David-

You should stop writing your political commentary in this blog. Every posting that you write makes you sound more and more like a part of the liberal media. As Simon Cowell would say, "Sorry, just being honest."

Every liberal writer has a beef every time a member of the electronic media does not throw hard fastballs right down the middle of the plate to McCain or Palin. If there is even the slightest hint that the questions were too easy, you jump all over your electronic counterpart. Yet, when a television new anchor lobs softballs at Obama or Biden, the liberal media does not comment about the fairness of the soft questioning.

You, by your own admission, even believe that what I am saying is true. Go back in time about 1-2 weeks and see your response to a posting I put up regarding this same subject. You admitted the media is not doing its job. Stop being part of the problem and at least give the appearance that you can be impartial during this election season.

Oh boy, yes! ONE normal interview from CNN that was not biased. That was one refreshing interview! ABOUT TIME. CNN finally steps up to the plate!

It seems like in the last two weeks before the election, that John McCain and Sarah Palin are just looking for excuses to steer voters away from Obama. As we saw in the second debate, Their only hurting themselves in the process. Would you agree?

As far as Obama goes, I've some rather stupid reasons why people are voting/not voting for him. But I'm treating this election as "Who do I hate the least?"

On the other hand, I kind of feel sorry for Joe the Plumber now. Ordinary blue-collar worker whose personal issues are a nation-wide hot topic. I'd be pretty ticked off if I were him.

Z,

You should just write about the TV shows worthy of your intellect like 90210 or Bay Watch and leave the political stuff alone...

Interesting charge from a party member who just essentially nationalized the country's banks!

Real reporters should ask real questions to anyone running for politacl office rather than give air time for the sake of TV ratings. Everone knows, even Republicans like C. Buckley, P. Noonan, K Parker, W. Krystal, C. Powell and other conservative writers and thinkers have tried to tell their fellow Republicans that Sarah Palin is a treat to national security as well as the domestic security (Scooter, Heidi and Realist the second part where I say domestic security, that means she's preaching intolerance, hate and fear mongering). So, if you're going to criticize David then criticize Sean Hannity and the CNN wuse as well

Idea for the Scooter (what kind of name is Scooter?), Heidi and Realist why don't you pack up your rifles, revised bibles (you know the ones for white people like you), six packs. your John Birch manuals for geing a good American and move to Alaska. There you could set up your own commune. ooophs, compound - communes are for peaceful people compounds are for fatigue wearing, head shaved, gun toting idiots like you. You're not really Americans, just a shadow figure for neo--nazis.

JB

I hope she is on her way back to Alaska soon with her $150,000 wardrobe. What a disgrace to the American public!

This guy "Y" is just PO'd because CNN didn't nail Palin to the cross. You know where he is coming from. I THINK he may be a obama supporter, Ya, think?

It's painful watching her talk sometimes. She's a complete idiot.

It's painful watching her talk. She's a complete idiot.

First time reading your stuff - and it will be the last. No value-add just complaining about the interview. No thanks...

Its always fascinating that when someone tells the truth about Obama, it is considered a "smear". I can only conclude that the truth Obama is so ugly that the hearing of it is off-putting.

Yet, the most popular governor in America, Governor Palin, is portrayed in porn videos, called a Barbie Doll and a "stewardess", and the left does not consider those to be smears. The hypocrisy of the left knows no bounds.

Sheesh, even the *entertainment* columnists in this paper wear their partisanship on their sleeves.

These days, when debating what is or isn't a "settled science", the "media as Democratic promotional tool" has a lot less wiggle room than does the man-made global warming theory.

David,

Seriously, do you like girls? I look at your picture and think, "now there's a guy who likes in when the fleet comes into town."

Your liberalism is disgusting. And as a TV reporter, well, I don't think Tom Shales is quaking about the reporter to his immediate north.

Z,
Don't let em cow you. With the amount of crap repub bias stuff on radio and TV, yours offers balance.

So Obama's plan to tax higher income people at previous rates and give tax relief to lower income working people is socalist. Didn't Palin use taxes to increase the size of the check that every Alaskan citizen gets? Didn't she give checks to all Alakans while taking large sums of money from the Federal Government? This women is spreading our wealth around in Alaska and she accuses Obama of being socialist. Amazing.

Dude, you're really sounding kind of pathetic now. I'm not a big Palin fan, but your hatred of her is really becoming pathological. You should see a therapist.

And I agree with Realist. You're out of your league. Stick to reviewing second rate tv shows on minor networks. That's your calling.

Yes I agree Alex, it is very disconcerting that Joe the Plumber has become the vehicle used by the republicans to criticize Obama. Though it is an ingenious political strategy considering that it allows the republicans to appear as only speaking the minds of the public but also casting criticisms and false accusations against Obama that clearly originate from inside politics

CNN finally had the opportuinity that other media has been hoping to get and they let Griffin do the interview - how disappointing because he had absolutely no control of Palin and did not come prepared to educate America on what Palin stands for and all the controversary that surrounds her.

Hi,

I am from Latvia, following this election eagerly since I spotted one normal person among candidates, Sarah Palin.

This CNN interview was the first one which was not-biased.

Actually, I was so surprised to see how biased towards liberals American media is. Earlier I had no idea that when watching CNN I am beeing fed heavily biased info from around the world.

For me as Latvian:

- never experiment with left ideas in the USA - it is a disaster we have been through in Soviet Union. Socialism does not work, period.

- Obama is to shaky to stand up to people like old KGB guard. They are reading him because they know exactly how the ideas he is preaching (or hiding) has been made sellable during history.

- We do not want neither Russia
nor socialism back, despite the inherent uncertainty capitalism brings.

Now I know.

Scooter,

A fastball down the middle of the plate would be what you and Palin would want. Perhaps the baseball metaphor you're looking for is cut fastball up and in, a slider that brushes the corner of the plate, or maybe a pitch in the dirt. For an explanation of why Palin would want a fastball down the middle, see, e.g. Orioles relief pitchers for the past 10 years.

-Guy with at least a child's passing knowledge of baseball

"Indeed, she was -- allowed to simultaneously try to link Obama to socialism and then act like she was taking the high road with Joe the Plumber doing the dirty work for her while CNN’s correspondent looked on'

Obama linked himself to socialism when he joined and ran on the Democratic Socialistss of America's New Party.

and the only "dirty work' Joe the plumber does is clean sewage for folks like you who merely sit in a chair and type liberal biased nonsense like this for a living.
.

I agree completely and I'm delighted to hear someone voice my own frustration with the incompetence of the interviewer, Drew Griffin, and the unsatisfactory 'interview' that resulted. It didn't in fact warrant being called an interview! It was essentially a Palin monologue with Griffin playing the role of cheerleader. Palin said several things that were blatantly not true: that Obama wants to take money away from 'small families' and 'give it' away to... 'others'; that Obama was in office '300 days' (where did that figure come from?)... etc etc etc But Griffin didn't question anything she said! What is the POINT of an 'interview' by a 'journalist' if he doesn't engage in an exchange of the information the interviewee is presenting? In the end this was a so-called interview by a so-called journalist (who certainly didn't add any credentials to his reputation for investigative journalism).

David,

I thought I should inject a few facts into this debate as you seem to be lacking in this area.

First, Obama said he wants to "spread the wealth". That is a basic socialist tenant. So, yes, I do believe Obama is a socialist.

Your slam of "Joe the plumber" was uncalled for, as you said he "doesn't pay taxes". Actually he pays more taxes than those who Obama wants to spread the wealth to.

As far as not having a "license", a license is simply another tax, it is nothing more than that. This funds government growth.

Second, yes, parts of America are more patriotic than other parts. Take the northeastern U.S. Where else can you find more anti-America rhetoric generated in public and in the press? Take the Chicago area, home of Barak and home-grown professors who are former terrorists and home to Dickless Durban who says our troops are Nazis....yes, many parts of America harbor great numbers of people who hate their own country.

There is no doubt that CNN's interview was the weakest of the 3 national interviews given so far. In fact, if you go so far as to include Palin's apperance on SNL, it could be said that Alec Baldwin did a better job of examining feelings toward Sarah Palin.

This interview was neither liberal nor conservative in its approach, it was simply 'lacking'. That question, "Is Obama a socialist" was inexcusable. It had no depth nor examination. It was almost as if the reporter had no intelligence.

Again, this was not embarassing in a political sense, it was embarassing in a journalistic sense.

Z, It sure would seem a lot more fair when you congratulate the Dems and deride the GOP if you gave equal coverage. All one has to do is look at the "Recent posts" and see that when you're not covering Sarah Jessica Parker you're congratulating SNL or some network host for "asking the tough questions". Strange though, not a single review of any interviews with the Democratic candidates. It's awfully hard for people to get honest information to help them make informed decisions when your reviews are essentially a verbal "high five" to anyone who can get a GOP candidate to stutter for 2 seconds.

please just stick to regular tv shows that are on your level. stop with the politics. you are out of your element.

Complete rubbish on your part - finally the liberal media gives a interview that isn't strictly for Obama.

It's plain to see why they keep her away from these interviews. Her supporters will blame the media for her ineptitude, but she's the governor of a state. You can't go on and on about how skilled and ready she is while simultaneously claiming she's outwitted by television reporters at every turn. If the GOP wants to put its' fate in her hands, so be it. You'd think they would have learned by now that this ticket is doing almost, if not more damage to the future of the conservative movement than Bush II did in his eight years of disasters. Instead of blaming all of your failures on "liberals," man up and start rebuilding. Get some new faces and some actual thinkers, stop shouting down anyone who tells you what you're actually doing wrong. The longer you hold onto denial and attack as your only strategies, the longer you'll suffer and, consequently, we'll all suffer.

David,

Truthfully, you're not doing yourself or The Sun any favors. Your commentary is hollow, your insight fleeting, and your allegiance blatant. The Sun is a newspaper, with a job to REPORT THE NEWS, not to stain all of it yellow with liberal bias.

This "interview" was softballs & nothing more.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, it's the journalist's responsibility to bring the truth to their readers/viewers. Letting an interview subject distort the definition of socialism does the readers/viewers a disservice. Letting an interview subject who redistributes the wealth in her own state attack an opponent for suggesting something similar without question does the readers/viewers a disservice.

It's not an interview, it's a Sarah Palin info-mercial.

Oh yes, here we go again. Governor Palin is a bad person because she speaks out about Obama's qualifications, experience and his proposed policies. If Joe Biden would stammer (as he usually does by making stupid comments) everyone would say "oh, so what." I hope Obama wins .... than maybe everyone who is a liberal or Africa American will get what they want. And, like the old saying goes "beware of what you ask for."

What Sarah Palin said was EXACTLY right: if SHE would have said what Biden said about his running mate, the media would have clobbered her! I am TIRED of the Democrats getting a pass on everything! This media bias is absolutely appalling. Voters have a right to know the truth, and make an informed decision. The liberal media is contributing the destruction of America as we have known it. Very sad, indeed.

Now, I know you are bias and in the tank for Obama. Rejecting my posting because I have posted too many comments ..... got news for you this is the first time for me. Make sure you vote for Obama, O.K.? Hyprocrite.

that was not an interview that was a speed date

"At least, it’s the definition according to Joe the Plumber, the plumber without a plumbing license who doesn’t pay taxes and has suddenly become an expert on socialism."

The last time I checked EVERY American is an expert in selecting their next President. It is not only our right, but our responsibility. Just because he may not have the Degree you have does not mean he does not know the basics of Socialism. To attack him personally for questioning HIS Presidential candidate, well it is disgusting journalism. Try just reporting the news for once without "selective" quotes and facts to push your agenda.

It's unbelievable to think someone with media access would refer to Obama as a socialist. His achievements speak for themselves. I wish more people had access to his achievement record.

http://willnevergiveup.wordpress.com

This is not a "media bias" issue, like some of your commenters have pointed out.

Palin has barely been accessible to the media, and every time she has done an interview, she has revealed a stunning lack of knowledge about the nation, the world, and the job that she is potentially going to have.

If Obama, with his lack of experience, was this apparently stupid, I would expect the media to press him every chance they got.

If anything, Palin has gotten away with a ton of lies, b.s., and batting her eyes and talking folksy may be good enough for some of you to like her....but the news media has a job to find out about her polticial qualities.

If anything, they've been soft on her, I guess because they know that some have been conditioned to attack them for being "liberal". This fear didn't serve us too well in the lead up to the Iraq War.

Katie Couric asked basic questions, and Palin hung herself in her own ignorance.

Keep reporting on all things televsion, David! Great work.

Z, your political bias just keeps getting in the way of your television critiques, and it clouds your perspective. You really just don't like Palin and that's been obvious.

Please--and I ask this of all SUN editors and columnists (Dan, Susan, Garrison, etc)-- remember that not everyone thinks like you. The SUN could really broaden its appeal if it occasionally considered a wider audience. I sincerely ask: does The SUN feel a responsibility to inform, or is it satisfied just to cheerlead?

I like Sarah--she's genuine and hasn't gotten a fair shake from the press, from Day 1. I really wish you libs had gone after Obama the way you're negatingly reporting on Palin! We, the American electorate, would all be better served.

David,
Wow, I remember when I enjoyed your television commentary. And don't be mistaken, I don't disagree with some of your points. But first of all, don't slam poor Joe. He's just a guy who asked a question, don't be so bitter.
And so what, they let her talk, big deal. I would think that would be the easiest way to unveil her ignorance.
Feel free to report that it was a boring interview, but leave your personal views aside or put them in op/ed.

I don't think you are an expert on Karl Marx & Lienin writtings. Obama said" I want tax you and take that tax money and give to others, those who need" He didn't say to spend for education, infrastructure etc.or other common general development of the country.
If what Obama said is not socialism, could to redefine Marx & Lenin philosophy?

And lest we forget the real issue here is "the redistribution of wealth" that Senator Obama proposed a Socialist idea. Of course it is! Let's think of other recent examples of "redistribution of wealth" and how well they have worked.

Venezula - Increased internal dissent, and the "president" is now "president for life."

Zimbabwe - Mr. Mugabe has now been in power for over 28 years and his country has the WORST inflation rate in the world. Crop production has fallen to an almost zero level, and the country no longer produces enough food to feed its own inhabitants.

How many more recent examples of "redistribution of wealth" do you want or need to see that it is an inherently bad idea.

Stupid is as stupid does!

It is such a shame that McCain thought the cute & dumb approach would work to sell his canididicacy. Someone tell him he isn't selling sun tan lotion.

It is socialism by any rational person's interpretation. Not that GW is much better; this economic bailout is socialism also. Funny how even Chavez says that his arch enemy is acting like a socialist...Palin's comments are not McCarthy-esk. Our current policy of putting people in Gitmo without trials comes closer to what McCarthy would do. All in all, Palin just pointed out the truth, and kudos to Griffin for letting her state what half this country believes, instead of trying to force her in to CNN's liberal biased viewpoint. We don't learn about a candidate or the problems with an opposing candidate by a controlled media event. A free for all will show a lot more...

I agree, this interview was pathetic, as is the republican platform.

So, if someone tells the truth about Obama being a socialist, now they are "McCarthy-like"....?? I'm moving to N. Korea where they have more freedom than Amerika.

What was Griffin thinking? He is supposed to be a journalist, not a prompter for party lines. Palin has some serious contradictions with McCain, with the Troopergate committee report, and with basic understanding of the VP job.

The only good thing about allowing Palin free reign to talk is that she always hangs herself. I love her inane sound bites, which highlight her absolute ineptitude for the job of VP. Fey is right--she writes her own satire!

Keep it up, Z. Scooter & Realist must be unhappy that "reality" isn't conforming to the hopes they had for it.

"ONE normal interview from CNN that was not biased". People will see it from their own point of view. For better or worse, the viewing audience got to see Palin as she sees herself.

I think all the contradictions and sheer stupidity of what she said will give democrats all the ammunition they need. As if any more were needed.

Palin = Moronic-bimbo...

I cant wait until her political career is over, in say, 13 days...

What CNN didn't level her with some left agenda so you don't like it? Since when did the media become the left wing strong arm?

And if Joe the plumber had a plumbing license would that somehow make him more qualified in this discussion?

Joe the plumber is a normal hard working American, unlike a trust funding left winger with too much time on his hands.

If Obama gets elected this country is in serious serious trouble. It is time you Ideologues face the truth! And the truth isn't always pretty, but it is real.

In II Corinthians 9:9-10 we find that God hath given to the poor and ministered unto us by giving us food.

II Corinthians 9:13 tells us that if we are in subjection to the gospel of Christ that we should be liberal in our distribution unto others.

In Proverbs 11:25-26 we find: "The liberal man will be prosperous, and he who waters himself will himself be watered. He who withholds grain, the people will curse him."

In Isaiah 32:7-8 we find: “The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even the needy speaketh right. But the liberal deviseth liberal things and by liberal things shall he stand."

Many Bible scholars translate the word "liberal" in those last verses as "noble."

In Nave's Topical Bible under the heading "Liberality" I found the following references:

Psalms 41:1-2;
Proverbs 11:24-25;
Proverbs 13:7;
Proverbs 14:21;
Proverbs 22:9;
Proverbs 28:27;
Matthew 19:21 (one of my personal favorites which, to me, speaks against those who preach the "prosperity gospel"); Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 3:10; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35;
1 Cor 13:3;
2 Cor 8:7-14;
1 Tim 6:17-19; (Jesus is clearly a socialist)
1 John 3:17-18 (Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.)

I fear America has become a nation of greed and covetousness, bigotry (Luke 18:9-14) and hate.

We so flippantly say "God Bless America."

Please join me in my prayer, God SAVE America.

We've got MSNBC which is like the anti-matter to Fox's totally right-wing agenda. They even have a Coombs-like character (Pat Buchanan). I used to think CNN was the only one of the three that was close to neutral. But, they've had their moments, too. I guess it's just too hard to be unbiased. We're all human. It would be nice if most reporters gave us the facts and let us decide. Maybe that's what Griffin was trying to do. Just let Sarah put her foot in her own mouth. She's good at that. My faith in my fellow Americans has been restored by the recent spate of polls. The biggest mistake, according to the polls, that McCain has made was choosing Sarah. I agree. She is a total "nothingburger."

If Obama wins this election it will not be on his own merits, it will be because the media (both newspaper and telivision) have protected him, covered for him, left out important facts about him they don't want revealed, all the while dragging McCain and Palin unfairly through the mud. This is such unfair reporting by the media, everybody knows it and yet nothing can be done about it. So sad. If the media would do thier REAL job by reporting the facts, instead of campaining for Obama, McCain would be winning by a landslide on his own merits, his proven experience, and on the much better direction he would move this country in. It is so obvious who the better leader would be and that is certainly NOT OBAMA but the media will continue to shame themselves to the very end in order to win this election for him. But I am confident that when people actually go in to vote in private, without the risk of being labled a "racist", they will do the right thing and vote for McCain/Palin. McCain/Palin '08!!!!

If Obama wins this election it will not be on his own merits, it will be because the media (both newspaper and telivision) have protected him, covered for him, left out important facts about him they don't want revealed, all the while dragging McCain and Palin unfairly through the mud. This is such unfair reporting by the media, everybody knows it and yet nothing can be done about it. So sad. If the media would do thier REAL job by reporting the facts, instead of campaining for Obama, McCain would be winning by a landslide on his own merits, his proven experience, and on the much better direction he would move this country in. It is so obvious who the better leader would be and that is certainly NOT OBAMA but the media will continue to shame themselves to the very end in order to win this election for him. But I am confident that when people actually go in to vote in private, without the risk of being labled a "racist", they will do the right thing and vote for McCain/Palin. McCain/Palin '08!!!!

Be careful david. If you lean any further to the left you will fall down. I may once again watch the Clinton News Network after reading your article. They may be getting back to being a good news agency not the liberal mess you are looking for. I agreee with Heide B. Good job CNN! About time!

Palin forgot to mention that all liberals and Democrats are marxist-leninists who are attempting to engineer a coup to topple the U.S. gov't in order to install a dictatorship of the proletariat.

That, and they are also Satanists and vegetarians.

Scooter is still trying to push that old crap about a liberal media bias. The corporate controlled media have been ultra-conservative for years and you know it.

Stop insulting our intelligence by spewing this canard endlessly, it makes you sound increadibly partisan, or perhaps just out of touch with reality.

Obama is a con man, a well trained one nonetheless. Joe Biden is being portrayed as a loose cannon that in his own way is pimping Obama as the new world messiah or the fantasy candidate. This perverted sense of unification behind an unknown born and raised as a radical socialist. Oh, he's a sweet talker as any good salesman should be, but if what you are selling is the downfall of America you had best create the illusion of hope before you cut their throats. Obama's tax plan is not a tax but in reality taking money which you have earned and giving it to someone else who hasn't. Your being told that you are incapable of making decisions that could directly affect your own community like providing employment or contributing for local improvements. This character's experience is one of a glorified community organizer who spent the majority of his tenure as a young man giving other peoples money away, taking it away from others or suing to lower social economic standards. He is brilliant at screwing other people and diluting the American dream. Crown that sucker if it makes you feel empowered but you will lose your country and your freedom in the process.

I simply can't imagine how anyone could smear Obama as socialist! Why, look at his life: There's not a single one of his mentors, partners, allies and running buddies who is not ...er.... radical, communist, socialist or racist! I mean really, how can she say such a thing?

Z,

You, sir, are a classic example of bias in the media.

I have noticed that CNN has become less biased in their reporting. Maybe they are finally seeing how lopsided the media has been. The fear that the left have of Palin and now Joe the plumber is incredible. What exactly are they afraid of?

Headline: Palin uses the Plumber to call Obama socialist on CNN

From interview: “I'm not going to call him [Obama] a socialist,” Palin said.

Awesome reporting!

Your article is utterly disgusting. It truly shows how ignorant you are and you have swallowed all the crap the biased media has thrown. You are part of the problem with this article. What Palin says is rational and a good argument, Obama's economic plan DOES make him look like a socialist. Get your head out of the liberal media's ass.

What an idiot! So now, Sarah the Failin' is taking advice from Joe the Plumber? How disgraceful. I hope he doesn't wind up as her Secretary of State if McCain somehow hijacks this election like the Pubs did the last two.

LOL. Silly republicans. Your agenda has been running the government for the better part of the past 8 years. We are all tired of it. McSame and Palin are trailing Obama by nearly 14% in the polls. You will lose on November 4. Get over it.

Enough of the sad-ass loser - Joe the Plumber and Ed the Dairyman... what about Iqbal the grocer, Mustafa the baker, or Ragesh the cab driver??? I thought we were living in
the 21st century, and not the mid-nineteenth!

Ah Yes! Another astute message from the editors of CNN, the Communist News Network.

Again McCain & Palin have tagged the "Average American" WRONG again. They have NO CLUE what America is about; they are to busy scrambling, changing gears, and back peddling...I am nothing like Joe Blow (Sam) the Plumber. The "Average American" does not avoid paying taxes, the average american is smart enough to use a licensed contractor due to possible "legal & zoning" laws, the average american KNOWS that if your company makes 250K for the year, that the majority of it will go back INTO the company, not into your pocket. Unless of course you are Joe Blow (Sam) the Plumber & you want to screw some one(s) else...

You're right, Dave. CNN dropped the ball on this one. But it sounds as if Palin came across as a raving character assassin. And that approach has clearly backfired on the Republicans. So maybe CNN wasn't doing her any favors by letting her ramble on.

Palin needs no 'hard fast balls, right down the middle' - - she does that perfectly on her own...the fun part is that she keeps leaning into them! She's beaned herself so many times, I'm surprised she hasn't charged the Mound...

This CNN interview exemplified that. HUGE Kudos to Drew Griffin!

This was a perfect media strategy...let Palin just be Palin. Don't put her back on point, don't point out the contradiction, just let her talk in circles...she's really good at that.

Let her invoke good old Joe the Plummer - - let's see how she defines socialism. My guess is that she didn't even know how to spell it prior to last week!

Heh... "the plumber without a plumbing license who doesn't pay his taxes has suddenly become an expert on socialism."

Do any of you people even KNOW what socialism is? Asking the people who received three straight tax cuts to pay a little back into the system is hardly socialism.

When there was a surplus, the rich got a tax cut. When the war started, the rich got a tax cut. When the economy slowed, the rich got a tax cut. Now that the economy is tanking, McCain wants to give the rich another tax cut. Are you guys seeing a pattern here?

Quit watching CNN - I did. Without viewers they disappear. Watching CNN is like watching a paid Obama info commercial.

Oh, and did the CNN lady ask Palin about the $150,000 she's spent on clothes during the campaign? Or the $70,000 Alaska paid to fly her daughters around the country last year?

Z..Thank god you are here to point out any perceived problems with the McCain campaign. If I hadn't read your article, none of this would have been brought to my attention. As for " Stand up Chuck" Biden or "57 State plus 1" Obama, the media won't give them a break! The endless reporting about their backgrounds, their previous associations and taking every opportunity to trounce on their every misstep. It's amazing their lead is only double-digit.

Now let me go to the web and check out Obama's latest rally and marvel at his arrogance. Everytime he talks in his smart allec, condescending tone, it looks like he is auditioning for the next Kings of Comedy tour.

As for you Z.....lets be honest. I think you just like the attention these articles attract.

Oh brilliant, conservatives talking about the "liberal media," what a surprise.

Fact of the matter is, not everyone has to outright attack Sarah Palin, that's for John Stewart, Colbert and Kieth Olbermann to do (and they do a fantastic job, by the way).

CNN is well known for being a viable news source and they have shows hosted by liberals and *gasp* conservatives, so why should they tear her down when there are people who make a living doing just that?

As much as I love watching Sarah Failin go on national television and start spewing the usual Neo-con rhetoric, no one needs to forcibly take her down, she's perfectly capable of doing that herself (though that may be the only thing she's capable of)

Thanks, David, for this insightful analysis of this interview. It's good to see someone pick up the critical-thinking slack when the interviewer Drew Griffin failed to. Keep up the good work, and don't let the fearful, illogical, ad hominem-slinging conservatives get to you!

I don't see why others suggest that Mr. Zurawik shouldn't make a little political commentary if he so chooses. He's not much less qualified than most of the "experts" we see and hear. Plus, his points are well taken, and he did a good reporter's job: he reported what happened and what was said (along with the commentary). And, unlike Heidi, Mr. Z knows when to use "their" vs. "they're".

COMMUNISM: PALIN OR PUTIN

During the oil crisis of 2007, Palin fought to raise taxes on oil companies. As fuel prices skyrocketed in the lower 49 states, Palin complained that her state wasn't getting its share of the windfall. She successfully pushed for a law that raised taxes on oil profits. The increase amounted to an estimated $1.6-billion annually more for the state: double the amount it received the year before. Then she gave the money to the people.

It’s true: we've already checked her claim that she sent "a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska."

On Aug. 7, 2008, the Alaska Legislature approved a measure she promoted. The administration of Alaska's governor Sarah Palin now gives $1,200 to every single Alaskan. This comes to about $741-million for state residents. In addition, each resident will receive an annual dividend of $2,000 from an oil-wealth savings account. That comes to about $741-million for state residents

For a family of 7 (Gov. Palin has 7 members in her family) that means an additional $22,400.00 in income sent from the state of Alaska. WOW, who needs a job! Back to the trailer, Billy Bob!

That's a fancy way of describing wealth redistribution, i.e., downright communism. And that is real change we can believe in. Will she do the same for the Lower 49 states?

Well, in my state I want to know why Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn't got those big fact checks from the oil companies for every citizen of California. What's wrong with him? Common Arnie, get us on that gravy train, too.

So if Obama is a socialist, what is Palin and why isn't anyone pointing out that her behaviour in Alaska is pure communism.

There have not been very many mainstream interviews that were balanced. This may be one.

It seems to me that when we have a candidate for president who might not meet the requirements to deliver the US mail, or work for the FBI, the media should be investigating it instead
of claiming dirty politics

It's easy to attack someone else (who just wants people to pay taxes, not really socialist at all) as socialist when the RNC is picking up over $20,000 per WEEK (PER WEEK) in clothing and accessory purchases for you and your family. Yah, you're not a hypocrite.

Will someone please ask her how she plans to pay the taxes on that when she already owes back taxes (y'know those things that pay for our huge military, roads, buildings, etc., kind of crucial things).

People need to wake up. Obama is not talking about taking Joe the Plumbers money and giving it to people without jobs. That is ridiculous and untrue. He is talking about Mega rich people who are raking in obscene profits while paying their workers minimum wage. If they complain too loud about the low wages, they look for workers in India or China to do the work so they can make even higher profit.

Think about the Walmart hiers making billions a year while their workers can't pay rent. Think about mortgage and finance CEO's with paychecks of 487 million over three years while they rape homeowners. Think about Oil execs making 500 billion a year in profit while they bleed America dry.

Wake up people. These mega rich 1-5% don't let ANYTHING trickle down. They rape the American worker for everything they can and they DON'T PAY TAXES! They write off losses, find every loophole and then have folks like McCain subsidize them. AND YES ... paying taxes is patriotic!! It is how we fund America. The problem is that the middle class carries the burden while the mega-rich carry off the rewards.

David,
What is YOUR definition of socialism?
I don't think Obama is running as a "pure" socialist, but there is no doubt that he has consistently leaned in that direction (for at least thirty years) and "spreading the wealth around" is definitely a pillar of socialist theory. The country is already drifting from free-market ideas toward socialism; Obama would just speed up the process a little more than McCain.
So please don't sound so shocked :)
Thanks,
John Hallowell
Burnet, Texas

Z,

I completely appreciate your comments. I was feeling the same way as I watched the interview. I only hope that Griffin was under a stricture that he could not ask followup questions.

He tossed her softballs, and she hit base hits, because there was nobody playing defense. At least if he threw fastballs down the middle, she could have had a shot at a home run (or a strikeout, of course)

Terry

Folks, Joe the Plumber does not exist. That so called middle class, hard working, unlicensed plumber has nothing to offer either campaign. McCain & Palin are nothing but smear mongers with no real answers to todays problems facing the USA & the world. At least Obama is putting his ideas on the line for everyone to agree or disagree. Why has no one challenged McCain on Social Security? Boomers should be up in arms with what he wants to do with that most needed program. As far as Palin goes, she is the 0 in zero. She offers nothing to her party or to the country. She is getting her 15 minutes of fame and then she can go back to Alaska. We here in the south call her the "Baked Alaskan". Nice to look at but don't let her speak because she cannot offer anything helpful.

David Zurawik wrote: "...she was still trafficking in Joe-McCarthy-like smears against Barack Obama..."

I fully support every American's rights to like or dislike candidates and to speak their opinions openly. What I don't get is how nobody in the media or on the left seems the least bit concerned with doing a background fact-check on their candidate.

The media spent how long in Alaska trying to dig up dirt on Gov. Palin? And when asked to produce his documents including birth, doctor's report and college records, did Sen. McCain bat an eye? Even ol "Joe the Senator" has his record hanging out for all the world to see, including the ones that disqualified him from office in '88.

But you question Obama and your character gets assasinated and people wear shirts in public that proclaim you're a c**t.

I personally believe Sen. Obama planned from the beginning to ignore requests for his records for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it gets people speculating about his past and then he can whine about what a victim he is of racism and prejudice. It's a clever ploy, for all its devisiveness.

If there were any better candidate on the ticket for POTUS than McCain I would gladly switch my vote. But I can't in good conscience vote to put my country into the hands of a person who exhibits socialistic and communistic character traits and who refuses to be vetted at least as thoroughly as I was vetted for an executive position.

Z... you're getting plastered by the Red Team on this one.

But the truth is that you're right about the interview. The CNN guy should try out as a pitcher for the local softball league. Surely, CNN could have paired Palin with a real journalist who knows how to ask real questions. Indeed, this was not one of their finer moments.

Stop making comments about the "liberal media." You have no idea what you're talking about. This article is just an account of the actual interview, I watched it. And don't forget that the liberal media you keep bashing is in fact all the TV, movies, and music that you devour. New York and LA create everything you eat up on TV, in the theaters, and all the advertising that drives you to buy your trucks and go to McDonalds. All created by liberal Democrats in the cities that are not only most at risk for terrorist attacks, but most at risk because of these crazy fundamentalist Christian Republicans. Get over the damn liberal media stuff...it's easy to call something liberal when you're conservative I guess...

Joe McCarthy with long hair and a smile is Sarah Palin. And some of us thought that era was finished as it should be. Palin is a master at deflection and the non-answer, both are attributes I don't want in a VP or governor, or homeowners association president. Glad I voted early.

I disagree with you scooter. Griffin did take it easy on her. I say this for one main reason. He did not demand an answer to the socialist question. He let her get slide by. In revelance, if Palin, "doesnt like to toot her own horn." then why did she do it?

I disagree with you scooter. Griffin did take it easy on her. I say this for one main reason. He did not demand an answer to the socialist question. He let her get slide by. In revelance, if Palin, "doesnt like to toot her own horn." then why did she do it?

I'm a Democrat who 1) has stopped watching CNN as it is not as they claim to be the best political team on television - but rather the most biased political team on television. Same as NBC and MSNBC.. I can't even watch Chris Matthews any longer and I was a major viewer of his work. Governor Palin is right... Senator Biden gets a free pass right and left by media outlets working overtime to manipulate Americans into voting for Senator Obama. I'm a Democrat voting for McCain and Palin becayse they aren't involved with voter fraud which the CNN, NBC and MSNBC media is isubstantially ignoring.

Left Wing Liberal writers are hurting this country.

What a biased commentary. Your commentary was purely one-sided. CNN has always been an "OBAMAMANIACS" as long as money keeps coming on them.

Don't let these ne'er-do-wells spoil your day.

Anything even marginally critical of McCain-Palin is termed "LIBERAL".

Fact is: At this point people don't care about liberal or conservative. Even socialist's use as a buzz-word is wearing off its luster. Americans want real solutions... Not partisan whining.

Wow, republicans really are pansies... of course anybody that doesn't let Palin slide is a liberal. I guess to them Fox news is what all media outlets should be like. You stole the elections in 2004 and f'ed everything up since, all culminating in the Republicans giving all their rich friends 700 billion of our hard earned money. Barack wants to give less money to the poor and he's a socialist. Nice...

The comments posted here, especially Scooter's, seem to indicate that people prefer their "journalism" to be akin to reading press releases. Why do we need the press, then? How does one conduct an "unbiased" interview? Interviews are supposed to test people's integrity, character and factual honesty. Interviewers are supposed to bring all of that out through respectful but challenging dialog. See William F. Buckley, Dick Cavett, et al. We should be skeptical of all information and consider its source and its context. It is both lazy and vacuous to assume that the "media" should be so "neutral" as to be completely disengaged from the substance of what they are "reporting."

Sarah got away with one. That person doing the interview was a bofoon. He did not know how to ask questions and he did not get answers to any of the questions he asked. He allowed Sarah to talk and talk as if she was suffering excessive evacuation of watery feces of the mouth.

ISSUES are different than opinions and personal attacks... at least that is what MOST Americans have figured out! The power hungry wing of the Republican Party has given new meanings to words such as Liberal and Socialism. And just stop it with the liberal media bullcrap! The party is over and I am over the republican party. I am so sick of watching my party use smears, lies and fear mongering to get votes. What happened to our good ideas... what happend to our belief in TRUE fairness and ideas. Those days are gone from the republican party and so am I! Scooter, its comments like yours that have brought this country down to the point its at. I agree with David, it is totally unfair to sit there and allow someone to bash and attack a candidate and give them free air time for it. McCain/Palin have no plan... I am sorry I ever voted for McCain in the primary!

Oh..by the way. It's ok to say that Obama has socialists policies. Remember, just like being a Muslim doesnt mean you are a terrorist but is being missused to portray Muslims overall in a bad light. There are millions of people who want this to be a socialist country and they shouldn't be deamonized for their beliefs. Z, by saying that Palin is using Joe McCarty attacks, you are also guilty of deamonizing anyone that believes socialism is the way to go.

z,
your job is to write about business, culture, and the craziness of television. that does NOT include politics. stick to your job description. this article was horrible.

About time that CNN gave a republican a chance to give their side. Couric is a liberal biased joke of a reporter, so why give her any credit? The Communist News Network, I mean, Clinton News Network finally gave a truthful view from the right. Maybe they are realizing their viewership prefers FOX news for a reason that they are fair and balanced.

The media is intentionally diverting our attention from the point. The point has nothing to do with whether or not Joe has a license and owes taxes. The point is Obama said what he said and he meant what he said.

That question could have been asked by me who has no intention of owning a business. Obama said what he said and he meant what he said.

Why doesn't the media adequately deal with Obama's answer? Instead, they seek to somehow discredit the guy who asked the question. You can't discredit the question. It was asked and answered.

Last Sunday was the first time in 67 yrs that I was truely sad to be American. I saw a man that I reveered, Gen Collin Powell, embrace socialism when he endorsed Sen Obama. Gen Powell had spent his life as a military man defending democracy and now he is against what our nation stands for.. I am sad that he has chosen the low road when he took a cheap shot at Ms Palin, LTC USA Retired

I was disappointed with the lack of tough follow up questions, then I wondered if Palin's people had made that a requirement of the interview. I also wondered if CNN had decided to let her ramble on, and then to have some post interview analysis. To give her enough rope, to let her 'hang herself.' The sad part is that there are obviously so many people (as demonstrated by your posted comments) who don't understand how sleezy her whole approach is. Some call her 'stupid', I hope that's the case, I think she's just very adept at political smears....says it all with an 'aw shuks' smile.....it's just sleeze. She's an embarassment to women everywhere.....there's no shortage of intelligent, thoughtful, classy women that could have added strength to the GOP ticket....It is clearly a reflection on McCain, that his choice of VP shows none of these qualities.

Why can't we media, as the responsible 'Fourth Estate', take a stand against a delusional extremist like Palin who, if she comes to power, will create havoc not only in America but in the rest of the world, too?

As a lifelong Republican I am amazed at the lemmings in the party that are just following Palin off the cliff. I have heard nor seen nothing of substance from this Governor. Barrack Obama is inexperienced, but at least his party nominated him. Palin was shoved down our throats by McCain. I would rather vote for Tina Fey.

I cannot believe the American people have lost their way.
Not only are the tenents of the Socialist party in the Obama campaign,but his friend Bill Ayers and he himself are Marists. Does no one in this country know that the steps have been taken in this country by these Dems to open the door to a government not by the people and for the people but for the ruling few. That is the tenent of
the progressives.
I believe Sarah Palin is the only breath of fresh air for the true American way of life.Thanks for one andonly one fair interview on CNN.

"the plumber without a plumbing license who doesn’t pay taxes and has suddenly become an expert on socialism."

I only happened on your column by accident, but your liberal politics certainly are showing. It's so funny how Joe is getting attacked by the left-leaning media because they don't like his message.

I would sooner trust Joe's views on socialist tendencies in a political candidate rather than, say, a TV critic's.

I cannot believe the American people have lost their way.
Not only are the tenents of the Socialist party in the Obama campaign,but his friend Bill Ayers and he himself are Marists. Does no one in this country know that the steps have been taken in this country by these Dems to open the door to a government not by the people and for the people but for the ruling few. That is the tenent of
the progressives.
I believe Sarah Palin is the only breath of fresh air for the true American way of life.Thanks for one andonly one fair interview on CNN.

I think it's becoming more and more obvious every day that "Joe the Plumber" was planted by the GOP to give McCain/Palin a false avenue into Obama's tax plan.

Boohoo, 1 time CNN doesn't have a liberal bias and you freak. I guess you wanted them to make fun of Palin or her kids.. maybe make incest jokes about her like Saturday Night Live did.

Your political leaning is really hard to figure. Joe is right. Obama is either a socialist or a fictional character living in Sherwood Forrest. Either way he plans to steal from the rich and give to the poor, who are eager to take from those evil bastards. Beware oh poor ones, you may strive someday to become rich, but then it will be your money Obama is taking

Z,

Wow, Yes Palin got to talk. Just like Biden and Obama do. Sounds fair to me. Now if Biden and Obama got hard hitting interviews then you would have a point. Bad article. "Joe-McCarthy-like smears"! That's just wrong. I see Palin hinting at Sosialism not claims that there are large numbers of Communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers inside the federal government and elsewhere. Get in the middle man! The far left and far right are not good for this country as a whole.

Dave

Great to malign candidates to influence those undecided but serve little purpose in discussing your positions on anything. Where are you coming from on the things that cocerrn people most. Character assasination gets a little stale if that is all you talk about.Who are you and what do stand for is more important.

"CNN has done exemplary campaign reporting since December, better than any other news division on TV at times, but this interview was not one of its better moments."
WHAT KIND OF WACKY TOBACCY ARE YOU SMOKIN? I WOULD LIKE SOME OF THAT.

"which was the bigger disappointment: the fact that she was still trafficking in Joe-McCarthy-like smears against Barack Obama, or the fact that correspondent Drew Griffin mainly let her get away with it."

First of all JA (I will let you figure out what the acronym stands for) - the TRUTH is not a smear. From Obama's own words he is defined as a socialist (spread the wealth around) , and the truth is plain about Ayers. In what Stalinist country is a host supposed to CONTROL the speech of a presidential running mate to YOUR liking? Would the negative of Obama be controlled in such a way as you propose?

OF COURSE OBAMMA IS A SOCIALIST IF NOT AN OUTRIGHT COMMUNIST. BUT YOU ARE SOCIALISTS AND SHOW IT IN ALL YOUR ADITORIALS ON THE ECONOMY. WHY DO YOU PICK APART THE RANDOM COMMENTS OF PALIN WHEN YOU UNLOAD YOUR HATE GARBAGE WITHOUT IMPUNITY. -DR B G DRAKE

Crybaby soreloser Republicans wouldn't know good journalism if it hit them in the head (which it would for various reasons: it might be only way they may learn anything, but mostly they deserve to be hit in the head this time. Viral hateful idiotic accusations are dangerous, they are inciting their remaining moronic hateful disgusting moronic thoughless pintless abtuse and ridiculous supporters)

Grow up and read a book and learn something morons. Without taxes we all colapse, tehre is n otherw ay to pay for roads, for anything. You people are like baby chickens, you can't think for yourselves and keep regurgitatiing concepts you never even knew existed a week before. Look in a mirror, bozos, pay attention to your pointless drivel.

IT,S like two groups fighting over control of the TITANIC, and the people in the life boats are choosing sides, I for one will be so happy NOV 4, when this DOG AND PONY show ends.

The difference between Palin and Biden interviews is that Joe Biden sticks to the issues. So, the interviewer doesn't have to waste his or her time keeping him on the issues. Sarah Palin, on the other hand, can't answer the hard questions that a vice presidential candidate should be able to answer. So, she tries to veer the interview into her neck of the woods, negative slander. Now, when an interviewer tries to keep Palin to the issues, the journalist isn't "treating" her right. Remember people, this woman chose to be a candidate for Vice President of our great country, I think they should have her feet in the fire!

You guys are killing me making JTP out to be a victim. You (and he) don't seem to be able to take responsibility for your own actions.

Does anyone ponder what happens to tv advertising rates & viewership when elections are close, vs. when there is a significant spread in the polling? If there is, then doesn't that mean there is a profit motive for the 24 hour news news networks to present the race as being as close to a tie as possible?

Just wondering...

Seriously David,
Get another line of work. I hear there will be a huge need for farm harvesting next season. I liked an evenly balanced interview, for once, without a biased interviewer purposely steering an interview to the negative answers they hope to hear.

A fun fact for people who write blog comments, the moment the words "liberal media" show up in your writing, I stop reading there. Please stop trying to pigeon hole an entire industry in two words, no one is buying it.

Palin was allowed to launch into a long talking point about how Obama’s statement about “redistributing the wealth” is the very definition of socialism. At least, it’s the definition according to Joe the Plumber, the plumber without a plumbing license who doesn’t pay taxes and has suddenly become an expert on socialism.
It's also the definition of socialism according to some other folks.....like Karl Marx.

I regret that Tim Russert had to miss the opportunity to interview the scariest candidate every to enter a race. He would have been the only one with the guts and intelligence to truly expose her complete ignorance. He was the most passionate reporter to ever cover politics and could not be intimidated. Regretfully I see no one of that caliber left to make the candidates truly accountable.

Z - good article. Don't listen to the McCainiacs. God forbid anyone asks Sarah Palin to do anything other than recite a speech; if they ever do something like that, it's time to get out the torches and pitchforks, 'cause that's some evil liberal media shenanigans right there!

As everyone knows, no one in the media is ever hard on Barack Obama, ever. That's why the New York Times has run about a hundred thousand articles talking about Bill Ayers and none talking about McCain being "old friends" with G. Gordon Liddy, the crazy man of Watergate fame who has a radio show where he's talked about killing federal agents.

And god forbid anyone mention that Sarah Palin is marginally more attractive, but no more intelligent than your average sea monkey. If she didn't have the ability to memorize speeches, she wouldn't have anything.

The point is, commenter Scooter: You're right. The media isn't doing its job at all. The media never talks about all the dirt on John McCain because Barack Obama's campaign isn't so desperate that they need to change the subject from the issues, like McCain has. Too bad for McCain that Americans now care about shallow things like fixing the economy rather than obviously much more meaningful name-calling and fear tactics.

I would have not given CNN the opportunity to interview Sarah after the bias reports and slams they have given her and the fact they only have praise for Obama & Biden. It is only because she is a wonderful American and the best possible choice that McCain could have picked. She will make a great Vice president in the McCain presidency.

Good article - if a reporter isn't going to press on when flaws of logic appear, then they shouldn't be called reporters. I don't want "talking points," I want truth, and the sooner politicians learn this, the sooner we can have real discourse in this country.

Do you think 9/11 would have happened if our US Foreign Policy had been more morally balanced towards the state of Israel?

Liberal media, LEAVE SARAH ALONE!!!

Palin is total socialist accusing another person of being socialist.

I am so tired of hearing Neocons repeat the myth of the "Liberal Media". When there is a legion of ditto head morons repeating the same lies they learned from Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, etc etc etc who are *all in the media* it just makes them look even more willfully ignorant and desperate.

Where are the hard questions about the Alaskan Independence Party and Palin's irrefutable ties to it? They only want to *separate from the US*!!!

Where are the hard questions about McCain's unrepentant friendship with Gordon Liddy, domestic terrorist who told his listeners in 1994 to *kill federal agents*?!

Where are the hard questions about Palin being found to have *abused her power* in Alaska? She flagrantly *lied*, saying that she was exonerated when the opposite is demonstrably true. When is she getting called on that?!

"Liberal Media" my ass.

YOU ARE A TRUE BAG OF WIND. HOW CAN YOU PICK PALIN'S RANDOM COMMENTS APART AND SPEW YOUR SOCIALISTIC-SARCASM IN A STREAM OF POISON? -DR B G DRAKE

Hi Sarah
FYI
An interview is a conversation between two or more people (the interviewer and the interviewee) where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.

Um perhaps to many Americans it does sound like socialism...

Er, Obama, in his own words, by his own autobiography, by his own admission that Sol Alinsky is his greatest influence, by his entire professional and personal life, including his voting record has proclaimed himself a socialist. Our economic system is not pure capitalism and the clean-up we're now paying big bucks for was CREATED by government regulation (To Banks from Uncle Sam: make loans a 10 year old wouldn't make). Obama was smack-dab in the middle of the mess both before he became a US Senator and afterward as one of the fat cats feeding at the trough.

So get out your Webster's and look up the definition of socialist. Obama IS a socialist.

And you'd better read what Biden said. The part the scares the bejeesus out of me is the "gird your loins--what we're going to do is right but won't be apparent at first." Huh?

Actually, it's a stitch that you people continue to belittle Governor Palin, but don't pay ANY attention to Biden, who I'm beginning to think isn't working with a full six-pack. Television and FDR in 1929? A French-American war against Hizbolla? (I must have been in a coma and missed it) A restaurant that hadn't been there for 20 years? JOBS has 3--count 'em--3 letters....and the list goes on and on and on.

How DO you sleep at night or look yourself in mirror? There is no 5th estate. The whole bloody lot of you work for the 4th estate.

" in Joe-McCarthy-like smears "

Can anyone on the left - like the supposedly "impartial media " (GAG) - please explain why a STATEMENT of FACT is a SMEAR or negative campaigning.
If the "press" was doing it's job then the Republican campaign wouldn't have to point out STUPID, DANGEROUS, RADICAL, TERRORIST, SOCIALIST policies or the Democrats "gaffs" (again gag).

How about pointing out that you all would bend over backwards to insults R and defend Dems. The Democratic approach is DIVERT and DEFLECT - Divert attention and DEFLECT BLAME.

EVEN CNN's Drew Griffin (apparently "accidently") ADMITTED their bias

"mainly let her get away with it" PUH-LEASE.

As a voter who was thrown down a flight of stairs and beaten when trying to VOTE - I take offense at the LIES and Defense of the FRAUDs who support the people who BEAT ME!

I think at this point the only thing besides a free ride (such as Griffin gave to Palin) that might help the McCain camp is yet another round of stolen elections. Remember, it's not who votes that counts, but who counts (and discounts) the votes. Unfortunately the race is close enough currently that the enormous volume of disenfranchised voters could tip the balance once again to the greedy "privatize the profits, socialize the losses", "spend-and-debt" Republicans.

I agree with David. Drew Griffin let Palin get away with telling complete falsehoods and they were presented to a wide audience. That interview was not up to CNN's standards. I would feel the same way if he had done that with Obama or Biden on the other side. But it is clear that the falsehoods are almost entirely coming from the Republican side this year. Very sad scenario as far as the state of our country goes. The more information that comes out about the Palins and even about the character and priorities of Joe the plumber the more disturbing it is given the serious matters facing the world today

So you think we haven't been treated to all the facts about Obama's background. Not likely since it's been the most explored of any candidate this century. But how about McCain's background?
It seems that John McCain stole a page from old Joe McCarthy: reducing his campaign to lies, half-truths, innuendos, gossip. Well in Wisconsin we know the dirt such demagogues hide about themselves and their pals.

Old John, for example, hasn’t been honest about his friendship with felon and terrorist G. Gordon Liddy. McCain, on Liddy’s radio show a year ago. puffed “It’s always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon. Congratulations on your … adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great.”

Liddy orchestrated the Watergate break-in of Democratic Party headquarters and planned assassinations plus bombings to reelect President Nixon. He did four years in prison. Recently he encouraged a cult to kill federal officers. This domestic terrorist contributed $5,000 to McCain’s campaigns and in 1998 hosted a fund raiser for old John. (Huffington 5/5/08)

How about old John’s close relationship with convicted felon Jim Hensley? Hensley did time in prison for falsifying liquor records. He was prosecuted a few years later on the same charge. Hensley was the father of the rich woman McCain married. Hensley, like McCain, abandoned his poor first wife and child but McCain called Hensley a role model during a Katy Couric interview 8/23/08.

Then there’s old John’s censure by the Senate for “bad judgment” for helping orchestrate Savings and Loan frauds of Charles Keating Jr. that cost taxpayers $3 billion. John had to pony up what Keating and allies contributed to McCain, $112,000, and $13,433 for illegal trips on Keating’s jet. (WNBC 10/09/08) Keating went to prison.

At the recent rally in Wisconsin old John played loose with facts when he told the crowd that Sarah Palin had sold the Alaska state jet on eBay and then yelled, “And she sold it for a profit.” Palin did put it on eBay, where it sat unsold. Finally a broker sold it for 20% less than it was worth. (Newsday, 10/12/08) Isn’t this the same fib she told the Republican Convention?

Old “Tail Gunner Joe” McCarthy would be proud of McCainism.

I think Griffin was just giving Sarah Palin rope to hang herself with. She says dumb things, contradicts herself all over the place, and just generally makes a fool out of herself and the McCain campaign. Please keep letting her talk it's great for the Obama campaign!

Oh and Joe the Plumber can jump off a bridge I don't feel sorry for him in the least. He brought himself into the public eye and now he's being scrutinized and as it turns out he is not an average Joe. Average Joes pay their taxes. I have a feeling it will come out soon that the McCain campaign paid this man off to try to win favor to their side. Another hasty decision by your campaign John McCain. You're looking like a bigger fool every day.

Obama/Biden 2008!!!

Hmm, it appears that some previous posters are die-hard republicans. Pity, really. The GOP will eventually be marginalized by its behavior these last 8 years, unless it mends its ways and rejoins humanity.

When will Palin be apologizing for calling American working people a bunch of drunks?

Wow David, I wonder what way you lean. Pretty sad.

McCain-Palin - the successors to Joe McCarthy. Welcome again to the McCarthy-style witch-hunts.

Joe the plumber is in no position to buy any company. He has no contractors license to operate a business and owes back taxes. It's great to want to be your own boss , but Joe is not even close to becoming a business owner. So why would he be concerned about Obama's plan to raise other peoples taxes, Joe would clearly receive a tax break under Obama's tax plan. What a joke ! If Joe is mad , it's because he has failed to live up to his dreams , this is clearly not Obama's fault.

Sounds to me like it is okay for Obama to say things about McCain and Palin yet they aren't allowed to say anything about Obama unless it is praise! I find this quite ridiculous.
Each candidate has the right to campaign so get over yourself and let us The People decide and you stop trying to tell us what to believe. I find it appalling that when someone speaks out against Obama their character is assassinated by the media and Obamas camp... Talk about taking away our freedom of speech.. using intimidation tactics does just that... don't speak out against our "chosen one" or we will character assassinate you! I would be worried if I was you who we put in the White house. I see at lot of our freedoms slipping away, jobs going over seas, socialism taking control, and our world security being compromised.

During the oil crisis of 2007, Palin fought to raise taxes on oil companies. As fuel prices skyrocketed in the lower 49 states, Palin complained that her state wasn't getting its share of the windfall. She successfully pushed for a law that raised taxes on oil profits. The increase amounted to an estimated $1.6-billion annually more for the state: double the amount it received the year before. Then she gave the money to the people.

It’s true: we've already checked her claim that she sent "a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska."

On Aug. 7, 2008, the Alaska Legislature approved a measure she promoted. The administration of Alaska's governor Sarah Palin now gives $1,200 to every single Alaskan. This comes to about $741-million for state residents. In addition, each resident will receive an annual dividend of $2,000 from an oil-wealth savings account. That comes to about $741-million for state residents

For a family of 7 (Gov. Palin has 7 members in her family) that means an additional $22,400.00 in income sent from the state of Alaska. WOW, who needs a job! Back to the trailer, Billy Bob!

That's a fancy way of describing wealth redistribution, i.e., downright communism. And that is real change we can believe in. Will she do the same for the Lower 49 states?

Well, in my state I want to know why Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn't got those big fact checks from the oil companies for every citizen of California. What's wrong with him? Common Arnie, get us on that gravy train, too.

It's difficult to tag any particular reason for what Sarah and John have done but this is it in a nutshell. (no pun intended) They say that they don't want to call someone this or that. They say they want to run a clean campaign. They say a lot of things that sound good. Then they "DO" something else entirely. Even Republicans have to agree that that is exactly what got us into this current mess. Bush says he's against terrorism and abortion and a lot of other things like not spending. Then makes more terrorists. Does nothing at all about abortion and acts like running up the national debt isn't spending. Yes, Mccain and Palin both have run their campaign the same way. You can bet that when they get in, IF they get in, they'll continue to do the same things Bush did.
If you need a litmus test.....ask yourself how much of McCains retoric is based on fear? Republicans respond very well to fear. They can be made to do almost anything if they are afraid of it, imaginary or real. Fear makes you do stupid things now. Fear, lots of fear. "Fear terrorists! Fear gays! Fear Blues! Fear blacks! Fear everything, and then let us take care of it for you. Trust us, we know what we're doing"
Republicans are very well conditioned to fear. They'll sell your country if it makes them feel safer. They'll sell you right along with it.

Go to hell Zurawik - you're a socialist and you know it.

why do people giv a flip what joe the plum ber thinks? he isn't an average joe. he makes more money than most people in america.fuck you people are stupid.

Don't listen to the obvious Palin fanclub members on the comments. I think your blog was well done. Palin does have a tendency to changes subjects when she is asked a question she doesn't have the answer to. I don't blame her, I blame the campaign advisors. They should have briefed(sp?) her better. She's not a stupid woman but I believe she is out of her league.

It is quite obvious that your good regard for CNN interviews suddenly changed and it is quite obvious that it was because your rigid negative perception of Sarah Palin did not fit what you saw in the CNN interview. Now, if Sarah Palin's interview were edited and made her to look like a fool, I'm sure you would have said that the interview was great.

no, the reason obama and biden don't get "jumped" on is because they actually answer the question instead of rambling off talking points or mouthing off their stump speech.

A different perspective for readers.

My husband and I were born to poverty on a rural Oklahoma farm, literally on a farm. Born ignorant and penniless, we have worked our fingers to the bone for decades to arrive at a position in life of comfortable wealth. We worked our way out of poverty to wealth, worked really hard.

Last fiscal year we paid a fifty-three percent tax rate, a combined personal income tax, capital gains tax and other taxes. More than half of our income is taken away by taxes, not including typical retail taxes. We estimate under an Obama administration, our tax liability will move up ten percent, to about a sixty-three percent tax rate. Under a McCain administration, our total tax rate will be significantly reduced.

High taxes, this annoys us. However, what really angers us is our family, including our daughter, will be carrying the weight of a majority of Americans upon our backs. Bad enough as is, but Obama will make this worse by taking away our hard earned money then giving our money to those who pay no taxes, to those who do not contribute as much to America, to those who do not work as hard as our family.

Obama will render our family a welfare agency, in fact. This is his plan.

Our family response, should Obama be elected, will be to cash out much of our stock market investments, cash out our real estate investments, cash out almost all our investment holdings. We will do this to lower and hopefully eliminate our tax exposure. Millions of other families, I am sure, will do the same. We will withdraw our family money from America.

Obama will prompt many to take actions which will lead to economic disaster for America.

Our family is extremely angry about this prospect of carrying the weight of Americans upon our backs which includes, most likely, you readers.

Our family was born to poverty. We worked our way out of poverty, on our own with no help from any nor our government. None of us have ever collected unemployment benefits, never have received food stamps nor received welfare. We have pride. We work hard. We carry our own weight as all people should.

Where is your pride? Why should our family have to carry your weight upon our backs?

Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation

Folks are still paying attention to "Dubya in a Dress"?

Wow - still haven't learned that ignorance (Bush, last 8 years) isn't a good idea in the Executive Branch.

Calling someone against the Patriot Act a socialist? Hmmm... red herring, I see a red herring! Wait no it's a wolf! How much more misinformed can you be?

If you think CNN is reporting a mid line you must have ear plugs in. Every one knows they are in the bag for Obama.
While his Wife orders 400$ room service Obama trashes Joe the Plumber because he told him the truth.What a world.

Why is it everytime I see discussions about the McCain/Palin campaign, I hear the same thing...

A whole lot about why Obama is such a bad man. The man is a US Senator, don't you think they would've figured out by now if he really was a terrorist?

If you have interview time on CNN, ABC, or MTV, I don't want to hear how bad your opponent is, the media digs all that up just fine on their own. I want to know what YOUR plan is, so that I can make my decision based on that.

Obama is willing to tell me the hard facts of his actions should he become president. He spends minimal time attacking McCain, and maximum time discussing the issues.
Yes, he's going to say things people don't want to hear, face it, the nation is deep trouble and its going to take some tough decisions and actions to fix it. That 2% of the population holding 95% of the wealth doesn't like that...

McCain will tell me the standard GOP rhetoric, how bad a person Obama is, and that spreading the wealth around is bad.

I don't make $250k per year (less than 1/3rd of that actually), yet I am in the exact same tax bracket as those who are... Why is that? Why is it that McCain who publicly makes MORE than $250k annually, pays LESS taxes than me?

I think we go a little too far criticising Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber for not defining socialism completely. Most encyclopedia definitions of socialism describe the definitions as being murky, even amongst the various flavors of socialists.

However, one thing cannot be disputed: The "spreading the wealth" concept of socialism is universal to all definitions. In this, Sarah and Joe are 100% correct.

Erm...when did it become a reporter's job to "rein a candidate in"?

David,

What is crazy about your article is that you are so worried about Palin getting her message out and that someone allows her to speak that you miss the biggest news of the campaign. Joe Biden says the world is going to test us if we elect the brilliant 47 year old senator. He is specifically stating that "mark his words" we are at greater risk with Obama as president. How about doing some actual journalism and focusing on the important points of the race not on how Gov. Palin frames the exceptional leftist direction that Sen. Obama is promising to take us.

It doesn't matter if Z is one-sided or not. What are the favorable points that ANY person can say about her as being fit for the office of vice-president? It annoys me that the republicans made a rash decision in choosing Palin just to try sway female voters, but in actuality she has no qualifications and the whole scheme has backfired. She gives terrible interviews, doesn't have a clue what she talking about even though I'm sure the campaign managers are stuffing her head full of scripted b.s. all day long. So should Z's blog go "Sarah Palin had a great skirt suit on during her interview and teemed over with a peepy zeal." No, he's reporting honestly. People sure didn't make as big a fuss railing on Dan Quayle, but I guess that['s different.

The interviewer was on the level of an 8th grade student. The lack of follow-up questions and the softball nature of the asked questions were a disgrace to all reporters.

I mean, call me crazy, but I'd have to guess that an unlicensed plumber is not the foremost expert on socialism and what it entails. That holds about as much credibility as Carl Marks saying, "Yea, it sounds like you've got a leak in your U pipe."

Are you people serious? This interviewer doesn't even question Palin's outrageous comment that Obama is socialist, though McCain has voted for government bailout of banks, the most socialist policy ever to be passed in our government?

Let's also ignore, just for one sweet moment, the fact that you quoted Simon freaking Cowell in your oh-so-cutting retort to the writer of this piece. You really want to make political commentary using the words of a judge from American Idol? Really!? Well done, you've managed to insult yourself while ostensibly insulting another.

If y'all expect interviews like this for your "republicans" then go watch Fox News.

Well-written article.

Hey Mr. Zurawik - looks like your current crop of commenters are big supportors of McCarthyesque witch hunts and other bunko-type issues.

Palin's myopic argumentative and critical thinking skills are on par with a small town mayor, not Leader of the Free World.

Heavens to betsy someone on the internet with an opinion. Definately tone it down though, i mean this is borderline treason...

These conservative blogs only go to demonstrate that conservatives just love to be the "underdog" in terms of the media. Not quite as true as they would have everyone believe. Just look what the media did to the Clinton's ( I'm sure this will even be denied). Conservatives almost never acknowledge the actions of their candidates as ever being faulty or misdirected. Just listen to some of the ridiculous radio media that is much more prevalent than any liberal presence.

If you are a republican, you are virtually the final word in purity, integrity and obviously outstanding judgment. Their distortions of fact, like the democrats also engage in admittedly, tend to be much more underhanded and dogmatic. I guess that is the result of being connected to the wealthy power brokers in this country who want to continue their dominating practices over the masses on whose backs they have made billions. An aside here, doesn't it scare everyone that the gaps between the wealthy and the middle class, not to speak of the "poor", is increasing alarmingly? Our leaders in this country should read some history regarding the foundations of revolutionary sentiments and actions. People who are intelligent, imaginative, daring and motivated have an absolute right to making lots of money, However, not the right to dictate to to our leaders on how to run the country, which usually ends up favoring their interests. But being a democrat is nothing more than a step away from Armageddon according to many/most conservatives. All this just demonstrates that most people (republicans as well as democrats) hear only what they want which supports their preconceived beliefs and opinions, mine included. Maybe the real truth lies in the "middle" somewhere.Perceiving the opposition party as totally misdirected is certainly not the intelligent or honest course.

You're exactly right, Mr. Zurawik. So called liberal media may be soft on Obama sometimes, but they ask tough questions other times. This interview was one of very few that Palin has been willing to attend though, so CNN just missed a chance to nail her down on issues instead of just letting her provide her memorized talking points. They probably won't get that chance again.

Really?? Everyone who disagrees with a republican OR JUST ASKS QUESTIONS which a Vice Presidential nominee should know is a biased liberal, a terrorist or a socialist.

This is why we are losing the election.

You really want someone - ANYONE OF ANY PARTY- who can't answer simple questions about the government process, the supreme court, or even name a newspaper to be in that office? The reason Biden, Obama, and McCain get more respect is because they can answer the questions that are asked of them - with valuable statements.

Palin should continue to be pressed harder because if she wants this role, SHE needs to prove she is qualified for it which to date she has not done. All she has done is name call and talk out of her ass. It has been an embarassment.

"Share the Wealth":

Like it or not, THAT is the socialist motto. You cannot deny that. Why do liberals try to peel off the "socialist" label? My guess is, they know it is NOT a good system as they continue efforts to sell it anyway.

Since Palin does not even seem to know what the powers of the VP are, I doubt, if asked she would know what a
socialist is anyway. The GOP in the most 'irresponsible' manner in the past weeks has attempted to throw out every 'devil term' they could attach to Obama.
Fortunately most of the public 'gets it' and is not buying it!
I fear for the mob, the great uninformed that they are playing to. This is not unity, it is dangerous. McCain has sold out and lowered himself to the least common denominator.

If I hear one more rant about the liberal media...What a joke. CNN talks about Ayers 30 times a day, but this reporter couldn't even quiz Palin on her and the "first dude's" proven ties to the secessionists, who preach the violent overthrow of the U.S. He didn't challenge her on anything. Being a journalist didn't used to mean being a stenographer. There used to be a search for the truth. Remember Watergate. Now they have the truth--an incredibly hot story about the possible future president of the U.S.'s connection to domestic terrorists--but nobody talks about it? Can you imagine if it were the other way around?

Wouldn't it have been great if Griffin asked a question like, "do you know what a socialist is"?

Executive experience! Being Governor of Alaska is like being the person in charge of free treats at the chocolate factory, deciding how to pass out the oil revenue.

Scooter and Heidi hit the nail on the head. Im sure someone's head will roll at the Commie News Network for letting an interview get past without a liberal bias.

Looks like you are picking up the slack there. Don't worry, I am sure they will have Obama on in a few days to ask him what kind of donuts he likes.

It's ok. It's too late. Everyone in the world knows Sarah is a stupid community college educated not so good looking former beuty queen who won't be able to win a middle school class president election after this is over. Why do you think SNL keeps using her? She's pure comedy! Nobody but very VERY VERY strong supporters of her and MCjoke's ticket even listen to her.

It's interesting that the federal government can essentially nationalize the banks without any mention of the word "socialism". When Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, or any other world leader who criticizes U.S. policies nationalizes an industry, they are attacked as socialist dictators. When our government does it (at the taxpayers' expense), it is considered "patriotic".

For all of the criticism of Obama's proposed tax plan, no one has mentioned the cost to taxpayers of funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, or of tax cuts for oil companies (couldn't their record profits help offset the cost of buying the banks, or the burden on our wallets of buying $3-4 gallons of gas?).

It's ok. It's too late. Everyone in the world knows Sarah is a stupid community college educated not so good looking former beuty queen who won't be able to win a middle school class president election after this is over. Why do you think SNL keeps using her? She's pure comedy! Nobody but very VERY VERY strong supporters of her and MCjoke's ticket even listen to her.

It's about time CNN (DNC) conducts an interview with anyone on the other side of Obama without playing gotcha!

When I hear Campbell Brown say "No Bias No Bull" I want to throw up. CNN (other than Lou Dobbs) is so in the tank for Obama.

Z - You hit the nail on the head. But why should we be surprised with the tactics of Sarah Palin at this point? She doesn't have an understanding of the issues so she simply mouths memorized talking points. Basically, Sarah Palin is just a nicely dressed parrot... one that says rude things until she gets a cracker.

"At least, it’s the definition according to Joe the Plumber, the plumber without a plumbing license who doesn’t pay taxes and has suddenly become an expert on socialism."

David - take off your blinders and try to publish an honest, thoughtful article. First, why is it relevant if he has a plumbing license or not? Second, he does in fact pay taxes, he just happens to still owe back taxes like a lot of Americans out there. Third, he has never claimed to be an expert on socialism. Any intellectually honest person would agree that the tenants of BHO's tax pan align pretty well with those of Marxism.

Keep trying to discredit your average middle class blue collar American who asked a very simple question that you and other left wingers can't answer - why do you want to punish success by taking from one group and giving it to another (in this case, that group doesn't even pay taxes).

I find it ridiculous that Palin supporters are calling this an objective interview. Have you ever seen press conferences and interviews in England? Journalists let the politicians have it. They make them defend their position until they are sweating. Why do we expect such affirmative action soft ball from our own journalists. Have we become such a nation of whiners that none of us are ever supposed to be tested?

I am against affirmative action. I refuse to vote for McCain in November precisely *because* he chose a running mate that runs from the hard stuff and is always playing the victim card. This nation needs to get tough and have higher standards for ourselves, our children, and our elected officials.

I'm so sick and tired of hearing 'Joe the plumber' said this, 'Joe the plumber said that.

I have news for you, 'Joe the plumber is a dumb a$$.

If supporting a progressive tax code makes Obama a socialist, then Bush senior, Reagan, Nixon, Eisenhower...

were ALL socialists.

All presidents, both republican and democratic, have supported and pushed a progressive tax code over a flat tax for 80 years now.

ARE YOU SURE SARAH PALIN ISN'T A FULL TIME SNL PLAYER EVEN WHEN SHE'S NOT ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE????......WHY DIDN'T THEY FREE THE "ROSWELL 3 ALIENS" WHEN SHE WAS IN NEW MEXICO LAST WEEKEND, SO THEY COULD GRAB THEIR UFO AT AREA 51 ON THEIR WAY TO VEGAS, PICK UP THEIR LEADER, AND TAKE SARAH HOME TO THE PLANET SHE ARRIVED FROM---OFF TO PENTECOSTAL GALAXY FOR END OF DAYS AND SPEAKING IN TONGUES.....YOU BETCHA!!

This looks like a campaign video for McCain-Palin. I have never seen an interviewer pandering to an interviewee to this degree. Drew Griffin shows an incredible lack of experience, and maturity.

There was a time, long ago, when Americans could rely on journalists to provide the general population with the "news" sans opinion and bias. Your credibility is shot and so is that of each of your peers. The media is giving Congress and the President a run for their money on who is the most disappointing.

David - David - David

My issue is why did Palin have to bring up the topic on Biden's statement about Obama being tested within the first 6 months? Why is this article not about Obama's lack of experience that would invite such a testing? If his Vice President is addressing it why isn't the main stream media?

Why are you missing the point and not addressing the real issue brought out by Palin's interview?

By the way, David, are you already in Obama's camp so much that you twist words - you wrote "Obama possibly being tested" when Biden said "would be tested".

Are you or are you not trying to be objective when you write or are you just telling us your political opinion?

I can understand why people are voting for Obama. I can even understand why people support Palin (though I certainly don't). I just can't understand McCain's appeal. Maybe 8 years ago, but the guy has spent the last 6 years becoming a caricature of himself. Intemperate and inconsistent. I don't care how much experience he has, I don't trust him to use it wisely. I don't think the country can take 4 more years of Republican mis-management. Drag up whatever boogymen you want, I'm going with Obama and Biden. Oh yes, the interview, Griffin softballed it the whole way. Disgraceful. Palin wouldn't know socialism if it bit her in the ass. Good blog David.

Everyone has topics they will happily talk about, because they feel they flatter themselves. This are the messages for which advertising dollars are spent. The role of the media in interviewing a candidate should be to ask critical questions to give American viewers a circumspect view of policy, character, and judgment.
It seems that this interview served to do little more than provide a little free advertising. Challenging questions are precisely what we should be seeing in these interviews, even if someone cries foul because their favored candidate gets pinned down. Just because one candidate looks better on television doesn't mean that the other is being unfairly treated. Instead of blaming the media when the questions get tough, look to improving the candidate.

As Andry Rooney says, Have you ever noticed . . . ? This time the rest of that question is "Have you ever noticed that people who are unable to rebut an argument will, instead, attack the person who made it?" In other words, instead of saying, "I don't agree with you, and here are the reasons why," they rely on the grade-school-playground strategy of name-calling. "Oh, yeah? Well, your mom is ugly, fat, and stupid!" Q.E.D. And that, generally speaking, is the only card that conservatives have up their limp, poofy, empty sleeves. Now go back and see how many of the comments on Zurawik's article fall into that illogical, inconsistent, and intellectually empty category - otherwise known as the infamous "argumentum ad hominem." I'm just saying . . . .

Jay in Austin

Republican'ts are the liberals. Look at how they've handled our counties finances and Palin spends $150,000 of Donated money on her wardrobe...Please explain how this is being conservitive??? So when the repukes are pointing fingers at liberals they are really talking about their own short comings...

I'm a socially conservative independent, and have been one for 35 years. I don't vote party line, but according to the candidate's voting record, character, and who he cites as his friends and advisors.

@Scooter: "Liberal media" my arse. It's pathetic how the losing political party--whether democrat, republican, or independent-- will whine "foul" against the media, blaming IT on all their shortcomings, as if "The Media" was a homogeneous entity from outer space, intent on taking away our freedom of thought. The implication is that Americans are nothing more than a unruly flock of brain-dead sheep. Yes, some are; but I give the benefit of the doubt to the vast majority of our citizens.

What if it's _not_ the media which is to blame for giving Obama his current 8 point lead in the polls?

-Even if he does have the most liberal voting record in the Senate;
-Even if he is young (read, "inexperienced");
-Even if he is (gasp!!) a human with more melanin in his skin than a 'purebred' Caucasian.

Perhaps "That One" is looking more and more like our next president because the tens of millions of people who have heard him speak, read his books, and who have taken the time to read the issues at stake (like I have), see a refreshing, diametric change from the inarticulate, puppet buffoon who has held the Office through a campaign of fear and lies for the last 8 years.

What's more, I believe Obama is in the lead in part because the Grand Old Party has been complicit in enacting Federally authorized torture programs, continuing a disastrous economic agenda, instigating a war whose premise was based entirely on lies, and developing an extensive domestic wire-tapping program. All of which tends to turn all but the most Right Wing Republican off to a great degree. Most Americans find these political leanings towards a totalitarian state abhorrent.

In short, people are just very tired of all the lies we've been fed, and the more perceptive of us see a decided lack of guile in Senator Barack Obama.

I agree with you, Mr. Zurawik: it's obvious that this CNN segment wasn't an interview at all -- merely a chance for Palin to regurgitate her tired old bullet-points. Lord knows Palin wouldn't last 10 minutes under a real interview, even by a third grader (her definition of what a Vice President's duties are in response to a child's question scares the hell out of me).

Perhaps that's why the 4th Estate has never been allowed to conduct a press conference with her? And THIS is the person the Republican Party wants us to believe could be President? Jeeze Louise.

David Zurawik has done a good job of describing the watery Griffin interview. Palin is so vulnerable to any tough questioning that if an interviewer really were to push the obvious questions indicated by Palin's pathetic lack of knowledge about world affairs, her simplistic attempts to smear Obama, or her blatant lying about the Legislative report ... well the interviewer would appear to be a brute.

Griffin sat on his hands.
David pointed that out.
"Rightists" (Righteous? Albeit falsely) place blame on this supposed 'liberal media'
To your types, all media is liberal if it isn't Fox.

"Joe-McCarthy-like" ?!?!?!?!?
Talk about smears...You seem to be much better at it than Palin is.
Where's the "hard hitting interview" of John Lewis who compared the McCain/Palin campaign to George Wallace style politics? It's nowhere to be found in the liberal media. I am disgusted not only by the liberally biased "main-stream" media coverage of this campaign, but also by the spin and inuendo that accompanies any fair reporting or any piece that actually allows the candidate to expound at length. Let the viewers decide what to think about the content.

You should get a job as a plumber - In my opinion, you are not very good at this one!

WHY THE SURPRISE. CNN IS A PIMP, ALWAYS HAS BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE. SARA PALIN IS A JOKE AND THE REST OF THE FREE WORLD MUST BE LAUGHING THEIR ASS OFF THAT SENATOR MCCAIN SELECTED HER TO BE HIS RUNNING MATE.

AFTER VOTING REPUBLICAN FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS I WILL NOW VOTE FOR SENATOR OBAMA. THE REASON FOR THIS IS SARA PALIN, THE HOCKEY MOM, JOE SIX PACK, THE MOOSE KILLER AND ALL THE OTHER TITLES SHE HAS GIVEN HERSELF. THERE IS NO WAY I WANT THIS WOMAN TO BE A HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM THE PRESENDENCY. SENATOR McCAIN HAS SHOWN HIS TRUE DECISION MAKING ABILITY WHEN HE SELECTED HER TO BE HIS VP...MUST HAVE BEEN ANOTHER SENIOR MOMENT. I DON'T KNOW ANY JOE SIX PACK, MAN OR WOMAN, WHO CAN AFFORD TO SPEND $168,642 ON CLOTHES AND HAIRSTYLES IN LESS THEN 3 MONTHS. OH WAIT, IT WASN'T HER MONEY IT WAS OURS, THOSE OF US WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE RNC TO HELP SENATOR McCAIN. WHAT A JOKE HE, HIS CAMPAGN AND THE GRAND OLD PARTY HAVE BECOME.

I'm so exhausted by this "liberal media" nonsense. For weeks I had to listen to people blame liberal bias for Sarah Palin's woeful performance in her debates. "They're 'gotcha' questions!" Balderdash. Everything's a gotcha question when you don't know the answers.

I saw this interview - what I saw was a game of softball. Cute, opaque questions lobbed to a really crappy hitter.

You know what I'd like to see? I'd like to see a reporter - any reporter - ask questions that prevent a candidate from lapsing into talking-point echolalia.

The soccer mom in designer clothes who speaks vile untruths ... someone should have asked this interview question much earlier, WWJD?

David Z. - You seemed to strain to make the point that this is Sarah Palin's "first interview with CNN..." even though she has done several interviews with other outlets and engaged herself personally many times with the media.

Democratic veep candidate Joe Biden has yet to give a single news conference throughout the course of the entire campaign. That must be unprecedented in the modern age. How about hitting up on Botox Joe for a least a little media access?

Why are you personally attacking Joe Wurzelbacher? Yoo should hold yourself to higher standards. Does any person asking a candidate a simple question open themself up to being attacked by partisan TV critics? You should limit yourself to entertainment reporting, or go back to J-school and study objective journalism.

A simple muddle puddle tea time chat - no profound questions on issues nor statements.
KTN

Obama voted FOR Partial-Birth Abortion (the most barbaric "medical" procedure allowed under the law, and AGAINST the Federal Born Alive Infant Protection Act, which prevents babies that survive an abortion attempt from being killed or left to die. The dummiecrats and their media groupies would rather distract you from that with crap.

Dear OberZ -

I continue not o understand why seemingly inteeligent peolple cannot recognize theie own prejudices. I was for McCain ,b ut plan now on voting for Obama because of listening to boh sides and respecting their opinions. You, however, continue to dump on the one side with blinders well fixed. Will you review your comments six months from now and notice how terribly slanted and therefore boring they became. Oberman, Hannity, and Z -- all a waste of time!

Obama said it on national television: he wants to "redistribute the wealth". Anyother famous person in history said and did this: Karl Marx. If you don't know who he is, research and get some knowledge of communism and socialist. Obama is definitely a socialist, he had a communist mentor and their relationship was like "father/son". Read Obama's first book; he writes about this man, Frank Marshall Davis, a card carrying communist subservient to the Soviet Union; they visited in Hawaii. Obama attended socialist conferences. If he's not a socialist, than there is no air or water, it's that simple.

I find it pretty amazing that none of the biased media wants to show the answer that Griffin gave Palin in agreement with her statement of the media getting all over her if she made a statement like Biden. All the liberal , biased media, doesn't show Drew Griffin agreeing with Palin at the end of her statement.

I only ask of one thing... for candidates to be the LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY be AS intelligent but preferably MORE intelligent than I am. This woman is clearly an idiot. What's most appalling to me is the rather large percentage of my country that actually thinks she's just being "spunky"... she's a moron that more than likely suffers from a borderline personality disorder. It's a sad day here in the United States of America when someone like this woman even has an inkling of a chance of being OUR Vice President.
Can't we enact a law that requires all candidates for any position of power in our country to submit to an IQ test? Is that too much to ask? After all, I have to meet certain standards AND pass a drug screening to keep my crappy job.

-Just an average American oilfield worker.

I'm Barack Obama and I approve of this article...

Good comment Realist.
The liberal media will never say anythng good about Palin.
By the way, O'Bama is a socialist. His mentors growing up and his friends now prove it.

As a Libertarian, I'm no fan of McCain/Palin, however, I applaud her for calling Socialism exactly what it is. Why is it so difficult for far-leftists to be intellectually and politically honest as they use Socialist code such as "spread the wealth around"?

Zurawik call this conversation "Joe-McCarthy-like smears..."? I salute you for announcing you are part of the flaky far-left and clearly incapable of a modicum of balanced commentary. On your way home, buy a history book because your understanding of McCarthyism is inept.

The Coric and Gibson "interviews" again demonstrated the traditional media is biased. Palin was shanghaied in part because McCain's campaign is the most unskilled since Dukakis'. Frankly, I'm delighted she warns of more Socialism from one party rule in Washington. BTW, do McCain, Obama and Biden get patronizing looks and moronic questions from the media? Didn't think so.

The knucklehead VP candidate for the Dems borders the home state of you and me; how about you blog on his most recent foot-in-mouth. And why not write how paying more taxes is "patriotic". Before you do, why not come down here to Virginia and I'll take you to Monticello so you can read the writings of someone who knew a bit about patriotism? Thomas Jefferson warned us of hideous debt, intrusive government and Federalists taking away Liberty through wealth distribution taxation.

Can you imagine Obama sitting across from Jefferson, explaining how his economic plan, replete with income redistribution, is good America? Never mind...I'm sure you and your fellow leftists could.

Enough with Joe the Plummer and misinformation. Of course they are against raising capitol gains tax and taxing he top 10%. McCain has to protect his wife's enormous fortune; and, the fortunes of the Wall Street Fat Cats that Republicans protected during the last eight years. Historically it has been predominantly the middle classes who pay the most taxes. We have no high payed accountants nor investments to take advantage of complex tax shelter schemes that only is available to the wealthy classes. How is McCain going to pay for his proposed $300 billion tax bail out of the mortgages, and pay for the unnecessary war which is being paid for by the tax payers while the Iraqis are rolling in surplus ; and fix the infrastructure of this country, fix the health care mess? He has no workable plan, he is out of touch with the needs of the real people of this country. We can not afford more of the failed and tired 'trickle down' Bush/ Republican economics model. We must have change towards recovery. And, recovery will not be possible with the McCain/Palin team.

Wow. Do you have any idea how petty this article makes you look? All you're doing is attacking Palin and attacking Griffin for not attacking Palin. You're not even making any counter arguments, just mocking people. Of course Palin is going to take advantage of the time to present her qualifications and point out her competitors weaknesses, it would be ridiculous if she didn't.

I don't have the time or space here to write up a counter to all your bashes, so I'll focus on "the money moment". Personally, I think Obama is a moderate socialist. He received the endorsement of the Chicago branch of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for an Illinois state senate seat in 96, and his economic policies are clearly socialist leaning. He even campaigned for openly socialist Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

The definition of socialism from The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition:
"An economic system in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled substantially by the government rather than by private enterprise, and in which cooperation rather than competition guides economic activity. There are many varieties of socialism. Some socialists tolerate capitalism, as long as the government maintains the dominant influence over the economy; others insist on an abolition of private enterprise."

This blog entry is a perfect example of why The Sun is a liberal rag that is good for little other than its photography.

I am naturalize american citizen. I came from a Soccialist country and NO WAY NO HOW I will vote for a soccialist goverment!. It is proven it does not work

MCCAIN_PALIN

Stop making comments about the "liberal media." You have no idea what you're talking about. This article is just an account of the actual interview, I watched it. And don't forget that the liberal media you keep bashing is in fact all the TV, movies, and music that you devour. New York and LA create everything you eat up on TV, in the theaters, and all the advertising that drives you to buy your trucks and go to McDonalds. All created by liberal Democrats in the cities that are not only most at risk for terrorist attacks, but most at risk because of these crazy fundamentalist Christian Republicans. Get over the damn liberal media stuff...it's easy to call something liberal when you're conservative I guess...

It's not a smear to call Obama a socialist, he is. He defends himself by saying it's just tax policy, taking more from the have's and less from the have not's but that's not accurate. When those who do not pay taxes receive payment from the Government that IS redistribution of wealth and IS socialism.

Hey, if he is offended by Sarah Palin labeling him socialist you'd think he wouldn't hang around with guys like Bill Ayers, Frank Marshall Davis, Rev Wright, Father Flager and Dr. Khalid al Mansour. Birds of a feather Mr. Obama.

Spreading the wealth IS a socialist concept....which ultimately leads to sharing the poverty instead; but in the meantime, it buys votes. It is not a "new" economic plan. Just like a prostitute, your affections and liberal views have been bought by the advertising dollars from Obama's campaign. This election has been bought and paid for with money much if which is coming from the middle east.....It's simple, if we pull out of Iraq, either their government will fail after a civil war,or more than likely, it will become a puppet government for Iran, Hamas being funded by Iran, or Syria. If their government is not solid when we leave, there WILL be a fight for control (just as there is now), and yes, there are people in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Russia, and a whole lot of other countries that want control of Iraq.....including many different groups inside of Iraq. If we pull out the way Obama wants, some of the violence may stop in the short term, while terrorist, or terrorist governments like Iran take control of the Iraqi's government, their elections,
and their legislature. Iran, Syria, Russia, and a long list of other countries want us out of Iraq...and if Obama is elected, he is going to help them! We need to get out of Iraq when the government in Iraq is solid, but NOT before. There are a lot of countries that contributed to Obama being elected because they want control of Iraq when we leave....Of coarse, the Democrats with the help of the media will just say that we should not have been there in the first place instead of being responsible for the failing of Iraq and the death to Democracy in the Middle East.

David,

YOU & Obama are both socialist...!

Obama is quazi-communist, any dip stick with half a brain can look at his agenda, talking points, and theory on how the USA should be to see his true leanings!

Typical jack ass liberal... you know that America is RIGHT of center, so you have to cloak your ideals in smooth doubble talk just like Obama does!

Americans have fought and died for FREEDOM... not handouts and nanny governemt policy!

Idiots!

From all the political blogs I've read over the past weeks, it looks to me as if the vote will be split along IQ lines. Now if we could just figure out what the cumulative voter IQ is, we might be able to predict the outcome of the election.

Obama just pick up an very important endorsement an party that has never endorse a american president ever. the american communist party.shouldnt he be proud

You people up here are soo freaking dumb!!! John McCain might as well have chosen the checkout lady or door greeter at Wal-Mart. My neighborhood has more people than her so-called town that she was mayor of. Joe the plumber was a plant!!!! yes a plant. He doesn't even have a license and wouldn't get a business started anyways. he owes taxes. He peobably doesn't even know what socialism means. But if the american people are just that dumb to vote because of Joe, then what is the point of voting. I am a govt employee and I am an average american also, but Joe does not speak for me. Obama is not a muslim, get over it. He is an (actual) African-American. Attempted fear tactics all over again. Republicains never learn. OBAMA/BIDEN 08

The reason why it appears that Obama gets softballs compared to Palin is because Obama typically speaks rationally and uses reasoned arguments. What you are missing is the fact that both McCain and Palin constantly use straw man arguments fraught with gaps in logic and contradictions to affect a certain feeling. In formal rhetoric, McCain-Palin use what is called patho-- appealing to the feelings of the listener--while Obama-Democrats uses logic (logos). Whether you are a logical or emotional person will largely determine which candidates are attractive to you, and what you perceive as an attack or a softball.

Why do McCain-Palin keep on harping on Joe the Plumber. If they feel so sorry that his personal issues have become a national topic - why do they even bring it up at every opportunity. If they are so concerned - leave him the hell alone. On the other hand I guess they have nothing else left but to hand on to Joe's sleeves.

There are more pressing issues such as the economy or have they forgotten that. 150K for clothes!!!! Even if it goes to charity - that would help a lot of plumbers pay their bills for a long time. I am a registered Republican but this time I will stay away from the booths. Keep harping on Joe and there will be more Joes like me that you don't see on national TV but we will have our silent say.

Joe the plumber had problem being overtaxed. I would say he is an expert of socialism.

If you are gullible enough to believe that Obama is a socialist, then I have a bridge to sell you in Alaska.

A 5% tax increase on people making over $250,000 a year is NOT socialism. Joe McCarthy is somewhere down below loving every moment of this new turn in the election!

http://deepbackground.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/22/1579781.aspx

David, if you choose not to post this, I will certainly understand. Nobody wants traffic to go away from their website and I respect that.

Please, though... check out this article. It's not a partisan attack. It is written by a person who is as Democrat as any leftist you can name. He's as liberal as any Democrat you know. He lives near Sen. Obama and he understands American's concerns about Obama's socialistic tendencies.

Please open your mind and read this article:

http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/10/20/obama-chicago-election-oped-cx_re_1021epstein.html

Do you think, just possibly, that there might be a savage hatred for Sarah Palin? I just laugh when I read what's been blogged about her! I like Obama but I love Sarah Palin. She is exactly the type that Washington is not ready for. But She is Ready for Washington!

HATRED HATRED HATRED does not play well.

“Ask your bosses,” she commanded of Griffin, “Why does Joe Biden get such a pass? …. If I’d a said that (what he said about Obama possibly being tested), you guys would have clobbered me.”

“You’re right,” Griffin said, essentially agreeing with her complaint that the press was treating her unfairly.

Do you actually disagree with her contention and Griffin's acknowledgement of it? Would she not have been "clobbered", while Joe has essentially been given a pass?

Be honest David.

If we evaluate and try to identify economic policies as either being more capitalist or more socialist, an exercise that I think is helpful, then Obama's policies would move the U.S. more in the socialism direction than McCain's. His policies seem a lot like a European Social Democrat. Lord knows those policies have not worked. Most of those countries are moving to the right, at the same time that we seem to be moving to the left. I don't like some of McCain's proposals either, but I don't think his would be as harmful as Obama's. The bottom line is that "reward without work is a recipe for decline," quoting from a column in today's Wall Street Journal. This idea has never worked anywhere it has been tried and it won't work here.

I really worry about Senator Obama with his Policy, specially International Policy, he doesn't tell the true to The American peoples. I always like to see The BBC News and CNN International news. The last 6 weeks, many Socialist Country likes him very much.

Palin may not the brightest bulb in the string but she sure fires up the other dim ones, doesn't she?

Last I checked we already spread the wealth under our current Republican president. Just look at your tax forms - the more money you make the higher percentage of tax you pay aka spread the wealth. Sounds to me if you don't like socialism you shouldn't be voting for McCain either.

Last I checked we already spread the wealth under our current Republican president. Just look at your tax forms - the more money you make the higher percentage of tax you pay aka spread the wealth. Sounds to me if you don't like socialism you shouldn't be voting for McCain either.

These comments:

Wow.

Just wow.

So many robots in this country. They feed you the talking points of the campaign and you just spit them back out. Do your own research. Take a history class and review the constitution. Barack Obama would be a great face for America and is very likeable. That doesn't equate to being a better President. Look at his policies. He plans to take from one group of Americans to give to another. I guess we won't have a need for charities if Obama gets his way. Between Federal, State and local taxes, I'll be paying roughly 54% of my income in taxes if Obama is elected. From what is left, I'll pay taxes on my vehicle tags, gasoline, even food in my state. I am more responsible for National Defense and Infrastructure funding because Obama thinks I am rich. I am not. My brother and I are the only on our entire family to attend college and we've earned every thing we have without a single handout from the Government. If I can do it, anyone can. It is not your neighbor's responsibility to ensure your success, it is yours alone. If you want something, earn it. Don't vote for someone who wants to take from one class and give it to another. Next thing you know, the definition of "rich" will change and you'll have 30% of your income left after taxes, if you're lucky.

talk about the media hacks they wont post what I have been saying
The amercan communist party has thrown their support behind obama first time in American history. Sorry about he spelling of American but I can not use America and communist in the same sentance.

Oh yea the amercan communist party has a link to the UAW are they in bed together.

Mr. Zurawik: Do us all a favor and take the next buyout.

I'd like to add to my previous post a little memo to everyone here and everywhere else who's crying, "Socialism! Socialism! Obama's a terrorist!" and other crazy lines.

Do you people know the path our country is going down? Do you properly understand? To everyone who said "go look up the definition of socialism," I want you to go and look up the definition of FASCISM. Then look at our government and the Republican party and the McCain campaign. Then open up your mind for a second and think, if that's at all possible for you, about the implications.

Surprisingly, you failed to notice that Griffin botched and mischaracterized the Byron York "quote" in the National Review. Here you go:

Griffin: “Governor, you've been mocked in the press, the press has been pretty hard on you, the Democrats have been pretty hard on you, but also some conservatives have been pretty hard on you as well. The National Review had a story saying that, you know, ‘I can't tell if Sarah Palin is incompetent, stupid, unqualified, corrupt or all of the above.’”

The full quote from the National Review’s Byron York shows he was in fact criticizing the media, not Palin. “Watching press coverage of the Republican candidate for vice president, it's sometimes hard to decide whether Sarah Palin is incompetent, stupid, unqualified, corrupt, backward, or — or, well, all of the above.”

Now if you didn't have your liberal blinders on, you would have picked up on that.

David,
I am searching my brain and memory to see if you ever denigrated any interview that CNN did with Biden or Obama. Those also were softball interviews, but I can't seem to remember your concern with those interviews.

WOW when did it become anti-american to be for liberty??? Seems the founding fathers and Mills waisted their lives writing and fighting for it. Liberalism has been the new Communism to the far right!!
When in reality it is what helped create this wonderful country!!!!!! I think it sounds as if those far right nutjobs would be happy with a Chinese style capitalist regime!!!!! Good luck guys...at least your lives are filled with products from your new motherland!!!!!!!!!!! Or should I say fatherland!!!!!!!!

This is why TRUE AMERICANS are watching Fox News. Obama is a socialist and bordering on Communist. Wait until he cracks down on the media for speaking against him(just as hes doing in Missouri and to Joe the Plumber). Then we will see if you can figure out what the rest of America knows!!

Your blog is amazing. I turn 62 tomorrow and I've seen more (probably) than what your bloggers have. Hopefully, I'll live to be 63 and finally be a publlished author and then, watch out!, talk about blogging, I'm going to scortch some idiot butts!!!!!!!!!!!

JB

Hey JB: happy birthday Z

Joe the plumber, is a liar and not a real plumber. Doesn't make over 50k and has no intentions of purchasing a plumbing business. Sarah, didn't you get the memo?

Palin is the reason I will not vote for John McCain! McCain did a disservice to American when he picked a sadly lacking running mate like Palin. Palin is dingy, shallow, superficial and scary as scary can be! Truly, I Ask: Can anyone even imagine Palin anywhere near a nuclear trigger?

Just saw this in another sarah group, thought I would pass it along, it looks amazing! I’m ordering one for everyone I know!!! sarahcalendar.com they are 15.95, and available on amazon, that’s where the sarah site links you… GO SARAH GO!!!

First of all, Drew Griffin misquoted the writer of the article from the National Review. CNN should apologize. Also the $150,000 wardrobe will be donated. She gets called white trash for wearing the same outfits by the liberals and then gets called out for spending money by the liberals. She is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't. Also, the media is clearly all biased towards Obama. Obama's Socialist "plans" are not the fact that he is giving a tax cut, it's his plan to redistribute wealth. That's a socialist viewpoint. Steal from the rich and give to the poor. Personally, maybe not everyone who is "rich" is good or decent, but then again not everyone who is poor is good or decent. Why should someone who works 16 hours a day and makes $250,000 or more have to give money to someone who doesn't work or doesn't even pay taxes. All this trash talk about conservatives and their guns and hate is ridiculous. It's comments like that, that show what kind of disgusting human being you are. I am christian and will vote for McCain and personally I think I am more tolerant and decent than many people I've heard from the Obama camp. No one wants to admit Obama's friendship with Ayers. The left will say that he was 8 when Ayers was active in his terrorist actions. The problem is not about when Obama was 8, it's his friendship and partnership with him these past years. How can you not know about his past. How can he say he is reformed or thought he is reformed, when Ayers has written and said in interviews he wished he would have bombed more, that he is an anarchist, his views against christianity, his views that he should not have to follow the rules, etc. Does that look like reform?? Not to me. How does Obama go to a church for 20 years and have no idea the hate that Rev. Wright spews? How can he be friends with Tony Rezko? How can he say, "Well these guys I know aren't like that, I didn't know they did those things." No one on Obama's camp wants to discuss this and keeps saying we shouldn't bring up the past. McCain's issue with Keating happened and has been over. He hasn't been friends with him since then. He didn't continue his friendship with him. As for Sherri on The View bringing up the fact that McCain left his wife after getting back from the war. McCain, though I can't speak for him, I'm sure was very disturbed after getting back. He had been tortured for 5 years, comes back and his wife is handicapped. Who knows what problems they had in his marriage before and clearly when he came back he was a different man and so was she. People make mistakes. He did leave her, and found Cindy McCain and they have been married since. He adopted his first wife's two sons when he married his first wife as well. He made a mistake and moved on. His first wife says they are still good friends. You cannot compare A MISTAKE, to Obama's bad friendships. Obama wasn't friends with them once and then moved on. He still has relationships with them or did for a long period of time and has not explained or recanted anything. People are oblivious to Obama's plans and what he really stands for. I don't care if you want to support him, but you should know why. That's all.

There is nothing wrong with socialism. It is a political concept that some countries have adopted. The problem is, it has a bad connotation in the US because we believe in capitalism which is in direct contrast with socialism. If you're a socialist, so be it, but just know that it's not something Americans like, and it's not what most of them want. Obama is speaking socialist rhetoric when he says "share the wealth." That's all there is to it. Do you, as an American, want to "share the wealth'? Or, do you believe people should work for themselves instead of getting it from others? Well? I for one believe in working for what I get and I vehemently do not want the gov't. taking my money and giving it to others. End of story...

First Katie Couric misquoted Henry Kissinger at Sarh Palin's interview now Griffin misquoted The national Review. Who is dumb? Sarah negotiated approx12 billion dollars worth of contracts with the oil companies in Alaska and the resident got about $2100 refund in utility, and balanced the state budget. Did anybody mention that or talk about it? Hello foolish Americans.

The liberal media spent ? months looking into Sarah Palin including her wardrobe, LOL, and what did they look into Obama and his wife?? None and instead tried to sweep everything under the carpet.

All the liberal media including CNN are not worth it watching and the liberal newspaper are not worth buying.

Anderson Cooper is obsessed with Sarah Palin!!!!!! He can't wait to get on with the "breaking" news that has anything negative about Sarah Palin!!! What a LIBERAL jerk he is. Sandy

Have you ever read a book? Been in a classroom? Had an idea that wasn't formed prior to having a thought? Obviously not.

Palin's interview on CNN was no more of a "pass" than any Obama interview I've seen. How can you possibly write a review of the interview and totally leave out the misquote by Griffin of the National Review article? CNN's credibility went out the window with that one, and Palin handled herself very well and showed depth of understanding on all issues. Hillary and Palin have been held to different standards throughout this election season, and the media has been little more than tools of the Obama campaign. I'd be proud to have her in the White House.

Didn't Palin collect money from oil businesses in Alaska and redistribute it to the citizens? Is Palin socialist?

Enough Is Enough on October 23, 2008 8:01 AM
I'm sick of all of this. Everybody needs to realize that yes some people really do face hard times and may need assistance, but a lot more people take advantage of the system. I for one had a kid at a young age and found it difficult to pay the bills. According to the government I made to much money for assistance, but according to my checkbook I didn't have enough money to get by. So I decided I had to do something for myself and I did. I went back to school so I could provide a good life for my family. And now that things are finally starting to turn around the government (aka Socialist Barack Obama) want to take my money I worked the last 10 years to get. SCREW THAT!!! What happened to working hard for your money?? What happened to making sacrifices for want you want/need?? If you want everyone else to take care of you move somewhere else because that is not the American way That is the way you want America to be and there is a huge differance. We live in the United States of America where you work hard for what you want and if you can't get everything you want you work harder. Not the United Socialist States of America where everyone throws thier money in a pot and spreads it around. If anyone doesn't like this feel free to respond at udecide2008@yahoo.com

The headline of this article once again proves the dishonest liberal bias practiced by most of the MSM. How a "journalist" can post such a lie ("Palin calls Obama a socialist") when in the third paragraph she is quoted saying nothing of the kind!
This is pathetic and another reason why fair and balanced journalism is practically dead in this country.

Does the media think the American electorate are a bunch of moronic idiots? They must considering the pattern of deceit I have witnessed over the last few elections, with 2008 as being the most open and egregious.

Duh, Wes, that is the point: The way she used the phony persona of Joe the Plumber to call him a socialist while simultaneously acting like it is something she would never do herself -- a tactic the young Dick Nixon practiced so well in the 1950s and '60s.Z

Hey Z,

The phony persona of Joe the Plumber? So should the answer Obama gave to him be forgotten because this mans name is not Joe and he is behind on his taxes? So since "Joe" has been lying about himself means Obama gets a pass on his socialist statement?? Sure that statement doesn't make him 100% socialist but it's a step in that direction.

Hey Z-

Where's the reporting of Griffin's misquote of the National Review's Byron York?

Fox News is all over it...

Bill O'Reilly said:

[QUOTE] Now, Griffin, the guy, totally distorted what York wrote in the article. And then he ambushes Palin with the distortion. She has no idea what he's talking about.

Now I haven't been critical of CNN during the campaign. They've been pretty honest in their coverage, I believe. But that was off the chart dishonest. So we called CNN for comment very early in the morning. We said look, you know, are you going to apologize? What are you going to do?

They wouldn't comment. Apparently, there's no apology in the works, no retraction. It's unbelievable. It's hard to believe. In fact, the whole campaign has been hard to believe. [/QUOTE]

And Greta van Susteren said "CNN was either incompetent or really dirty."

Now this is what you should be reporting, since you report about TV coverage.

CNN = Pravda
Drew Griffin = Dolt

CNN treated the Hitler of Iran with more respect than a standing United States Governor.

Enough said.

Barack Obama is an empty suit created by the media and supported by the far far left.

We paid the price on 9/11 for Clinton policies.
We paid the price with the disgrace of the oval office with Clinton's behavior.
We are paying the price in the credit markets for Clinton policies.

And we thought Clinton had shady friends and associates.
Holy hell!!!

We won't survive 4 years of the Karl Marx from Chicago.

Thanks CNN.

Amazing they didn't censor that off the video! Obama IS a socialist.

What part of "I have to make my neigbors car payments" don't you understand?

PROOF Obama Hates Blacks!

Here is a story you can get a front page headline from------------------

www.obamacensors.sitebooth.com

Almost as big a story as the attack with the "misquote" Is the way she knocked the geek back in his seat with her response -- "Oh come-on, who? who was it?" Never loosing composure! And she challenged him again.... "I want to talk toi this person"

It reminded m eof her knocking "charlie" back in his seat when she asked the valid Question to the Broadbased AND Vague "Bush Doctrine" --- "What part Charlie?". Charlie would not answer, because he didn't know what part to ask about! So he just asked the question AGAIN, and Palin rightly asked again - "What part Charlie"? Charlie was stumped! But the media played it entirely different! Oh well - 2 more weeks and it will be "President John Sydney McCain!" NEVER has an outcome to an election been more obvious as this one.

Obama Has to have every supporter on the planet to show up if he wants to stay in striking distance come Tuesday! The Feminist just ejected! Fathers of Midwest educated Daughters, have Ejected!

Military FAmilies that remember Colin Powel "cutting and runnin" when the going got tuff - Only to be saved by John McCain Have loaded into the ejection seat!

People that don't want to give the family business to "Someone elses" Kids, ARe stampeding to McCain!

There's not a whole lot Obama has left to hang on to!

Thanks. Can't wait to hear your critiques of the Brian Williams interviews. I know the $150,00 hoohah about her clothing is a bit of a distraction of sort (with some bit of substance), but just think how $150,000 could have been used to put shoes on the republican feet of children who now holes in theri shoes and probably their moms and dads and they still won't accept the fact that you can't put a pitbull in good clothes, lipstick and highheels and call her a member of the populace.

Oh, her thingee about socialist issues, well the thing she did during her corrupt adminisatrtion was to take away profits from the oil companies and give each man woman & child and additional check (from the oil companies), now if that isn't socialism what is!

JB

Hi JB: I think Huey Long did that in Louisiana, didn't he? You know, Huey Long, the Depression-era demogogue. You know other commentators are going to say baad things about you know. They might even call you a socialaist or tell you to stop writing about politics and go back to writing about Desperate Housewives. Z

Sarah Palin recently told Brian Williams she will release her Medical Records - what is the hold up? Voters want to know about your health before they vote not after.

Hi, did you see my post on this "announcement" by Palin? No date, no specifics. And by the end of her "announcement," she has changed the language to say "if they are released." You are right to ask about when it is actually going to happen. Thanks. Z

"The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend"
This is True Socialism. Palin's Alaska pays each resident $1,963.00 a year just for sitting on their couch (THIS IS EVERYONE) CONVICT, RAPIST, MOLESTER, ANTI-AMERICANS, and TERRORIST ) Sarah Palin's husband TODD is a former member of the "Alaska Independence Party"

The "Alaska Independence Party" goals are to separate from the United State of America and become their Own country so they can take the majority of OUR countries oil so everyone in, Or a selected few can become Billionaires overnite. This is a piece of land that our great grandparents gave up money for in hope to benefit from for their kids in the future, Not for a "small few" to move to and to take from the great States. (Left once Sarah ran for Governor to prevent from political repercussions).

(Sarah attended this groups meetings and her husband only left once Sarah decided to run for Governor)

Everybody, This is a serious concern. Bush became President at a young age. Look at him now, He has aged 16yrs from being President. This is the most stressful job in the world. McCain has age an extensive amount just from campaigning. Palin being President is not far fetched, its close to reality.

Desperate Houswives can wait, so can Sordid Lives! Yep Huey gave some back. It also reminds me that Ceasar Chavez is doing the same thing that the woman from the North has done - UUUUW.. Maybe if they(the Mormon group) had made her geneology chart more extensive they might have found out that the two are related. Don't know what's going to happen with the blog after Nov. 4th. Guess you'll have enough to write about that will set off the Realists, Scooters and Heidis.
Before closing, did you hear the slip that woman made during the Brian Williams interview - "When I get into the White House." It actually sent shivers up my spine. SCARY!

JB

Hi JB, I did write about the first Williams interview here. baltimoresun.com/zontv. Thanks. Z

PS After Nov. 4, there will still be plenty to write about -- TV is huge. Thefocus will stay on TV news and Tv as a social force -- covering in part the transition and how the new administration uses the medium and new media to govern. And, best of all, we might even have some time for all those folks who are clamoring for me to write abouyt Desperate Housewives. Thanks. Z

Isn't living in a country with free speech wonderful. I have to admit you people entertain me. "Real Americans watch Fox news"? Fox is as slanted towards the conservatives as CNN is for the liberals. My taxes are currently being used to redistribute the wealth. 150k is alot for clothes. Obama is inexperienced. Joe the Plumber needs to pay his taxes. Biden is not helping Obama. Palin is a mess. McCain is too old (don't hunt me down AARP). I could balance the budget in Alaska. Joe McCarthy is alive and well. I am surprised Obama doesn't want McCain to pay for that perfectly good Navy Aircraft he did not return with. Lastly, at less than 2 cents an acre Alaska was the last great land investment we have made.

JUST VOTE

Z, Let me get this straight; you're whining about CNN not being biased enough?!?

I'm not voting for either on of these clowns (Obama/ McCain) but clearly see how the media fawns over Obama and goes out of its way to ignore his downright socialist views, abismal voting record, highly questionable affiliations and the fact that our sworn enemies prefer HIM to the other clown.

Hey I agree with Todd I think Texas should leave too. we would be better off.

Free Texas

Amazing. With your smears, and constant support, it appears that you have supported the effort so put in the WH a socialist who admits it. Look at the DOW, it is shaked to the core with the full possibility of a socialist in the WH. Read OB's books and review where he stands....he hates the white race! He will never support a white cause and will constantly put forth the black cause. Wake up America you are about to see the 50+ years of crap come into power.....

You know, sometimes it is very important to see what the good and the bad is in every person. Here we are, all human beings trying to figure out who is the right candidate for president. Honestly, I myself am a Republican, but in reality the only reason I will vote for McCain is because I trust him more than Obama. I'm not saying Obama is a bad guy, or anything, but I just haven't seen him in office long enough to trust him being a world leader. Let's hope for the best, because I think Obama is going to win. As for Palin, I think she is a good person. I don't think she has very good speech skills, she really needs to work on that. Other than that, I think she would be an okay V.P. I don't think it is fair that Palin is getting put down soooo bad and she really is not that bad of a person. She is a beautiful, smart, and strong woman, and I honestly think a lot of people are intimidated by her and are scared to see a women running for V.P. I think we just need to sit down and wait to see who wins and see if anyone of these candidates can make a difference in the U.S. All the arguing about who said what and who is stupid and so on, is really not going to matter in the end. In reality who ever wins presidency, hopefully will bring us a better economy and better future for our children. Why doesn't media ever speak like this anymore???? =)

Didn't Sarah Palin support redistributing the wealth in Alaska from the big oil companies to the many citizens in the form of a windfall profits tax?

Yes, she did.
http://mccainfactcheck.com/facts/11/palin_windfall_profits_tax_344511.shtml

isn't that the very definition of "socialism"?

can anyone say Hypocrite?

You sound like a real cry baby. Ms. West from orlando has the right idea about tough questions. The Libs cant handle the Truth.