November 3, 2009 7:54 AM

Sarah Palin: The Inside Story

By
Tucker Reals
Topics
Republicans
(CBS)
Former Alaska Governor and Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin is one of the most polarizing figures in politics today. Love her or hate her, when Sarah Palin speaks, people pay attention.

New revelations about her life from the campaign that made her an overnight sensation are now coming to light in a new book, "Sarah from Alaska," jointly authored by CBS News' own Scott Conroy and Shushannah Walshe.

The book, based on the two authors' experience covering the campaign from within Palin's inner circle, shines a unique light on the new Republican superstar's meteoric rise.

Click here for an exclusive excerpt from "Sarah from Alaska"

Conroy tells CBS "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith that he and Walshe bore witness to a "remarkable internal war" between Palin's staff and that of her boss, former Presidential Candidate John McCain.

Walshe tells Smith that McCain's campaign leaders were "terrified that she would embarrass John McCain, even after the campaign had officially ended."

Another revelation in the book; the authors allege that Palin didn't tell her daughters she was running for vice president, instead leaving it to a staffer to deliver the news.

Walshe said Palin's claim that she had asked her family to vote on whether she should run, if chosen by McCain, came later, "after she already shook hands with John McCain and accepted that offer."

On Palin's much-publicized, top-dollar campaign wardrobe, Conroy and Walshe say the former Alaska governor was actually duped in some cases into wearing clothes she was uncomfortable in.

"People blamed her for all the spending that went on. But really, she was one of the only people in the room that said, hey, this stuff is too expensive," says Walshe.


  • Tucker Reals

    Tucker Reals is a senior news editor and overnight site editor for CBSNews.com, based at CBS News' London bureau.

Add a Comment See all 82 Comments
by noloyalisti November 5, 2009 4:28 PM EST
Is this a preview of her porn film: The Inside Story? Remember she ran as the Maverick and the MILF. And I was pullin' for Palin.
Reply to this comment
by nirak2-2009 November 5, 2009 3:13 PM EST
When Palin speaks people pay attention?
Wrong!
I don't know anyone who would listen!
Reply to this comment
by milty5 November 5, 2009 3:47 PM EST
Yet you are reading an article about her? Pot, meet kettle...
by sunmantis November 5, 2009 4:45 PM EST
I listen...I need all the laughs I can get:)
by daws711 November 5, 2009 2:42 PM EST
Could you guys please report on some real news ? This woman has no hope of winning anything, except maybe her sanity !!! It's no wonder McCain became a laughing stock when he picked her...
Reply to this comment
by american_artist November 5, 2009 11:46 AM EST
McCain's campaign leaders were "terrified that she would embarrass John McCain, even after the campaign had officially ended."

Well, at least they got one thing right.
Reply to this comment
by josangalang November 3, 2009 9:04 PM EST
You can continue publish unflattering photos continue trying to vilify Palin, but the fact remains, she is the best representative of conservative values. Reading comments here shows me how leftists can't see beyond their own elitist, constricted and intolerant paradigm. The liberal party has become intolerant, cruel, racist and sexist.
Reply to this comment
by Free_Thinking_Patriot November 5, 2009 4:34 PM EST
Sarah Palin is the best representative of conservative values? That's almost - ALMOST - enough to make me feel sorry for conservatives. And exactly what "unflattering photos" are you referring to specifically? If you're referring to that at the top of this page of Palin speaking at the podium, what about it do you find unflattering? The fact that she's got her mouth open speaking?
by 7deane November 3, 2009 9:04 PM EST
Liberals always make such disgusting comments. I always know the political party of a person when i read their comments. Liberals have no manners. They don't know the issues and they are crass.
Reply to this comment
by trijul November 3, 2009 7:19 PM EST
All everyone is doing is making her richer!!!!! more power to her she knows how to make money in this country she's no different than Benny Hinn or any other preacher out there.looking for a quick buck !!!!!

So you go girl make your money you won't get a penny out of me but their are plenty a fools out there......
Reply to this comment
by P0STING_AWAY November 3, 2009 7:00 PM EST
BTW - All of you TeaBaggers, have I found a deal for you!!!
Newsmax, a right-wing-idiot website/magazine is offering Sarah
Palin's book for $4.95 if you subscribe to their blather rag.
Between them and Rupert Murdoch, they have purchased one
kajillion (a million times a billion) copies of Sarah's book ....
So buy one to wrap fish with .... and buy one to steady any
wobbly furniture you might have.
Reply to this comment
by sunmantis November 5, 2009 4:47 PM EST
I'll take 2! One to get sick on, one to cover it up with. HeHEEEE
by P0STING_AWAY November 3, 2009 6:54 PM EST
by 57vw November 3, 2009 5:27 PM EST
People keep forgetting the Democrats were in charge of congress starting in 2007. So in reality it was the Bush and Democrat congress that got us into this mess. Both parties were to blame, no doubt about it.
==================================================================
No, Mr. Doofy-dude. The Repugs (namely Phil Gramm of Texas) are
largely to blame. Remember Glass-Steagall ???? The Repug congress
repealed it. Google it!!! It was put into law originally to stop the kind of financial monkey business that got us into this mess.
Reply to this comment
by Susanmg November 3, 2009 8:35 PM EST
I don't think that having a TINY majority in Congress in 2007 enabled Dems to do anything, since Bush vetoed every bill they sent him. Not exactly control, but it makes you feel better about bashing Dems, I guess.
by houengr November 3, 2009 6:02 PM EST
Let me see if I understand? Palin is a backwater, uneducated country bumpkin. Biden is a sophisticated, well educated statesman. Both Buss and Obama went to Harvard. One is not real smart and the other is closest to a Marxist. Maybe a common sense candidate is what we need. What we have sure isn't working! Maybe not Palin, but we won't see another if everyone is attacked by the media.
Reply to this comment
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