Kurtz: Should media steer clear of Palin-Johnston saga?

CNN ^ | 4/11/09 | Howard Kurtz

[anniegetyourgun]

On last Sunday's "Reliable Sources," I made a last-minute decision to add an item about Bristol Palin's ex-boyfriend -- not because I'm particularly fascinated by the ex-boyfriend, mind you, but because Sarah Palin had just ripped Levi Johnston apart.

[pissant]

Why would they? Palin is to them, the enemy. Of course, Biden’s kid snorting coke is unworthy, or John Edwards fathering a child (even more shocking that he likes women), or Obama’s birth certificate....well, those are not newsworthy.

[acoulterfan]

CNN is becoming another TMZ! They can’t stop themselves.

[glorgau]

But here's the rub. Gov. Palin trotted out Levi at the Republican convention and said he'd be marrying her daughter, all to present a nice family image for her debut as John McCain's running mate.

If they had just done as Dick Cheney did when Edwards brought up his daughter in the Vice Presidential debate everything would have been fine.

[SolidWood]

LOL. CNN, part of the MSM, writing an article about whether the MSM should exploit this crock, and thereby perpetuating it itself.

It's not the MSM "reporting" on the private life, but "creating" the mess, using the clueless Johnstons as tools to drive their liberal agenda.

[x]

My gut instinct is that journalists ought to leave these young people alone.

Shoulda gone with your gut instinct, Howie ...

[Carl LaFong]

“My gut instinct is that journalists ought to leave these young people alone.”
That ‘gut instinct’ is only applicable to Dems/lefties. When it comes to a political figure who threatens the lefty/beltway/media hive, Howie and his friends let ‘er rip.

[TET1968]

Will CNN ask Vice President Joe Biden,
“ Sir, how does your daughter support her cocaine addiction” ?

[Cheetahcat]

The MSM with all the Fairies they employ can't help themselves after the beating Sarah Palin gives their Idol every time she gives a speech.

[BerryDingle]

Why would they? Palin is to them, the enemy. Of course, Biden’s kid snorting coke is unworthy, or John Edwards fathering a child (even more shocking that he likes women), or Obama’s birth certificate....well, those are not newsworthy.

Or people freezing to death in Kentucky, or bowing to the Saudi King, or French rescue their own from the pirates, or.......exactly!

[Tallguy]

Have we reached the Media navel-gazing stage of the Palin/Johnston story so soon? Jeeze! I thought they were going to milk this story for several more weeks at least.

[freekitty]

Because they can sit their fat behinds at their desks making stuff up???? Isn’t that how journalists operate? :)

[IronJack]

Well, let’s see: this is a non-story about Alaska’s governor’s daughter’s ex boyfriend. On a slow news day, it would deserve prominent placement right under “Hints From Heloise” and above the soduku puzzle.

[chris_bdba]

With their ratins in the toilet they probably have to to try and complete with hard hitting shows like “inside editon”. Of course if they stepped back and saw the big picture perhaps this is why they are in that place?

[redk]

I love how people on the left are sooo sure this will come up again if she runs for national office. The only way I see this being a story at all in 4 years or beyond is if Bristol is still living with her parents hasn't made anything of herself and is still bickering with this jerk. On the other hand if Bristol goes to college, makes something of herself and moves on in her life with her son we won't hear a word.

[anniegetyourgun]

I wish I could believe that. However, the only reason it was hands-off Mary Cheney is because she’s a declared lesbian.

[what's up]

Gov. Palin trotted out Levi at the Republican convention and said he'd be marrying her daughter, all to present a nice family image

I wonder if the VICE PRESIDENT of the United States ever trotted his daughter on stage to present a nice family image? How come no coverage on a SITTING VP's daughter's cocaine troubles, but instead but a former VP CANDIDATE?

And why no more coverage of John Edward's and his fling and baby out of wedlock? He ran for PRESIDENT!!

[redk]

Yeah when did disgraced former Governor Spitzer start seeing with hookers and how many times did he appear in public with his wife during that time frame?

[rodeo-mamma]

Palin shouldn’t be running for office she should be acting like a real conservative and raise her own children. Men should be out working not at home changing diapers. I am sorry. If you want to beat the liberals you have to be a contrast to them not a compliment. Palin parrots a lot of very feminist views on woman and their role in raising children. Most women who work don’t get to charge their employers to fly their children around the country. Palin needs to put her money where her mouth is. If only she could use her mouth to say a coherent sentence. That would be nice. Palin will have a good chance of taking the nomination thanks to the blind support she gets from all her enablers who claim to be against RINOs. Palin not taking care of her kids? That’s a real conservative for you! Yeah right! I ain’t cutting the lady no slack!

[deport]

Should media steer clear of Palin-Johnston saga?

---

Naw......... no way

Put it out there and lets she how it’s handled. This is one of the vetting processes that occurs to many who opt to become the leaders on the national scene. Either they can cope, if not then they don’t need to be looking for the top job. Palin will most likely do okay but she needs to learn how to not respond to every little tidbit thrown out by the media.