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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 (176)
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The reason we didn't know all that stuff Barney is half of it isn't true and because Sarah Palin really hasn't had the smarts to explain it herself.
By now, too many Americans have seen Sarah Palin in interview situations to trust her with much more than a very low level position in any kind of international matters.
Posted by: pefros | Oct 23, 2008 1:18:45 AM
Subject: FW: Bet you didn’t know this
Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:10:10 +0000
Question: What is America’s first line of missile
interceptor defense that protects the entire United States ?
Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.
Question: What is the ONLY National Guard unit on
permanent active duty?
Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard
Question: Who is the Commander in Chief of the 49th Missile
Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard?
Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska
Question: What U.S. governor is routinely briefed on
highly classified military issues, homeland security, and
counter terrorism?
Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska
Question: What U.S. governor has a higher classified
security rating than either candidate of the Democrat Party?
Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska
According to the Washington Post, she first met with McCain
in February, but nobody ever found out. This is a woman used
to keeping secrets. She can be entrusted with our national
security, because she already is.
Now you know too, please, pass it on!
Commander of the:
49th Missile Defense
Battalion of Alaska
National Guard
Posted by: Barney Frank is my congressman | Oct 23, 2008 1:12:53 AM
Quo please don't even make me think about Sarah Palin as VP. Have you seen the woman interviewed? Have you seen her lies about the Troopergate report? ("They completely cleared me of any abuse of power" - a direct lie). Have you seen her lies on the "Bridge to Nowhere"? (She acts like she led the charge to stop it; hah! Congress stopped it and then she tagged along). plus she really has difficulty putting together a coherent sentence without a script written for her.
Biden may make the odd gaff, but he has great knowledge and a mature brain. Palin lacks both of those.
Posted by: pefros | Oct 23, 2008 1:10:48 AM
In all frankness, I don't think Palin was prepared to be VP (she was something of a longshot), BUT she is clearly a quick & able study who is getting the hang of the political patter quickly.
Biden, on the other hand, is clearly not presidential material so why aren't they talking about his scary mis-steps & blunders being just a heartbeat away?
They harp on McCain's age & bout with melanoma constantly, but after going on about how Obama will be more of an assassination target, don't seem interested in pointing out the very scary possibility of a BIDEN presidency.
Ignorance with aptitude is far more reassuring than knowledge with ineptitude!
Posted by: QuoVadisAnima | Oct 23, 2008 1:03:04 AM
Surely - voted for Jimmy Carter - it's clear Senator Obama has not released those records because he's a commie, terrorist, cheater, phony, imposter Democratic demon!
And he's actually from the planet Uranus and is the advance wing of a major invasion.
What's your point supposed to be?
Posted by: pefros | Oct 23, 2008 1:01:38 AM
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: voted for Jimmy Carter | Oct 23, 2008 12:56:24 AM
Why is that the media has tirelessly scoured the earth looking for any ounce of dirt on Gov. Palin and yet they have a profound lack of curiousity about Obama's half-brother?
Why did his half-brother state that he was ashamed to be related to Barak Obama?
Why didn't Obama help him?
Posted by: voted for Carter | Oct 23, 2008 12:39:43 AM
To 'Pefros.'
You are a genius...in a sea of fools.
Vote Obama. What the hell can you lose? These other clowns have had eight friggin years to do SOMETHING. Buddy, walk out the front door and look around. Yea. It sucks. These idiots are talking a lot, cause they see the end coming. No more do nothing all day and do nothing for it. OMG (Oh My God) I gotta go to the Senate or the Congress today and work? Really? Do WORK? OMG! I need a president who is as friggin lazy and will do as little as I do...like...like...John McSame. Don't make us work. The American People? Who the hell is that? Hey, I have my OWN lobbyists to deal with each day. Some lunch, a little golf, maybe a nap...and then go see those pesky Demos...they always wanta do something for 'the people,' whoever the hell that is...
Posted by: Larry W | Oct 23, 2008 12:18:00 AM
The government does not have the right to act as dictators on a woman's decision on pregnancy.
The government does not have the right to dictate a woman's decision on pregnancy.
Posted by: pefros | Oct 23, 2008 12:08:49 AM
I am so fearful about this election as our country is in an economic crisis and very vulnerable.
Former Democrat voting McCain/Palin
Posted by: drno | Oct 22, 2008 11:59:57 PM
Pefros... Sadly you will likely realize your dream. To have a super liberal president, House, and Senate will likely not be in our best interests. A reminder: I am not a Republican or a Democrat... I am one of their victims.
Posted by: Peter | Oct 22, 2008 11:05:17 PM
Even if the Democrats do a sparkling job in office, it will take years before some people have any faith in government or democracy. And of course, Democrats will continue to be demonized by Republicans and the right. The extremism exhibited by some Americans is downright creepy. We've had very poor government for the past 8 years. Time to give the other major party a chance.
Posted by: pefros | Oct 22, 2008 11:01:49 PM
Congress has a low rating primarily because the Republican White House caused so much damage to the public image of government that everyone has been dragged down. People currently don't believe in government.
The damage done by the Bush Republican administration has been virtually catastrophic. Please don't compare that obscene mess to some 'dissatisfaction' with the Congress.
There is little comparison.
Posted by: pefros | Oct 22, 2008 10:58:22 PM
Pefros... There is a reason that congress has a much lower rating than the current administration... Both parties are guilty of only serving themselves and special interests. We, the US citizenry regardless of party affiliation, are the victims. The victimization will continue as long as we continue to accept it.
Posted by: Peter | Oct 22, 2008 10:52:24 PM
Greyfox... You are correct in both instances.
Posted by: Peter | Oct 22, 2008 10:48:01 PM
Peter the damage has been done by the Republicans. The United States is now owned by Bush and McCain's oil, banking and military/industrial friends and China. Don't worry about the Democrats.
Posted by: pefros | Oct 22, 2008 10:44:51 PM
There are actually people who sit and write excerpts on these stories who say nothing at all. That's amazing: “Stupid is what stupid does.” Some elite groups speak a language that is not shared by the commonality: So saying nothing is the meaning of one who calls themselves a Linguistic elitist.
Let us see how elite one is when one finds oneself in the mist of a race riot! I believe that is called Hiding out of Fear. Maybe getting away from the old laptop and mingling with the natives would serve elitist better if only in this life. Communication can be tactile.
Posted by: TLewis | Oct 22, 2008 10:41:41 PM
Pefros... Yup! I voted for him twice. Had a business oriented Democrat (Bill) working with a fiscally responsible Republican Speaker (Newt). It worked well. Anytime a party controls both houses and the White House we get into big trouble. Republicans for six of the last eitht years... Now it will be the Democrats for at least the next four years. God help us!
Posted by: Peter | Oct 22, 2008 10:41:34 PM
It was Bush and the Republicans who have initiated this obscene financial spiral in terms of gross, gross government overspending and pampering the ultra rich.
Posted by: pefros | Oct 22, 2008 10:39:22 PM
It doesn't matter if she is more accessible if she still isn't answering questions. I saw her last night on CNN, every question was basically ignored and turned into a chance to bash Obama. All this proves is that the republicans have taught her how to not answer questions, so they don't feel it so risky to let her loose with the press.
If any of you reporters actually made her answer questions directly, I think her head would explode.
Posted by: Weird Harold | Oct 22, 2008 10:37:50 PM
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