CNN's Campbell Brown to McCain campaign: "Free Sarah Palin!"

Campbell Brown, the CNN anchor whose confrontational on-air interview with a John McCain spokesman earlier this month raised eyebrows and caused the candidate to cancel a session with Larry King, delivered a blistering editorial Tuesday in which she accused the McCain campaign of sexist treatment of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

"Bear with me for a short rant," Brown began, before demanding that the McCain campaign free Palin "from the chauvinistic chains you're binding her with." Brown said the way the campaign has limited reporters' access to Palin -- the Republican vice presidential candidate has yet to hold a news conference -- was evidence of paternalism and chauvinism.

"Tonight, I call on the McCain campaign to stop treating Sarah Palin like she is a delicate flower that will wilt at any moment. ... By treating Sarah Palin different from the other candidates in this race, you're not showing her the respect she deserves."

When asked to respond to Brown's biting critique Tuesday evening, McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers had no comment.

Brown delivered her tirade just hours after some McCain campaign aides tried to ban reporters from covering Palin's much-touted meetings in New York with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Here's The Ticket's report from Tuesday.

Brown addressed the controversy on her show, CNN's "Election Central," and called on the campaign to allow Palin to "show her stuff."

"Allow her to face down those pesky reporters, just like Barack Obama did today, just like John McCain did today, just like Joe Biden has done on numerous occasions," Brown said.

The anchor said she thinks Palin can hold her own against tough-minded reporters. "This woman is from Alaska, for crying out loud," she said. "She is strong. She is tough. She is confident. And you claim she's ready to be one heartbeat away from the presidency. If that is the case, then end this chauvinistic treatment of her now."

It's too soon to tell whether Brown will suffer repercussions for her comments. In early September, after the anchor clashed with McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds over Sarah Palin's foreign policy credentials, the campaign canceled McCain's planned interview with Larry King, whose show ...

... also broadcasts on CNN. At the time, aides complained that Brown had gone "over the line" in her grilling of Bounds.

Here's a complete transcript of Brown's comments on Tuesday, courtesy of CNN:

"But, first, bear with me for a short rant on another subject, because, frankly, I have had it. And I know a lot of other women out there are with me on this. I have had enough of the sexist treatment of Sarah Palin. It has to end.

"She was here in New York City today meeting with world leaders at the U.N. And what did the McCain campaign do? They tried to ban reporters from covering those meetings. And they did ban reporters from asking Gov. Palin any questions.

"Tonight, I call on the McCain campaign to stop treating Sarah Palin like she is a delicate flower that will wilt at any moment. This woman is from Alaska, for crying out loud. She is strong. She is tough. She is confident. And you claim she's ready to be one heartbeat away from the presidency. If that is the case, then end this chauvinistic treatment of her now. Allow her to show her stuff. Allow her to face down those pesky reporters, just like Barack Obama did today, just like John McCain did today, just like Joe Biden has done on numerous occasions. Let her have a real news conference with real questions.

"By treating Sarah Palin different from the other candidates in this race, you're not showing her the respect she deserves. Free Sarah Palin. Free her from the chauvinistic chains you're binding her with. Sexism in this campaign must come to an end. Sarah Palin has just as much a right to be a real candidate in this race as the men do. So, let her act like one. We're going to have more on Palin's cloistered day coming up in just a moment."

-- Kate Linthicum

Comments

[Elaine]

Last night, Bolton, former UN Ambassador stated that the media had no business in her private meetings with world leaders.

Bill Clinton stated that he feels she is being underestimated.

The media has lost total credibility. I wouldn't give them the time of day.

Answer to your 1-minute poll:
Palin is the better Vice President. She doesn't have "foot-in-mouth" syndrom.

By the way, Biden.... FDR wasn't President during the stock market crash in 1929... Hoover was.

For 30+ yrs in politcs, he needs to brush up on his histroy. She'll sweep the floor with him in the debates.

[bj]

Thank you Ms. Brown!!! It's about time somebody points out the absurdidity of a campaign shielding a VP candidate from the press but insisting that she is nevertheless qualified for the job. Not to mention depriving us (the voters) of of learning more about her. Let her be interviewed by all camps and let us (the voters) make up our own minds!

[crossroads]

After two minutes of introductions & formalities, what did she have, two minutes to discuss world affairs with these people? I don't think she has the temperment or qualifications to work as one of my assistants, no less VP. And yes, I've been making executive decisions for 30+ years, and have lived abroad for 4 1/2 years. The McCain/Palin campaign can't even spell Kissinger's name right in their news release. These people are a joke.

[Mollie Wasserman]

Good for you Campbell Brown! Here's another late 40ish woman saying enough already. It is the height of disrespect to not treat Governor Palin like any other candidate - it's like they're saying she's not up to it.

Whatever your political leanings, if the McCain campaign wants Sarah Palin to be treated with "deference", then it starts with her being treated equally.

[jamie]

Are you Kidding me....they should treat Obama with the same disrespect that they have for Sarah. Where are the 30 investagators in Chicago? Where is the Aryers Story? Where is the story on Bidens son who is going to go jail for Fraud?..... Cambell Brown is an idiiot. CNN's liberal bias at its best.

[ron]

Keep hammering away, Campbell. You'd make a better VP than Sarah any day.

[oscar teddy]

CAMPBELL .THANKS FOR SAYING WHAT OTHERS KNEW BUT AFRAID TO SAY.THANKS FOR DOING WHAT YOU THINK IS WRIGHT TO DO.THIS IS WHAT I CALL PATROTISME, BEEN HONEST TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE,
I WISH OTHER AMERICAN NEWS ANCHOR WOULD EMULATE YOU. THE WORLD WOULD BE A MUCH MORE BETTER PLACE TO LIVE .KEEP IT UP GIRL.WE LOVE U.

[Anonymous]

I just kills me that people were laughing at Sarah Palin because she didn't know what about the so-called "Bush Doctrine." Truth- there's no such thing. There is only "The Project for the New American Century." This is a policy prepared by Wolfowitz (2/92) under Cheney. I learned about it on 60 minutes several years ago. Most of country seems to be clueless on this. It needs to be brought out in debate on foreign policy and unequivocally denounced!

[Kristin]

I love it. It's not only chauvinistic, but it is sending a message to the American people that she isn't ready for this role. Is she? Or isn't she? It is becoming more evident that McCain chose her for his running mate not for her skills but as a figurehead.

[booboobrown]

Who on earth listens to this piece of stuff called Campbell Brown ? The most biased of any one at CNN. I used to watch CNN up until a few months ago. Then one night back in about January Brown just couldn't stop talking about how cute and attractive Obama was, and he had such "soft brown eyes". Now she is supposed to be a news anchor. Oh my God, how professional. I don't care what she thinks of any body, how many kids she has, what color they are or anything else about her. I just think it so childish and unprofessional. Made me question what got her there, her intelligence, her supposed beauty or who did she sleep with. How many women will vote for Mr. Obama because he is cute ? Is this what the American woman has evolved into ? How sick. Campbell is not a God just because she thinks she is.

[Kathy]

Good for you Campbell Brown. It appears your cohorts are almost as bad as McCain. Just what is it that makes everyone want to give her a free ride.
If she can't handle reporters what makes McCain think she could handle the Hostile Foreign Countries that want us gone from the face of the earth?

[Tookiecan]

This was a disguised attempt by Cambpell Brown to get Sarah Palin into interviews where she could be grilled and have her flaws on public display. While I don't disagree, that Palin should be able to fight her own battles, don't be fooled into thinking that Campbell Brown actually sees this as chauvanism. She just wants the chance to get her liberal hooks into her.

[Marty]

Isn't it sexist to assume that only "other women" concerned about this alleged sexiam? Come on, some guys must also be outraged. no? Guys? Guys? I
And what does being "from Alaska, for crying out loud" have to do with being tough? If you're from Hawaii are you then weak? Hmmmmm, let's not go there.
And could anyone possibly even imagine that Barack Obama has answered or even been subjected to questions the likes of which are thrown at Sarah Palan every day?

Please.

[Marty]

Is Campbell Brown actually saying something that others knew but were afraid to say? Who is afraid and of what? And further, what might the repercussions be (and from whom would they come) if others said whatever it is that they apparently are afraid to say?

[Mindy]

Oh Campbell please stop it already! Who are you to dictate to anyone as to when you must be allowed to provide press coverage? Or for that matter, that anyone must talk to you! You are trying to get in the back door by screaming sexism regarding this candidate. Candidates need to talk to the people. Believe it or not, that can be effectively done without talking to the media outlets. But hey, we know all you guys are still ticked off that you did not get the scoop that Palin was the choice of John McCain and you want to do everything to make her look bad in the media. Campbell, get off your podium. You are not Murrow, Cronkite or even Katie Couric for that matter. Your irritation is noted, but who really cares about your wishes!

[Frieda]

SHAME ON YOU Campbell Brown!

Funny the only reason you want your little hands on her is to bring her down and muddy her.

As a voter I have done my research and i like what I see and I am going to vote for her.

The only losers in this election has been the media and how hard they are trying to influence the outcome.

For all things Palin you can visit
http://www.governopalin.blogspot.com

[Eucharia Mbachu]

Go Girl, Ms Brown!
You really hit the nail on the head by rightly pointing out what is really wrong with Elderly Statesman' John McCain’s camp. The really issue is that apart from Sarah Palin’s beauty and catchy words, she really has nothing to offer to the American public. But what surprises me most is the candor of shamelessness by which the media is cowed by the McCain campaign gurus. I think otherwise on your caption, “Free Sarah Palin”, it should be PLEASE FREE THE AMERICAN PRESS from fear of the smear attacks by the Republican Presidential campaign Mangers. Tell the truth, and be loved or be hated. At least thanks for stepping up this close!

If nothing else, this shows how Plain/McCain or sorry I meant to say, McCain/ Palin presidency will be like. Please stop them now before it’s too late. As for me I am scared like hell for another Bush Era.

[Liah]

Palin is not prepared to speak to the media, her lacking of knowlegde and experience in foreigner affairs (and other issues) will be an easy target for reporters. If she opens her mouth, the GOP will get in trouble, deep down they all know Palin was a wrong choice.

Unless she is confident, she will feel free to speak to the reporters. Cover up or shut up her mouth is so far the only solution for her from GOP.

Come on, we aren't idiots!

[Rytalin for hysterical Campbell]

They dont come more hysterical than Campbell the democrat mouthpiece . Sincerity is totally lacking in any
of her comments that are never more than strident
propaganda for the leftys.I would rather listen to the
apply directly to the forehead,apply directly to the forehead a 1000 times.

[I hate Campbell Brown]

God I can't stand Campbell Brown.

Go back to fluff pieces on the Today Show where you belong.

[Jim Oase]

When the varies news outlets are talking about which other outlet is the most biased, that is telling.

Recent events, admitted bias http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/09/AR2008090900956.html, in a our news industry have made it very difficult to use output of the news industry as an information gathering resource. In my opinion the news industry is gracefully moving towards mob mentality in search of increasing profits. When there are as many news outlets as we have today there is extreme competition for our attention and thus advertising dollars. Good news has a history of not selling to the public. When good news does not sell the news business, to survive by attracting advertising, needs bad news to sell its products and the news industry has the resources to find bad news. In the end the good news for the news industry is when advertiser pay them for time or space which is a direct result of how their news sells.

I think the author realizes that good news is the most difficult to sell, that their are mobs of people eager to read the bad news about someone other than themselves. This author needs money to support self and family so choose the low hanging grapes and with generalizations and vague statements to created a bad news story. Count the number of specific facts with supporting, solid references verses the vague words and terms the author cited.

Would a reasonable person consider this article news supported by facts or rumor supported by assumptions. Then read the tenor of the comments with the article. Would a reasonable person conclude all these people are without fault and therefore free to toss the rocks they are verbally tossing?

Read these comments, count the number of vague terms used to describe events and people. If news is supported by specific information and rumors by vague descriptions, how would a reasonable person characterize the comments being made?

Jim

[steve rodriguez]

I hope the Dems will release Obama and the softball liberal mainstream media will stop running interference for him. I still want to know where he stands on anti-American radical Bill Ayers and his spiritual mentor Re. Wright!

[steve rodriguez]

I quit CNN to!!!

[When Pigs Fly]

Could it be that Sarah is even more ignorant than John McCain? hmmmm. Are the Republican'ts hiding something from everybody? This is like asking us to buy a pig in a poke.

If I were a fool I might fall for their smoke and mirror campaign. Sorry guys, put up or shut up.

[lee]

Would everyone please recognize that the press exists to ask the questions on behalf of the voters. Since we are all busy working to make ends meet these folks put up with abuse form all sides including the public as they try to inform. The candidates need to "get" that they are not doing a favor for the media by talking to them. They have a respinsibility to talk to them because that is their primary way to talk WITH the voters, not just AT us. Anyone who believes Palin could be President needs to move to Alaska with her and then vote for secession. Bet Russia would even offer to help with that!