Palin Dismisses Media, Appeals to 'Joe Six-Pack'

Subscribe to this blog's feed

« Previous | Main | Next »

Palin Dismisses Media, Appeals to 'Joe Six-Pack'

October 01, 2008 7:58 AM

ABC News' Imtiyaz Delawala Reports: Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin dismissed the media's coverage of her candidacy, saying she'll represent the "Joe Six-Pack American" as vice president, and that she and her family understand the challenges facing middle-class Americans under the current financial crisis.

In a radio interview with conservative blogger and columnist Hugh Hewitt, Palin says she’s not concerned by criticisms of her performance in recent network interviews with ABC's Charles Gibson and CBS' Katie Couric, which many -- including some former conservative supporters -- have said showed her unprepared to be vice president.

"Oh, I think they're just not used to someone coming in from the outside saying you know what? It's time that normal Joe six-pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency, and I think that that's kind of taken some people off guard, and they’re out of sorts, and they’re ticked off about it," Palin told Hewitt.

Palin, who has complained this week about “gotcha journalism” on the campaign trail, told Hewitt that she invites the scrutiny, and that her recent media appearances have helped her better articulate her positions and prepare for her upcoming vice presidential debate with Sen. Joe Biden on Thursday.

“I have a degree in journalism also, so it surprises me that so much has changed since I received my education in journalistic ethics all those years ago,” Palin said when asked by Hewitt whether the Gibson and Couric interviews felt like “pop quizzes designed to embarrass” her. "I’m going to take those shots and those pop quizzes and just say that’s okay, those are good testing grounds. That makes somebody work even harder. It makes somebody be even clearer and more articulate in their positions. So really I don’t fight it. I invite it.”

In an interview Monday with Couric in Columbus, Palin says she has appreciation for the press. But when asked by Couric several times which specific newspapers she reads, she did not name any, saying instead that she reads “all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.”

“I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news, too. Alaska isn’t a foreign country, where it’s kind of suggested, ‘Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?’ Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.”

Palin told Hewitt that her family’s experience in Alaska helps her relate to the lives of working-class Americans, and that she and her husband Todd understand directly the impact of the current financial crisis.

“Even today, Todd and I are looking at what’s going on in the stock market, the relatively low number of investments that we have, looking at the hit that we’re taking, probably $20,000 dollars last week in his 401K plan that was hit,” Palin told Hewitt. “I’m thinking geez, the rest of America, they’re facing the exact same thing that we are. We understand what the problems are.”

“We’re putting a lot of faith in other people who are using our money as investments. We have to count on the federal government to be overseeing these agencies and entities, making sure that we’re not going to get screwed on this deal, and that our savings are safe,” Palin added of Washington’s attempts to address the financial crisis.

October 1, 2008 in Palin, Sarah | Permalink | User Comments (770)

User Comments

You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

There you go, Joe Six-Pack. There's your candidate. God help us.

Posted by: BillMar | Oct 1, 2008 8:05:10 AM

You have got to be kidding me. I don't believe this woman is as dumb as she comes across. I think this is truly a set up so when she debates Biden she will be the so called pit bull w/lipstick. Then the media will shut up and say oops we made a mistake and she will come out smelling like roses again. I guess we will all see tomorrow.

Posted by: Right | Oct 1, 2008 8:07:53 AM

WOW! And many of you still want this airbrain for VP. Amazing, and I'v got a bridge to nowhere that I'd like to sell you.

Posted by: william | Oct 1, 2008 8:08:27 AM

Why does Palin have such ha problem with the media? They are what made her such a political superstar and lavished her with attention that literally changed the race for a month.

Will voters see this as whining and get turned off?

Posted by: matt | Oct 1, 2008 8:09:12 AM

This womwn is so "into herself" she cannot see out. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want a beer drinking, tee shirted, gosh-oh-gee, VP!!
Getting a degree in journalism doesn't make you qualified for the VP slot or the presidency. She is so confident it scares me, when she thinks foreign policy is seeing Russia from her home...

Posted by: goforit | Oct 1, 2008 8:10:02 AM

Right...no one would be so stupid as to degrade themselves this way. I don't believe it. From all I have read and all the tapes of her campaigns in Alaska, this IS Sarah Palin.
The only probelm the Dems may have is sexism. If Joe is to hard on her all the women will say he brow beat her.

Posted by: formerhillary | Oct 1, 2008 8:12:50 AM

THAT'S PALINTOLOGY, RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS WOMAN SPECIAL.. SHE DOES NOT NEED "ELITIST" KATHERINE PARKER'S SUPPORT.
SHE HAS US..THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
CONTINUE TO GIVE IT TO THE MEDIA, PALIN
THATS WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT YOU..

WE'RE NOT BUYING IT.

Posted by: TJ, THE CLINTONITE | Oct 1, 2008 8:15:46 AM

Look at the these poll numbers

Quinnipiac
Ohio: Obama +8
Florida: Obama +8
PA: Obama +15

InAdv/PollPosition
Virginia: Obama +6

PPP poll
North Carolina: Obama +2

Electoral Map from Real Clear Politics (based on polls of polls)

Obama/Biden 348 McCain/Palin 190

Posted by: Vanessa | Oct 1, 2008 8:18:24 AM

goforit. I've been reading the papers and I'm trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. However, I agree w/you re: why would she degrade herself. As for Joe Biden, I don't care if he goes after her. She will truly push him to the limit. Yes the women will cry foul. So WHAT! This is a serious position in the U.S. and it should not be taken to lightly.

Posted by: Right | Oct 1, 2008 8:20:29 AM

Great. One problem, Joe cannot afford the six pack anymore.

Posted by: jenny | Oct 1, 2008 8:21:53 AM

Posted by: goforit | Oct 1, 2008 8:10:02 AM
___________________________
ANOTHER SPIN, LIKE SEEING ALASKA SPIN. SHE NEVER SAID THAT JOURNALSIM QUALIFIED HER TO BE VP.. SHE SAID THE NEW MEDIA FERVOR HAS SET ASIDE THE JOURNALISTIC ETHICS,,
SHE IS RIGHT
THE MEDIA MSNBC, NYT, WASHINTON POST, CNN, HAVE NO SHAME...
THEY ARE ALL INFECTED WITH OBAMAMANIA. THE NEXT THING WE KNOW, THEY ARE MAKING A VIDEO, LIKE THE ONE CIRCULATING, PRAYING TO OBAMA.
THIS LADY IS THE HIDDEN WEAPON OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

Posted by: TJ, THE CLINTONITE | Oct 1, 2008 8:22:37 AM

Look at the these poll numbers

Quinnipiac
Ohio: Obama +8
Florida: Obama +8
PA: Obama +15

InAdv/PollPosition
Virginia: Obama +6

PPP poll
North Carolina: Obama +2

Electoral Map from Real Clear Politics (based on polls of polls)

Obama/Biden 348 McCain/Palin 190

Posted by: Vanessa | Oct 1, 2008 8:18:24 AM

_________________________
KEEP READING THE CONFUSING POLLS. THEY POLL THE CITIES, NOT THE RURAL AREAS.
MCCIN IS DIGGING IN .. ALL THOSE STATES WILL SWING BACK TO MCCAIN. WATCH!

Posted by: TJ, THE CLINTONITE | Oct 1, 2008 8:26:35 AM

TJ - Sarah Palin has not benn a victim of gotcha journalism. I have seen many interviews with Charles Gibson over the years and he has never done this. Why would he start now? I can only speak to the Gibsn interview as it is the onlyone I seen in it entirety. Every question seemed fair and legitimate. The thing about the Bush doctrine, I did not know and I doubt a lot of people knew. What got me was her blatant BSing her way thru the question. It did not work and Charlie basicaklly called her on it. If she had just said something like "Gosh Cahrlie, I am not an authority on the Bush doctrine but let me tell you what McCain's policies are." I would have stood up an applauded her as much as I dislike her. She instead tried to weasel her way out of the question like a typical politician.

Posted by: jenny | Oct 1, 2008 8:29:18 AM

I believe that the 'journalistic ethics' Gov. Palin referred to has become an oxymoron in this world of the 24 hour, in-your-face, entertainment-oriented, sound byte (or bite), news cycle. As for Blogs like this, the less said, the better.

I stopped reading newspapers when the New York Herald Tribune stopped publishing. The only reason I watch a very little bit of TV "news" is to find out what kind of weather is heading my way. Otherwise, it is rather pointless.

I'm no "Joe Six-pack", but I am willing to give Gov. Palin, and Sen. McCain a chance. The Democrats lost their chance when the appointed Sen. Obama as nominee.

Lemmings for Obama.

Nobama 'o8

Posted by: Yavo Lem | Oct 1, 2008 8:30:09 AM

Wow... The bad Disney movie just keeps getting worse and worse!!!

I was embarrassed for her when I saw the clip about what newspapers she reads. I was pretty sure she was going to say "USA Today" and People Magazine... Instead, she said nothing. Is that "gotcha" journalism? No way!

What a joke our country must be to the rest of the world.

Posted by: Ex Republican | Oct 1, 2008 8:32:27 AM

Obama is the dumbest person ever to run for president. If for some misfortune this thug is elected president that would be the most embarrassing event in the USA's history.

Posted by: Obamatron drone #12323 | Oct 1, 2008 8:39:39 AM

"Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.”

Yeah, right...and the moon is made of green cheese.

Posted by: Rodger | Oct 1, 2008 8:42:39 AM

Is it me or is Governor Palen channeling Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska who argued in 1970 that a weak Nixon Supreme Court nominee should be confirmed because mediocre people “are entitled to a little representation … and a little chance”?

Posted by: wayoutonthesteppe | Oct 1, 2008 8:53:13 AM

My dictionary defines "moderator" as "the nonpartisan presiding officer of a town meeting." On Thursday, PBS anchor Gwen Ifill will serve as moderator for the first and only vice presidential debate. The stakes are high. The Commission on Presidential Debates, with the assent of the two campaigns, decided not to impose any guidelines on her duties or questions.

But there is nothing "moderate" about where Ifill stands on Barack Obama. She's so far in the tank for the Democratic presidential candidate, her oxygen delivery line is running out.
Gwen is in the Obama cesspool,she loves SLICK RICK!
Gwen has no credibility!
And that pig wears LIPSTICK!

Posted by: HP Boston | Oct 1, 2008 8:54:52 AM

Yeah, I don't want someone knowledgeable or accomplished as president or vice president, I want some common slob.

Posted by: JR | Oct 1, 2008 9:02:55 AM

Post a comment