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Palin on McCain Aides Saying She Didn't Know Africa Is a Continent: 'Those Guys Are Jerks'

November 08, 2008 10:41 AM

Meanwhile, back in Alaska...

Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, returned to the 49th state and denied reports that during debate prep she didn't know which countries were part of NAFTA and seemed unaware that Africa is a continent, not a country, as Fox News's Carl Cameron reported.

Newsweek also adds that the shopping spending spree is even more troubling than originally reported.

An angry aide characterized the Palins as "Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast."

"If there are allegations based on questions or comments I made in debate prep about NAFTA, about the continent versus the country when we talk about Africa there, then those were taken out of context," she said of aides spreading that story.

"And that's cruel, it's mean-spirited, it's immature, it's unprofessional and those guys are jerks if they came away with it taking things out of context, then tried to spread something on national news. It's not fair, it's not right."

-- jpt

UPDATE: Steve Biegun, the former Bush National Security Council aid who worked with Palin on debate prep, defends her to the National Review and insists the NAFTA/Africa accusation is either a twisting of her words or a misunderstanding. And Jonathan Martin, too, gives this tale and Palin another look at Politico.

November 8, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (559)

User Comments

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I don't watch any of your programming anymore and avoid your sponsors like Netflix whose subscription I dropped and let them know why. The sloppy journalism that is now not the exception but the norm becoming routine this year with the Presidential election has pushed many of us to the limit. This article with its retraction at the bottom about Sarah Palin is a case in point. There is not only no such thing as factchecking but ABC has become like one of the sensationalist publishers like the National Enquirer and then completely ignores very serious stories like real Bill Ayers' history by allowing that bully pulpit interview without countering his lies with interviews by those who can dispute his lies like the FBI informants and employees who worked the Weather Underground case plus people like John Murtagh who lived through some of his bombs. Bill Ayers and his crew are in the ranks with Osama Bin Laden, Timothy Mc Veigh, and the abortion clinic bomber and not only has he been allowed to rewrite the history of his past since your network and others have allowed him, but this gives him credibility and recognition to pitch his criminal ideology to our children all over this country. I know as he was an invited speaker at my alma mater University of South Carolina and required reading which is appalling.

Posted by: Cindy Anderson | Nov 15, 2008 9:45:22 PM

I also think that the African Americans who think that Barack Obama is their savior and will meet their every need and put their needs above everyone else's, are in for a BIG disappointment! I think their euphoric bubble will burst, too, pretty soon!

Posted by: carlyonsue | Nov 13, 2008 2:29:53 AM

I'm just waiting for the nation's euphoric bubble about Barack Obama to burst. I think it will probably happen just about the time he implements his spread the wealth plan and raids their 401ks and IRAs. I think when it happens people will fall out of love with him very quickly. He will no longer be their messiah and the love affair will definitely be over. I have a feeling that long before his term is over people will be calling for his impeachment!

Posted by: carlyonsue | Nov 13, 2008 2:20:13 AM

I don't understand what god loving americans have against flowers. Aren't flowers a reflection of god?

Posted by: pdxpro | Nov 11, 2008 2:03:49 AM

Bye Bye Republicans! The really rich ones and those that pretend to be rich. If you put your country first as you stated in your campaigns and conventions then you will support president Barack Obama

Posted by: Stanley | Nov 11, 2008 1:42:46 AM

I think Sara Palin was a breath of fresh air to the political realm...and if any other woman was going through what she was...for example...all the garbage that was being thrown at her..they would be going shopping as well..in fact I believe I would be going...more shopping...and compared to what the men spent on their suits...ooohhh whoops...we dont know what that was, do we....and as far as her Christianity...that gives her credibility in my book...consider no God in your life..that would leave you ignorant...like number 1...you wouldnt be able to figure out when life begins..when a baby is really a baby..even with ultrasounds staring at you...number 2...you wouldnt know that men are only supposed to marry women..and not other men...number 3...you would think its ok to kill a baby even if its born alive when you first tried to suck his brains out...number 4...you wouldnt know that people who work should not be forced to finance people who refuse to work and their lazy lifestyles...number 5..you might even think that taking stem cells from the carcass of dead children that you killed would help you save someone else's life...

Wise up people...without God ...you are ignorant...I dont care how many churches you want to picket...He wins in the end...everytime

Posted by: heaven bound | Nov 11, 2008 12:04:52 AM

Curt... by the way, concensus is not a pronoun. But by all means, please run Palin in 2012. I'd love to see another landslide for Obama.

Posted by: rukiding | Nov 10, 2008 6:01:53 PM

How could anyone possibly listen to Sarah Palin and think she is even remotely intelligent enough to be a national leader? Even my 14 year old daughter was aghast when she heard her in the debate: "she sounds like a kid my age, not at all presidential".

I have to laugh when people describe those who criticize her as sexist. To be fair to Sarah Palin, it's not her fault that McCain shot himself in the foot by choosing her. She is not especially articulate or knowledgeable, and it's not sexist to state the truth: that she can barely put together a cogent argument, especially if she is asked to think for herself without the aid of a script.

She will never make it on the national scene she is a auch a huge liability to the Republican party. They hastily chose her, and they regretted it later. I think 75% of America -- and 99% of the rest of the world --is breathing a huge sigh of relief that we have someone intelligent and reasonable at the helm.

Posted by: MathMom | Nov 10, 2008 5:09:20 PM

It is really a shame that the news media can affect the choice of the most powerful leader in the free world. Poll - 65% of the people felt the news media changed the outcome of the election.

Posted by: Form505 | Nov 10, 2008 4:31:10 PM

US Patriot: Be sure you get the name RIGHT!
That's Mr Barack H. Obama or Mr. President-Elect Obama or Mr. President!!! Ha Ha Ha!!!

By the way when she fails again,LOL, she will be cleaning up Bush's mess not President Barack Obama's work.

Did you get that, President Obama say it again, President Obama. Ha!

Oh and don't get pissed because we Baracked the vote! Ha Ha Ha!!!

Posted by: GETITRIGHT | Nov 10, 2008 1:34:59 PM

Wow, Palin's not too bright - during the election and now. She'll never get anywhere in the GOP if she keeps dissing Republicans as jerks, nasty, etc. Frankly that's ok with me. She's a loose ditz headed cannon and I'd rather not hear from her again politically in the future anyhow.

Posted by: buzziea | Nov 10, 2008 1:34:21 PM

mak,

I addressed your comments and provided references but my posts keep getting removed. Sorry.

Posted by: WWW | Nov 10, 2008 1:22:15 PM

U.S. Patriot: The most salient problem with your list of adjectives describing Palin is the word "Christian." She may be a "Christian"...bully for her. I could not care less what she believes in. Therein lies the problem with your description. You see, there is a SEPARATION of church and state. Her religious beliefs - as anyone elses's - should NEVER be a consideration in the politics of this nation. That is one of the major reasons Republicans were so soundly defeated. If Republicans wish to regain power, they must learn that America will not stand for their moral policing. Get back to strong defense and economic soundness!

Posted by: dano | Nov 10, 2008 1:12:38 PM

carlyonsue,

Saks Fifth Avenue: $49,425.74
Neiman Marcus: $75,062.63
Macy's: $9,447.71
Barneys New York: $789.72
Bloomingdales: $5,102.71
Hair and make-up: $4,716.49

Those numbers aren't that far off from $150,000. Of course they aren't official totals at this point.

Posted by: WWW | Nov 10, 2008 1:01:09 PM

Palin is a successful, Christian, pro-life, married, conservative, America loving woman. These characteristics are all the opposite of what flower power liberals stand for. She will be back, hopefully running with romney, and they will have to clean up the mess left by barry o. Higher taxes, weaker military, larger deficit. but hey- change is comin!!

Posted by: USpatriot | Nov 10, 2008 12:58:09 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen, and I use those terms loosely, GIVE IT A REST!
The only thing worse than a Liberal that looses and election is a Liberal that wins an election. You Won! Why do you insist on beating these issues to death!
1. What do you care how the RNC spends their money?
2. Why not worry about the one-sided reporting instead of where Sarah got her clothes? For example, what would the fawning press have said if John McCain had said he had visited all 57 states?
What about that revolting sign Obama stood behind at his "Press Conference." you know the one that says "Office of The President Elect" What would they have said if McCain or Palin said that had only spoken to the living ex-Presidents and then tried to cover the gaffe with a bad attempt at humor involving Nancy Reagan.
I am sickened by the way Obama is being treated by the press. Instead of talking about the puppies why didn't he talk about the qualifications for the next Sec Tres? We do have econimic problmes to face, rememeber?

Up until today I was a member of the Democratic party. I will be changing my party affiliation at my first opportunity.
BTW - In case you guys care, the new Messiah is playing outside the rules with the Change.gov web site. The .gov extension is reserved for official government web sites. There is no office of the President Elect. Do you think CNN will cover that? Is this "Change we can believe in?"
Tom

Posted by: Tom Macey | Nov 10, 2008 12:57:08 PM

You liberal flowering power idiots are all the same. You claim to be about women and women's rights but there is lie in that claim, you are ONLY about liberal women. All of you loved hillary should atleast be able to see that hillary clung to a disgusting marriage where her husband cheated on her with many different women (that we know of) all in the hopes of advancing her political career. Palin rose politically by her own merits fighting corruption. She will be back in 2012, hopefully running with romney, and they together will have to clean up the mess left by the anti-American, socialist barry o.

Posted by: USpatriot | Nov 10, 2008 12:53:27 PM

Ugh, this woman makes me sick! Thank god McCain and her did'nt win!I dont think I could have taken 4 years of seeing her face. Sarah Palin, go back to Alaska, and STAY THERE!!!

Posted by: Jeremy | Nov 10, 2008 12:37:03 PM

Yes, of course. How cruel and unfair for the evil liberal media to ask her such deceptive and difficult questions. After all, how could we possibly expect a potential Vice President of the United States to answer with any specificity which magazines or newspapers he/she read regularly? Do you really think Biden could actually cite a Supreme Court case that he disagreed with BY NAME? The very idea just reeks of that evil elitism!!! It is crystal clear that Mrs. Sarah Palin is a woman of letters...a real maverick who is a mental giant.

Posted by: dano | Nov 10, 2008 12:29:13 PM

And then there's all that furor over the wardrobe. She's giving up the 5th Avenue wardrobe selected by the elitists of the RNC and she'll go back to Out of the Closet. How gay!!!!

Posted by: Bill
_________________________________

That's quite interesting. Isn't YOUR party the one that fights for gay marriage? Now you're using the expression "how gay!!!!"

As for Palin's shopping, has anyone, including you, actually followed her into a store and saw her shop with RNC money? I doubt it.

I think the ones going on the attack were either paid big money by the Democrats to do so and remain anonymous, or they are Democrats masquerading as members of the McCain team.

If these anonymous sources really have a case against Sarah Palin, why can't they come out and show themselves and present their evidence? That's what brave people do.

Posted by: marco | Nov 10, 2008 12:09:47 PM

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