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Palin Now Much More Media-Accessible Than Biden
October 22, 2008 2:06 PM
Oh, how things change.
In the first few weeks after Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., named Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., as his running mate, the Democratic vice presidential nominee immediately became the most accessible of the four candidates.
Biden would field questions from audience members at nearly every event.
He came to the back of the plane to speak with reporters a bunch of times during his first ten days on the trail.
He held multiple press avails, including one in a Pittsburgh park.
But that has all changed.
The Delaware lawmaker has not fielded questions from supporters since a Sept. 10 rally in Nashua, N.H., at which he said that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., might have been a better vice presidential pick than him.
And he has not held an arranged press avail since a Sept. 7 flight to Kalispell, Mont.
It might not be hard to imagine why this has happened. Biden's proclivity to speak his mind has provided much fodder for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Republicans -- as happened this week, when Biden told contributors at a Seattle fundraiser that America's enemies would "test" a new, young President Barack Obama.
Conversely, while Biden has an apparent embargo against fielding questions from his traveling press corps -- and from his supporters -- his once-reclusive Republican counterpart, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, has become increasingly accessible, perhaps more so than any of the four candidates.
In the last two weeks, Palin has fielded questions twice from the Palin traveling press corps on board the campaign plane, and on Sunday night, Palin took impromptu questions from reporters on the airport tarmac in Colorado Springs, Colo., on issues ranging from her thoughts on Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama to the role of robocalls in the election.
An hour later, she took questions again from the press pool during an unscheduled stop for ice cream before returning to her hotel for the night.
Palin has also become increasingly accessible to local and national media. Since the vice presidential debate, she's participated in multiple interviews with local television stations across the country, and this week she gives interviews to CNN and NBC News. She has particularly embraced conservative media outlets -- in the last week, she has called into Rush Limbaugh's and Dr. James Dobson's radio programs, while also speaking on camera with Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody.
Biden spokesman David Wade argued that, as of Oct. 21, the senator has conducted over 141 media interviews in his two months as Obama's running mate. "The notion that he isn't responding to questions from the media is mighty laughable," Wade told ABC News. "Especially when I reckon could count Governor Palin's interviews on my ten fingers without even having to resort to counting my toes."
That may be true, but in terms of general availability to their traveling press corps, Biden's and Palin's roles are switching.
-- Jake Tapper, Matt Jaffe, and Imtiyaz Delawala
October 22, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (177)
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Has McCain releases any of these, or similar records?
And by the way, Obama did release his medical records.
To: Senator Obama or any of your supporters:
Why have you not provided the following info?
Why is the media giving you a "free pass" on this?
1. Occidental College records — Not released
2. Columbia College records — Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper — ‘Not available’
4. Harvard College records — Not released
5. Selective Service Registration — Not released
6. Medical records — Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule — Not available
8. Your Illinois State Senate records — Not available
9. Law practice client list — Not released
10. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate — Not released
11. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth — Not released
12. Record of your baptism — Not available
Posted by: Matt R | Oct 23, 2008 5:43:58 PM
It is just pathetic, how moronic, and vicious the potential vice president Palin really is. No wonder she's hiding. I'd vote for McCain if he'd chosen another VP.
Posted by: Rita | Oct 23, 2008 5:34:27 PM
Of course, if you listen to the entire statement that Biden made you'd learn that after saying Obama would be tested our enemies would find that he's "a man with a spine made of steel."
Posted by: Scott | Oct 23, 2008 3:17:41 PM
Biden is a walking gaffe machine and that is why the Nobama campaign has reigned him in. I have been following all his gaffes since he started crying on the trail (hankie in hand) and PRESS NEVER COVERS HIS CRAP.
But the latest is the biggest and best...REMINDING US AGAIN OBAMA IS NOT TESTED, NOT READY, NOT QUALIFIED....just as Biden said a few short months ago to George Stephenopolis.
Wake up America....NO BAMA, NO BIDEN, NOT NOW, NOT EVER.
HILLARY SUPPORTER FOR McCAIN
Posted by: Hopey Uniter, is Dopey Divider | Oct 23, 2008 1:25:31 PM
I totally agree with Dawn's thoughts.
["The problem for Obama and Biden is that they're subject to un-scripted questions and instead of having prepared talking points, they're actually giving us clues into what they REALLY think."
Posted by: Dawn | Oct 23, 2008 9:03:02 AM]
Give me the truth, don't sugar coat it and roll it in bs
All the Mccain camp has left is to slur, spin and pounce on Obama and Biden's words at this point.
Let Palin talk.
Posted by: mdj | Oct 23, 2008 10:54:19 AM
Palin shouldn't focus so much on being more accesible...she should be learning about the role of the VP. It's amazing (in a pathetic way) how many people cheer for her.
As for Biden, he should shut up too.
Are these four really the best America has to offer. It's pretty sad, really.
Posted by: Ron | Oct 23, 2008 10:08:13 AM
Might as well show off all your fancy clothes and do a little fashion show on your campaign jet, sweetie. That'll do wonders with the press corps. Kinda like the good old beauty pageant days, right Miss Wasilla?
You do realize, honey, that Nov 4 at midnight your $150,000 wardrobe will turn into rotting pumpkins, don't you?
Posted by: rogerthomas | Oct 23, 2008 10:01:12 AM
If the Dumos get control of all 3 segmentss of government you will see the shutting down of free speech as we know it.
They are already looking at passing the fairness doctrine to stifle any opposing views or opinions. this will include talk radio and Fox news.
McCain and the Lady in 08
Posted by: Mike | Oct 23, 2008 9:54:43 AM
The problem for Obama and Biden is that they're subject to un-scripted questions and instead of having prepared talking points, they're actually giving us clues into what they REALLY think.
Posted by: Dawn | Oct 23, 2008 9:03:02 AM
She should be everywhere. The McCain campaign has made mistakes. Keeping Sarah Palin in a bubble initially and her overall handling in terms of the media is probably one of the biggest ones. They have been complicit in letting her foes in the Obama campaign, including those in the media, define her.
Posted by: Michael | Oct 23, 2008 8:56:48 AM
Biden is the dumbest man in US senate and cannot open his mouth without a huge GAFFE. Even on the issue of foriegn policy which is supposed to be his area of expertise.
Posted by: Dennis D | Oct 23, 2008 8:26:53 AM
No surprise in the increase in Palin accessibility.
It is sad that so many people were critical of the McCain campaign for assuming the media would never get access to Palin. Palin accessibility made headlines when it was favorable to Obama now that she has more accessible than her counter part for over a month it is a non-issue.
The Obama campaign knew her media blackout was short term so they struck furiously to brand her incompetent hoping it will stick.
Palin seems to be the #1 negative for McCain, so it will be interesting to see how far the false perceptions of her erode by Nov 4th.
Posted by: N7r3pyd | Oct 23, 2008 8:13:21 AM
Being an ice cream fan, I noted that Palin went for ice cream whereas Michelle My Belle went for caviar and champagne when she needed a 'snack'
connects/common vs elite
thrifty vs loose with other peoples' money
Posted by: gah | Oct 23, 2008 7:53:54 AM
NEWSFLASH!!
Biden moved to a secure undisclosed location until the elections!
:-)
Posted by: Fob | Oct 23, 2008 5:46:53 AM
Kyle:
Re: Obama's half brother's statements,
You better make the corrections over at Wikipedia, because we all know that CNN is the only pure source of truth.
Posted by: People's Republic of Massachusetts | Oct 23, 2008 2:03:22 AM
Kyle:
His birth certificate is still a matter of great concern to many people.
I'm sure you know about Attorney Philip Berg's work with the Clinton campaign.
Obama supporters may not want to see the following at yout-be.
You'll have to go to yout-be and type in Obama October Surprise.
Posted by: 2008 voter | Oct 23, 2008 1:58:25 AM
pefros:
Imagine if Sarah Palin or Johm McCain had a half brother or sister in the same situation as does Barak Obama.
The media would be frantic with cameras, downlinks, etc. they would invade the entire area, just like they did to "Joe the plumber". And they would dig for anything and everything.
Wake up my friend.
You seem to be unable to judge the situation objectively.
Posted by: People's Republic of Massachusetts | Oct 23, 2008 1:40:47 AM
- VotedForJimmyCarter
CNN interviewed Obama's half-brother and he said no such thing about Barack. Look it up it's not that hard.
-pefros
That's quite the list of documents. I think he should release his collegiate records. His birth certificate is posted on his website if you're actually interested. Beyond that what on earth are you trying to prove? A record of his baptism? I have no idea if there is a record of my own baptism or where I could obtain one. I especially like number 11. I personally only have a debossed, unsigned plastic certification of my Dead Birth. You need to stop listening to deranged right-wingers or at least try to balance it with some real news on occasion.
Posted by: Kyle | Oct 23, 2008 1:32:57 AM
I would think the reason the media hasn't made a major issue out of Obama's distant half-brother is because it's a minor story.
Unlike the lies Palin told about the recent Troopergate report ("It completely cleared me of any abuse of power" - a direct lie. And the fact that she also lied about the "Bridge to Nowhere" implying that she led the charge to stop that bridge and returned the peoples' hard earned money, when really Congress stopped the bridge, and she just tagged along. And she kept the money for her government.
There is a qualitative difference between the two . .. something you seem to overlook.
Posted by: pefros | Oct 23, 2008 1:29:19 AM
Info regarding the Presidential candidate Barak Obama,why isn't this covered by the media, and yet 30 opposition researchers were sent to Alaska to dig up any ounce of dirt on the VP candidate.
Why didn't Obama help his half-brother?
Why did his half-brother state that he was ashamed to be related to Barak Obama?
Oh I forgot, the media is still campaigning for Obama.
Read on....
George Obama
George Hussein Onyango Obama (born c. 1982) is the youngest half-brother of Barack Obama. George was six months old when his father died in an automobile accident, after which George was raised in Nairobi by his mother, Jael, and a step-father, who is French. George lived in South Korea for two years while his mother resided there for business reasons.[28] Returning to Kenya, George Obama was homeless for several years ("slept rough")[28], then was given a home by his aunt in a six-by-eight foot corrugated metal shack in the Nairobi, Kenya slum of Huruma Flats.[28] Today, George Obama is studying to become a mechanic. After the Italian language edition of Vanity Fair quoted George Obama as being "ashamed" of being related to Barack Obama, The Daily Telegraph said he was "furious at subsequent reports that he had been abandoned by the Obama family and that he was filled with shame about living in a slum".[27][56]
Posted by: People's Republic of Massachusetts | Oct 23, 2008 1:22:08 AM
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