Sarah Palin will be missing from action Sunday a.m.

As is The Ticket's custom, a post listing the entire roster of appearances on this Sunday's interview programs will pop up Saturday at noon PDT (3 p.m. EDT).

But here's an advance heads up, in part because of who WON'T be found on any of the chat shows.

Three of the four now-official candidates on the major-party presidential tickets are scheduled to sit down for questions: Democrat Barack Obama on ABC's "This Week," his running mate, Joe Biden, on NBC's "Meet the Press" and Republican John McCain on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Absent from this list, of course, is the GOP's star of the moment, the not-so-long-ago obscure governor of Alaska who is McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin.

Since she was thrust onto the national stage a week ago, her appearances on it have been tightly regulated by the McCain campaign: a few side-by-side campaign stops with him and, of course, her big speech to the GOP's convention Wednesday night.

Today, top McCain aide Rick Davis indicated the campaign isn't in any hurry to slot Palin for a Sunday show appearance -- and will do so only if he and other strategists determine it serves the ticket's purposes, not because some may view it as a required initiation for a major political player.

Appearing on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" show, Davis said, "I'd never commit to anything in the future. ... Our strategy is in our hands, not the media's. We're going to do what's in our best interests to try to win the election. If we think going on TV news shows are [sic] in our best interests, we'll do it. If we don't, we won't."

Palin still will be busy this weekend. She'll campaign Saturday with McCain in two key states -- Colorado and New Mexico -- and she'll deliver his campaign's weekly radio address. That's one of those trappings of the presidency McCain has borrowed (notwithstanding the barbs his forces like to sling at Obama along these lines).

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[Richard P. McDonough]

Imagine this woman having to answer a question about substantive issues unrelated to pork from DC which she got lots of while saying she opposed it? I can't.

The woman is a scripted sit-com without a laugh track.

[dave]

If Mcsame and the Republicans think they can sell us another pair of lemons like GWB and Chenney, they are in for a rude shock........

[PJ]

Hmmm. What are they hiding? If she is such a genius with so much executive and foreign relations experience (via living up there by Russia), why not let her show it off for the public to see?

[carol Backus]

She's not appearing by herself on tv talk shows because she's not capable of answering questions about the economy, international issues, or the environment without someone telling her what to say. She barely got through college. The republicans are desperate to win once again so they have to play the Right wing christian and woman card. What an insult to all women.

[mavis beacon]

She's like Vanna White! The female side-kick, along for the ride because she's cute and has been trained how to parrot the talking points.

This is wrong on SOOOOOO many levels, not the least of which is the blatant, glaring sexism that McCain is employing here. The ONLY reason this woman was picked is because of her gender and because of her sex appeal, the most common marketing ploy known to man.

How pathetic.

I wonder how long it will be before her newfound fans see through this? She becomes less "real" if they won't let her get out into the public eye and be herself. I have a feeling that once (if) she actually gets to BE HERSELF in this campaign, that she'll blow it.

[MickyD]

So, McCain's campaign is really not interested in what is good for the country but only what is good for their campaign. Many people will see this as a strategy that is another sign that McCain will just be four more years of Bush. McCain is perhaps the biggest hypocrite around. I would venture to say that he would make a worse president than Bush. It hardly seems possible but the immaturity and plain old win at any cost attitude seems to be his only message. Yes, John, you never made admiral but maybe you will prove to yourself that you are as good as your father and his father before him. Unfortunately the country will pay the price.

[Depretendah]

Palin is an empty vessel. She needs to be controlled and fed her lines. If you put her on one of those shows with ad hoc questions, it wold be plain to see. Thy tell her what to say and she repeats it. She did a great job about the pipeline in Georgia.

[vaporland]

Of course she's not going to go on any hard (so to speak) news shows yet - she's not been prepped enough.

When someone asks her about Kirkuk, she'll think they're talking about Nanook's brother in law...

[Myra]

Palin will only appear if it's in the ticket's interest??? What about the NATION'S interest? She's running for vice president. It is in the nation's interest that she be accessible for questions and a thorough examination by the people and the 4th estate - the media. What happened to "country first?" I guess that's just a convenient and cynical slogan.

[Zakk]

Sarah is obviously well practiced in reading from a prepared script. A talk show would likely put her ignorance on all the pressing issues in full display. So I am not surprised at the GOP in making sure that this does not happen at all cost. So much for her qualifications as a VP candidate.

[Mike]

If she's qualified to be VP, she should easily be able to handle some interviews. Pathetic.

[JudiNV]

Wow, is this for real? It sounds like Hollywood agents trying to manufacture and protect a "star". Is this a celebrity debut? Holy tabloid, Batman!

[Wayne W]

They are "going to do what's in their best interests." WHAT ABOUT what is in the country's best interests? Sitting in front of a few interviewers is part of the vetting process. It's an important part of how we get to know a candidate.

I hope everyone notices her absence -- and realizes what it means.

This is not "country first" -- this is "me win election first" "win at all costs" ... "putting unqualified person on ticket as gimmick into White House."

Shameful,

[Michael]

Of course she isn't on the Sunday shows. They crafted that speech word for word and they wouldn't have control over what she might say on a talk show. Plus she wouldn't have a clue about 99% of the topics and what she should stay as a vp candidate.

By the way. WHO CARES about her. No experience but McCain doesn't care because if they were to win, you'll see her about as often as Al Gore when he was the vp.

[baz]

It just amazes me, that the Media is so frightened of the GOP.
You acquiesced on Iraq... when they smeared Kerry... and now this.
The GOP plays you, like a little puppy.
The People would be served just as well, if there was no Media.
If a Dem were to be hidden like that, you guys would be all over them.
But since it's the GOP, *oh, all right* ... then, fawn all over Palin, when she comes out from under her rock.
This is for the VP of the United States, and you treat it like a Reality Show.
Got news for you, this IS reality... and you're helping a nothing become VP.
Enjoy, as America becomes the 3rd-World Country, it's heading for.

[John Culpepper]

How horrible. Sarah Palin should be ashamed of herself for hiding from the people she proposes to represent.

Is this what we want from our potential president? Someone who's afraid to take questions? Before the ELECTION??

Shame on anyone who falls for this malarky.

[Mistik]

How convenient..

[Character Counts1]

Why not come out of hiding Sarah? We have so many questions that only you can answer. Was it you who told us about your experience and how you are ready to be the potential occupant of the White House. Didn’t we hear you say that you consider yourself to be more experienced than Barack Obama? I thought so.

Just for starters, let’s examine some of that experience. When you Ms. Palin were mayor of Wasilla, the population was approximately 7,000. The current mayor of Wasilla is also a woman, Dianne Keller. Would John McCain have considered her as a potential running mate? How many small town mayors across the country would consider themselves ready to become President of the United States? After serving as mayor for two terms, you Sarah Palin moved up to become the Governor of Alaska. According to the U.S. Census Bureau the population estimate for the state is 670,053. In comparison the population of the State of Rhode Island is roughly double that of Alaska. Could it be that not all governors are equal? More importantly, could it be that not all experience is equal. If you Sarah Palin had decided on your own to seek the office of President of the United States, how likely is it that you would have succeeded? During the recent Presidential Primaries both major parties fielded an array of highly qualified candidates. Anyone of which arguably would have been as qualified or more qualified to become President of the United States than you, Governor Palin. So what makes you Sarah Palin more qualified? You have yet to make a convincing argument. Ultimately your qualifications for the job need to be examined and we need to ask, “how and why did John McCain make this choice?” Furthermore, we the voters need to ask, “are we ready to entrust you,Sarah Palin, with that level of responsibility?” John McCain may be ready to take the risk, but are we ready to take the risk?

We have many more questions, so we might as well get started. When will you be ready to start?

[Cinzia]

No kidding. Is anyone surprised?
She can't stand on her own in the hot seat and won't be able to handle the Vice Presidency either.

[John Jackson]

Gee, and after hearing McCain's speech last night I was stupid enough to believe that it really was about country first. Not about doing everything they can to "win the election" as Davis put it. What are they afraid of? Let the American people hear her interviewed and decide for themselves!

[Sog]

...puppet on a string...

[Frank]

How sad, she can't be trusted to answer questions, only read speeches other have written. Who the hell would vote for a person who refuses interviews. This Palin deal is a bogus as it gets.

[Ann]

If they are tightly regulating her appearances, they must be scared that she will show her ignorance about everything that matters to the American public, or maybe they are afraid that there are more skeletons in the closet. The speech she gave was obviously written by one of the Bush/Rove people, and she was able to deliver it. But we still do not know what her ideas are about the economy, global warming, education and health care. Do you think she would have got all this media attention if she was not an attractive woman because, really, she has nothing else to offer.

[Mark]

If she is such a qualified candidate, then what is Sarah Palin afraid of? The media should not let her get away with avoiding legitimate interviews. She is running for VP, not head of the PTA.

[GoSarah]

So what..........?? The demoprats will make a big deal of any issue however unimportant.

[Blair]

Come on McCain - put her out there. You did your vetting. Let her answer the tough questions. If we're to consider her for VP don't you think we're owed that? What are you afraid of - you're a big war hero. Are you afraid a "pit bull soccer mom" is going to get something wrong? Mess up your campaign maybe?

[Blair]

Come on McCain - put her out there. You did your vetting. Let her answer the tough questions. If we're to consider her for VP don't you think we're owed that? What are you afraid of - you're a big war hero. Are you afraid a "pit bull soccer mom" is going to get something wrong? Mess up your campaign maybe?

[VJ Machiavelli]

Rick

I know you feel that it would be mean to let Sarah the "new Republican Terminator" go on these shows and "TERMINATE THEM" but maybe thats what we need to do. I one sunday she can go on all the shows and "TERMINATE" each one at a time. But I bet the Sunday ratings for the first show she goes on will go thru the roof.

I know she will do SNL, Leno & Letterman "FIRST"

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
ps This is no longer your "GRANDFATHERS" Republican Party

[Tre]

The Republicans don't want to put Sarah Palin on any of the talk shows because they know her responses to hardball questions will prove she is woefully inadequately prepared to assume the position for which she is campaigning. So far her forte seems to be attacking others for doing well the very things our country needs done. Her nickname "Sarah Barracuda" wasn't given because she's a genuinely nice person, but rather because she ruthlessly goes after whatever it is she thinks she wants. and she doesn't care who or what gets in her way. No wonder McCain sees her as his "soulmate." (Which by the way, was what Carol McCain was sposed to be..) McCain sees Palin as wonderful because she's just what he is: a big bully. But no way his campaign is going to let an uncoached, unknown quantity get out there on a public stage where they have no control over what she says, and risk that the public will have a chance to see through the facade to the rot that lies beneath. Oh no - the only public appearances she will make from now until the election will be stump speeches and the VP debate, and reporters, etc, can expect "no questions" to become the catch-phrase of the next 60 days. That alone should clue the American public in to the fact that with Sarah Palin, there is much, much, much to hide. Let's hope people give that the scrutiny it deserves, and decide they don't want to vote for that about which they've never been given opportunity to learn the real truth.

[Steve H]

I was more than a little imporessed with Mc Cane and Palin, they seem to demonstrate the Confidence of great leaders. As for the reality both Obama and Mc Cane will face, Jobs will not stop leaving the US until Americans realize three things, first they need to buy American, second, they need to deliver the quality Americans demand and at a price they can afford. This is also true of Japan which now jokes as we once did when if bad we said "its made in Japan" They took that to hert and how when its bad they say "Must be made in America"

It has never been possible to have your cake and eat it too.

As for the price of oil, it will not go down any time soon as "WE" are giving the Chinese and Indian People the same great opportunities they once gave us when we were known for Quality and inovation.

[Steve]

Palin should never talk to the media. Keep her in front of the people only.
McCain needs to tie the main stream media to Obama and that is why Palin is not talking to them. She might as well be interrogated by Obama’s people because that is who they have proven they are. The main stream media are Obama surrogates, plain and simple. And at least half of the American people now know it. McCain needs to chip away at their liberal armor. It is part of the problem with Washington. The media now longer reports the news, they make the news. Bottom line, take the fight to both the congress and the media. BUT THEM ON THE DEFENSIVE!!!!

I have had employees tell me that they would be much more valuable if they were promoted. I tell them to start being valuable now, because I don’t promote anyone until they show me they can do the job. Obama keeps saying as president he will work with all sides, being everyone together to solve our problems. I say show us you can do that now. He has never brought anyone together to solve a problem. He just sits back and tells everyone what the problems are. Leadership never demonstrated.

McCain needs to take the fight not only Obama, but to the democratic controlled congress. The slide of the economy can be traced back two years ago when the democrats took control of the congress. They systematically put pressure on the economy by their statements of doom and their refusal to provide hope to the people by expanding drilling to help our energy independence. Add that to the housing problem and the result was to deteriorate people’s confidence. In addition, the economy runs in cycles. Now as we are buying less gas, the supply is bringing the cost of oil down. However, the resulting job picture will take 4 to 6 months to recover, putting the Dems in a perfect place to say how great they are when they actually part of the problem.

[mike]

I'm a Christian. Country first? I thought it was God first.

[Bob]

Smoke and mirrors! The more you look, the less you see. This is looking more like Sarah Abracadabra than Sarah barracuda!

[Joe Rotes]

Palin is a hoax and the biggest fraud perpetrated on the American people since the Republicans foisted Bush-Cheney and their oil-buddies in the mid-east causing skyrocketing oil prices and a mortgage mess beyind belief.

Vote for McCain-Palin and then you get what you deserve - a declining America that will be polishing the shoes of the Saudis and the Chinese.

Palin is an empty suit !! A fraud. Otherwise , why not appear on Sunday talk shows. SHAMEFUL. McCain ought to be ashamed that he has picked a VP he has to HIDE !!!!!

[jefflz]

McCain has turned this election into a soap opera about Sarah Palin and her family. Is this what we need to be talking about during these critical times when people are losing their jobs, their homes, and soldiers are losing their lives? Why is it that we are forced to deal with a hockey mom and her problems that can fill the National Enquirer ten times over? McCain clearly has contempt for the electoral process and the American people deserve so much more.

[Cathy]

If this woman, Sarah Palin, cannot handle a few questions from the press how can she handle the Vice Presidency or possibly the Presidency if 72 year old McCain becomes incapacitated?

Voters have a right know who this woman is, where she stands on the issues and how she would approach the second in command job.

The fact Palin and their campaign think it's fine for her to only read a script and not be held accountable to the public is outrageous!

Americans have had enough of an administration not being held accountable.

[Dallas Mike]

Faux News will get her first.
They'll be a perfect fit.....where else would be more fitting for her repeat her newly memorized talking points than propaganda central?
Her purpose for the entire campaign is preach to the choir.
A zealot for the zealots.

[Donna]

OK...she is not ready for the media. But don't underestimate her ability to communicate the ticket's message. The only purpose the Sunday shows have is to bloviate...it's not as if they actually develop policy on those shows. So give it a rest. We'll be seeing her plenty in the months...and years...to come

[jim]

Empty pantsuit...

My prediction...McCain/Palin will bleed in the polls until the debates and then there will be a big break for Obama/Biden when the public finally realizes how little the Repubs have to offer this country.

This election was over the minute McCain sold his soul to the right wing wackos just to get votes...

[hmpierson]

I can only fantasize about Tim Russert interviewing Sarah Palin. Russert, bless his soul, is gone, and Palin's handlers would never let a real journalist within 100 feet of her.

[Josey Wales]

If you Dem's think you are going to put a chump in the White House, you better think again.!!!
McCain is by far the better canidate.
Ms. Palin is awesome, you know it, so face up to it.
If you are a Democrat, you are a .... chump.
President George Bush is a very good man and we will have no more of that negative Democratic junk posted here.
You all love G.W.B., so just face the fact that Mr. Obama is going to lose to Mr. McCain.
George Bush is a wonderful human being.
John McCain is a wonderful, caring, loving man.
Please do not post negative anti Republican comments here or G.W.B. will strike you down, and then God will sort you out.
McCain-Palin all the way.
Just face it Dems. Its going to happen.
God bless you to all Republicans and Democrats.
American, love it or leave it.

[Sally]

Do not underestimate Palin. I doubt they're really worried that she can't handle herself. They want to maintain her currency and keep her interesting by restricting access, as well as to lower expectations and keep her answers a surprise so she is rated well at the debate. If she talks in interviews, Biden (and people generally) would have a better sense of what to expect. This way, she's a complete wildcard.

[Greg In Iowa]

It is not strange that any newly selected VP running mate chooses not to immediately go the Sunday interview route. Palin is not running for President and will serve McCain's administration, if elected. Therefore, honestly, her answers on such a show should not be primarily about her views about presidential policy, but McCain's, unless the questions will be specifically limited to her duties as Vice President (which they won't be).

It will take some time for her to be briefed and to fully discuss McCain's policy agenda with McCain's policy specialists. Once that process is completed she will become more capable of accurately communicating McCain's policy approach in a press environment that is commonly designed to "trap" candidates through the use of questions about relatively esoteric bills and statistical and geopolitical information (Like Face the Nation). This is not because she is not capable or lacks intellegence, but because she has not personally known McCain long and is not yet prepared to answer on his behalf on a wide variety of issues. This would be no different for anyone else coming to the campaign that had not served in the inner policy side of it before. (Including Biden, for the Dems, although he is long experienced in the art of providing non-answers to stuff he is not prepared to respond to.)

Palin's personal opinion is not what should be offered as she will not be in control of the policy agenda. The only constitutional duties of the VP are potentially regularly presiding as President of the Senate (something that has not been done since the early days of our republic), casting a tie breaking vote in the Senate, and serving as the backup replacement if the President dies or leaves office before his time is up. Other than that, there is nothing- the VP's additional duties are only what the President wants them to be - period.

It really does not matter if she can answer trap questions like: "The latest situation in Georgia has been very tenuous , what do you think of Saakashvili's acceptance of the six point plan and Medvedev's recently signed decees regarding the future of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?" (A typical FTN trap question, asked in that way intentionally, hoping that the candidate is not familiar with some name or part of the question.)

Palin brings a track record of addressing government corruption and budget reduction and review coupled with hands-on familairty with the issue of accessing domestic energy resources. That is very rare to find anywhere in the country. She has her deficiences, but she also brings some very valuable things to the table that few can claim to their resume.

And whether Palin can name the Georgian head of state and pass trick trap questions on FTN at this point is really irrelevant.

[James]

What a joke.

How does the GOP think they're going to be able to explain away the fact that Palin simply isn't competent to go on TV and talk about policy?

They've made themselves into the butt of the joke.

[RobinAK]

Agreed Donna, After the treatment she has recieved in only her first week in the national spotlight, she owes the media people absolutely nothing. What she does owe is an explanation to the public on why she is the best pick. She's gotten more accomplished as Governor in 20 months here than Frank Murkowski did in 4 years. In no time at all she will have firm grasp on ALL of the issues facing the nation, and will prove that she can and will be an effective leader. It's funny that one side condemned here to no end, and the other side thought she was the best thing since Ox-Clean and the Sham-wow, without even knowing her at all. She didn't ask for this, but once she was asked, her sense of civic duty prevailed. I know folks want instant gratification, but just a small amount of patience is warranted in this instance.

[Tru Blu]

Palin can't be on Sunday's best - McCain can't let her off his leash. He really respects women now doesn't he? Just another "trophy" on his side. Oprah doesn't want her and it has nothing to do with race - it's policy, policy, policy - and, Palin's policies are an insult to all Americans seeking to promote diversity and peace. Why not let Jon Stewart loose on her and see how she makes out? Then we can all listen to Fox news cry that the "liberal "media is bashing her. Maybe she can be a "star" on SNL with her snide little smirk because she's not ready to be anything but a distraction. Pretty soon we'll all see through her nomination - a desparate party's attempt to grab the spotlight and pander to the right wing extremists. McCain has sold out - don't sell America out by wasting a vote for McCain/Palin.

[Angela G]

It seems that McCain prefers a sarcastic, snarky female for VP. One must assume that Joan Rivers was on McCain's short list.

[Paul]

They're only hiding her so that we think she'll act like a complete nincompoop. Then when she shows up and does ok, we'll actually be impressed. If she showed up and did just "ok" right away, the glamor would wash right off because we would be expecting something more and instead we'd see that she's nothing special as a candidate.

[Steve]

LA Times notwithstanding, it IS encouraging to only see one or two lemmings posting here in support of Palin -- maybe there really will be a change in Washington in January. I mustn't dream too much yet....

[Joe]

It's fun to watch democrats cringe in fear at the mention of this lady's name. She may be the sole cause of the demise of the democrat party.