High-flying Sarah Palin gives her first news conference, then delivers boffo debate review for John McCain

We were so busy interviewing body language experts about Tuesday night's debate between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain that we somehow managed to miss the startling news that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had given her first impromptu news conference.

Aboard her campaign plane, en route to North Carolina from Florida on Tuesday afternoon, the Republican vice presidential nominee wandered back into the second cabin for a very casual exchange, according to Fox News producer Shushannah Walshe.

Walshe said Palin introduced herself to journalists and made a little bit of small talk before answering questions. She stood in the aisle with her hand on the back of a seat. There were no cameras, just notebooks and voice recorders.

Naturally, the first question was about Obama and '60s radical William Ayers, a connection that Palin has been playing up in the last few days. Palin's reply embodied the circumlocution-with-a-punch that has become her verbal trademark:

"Americans are caring about the problems in the economy, of course, and wanting to know what those long-term solutions are that our ticket can provide and what the other ticket is proposing, so when you talk though about what it is that we are proposing and what it is that Barack Obama is proposing, again it is relevant to connect that association that he has with Ayers -- not so much he as a person Ayers, but the whole situation and the truthfulness and the judgment there that you must question if again he’s not being forthright in all of his answers as to how did you know him, when did you know him, why would you continue to be associated with him?

It makes you wonder about the forthrightedness, the truthfulness of the plans that he is telling America in regards to the economic recovery because that is first and foremost on Americans’ minds.”

Palin watched the debate at a Greenville sports bar/pizzeria with North Carolina's senators, Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr. "I wanted to come to Greenville so I could watch the debate from here with a whole lot of real Americans, hardworking Americans, because you guys get it,” she told a rally at East Carolina University.

  Not surprisingly, she thought her running mate did just fine. She was less impressed by "that one."

"I think Barack was even less candid than usual, which I was kinda surprised. But McCain has fought on and sounded very energized, and, and it was a good night for him, for all of us, for all of America.”

--Robin Abcarian

Sarah or not, you can still go to Twitter and sign up for free automatic and instant alerts of every new Ticket item sped directly to your cell.

 

Comments

[Olden Atwoody]

McCain says , "My friends". So what.

You idiots over-analyze this because you've made your position in life a bully pulpit.

Yet, you were the journalism class geeks in high school that everyone hated. Is this why you, as group are so much on the fringe? To get attention?

How many times did Obama say, "the"?

[Palin-comparison]

Huh? Circumlocution, indeed!

I think it's a great idea that the press boycott covering anything Palin until she has a proper (unscripted!) press conference.

Reporters: Please ask followup questions. Hopefully, someone on that plane shook the nonsense out of their ears and asked her to explain exactly what she meant. More than likely, she'd respond with more of the same, but someone needs to step up and hold her accountable for what she says.

God help us if people fall for this palaver and innuendo!

[Jay]

Does we really want to interview her anymore?

At this point, she is just regurgitating talking points.

I can't tell the difference between her interview answers and randomly generated ones - http://mypalininterview.com

[Colin W]

Sarah Palin should learn that as a public speaker diction and grammer are important. Run-on sentences with confusing subjects makes for very bad transcripts. Can you imagine the confusion of translating her statement into another language? I am happy she decided to talk, but grouping random words does not constitute speaking to the regular "Joe-Six-Pack". Most of us completed grade school and have learnt that speaking a language has rules that even the least of us try to follow for the sake of clarity. She will not speak on my behalf as an American. Not if I have anything to do with it!

[David Michaels]

You've got to be kidding me! A "press conference?" That was little more than small talk as Palin again continued her exaggeration of Obama's ties to Ayers. Serving on the same board and living in the same neighborhood isn't exactly "palling around." Ayers was named Citizen of the Year in Chicago in 1987 for his work on education. I guess the Christian right only believes in "fogive and forget" when it benefits them financially or politically.

[Brnmar]

Sarah Palin And the Alaska Independence Party

www.Defenders.org/Sarah-Palin

Sarah Palin has charged Barack Obama with “paling” around with terrorists.

Her accusation arises from Obam’s association with Bill Ayers, a Vietnam-era member of the Weather Underground. The Underground was a domestic terrorist group that launched several attacks against American government institutions, including the Pentagon. Obama was eight years old at the time. As an adult, he met Ayers when the two men served on the board of a charity in Chicago where both me lived.

In the Republican Dictionary of Glossolalia, that is “paling around.”

But what about Palin around?

Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd Palin, was a member of the Alaska Independence Party (AIP), a group that espouses the secession of Alaska from the United States. The Party reportedly preaches a hatred for the American government and in the past has cursed the “Damned Flag.”

According to official voter registration records of the State of Alaska, Todd Palin was a member of AIP from 1995 until 2002.

It isn’t known if Sarah Palin was also a member of AIP. Her name doesn’t appear on the voter registration lists that have been released by the McCain campaign, but according to the same source, she courted the founder of the party, Joe Volger, for political support.

Throughout the period of time that Todd Palin was a member of AIP, Sarah Palin was married to him, and we can only infer that their relationship was somewhat more intimate than the relationship between Obama and Ayers.

In other words, the darling of the Republican Party and its candidate for the vice presidency was and apparently still is sleeping with the enemy.

In case you’re wondering about ethics and such. Her low blow against Barack is a hell of a lot lower than my low blow against her. In fact, hers makes mine look like an ode to fair and balanced objectivity

[Little Orbie]

Say what? Did I see the words trutfullness and judgement printed here? Do you think Ms. Palin has heard the word "Troopergate" ? Did she ever learn of Walter Annenberg in the second grade? Surely if she heard of Biden she must have also learned of Annerberg the republican millionaire who funded the charity that seated both Obama and Ayers (among others) as board members. Can Mrs. Palin's good judgement relay that information to her hate mongering crowd who would rather cheer at the low road then celebrate the high road.

[AK Resident]

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A 216-page hardcover, “Sarah takes on Big Oil” is being released Oct. 12 by PNA Publishing, an affiliate of Petroleum News, an independent news-driven weekly newspaper based in Anchorage, Alaska.

The authors, Kay Cashman and Kristen Nelson, are uniquely qualified to tell the story of Palin’s dealings with the oil industry, and the unusual circumstances that bracketed her unprecedented rise to power.

Cashman, publisher and executive editor of Petroleum News, is a people person. She knows the people in Palin’s story, and they know her as someone who can be trusted with sensitive information.

Nelson, editor-in-chief of Petroleum News, has a long record of covering the State of Alaska’s interaction with the state’s most lucrative industry.

Cashman and Nelson bring a perspective to Palin’s story not available to general news reporters that makes for lively, but factual reading.

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Anchorage press contact and book collaborator: Steve Sutherlin steve@petroleumnews.com
Washington D.C. press contact and collaborator: Candice Ngo cango@petroleumnews.com
London press contact and book collaborator: Amy Spittler aspittler@petroleumnews.com

PNA Publishing is a division of Petroleum Newspapers of Alaska LLC.

Sarah takes on Big Oil: The compelling story of Gov. Sarah Palin's battle with Alaska's 'Big 3' oil companies, as told by the state's top oil and gas editors
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Printed in the United States of America by RR Donnelly
First Edition Printing October 2008

[Fran]

Yes, Sarah dear, but you must let
Thomas, Maureen, Ellen, and William speak, too.
Oh, now, now, you don’t really believe they are part of the evil empire.
You say Obama wants to teach birth control to kindergarten students?
What’s that? Terrorist pals? Tax taxes?
You say he doesn’t believe in Jesus or health care. Too thin? He doesn’t get it? Wrong about the polar bears? Teeth? Oh, I think those are his.
Abstinence? Yes, dear. Put that in your book.
William, sit still. She is not winking at you
Get a nice picture for your book, dear.
No William, not the one in the bathing suit
No, Sarah dear, bless your heart, I don’t think God would say that...
Now, now, lower your voice, dear. Let Thomas speak.
Maureen, you wanted to say something? Ellen?
What is it, Sarah? Oh, I’m sorry. I thought that was some sort of power to the real people sign. Yes, you may leave the room.
PLEASE DO!

[AC]

Palin's comments are so concise and intellectual. Check out that first sentence. She's a WINNER!!!!!!

[Donna]

What needs to get out there more objectively is the fact that as adults Obama and Ayers lives overlap far more than Obama is willing to reveal. Check out Ayers' blog and the curriculum he uses in teaching teachers of this country. Some will perceive it as being marxist and my concern is that Ayers' influence (from their being neighbors while Obama attended Columbia, and then again in Chicago, and their being associated at CAC and Woods, and that Obama wrote a review of Ayers' book in 1997) on Obama regarding education reform may not resonate with the majority of people in this country. Personally, I think Obama needs to be more forthright regarding his associations . . . many of whom now reside under that proverbial "bus" because they no longer serve a purpose to him . . . for at least this presidential race . . . stop it already with the trite excuse Obama was only 8 years old during Ayers blatant terroristic actions. They've been associated as adults and the actions today are much more insidious. Everyone needs to check out Ayers' blog, his curriculum, find out more regarding the overlaps in their adult lives, because the MSM is not putting it out there clearly for you. Obama's list of associations with unsavory individuals with dubious characters is a long one . . . there is a reason he associated with all of them and a very good possibility they'll continue to influence him, especially Ayers' notion of education reform.

[EZE]

Sarah needs to learn some manners -- it is Senator Obama. It is demeaning to call a black senator by his first name, while referring to a white senator by his last name.

[jefflz]

After Palin's prepared and staged comments in her recent debate, this publication of her impromptu comments to reporters in-flight demonstrate that the airhead is baaaaaack! Palin cannot complete a coherent sentence. She is much better at eliciting violent comments at hate rallies. Perhaps next time she can lead a chorus of the Horst Wessel Song, assuming she can carry a tune.

[Montana Dem.]

When Sarah Palin speaks her lack of intelligence and readiness for V.P. is evident. Very scary for America!

[Pat Bailey]

When Sarah Palin speaks, it becomes very clear that she would not be able to step in as President!

[Save the Alaskan Parrot]

cuz she don't talk good, don't mean she's stupid. It's what she says on her own when not recitin stuff that means it.

[Jovita Mackie]

What college did Palin go?
She is good enough for Alaska!

[Dan]

That quote pretty much says it all - a 120 word+ sentence that says absolutely nothing. Palin is simply amazing. hilarious.

[Mark]

Why are Democrats Chris Dodd and Barack Obama #1 and #2 on the Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac donation list?

Fannie and Freddy didn't want to be regulated.

That's why they were in bed with the Democrats -- who consistently opposed all efforts to regulate them.

The Republicans wanted to regulate Fannie and Freddy.

The Democrats did not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZVw3no2A4

See the Democrats on C-Span in 2004 fighting against efforts to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs&feature=related

Read the New York Times article from 2003 about the Republicans attempt to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac and the Democrats refusal to do so!

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

This really is a Democrat-created mess!

Clearly, truth is not on the side of king Obama, but empty rhetoric.

[MJ]

I honestly think anyone "bright" enough to nominate palin as his running mate is someone unfit for commnand..Running the USA is no Joke mr Mccain...So keep the clowns far from the heat!

[linda]

Keep talking Sarah. I love it! You're going to talk yourself right back to Alaska on Nov 5th.

[Disgusted]

Good point Linda, but it is beyond me.

How "real" journalists cannot or will not let loose on this woman.

I have heard 3rd graders put together a cohesive sentence better than this woman. She is not only a cancer to the American people, but a hypocrite and a liar.

Yet, well respected "journalists" stand by and say nothing about this shameless woman who will do or say anything to get elected and cannot even put together a cohesive sentence.

Keep up the good work guys.

[justin]

In a few weeks we will make a choice that will decide our future.
I follow an economist named Bob Proctor. He has called the top and bottom of every market crash since the 70s correctly.
Also, he perfectly predicted the current real estate market meltdown and the picture he paints about what will happen in the next couple years
is terrifying.He thinks it will be worse then the great depression.
The banks in the U.S. are going under one after the other. Countrywide ,Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch , Fanny and Freddy Mae ,AIG
The government took them over because they are essentially bankrupt. Even with the goverment nationalizing hundreds of billions of dollars in debt the stock market is crashing
the credit markets are frozen and all of us may suffer beyond anything in the last 80 years.
McCain just like Bush " doesn't understand the economy".
That not just my opinion its his own words. Not only does he not understand how to fix it but he does not understand exactly what is broken.
It is no surprise that he doesn't. The people that make up these securities use complex mathematical models very few people understand.
Bush and McCain both can take the credit for this mess since they helped deregulate the laws that were protecting us.
Bush's economic advisor Phil Graham wrote the deregulation bill that allowed banks to take huge risks with all of our future.
Now, Phil Graham is the head of McCain's economic policy.He is also McCain's choice for the next secretary of the treasury.
No one in this country can afford for that to happen. The last time Bush met with his economic advisors was in March. He didnt realize that anything was wrong. Phil Graham had the guts to say that we are in a mental recession after he helped create the worst economy meltdown in our lifetime. Check out this link to the truth http://my.barackobama.com/keatingvideo
It will take the best and brightest minds in the world to get us out of this nightmare. As bad as Bush has done, McCain would be
even more destructive because things are in much worse shape. The next president will not inherit a surplus like Bush did but a crashing economy and a 11,600,000,000,000 (trillion) dollars deficit. Most of it Bush created and it will take decades to pay it back.
If you do what you have always done then you will get what you have always got.
When it comes to policy Bush and McCain are the same 90 percent of the time.
So why are the polls even close then ?
Mccains team just said they no longer want to talk about the economy.Instead they would like to spend time talking about obama
which means running the biggest smear campaign in history.
They think they can just tell you lies and you wont be smart enough to see through it
Let's teach him we are smarter than that .
Elect Obama Biden 2008

Check out this video of sarah palins interview and ask your self if she understands what she is talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r36Xc0GG4iQ