[YunekFlava]

Thank you so much for writing this article, but after hearing this woman, I know why the campaign was hoping to keep her on script. I've heard some say she was smart, but I say she is cunning and that will get you quite far in the entertainment industry. However, when you play with the "big dogs, barking will not be enough, you'll have to bite every now and then", and as far as I am concerned, it doesn't take much to take shots at other people, as she did to Barack during the campaign, you will have to take a few too. This woman has been insulated for way too long, and we will all see what she is made of, you see all of these fluff interviews since she has been "unleashed", is crap with a capital C. The campaign wanted her treated with "defference", because they probably knew if provoked, she would come out swinging wildly, which is what she did. She did more damage when she went "rouge", and everyone saw what the campaign was trying to hide.

If I was Sarah, I would save it all for the book, I am sure it will be a cliff-hanger, and I just can't wait.

As for the quote from Lincoln, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." is one of my all time favorites, ask my 6 children and 5 grandchildren.

[Ipanemagirl]

did you mean rogue? and not rouge.(red­).
I dont think she is smart at all. She shows she has no intellectual curiosity, that is why she knows so little about anything. As for being malicious and cunning and vengeful?, I'll give her that much!

[ByersL]

Scarier still is that many millions voted for this woman for VP in spite of the fact we knew nearly nothing about her, and her running mate was 72 years old. What is wrong with this country that some of us are drawn to people like her?

[YunekFlava]

My personal opinion is that millions of people were stunned that an intelligent, competent , attractive, family man of color had won the hearts and minds of so many in this country and around the world, that they began looking for the "great white hope", and they knew it was not Mccain, so they wanted it to be Sarah.

People did not see Palin's vaccumous issues, and the fact that she touted her motherhood, and did not display maternal instincts, all they knew is if there was going to be "change", please let it be Sarah, but millions more disagreed.

Palin only talked the talk, and people did not care, but that shows you how we got were we are in right now, because talk is cheap, but competent action comes with a higher cost, for which this woman knows nothing about. Palin takes no responsiblity for anything that has not gone as planned, as he did with the "Troopergate" situation. Keep your eyes on her as she tries to rebuild her credibility and power now that she is no longer on the campaign trail. Check out the ADN from time to time, and even check out their archives, because they do not drink her Palin-aid and they don't carry her water. For sure.

[Ipanemagirl]

They saw her as an equal to compete against Obama? Sorry but that is the most absurd thought, and if the GOP really thought that, it was because they are lunatics, dumb and uneducated people who think that just because she is a religious freak, she will be good for this country. They want theocracy?, they should try to live under the Taliban in Afghanistan first, to see how they like living under the rules of middle age belief systems! thats theocrcy for you! Be careful what you wish for! It may not be quite what you had in mind!!!!

[CBLSoup]

If Obama was white, this election would have been a landslide.

If a person was experiencing even a small bit of racism, they grabbed onto McCain. It is shocking that they would risk putting our country into Palin's hands. Aside from racism, Boston Legal had a great show yesterday. It was about a portion of the population who were just "idiots", but they also have a right to vote. They put about as much thought into their vote, than what they are going to eat for breakfast. They vote merely on looks or a sound bite that they have heard. It's unfortunate, but a fact.

[picard922]

Bravo. All excellent questions.

[GroveGal35]

Thank you for your article. I hope every journalist reads it, asks her questions and presses her, stays on focus, and honea in when her answers are slippery or just plain inaccurate. I don't know why the press has let these things slide with her. It's as if they are handling her with kids' gloves and she needs no such gentle handling.

I was very surprised at Matt's reluctance to be more direct with her. He can be tough at times but he, too, let so much slide. This is very important especially since she has political ambitions. I can't recall another politician who has been so good at evading questions nor one not called upon the carpet for inaccurate statements during an interview. Why the special treatment for her?

[ObjectiveRealist]

[
I hope every journalist reads it, asks her questions and presses her, stays on focus, and honea in when her answers are slippery or just plain inaccurate.
]

As a voter I agree and I'd like to see her, and every candidate be so responsibly interviewed. But as a customer of the free press I have to admit that a newspaper or magazine headline "Palin's Analysis Of The Macroeconomics Of Market Illiquidity" would be unlikely to part me from my quid.

That was the purpose of pamphleteering circa 1776, the real motive for the First Amendment protection of the Freedom Of The Press, and at least some of it must be undertaken as the duty of average citizens.

'Blog like your all your other rights depend on it. They do.

[YunekFlava]

Matt was much tougher when he interviewed Britney Spears and Tom Cruise. I think he was still trying to treat Sarah with "defference", besides no male interviewer wants to be the person who shredds her on national tv, and she is not going to talk to any woman that will not agree to do the same type of interview, an interview like Greta Garble of FAKENEWS. LOL!!!!!!!!!

[marrig]

Wow. This is one of the best I've read on the subject. It is chilling to think that she could ever ever have been so close to leading this country. John McCain owes USA a big apology, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Freesia2]

Oh thank you, Mr. Elisberg. Mostly for the Norma Desmond reference. I now will smile when I see Sarah, because I'll think of her blaring her eyes into the camera and talking to all of us "beautiful people out here in the dark!".

Sarah darn near pulled off one of the biggest cons in political history. And I believe that the delightful GOP synchophants continue to run her fan club because if they reveal the fraud that is Palin, they will have to own up to their part in setting up the shell game. She came thaaaat close to the highest office in this country and it was all a ruse. Help us - what if they'd pulled it off? She's not bright enough to keep up the charade without help so it would mean that our President McCain's (shudder) job would have been to keep anybody from knowing just how truly vapid his vp was. 24/7.

That drama queen needs to head back to Alaska. Show's over.

[ckt]

I don't know who was with her at the St Louis game, but I do know that Piper was at the Pennsylvannia game (properly attired in the team jersey).

Palin was annoyed with the question regarding what she reads and twisted it into a personal affront. She might want to watch the 60 Minutes interview of Obama where he was asked what it is that he is reading and (surprise, suprise, surprise) he was able to answer the question. He's reading books on FDR and Lincoln not to mention reams of briefs. And, to top it off, he wasn't insulted by the question.

One more question I would ask her would be, "Ms Palin, during one discourse, you cited your journalism degree as being an indicator to your love of words. In obtaining that degree, did it ever cross your mind that words are used to communicate real thoughts and are not just to be recklessly and randomly spewed forth like an erupting volcano? Did anyone anywhere along your educational journey point out to you that English is a language complete with rules, structure, and syntax? And, if they did point that out to you, why in heaven's name do you so blatantly ignore it?

[allamericanboy]

Oh gosh, ckt ...... you and your gotcha questions.

[Isis N]

ROTFL - Great response! You forgot the wink, though. ;)

[kejia]

It was Piper, described by Dave Zirin in:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-zirin/palin-drops-the-puck_b_134215.html
***** begin quote *****
As added insurance, the GOP vice-presidential candidate walked out on the ice with seven-year-old daughter, Piper, who wore a Flyers jersey. Palin acknowledged this strategy beforehand, saying, "I've been warned that Flyers fans, they get so enthused, that they boo everybody at the drop of the puck. But what I thought I'd do is I'd put Piper in a Flyers jersey, bring her out with me. How dare they boo Piper!" Well, they dared, and Sarah Palin once again makes her case for mother of the year.
***** end quote *****

[chippa]

Gov. Palin's ego lets her believe that she is somehow a better candidate than Pres elect Obama. That is why she is still slamming him in her latest interviews. Although the interviewers were soft on her ,they still did not achieve the results she expected. Rather, I believe they were the opposite of her goal. As for her book deal,who would buy it?? I would not ,since she has not offered anything worth reading or listening to for free. Remember she did grant interviews to the right wing media during the campaign. I hope she keeps talking . The more she talks the more we get to see and use in the future ,if and when she runs in 2012 or 2016.

[tomoleary]

Good questions. I would add:

- How long do you think man has lived on earth? A few million years of a few thousand years?

- What are your thoughts on Joe Vogler, the founder of the AIP, who said, "The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government. And I won't be buried under their damn flag. I'll be buried in Dawson. And when Alaska is an independent nation they can bring my bones home."

- What do you think of the AIP and their secessionist views?

- Did Todd support the AIP's secessionist views when he was a member until 2002?

- Do you think that Alaska should secede from the United States of America?

- Do you believe in the separation of Church and State?

- Do you think that it's right that rape victims have to pay for their own rape kits?

- Who are the main players in the Middle east and why?

- You talked about Ronald Regan during the campaign. Specifically, what were his biggest accomplishments when he was in office?

....We could go on and on and on...

[AngelaQuattrano]

I think the key science question should be, "When did the dinosaurs die out and what killed them?" Let's not give her a question where she can parse out the answer just from the way the question is asked. But it should be a simple question with a clearcut answer. Unfortunately she's not going to give anyone an hour to ask a bunch of hard questions. She'll bail on an interview first.

[tomoleary]

I agree wholeheartedly. Specific, direct questions are required.