Palin Stretches Facts In Effort To Paint Obama As Presumptuous

By: Scott Conroy
Topics: Sarah Palin

(CBS)

From CBS News' Scott Conroy:

(TAMPA, FLA.) - Following a fiery introduction by "The View" co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who accused the media of being "deliberately sexist" in its coverage of Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor suggested that Barack Obama assumes he already has the election wrapped up.

"And you know that elections - they're not decided until the votes are counted," Palin said at a rally here.

"But our opponent, he sure seems, once again to be getting out a little bit ahead of himself. Just yesterday, the New York Times reported that Barack Obama's inaugural address is already written."

The article Palin was referring to reported that John Podesta - who is in charge of Obama's transition team - wrote a hypothetical inaugural address for the Illinois senator in a book released last summer at a time when he was advising Obama's opponent Hillary Clinton.

"Nine days out from the election, nine days out, and yet it's already written," Palin said.

"John McCain and I, we're out here asking for your vote so we can get to work for you, and a lot of folks are still undecided. And you know, Barack Obama and I, we both have spent quite some time on the basketball court. But where I come from, you have to win the game before you start cutting down the nets."

Palin then brought up the presidential seal that the Obama campaign had made for the Democrat and the campaign's plan for Obama to speak at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin last summer - a setting that is typically reserved for heads of state.

"Or the stadium that he's already rented out for the victory party that he has planned," she said.

But the Obama campaign has not, in fact, rented out a stadium for a victory party. Obama plans to hold his election night celebration at Hutchinson Field, at the southern end of Grant Park in Chicago.

"You kind of get the feeling that the Obama campaign thinks this whole election process is just a formality," Palin said. "They've overlooked though the minor detail of earning your confidence and your trust and winning your votes. And I know that judging by media coverage, it does seem that the coronation is already set, but as for John McCain and me, we don't take any vote for granted, and we are not assuming that we have your vote, we are respectfully asking for it."

Scott Conroy
Scott Conroy is a National Political Reporter for RealClearPolitics and a contributor for CBS News.
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by daffy64 October 29, 2008 2:10 AM EDT: Yes, Obama the puppy is attracting large crowds. He is everything Bush is not. This election is tilted to Obama, not because he is a mixed race man (not black), not because of his education or experience(certainly not that). America is rebelling against all things Bush and to a large extent Republican, and to a large extent Congress. America is breaking up with Bush and getting another "Boy" friend. Never mind that it is pure infatuation. America will wake up 3 months from now--look over at Obama and start the divorce proceedings. Only problem---we are stuck with him for 4 years and no lawyer can save us.

---

Hmm. Maybe. But at least you won''t be stuck with "bomb bomb bomb Iran" McCain.; Reply to this comment


by bfromboston October 27, 2008 5:44 PM EDT: Of all the things to glean from this speech, Scott Conroy selects something inflamatory to use against Palin. -- Posted by jstacey78 at 02:18 PM : Oct 27, 2008

It''s pretty easy to do when most of what Palin says about Democrats, Biden, and/or Obama is a) stretching the facts or b) an outright lie.

As for the money issue, Obama''s campaign can spend what they want since they didn''t take matching funds. What''s your point?; Reply to this comment


by bfromboston October 27, 2008 5:41 PM EDT: Will America be changed by a Muslim in the White House? -- Posted by pecostwister at 12:38 PM : Oct 27, 2008

First of all, Barack Obama is not a Muslim. But if he were, he''d be like *many other citizens in this country.* Second, you seem to be confused about the separation of church and state in this country. Finally, as a Christian, you seem to be more focused on fear than on the compassion you are supposed to show your fellow mankind.; Reply to this comment


by jstacey78 October 27, 2008 5:18 PM EDT: CBS again is in the tank for Obama. Of all the things to glean from this speech, Scott Conroy selects something inflamatory to use against Palin. How is it you know what Obama''s plans are? Gotta direct line to their campaign Scott. Why not ask them howmuch they spent on the stadium event in Dever? Or how much the greek columns cost? The McCain campaign has been hitting this stAdium issue, the Obama camp is planning another stadium outing. Why not report on that?; Reply to this comment


by steeepe October 27, 2008 4:49 PM EDT: Only 10 days to election. There are a lot of prayers for both parties. As Christians we need to vote the Bible. Abortion is murder and those that say it is a womans right to choose are guilty of accessory to the fact. Not only do we need to vote the Bible, but we need to stand for the Constitution. This is the greatest nation on earth because we have been "One Nation Under God" Now we have yellow journalism, campaign money from overseas, and a man running for President that is funded by the Arab world. We are all American''''s both Democrat and Republican. Can we not see that this will destroy our nation? Are we in a trance? Wake up before it is too late. However, if Obama wins the election, there will be many changes that we won''''t like. If it is God''''s judgement against our country, then there will be nothing you or I can do about it. Pray. Will America be changed by a Muslim in the White House?
Posted by pecostwister at 12:38 PM : Oct 27, 2008

Perfect example of a low-information voter. You are wrong about Obama, as any check of the facts would reveal. If you''re so upset about abortions, let me ask how many infants have you adopted? How many funerals for discarded embryos have you attended? Where was your God during WWII? Why didn''t he stop the Nazis? A God that allows so much suffering and ignorance is playing a weird game.; Reply to this comment


by steeepe October 27, 2008 4:45 PM EDT: More lies from Palin. What could we expect? The GOP is notorious for lying about almost everything in their desperate quest to make low-information voters think that their interests are represented by the GOP. Bush is a serial liar, and McBush and Palin are following in his footsteps. I would be shacked to hear Palin or McBush say something true.; Reply to this comment


by pecostwister October 27, 2008 3:38 PM EDT: Only 10 days to election. There are a lot of prayers for both parties. As Christians we need to vote the Bible. Abortion is murder and those that say it is a womans right to choose are guilty of accessory to the fact. Not only do we need to vote the Bible, but we need to stand for the Constitution. This is the greatest nation on earth because we have been "One Nation Under God" Now we have yellow journalism, campaign money from overseas, and a man running for President that is funded by the Arab world. We are all American''s both Democrat and Republican. Can we not see that this will destroy our nation? Are we in a trance? Wake up before it is too late. However, if Obama wins the election, there will be many changes that we won''t like. If it is God''s judgement against our country, then there will be nothing you or I can do about it. Pray. Will America be changed by a Muslim in the White House?; Reply to this comment


by arlorant October 27, 2008 2:49 PM EDT: gingersnap19, don''t forget popular -- in addition to intelligent, educated and articulate, Republicans also like to criticize Obama for being so popular. If 100,000 people turn out to cheer a presidential candidate, that''s a bad thing somehow. Maybe we''ve gotten so used to a president with approval ratings below 1/3 that we think that''s the way it should be.; Reply to this comment


by ibogans October 27, 2008 1:27 PM EDT: palin could care less about mccain. she took on the vice president so she could make herself known to the people. her intention is to run for president in 2012 in case she don''t make in the white house this term as vice president. she calls herself being funny with remarks about obama, same way bush laughed at his runnung mates. but its not a laughing matter when it comes to running the white house. she thinks shes funny with her remarks, but i say she is a big joke.; Reply to this comment


by ted811-2009 October 27, 2008 12:23 PM EDT: Yes, Obama the puppy is attracting large crowds. He is everything Bush is not. This election is tilted to Obama, not because he is a mixed race man (not black), not because of his education or experience(certainly not that). America is rebelling against all things Bush and to a large extent Republican, and to a large extent Congress. America is breaking up with Bush and getting another "Boy" friend. Never mind that it is pure infatuation. America will wake up 3 months from now--look over at Obama and start the divorce proceedings. Only problem---we are stuck with him for 4 years and no lawyer can save us.; Reply to this comment