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.
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And I still read about Palin, fascinated - like watching a horror movie, waiting for her to John Wayne swagger onto her next microphone and bluster and wink her way through another interview. I dare to sound sexist here, but if this woman was not beauty pageant attractive, she would have long been gone from the media stage ... probably would never have gotten the creekside interview with John McCain in the first place. We should all just be thanking our gracious heavens that this blathering woman is not being sworn in come January. But, still I watch ... waiting for her media fall from grace ... so I can feel at ease knowing that she won't be back in 2012 and that we never again need worry about Palin's polished and manicured nails on the red button at 3am. I have questions too, but most of them are for John McCain ... the first being ... Why? Really, Why?
Oh you missed one. When Katie Couric asked you to name one Supreme Court case you disagreed with, you failed to remember the Exxon Valdez decision of June 2008 that negatively affected the state you govern and you issued a statement outlining your disappointment in that decision, how could possibly have not remembered that from just 3 months prior? And was this a question you found "annoying"?
PS: I think that was Willow at the hockey puck droppings, not Bristol. Let's be fair, though I agree those kids should have stayed at home in school like the Obama girls.
I would like to hear her favorite Supreme Court decision that she agrees with.
Mrs. Palin: In what way is your redistribution of monies derived from Oil Profits NOT socialism?
Nailed it! It irritates me that his woman was news when hse had to be and now when she is allowing to be interviewed she lies and still is demeaning towards Barack Obama who will also be her President when she s still Alaska's Gov (until 2010) so she should be wise and shut up. The Harry Potter question and answer said to me the who;e interview was a set up waste with the interviewer merely there because she was yesterdays news still with people wanting to hear/read about her. Ones who share her delusions. I do believe if she is allowed to continue down this self destrictive path we might be spared not only her but all of those who allowher to lie and make attacking statements about Mr Obama. in 2012 her moose will be cooked by her.
I believe that Palin always wanted to talk to the media, because she is a glory seeker. She loves the attention. It was the campaign staff that didn't want her anywhere near a camera, because they had an accurate indication of her lack of intelligence.
I agree. And that is why McCain & Co. are not genuine "patriots" - they do not "put country first." The selection of Palin (and her eager "acceptance" tell us all we need to know about who and what they REALLY care about.
I've been waiting for some journalist with integrity during her many press gatherings to ask her a question, any question, of substance. I don't know, just to see her flail, I suppose. But more directly, as you suggest, to stop letting her slide by with nonsense and what amounts to celebrity interviews about what she likes and who she is and what she cooks.
This woman came dangerously close to the most powerful position in the world. Letting her slip her way into power with ditzy words and cuteness is irreponsible. She actually could resurrect her bid for high office, though it will be tougher now that it seems Stevens will lose his Senate seat in Alaska, thus not giving her a side door to it. She'll have to run on her own merits now, and that should be a hoot, as Alaska is no longer bewitched.
But really, journalists, get some grit and put some questions of substance to her! She wants to be in the public eye in politics (not entertainment), more is required of her than twaddle.
As usual, R.J., right to the heart with laser focus. In the words of the sages, "Don't go away mad, Governor, just go away. Your fifteen minutes are long gone."
I do think it would be a really "interesting" exercise for her to run. That's "interesting" in the manner of the Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times." May President-elect Obama's agenda make her and her ilk moot, and relegate them to the footnote in history they so richly deserve.
Apropos that, does anyone else think that she and Senator McCain actually owe the nation an apology? I hope I speak for many others when I say,
"Senator McCain -- apologize. President-Elect Obama does not need it, and does not expect it. We do, the American people who love this country, who honor your service, who have honored your candidacy, and were horrified by what it turned into in the last two years (and in particular the last nine months). ***Your*** words, and that of ***your*** running mate -- mattered. ***You*** accused Obama of being a socialist (yes, you did). Your campaign continually accused Obama of "palling around with terrorists" (yes, they did). Your surrogates spoke repeatedly of the "danger" to the nation in voting for Obama. In doing so, you tried to portray Obama -- and ***us*** -- as traitors. Cries of "Traitor", "Kill Him", and "Hang Him" resonate in our minds, and our souls."
[continued] “Your words, and those of your minions, were the true danger to democracy, and undermine the many decades of your service. There is precedent for a washing away of sins. Look to the apartheid courts in South Africa. There is abundant forgiveness granted to those who ask for it. Man up, Senator. Admit the misdeeds. Admit that rather than stirring people's emotions, you and your campaign inflamed them. Admit that your campaign architects, disciples of that greatest enemy-of-state Karl Rove, were blinded by ambition. Apologize to America, and acknowledge that there is a better way. And ***then*** I will fully accept the graciousness of your concession
'Nuff said...
AMEN
Intellectual Curiousity is what our great country is all about Mrs. Palin-- it was set forth by our forefathers that way-- your neo-con party is over-- we are gettin it-- finally the majority of us are gettin it- and the likes of your neoconism and fear mongering will never be elected Pres./Vice
Katie Couric is the ONE and ONLY person who has interviewed Palin. Blitzer and King of CNN simply cued her in to repeat her usual gibberish. They never followed up on her nonsensical non-answers.
Faux Noise, like fake patriotism, is the last refuge for scoundrels and wingnuts. She's probably angling for her own show, like Huckabee.
I don't know who HuffPo picks up articles to publish here, but here is an opinion piece by Dick Cavett from the NYT that is just too funny in re Palin:
http://cav
Thanks for the link; that was an excellent article.
Wonderful, wonderful article and wonderful link!
Excellent read. Thanks!
Great read, Dick's still got it! This comment left by Jane Burkett sums up my feelings:
I continue an internal battle of desires regarding Sarah:
(A) Please send her back to the tundra never to be seen again. v. (B) Please keep her in the forefront of her party so that a more reasonable Republican doesn’t gain traction.
And let’s face it, she’s as easy a target as those poor animals she fires at from aircraft. Maybe, so long as she advocates the one ’sport’ we should be rewarded equally.
When I first saw the headline I thought this was going to be an article regarding Hillary as Secretary of State. When she was running against our president she not only insinuated he wasn't up to the job, she specifically mocked his tendency to want to actually talk to nations and groups we have problems with. Wouldn't diplomacy be part of her job description?
bubububut Clinton.
bubububut Clinton.
bubububut Clinton.
GET OVER IT!
First the Democrats ran in 2008 against George Bush.
Now that they've won they're running against Sarah Palin.
Better keep your eyes on the road ahead.
It's going to be a rough ride for Democrats.
Or is this just sour grapes?
She's signing a $7,000,000 book deal, according to various reports, which works out to about $1,000,000 a week for the time she spent campaigning.
She would have made $200,000 a year as V-P, so I think she made the better career move by losing.
The voters made her career move for her. Thank GOD for the voters.
Word is Alaska law won't permit her to earn income from other sources such as a literary (ha) career. If she's smart (dubious) she'll resign as Governor, write her book, do a talk show or some other entertainment venue, and leave the arena where intelligence and coherence matter.
That law would probably be unconstitutional, in my not so humble opinion, but never mind. Assuming that it would be a constraint, she should appoint herself senator, collect the fee (as Obama and Hillary did) and go to Washington.
$7 million is equal to the salary of 35 years as V-P, plus......
Well at least she'll be able to pay for her own clothes.
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Kudos! You nailed it with that one!
Fantastic read. Sums it all up -- neatly and decisively. That anyone can imagine Palin winning the GOP presidential nomination in '12 is astounding.
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