Going Rogue = Avoiding Tough Questions

According to Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund, Palin's book, Going Rogue, "will describe Ms. Palin's frustration over her treatment by the staffers she inherited from the McCain campaign after her surprise pick as the GOP vice presidential nominee last year." Palin, who disastrously "went rogue" during an interview with Katie Couric and argued that her home state's proximity to Russia qualified as foreign policy experience, is apparently upset that the respect of veteran Republican pols and campaign staffers had to be earned.

According to Fund, Palin was irritated that campaign staffers were forcing her off the Fox plantation and—get this—forcing her to do interviews with hostile journalists:

Ms. Palin was booked on grueling interviews with hostile reporters while talk-show hosts such as Glenn Beck couldn't even get through to her aides. Mr. Beck tells me he was stunned when he picked up the phone one day just before the election to discover Sarah Palin was on the other end of the line. "She explained that she had been blocked from reaching her audience, so she was now 'going rogue' and booking her own interviews," Mr. Beck told me. "I was thrilled she had burst out of the cage they'd built for her and we were finally talking."

So let's get this straight: Palin believed that she needed to reach Glenn Beck's audience, her audience, lest they up and vote for President Obama, while independent voters—the ones who aren't regular Limbaugh listeners, those who want to see potential vice presidents subjected to "grueling interviews"—would be ignored.

HarperCollins is printing 1.5 million copies of Going Rogue for the pitiable members of her "audience."

Comments

[Lamar]

Sarah Palin: Big time victim. She could be president of the world if they would just get off her back.

[Fuck You, Suderman]

Whatsamatta, "Reason" can't get over the fact that Palin is much smarter than you and your anti-American terrorist-loving 0bama-voting staff?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Those "veteran Republican pols" have driven their party into the ground. I'm not certain respect was the issue.

[Tomcat1066]

Palin? Smarter?

OK...I think I just sprained something from laughing so hard.

[TrickyVic]

Lamar, it was a big left wing conspiracy.

[John Tagliaferro]

I am shocked at this blatant sexist attack on a woman!

[John Tagliaferro]

TrickyVic,

VAST Leftwing conspiracy. Vast!

[John]

That is a complete misrepresentation of the quote from the story. The story isn't saying that Palin didn't want to do any hostile interview. It is saying she was upset she was only doing hostile interviews and not doing any ones with friendly hosts. I mean yeah, when the few cheerleaders in the media can't get through to you or set up an interview and you are only going out to be hammered by your enemies, that is a problem.

Either the Reason staff lacks basic reading comprehension skills or they turn into asshole hacks when it comes to the subject of Palin.

[topdollar]

Sarah wanted to stick with Fox News, and Barry goes everywhere but. These were the two least experienced on the tickets, so they favored (and favor) the comfort of friendlies.

[The Angry Optimist]

Palin believed that she needed to reach Glenn Beck's audience, her audience, lest they up and vote for President Obama, while independent voters-the ones who aren't regular Limbaugh listeners, those who want to see potential vice presidents subjected to "grueling interviews"-would be ignored.

Given that she was picked to woo disaffected conservatives who were turned off by John McCain...yeah...than actually makes fucking sense.

I don't think anything of her, really, but good Christ the hit jobs are turning more and more nonsensical and desperate.

[Joe Kristan]

Yeah, it would sure suck to have a small-government candidate actually do well. Remember, Palin is the enemy; she went to crappy colleges. Better the Leviathan than somebody our liberal drinking pals mock!

[creech]

How, in Galt's name, does McCain pick a running mate with zero foreign policy experience given the state of the world and his own advancing age? How does the RNC let their bench get so weak and inexperienced? Can't the GOP governors' conference pay to at least have their governors go visit their state's National Guard forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and, while there, smooze with the foreign leaders?
Can't they organize trade missions to foreign countries for the governors? Aren't there sympathetic groups overseas that could be persuaded to have GOP governors as keynoters?
Similarly, senators and congressmen with presidential ambitions should be urged to cycle through their state's governorship so they get executive experience to go along with their legislative.

[jtuf]

First off, the strategy of keeping Palin on left leaning shows failed. Republicans lost the election. McCain was a moderate. He picked Palin to balance the ticket, because he knew he was not that popular with the Republican base. Then his staff blocked her from connecting with the Republican base. It is not as if left leaning reporters would treat her any less harshly because she appeared on her show. They were ready to go criticize her just as talk show hosts criticized Obama. So, McCain got all the liability of sharing a ticket with someone to the right of him without any of the benefits. I have to wonder how many conservatives stayed home on election day who would have voted Republican down the ticket if Palin got them fired up. The McCain-Palin ticket might have lost anyway, but keeping Palin from the base made their chances worse, not better.

[John]

When me and the Angry Optimist actually agree about something relating to Palin, something is seriously amiss. Really, what the hell is wrong with Reason?

[Lost_In_Translation]

I don't think McCain's staffers were out to sabotage his candidacy, but they probably did make a mistake not handling Palin with kid's gloves. Complaining about who interviews you though is pretty weak IMO and showed that Palin was not looking for an 'R' win, but a Palin foot in the door.

[R C Dean]

In a six-minute span (3:53 pm to 3:59 pm), the post is eviscerated.

Well played, peanut gallery!

[Dagny T.]

Goddammit, dude. Using the phrase "tough questions" summons the L-Dub almost as fast as threads about IllegalMexicans.

[Geotpf]

topdollar | September 29, 2009, 3:54pm | #

Sarah wanted to stick with Fox News, and Barry goes everywhere but.

WALLACE: Senator Obama, welcome to "FOX News Sunday."

SEN. BARACK OBAMA, D-ILL., PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you for having me.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352785,00.html

[John]

Creech,

The irony is that Palin, as governor of Alaska, did have a lot of foreign policy experience because her state borders this small insignificant country known as Canada. Northern border governors have a lot to do with trade relations with Canada. Why, Palin's handlers and the McCain campaign was too stupid to have her emphasize that is beyond me.

[robert99515]

Actually, it is more than just that... Palin gained "foreign travel" experience every time she went Outside to visit the Lower-48.

Alaska's markets and population are truly international. We export almost everything we produce and world market prices are the ones that mostly matter.

Our population is diverse in ways that even states like Texas, and California can't boast. From my viewpoint, Canadians and Russians are comfortably familiar. New Yorkers and Californians appear exotic and inscrutable.

[jtuf]

Of the four candidates on the major party tickets, Obama smoked pot but never moved to make life easier for pot smokers. McCain and Biden did not smoke pot or help pot smokers. Palin did not smoke pot, but in a Republican primary she stood up for the privacy clause of the Alaska constitution that helps pot smokers. She did not get my vote, but of the 4, she is my favorite.

[robert99515]

No, Palin admitted to smoking pot back when it was legal. That's a fact.

I don't recall pot smoking being a major issue in any recent Alaskan election... Sarah was elected govenor on an anti-corruption platform

[Ska]

Going rogue? Is that when a girl blows her friend's boyfriend under the dinner table or something?

[Lost_In_Translation]

Just to be clear, people brought in to fire up the base bring out the hate in me. The far right and far left are the worst of both worlds.

[Geotpf]

jtuf | September 29, 2009, 3:59pm | #

First off, the strategy of keeping Palin on left leaning shows failed. Republicans lost the election. McCain was a moderate. He picked Palin to balance the ticket, because he knew he was not that popular with the Republican base. Then his staff blocked her from connecting with the Republican base.

Keep telling yourself that McCain lost because he was too moderate. It's completely possible that a more conservative candidate would have done worse.

The country had Bush fatigue. They were in no mood to elect any Republican. It probably didn't matter who the candidates were or what they did-the Democrat would won in any situation other than a live boy/dead girl scenerio.

Now, whether or not this is an actual shift to the left, or simply a one-time backlash against Bush, remains to be seen.

[?]

Palin did not smoke pot,

She said she did, but doesn't. Like most people.

Regardless, she's all "Constitution says X, so we do that." Which appears to be her position on...everything.

But, you know, 'tardgina!

Or whatever.

It doesn't matter.

[Joshua Corning]

So let's get this straight: Palin believed that she needed to reach Glenn Beck's audience, her audience, lest they up and vote for President Obama, while independent voters-the ones who aren't regular Limbaugh listeners, those who want to see potential vice presidents subjected to "grueling interviews"-would be ignored.

Umm that is weird i would think independent voters watch Glen Beck just as much as Katy Curak...i mean are they independent or aren't they?

Given the choice between a hostile interviewer whom independents watch and a supporting interviewer whom independents watch which would you want to go to?

You are reaching pretty far on this one Moynihan.

[Lord Jubjub]

Y'all missed the strategy. She wasn't on the ticket to rev up the conservatives. She was on the ticket to be the face of the conservatives and to take on the leftist press with conservative talking points.

Had she handled the hostile questions better and shown some competence in handling the hot button issues from a hostile interviewer, the conservative passion would have been there.

I just wonder why anyone thought Palin was capable of holding her own against hostile press.

[Conservative Douche]

...argued that her home state's proximity to Russia qualified as foreign policy experience

Did she really say that or are you just repeating what Tina Fey said in a comedy sketch?

Other than me appreciating the "sexy librarian" look, I never gave Palin much thought at all except for one thing - As bad as she might be, she is not Joe Biden. Maybe the idea of President Palin is scary, but no where as scary as President Biden.

[GW]

Did you all forget she is fucking retarded? The problem is not how she was handled, it is how she handled it. Poorly.

[James Ard]

Whether mishandled or just not ready for prime time, Palin is damaged goods. Conservatives need to give up on her and start backing someone who can win, like Mitch Daniels, who just had a nice write-up in the WSJ last Saturday

[oaktownadam]

"So let's get this straight: Palin believed that she needed to reach Glenn Beck's audience, her audience, lest they up and vote for President Obama,"

Yes, actually...Beck recently revealed that he preferred Obama to McCain. Or weren't you paying attention?

http://www.raleigh3.com/link.asp?smenu=1&twindow=&sdetail=2690&mad=&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=

[joshua corning]

The irony is that Palin, as governor of Alaska, did have a lot of foreign policy experience because her state borders this small insignificant country known as Canada. Northern border governors have a lot to do with trade relations with Canada. Why, Palin's handlers and the McCain campaign was too stupid to have her emphasize that is beyond me.

Wow you are right...

"Yes I will admit that my foreign experience is not expansive but i can say as Governor of Alaska that I have made executive decisions involving a NATO ally. My opponents on the other ticket cannot say the same."

She and her handlers really fucked that one up.

[TrickyVic]

Palin was picked because McCain was trying to out do Obama in the message of change. She was a great candidate for change, the problem was that the republican party saw her as a great candidate to change.

John, at best that would have been damage control. Once Palin made the her foreign policy claim with respects to Russia, it was all over but the laughing.

[mark]

Love the flamebait, MM.

Back when I was rootin' for BO & Co., I was happy to see Mrs. Palin squirming under the condescending glance of Charlie Gibson, but if I was on her side I would have been mighty pissed. Now, the Katie Couric interview, that looked like a softball lob that hit the batter.

My guess is that her first press conference will be a disaster and she'll fizzle out pretty early in 2012.

[J sub D]

Y'all missed the strategy. She wasn't on the ticket to rev up the conservatives. She was on the ticket to be the face of the conservatives and to take on the leftist press with conservative talking points.

See Agnew, Spiro T.

Palin's failure (yes, it is hers) was that she was not, and still is not, ready for prime time. If she'd had Angelo Dundee and Brian Epstein as handlers she still would have failed to convince the public that she was credible.

[John]

"John, at best that would have been damage control. Once Palin made the her foreign policy claim with respects to Russia, it was all over but the laughing."

She never said that. It was a joke on SNL. That is a myth. If you are going to talk about this, stop repeating myths and get your facts straight.

[TrickyVic]

""My guess is that her first press conference will be a disaster and she'll fizzle out pretty early in 2012.""

She doesn't stand a chance in 2012. Her republican challengers will rip her to shreds.

How many other republicans will use the, her quiting when the going got tough, to show why she shouldn't be commander in chief. Since republican are big on defense, I doubt she would win the republican primary.

[robert99515]

Actually, her quitting isn't the real problem. The real problem for Sarah is that her governorship wasn't remotely conservative...

She raised taxes, sponsored crazy industrial policies, raised huge subsidies, and bribed voters with unprecedented $1200 "rebate". On social issues she was mostly in cahoots with democratic state lawmakers....

If she runs in a Republican primary, this would come out.

[John]

"Palin's failure (yes, it is hers) was that she was not, and still is not, ready for prime time. If she'd had Angelo Dundee and Brian Epstein as handlers she still would have failed to convince the public that she was credible."

And BO was?

[Rimfax]

I missed the part where McCain lost because Republicans didn't vote for him and Palin.

[John]

"How many other republicans will use the, her quiting when the going got tough, to show why she shouldn't be commander in chief. Since republican are big on defense, I doubt she would win the republican primary."

Yes because Washington Republicans have so much credibility right now. Yeah, the establishment that gave the country McCain will hate her. But, I doubt many people will be listening to her. Someone else needs to get ahold of the outsider vote or she will win in a walk.

[Joe M]

John, the myth part was her saying she could see Russia from her house. That was from the Tina Fey parody. However, Palin herself DID make claims about foreign policy due to her proximity to Russia, saying you could see it from Alaska.

[b]

I was one of the many conservative voters that wandered off the reservation rather than vote McCain. I totally agree that Palin should have been allowed to focus on the party base, she sure as hell wasent going to do much to influence the middle, IMO.

[John]

"I was one of the many conservative voters that wandered off the reservation rather than vote McCain."

I hear people claim that. But all the ones I meet never seem to be too conservative. They usually go into some rant about how I must get all my news from Rush Limbaugh because I didn't vote for Obama.

[topdollar]

Geotpf:

Sarah "favored" (past tense, as in during the campaign) Fox and Barry "goes anywhere but" (present tense, as in during his presidency (e.g. the recent Sunday talk shows agenda push) Fox. Sorry for not spelling that out for you the first time.

[Zeb]

"And BO was?"

I don't see what her body odor had to do with it.

[Joshua Corning]

R C Dean | September 29, 2009, 4:01pm | #
In a six-minute span (3:53 pm to 3:59 pm), the post is eviscerated.

Well played, peanut gallery!

Michael C. Moynihan is really good at slamming the left...Who else can get Brad DeJong to call you a nazi?

But some of these slams of the right are really flimsy. Which sucks because now we have to go back and reevaluate his slams of the left...are they as good as we think they are?

I guess i would prefer him to pick up his game when it comes to criticizing the right...that or let someone who is better at it do it.

One problem may be that his criticisms of the left is that i am sure he has read what they wrote in full...unlike say Beck which maybe he has watched a total of 2 hours of and I doubt that he will be reading Palin's book anytime soon.

[The Angry Optimist]

I missed the part where McCain lost because Republicans didn't vote for him and Palin.

Doesn't simple math necessitate this conclusion? Why, I believe it does.

[John]

"Palin herself DID make claims about foreign policy due to her proximity to Russia, saying you could see it from Alaska."

Yeah because Russia is never an issue for the governor of Alaska. Not like there are not fishing rights disputes in the Bering Sea or anything.

[TrickyVic]

Well John, being able to see Russia from Alaska isn't really much better.

[J sub D]

And BO was?

Able to convince the public he was credible? Yes.

[John]

"Well John, being able to see Russia from Alaska isn't really much better."

The Bering Straights are 55 miles accross. The US and Russia exclusive economic zones touch. While you cannot literally see accross, it is only a mild exageration to say you can. I honestly don't see it as that outragous of a statement.

[robert99515]

Actually, it is a bit closer than 55 miles...

The border passes between "Little Diomede" and "Big Diomede" islands. The distance is 3 miles. You can walk from Alaska to Russia in the winter. I wouldn't try swimming it... (very cold!)

BTW - In my office 5 of my 18 co-workers were born in former East Block countries.

There are still a few groups of distinctively dressed Russian "Old Believers". I see them almost every time I drive south to Homer. (I don't know any of them personally.)

[John]

"Able to convince the public he was credible? Yes."

No he wasn't. The media did that. They never asked him a tough question or investigated his past. They were too busy obsessing over Palin's OBGYN records to be bothered with his ties to ACORN and complete lack of record in the Senate. Now, every day he is proving himself to be every bit the idiot people claimed Palin was and a liar to boot.

[Joe M]

Not disputing that, John, just clarifying.

[TrickyVic]

Next up, Jeb Bush will claim foreign policy experience because Florida is close to Cuba and rescuing Cubans from the sea is important internation work. 😉

""Yes because Washington Republicans have so much credibility right now. Yeah, the establishment that gave the country McCain will hate her.""

Who says she will be running against only Washington republicans? What party do you think she should run under, a third party?

[Opsmit]

I can't believe people take her seriously.

What was the policy decision she made concerning a NATO ally? The actual policy, not the ally.

This sums it up here:

GW |
Did you all forget she is fucking retarded? The problem is not how she was handled, it is how she handled it. Poorly.

[Brett]

I don't know that Palin said it first as I know John McCain, his wife, and some Fox New tools (and others?) had all use the Alaska-Russia proximity argument to hype her foreign policy experience. But defended this view in the Couric interview, where she also mentioned Canada. The "can see Russia from her house" was just the SNL exaggeration to what was already being said and defended.

[curious]

If not Palin, who? People either think she is retarded or she's just a housewife, so she's out. I think people are afraid of and tired of preachers, so Huckabee is out. Romney is such a robot, can he make it? Guiliani couldn't even beat Ron Paul's numbers so he is out, which leaves who?

Not to say the Republicans might not nominate one of the people listed above, but they are sure losers to BO unless something unexpected happens in next 2 years.

[Brett]

Sorry, should be SHE defended this view...

[MNG]

"while independent voters-the ones who aren't regular Limbaugh listeners, those who want to see potential vice presidents subjected to "grueling interviews"-would be ignored"

But they might have thought she was retarded. I wonder why.

[John]

Palin is a wonderful test of character. The more vocal someone is about her being stupid (as opposed to just disagreeing with her) the more likely they are to be a poser and unserious.

[John]

And on que, MNG proves my point. It is almost like I was sock puppeting or something.

[TrickyVic]

Curious, I think by the time Obama has a couple of years under his belt, people would elect Bush Jr. a third time if they could.

[mo]

Palin writes book. Horse in Pullman, Washington solves Unified Field theory.

[Actual quote]

""They're our next-door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska."

[MNG]

John
Palin is stupid, but think what you want, in fact please, please make her the nominee of your party!

[MNG]

John
I'm afraid you've got my achilles heel.

Ask Sarah, she knows what I'm talking about 😉

[larry]

What's this about hostile or hardball interviews? Catie Kouric is about the softest of softball "journalists" out there and Palin can't even think of a single newspaper she reads. The Empress was exposed as having no wardrobe.

[John]

MNG,

She is so dumb she managed to get elected governor as a nobody. There are legitimately stupid people in polics. But they are the ones who got elected on their names and have politician parents. Joe Kennedy and Al Gore are the two best examples of this. But, you can't get to be a governor as a no one without having some serious political moxey.

Again, you don't agree with her. You think she is annoying. All fair points. But the "she is retarded" mame says more about you than it does about her.

[John]

MNG,

Saying Palin is stupid is just a way for legitimately dumb people to feel good about themselves. You are usually better than that. It is not like you are Joe afterall.

[Lamar]

"Palin is a wonderful test of character. The more vocal someone is about her being stupid (as opposed to just disagreeing with her) the more likely they are to be a poser and unserious."

You have got to be kidding. She's John Edwards of the right.

[Pat Buchanan]

The thing that most people don't see about Sarah Palin is her significant accomplishments in life.

The lady has a bachelors degree from the University of Idaho for example.

And she won a the Miss Wasilla pagaent.

She was a sports reporter for an Alaskan tv station.

She was mayor of a small town, and governor of a state with less people in it than most major US cities.

I wish the liberals would stop denigrating this woman, anyone would be lucky to match these accomplishments!

[TrickyVic]

"""Yeah, the establishment that gave the country McCain will hate her. But, I doubt many people will be listening to her. Someone else needs to get ahold of the outsider vote or she will win in a walk."""

Win what? The nomination of the party that brought you McCain?

[J sub D]

The Bering Straights are 55 miles accross. The US and Russia exclusive economic zones touch. While you cannot literally see accross, it is only a mild exageration to say you can. I honestly don't see it as that outragous of a statement.

The Diomede Islands

The Diomede Islands (Russian: ??????? ??????? , ostrov? Diom?da), also known in Russia as Gvozdev Islands (Russian: ??????? ????????, ostrov? Gvozdjova), consist of two rocky, tuya-like islands: the U.S. island of Little Diomede (also known as Krusenstern Island - though this may also refer to other places - or by its native name Ignaluk) and the Russian island of Big Diomede (part of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug), which is also known as Imaqliq, Inaliq, Nunarbuk or Ratmanov Island. They are located in the middle of the Bering Strait between mainland Alaska, USA and Siberia, Russia, with the Chukchi Sea to the north and the Bering Sea to the south. 9.3 mi (15 km) to the southeast is Fairway Rock, which is usually not considered part of the Diomede Islands.

Yes, you can see Russia from Alaska. In fact, Russia is closer to the United States than any nation save Canada and Mexico.
[/quibble]

[The Angry Optimist]

I hereby nominate j** from lowell to be H&R's "He Who Shall Not Be Named", lest he "graces" us with his presence yet again.

REMEMBER - HE LURKS LARGE!

[Opsmit]

John- It would appear, since she cannot even remember what she reads on a steady basis, that those accusations could e true. Disagree with her on what? She didn't have an individual opinion. She didn't bring up anything other thn RW talking points. Retarded, no. Highly intellegent? Doubtful.

[MNG]

"you can't get to be a governor as a no one without having some serious political moxey."

Are you serious?

Would you like a list of governors in these united states through history?

I guess Blago is a freaking genuis, eh?

[Lamar]

"Saying Palin is stupid is just a way for legitimately dumb people to feel good about themselves."

Or a recognition that she is divisive at a time when hope was the right word to use, that she goes on and on about "real" America and Joe the plumber at a rare time when real America and working folks are tired of that rhetoric. She couldn't say what news sources she read, i.e., a clippings service. Sarah Palin isn't dumb like drop out of school dumb. She's tone deaf and uncreative. Going "rogue" is her stunt to get attention. Its certainly better than her "intelligent" decision to spend $100k + on clothes.

[MNG]

"she cannot even remember what she reads on a steady basis"

Yeah, well if you read ALL the magazines, you'd have trouble remembering specific ones to!

[John]

"You have got to be kidding. She's John Edwards of the right."

It is interesting you bring up Edwards. Edwards, while a complete sleazebag and scroundral, is something that the alleged genius Obama is not and never will be, a legitimately successful and important lawyer. Honestly, if Palin is anything, she is the Barrack Obama of the right.

[MNG]

John
If Sarah had so much moxey and smarts, why did she hide from the media so? I think that kind of hiding was really unprecedented.

[Brett]

Well, I don't think she's "stupid" or "retarded", but I thought she was quite weak when outside of her comfort zone. It's depressing that she and Huckabee seem to poll as the GOP's top choices. But who knows, the GOP might be able to run Polanski in 3 years and win.

[SugarFree]

REMEMBER - HE LURKS LARGE!

Which is ironic, since she a bitter short little wisp of a man. Seriously. I think he once admitted to wearing size 6 sneakers.

[TrickyVic]

Bush won two terms as governor and was considered inexperienced to the point the GOP wanted to team him with someone with Whitehouse experience, Cheney.

If Bush was inexperienced serving a full term as gov, how is Palin experienced by serving 1/2 a term? I'm just using the republicans own standards.

[MNG]

"if Palin is anything, she is the Barrack Obama of the right"

B/cause
magna cum laude JD from Harvard=University of Idaho Comm Major BS!

Palin has him in the beauty pageant dept. though! Was he ever Miss Podunk?

[John]

"She couldn't say what news sources she read, i.e., a clippings service. Sarah Palin isn't dumb like drop out of school dumb. She's tone deaf and uncreative. Going "rogue" is her stunt to get attention. Its certainly better than her "intelligent" decision to spend $100k + on clothes."

Devisive Lamar? Like calling everyone who disagrees with you racist and saying that the "time for bikering is over". Our current president is the most divisive and insulting President of my life time. A smug school marm who is more arrogant than even Jimmy Carter.

Also, as an avid reader of the web, I couldn't tell you what newspapers and magazines I read either beyond the WSJ. She is a governor, she gets a daily newsbrief. That is how it works for powerful people. They get information digested for them. I can tell you from personal experience the current Secretary of DHS doesn't read a daily newspaper or magazine. She doesn't need to. She has people like me who do it for her.

[MNG]

What gets me about Palin was not only how dumb she came off, but how utterly cowardly. When she was asked what magazines she reads you could see her terrified, not wanting to say the "wrong" thing and so she fudged like a true coward. "All of them!" See, that'll please everyone!

[Enough About Palin]

Must...change...subject. Can't...hold...on...much...

A
A
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R
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G
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Splat

[John]

"B/cause
magna cum laude JD from Harvard=University of Idaho Comm Major BS!"

Yes because living off your college resume in your 40s and running for President is so impressive. Who cares that he went to Harvard Law School. So what? Our own RC Dean did to. You want to vote for him? What did Obama do afterwards? Nothing except run for office. Obama was a third rate adjuct at U of C. He never clerked for judge. Never was a scholar of any repute. Never worked in an important job in government. Never did anything better than being a junior Senator. Big deal. He is the least accomplished person ever to hold the office of President.

[Enough About Palin]

She may be cowardly but she's also a few wasps short of a hive.

[MNG]

"Our current president is the most divisive and insulting President of my life time"

You know, that Notre Dame speech sure showed that, eh?

Look John, every executive I have ever known does the "stop bickering" line. Every single one, from every governor to every single President.

[Lamar]

"It is interesting you bring up Edwards. Edwards, while a complete sleazebag and scroundrel, is something that the alleged genius Obama is not and never will be, a legitimately successful and important lawyer."

He's an ambulance chaser with a pretty face. That doesn't make him into the next Bill Patry, Richard Posner, or Lester Brickman.

[TrickyVic]

""" I can tell you from personal experience the current Secretary of DHS doesn't read a daily newspaper or magazine. """

Didn't Tom Ridge say that's were he got his intel briefings? 😉

[Head of Marketing]

I think "Going Commando" is a title more likely to grab eyeballs.

[plutosdad]

At least we would have found out what she thinks instead of some ridiculous "do you agree with the Bush Doctrine" when 10 minutes before that interview, asking 100 journalists would have gotten you 100 different definitions of "the Bush Doctrine"

[robert99515]

True.

If she had just said "No" that would have sufficed for all 100 definitions.

[John]

:"Look John, every executive I have ever known does the "stop bickering" line. Every single one, from every governor to every single President."

You don't realize it because you agree with him, but Obama has this incredible grating way of making a strawman out of anyone who disagrees with him. He never admits that the other side holds any views out of legitimate concerns or opinions. It is always the result of bias or bickering or other such small concerns. That is why he is failing so badly as a President. He is totally incapable of reaching out to anyone who disagrees with him. He can only condescend.

[MNG]

John
It's not conclusive that someone is smart when they graduate from Harvard Law, but it is a strong indicator. It's also what most people would consider an accomplishment in life, quite an accomplishment.

Iirc Obama did non-profit work and worked at a law firm between that and being elected to office. I'm not sure what's so horrible about that.

[OPsmit]

To bad editor of the HLR doesn't count.

[MNG]

"He never admits that the other side holds any views out of legitimate concerns or opinions"

Say what? Again I point to the Notre Dame speech. He's pro-choice, but he certainly gave respect to the pro-life side.

[John]

"He's an ambulance chaser with a pretty face. That doesn't make him into the next Bill Patry, Richard Posner, or Lester Brickman."

No, but you have to be damn smart to win that many jury trials. Edwards would destroy Posner or Brickman in a courtroom. It is not easy to just go out and win cases.

[Opsmit]

Wow john, just cause you don't like him...I guess all those meetings with Republicans and tryin gto get by partisan legislation, yeah you are right, he pratically shuns all those people......

[John]

"Iirc Obama did non-profit work and worked at a law firm between that and being elected to office. I'm not sure what's so horrible about that."

It is not horrible. It is just completely unimpressive. It is pretty pathetic when compared to other Presidents who were governors of states, heads of major exectutive agencies, vice presidents, five star generals and such. Again, he is the least accomplished person ever to hold the office by a long shot.

[MNG]

Wasn't he a state legislator for a little less than a decade before becoming a US Senator? I'd call that an accomplishment.

[R C Dean]

Who cares that he went to Harvard Law School. So what? Our own RC Dean did to. You want to vote for him?

Hell, I wouldn't even vote for me.

BTW, you know who else went to Harvard Law?

The esteemed governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm. Look how well that's worked out.

[R C Dean]

It's not conclusive that someone is smart when they graduate from Harvard Law, but it is a strong indicator. It's also what most people would consider an accomplishment in life, quite an accomplishment.

Why, MNG, I'm blushing.

[filbert]

As I recall, McCain/Palin was actually leading or at worst even in the polls until McCain pissed it all down his leg during the TARP/bank bailout situation by "suspending his campaign" and coming out and being the economic illiterate that he is.

Obama's campaign fumbled around for a while too, but finally pulled their collective heads out of their asses just far enough to see "lookee what we have here," grabbed the initiative, and rode it into office.

Not the finest hour for American politics for either side, was it?

[John]

MNG,

"But what we've also seen in these last months is the same partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have towards their own government. Instead of honest debate, we've seen scare tactics. Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise. Too many have used this as an opportunity to score short-term political points, even if it robs the country of our opportunity to solve a long-term challenge. And out of this blizzard of charges and counter-charges, confusion has reigned.

Well, the time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed. (Applause.) Now is the season for action. Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together, and show the American people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. Now is the time to deliver on health care. Now is the time to deliver on health care. "

That is complete condescending bullshit. People are trying to have a debate about healthcare in this country and have real concerns. And Obama just says it is all scare tactics. Insulting, arrogant bastard that he is.

[Attorney]

R C Dean went to Harvard Law? What class? I graduated in '98. (Classmate of Obama adviser Samantha Power, of "Hillary's a monster" mini-fame.)

[MNG]

OK, so JFK was a US Rep for six years and a US Senator for eight before becoming President.
Carter was a state Senator for four years and a governor and a one term governor.

That sound about equivalent to Obama's accomplishemnts to me John.

[John]

"Wasn't he a state legislator for a little less than a decade before becoming a US Senator? I'd call that an accomplishment."

Only if you don't compare it to any other President it is. I mean seriously. George Bush was a two term governor of Texas. Bill Clinton was a two term governor. Bush I was a VP, head of the CIA, and served in the House. Reagan was a two term governor of California and head of a major union. Carter was a governor. Nixon was a two term VP. I guess maybe Obama could kind of compete with Kennedy. But Kennedy had at least seen combat. Seriously, his record is fucking embarassing.

[John]

"OK, so JFK was a US Rep for six years and a US Senator for eight before becoming President.
Carter was a state Senator for four years and a governor and a one term governor."

I will give you JFK. But Carter was a nuclear engineer graduate of the Naval Academy. And running a state government is a bigger deal than being a one term Senator.

[MNG]

Carter had four years as a state rep and four years as governor.
Obama had eight years as a state rep and what, two-three as a US Senator.

i dunno, they seem about equal to me...

[TrickyVic]

John, why do I have the feeling that if Palin were a democrat, you would agree that someone who quits when the going gets tough, should not be commander in chief.

[John]

Of course, Carter didn't exactly work out too well as a President. But I still say getting yourself elected governor and being one is a bigger deal than voting present in the Senate. Seriously, the Senate is the biggest corrupt bullshit organization in politics. What possible experience does it give someone besides lying and stealing?

[MNG]

I don't see being a governor as being any more prestigous than being a Senator. Sorry.

And I don't see a bachelors in nuclear engineering from the Naval Academy > than a Harvard JD. If anything Obama gets the nod here.

[John]

"John, why do I have the feeling that if Palin were a democrat, you would agree that someone who quits when the going gets tough, should not be commander in chief."

That is horseshit. I would think that Libertarians would respect a politician who is actually willing to walk away from political office. In an era where we have 80 year old millionaire cancer survivors who will change parties or do anything to stay in office, I find that a breath of fresh air.

[TrickyVic]

""Bill Clinton was a two term governor."""

And you give me shit about facts. Bill Clinton was a three term governor.

[John]

"And I don't see a bachelors in nuclear engineering from the Naval Academy > than a Harvard JD. If anything Obama gets the nod here."

Matter of opinion I guess. But as a lawyer I find the JD even one from Harvard, distinctly unimpressive.

[MNG]

John
Every executive uses that kind of language, every single one. Stop the bickering, stop the gridlock, the time to act on x is now, it is not time to argue, etc.

Hey, let's have you put your money where your mouth is on that. If I find similar language from W, Bush I, Reagan, then you agree to exile yourself from H&R for a month, but first type in all caps "I AM FULL OF SHIT AND KNEW NOT WHEREOF I SPOKE." I'll take the same end if I can't find that language.

Feeling froggy John?

[Enough About Palin]

"I think he once admitted to wearing size 6 sneakers."

I hear his rapper name is Lil' Bitch.

[John]

Carter also made the nuclear navy when it was being run by Admiral Rickover. If you know anything about Rickover, you would find that more impressive than Harvard. Seriously.

[TrickyVic]

Clinton also brought in Chinese businessmen to Arkansas. The one and only time the Concord landed at Adams Field aka Little Rock National Airport.

[John]

"Hey, let's have you put your money where your mouth is on that. If I find similar language from W, Bush I, Reagan, then you agree to exile yourself from H&R for a month, but first type in all caps "I AM FULL OF SHIT AND KNEW NOT WHEREOF I SPOKE." I'll take the same end if I can't find that language."

And if you don't will you agree that Obama is an arrogant fuck? No, I am not exiling myself from anything. If you find it, I will say Reagan or whomever was being an arrogant jerk when they said that. No one ever said people were perfect because they were on my side.

[MNG]

I don't doubt nuclear engineering is a very difficult subject, nor that the Naval Academy is a good school.

But a JD is a doctorate buddy. About 33% of the US has a bs, about 3% a terminal doctorate. The latter is simply a bigger accomplishment.

I mean if your son or daughter just graduated magna cum laude with a JD from Harvard, who here would say to them "kid, that's ok and all, but I kind of hoped my kid would get a bachelors degree from a service academy..."

[Enough About Palin]

"Who cares that he went to Harvard Law School. So what? Our own RC Dean did to. You want to vote for him?"

I would. Of course I'd quadruple my ammo purchases if he won.

[MNG]

"I am not exiling myself from anything"

Whatever Sir Pussypants, whatever.

ALL executives say that line.

Hey, I bet Palin has said that kind of stuff.

[John]

"I mean if your son or daughter just graduated magna cum laude with a JD from Harvard, who here would say to them "kid, that's ok and all, but I kind of hoped my kid would get a bachelors degree from a service academy..."

I would be proud of them. But I wouldn't say "all you need is a couple of years failing as a community organizer and you are ready to be President of the United States" either. I am not saying Obama is unimpressive as a person. He is unimpressive as a President. The competition is a bit higher at that level.

[MNG]

All executives use the "let's stop the bickering" line because the legislatures they have to deal with MUST bicker, deliberation is what they are designed to do. Executives, being unitary, don't bicker. So they all say that. It's crap, but it's hardly some new wicked tactic thought up by Obama...

Fuck, I'd bet good money that EVERY US Senator has used that line. When some law they want passed is being debated "let's end the bickering and debate and take care of this, the time for action is now blah, blah, blah." Your anger over this is nutting futts John, and demonstrates just a plain dislike of Obama regardless of what he does or says.

[J sub D]

... a few wasps short of a hive

Me likes that.

[Enough About Palin]

"I will give you JFK. But Carter was a nuclear engineer graduate of the Naval Academy. And running a state government is a bigger deal than being a one term Senator."

Not if the state is Georgia.

(I keed. I keed.)

[MNG]

"I am not saying Obama is unimpressive as a person. He is unimpressive as a President"

You mean something like "compared to most Presidents he accomplished little before he became President?" I guess you're correct about that in some respect, though as I've noted it didn't take long to find an equivalent other President...

[SugarFree]

I hear his rapper name is Lil' Bitch.

I'm Lil' Bitch
and I'm here to say
y'alls gonna suck me rich
y'alls hafta pay

I sling rhymes like Harry Potter
and drop beats like Welcome Back, Cotter
I can't get no hotter
Ho, bring me a glass of water!

[John]

"Your anger over this is nutting futts John, and demonstrates just a plain dislike of Obama regardless of what he does or says."

No. I support his terror policies and I support him on the war. I like making fun of anti-war people who voted for him. But, I support his actions on Afghanistan and Iraq and I think he was right continueing most of Bush's anti-terror policies. So, I don't just blindly hate him.

But, I do think he is a sleezy orator and arrogant as all get out and generally find him annoying. Unlike Bill Clinton, who I think would be a very interesting person to meet, I can't even imagine wanting to have dinner or a drink with obama.

[J sub D]

BTW, you know who else went to Harvard Law?

The esteemed governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm. Look how well that's worked out.

You mean the former Miss San Carlos?

Don't get me started.

[OPsmit]

Give up guys. John just doesn't like him. Doesn't matter what he would/could/did, John still wouldn't like him. You won't change his mind.

[John]

I don't like OBama. A lot of people don't. But, even though he says things like "there are 57 states" I won't tell you he is stupid or retarded. It is funny how the people say I just hate Obama and then are convinced that Palin is retarded. Project much?

[TrickyVic]

""I would think that Libertarians would respect a politician who is actually willing to walk away from political office."""

Yes, but we expect them to stay away. If she is going to run, she's not really walking away from political office, just the political office she held.

It makes sense that libratarians would prefer experienced liberatarian candidates, not people who quit.

And I'm not buying for a minute that you think someone who quit their job as governor would make a good commander in chief. You are too pro-military for that.

[SugarFree]

Not if the state is Georgia.

(I keed. I keed.)

Why? The main duty of the Governor of Georgia seems to be rescuing adults that have accidentally locked themselves in abandoned refrigerators.

Kentucky's no better. Roadkill meat inspection takes up most of Beshear's day.

[MNG]

John
I'm curious what you think about the amazingly shoddy accomplishments of this guy Abe Lincoln before becoming President? That bumpkin had only four terms as a state legislator and one term as a US Rep! What a fucking loser, eh?

[Joe M]

MOXIE!

[John]

"Why? The main duty of the Governor of Georgia seems to be rescuing adults that have accidentally locked themselves in abandoned refrigerators.

Kentucky's no better. Roadkill meat inspection takes up most of Beshear's day."

You say that like it is a bad thing. Would you prefer Beshear be out trying to actually accomplish something? Yeah, that will end well.

But a JD is a doctorate buddy. About 33% of the US has a bs, about 3% a terminal doctorate. The latter is simply a bigger accomplishment.

LOL!

MNG has a doctorate you know,PEON!

[TrickyVic]

""" I like making fun of anti-war people who voted for him.""'

I think you will have a lot of fun over the next three years with people who were anti-whatever. I will too.

What do you mean he's not taking from the rich, I voted for Robin Hood!!!

[John]

"I'm curious what you think about the amazingly shoddy accomplishments of this guy Abe Lincoln before becoming President? That bumpkin had only four terms as a state legislator and one term as a US Rep! What a fucking loser, eh?"

Well, the day Obama frees the slaves and wins the civil war, he will have my vote. Also, Lincoln was a serious political thinker before he was elected and a very successful corporate lawyer. He played the old country bumkin act up for political purposes. Lincoln was a serious lawyer and operator in Illinois. Further, people will be reading the Lincoln Douglas debates and the speech at Cooper Union a long time after McHopey is the answer to a trivia question.

[R C Dean]

R C Dean went to Harvard Law? What class?

'87. Jennifer Granholm was in my Section. Gave me something to look at while Mort Horowitz was confusing the hell out of me in Torts.

[Enough About Palin]

Thanks for falling into my "let's get Suge to show off his poetry skills" trap. 😉

[SugarFree]

KY's on the upswing. Mongiardo's shot himself in the foot, so Rand Paul might have a shot at the Senate. Assuming, of course, his dentist newsletters aren't filled with racist commentary.

[John]

We have talked about Granholm before RC> I recall you said she was an ice queen in Law school. Someone like her shows there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. I have no doubt the woman has knowledge and is not stupid. She couldn't have made it to Harvard law otherwise. But, her record as governor shows that she is a complete fool who lacks any wisdom or knowledge of how the world actually works.

[MNG]

So for those keeping score at home:
Obama-eight years as a state senator, three as a US Senator
Lincoln-eight years a state rep, two as a US rep

The funny thing is this thread is about Palin, whom John defends, while asserting that Obama was unaccomplished.

Ms. Palin's great life achievements were summed up above:

BS-U of Idaho
Third place-Miss Alaska contest
Mayor, Wasilla
Governor, Alaska (for two years when, er, tapped by McCain)

[SugarFree]

Thanks for falling into my "let's get Suge to show off his poetry skills" trap. 😉

NOOOOO!

[John]

MNG,

She was running for VP. VPs rally the base and go to funerals. Obama was running for President. They are both pretty close in experience and credentials. You are right, Obama made a bit better VP candidate than Palin. It is like saying he was a great AAA hitter. Sadly, he is in the major leagues now with his minor league resume.

[MNG]

Oh face it John, I got you. Despite all the "serious lawyer" shit ol' Abe was just not very accomplished according to your criteria, in fact less so than Obama. Just admit it, your mouth got ahead out front of your brain on this one.

[TrickyVic]

Consider what everyone has been saying about past Presidents, two terms as Mayor, and 1/2 term in state politics isn't any real experience.

[John]

"Oh face it John, I got you. Despite all the "serious lawyer" shit ol' Abe was just not very accomplished according to your criteria, in fact less so than Obama. Just admit it, your mouth got ahead out front of your brain on this one."

You conviently ignore Lincoln Douglas and Cooper Union. If Obama had ever said anything as profound or interesting about today as those two things, I would have voted for him. And you can deny it all you want, but Lincoln was a serious lawyer, which is more than Obama ever was.

[TrickyVic]

In all fairness, how much experience does a VP need. But when one starts talking about the Presidents race in 2012, it's a different story.

[Attorney]

R C Dean went to Harvard Law? What class?

'87. Jennifer Granholm was in my Section. Gave me something to look at while Mort Horowitz was confusing the hell out of me in Torts.

Wow -- you old. (Actually, I probably would've been in your class if I had taken less time getting my shit together after undergrad.)

[John]

"In all fairness, how much experience does a VP need. But when one starts talking about the Presidents race in 2012, it's a different story."

Very true. if she goes out and makes good speeches and makes the case for small government over the next three years, we can talk. But if she just plays on her celbrity and doesn't do anything, then no way. Time will tell.

[MNG]

Obama's keynote speech was pretty much his Cooper Union. For both of them, their impressive oratory at these respective events got them their party's nomination later.

[John]

"Obama's keynote speech was pretty much his Cooper Union."

It was his Cooper Union in the same way my 110 in my next round of golf is like Tiger Woods' 1997 Masters. Come on MNG. Really.

[MNG]

Of course you don't find his keynote speech to be up there with Cooper Union because you disagree with his points.

The Democrats of the day thought the Cooper Union speech sucked eggs.

[John]

MNG,

Do you honestly think that people will be reading that speech ten years from now much less a hundred? No one is reading it now.

[MNG]

Had Abe not become a famed President, do you think anyone would know about the Cooper Union speech? Anyone?

If Obama becomes a famed President, students 100 years from now will be reading that keynote speech in class.

[TrickyVic]

John, personally, I think she's done with political office. Seems she wants to be an agent of influence in a less poisoned atmosphere.

[K]

The quote from Glenn Beck provides new context for his I'm-not-a-Republican positioning.

[MNG]

The Cooper Union speech is not read because it was such a great speech, it is read because Lincoln became later one of the greatest Presidents of all time. If Obama becomes one of those then yes, people will be reading the shit out of that keynote speech.

[John]

MNG,

And the media said every speech of his was another I have a dream or cooper union. Remember how they fawned over the Philadelphia, "Reverend Wright is just like my grandmother" speech? That speech is in retrospect a complete embarassment. But at the time it was "I may not get there with you" territory.

[MNG]

Do you really think the Cooper Union speech is just so masterful that had Abe never become President, or pulled a Franklin Pierce, anyone would read it?

At the time the accomplishment of the Cooper Union speech was sweeping this relatively unaccomplished dude Lincoln into the nominee for President, just as at the time Obama's keynote speech created the wave he would ride to his nomination and ultimate election.

[John]

"Had Abe not become a famed President, do you think anyone would know about the Cooper Union speech? Anyone?"

Yes I do. If he had lost in 1860 and never been President, there still eventually would have been a violent resolution of slavery. And Lincoln and his speeches would be remembered as such a brilliant exposition of the issue.

Obama's speechs were not anything profound or brilliant. They were fluff.

[MNG]

"how they fawned over the Philadelphia, "Reverend Wright is just like my grandmother" speech"

I agree with liberal shill Charles Murray that it was one of the most profound and thoughtful speeches on race given in decades by a major politician.

[John]

"just as at the time Obama's keynote speech created the wave he would ride to his nomination and ultimate election."

Bullshit. It was delivered four years before.

[MNG]

"Has any other major American politician ever made a speech on race that comes even close to this one? As far as I'm concerned, it is just plain flat out brilliant-rhetorically, but also in capturing a lot of nuance about race in America. It is so far above the standard we're used to from our pols.... But you know me. Starry-eyed Obama groupie."

Charles Murray

[John]

"I agree with liberal shill Charles Murray that it was one of the most profound and thoughtful speeches on race given in decades by a major politician."

It was horseshit. It was totally insulting to black people and black churches. I am sorry but most black people and black churches are not Rev Wright. Reverend Wright is a nutcase hate monger. He is not black America or even a significant part of it. That speech was completely disengenius and probably his most disgusting speech.

[MNG]

That's crazy. Had Abe not become a great President we would not read a thing he said or wrote.

I mean, was Franklin Pierce a terrible writer and orator or terrible President?

Was FDR an amazing orator? Had he pulled one term would kids be reading the Nothing to fear but fear itself speech in classes?

You're out there John.

[John]

And of course he ended up leaving the church and throwing Wright under the bus once he could get away with it. The speech was all a lie. It was terrible.

[John]

Regardless MNG, Obama is failing badly as President. So, no one will be reading his speeches unless his personality cult outlives him, which is unlikly.

[MNG]

Do you think it was a poor speech rhetorically? If you taught oratory and rhetoric, apart from your agreement or disagreement with the points made, you would not give it an A?

[John]

"Was FDR an amazing orator? Had he pulled one term would kids be reading the Nothing to fear but fear itself speech in classes? "

They don't. They just know the phrase. Cooper Union and Lincoln Douglas are read for content, not as just oratory.

[John]

MNG,

Do you honestly think Obama is the same orator as Lincoln? That is insane. The second inaugural is the greatest speech ever given by a US President. That doesn't even mention Gettysburg. No one would agree with you about that.

[John]

"Do you think it was a poor speech rhetorically? If you taught oratory and rhetoric, apart from your agreement or disagreement with the points made, you would not give it an A?"

No I would give it an F. It was a lie. The truth matters.

[MNG]

"Obama is failing badly as President. So, no one will be reading his speeches"

Jesus, I think you just admitted my point! People's speeches become famous, or not, based on how great they are as Presidents.

I mean, other than William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech I cannot think of another speech by a nominee-loser that has stood the test of 100 years. Abe would have been the same.

[John]

Extremism in the defense of liberty is another one people remember. Also, Hamilton was never a President and people seem to read him a lot. Same with Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. Lots of non-Presidents have significant speeches and ideas.

[John]

MNG,

You honestly can't believe that Obama is another Lincoln or that any of his speechs are equal to Cooper Union or the Lincoln Douglas debates. That is just crazy.

[MNG]

They are read for the same reason Washinton's speeches (well, just the last one i think) are read, both became secular national saints. There's nothing inherently profound or philosophically astute about either of their speeches compared to not only Obama, but many one term failed Presidents...

The success of the President is what ensures their words will live on, not their words. Good words and failed Presidency means those words will not live on. Successful Presidency means your words will live on, whatever they were.

[MNG]

I frankly don't think I ever read a speech by Clay or Webster in school.

Hamilton is read along with all of the Federalist writers because they provide insight into the original understanding of the US Constitution.

[MNG]

Only time will tell if Obama is another Lincoln. At this point in Abe's term the nation had split, not a very good start I'd say...

And some of his speeches strike me as being as well crafted as Cooper Union, and they both served the same purpose for the two men respectively, wowing a major party into thinking about nominating them as Presidential candidates.

[JKP]

The GOP has been a whipping boy for the mainstream media since the end of WW2.

Somehow, though, it still managed to win presidential and congressional elections.

Sarah, you didn't need more interviews. What you needed were votes. And it was clear by meeting with skeptical (left-wing) interviewers you were just showing your ignorance and turning off voters.

Being conservative does not mean having to be an idiot. Look at some of the GOP candidates from the past 40 years. Nixon (who went to the small college of Whittier) would've eaten an interviewer like Couric for lunch. Reagan (Eureka College) would've charmed her. Dole, Kemp, GHW Bush, John Connally, even Ford all of them would've put in a creditable performance. (The only one who would've been almost as weak is Quayle.)

Bitching about 'the media' is the surest way to lose an election. If Palin is the future of the GOP, we are looking at a generation of Democratic rule in DC.

[law student]

MNG,

I assure you that a J.D. is NOT a terminal doctorate. Now, admittedly, the degree was named "juris DOCTOR" for the precise purpose of making laypersons have more respect for lawyers than they should, but I still have to correct your mistake.

First, it's not a doctorate. It's a professional degree. If you're going to compare it to anything, it's most akin to getting an M.B.A. Is that impressive to you?

An actual doctorate (Ph.D.) generally takes five years to earn at the very least from start to finish these days, often around six or seven. A J.D. is earned in three years, and the last year is a joke.

Second, it's not terminal. Holders of JDs can continue their schooling to earn what's called an "LL.M." or "Master of Laws" degree, for which a J.D. is a prerequisite.

[Brandybuck]

Far be it for me to defend Palin, but I still can't understand why she gets singled out by the media (including Reason) for special helpings of scorn. Every California governor running for the presidency has claimed foreign policy experience. So why single out Palin? Every vice presidential candidate has been interviewed by the friendly side of the media, so why single out Palin for talking with Beck?

[Attorney]

First, it's not a doctorate. It's a professional degree. If you're going to compare it to anything, it's most akin to getting an M.B.A.

Ouch. I'd much rather it be compared to a CPA or PE license.

[John Thacker]

The Democrats of the day thought the Cooper Union speech sucked eggs.

Hell, they thought the same about the Gettysburg Address. But the press and the politics were much more openly rougher those days, despite what the David Gergens of the world might think.

[Glen]

Palin explained the Couric interview in Ziegler's documentary. The problems were that it was done over three days when she wanted a live broadcast to prevent editing. Couric was condescending and would ask a question repeatedly trying to get a different answer. Palin got pissed off at Couric and would have left if it was her campaign, but it was McCain's campaign.

Couric had asked a series of questions to make Palin defend why anyone from Alaska should be taken seriously at all, and Palin was getting angrier with each question. Then came the "what do you read" question. Palin was so pissed she answered it sarcastically and said "all of them". That's what made the airwaves.

Same scenario with the Supreme Court question.

Palin admitted she didn't handle it well because she wasn't expecting something so hostile.

It won't happen again.

[I, Kahn O\'Clast]

Very late to this party.

Keeping Palin from appearing in front of her own audience shielded them from any actual knowledge beyond the hosanna's that her side's talking heads strew before her.

Case in point: my parents watch Fox news exclusively. They LOVE O'Reilly. When I mentioned that he'd been sued for sexual harassment (back when it was still big news(not only did they not believe it (they'd heard nothing of it) they got mad at me for making it up!

[JB]

One of those first commenters was right: at least Palin was smart enough not to vote for Obama like many of the little bitch reason writers and commenters.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Good God, I hope Palin never goes away. You have to admit, the parade of comments following each Reason post on her is entertaining as all get-out.

It's especially worth it for the multitude of "can we all stop talking about this woman???" sentiments repeatedly expressed.

[sorrowful liberal]

B/cause
magna cum laude JD from Harvard

It must be terrible for the the president to wonder to this day whether or not he was accepted and graduated just because he was an AA candidate.

[MNG]

"Evidence that the J.D. is a doctoral level degree

Academic and professional organizations recognize the J.D. as a professional doctorate.[139][140][141][142][143][144]

The American Bar Association permits J.D. holders in the United States to use the title of "Doctor,"[145][146] and some local bar associations in the United States have also issued concurring opinion statements.[147]

In the United States J.D. holders are treated similar to holders of research doctorate degrees by academic policies. For example, J.D. holders are issued doctorate robes,[148][149][150] and the highest degree of some university presidents--a position for which universities commonly require a Ph.D.[151] or comparable[152] (i.e. terminal)[153] degree--is a J.D. (e.g. University of California president Mark Yudof, former Harvard president Derek Bok, and the presidents of Columbia and Johns Hopkins universities).

Evidence that the J.D. is not a doctoral level degree
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) requires the J.D. as a prerequisite, and the Scientiae Juridicae Doctor (S.J.D.) requires a J.D. and sometimes also requires an LL.M.[154] Thus the J.D. is not the highest degree in law.[155][156] (In this respect, law resembles dentistry, in which a D.D.S. or D.M.D is required for admission into a master's program.)

An Australian academic institution has stated that, despite its name, the J.D. is not a doctoral level award and graduates are not entitled to use the honorific title "Doctor" at that institution.[157] Some other sources have also stated that the J.D. is not a terminal degree.[158][159]

The U.S. government sets the starting pay grade for "Master's or equivalent graduate degree(s) (such as LL.B. or J.D.)" at GS-9, but the pay grade for "Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree(s)" at GS-11.[160] The European Research Council states that, "First-professional degrees will not be considered...PhD-equivalent, even if recipients carry the title 'Doctor'."[161] "

[MNG]

But seeing as how, as noted in derision above, I actually do have a PhD, thanks for the distinction!

And btw, not many PhDs take six years above the Master's level to anymore. Most I know of take three years after that level.

[GILMORE]

The story isn't saying that Palin didn't want to do any hostile interview. It is saying she was upset she was only doing hostile interviews and not doing any ones with friendly hosts

If you consider the softball games she did on network news, "hostile interviews", then you're smoking crack john

Seriously. She shit herself everytime. What would a friendly interview be? Yes or no questions?

[law student]

Oh, I didn't mean 5-7 years beyond the Master's level. I meant 5-7 years from the start of graduate education to the end. This was so that it would be more easily comparable to the J.D., which does not require anything beyond a B.A./B.S. as a prerequisite.

Some Ph.D. programs require a Masters for entrance and are shorter; some do not, are longer, and may award "M.A. in passing" to the students after certain requirements are met.

Most masters are 2 years, making your "three years after that level" figure something I agree with completely, 'cause that makes 5 years total.

[Enjoy Every Sandwich]

This is a fine example of how the two-party system just drains energy away from otherwise intelligent people--as intended.

I mean, arguing over which of two thoroughly mediocre politicians is smarter, Obama or Palin? Christ on a crutch, what a waste of brain cells. It's no wonder that political hacks so easily run roughshod over the country.

[ajay]

EES, concur.

The "Palin issue" is a metaphor for the clash between the two major "cultures" right now: the "educated" left (to include the media) and the rural right. Stuck in the middle are confused independents and intellectual conservatives. Intellectual conservatives are stuck in the middle because they really don't know what to do with Palin. They don't want to alienate the conservative base, but they don't want to side with her either. Meanwhile, Palin's popularity represents another slice of American culture: celebrity worship. She is milking the spotlight for all of its worth. She can play the victim card when the media derides her and stimulate her fan base at the same time. It's an all around sorry state of affairs. This country needs rational discussion on all levels, not just between these two competing "cultures."

[MJ]

"It's not conclusive that someone is smart when they graduate from Harvard Law, but it is a strong indicator." - MNG

Maybe, but it's also not conclusive that person who graduated from Harvard Law is automatically more worthy of being taken seriously than someone who graduated from Idaho as if those were the only accomplishments that were important to judging either of them. The retreat into snobbery when defending Obama is extremely offputting.

[MJ]

" Bill Clinton was a three term governor." - TrickyVic

If memory serves, a governor's term in Arkansas is only two years. "Three term" is not as impressive as it sounds.

[Lord Jubjub]

Herbert Hoover's only claim to fame was to boost the power of the Commerce Secretary to such a high profile that the governors effected by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 asked him to take charge.

He ran for Senator once in 1920 and lost.

[Young \'Un]

"Lord Jubjub | September 29, 2009, 11:30pm | #
Herbert Hoover's only claim to fame was to boost the power of the Commerce Secretary to such a high profile that the governors effected by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 asked him to take charge."

I guess the exception proves the rule, then!

[B]

If electing an inconsequential and idiotic vice president were really that much of an issue, we wouldn't have Obama as president right now.

[B]

"It's not conclusive that someone is smart when they graduate from Harvard Law, but it is a strong indicator."

Boy, let me tell you, he has proven everyday what a brilliant fucking genius he is, hasn't he. Christ, this president is so fucking incompetent, I don't think people will view a degree from Harvard Law School the same way ever again.

[MJ]

"If electing an inconsequential and idiotic vice president were really that much of an issue, we wouldn't have Obama as president right now."

What we elected instead is an inconsequential president with idiotic policy positions and a mad vice president.

[Pro Libertate]

A JD is a terminal degree and is considered a doctorate in academia. When I was working at Ohio State, I received several formal communications addressing me as Dr. Libertate. I think that usage is a little odd in other settings, though.

A PhD in computational chemistry I worked with told me that he respected all doctorates except for education.