ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 3, 2008
McCain Camp Wages War On The Press
Washington Post: Top Strategist Says News Organizations Are "On A Mission To Destroy" Palin
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Video
GOP Anticipates Palin Speech
Supporters will be eager to hear Gov. Sarah Palin speak for herself at the RNC, reports Nancy Cordes. Maggie Rodriguez interviews Kristan Cole, a lifelong friend who talks to Palin daily.
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Palin Prepares For Prime Time
Sarah Palin is preparing for her prime time address at the Republican National Convention. Will she talk policy or address the questions that have arisen about her? Maggie Rodriguez reports.
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Palin, Politics And Pregnancy
Governor Sarah Palin is a hot topic for many women. The question is whether a mother of five can be an effective vice president. Maggie Rodriguez leads a discussion on the subject.
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With a cutout of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. at left, McCain adviser Steve Schmidt comes to the back of the airplane to speak to reporters on board the Straight Talk Air campaign charter airplane, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008. (AP)
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Sarah Palin
Alaska's youngest and first female governor tabbed to be McCain's running mate.
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Latest news and video from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
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Sen. John McCain's top campaign strategist accused the news media Tuesday of being "on a mission to destroy" Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin by displaying "a level of viciousness and scurrilousness" in pursuing questions about her personal life.
In an extraordinary and emotional interview, Steve Schmidt said his campaign feels "under siege" by wave after wave of news inquiries that have questioned whether Palin is really the mother of a 4-month-old baby, whether her amniotic fluid had been tested and whether she would submit to a DNA test to establish the child's parentage. (Read all recent CBS News coverage of Palin)
Arguing that the media queries are being fueled by "every rumor and smear" posted on left-wing Web sites, Schmidt said mainstream journalists are giving "closer scrutiny" to McCain's little-known running mate than to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
The McCain camp has been unusually aggressive in pushing back against the media, and it seems to hope to persuade journalists to back off in their scrutiny of Palin. Obama campaign officials have complained to news organizations that their man has been subjected to considerably more investigative reporting than McCain has, but they have done so in more low-key fashion.
By contrast, Schmidt spoke on the record in denouncing as "an absolute work of fiction" a New York Times account of the process by which the McCain campaign vetted Palin. He also charged that Newsweek columnist Howard Fineman was predicting that the governor might have to step down as McCain's vice presidential choice.
Fineman said that he has "never, ever said that," and that he has pointed out positive aspects of Palin's candidacy. "They decided a long time ago that they were going to work the refs," he said.
Elisabeth Bumiller, the lead author of the Times report, said she is "completely confident about the story." As for the campaign's criticism, she said: "This is what they do. It's part of their operation."
McCain also canceled a scheduled appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Tuesday in retaliation for an interview a day earlier in which prime-time host Campbell Brown repeatedly pressed campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds to provide one example of a decision that Palin had made as commander of the Alaska National Guard.
"The interview was totally fair," Brown said. "I was trying to get an answer. I was persistent, but I was respectful. That's my job. Experience is a legitimate issue when John McCain raises it about Obama, and it's also legitimate for us to raise it about Palin."
Schmidt, a former spokesman for President Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, talked openly about his frustrations in an interview with The Washington Post. He said the McCain camp is in the middle of the worst media "feeding frenzy" he has ever seen.
The fact that unsubstantiated allegations appear on the Internet "is not a license for smearing" Palin, he said. "The campaign has been inundated by hundreds and hundreds of calls from some of the most respected reporters and news organizations. Many reporters have called the campaign and have apologized for asking the questions and said, 'Our editors are making us do this, and I am ashamed.' "
The intensity of media inquiries hit a new level after an anonymous blogger on the liberal Web site Daily Kos last weekend charged that McCain's running mate is actually the grandmother of Trig Palin, the 4-month-old baby born with Down syndrome, and that the real mother is her daughter, 17-year-old Bristol Palin. That led to mainstream media inquiries, which prompted the McCain camp to disclose in a statement Monday that Bristol is five months pregnant and plans to have the baby and marry the teenage father.
Markos Moulitsas, the site's founder, said he did not know the contributor's identity but thought that the admittedly "weird" pregnancy questions were a legitimate line of inquiry that he should not suppress.
By Howard Kurtz
© 2008 The Washington Post Company
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See all 583 CommentsIn that warped worldview, trying to discover the truth becomes an objectionable act.
Unbelievable.
Sarah Palin smells the Sulfuric Oil Industry. Watch her cleaning the Dark Oil stains off her skin, dress... like Dicck Cheney, Liar935Bush and McCane. Time will tell.
BOO HOO HOO ...
Smart choice for VP pick ... smartguy.
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Kind of like Republicans were out to destroy Michelle Obama?
But even though I am liberal, I am appalled by the media coverage of Sarah Palin. The woman should be treated with respect and dignity as the first woman VP on the Republican ticket. If the media keeps disrespecting Palin just because she is a woman, then I will vote Republican for the first time in my life.
It seems that this latest reported pregnancy of Bristol is a ruse to prop up the story that the baby is in fact Sarah''''s because it would have been impossible for Bristol to be impregnated having just given birth. "Rumor has it"!
If this rumor has any merit it means that, in the near future, Sarah will announce Bristol loosing the fetus reportedly due to medical reason''''s. There will be no proof that way and the plan will have been executed to convince the country that it was her baby after all. Then she''''ll be ready to serve as VP or Pres if the old coot expires from a heart attack while looking at Sarah''''s bottom. (Watch McCain''''s eyes during Sarah''''s announcement speech. He can''''t control himself)
This will then prove that Red Neck Levi is the pawn.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/governor-palin-has-what-i_b_103702.html
Does the time line fit?
When Sarah Palin played basketball in high school, Sarah Palin, the soon-to-be Republican vice presidential nominee, earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" for her fierce competitiveness. In the 21 months she has served as governor of Alaska, no one is suggesting she''s lost her fighting edge
Now she is called Sarah the "COUGAR" and her Daughter is called the Little Kitty HO.
I want to know everything about this lady BEFORE hand.
McCain''s campaign is run by people who HATE FREE PRESS. It interferes with their propaganda campaign. These people will not be satisfied until every news outlet is a Fox News affiliate, toeing the "Party line''. They look to Putin''s Russia as a ROLE MODEL for how media should serve the STATE (Them).
If McCain''s people had properly vetted Palin (and not initially tried to HIDE her daughter''s pregnancy!) there would not be so much to uncover.
Campbell brown. the same "jounalist" who covered Rev Jeremiah wright''s speech to the National Press Club and claimed as she smiled:
"no, there was no hatred in his speech. Actually, he is rather funny"
The press have totally lost their way.
McCane you have been imprudent and you need to pay the price for that. Bad Decision, Bad start with Gustav, Bad controversy coming from her family, rumors about her belonging to separatist party... McCane she is not a great co-runner. Ship her back to Wasilla!
McCane you have been imprudent and you need to pay the price for that. Bad Decision, Bad start with Gustav, Bad controversy coming from her family, rumors about her belonging to separatist party... McCane she is not a great co-runner. Ship her back to Wasilla!
Now, this Palin woman and her husband turns out to have been involved and supportive of this Alaskan Independence Party--whose objective is nothing less than secession of Alaska from the union, and whose founder Joe Volker is quoted as saying "I''ve got no use for America or her damned institutions"
Where are the talking heads now? Most likely where they usually are...up their FATASSES!
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Posted by callurfears at 02:37 PM : Sep 03, 2008
What exactly makes you think he didn''t?
Like Sarah Palin is allegedly doing with her daughter.
The irony here?
John McCain voted AGAINST support for teen moms.
TWICE.
Just to be sure.
Posted by dubya_luvr at 02:36 PM
Wasn''t that in the nature of Palin''s advice to Clinton
I want to know everything about this lady BEFORE hand.
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Posted by FrootLoopHHH at 02:37 PM : Sep 03, 2008
Nobama is on the top of the ticket and has been given a free ride by the press.
No investigation of his relationship with domestic terrorist Bill Ayers.
A pass on his 20 years with the racist Rev Wright
A total pass on his lack of record
We want to know about nobama.
They probably knew that Palin had a skeleton or two in her closet ... they just did not know that her closet is a walk-in.
"But -- as clear as that giant, high-definition American flag rippling behind the podium -- none of that may matter over in that other convention that''s playing out in the press reports that seep into American homes.
Certainly not if the running mate doesn''t impress Wednesday (and probably not if the McCain-Palin operation can''t control the media firestorm before she takes the stage).
The broad issue this Wednesday: The campaign is perilously close to losing control of Palin''s image -- and thus the stakes are raised for a speech that was going to be the most closely watched of the convention anyway.
Posted by FemiNazi1 at 02:32 PM : Sep 03, 2008
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Exactly why do you think this is just because she is a woman? That''s ludicrous.
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It''s obvious the media is targeting Palin just because she is a woman. Why are they asking if she can raise her kids and be VP at the same time? They have NEVER asked if Obama can raise his kids and be President at the same time!!
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The media would have dung through every nook and cranny regardless of the gender. No one knows a *** thing about this person.
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The media has still not dug through any nooks or cranies to determine if Obama really is friends with Bill Ayers, the terrorist that bombed the Pentagon. But it now runs stories on the boyfriend of the daughter of the VP under McCain. Don''t tell me there is no bias against her on account of her gender. I know sexism when I see it.
Like I said earlier, I am a huge liberal. Its hard for me to imagine voting Republican, but if the media keeps targeting Palin just because she is a woman, and if Obama doesn''t denounce the media''s tactics, then I will vote Republican for the first time in my life.
FACTS, the number one enemy of the Republicon Nazi Party!
Posted by richnj1 at 02:41 PM : Sep 03, 2008
-A walk-in that connects to the Alaskan backyard...
of the board of NBC, MSNBC and all the major networks
are jumping on the band wagon. Parsons is Black.
He wants Barack Obama to be president simply because
he is black.
I sincerely hope these nasty, negative smear tactics
against Palin backfires on you. You are tasteless,
without morals and should be sued, tarred and
feathered and run out of town.
And now, she cries to the RNC when America gets a look at her non-record.
TWICE.
Just to be sure.
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Posted by Shouterguy at 02:39 PM : Sep 03, 2008
And Nobama missed the vote altogether, AGAIN.
So, more nobama words and NO ACTION.
The empty suit Nobama gets another pass.
BUT...what a lame, desperate and obvious ''attempt'' at getting the female votes!
I have to go democrat unless he lays his life on the line to stop ILLEGAL immigration.
The problem was that the McCain hack had NO GOOD ANSWER to the question. He stepped into it himself by falsely claiming Palin "made national security decisions". Then he had no answer when Campbell asked, "OK, give me an example".
I guess "good journalism" is only "good" to the RNC and McCain when it is Fake News SOFTBALLS.
Keep asking the though questions Campbell!
That is not a particularly bright thing for a McCain spokesman to be saying.
Does Fred Thompson (R-Fat and Lazy) think that it''s the media that''s scared of her? No 1% Fred: The WHOLE COUNTRY outsdie of Redneck megachurch America is frightened that she will assume control of the nation when McDole has a stroke and goes into a coma.
And the GOP Talking Point Response to people pointing out these inconvient facts:
BBBUTTT Barack Obama...
Look, when you nominate a complete unknown for the second-highest political office in the nation, you gotta expect alot of questions and alot of digging by the press. THAT IS THEIR JOB!
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Posted by callurfears at 02:44 PM : Sep 03, 2008
She was RUDE and very partisan. BABY!
- pmsnbc1
Are you aware of which US senator has the WORST attendance record?
No?
John McCain.
Now you are.
And now, she cries to the RNC when America gets a look at her non-record.
Posted by dubya_luvr at 02:43 PM : Sep 03, 2008
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Yes. And their narrative about the media fits well with their need to monopolize the news with unchecked propaganda.
Bush looked into Putin''s eyes and saw... an accomplished media censor. They are soulmates.
But even though I am liberal, I am appalled by the media coverage of Sarah Palin. The woman should be treated with respect and dignity as the first woman VP on the Republican ticket. If the media keeps disrespecting Palin just because she is a woman, then I will vote Republican for the first time in my life.
Like I said earlier, I am a huge liberal. Its hard for me to imagine voting Republican, but if the media keeps targeting Palin just because she is a woman, and if Obama doesnt denounce the medias tactics, then I will vote Republican for the first time in my life.
Not true at all Lezzy. You are really a man hater that doesnt care about womens rights because as as a lesbiann, you are not a woman at all.
Posted by pmsnbc1 at 02:41 PM : Sep 03, 2008
This is a total and obvious lie. Obama has been scrutinized far more closely than McCain, who routinely dodges questions and lies about his record. I haven''t heard anyone ask him about that in the press.
Republicans: all lies, all the time...and now, with extra whining!
No?
John McCain.
Now you are.
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Posted by Shouterguy at 02:45 PM : Sep 03, 2008
And he STILL casts more votes than your boy Nobama. What a loser!
Are you f*cking kidding me? The media crawled up Bill Clinton''s ****** to get their Monica story and not only did Republicans revel in it, they impeached him for his trouble. What hypocrites.
Like I said earlier, I am a huge liberal. Its hard for me to imagine voting Republican, but if the media keeps targeting Palin just because she is a woman, and if Obama doesnt denounce the medias tactics, then I will vote Republican for the first time in my life.
Not true at all Lezzy. You are really a man hater that doesnt care about womens rights because as a lesbiann, you are not a woman at all. Any bets this is really Rowdy, that fatassed Texass Lesbiann?
PALIN LIED ABOUT "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE" IN HER V.P INTRODUCTORY SPEECH
Sarah Palin FLAT OUT LIED about her supposed "opposition" to the famous "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska.
In her V.P. introductory speech she claimed she said, "thanks but no thanks" to the pork barrel project. IT WAS A LIE.
LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO, the Anchorage Daily News quoted her on Oct. 22, 2006, as saying yes, she would continue funding for the bridge because she could get projects through with help from Alaska Sen. Steven''s PORK BARREL federal money. "The window is now while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist," she said.
In a Sept. 20, 2006 appearance of the gubernatorial candidates in Ketchikan, she said, "The money that''s been appropriated for the project, it should remain available for a link, an access process as we continue to evaluate the scope and just how best to just get this done," the Ketchikan Daily News quoted Palin as saying. "This link is a commitment to help Ketchikan expand its access, to help this community prosper. I think we''re going to make a good team as we progress that bridge project."
Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein said he was there at the candidate forum when "she was asked about the bridge and she supported it."
SO PALIN LIES. She''s a weak token candidate- an insult to the much more qualified Republican women McCain could have selected. Oh, and SHE LIES.
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