Palin Bans Reporters From UN Meetings, CNN Pulls The Plug
By Logan Murphy Monday Sep 22, 2008 12:40pm
AP:
NEW YORK - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who has not held a press conference in nearly four weeks of campaigning, on Tuesday banned reporters from her first meetings with world leaders, allowing access only to photographers and a television crew.
CNN, which was providing the television coverage for news organizations, decided to pull its TV crew, effectively denying Palin the high visibility she had sought.
The campaign told the TV producer, print and wire reporters in the press pool that follows the Alaska governor that they would not be admitted with the photographers and camera crew taken in to photograph the meetings. At least two news organizations, including The Associated Press, objected and were told that the decision was not subject to discussion. Read on...
Bravo for CNN, but it would have been nice if the AP would have followed up to find out which "tv crew" would actually be allowed in. She's not ready and it's painfully obvious. The McCain campaign desperately wants to portray Palin as capable and ready to lead, but they're scared to death to let her in front of reporters who could easily expose her.
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CNN does something right... pulling the cameras and not giving Palin her spotlight... Right frickin' on!!!!!
All style and absolutely zero substance ; it has been the calling card of the garbage GOP for the last 3 decades............
Palin Bans Reporters From UN Meetings, CNN Pulls The Plug
She uses butt-plugs?
Ridiculous.
I just cannot fathom the idea of a candidate for major office that is so off limits. Why aren't more people seeing through this charade.
imagine her as commander in chief
CNN needs to back this up with more coverage regarding how this piece of turd pie was offered to them....All the news organizations have to be very, very public about why they did not take the bait on this outrageously blatant bit of propaganda...
Damn....
MCMetal @ 2:
And not a lot of style here, if this is anything to go by.
people thinking that the debates will suffice are wrong.
she needs to answer random/ad lib questioning. they're
shielding her from being asked questions regarding
important issues.they're also avoiding issues that aren't necessarily important to some like the political organizaton 'todd' belonged to...the 'troopergate' and
her church in wasilla.
The religious based extremism and moral superiority of Bush + the corruption, secrecy and lies of Cheney = Slick Sarah the Talking Snake Slayer.
The worst of both worlds and a heartbeat away should the old man croak.
We get the leaders we deserve.
gempei @ 7:
And what elected office am I running for , and when did I ever claim to have foreign policy experience based upon proximity to a neighboring foreign nation , gooppile , or whatever your moronic name is ?
Well, well, well.. MSM is being shunned by the star they created. Is this poetic justice or what? Watch the MSM bite back, then again, maybe not.
It's about time the press show they are independent of the political controls BushCo and the Repukes tries to enforce. They are not there to promote good public relations for lying politicians they are there as the eyes and ears of the public who want to have trust in the free press to be the watch dogs of abusive and deceitful politicians!
Three Cheers for CNN!!!
Wow... Kudos to CNN that decided to pull the plug. It's incredible that the McCain camps still see her being interviewed as a liability. You've got to wonder how bad she is, considering they are willing to take the risk of making her look just like a pretty face.
I'm sure fox will step up. I'm actually surprised that CNN got the gig in the first place over fox, but then I know little of how these things work
MCMetal @ 11:
Talking about her, not you. :)
she fears the light the media can throw on her. roaches are scared of the light.
Shared Humanity @ 10:
Actually I disagree....
Didn't vote for Bush....since the inception of the war in Iraq I was against it...not part of this mortgage meltdown....
Probably would consider people like me victims when it comes to the choice of leader we were forced to deal with....
I think they ought to just film the closed door and air that for as long as it takes. The public will get tired of the hiding and start demanding to see inside the room.
here's Palin taking a question from a 'friendly' audience
NOW remember mccain said she is a leading expert
regarding energy. short video
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/18/palin-energy-nonsense/
gempei @ 16:
Somebody's cameras were there, the photo-op will still be on the networks.
That said, CNN were right to pull the plug. Now if they'd pull that McCain '08 buttplug out of Dana Bash's arse.
..........they're scared to death to let her in front of reporters who could easily expose her.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
That's a joke, right? Right?
So, when Ahmadinijhad speaks before the U.N. we can expect video coverage, but when Palin visits for the first time it's a closed door policy? Got it.
As a member of a group that's vocally expressed abject contempt for the United Nations, she's awfully quick to appear accommodating of them now.
gempei @ 16:
Hey , say what you want about her , but SHE HAS that 43% poll rating , not McDepends ; she is useless (and clueless) , no doubt , but Johnny boy is old AND useless.........
I can't wait for Joe Biden to destroy her in the 1 debate they are going to have.
mccain likes to talk reform and maverick. it has that
oxymoron feel to it. mccain has voted on plenty of
earmarks and palin has also. palin also raised taxes
on oil co. profit.........that's conservative.
obama gets beat up for talking taxes.
Well, she's gettin right into that ol Dick Cheney spirit ain't she....
pretty face, black heart.... very republican... Ya know, except for the pretty face and the lack of a bum ticker... it's almost like shotgun Dick deja vu all over again..... Only this time with lipstick..... JD
Pamela Anderson would have been a more intellectual choice, but she has standards.
Who cares anymore? The retarded American electorate could be shown authentic photos of McCain and Palin raping puppies anally and it wouldn't make one bit of difference to them. Afterall, Palin's glasses are so damned cute she and McCain must be qualified to lead our country.
Memo to Piggy Palin - do you even know the name of the capital of Afghanistan? Mrs. Piggy Palin, you are a fucking idiot. Go wipe your meth addicated kids asses and get off the political stage.
Well, it seems like EVERYONE is tired of the same old GOP bullshit.
Hmmm...
I have a feeling McCain and the GOP are cloistering her with economic and foreign affairs books until the debate. How many kinds of Muslims are there, Sarah? No moosemeat until the answer is correct!
The result of protests from the press, a TV producer was eventually permitted into the first meeting, but no print reporter. At the two subsequent meetings, there will be both TV and print pool reporters on hand.
[UPDATE]
Pool Report: 29 seconds with Palin and Karzai
After Sarah Palin's traveling press corps protested a decision not to allow a pool reporter into the Governor's meetings today with world leaders, the campaign relented, and a CNN producer was on hand.
In the room for only 29 seconds with Sarah Palin and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, CNN's Peter Hamby wrote the following pool report, obtained by Politico. It's all after the jump
PALIN POOL REPORT #1
Sept. 23, 2008
New York, NY
KARZAI MEETING
NOTE: CNN producer was the only editorial member allowed in and graciously offered the play-by-play featured below.
Logistics: Your pooler was blocked by the campaign from attending the Karzai pool spray, along with other wires and print outlets. The only media representatives were a TV crew, producer and still four photographers. Several hours of pleas from different outlets were unsuccessful. Palin spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt gave this statement to the AP, Reuters and your pooler: “The decision was made for this to be a photo spray with still cameras and video cameras only.”
The decision was then reversed and your pool will be allowed in for the remaining two meetings. More on all of this below.
Now for the news:
Gov. Sarah Palin emerged from the Millennium Broadway hotel at 11:35am EST in a beige SUV headed for the InterContinental at 111 E. 48th St. Senior policy advisers Randy Scheunemann and Steve Biegun were outside the hotel waiting for her. Palin was wearing all black. No sign of Todd or the kids (your pooler did not see them, but has not confirmed they were not there).
Your pooler then ran into the hotel lobby and was restrained from boarding the crowded gold elevator, despite her shouting on behalf of the pool. The group of cameras returned via another elevator just a few moments later. When asked for an on-the-record statement, Schmitt offered up the above explanation.
***From CNN’s Peter Hamby, who was the only editorial representative allowed in:
The press pool (still and TV cameras only, plus this producer) entered into Karzai’s sizeable suite at the Intercontinental shortly after noon. One handler, who did not appear to be with the campaign but rather with Karzais’ entourage, repeatedly said “No writers,” and he tried to keep this pooler from entering the room when he saw my notebook. However, Chris Edwards, Palin’s deputy chief of staff, allowed me to pass.
Palin was seated in a large chair a few feet from Karzai, with a table in between them. From the view of the pool cameras, Palin sat on the left, and Karzai to the right.
Seated slightly behind Palin were foreign policy advisers Steve Biegun and Randy Scheunemann, who are accompanying the governor in her motorcade today.
As the pool entered, the Afghan president appeared to be telling Palin about his young son, who was born in January 2007.
Palin, her legs crossed and at one point patting her heart, was leaning in eagerly and smiling. Karzai, wearing his traditional clothes but without his trademark karakul hat, was also grinning while discussing the child. His remarks were unintelligible as the noise from the clicking cameras drowned them out.
This was the only exchange that was heard:
“What is his name?,” Palin asked.
“Mirwais,” Karzai responded. “Mirwais, which means, ‘The Light of the House.’”
“Oh nice,” Palin responded.
“He is the only one we have,” remarked Karzai.
At this point, the pool was hustled out the room and down to the hotel lobby. Pool was in the room for a grand total of 29 seconds.***
Other notes: Wallace informed your pooler after the spray that the AP, Reuters and your pooler will be allowed in the photo spray before the Uribe and Kissinger meetings. Schmitt then returned to the van and said there had been a “mix up, a miscommunication among staff” and confirmed that we would be allowed in.
Note: there will be a *background* pen-and-pad briefing after the meetings with Biegun at 3:15pm at the Millennium hotel. No word yet on whether it is pooled or open press.
jimmysaus @ 26:
I think that's now impossible, given the recent format changes. She's protected from being destoyed by Biden.
And anyway, he's gonna be gagged by Axelrod, Plouffe and Gibbs. I mean, didn't Biden come out and say the government shouldn't be bailing out AIG?
that picture, above, with this thread:
it is so obvious that ms.palin has poor ol' john wrapped around her little finger...
such a flirt... those kind have few women friends but really know how to wrangle the boys...
we all know their ways...
A Dick with lipstick? never had that happen before, don't want it again.
gempei @ 7:
LOL. Yeah...ya want style visit Little Green Footballs...or perhaps put on the intellectual Rush Limbaugh, or perhaps the journalistic skills of Hannity or perhaps the legal hackery and historical re-writing of Mark Levin.
palin runs as I'm so devoutly religious, but don't ask me about my religion; I show a woman can have it all a family and a career, but don't ask me about my family or career...
Could this woman make any worse of a running mate?:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04012008/photos/kathie_lee_gifford.jpg
37 Floridiot Says: A Dick with lipstick? never had that happen before, don’t want it again.
____________________________________________________________________
It tickles.
We're screwed if the media never get an opportunity to engage in conversation with her to question her properly.
The half of this country lacking an inquisitive nature are not going to question her capabilities unless a thorough look at her is done for them.
The longer she stays away from interviewers and reporters the longer her shiny, polished image has to corrupt the minds' of independents, moderates, and even moderate republicans.
Their tactic will work and must be stopped soon. At least not giving her any publicity is better than republican-controlled publicity.
PLEASE NOTE: The Palin/McCain camp has bowed under the pressure of not having TV exposure for their Tea Party stunt. CNN's producer was admitted and CNN showed up with their cameras. But they still weren't allowed to ask any questions. So the Palin Stonewalling continues.
The Palin Watch
I don't like the idea of relying on the debates to get an
opinion regarding palin. that doesn't complete the real
world experience to me. we are down to 40 days or so
this is serious.....i'm sorry ....but i'm being told palin had
a refueling stop over in ireland that's on her travel resume. there were claims that she can see russia from
alaska. palin is a leading energy expert....wow.
Is Palin going to make an appeal to Amnesty International, claiming she is a political prisoner?
I wish they got this soccer mom to be mcgramps running mate; she's more realistic:
http://tn3-2.deviantart.com/fs22/300W/f/2008/023/1/a/Playtoon___Marge_Si...
So, Palin's a pig in a poke? We're not allowed to know anything about her?
The Media should pull the plug on Palin period.
As gifts, Palin gave Karzai a hockey stick and a freshly baked moose pie and was overheard saying "...yes, we have a lot in common...both our countries begin with the letter 'A'!"
I shudder at the thought of palin the unready being introduced to the world political community. One can only imagine what their impressions of her will be. But then they've had to suffer the chimp for the last 8 years. Could she be much worse than that?
It's a photo op. They're still desperately trying to make her appear experienced. Which they wouldn't have to try so hard to prove if it were even remotely true.
I'm glad CNN pulled the plug. They should ignore her altogether until she starts taking questions.
Even some of the less involved voters are starting to wonder why mcpalin is hiding and why her press team calls every question an 'attack'.
Wait a minute...
If palin's meeting with world leaders
Doesn't that make the mcgramp's campaign
In violation of the Logan Act?
"According to the CNN producer who was let into Karzai's hotel suite with the photographers just before noon, Karzai was talking about his son. Palin was nodding, and asked what his name is. Karzai replied his name was Mirwais and explained that it means light of the house."
They gave the cameras and reporters the heave-ho before Karzai asked Palin what the names "Trig" and "Track" are about.
48 theWalrus Says: As gifts, Palin gave Karzai a hockey stick and a freshly baked moose pie and was overheard saying “…yes, we have a lot in common…both our countries begin with the letter ‘A’!”
Was it chocolate moose?
PorridgeGun @ 35:
I don't think so....
Biden is a gracious seasoned politician. Simply by example and his wide area of expertise on a comparitive basis I believe that he should have a very good chance of exposing Palin for her obvious dangerous inadequacies....
***********BREAKING NEWS***************
When asked about the Wall Street Financial Bail-out , Ms Caribou Barbie replied :
How about the media don't even show up for the debate?
I shudder at the thought of palin the unready being introduced to the world political community. One can only imagine what their impressions of her will be. But then they’ve had to suffer the chimp for the last 8 years. Could she be much worse than that?
Well, we know that Cheney was/is running the show at the WH. We know that Palin won't be running the show, having been chosen strictly as eye candy for Gramps. The question is, if god-forbid, they win just who will be running the show?
Is the Coast Clear?--- @ 18:
I'll never understand why people would call someone who is or was forced upon them their "leader". Sounds like stockholm syndrome.
if the new's organizations really wanted to show some balls they should just stop covering her until she starts answering questions. if she wants to be "shielded" from the press, then grant her wish, ignore her completely.
Palin will sing this popular song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ay0hOPN_Oc
Shane @ 55:
That would only benefit everyone's ears to not have to listen to Caribou Barbie's moronic Alaskan whiney voice .............
***********BREAKING WIND***************
I just had lunch
Damn mooseburger's going down wrong again.
Aw gee. And I was so looking forward to another round of stump the candidate. So far the interrogators are batting a thousand.
ysbaddaden @ 61:
Wash it down with some oil ............
McCain/Palin is fast becoming the joke of the day. The things that this campaign thinks that they can get away with is INCREDIBLE.
The press just needs to stop covering anything concerning the McCain/Palin campaign, and start making them PAY $$$ FOR ANY AND ALL FURTHER COVERAGE. PERIOD. THE END.
People seriously need to vote to sit John McCain down and to keep Sarah Palin's a** in ALASKA. There is NO WAY that we need another administration that thinks they can run this country in extreme secret.
Why don't we all call (flood) the campaign HQs and demand a press conference. Sans-a-Blink Sarah could be leader of the free world and yet she can't talk to the press? Talk about sexism! If she's not too fragile to lie, she's not too fragile for a presser.
jimmysaus @ 26:
You may be waiting for a long time. Joe has already pre-announced that he will not be attacking the lovely Sarah Palin and this make me very nervous that he will miss a golden opportunity to really destroy her.
Shane @ 55:
Perhaps the media will grow a pair for the debate. Hopefully, they will be truthful and merciless and not pull their "she held her own" nonsense.
Sarah Palin's challenge to play "stump the candidate" = George Bush's "Bring it on." Empty tough-guy rhetoric from two utter cowards and phonies.
ysbaddaden @ 3:
Otherwise, her brain falls out.
"but they’re scared to death to let her in front of reporters who could easily expose her. "
the really funny thing is, the more they shield her, the more they expose not only her, but themselves for the political fools they truely seem to be. so continue to hide her and piss off the press. they are finally awakening after 8 years of sleeping on the job and the McCain camp is just making the grumpier as they wake. but hey, they can bash the press to impress their base at the cost of being exposed as liers and fakes to the remainder of the world all they want. what a ship of fools.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez23-2008sep23,0,5598058.column
A (funny if if weren't true) visual of Wasilla.
Moose Lady's handlers fear she will trip over a dinosaur bone.
Send Sarah Palin back to Alaska. McCain could not have chosen a worst person to be his running mate. One of the comments described her as ‘Nobody-with-Know-it-All-Attitude’. She is an intellectually-challenged, arrogant, dishonest, and hateful person. Maybe she will keep her dirty mouth shut from now on? It is time to throw the McCain/Palin ticket into a history trash basket.
theWalrus @ 66:
exactly that's why we need hunger/anxious media types to bug the shxt
out of her.....some random questioning...they can prep her for the
debates and fool the fools.
jimmysaus @ 26:
The only questions she will field will be moose recipies, bridges to nowhere, and how far into Russia she can see on a clear day. All thanks to the McCain campaign whining about how unfair it is allowing Palin to debate.
So, CNN threw a hissy fit about not being let in, and succeeded in getting reporters inside for all of 40 seconds. Congratulations, guys. You're really standing up for the American people and their right to know something about who they're about to elect. I guess we've had faith-based initiatives, faith-based economics, faith-based foreign policy, and now we're being introduced to faith-based election mandates. Why don't they just make a life sized cardboard cutout of Palin, and carry it around to the campaign rallies on a stick? Then there would be NO possibility of her answering a question.
Doesn't the fact that she's afraid to face even a frankly friendly press corps means she's blinking like a strobe light.
Late Update: The McCain campaign has now relented, and will allow reporters to accompany Palin to her meetings with Henry Kissinger and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. [from Talking Points Memo]
If I were a reporter I would switch tactics to ambush mode... as she gets out of the car you yell "Any truth to the rumors you like to club baby harp seals?"... "Is it true that you denied rape victims rape kits because they contain emergency contraception?"... then you show her "no comment" or stupid expression on the news every night until she agrees to be interviewed.
Jack Damage @ 28:
Whoa!! Wait a minute... can it be? Has anybody noticed how you never see Cheney and Palin together? Ever since palin came on the scene...where's dick? Yes, I think Palin is CHENEY IN DRAG!!!
cobsjo @ 34:
WOW, is this all we get?
Palin has be come a Pin-Up girl, you know, the ones where they just stand there and look pretty. While they pray that she dosen't talk or will figure out she an idiot.
God bless this country and pray she's not in office.
I predict that Palin wil back out of the VP debate. I mean, how can they let this woman debate anyone? I expect a family emergency, food poisoning, the flu, or some other crisis to appear.
Palin is a joke. There's more activity going on in the Pope's underwear than between that woman's ears.
Bloody idiot.
Trig and Track are probably the counter parts of Frick and Frack (F&F) on Foxnoise in the AM.
jimmysaus @ 26:
You do know that the McCain campaign has very publicly put the fix in on the VP debates, yes? They had the VP part restructured due to Palin's "lack of debate experience". No joke.
It's gonna be a total dog and pony show.
CMINCA @ 67:
As I understand it, the Democrats rolled over and agreed to a special "fluff" debate for the VP candidates only. Specifically to accommodate Palin's inability (or refusal) to do an actual debate. The questions will be short, the answers will be just long enough to allow them to spew a few memorized talking points, and there will be no follow ups. So, in other words, the may as well just send one of those Palin pull-string action dolls that they're selling on the internet. Just pull the string, and it repeats standard talking points.
If Palin is afraid of Campbell Brown, what's she going to do with Vladimir Putin?
McCain Hasn't Held a Press Conference in 40 Days
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/22/the_media_blackout...
The thought that someone who wants to be VP is so insecure (rightly so, as it happens) that she bans reporters from public meetings leaves me almost speechless. It's like hiring someone for a job without ever having interviewed them or fact-checked their resume. I try and respect other opinions, but at this point I think you have to be completely and utterly stupid to even contemplate voting Republican.
I wish we could get a photo of Palin and Sarkozy's wife together. Now SHE is easy on the eyes.
CMINCA @ 85:
He misplaced his reading glasses.
Dale @ 87:
And Sarkozy's wife is running for what office and has what effect on the US , outside of your masturbatory fantasies ?