How Sarah Palin Was Unmasked

MarketWatch Columnist Jon Friedman Talks With Time Magazine's Nathan Thornburgh, Who Got The Big Story

(MarketWatch)  This column was written by MarketWatch's Jon Friedman.

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Time magazine senior writer Nathan Thornburgh was in the right place at the right time on Aug. 29.

That's when John McCain stunned the world by tapping Sarah Palin, the obscure Alaska governor, to be his running mate. Thornburgh, 33, happened to be on assignment in Seattle, working on an unrelated piece. He smelled a big story and jumped on it.

As soon as he heard the news, he made two calls in swift succession, to his editor and his travel agent. Within hours, he was touching down at the Anchorage airport and ready to dive into the Palin story.

"I booked my ticket before my editor even got back to me," Thornburgh said with a laugh when we recently talked about his Palin stories. By getting to Alaska before his rivals at magazines and newspapers, he had an advantage that helped him lock up sources before the competition and be among the first journalists equipped to give Alaska's point of view about Palin.

Thornburgh realizes that timing played a big part in his coverage. "Most of the news media were ensconced in St. Paul," at the Republican Convention he said. "I was basically alone on the first day."

He was surprised -- and thrilled -- that his competitors weren't conspicuous at the outset. "The media were so slow," he mused. "They were getting on McCain's case about vetting (Palin), yet by the following Monday, I still felt alone up there."

Things played out to Thornburgh's advantage in Wasilla, Alaska, Palin's hometown. "The Best Western turned out to be 50 yards from her home!" he said.

He recognized immediately that Palinmania was spreading through the nation.

"I was thinking first, this story is going to have a life of its own," he recalled. "I have to file right away. I have to find out what's happening right away."

To Thornburgh's credit, he hasn't stopped yet. He took two week-and-a-half trips to Alaska, and his stories have boosted Time's results. For instance, a recent story on Palin, which appeared Oct. 11, "What the Troopergate Report Really Says," drew 508,980 page views, according to Time spokesman Daniel Kile.

That was the second-highest viewed article on Time.com so far this month, an impressive showing considering that the competition for page views has been stiff. Remember, Wall Street has been collapsing and the seemingly endless presidential election is finally heading toward the clubhouse turn.

Thornburgh was impressed by the celebratory atmosphere he encountered in Alaska after local hero Palin hit the national stage.

"What I found was something that was almost like a state holiday," he said.

He learned about how much local people thought Palin had begun to change. "The Sarah Palin they knew as a governor was a centrist and a populist," Thornburgh marvels. "There was none of this red-meat mentality."

Then he paused and laughed knowingly. "That, she had done as mayor."

Another surprise was when Thornburgh started to become better known in the media. He noted that he had been in Alaska for only three days when he read in print that he was being called "'the suddenly ubiquitous Nathan Thornburg.'"

Sensation

Sarah Palin became a media sensation for many reasons. Her overnight emergence on the national scene, her small town roots, her gender, her rustic charms and her complex family life all contributed to the mania. Shortly after Palin had been named by McCain, she confirmed that her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, was pregnant.

Thornburgh has connected with Americans who wanted to know all about her.

A blog called GetReligion.org published a reader's comment that said: "Of all the stories I've seen about Bristol Palin's pregnancy, one stood out as particularly good. Time's Nathan Thornburgh reported on the story from Wasilla, Alaska, and the trip there seemed to have affected him -- in a good way."

"I'm not sure where they're coming from with that (observation)," Thornburgh said. "I do take it all with a grain of salt."

Thornburgh certainly has strong views on Palin, such as:

"She always had a hard-driving ambition for 'the next thing,'" tracing her rise from the city council to mayor of Wasilla and then governor of Alaska, before joining McCain's ticket.

"I was surprised to see her flounder in interviews" with ABC's Charles Gibson and CBS' Katie Couric. "She just didn't seem to have the composure that I expected her to have."

"I think she might want to run for the (presidency) herself. If that doesn't work, maybe the U.S. Senate from Alaska (or) she can have a long and fruitful life on the speaking tour."

Empathy

Perhaps it was easier for Thornburgh than most journalists to understand Palin. If she could be called the classic outsider in big-time politics, he could be regarded as something of an outsider in journalism.

Thornburgh didn't grow up with a burning desire to be a reporter. He taught English in Latvia for a few months after graduating from Stanford, but his first love was music. He played sax in a salsa band, which performed in Cuba, among other places.

Then he started writing jazz reviews for The Stranger, an alternative weekly in Seattle. He also started stringing for the Moscow Times, an English-language paper in Russia. He ultimately moved to Boston as a Time stringer and joined the staff in 2004.

Fair enough. Now, when can we all look forward to reading Thornburgh's inevitable book on the Palin phenomenon?

Not so fast.

"There is no book," he shrugged. "I'm a weekly news magazine writer. I'm waiting for the next great story to come along."

[tannerbird]

Please put the mask back on one with a smaller mouth please and put something behind it.

[jimesmith2]

Palinmania? What is this story about? Nathan Thornburg?? Hooray for the press! Another story for hype with no substance. Nathan made it to Alaska all on his own for one day for the big scoop! Where was Nathan when the press refused to question our involvement in Iraq -- or the WMD''s. Note to Journalists: Don''t get all giddy and pat yourselves on the back. You''re equally disdained by the left and the right. The middle just finds you ineffective and full of hype -- just like this piece.

[jimesmith2]

Plus, did you care that Palin was unqualified? -- or was the scoop the big motivation for your story. Forget the purpose of being a journalist -- just get to your travel agent first and you get a column!! Did you even ask any questions? Disgusting! Let''s see how many kudos you get on this article. I''m sure there are millions sick of your inability or refusal to do your jobs. Now, having to read an article how you kiss each other''s arse makes me want to puke!

[darthtojedi]

Why doesn''t someone as Palin who built her house. She got rid of building permits a few months before her house was built and before the 14million dollar sports complex in her town was built. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/11/111018/34/47/627460

[norepubs]

DArwinism at work for repubs:
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?category=STRANGENEWS&storyID=734749&BCCode=&newsdate=10/30/2008%208:35:35%20PM

[smurfcrusher]

"Why doesn''''t someone as Palin who built her house. She got rid of building permits a few months before her house was built and before the 14million dollar sports complex in her town was built. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/11
/111018/34/47/627460"

Posted by darthtojedi


I would speculate that politicians don''t like to brag about kickbacks.

Perhaps the press could help us and ask her directly.

[smurfcrusher]

Indeed, it seems that Palin has a "Press Pass".

Why is the press coddling Palin, in light of Senator Ted Stevens'' recent conviction on free home repairs?

[pjc27]

They had to fine ONE nice thing to write about her so they won''t appear ''biased.'' Sadly, the bad press coming from news is press created by McPalin and their super flubs, but t''s easier to blame than admit they are effed up.

[asor1-2009]

I only hope this same genius reported gets to remask this vicious dog as she returns to Wasilla. Not that they deserve her either.

[gangesdak]

As far as I am concerned Joe, the plummer, is a Republical plant. He was semi-skilled, no lisence, did not own any business. He did only day dreaming that he would own a business. It was this hypothesis that McBush thrived for a few days. Joe is still good for nothing. He should sharpen his professional skill first (by taking advantage of Obama tax cuts and health care advantages).

[zippiez]

You missed the ambition: part Cheney; part Nixon; all megalomaniac.

[bracemic]

She wasn''t unmasked; she was picked on for petty things that have been mostly debunked...the rest distorted or exaggerated. Funny, the best thing the media has on her is the picture they tried to paint of her being a dumb dumb, yet she was able to run a town, company, and a state. Did you know that Alaska is one of the select few states that is not in recession right now? It is interesting also, how she has drastically improved her interviewing skills after becoming more comfortable with the process. To me, this is true leadership: to learn and adapt quickly, to never back down from a challenge, and to never get discouraged in the face of your enemies. She has showed more resolve this past few months than anyone I''m ever seen. Sorry media, try as you did, you couldn''t break her (similar to McCain''s POW experience). That''s the kind of person we need in the White House. Obama/Biden are the joke here. They are the ones who are untested.

[tcoleman12]

As many "reporters" have spent time "digging up" information on Palin as they have "covering up" information on the Chosen One, Obama.

If they would have spent a quarter of the time digging into Obama that they have on Palin this would be a completely different race right now.

[closethippy1]

Palin hasn''t given a press conference yet, just a couple of interviews. So the press has no choice but to write articles like this one, but then her supporters get all upset about it.
So what, then, is the press supposed to do if she refuses to talk to them?
Who in the history of presidential politics ever got away with not giving press conferences?
All she represents is an American style of expressing themselves. In this case the perky cheerleader/Valley girl type.
Other than that she''s all slogans, no specifics, truly someone who doesn''t care to think things through and is proud of it just like the Monkey Boy we have in the White House.
The press should boycott this b.itch until she gives a press conference.

[hatesthecolt]

That''s right bracemic you just keep telling yourself that she is being picked on. Most of us can see through the bravado: she is just not that bright. Running a town? You seriously think that takes any kind of brain power remotely comparable to running a country? And more improtantly, she''s so arrogant, she doesn''t think she needs help.

Even McCain supporters like Lawrence Eagleburger are panning her and this is from Faux News'' Hannity website no less:
http://forums.hannity.com/showthread.php?t=1076121

[marbill1237-2009]

There has never been a military man that has become a good president
!!!!!

[hatesthecolt]

If they would have spent a quarter of the time digging into Obama that they have on Palin this would be a completely different race right now.


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Posted by tcoleman12

You ARE kidding right? Obama has been dug to DEATH. Heck, people are so anxious to find stuff they are making stuff up like this "Malcolm X is Obama''s father." http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/5109250.aspx Geez, have some pride...

[ofbyfor3]

Democrats cry about Goerge Bush spying on people and then the wimp left does exactly the same thing, and to regular americans. What Hipocrits.
Tearing apart Joe the plumber and anyone else they wish and not a word said about it in the press.
Just remember you lefties, it could be you next!

Posted by gunfighter51 at 07:44 AM : Oct 31, 2008

Sorry, but Joe the Plumber brought it on himself when he failed to pay his taxes and was working as a plumber without a license.

I couldn''t care less what Joe''s politics are, but he has an obligation to live up to his responsibilities like the rest of us.

[marbill1237-2009]

For example, Eisenhower, Grant, T. Roosevelt, etc. Palin would step up as president if J. McCann would die or be assassinated. Now would that not put us in a Palin pickle. Do not vote for Cain and Pain

[ofbyfor3]

As many "reporters" have spent time "digging up" information on Palin as they have "covering up" information on the Chosen One, Obama.

If they would have spent a quarter of the time digging into Obama that they have on Palin this would be a completely different race right now.

Posted by tcoleman12 at 08:34 AM : Oct 31, 2008

As if FOX News hasn''t been all over looking for anything and everything that they could throw at Obama, hoping that some would stick.

[karlo59]

Christian zionists and zionist jews are the true terrorists in the world. I think we should leave the US concentration camp open in Cuba and fill it with these traitors of this ONCE great country of ours. These people like palin believe in witches and end time and are the scum of the earth.

[grumpas]

I would hardly call Palin an overnight success! Maybe with the right wing loony birds she was. But, most of us women who were for Clinton took one look at the religious extremist and ran to Obama! So I guess we have to thank McCain for shoring up the Democratic base! There isn''t any way most of us Hillary supporters were going to vote for that!

[oldguy4truth]

Anyone.... I say ANYone who buys into this Joe The Plumber as an example of middle America, quiet frankly, is a fool. I can even understand some people finding appeal with Palin''s folksy ways, even though she has very limited intellect, but Joe? He is the epitomy of the word "LOOSER". The fact that he has not paid his 2007 state taxes, is missed with Palin and Little John''s supporters, is a measure of their chractor.

[whiteibis2]

Didn''t anyone notice the article is about the reporter, not Palin?! I thought journalists were supposed to report NEWS. News Flash! Dentist in Wasilla cleans Palin''s teeth. Says they are all real. Wow! Maybe someday the media will stop taking Obama''s money and start doing their jobs.

[skeetchamp]

McCain''s top foreign policy advisor Eagleberger says "of course" Palin''s not ready to be president on national public radio interview.
This is the guy McCain touted as the counterweight to general Colin Powell''s endorsement of Barack Obama.

[billh971]

I DON''T FEEL SORRY FOR HER. SHE IS A POLITICIAN. ONECE YOU ACCEPT THAT FACT YOU ARE OPEN FOR SCRUTINY. IF THE HEAT IS TOO HOT GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN. THE MEDIA IS STILL BLOWING IT! STILL IN THE TANK FOR MCCAIN. SHE IS GUILTY IN TROOPER GATE. ACCORDING TO THE BUSHWATER REPORT ALASKA STATE LAW STATES SHE SHOULD RESIGN. THIS WAS AN ETHICS COMMITEE WITH 10 REPUBLICANS AND FOUR DEMOCRATS. ON PAGE 5 OF THE BUSHWATER REPORT IT STATES THAT IT IS A MISDEMEANOR PUNISHABLE BY RELINQUISHING YOUR JOB AND/OR JAIL TIME. I GUESS SHE IS ABOVE THE LAW? NOW SHE IS ACCUSED OF TAKING HER KIDS WITH HER ON OFFICIAL STATE BUSIINESS TRIPS AND HAVING THE STATE PAY FOR IT! THAT LEAVES A PAPER TRAIL A MILE LONG! ANOTHER LAWBREAKING EFFORT! I GUESS SHE COULDN''T LEAVE HER TEENAGE DAUGHTER AT HOME ANYMORE. YOU KNOW TEENAGERS LEFT ALONE AND PREMARITAL ***? WE NOW KNOW MORE THAN MCCAIN DID WHEN HE PICKED HER. HE THOUGHT VAGINAS WERE INTERCHANGEABLE (HILLARY FOR PALIN)? WHO IS RUNNING MCCAIN''S CAMPAIGN? IDIOTS? I VOTED FOR OBAMA. WONDER WHY HE SO FAR DOWN IN MONEY? I RECEIVED A MAILED REQUEST YESTERDAY 10/30/08 FOR MONEY FOR THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN. BY THE TIME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MAILED AND A CHECK WAS PROCESSED THE ELECTION WOULD BE OVER. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO LOST JOHN MCCAIN''S ELECTION? LOOK IN THE MIRROR JOHN!

[oldguy4truth]

I would hardly call Palin an overnight success! Maybe with the right wing loony birds ...

Exactly.. You go Grumpas

[kphx]

If the Republicnas think that Sarah Palin is what the future of GOP is, it really is an extremely sorry state of affairs, for the Grand Oil Party.

[anotherview2-2009]

Palin is Palin. Take what you like, leave the rest.

Obama is..............hmmmmmmmmm. I guess chameleon fits the best.

Can CBS tell me how Obama paid for Harvard and Columbia? And who is Frank Marshall Davis and what was the relationship between young Obama and Davis?

[hatesthecolt]

If the Republicnas think that Sarah Palin is what the future of GOP is, it really is an extremely sorry state of affairs, for the Grand Oil Party.


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Posted by kphx

Unforthnately, they really do see her as teh future. What''s more, they are already gearing up for 2010 midterms and 2012 so even if Obama wins and wins big, supporters need to stay behind him because they are going to do EVERYTHING to make it a rocky road. They are already collecting money and palnning meetings. Let''s not only get behind the candidate, let''s stay behind him and give him time to unscrew the mess that will have been given to him.

[kphx]

If the Republicans think that Sarah Palin is what the future of GOP is, it really is an extremely sorry state of affairs, for the Grand Oil Party.

Also the selection of Sarah Palin as running mate shows how good McCain''s judgement is. This is the best McCain can find amongst all of the GOP members. Talk about judgement. McCain can''t make a good judgment on such a basic issue of choosing a good running mate. What kind of judgement can we expect from him as a President ?

And he keeps calling Palin as a maverick. Poor Jonh, it is the people who have to say that.

Poor judgement, poor judgment all the way. We don''t want that in the White House. The pasr eight years is enough.

[hatesthecolt]

Yeah, too bad isn''''t it? She''''s more successful, smarter, and more qualified than Obslime-a and he and the media went into total paranoia frenzy and tried to crucify her!

Frankly it''''s hilarious.


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Posted by FromTexwLove


Even Lawrence Eagleburger has had to concede she''s a nitwit. I feel bad for you that you have to try to make a case for her and 3/4 of the US population disagrees with you. I guess I would have to resort to slime and vitriol too if that''s all I had.

[oldguy4truth]

Didn''''t anyone notice the article is about the reporter, not Palin?! I thought journalists were supposed to report NEWS. News Flash! Dentist in Wasilla cleans Palin''''s teeth. Says they are all real. Wow! Maybe someday the media will stop taking Obama''''s money and start doing their jobs.

I think the point is made that it is what comes out of (her) mouth that defiles her. Not knowing the definition of the job she is applying for was the defining moment of her introduction to the media. You can not blame the media for that.

[tiger9606]

Dear oldguy4truth,

You can certainly tell you were %u201Ceducated%u201D (indoctrinated) in a government run education facility. %u201CLooser%u201D means that something is not as tight. %u201CLoser%u201D would describe the approximately (according to CBS news) 52% of likely voters who are willing to turn over their liberties to Hussein.

[robert2237]

I know the far left has a good reason to hate Palin but it is really funny someone the things they come up with. So keep it up I need a good laugh barry ob is getting a little stale and we are about laughed out over him. But remember that Palin, will be around a long time and will be a major force in American politics. In 4 years if barry gets in we will need someoen to strighten the total mess out he creates and bring the country back together and regain some respect that he will trash.. So if Palin don''t win with McCain this time she will be back in 2012.

[walt1944-2009]

It has been discovered that after the election is over and Obama and every Whimpo-crat in sight is elected, that Sarah "Troopergate, Shoppergate" Palin will return to Alaska and that she will take Joe, the "supposed" plumber, with her.

Palin believes that after the election, McBush will have no need for "Joe, the plumber" since McBush will no doubt spend what''s left of his days sitting in a wheelchair wrapped in a blanket at the Happy Seniors Home!

Palin believes that she needs a "plumber" to fix and stop all the "leaks" in her life, much like Richard "the Trickster" Nixon relied on G Gordon Liddy''s "plumbers" to fix the "leaks" in his life.

Palin, however, plans on make certain that "Joe" isn''t "caught" like stupid Liddy was, and intends on using a "make-up" artist on "Joe" when he does his "work", disguising him as G Gordan Liddy!!!!

SIG HEIL, REPUBLICANS LOVE "PLUMBERS"!!!, BUSH!!!
sig heil, WHERE''S MY GERITOL!!!, McBush!!!
sig heil, "I''M NOT A CROOK!"!!!, Palin!!!

[talaan77]

Posted by robert2237 and if that happens we know that American will definatelly lose it''s place in the world and be even more of a joke than bush made us

[kphx]

Yeah, too bad isn''''t it? She''''s more successful, smarter, and more qualified than Obslime-a and he and the media went into total paranoia frenzy and tried to crucify her!

Frankly it''''s hilarious.


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Posted by FromTexwLove at 09:19 AM : Oct 31, 2008

Palin showed how dumb she is, during Katie Courics interview. She couldn''t even explain why rescuing the wall street is important. It is all over the newspapers and every decent person knows the reasons given in the newspapers. And she could not just repeat those silly sentences.

She went into a tailspin talking gibberish on that question. That shows how dumb she is and how much she follows the daily happenings in the country. And she is the governor of a state for heavens sake.

[hatesthecolt]

I know the far left has a good reason to hate Palin but it is really funny someone the things they come up with. So keep it up I need a good laugh barry ob is getting a little stale and we are about laughed out over him. But remember that Palin, will be around a long time and will be a major force in American politics. In 4 years if barry gets in we will need someoen to strighten the total mess out he creates and bring the country back together and regain some respect that he will trash.. So if Palin don''''t win with McCain this time she will be back in 2012.


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Posted by robert2237

I can''t speak for others but I don''t hate her... how can I, since I don''t know her. But I do hate what she stands for. And I have told my daughter in no uncertain terms that this is not a person I want her to emulate: someone who has no REAL formal education (her college degree is a joke and she has not postgraduate education), no experience and yet has such a high opinion of herself that she imagines that she is ready for one of the most difficult jobs in the world, and that her popularity with like minded people is validation for that conclusion. She appears to be completely self-centered yet not at all reflective. It is a mystery to me how anyone can justify voting for a package that includes her and I have to put it down to willful ignorance.

[oldguy4truth]

Look for complete split in the Republican Party, and the creation of a REAL third Party that would have more appeal of the Electorate. Palin will be the poster child of the Idiot, Extreamist, Hate Mongers, and the ex- Repubs, and some Democrats, will finally join together to do the work of the people.

[seathelight]

palins girls were brought up in a home where PREmarital intercourse was encouraged by mommie.......

[seathelight]

do the taxpayers have to pay for the baby staying at home when mommie palin has to work from her home,but charges as if she is away on business????

[seathelight]

If alskans get a check evrey year just for living there....Isnt that socialism?????? palins girls are QUITE SOCIAL as you can see......

[dagrandma]

I know the far left has a good reason to hate Palin but it is really funny someone the things they come up with. So keep it up I need a good laugh barry ob is getting a little stale and we are about laughed out over him. But remember that Palin, will be around a long time and will be a major force in American politics. In 4 years if barry gets in we will need someoen to strighten the total mess out he creates and bring the country back together and regain some respect that he will trash.. So if Palin don''''t win with McCain this time she will be back in 2012.
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Posted by robert2237 at 09:26 AM : Oct 31, 2008
+ report abuse

robert2237: In case you hadn''t noticed, Palin is the reason McCain is failin''. Barack Obama needs to send her a thank you card. And we''ll have to straighten out Obama''s mess in four years? PUH-LEEZE. It''ll take him four years just to straighten out the mess Bush has us in now.

[seathelight]

Palin supports underage intercourse.....my goodness,what has happened to the republican party????

[seathelight]

I sure hope the MORON will be back for years to come....The TRUE AMERICANS; the democrats will keep on a winnin.....YES!!!!!!!

[re_evolve]

Palin is the new american paradigm, Style over substance

[seathelight]

Hope all you repubs know it is just 4 more days until you must submit........

[seathelight]

Palin is about as bright as a coalmine....I have met hammers that have more common sense

[seathelight]

I am going to take a dump and call it sarah for halloween.........4 more days