GOP Governors Try to Unite Amid Palin's Media Frenzy

MIAMI -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had an hour-long Q and A with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, spent another 30-some minutes with Larry King, hit a few more of the cable and network news outlets, chatted with local South Florida area broadcast and print media, took charge (much to the chagrin of her fellow GOP executives) of a party press conference and, in general created what appeared to be a 48 hour "media frenzy" at the Republican Governors Association annual two-day convention.

The confab at the downtown Intercontinental Hotel overlooking Biscayne Bay was supposed to be a "show of unity" for the GOP governors, as a follow-up to the devastating Presidential electoral thrashing the party took on Nov. 4. But, the Palin media soiree caught almost everyone off balance. Here was a governor -- one who no one really knew until three months ago when Republican nominee Sen. John McCain put her into national politics with a second spot on the ticket -- taking center stage.

Palin alluded to questions from several media sources that she had been "handled" during the campaign, thus keeping her away from many media interviews (after a disastrous Katie Couric encounter ) but she more than made up for her lack of press contact during the campaign during her two day stint in Miami. As one journalist noted, "she was everywhere." "It's Sarah Palin's Show at GOP Miami Meeting" headlined the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, over an article by political writer Anthony Man. Man called her a "hot commodity."

But, staffers connected to other governors on hand were less than enthusiastic, noting "she is not the de facto leader of the party."

Others -- many who spoke only on condition of anonymity -- called her multi-press interviews and broadcast appearances as "sucking up all the media oxygen." One governor, Mississippi's Haley Barber, however, came to her defense, shrugging off that description.

In fairness, the media seemed to be seeking her out for a comment at every opportunity.

However, the press conference on Thursday apparently caused the most concern, comment and replays on national television well into the evening Thursday and Friday morning. Backed by 13 other GOP governors as a show of party unity -- after a lengthy introduction by Texas' Rick Perry, Palin took over the microphone and attempted to answer all the questions (with her fellow governors looking awkwardly on) before the press staff shut the media conference down after ll minutes and four questions.

Palin also was criticized for adding to the tension because of her speech at the Miami meeting. It was supposed to be a call for unity and for the future of the aching Republican party. But instead Palin spent much of her talk about her experiences as the first woman on a national GOP ticket and a call to keep President-elect Barack Obama"in check." There were little details, but she reportedly was continuing to rebrand her image which she says was unfairly tarnished during the presidential campaign,

In her TV appearances, Palin also made comments about her party-paid-for wardrobe, purchases (she called them merely theatrical props), her pregnant daughter (who she said could be a leader in teaching teens how to avoid such situations), repeated some of her anti-Obama campaign criticism ("he palled around" with the wrong people), and continued to praise Sen. McCain as a national hero.

She also continuously denied blame for the GOP'S defeat. "If I cost John McCain one vote, I am sorry."

"I think the economic collapse had a heckova lot more to do with the campaign's collapse than me personally," she told NBC.

Several newspapers reported that host Florida Gov, Charlie Crist, had lost much of his luster when McCain turned to Palin for the number two spot on the ticket, despite his campaigning full steam for him in the primary. He welcomed the governor's group to South Florida with a call for unity.

Others on hand (and mentioned as potential candidates in 2012) included Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana (notably missing when Palin held her press conference flanked by 13 other leaders) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minneota. And, some pundits have written about the success of several two-term winners in the party -- John Hoeven of North Dakota, Jon Huntsman of Utah, Jim Douglas of Vermont and Mitch Daniels of Indiana

Gov, Palin left the possibility of a 2012 presidential run or a Senate seat campaign as something she might consider, but said she would be devoting herself to her job as Alaska's chief executive.

Citing the Almighty as the ultimate decision maker, she noted that she would not appoint herself to a Senate seat if convicted Sen. Ted Stevens is ousted from the Upper Chamber, but said that if God should open the door to a special election, she might walk "through the door."

You betcha!

Comments

[OtayPanky]

Guess what?

I got a fever, and the only prescription is more Palin.

[BossBabe]

She can't "appoint herself." There must be an election. Apparently Sarah hasn't even read the Alaska Constitution.

[PCNYREBEL]

Did anyone watch her interview with Blitzer?? It was Couric all over again, including him having to ask her a question on current issue TWICE, geting the same Tina Fey mocked rambling no ansWer-answer, and then Wolf finally just answered the question himself!! It is amazing- she is still not smart enough to prepare for anything!! Because the real problem in the Couric interview was her "annoyance"? And the pundits think she is rehabiitating her image??? what are they watching??? Giving clever answers to the wardrobe question is hardly proving that she is capable of running for any office, never mind President.

And now Rick Davis is defending her??!! Really, she is totally innocent in all of the clothes fiasco-she didn't notice the labels? She thought okay that they kept shipping clothes including undergarments? It answers the age old question-we know what you are, we were just establishing the price.

When will this GO AWAY???

[metogamekun]

Palin's advise to other Governors, "Extra tax on your state's biggest industry and then give handouts to your citizens."

And she was calling Obama a socialist? What gives? We should all be so lucky.

[justobserve]

This empty-headed beauty queen is skilled at grasping any opportunity that other people opened for her despite her lack of knowledge or curiosity of national or international affairs. McCain not only chose a monster in disguise as his VP, he left her for others after him to handle her for a foreseeable future due to her flirting skill with everyone she needs to be her stepping stones. Just look at one small example to see how she spins one bad thing to be a shining icon, her pregnant daughter, who she said could be a leader in teaching teens how to avoid such situations: if her own daughter couldn't listen to her to avoid such situation (Palin eloped when she was pregnant!) how could she teach others? She is lying through and through but some still believe in her without even looking at her dismayed records in Alaska. Fortunately the Republican Minority who worship Palin will be less and less as time goes by.

[speakyourmind]

Could this clown's ego be ANY bigger?

[KeepMeLearning]

YES (unfortunately)

[keepemhonest]

Dear Sarah Palin,

If you're reading this, let me tell you a thing or two, or three:

1) I personally know SEVERAL, SEVERAL, SEVERAL registered republicans that did not vote for McCain because of YOU - Sarah Palin - ... Because YOU McCain lost republican votes.

2) You blame the MSM for highlighting your ignorance - If you think highlighting your ignornace is bad from the MSM just wait until your fellow Republicans like Romney start bashing YOU for YOUR connections to A) The Witch-Doctor Muthee and B) Todd & the AIP.

3) You're more ignorant than I even give you credit for if you think for one minute - had McCain won - McCain, Lieberman, Lindsey Graham, Phil Gramm, Mitch McConnell or anyone else would give you any higher responsibility than bringing them coffee. NO Sarah, They did not and do not think you are smart. They did not pick you for your wit or smarts they ONLY picked you because you sit down to tinkle.

4.) Those govs you used as props on stage at the Gov convention, did you see their faces during the General Election when they were on tv talking about your ignorance? If not, google: Romney, Crist, Jindal, Pawlenty ... THEY THINK YOU ARE SO IGNORANT NONE OF THEM COULD EVEN LIE ABOUT IT WITH A STRAIGHT FACE.

5.) Stop using your kids as props bec. if you think the liberal media is bad, just watch what those dang GOP rightwingers will do to

[scjk67]

a beautiful comment and thank you for you've just saved me from all that typing! :-)

[YunekFlava]

Who knows, she might even be shoved through that door she keeps referring to. If BO has a successful 4 years, and she decides to bust through the door, or even climb through an open window, she could really wound her chances for coming back in 2016, because I think as long as BO keeps doing what he is doing, Repuglicans will not stand a snowballs chance in h e l l and surely not , Sarah Failin. Rep. will take their own self-professed party leader and Caribou Governor out of the equation.

There are going to be some amazing antics in store for us, so keep your eyes peeled. Get ready to laugh, curse, brake a few televisions, and blog until the break of dawn, because in going after Obama, these folks are going to be walking around with feathers and shoes hanging out of their mouths. I just can't wait.

CHANGE or be Changed.

[londongal]

WTF has to happen before this woman goes back to Alaska? And who the hell does she think she is -- talking about keeping President-elect Obama "in check"? Get the hell outta here!

[Blue in NH]

Want to bet the RGA will "forget" to invite her next year?

[ChrisSid]

I have been waiting for this day. Today is the first day there are no sub-headlines on CNN.com’s homepage about Sarah Palin. None. She should be running out of steam - what more can she say? Except for the temporary nationally covered RGA, she really have shouldn’t be able to drum up any more “news” and hopefully the attention will dwindle as she goes back to her little state with the 4th smallest population. I have to admit I enjoyed the NASCAR aspect of waiting for the Palin crashes and will be going through Palin withdrawal but I think it worth the pain. On to something else.

[peacegurl48]

EGOMANIAC! I'm certain that the brilliant Republicans (like Jindal) are just letting her talk...the more she talks the more ignorant and negative she looks. Sarah "nothing to lose" Palin is only out for her self.

[tifaret]

i think the proper word is "DIVA"....

[Orpheus77]

So how does Palin propose to "keep the Democrats in check," or "hold the Federal government accountable?" Does she imagine governors have a real voice in national politics?

It looks like another example of her amazing cluelessness about how our government works. Like the VP being "in charge of the Senate." Staggering.

[mamala4]

ENOUGH!