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

[Christopher Anderson]

I respectfully disagree with the posts I have read. Supporters of one political party and the media (in a coordinated effort) often "over-play their hand" and fall into a trap set by brilliant campaign strategists. This is not the first trap I've seen your group take the bate on. This time, strategists are allowing non-substantive personal attacks on Sarah Palin's abbilites on the talk-show circuit; then when all eyes are on the candidate, she will "knock it out of the park" on these "news" shows. The expectations will be set so low, and her performance will be so excellent that people will be blown away.

[JM]

Which is better for America? A pot smoking, coke snorting, failed community organizer socilaist, who's projects had to be taken over by the Feds or a person who is from outside Washington. The media doesn't have a clue how to handle this lady except attack attack and attack some more. I can't waite for Mr. Hardball to run for the senate and see how he likes to be insulted every nite, while his familty is dragged through the gutter. Are you demos scared that Mr. Obama is not living up to your dreams of becoming a EU nation? Answer me this: are the Clintons enjoying the Mr.Obama melt down or are they scared that Mrs. Clinton may have to run against Sarah Palin? A Hockey Dad for Sarah.

[Mark]

Sarah Palin is a hoax and the biggest fraud right now. She is an empty barrel who can only read from Carl Rove's script. The press should not let her off the hook because our country is in dire need of wise and knowlegeable leaders after 8 years of dummies in the White House.

[Kimmo]

I'm not surprised at the fact that Palin will not be appearing on any of the political talk shows this weekend or in the near future. Im looking forward to the debates, something she will not be able to dismiss herself away from. When at this time in history Amercia looks for the beginning of change to meet the challenges which lay ahead, you would think the Republicans VP choice would step up to the plate and hit a home run showing her profound executive skills to bring comfort to Amercia knowing someone is there for them. The simple truth is, McCain thinks by throwing in the mix of politics someone who is but a facade without firmly attached and grounded to politics would be so UNKNOWN, we would doubt ourselves saying, I just dont get it, but I will go along with it because, surely, i cant be this wrong about the most obvious. God help Amercia

For myself, I am just going to dismiss all of this and stay on the path of change with someone I do understand, OBAMA.

[cta]

If she's ready to be VP, she's ready to talk to the press.

[John Q America]

McCain has chosen. We have seen her act. We now can choose ourselves. There is nothing in the background or the future of this "team" to give us expectations for bring about change or refrom in government. It's a different dog but, lying in the same bed , he has the same fleas. Being cute and flippant isn't a criteria for leadership. I, for one, am sick and tired of the divisiveness being offered by the GOP yet again. Congress has been deadlocked because of their lack of leadership and now McCain says he veto anything that doesn't meet his litmus test of reform. Bull !!! The only reform we can hope for is to kick these self righteous, arrogant special interest puppets in the butt.

[chris c]

Come out come out wherever you are Sarah. Maybe you can convince them to let you mouth the same talking points you have been trained to say. For all the latent racists who make up excuses like they are scared of Sen. Obama, I have this to say. Sarah Palin may be the anti-Christ, she may be the Manchurian candidate that a mentally fading old man was convinced to pick. Gramps better watch his back becauser they will eliminate him soon and put this empty pant suit where they want her.

[OUTRAGED AND DISGUSTED]

THIS WOMAN COULD BE PRESIDENT ON DAY2 ! WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ASK HER ANY QUESTIONS ?

[Ken]

The American people tolerated this behavior in 2004 from Bush Jr. Look how well that turned out. Does anyone out there know how to start an online petition to demand she give interviews NOW to the national media.

We need to send a message that Bush Rove tactics will not be tolerated again. We are smarter than this.

[LC]

Oh, I can't wait to "see" her in the next couple of months. Better yet, I can't wait to "hear" what she has to say when there is no one around coaching her or laying out word for word what to say. For someone who had so much to say during the republican convention, why avoid any opportunity to put to rest any doubt that she is capable of standing on her own and possibly be put in a position to lead this country someday? Maybe it's because she has no clue. She was so arogant when she was attacking senator Obama, but if I were in her shoes, I would definitely be worried about her upcoming debate with Biden. I can't wait until she exposes how little she knows about anything. Im sure it won't be long before she opens her big mouth and sticks her big foot right in it.

[Garrett Lucas]

I love how everyone here thinks Palin will be validated by meeting with the same press that has done nothing but try to demagogue her about the so called "Troopergate" and others in the press demanding a paternity test to make sure the baby is hers. That's substantive? Truth is, you liberals are scared to death of her and if you can't find anything wrong with her, you'll just make stuff up.

And, as far as her parroting talking points or delivering finely crafted words written by others, since when did that become an issue. Every major politician in the past has had speech writers, including (gasp) Mr. Obama. No, he wasn't filled with inspirational rhetoric by Zeus as he stood between the Greek columns during his speech.

The hypocrisy literally cracks me up.

[Angellight]

It is so ironic or maybe just palin-- I mean plain justice, that the Republicans have exactly in Sarah Palin what they falsely accused Barack Obama of. From day one, Republicans loved to say that Barack was a "Roll of the Dice" a "Celebrity"! However, the hand of Karma is swift and the chickens have come home to roost in the guise of Sarah Palin who is the real risk and Roll of the Dice (no foreign or national experience, under ethics investigation for abuse of power, possible member of the AIP) and Sarah, like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton is a Celebrity now (glosses the the covers of US Weekly, People, National Enquirer, etc.). What you Sow you shall Reap!

Maverick McCain who truly loves to gamble, loves Las Vegas, just risked the safety and welfare of this nation with his risky, roll of the dice VP pick, Sarah Palin. However, this is not Las Vegas or Atlantic City, this the United States of America. We cannot afford a Gambler in the White House and his first true test, Sarah Palin, is not even ready to go on Meet the Press (her first true test)! Tim Russert must be rolling around in his anchor seat in heaven.

By the way, it seems that our Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, who could be a heartbeat away from the Presidency seems, to have switched colleges at least six times in six years.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080905/...

[o2cool1]

Not to worry, if McPain becomes seriously ill while serving as President the first move will be her resignation so he and his advisers can replace her. Come to think of it, that might be one of the first things that happens right after he's sworn in.

[Lloyd Revalee]

I keep reading "news" about the current political situation, and it is little different than what I've heard during every election campaign. Obama preaches change, and his promised are the same heard during every campaign. Mostly promises to do things that the President has no power to do. If we want change in Washington, we will have to elect someone to Congress who has the publics wellfare in mind.

It is hard to understand why we have so much trouble in our government. No matter what the situation is, our great "unbiased?" media comes up with an expert in that area. They seem to think that the media is the only ones that know how to run a country, and are trying their best to do so. They should stick to selling books, and stay out of something they know nothing about.

[Craig]

Sarah Palin is nothing special. She has to deal with everything the other three candidates have to deal with. John Mccain is counting on the prejudices of a few Americans to get him elected. This wont work America is changing , look at the crowds of each parties convention as proof of that fact. Right now its good for ratings and Mccain thinks its good for him but in the end Sarah Palin will be a joke and she may have ruined what could hv been a successful career in the republican party. Message to Palin PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!!!!!!!!

[Craig]

Donna how could she not be ready for the media but be ready for VP? Please respond.

[Katherine]

Not only is Palin pathetically unqualified to be a heartbeat away from the U.S. Presidency, but her extreme, far-right ideas are not in keeping with the vast majority of this country -- even with many Republicans, I'd wager. I just hope her fans will wake up from their honeymoon with her before November. Otherwise, I can't even begin to imagine how much worse the mess we're currently in will be!

I should say that I once truly respected John McCain. However, based on what I have learned and observed of him In the last 12 months, I now believe he would be a terrible President. He is a mean, vindictive, shoot-from-the-hip, economically-challenged, disloyal, contemptuous, rules-are-for-the-little-people, oil-industry-shilling bully who thinks graduating close to the bottom of his class, losing his plane FIVE times and spending years as a POW somehow entitle him to occupy the office of President.

Bush may be incompetent, but McCain is scary.

[Chris]

It would be nice if some of the other media would use the Fox propaganda network's tactic of keeping a countdown until Palin appears on their show.
I don't wish the woman any bad fortune, but the voters need to know the extent of damage that could be done if she were to become vice president. Did McCain put the country first or was he doing anything to get elected when he chose her as VP?
Something else that has been ignored by the media is Mrs. Palin's religious affiliation. This is a big attraction to the ultra right evangelicals so I can't imagine the press would not inform the public in detail just what her church, the Assembly of God believes. This church believes that "speaking in tongues" is a sign that a person has the Holy Spirit. When in a tongue speaking trance the spirit will often give them revelations which they will act upon without question. Who can argue with the spirit? What if in a not so unlikely scenario McCain doesn't live long enough to serve out his term, Mrs. Palin become President and the spirit tells her to launch nuclear missiles?

Be very worried!

[Tony]

Come on folks. Has anyone checked FoxNews this morning. They're up in arms because OPRAH won't have Palin on. Important issues, adhoc discussion on the economy, credit crisis, home foreclosures, healthcare, foreign policy, national security.

Just in from FoxNews, "Oprah snubs Sarah!"

[pmad]

Other reports have indicated that the reason she'll be absent this weekend is because she's going back to Alaska to see her son off to Iraq. Why didn't you "blog" that, hack?

[Tom J]

Sarah Palin is scheduled to be on Charlie Rose on Saturday.
http://www.charlierose.com/home

[billy wilson]

Yes media, please do make much more of this. Don't be cowed by the hypocritical complaints of bias. This is ridiculous, to bring someone on so unknown and unprepared, so late in the game, and to try to claim that due scrutiny is sexist bias! You know that some people (the swinging idiots) are buying this. Demand Palin submit to media scrutiny, now.

[dougf]

Missing from the Sunday Morning incestuous inside the beltway pontificating.
Ohhhh - The Horror.

I'm sure the 50 viewers of these programs who actually care will be outraged. I know I am.

[DougH]

Country first???? Ticket first, Repubs first. What ever is in their best interest. Brought to you by the same Conservative media establishment that brought you Bush and Cheney, not once but twice.

They caused massive problem which they are now trying to convince us that they are the best solution.

What is the Texas man with limited mental capacity say? "Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice (how does that go?) Fool me three times... Well after that you are definitely not going to fool me a fourth time. Fool me again.... Now I'm confused,"

These same guys sold the gullible American public these guys not once but twice and are shooting for 3 times.

[AZRep]

Did anyone see McCain and Palin on tv campaigning today? She was reading from a paper using her finger to keep her place and not looking at the audience.
It was rather pathetic.

No, she would have to have an earpiece with someone feeding her what to say to be able to be on one of the "talk" shows.

And has anyone else found her voice very annoying?