Tuesday, September 9, 2008

AP Article Underestimates Palin

I just read an Associated Press article on Sarah Palin titled, "No questions, please; Palin sticks to the script". (http://ap.google.com/article/AleaMSjTuSk15RWeKgvDpHc1FERPkSGwD933H2TO0)

I was struck by this passage in particular:

She's sticking to a greatest hits version of her convention speech on the campaign trail and steering clear of questions until she's comfortable enough for a hand-picked interviewer later this week.

The message is clear. Sarah Palin can't think on her feet without a teleprompter.

Handpicked interview? As if the candidates don't pick and choose whom they sit down. Hell, it took a year and a half for Obama to sit down with Bill O'Reilly and he did it the night McCain made his acceptance speech. Give me a break!!!

Yes, Palin probably should be more accessible with the media but given how quickly they were willing to believe she was actually the grandmother and the not the mother of her fifth child I, too, would be cautious and circumspect about the people with whom I would speak. Perhaps if the MSM hadn't fired before it aimed perhaps Palin would be more amenable to speaking with them on the record.

If the media wants to portray her as a bumpkin so be it. They will simply add to her growing legend. She will handle Charlie Gibson just fine. She will debate Joe Biden ably. Middle America will continue to fall in love with her and will heap contempt upon those who treat her as anything other than an intelligent and captivating personality. Unfortunately for Barack Obama, he will bear the brunt of this contempt.

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