Sarah Palin's selection as VP zinged by veteran GOP aides Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy

Two Republican message-crafters who are well known within party circles but who in this presidential campaign find themselves outside looking in -- Mike Murphy and Peggy Noonan -- offered unvarnished opinions of the Sarah Palin VP pick today when they thought they were un-miked after an appearance on MSNBC.

The mikes turned out to be hot, their thoughts were not complimentary toward John McCain's choice and the comments quickly made their way onto YouTube.

Murphy terms the Palin pick "cynical;" Noonan says it means the race is "over" (and presumably not in a favorable way for her party).

See below. But be forewarned: Murphy, who worked for McCain previously but won't be anytime soon, and Noonan, famed for crafting George H.W. Bush's" No New Taxes" speech at the 1988 GOP convention and currently a Wall Street Journal columnist, use profanities in expressing themselves.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Robt. Braam]

The so called religious right blackmailed McCain into accepting Palin in exchange for their support, remember, prior to Palin, Dobson said he won't vote for McCain, that is why it was a surprise; those choosing her were such a small select group.
But even if Palin is bumped McCain will still be the presidential nominee. That is where the problem started.

[Leon Cane]

At last, some honest Republicans. There isn't a guy in the world that is more determined to be president than McCain and he will do whatever it takes to get there. Even if it means hiring crazies and nut jobs.

[Joel]

"Straight Talk Express" indeed! hahaha

[brewnz]

OUCH!!!

I agree with their assessment though...too gimmicky a choice. McCain went away from the successful Republican strategy when he probably needed to stay with it.

[rob]

May I recommend a topical poem?

"Waiting for the Barbarians" by Constantine Cafavy, 1904.

[amilius]

It figures the only time I would agree with the disingenuous Noonan and Murphy is when they are caught saying what they truly believe on a hot mike. Is it too much to hope that obscurity will follow this oversight? Haven't we been lied to enough already by these severely compromised sources?

[Pinottel Ram]

Can someone please transcribe this. I cant understand the commentary......

[Blackbox]

Noonan has been on a steady road to senility, and gushes over the Messiah Obama who has even less experience than Palin. At this point Noonan is an embarrassment that has long since stop being relevant!!!

[Mike V.]

This whole thing gets more weird every day.
It's clear why McSame picked this excessive breeder to be his VP (cynicism) but it still does not make me feel better that they are helping to make a mockery out of this election..

[Elinor]

The McCain campaign should be charged with political malfeasance for this one: creationism, censonship, zero foreign polcy experience, cramming to get up to speed on national issues, ready to lead on day one. CNN reported today: MINN, blue; IOWA, blue, OHIO, tending, Obama. Polling done after the Palin nomination was announced. Thanks Republicans.

[john in california]

If you want the transcript, it is here.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

How dishonest these winger pundits are. They praise McCain-Palin when they know the mike is on but tell each other how they really feel when they think the mike is off.

[Beth]

Crooks and Liars has a transcript (and links to TotT): http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/09/03/peggy-noonan-and-mike-murphys-off-air-attack-of-palin-for-vp-pick-whos-telling-the-truth/

[Otis]

One must discount as abject speculators the remarks of these two. Palin is real -- and win or lose -- she helps McCain discharge the Old Republican image. They just don't like a person cut from a different mold that is the style of the Washington DC New York corridor.

Besides, Palin's experience makes the Democrats appear foolish in not chosing Hillary and going with a guy with no real experience.

[Big E]

Noonan, Murphy, and who knows how many more feel that way, but they continue to lie about the 'country first' and that Palin's the most qualified.. give me a break!.. it's typical Republican.

[Greg]

Apparently when the media are off camera and drop the script, they turn into normal people instead of the person they play on camera.

All anyone pretty much wants is the truth from you guys, plain and simple. Don't play a character, be yourselves. We may trust you more.

[Al A. Baster]

I don't know about that, but hey, what does this do to the referendum on the California ballot in Nov., that says that "marriage" should be the exclusive domain of heteros? If they get to enjoy illicit sex too, then what gives them the right to monopolize monogamous sex. I'm confused.

News item (AP photo by Susan Walsh):
Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin greet Republican presidential candidate John McCain as he arrives in Minneapolis for his party's convention in St. Paul.

[DunceParade]

"They just don't like a person cut from a different mold that is the style of the Washington DC New York corridor."

Gimme a break, Otis. Perhaps you're typing this from your cell in Mayberry. Not only is it laughable that you lump the politico atmosphere of Washington D.C. with New York (a large city rife with many "styles"), but what is it about Palin that distances her from a political sheen? Certainly not her efforts as mayor and governor to use her power to browbeat those under her to toe the line. Perhaps you meant her sports journalism background or her Rush Limbaugh-approved legs?

"Besides, Palin's experience makes the Democrats appear foolish in not chosing Hillary and going with a guy with no real experience."

So . . . he's got no experience and yet manages to be a "Washington/New York" politician-as-usual? Man, righty talking points love swallowing their own tails.

[O. Amaro]

To Otis who said that Palin helps "discharge the Old Republican image."

You're absolutely correct. Republicans used to be thought of as the party of fiscal restraint, keeping government out of our checkbooks and bedrooms, and a firm belief in the separation of church and state.

Now we have all that as well as a disciple of the Flat Earth Society.

[wanda]

just telling the truth

[FISHER]

Interesting how today's Noonan column complained about how pundits live in a bubble. Congrats Peg - you're the Queen of BubbleLand.

[Sgt. Williams]

As a lifelong Republican I'm disgusted and embarassed by my party's choices. McCain won a weak field and further weakened the party with both his VP choice and having that toad Lieberman speak at our convention. I never thought I'd say this, but Obama is the most trustworthy candidate now. I hope we can improve by 2012.

[dave]

She insulted The Great State of Texas and Texans when she refused to have her child in Texas and instead at the risk of her child dying flew for 12 hours to Alaska just so her son would be an Alaskan instead of a Texan.

[Melaine S]

mmmmm.... Poetic Justice.

[reelbusy]

I think the real point here is that the "Liberal media" is actually compliant with the GOP and right wing when it comes to letting them lie about their real thoughts on air and then chat about their true, and exactly opposite beliefs, than the spin they are selling after the red light goes out.

[joe]

you guys are a bunch of liberal nuts just like the L A times.
no womder the times is going under .AVERAGE PEOPLE CAN SEE THROUGH THIS GARBAGE