Sarah Palin may not love the media, but we sure like her ....

GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is getting better television news coverage -- in quantity and tone -- than either John McCain or Barack Obama, according to a new study out of George Mason University.

The research may be surprising, considering Palin has had a strained relationship with the press since she took the stage last month at the Republican National Convention.

The Alaska governor drew some of her loudest cheers with this line: "Here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion -- I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country."

Since then, Palin has rarely tangled with the press. She has done a handful of interviews with hand-picked reporters, her staff prompted an uproar when they tried to bar all reporters from her meetings with world leaders, and she failed to hold a single press conference until today, when she answered four questions from reporters traveling with her.

Since Palin was picked as McCain's running mate on Aug. 29, the nightly news on ABC, CBS and NBC has run 77 stories about her, which nearly double the number of Obama pieces and six more than McCain. Three-quarters of the stories were positive, compared to 56% for Obama and 40% for McCain.

“She’s new, she’s a fresh face, she had a momentous event, she re-energized the race, she brings a historic dimension,”  said study author S. Robert Lichter, a communications professor at George Mason University and president of the Center for Media and Public Affairs. “She’s the McCain campaign’s Obama.”

And Joe Biden -- well, mentioning his name here is probably the first time you've heard it in days. The Democratic vice presidential candidate notched a paltry five stories, too few to statistically analyze the tone of his coverage.

The research of evening newscasts between Aug. 23 and Sept. 12 was conducted by Lichter, who has worked as a paid consultant for the Fox News Channel. If his name rings bells, it could be because his earlier research found the three networks were tougher on Obama than McCain during the first six weeks of the general election.

-- Seema Mehta

Photo credit: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press

Comments

[anonymous]

Thank the Lord the media represents just a small sliver of special interests and not the American public. Most of us aren't dumb enough to vote for her, let alone McCain.

[When Pigs Fly]

Sarah, It is easy.....
Just don't say stupid things.

[Rebecca]

I watch CNN, MSNBC, FOX and HLN. I find this study hard to believe...other than it was conducted by someone who works for FOX. I guess the researcher must consider biographies positive. I've seen biographies and many reports that question Palin's qualifications. All I've seen is mudslinging and whining from the McCain campaign. Unfortunately, that probably has received more attention than the Obama campaign. The squeeky wheel gets the oil, I guess.

[Paul]

Damn that liberal media for saying nasty things about Palin 25% of the time, that's just 25% too much! Palin is our sacred Hail Mary, she's going to give immiaculate birth to the second coming of Christ!

[frank carter]

Viva Obama!!!

[lucy2008]

This is a tabloid article filled with fluff.

There is so much to report and why this is discussed is just mind boggling. I'm not sure if articles are just written up to fill space in the newspaper. Is this laziness or is it a real intent to write this type of article for a certain demographic?

Who knows.

I used to read this newspaper quite a bit, but it is getting dumber and dumber.

[Dee Krull]

Gee, she has international relations experience- how-well Putin flies over Alaska on his way to Washington DC; and----she can see Russia from Alaska??????????

Being an elite, college educated woman I say to women who are going to vote for Palin because she is just like them, "How does it feel to be a stupid, red necked dummie?"

[Mark]

It is clear the political contest is between the intelligent and the stupid. Intelligence has nothing to do with class, education or wealth; there are intelligent working class people without a HS diploma and stupid Phds not to mention MBAs, look at GWB. Intelligent people know this rap against elitism is stupid. Some of our greatest leaders - Thomas Jefferson FDR, and John Kennedy - were all rich men from the elite class. Stupid people believe the earth was made in six days and that Christianity is the only true religion. They also believe Governor Palin would make a good president. Give us a break, Stupid People! Vote Obama and end stupidity.

[zakk]

It is easy for you to say "When Pigs Fly". She may not know she is saying stupid things. In fact she may even think she is brilliant.

[larry clifton]

Sarah Palin sure has got these pale-faced liberal men tied in a knot. They don't want people to know that they feel threatened by strong women, but they have to try to destroy all women, just as they did Clinton....
The only and quickest way there will be a woman president is if Palin/ McCain are elected. Think about it,
these liberal men are hateful. Listen to them....
http://americanpoliticalblog.wordpress.com/

[Joe]

If that's true, I take it the media has basically ignored all the scandals concerning her to focus on nonsense like the Sarah Palin glasses craze?

No wonder this country is headed the wrong way...

[larry clifton]

Mark said: "It is clear the political contest is between the intelligent and the stupid. Intelligence has nothing to do with class, education or wealth;"

Mark,
I don't usually respond, but I have to say, you are not smart enough to vote....

[jeff]

She was picked because her ties to big OIL, we've heard the story on how she handled big OIL as governor by paying citizens $2,065.00 a year to live in her state. Now where does that yearly money come from? Is this what we hear about as wasteful taxes dollars to special interest groups? What McCain and Palin are going to STOP! OK if you believe that well then vote on for this party.

[Leslie L]

All one need do is think back to American Idol's Sanjaya to understand Sarah's new-found celebrity. Sarah and her oddball life, accent, etc. are rather amusing and all the gossip surrounding her gives people something silly to think about to escape temporarily from the very serious news in these very serious times. We love to be entertained...Sarah has served that purpose. Sarah is fast becoming a very stale joke (a joke told one too many times), but no doubt she will retain an element of her giddy fan base.

[sk1966]

I don't know which channel the author of this article has been watching, but he obvioulsy doesn't watch CNN and NBC. These two networks have been trying to destroy Sarah Palin since she was introduced to the public as John McCain's running mate. Her private life, her children, and her personal views have all been attacked. She has been insulted by the the Low-life, crude, sexist Obama. She is the only candidate of the 4 candidates in this race who is a decent person who really works for the people. She had been attacked for not having foreign policy experience ... well, duh ... she was a Governor not a slimy senator or a diplomat who waste taxpayer money traveling to foreign nations just for publicity. If the McCain/Palin ticket makes it to the White House, she will probably be the one of the best representatives that this country has seen in our generation. I like her and I will vote republican for the first time in my life because of her.... Go Sarah !!!!!

[Paul]

I really don't think you dems realize how many Hillary supporters are voting republican, and keeping it a secret. Why? because the smart ones know that if Obama wins, hillary can't run in 2012. Do you think that might have something to do with Bill Clinton not hammering McCain and calling an all out war on the Republicans? After all it's not like they don't know how to do that.
They need to appear to be supporting the Democratic Party so it doesn’t come back on them later...But secretly they want Obama to loose.
I would if I were the Clintons and had 2012 on the radar.
There are just too many dems jumping ship combined with all the ones that don't want to be labeled a racist by the democrats and have refused to poll. There are alot of people like me that prefer my own race (White) over any others, and have more confidence in a white persons capabilities. That's not racist. It's just the way we feel.
Just wait and see how many people people prove that when it comes time to get behind the curtain and punch that McCain ticket. Many will walk out telling everybody the voted for Obama, just so they don't have to deal with the name calling...what dem bulbs do best.

[Mark]

The Democrats caused this mess.

In 1999, Bill Clinton signed into a law The Financial Services Modernization Act -- a bill that effectively deregulated the US financial services industry.

In 2003, the Republicans sought to impose strict regulations on Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac... but the Democrats refused!

Here's the New York Times article from September 11, 2003.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E3D6123BF932A2575AC0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1

There you have it.

Proof!

The Democrats DID NOT WANT to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.

Note the Barney Frank quote on page 2 of the article. It's very revealing!

It was the Democrats who pushed for this deregulation -- because the liberals feared that regulations placed on Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac would deny home loans to poor minorities.

A vote for Obama in November is a vote for financial DISASTER. You ain't seen nothing yet!

The Democrats caused this financial mess with their stupid deregulation of the mortgage industry via liberal policies of forcing lenders to lend to poor people who can't possibly pay back.

[Martin, GA]

I interviewed hundreds of people and my professional opinion is says a lot of learned stuff without a clear understanding. She is insecure and she feels uncomfortable with many questions. This is also the main reason that the McCain campaign shields her to ruin her charisma.

[Fred]

How effective is she? Maybe she's a blonde in disguise (sorry, no insult intended to blondes, just the stereotype).

Let's remember getting press and showing you have real experience are two different things. After all, some of our dearest celebrities get press if they stop to buy a tabloid.

Consider that she claims foreign policy experience because an part of Alaska can see an island part of Russia on the horizon.

With that whopper, you have to realize that I think she forgot about Canada; they share an actual land border.

In that case, it makes the governors of WA, ID, MT, ND, MN, MI, OH, PA, NY, VT, NH, ME experienced in foreign policy since they share either a land or maritime border or both.

Don't forget the governors of CA, AZ, NM, TX who share a land border with Mexico. In fact those governors have war-time leadership experience, considering Mexico is a part of the administration's war on drugs.

[Michael]

About the only thing you can do about McCain/Palin is laugh at them. Watch Haley Speaks at http://youtube.com/user/monigrammedia

[Amado Castaneda]

All you naughty kids shouldn't get any X-mas presents for disrespecting this fine ma'am!

[Geek]

I don't dislike Governor Palin. I know she does not have the background, experience or knowledge to professionally address the serious issues facing the country.

The decision by Senator Mc Cain to place Governor Palin on the ticket, put the election first and the needs of the country second and that is fact.

These are serious times and we need serious people and hopefully her 15 minutes of fame will fade and the voters will elect the best team to guide the country thru these difficult times.

The die hard Republicans would support OJ if he were placed on the ticket and that is their decision. I was going to vote for Senator McCain until he chose Governor Palin.

As I noted, I don't dislike her and probably would enjoy having dinner and drinks but as a major leader for this country, sorry she does not have what it takes. I know of at least 30 people many of them women who clearly have a strong background in management,world trade, economics.

The country has been short changed.

[johnnie]

no matter her experience, i felt she was likeable as a person. but her arrogance is incredible. i am completely turned off. it's like her attitude is "i'm too good to answer to the american people"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpb7z_PjbAs&feature=user

[James]

"Being an elite, college educated woman I say to women who are going to vote for Palin because she is just like them, "How does it feel to be a stupid, red necked dummie?""

Wow, that was quite the 'elite' comment. I sure hope I can go to the same college you went to.

[Jasb]

Obama: " This is the most serious financial crisis we have had in generations." "Call me if you need me".

Hey it doesnt matter if this will be the 102nd time he votes "present", Or what comes out of his mouth is an army of platitudes scouring the countryside searching for ideas. I am still going to vote for the black dude because I dont have to be thoughtful. All I have to be is regretful on how we have treated blacks for over a hundred years. I'll just feel better about myself