Posted on 06/05/2011 2:44:52 PM PDT by radioone
The prevailing narrative among liberals and GOP elites has always been that Governor Palin wont engage the media. That false meme will be more difficult to push now. Peter Hamby, in a piece at CNN today, elaborates on Governor Palins numerous encounters with the media this past week:
At times, it seemed like Palin was going rogue all over again.
Though still under an exclusive contract with Fox News Channel, Palin was raring to mix it up with a political press corps that, in her eyes, has underestimated her ever since she was thrust into the national spotlight as John McCains running mate in 2008.
[...]
Putting aside her chaotic appearance at the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally on Sunday, an event that generated little news other than pictures of a black-clad Palin riding on the back of a Harley, she took questions from the media 17 different times over the course of four days.
Thats a remarkable number for any national political figure, particularly for one locked into an exclusive television contract that normally precludes her from talking to other media outlets.
[...]
Palin seemed at ease at most events, lingering outside her bus or SUV to answer every possible question despite Pipers best efforts to drag her away and helpless shouts of Last question! from her aides.
During a stop at a café in central Pennsylvania, even her normally reticent husband Todd opened up to reporters about his familys readiness for a potential campaign.
At a clambake in the coastal New Hampshire town of Seabrook on Wednesday, Palin cheerfully chatted at length with a pack of reporters from national outlets like CNN, NBC, CBS, The Washington Post, Time and Bloomberg.
[...]
If the twinkle in her eye as she faced down the media hordes this week is any indication, she might soon be looking for employment of a different kind.
Read Hambys entire article here. While I dont agree with everything he writes (for instance, he repeats the discredited nontroversy that she got Paul Revere wrong, and Im not sure what he means by chaotic appearance at Rolling Thunder), its a remarkably fair piece for CNN.
Exit Question(s): Has President Obama, the self-described most transparent president in history, ever done 17 unscripted press conferences during which he answers every possible question in a week? How about in a month? Or in a year? Or since January 20, 2009? I dont think he has. Am I wrong?
Update: (h/t Whitney) Regarding Governor Palins availability to the national press, Scott Conroys tweet says it all:
There were a couple of times when I ran out of questions to ask Palin. Embarrassing for a reporter & indicator of her level of engagement.
Ping
The more she stays in the news the better-! Go Sarah-!
The more she stays in the news the better-! Go Sarah-!
who says she doesn’t know what she’s doing?
Looks like we have a liberal infiltrator.
Shame on him for attacking young Piper.
Those who fear her for what she can do.
Palin was on the hour long Fox polital program early this morning. She looked absolutely beautiful, and was ready for whatever they hit her with in the practical realm as well. Her answers were flawless, honest, and sincere. -
These liberal/socialists who worship at the Obama altar are afraid of her, and rightfully so. If she were elected, their gluttonous spending spree and childish game-playing would be over.
Yes. She came across as more Presidential than Obama, much, much, much more. . as one who loves this country.
“... as one who loves this country.”
It would be nice to have a political class that felt this way.
Truly a remarkable woman. Capable of great things and of a fine character. She’s got the potential to make her mark in the history books (in a good way). I wish her and her family all success and happiness.
She isn’t scared of the press. She was probably a little in awe of their presence in 2007. Now she just takes them in stride. She is a quick read.
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