What Palin Really Needs
On my way home from a vacation up north, I flipped on C-Span radio for much of the Jersey Turnpike. The station replays the morning chat shows. Since I am addicted to the presidential race, I just had to listen to George Will and Brit Hume, etc. I’d listen. Then scream. I’d listen. Then Scream. All through Jersey. It was fun.
News had already broke that MSNBC was ditching its fiery brand names (Olbermann and Matthews) because of the view that they might be too liberal. This is an interesting turn of events for the schizophrenic network (tonight is the debut of liberal talker Rachel Maddow’s show) Olbermann and Matthews had sparred with each other on the air and Olbermann had taken a jab at Joe Scarborough. Jon Stewart compared the antics to The Lord of the Flies.
What was Olbermann’s REAL alleged screwup? Going after the Republicans for using graphic 9/11 footage as a prop during its convention. And going after his own network for airing the video. You can read/watch Olbermann’s critique here.
Meanwhile, the chat shows had peppered the McCain campaign about when Sarah Palin would finally sit down for an interview. Yesterday we learned that the McCain campaign awarded the Palin interview to ABC’s news anchor Charles Gibson. I’m sure I will watch it. But I can’t help but think the obvious thought: Gibson is no Russert.
What does Palin need? What do we need? Russert. It would have been awesome to see Russert post up old, pre-convention Palin stances on earmarks, the “Bridge to Nowhere,” Polar Bears, Creationism, and Iraq. Is she really George Bush in lipstick? Russert would not only find out, his findings would stick.
Palin would have to answer all the questions about flip-flops, earmarks and that bridge to nowhere. She would have to prove her readiness. And no Republican would be able to accuse Russert of bias. I doubt Gibson’s interview will change many minds or bring about an accurate portrait of Palin. Say what you will about Russert, his interview would have meant something.
3 Responses to “What Palin Really Needs”
Leave a Reply
Recent Posts
- Extended Drinking Hours at Inauguration: It’s Official (1
)
The vote is 9-4 in favor of extending hours of alcohol service at local taverns and nightclubs until… - Extended Inauguration Drinking Hours Not a Done Deal! (1)
DCist points to a load of confusion over the District's plans to extend drinking hours in the days l… - Sean Taylor’s Officially Fair Game (0)
On WTEM's "Monday Morning Quarterback" show yesterday, host Andy Pollin led a discussion of Sunday's… - AU Professor Proposes Using Complex Online Scheme to Make D.C. Simple to Understand (0)
Washington, D.C. is a complicated place. Journalists in D.C. bureaus are getting laid off in droves.… - Postcards From Home: Film and Paper Archive (0)
Medical Museum, 1993…
- Extended Drinking Hours at Inauguration: It’s Official (1
September 8th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
They ditched them not because they’re too liberal, but because the anchor chair isn’t where you are supposed to deliver editorial content. Coupled with the nasty on-air sparring, it’s not surprise that MSNBC is trying to clean up their act a bit. At least David Gregory can act like an adult on-air.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
BRAVO for Olbermann!! Where is the moral majority on this one???
Keith Olbermann was completely correct in voicing his opinion in THIS case. Yes, journalists are supposed to be neutral, at least when it comes to politics.
But the Republicans TOTALLY crossed the line when they used our dead and tortured countrymen as a visual campaign slogan… the way the crowd reacted you’d think it was meant as entertainment. I was personally sickened by the depths the GOP have sunk to. They have belittled and packaged the pain and grief suffered by thousands of people here and abroad. Not to mention that the video they created brings shame to us as a country. Is NOTHING sacred? Is nothing beneath McCain and his cronies?
Any red blooded American should have recoiled at this video. GOP could not have been more offensive if they had sold tiny collapsed Twin Towers replicas as souveniers. No matter what political party you may belong to, we must speak up when we see such a deplorable misuse of power and propaganda. That applies to newsmen as well as private citizens.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Yes, the video was morally reprehensible, abhorrent even. Reps stooped to new unprecedented lows. It made me queasy.
Kate, such an unusual name.