During a report on Thursday’s Today show, NBC News correspondent Norah O’Donnell replayed Barbara Walters’ characterization of Sarah Palin’s recent interview as “disturbing” from Tuesday’s The View. O’Donnell highlighted how the Alaska governor’s comments about how the media treated her versus how it treated Caroline Kennedy “drew a reaction” from the ABC host, and that it was “one more sign that as Palin tries to quiet her critics, she is sparking another loud debate.”
Co-host Matt Lauer introduced O’Donnell’s report: “During the campaign, handlers tried to keep a tight lid on Sarah Palin, but as Barack Obama’s inauguration approaches, she’s speaking out more and more. But how much is too much?” The correspondent then began by highlighting “Sarah Palin’s latest target -- her online critics,” focusing on the governor’s counterattacks against those spreading “smears” about her family. The NBC on-screen graphic hyped how Palin had become “unleashed.”
Besides the issue of the governor attacking her critics in the blogosphere, O’Donnell brought up how Palin specifically has “been on a tear defending her 18-year-old daughter Bristol, who recently had a baby boy named Tripp with her fiance Levi Johnston.” The governor directed much of her ire at the Anchorage Daily News, which she accused of perpetuating the conspiracy theory that her daughter Bristol was the mother of Trig Palin. She concluded her report with the Palin’s criticism of the media and Walters’ response.
The full transcript of Norah O’Donnell’s report, which began 14 minutes into the 7 am Eastern hour of Thursday’s Today show:
MATT LAUER: During the campaign, handlers tried to keep a tight lid on Sarah Palin, but as Barack Obama’s inauguration approaches, she’s speaking out more and more. But how much is too much? Here’s NBC’s Norah O’Donnell.
(NBC NEWS GRAPHIC: “Unleashed: New Attacks From Sarah Palin”)
NORAH O’DONNELL (voice-over): Sarah Palin’s latest target -- her online critics.
ALASKA GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN: Oh, I would love for the names to be on the blog entries so that people are held accountable when they lie.
O’DONNELL: And now telling Esquire magazine she is annoyed by the quote, ‘bored, anonymous, pathetic bloggers who lie.’
O’DONNELL (on-camera): Palin says that she doesn’t mind being criticized personally, but when the smears involve her family, that's what makes her angry.
O’DONNELL (voice-over): She’s been on a tear defending her 18-year-old daughter Bristol, who recently had a baby boy named Tripp with her fiance Levi Johnston.
PALIN: This report that Bristol and Levi -- they’re high school dropouts and they’re going to just look for government handouts to raise their child and stuff -- nothing could be further from the truth.
O’DONNELL: On Monday, the Anchorage Daily News posted a scathing e-mail sent by Palin to the paper’s top editor under the subject line ‘More Mistakes?’‘Did you really allow a story to run in your paper today claiming Levi Johnston is a high school dropout?’ She also added, ‘Is your paper really still pursuing this sensational lie that I’m not Trig’s mother? Is it true you have a reporter still bothering my state office in pursuit of your ridiculous conspiracy?’ The paper’s editor admits they have been following up on Trig’s birth, but only in an effort to debunk the conspiracy theories he calls nutty nonsense.
PATRICK DOUGHERTY, ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS: The way to put an end to it is not to ignore it, but to engage it.
O’DONNELL: And remember when Palin said she’s being treated differently than Caroline Kennedy?
PALIN: I think that as we watch that, we will, perhaps, be able to prove that there is a class issue.
O’DONNELL: This week, those comments drew a reaction on The View from Barbara Walters.
BARBARA WALTERS: Why she still makes it a class issue is something that especially right now, and when we all want to work together -- I find disturbing.
O’DONNELL: It’s just one more sign that as Palin tries to quiet her critics, she is sparking another loud debate. For Today, Norah O’Donnell, NBC News, Los Angeles.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
Obssession
January 15, 2009 - 17:42 ET by NorthCoasterThe MSM obsession with Sarah Palin is disturbing. Obviously they are concerned with her success in connecting with the base of the Republican party and Conservatives in general, so they have to destroy her image.
Want more evidence of media bias?
January 15, 2009 - 21:05 ET by bpjamIf Sarah Palin comments on somebody in the media, she is 'trying to quiet her media critics'. If Obama rails about Hannity, he is 'defending his record' or 'setting the record straight'.
Yeah, no bias there.
Nothing Palin can say within earshot of a microphone or a reporter is going to be portrayed in a remotely positive or even fair light. Palin is so scary to the MSM that even if she comments on the weather they will have to try to make it a hit piece on her. She could point out how cold it is and they would claim that she has declared war with the UN Climate Panel and is refusing to believe in global warming (which would be great if she did, btw). If she says it's a nice day today, they will claim that she is 'just trying to change the subject from her illegitimate child and her high school dropout daughter'.
It's a no win situation. The only way Palin will be able to survive any contact with the media is if she decides to run a real campaign and has a team of communications staff who do for her what Romneys people did for him and actively work the MSM and retaliate for every lie they make. Palin cannot single-handedly respond or survive in a casual handling of the media (even the local media) since the entire NY and DC media empire is set on destroying her at any opportunity. They hate her more than they hate Bin Laden (if they do, in fact, hate Bin Laden. not sure there is actual evidence but I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt).
Hey, she criticized the media
January 15, 2009 - 23:23 ET by KC MulvilleHey, she criticized the media. The media sees that as evidence of evil and insanity. She must be destroyed.
Doesn't everyone recognize that the moment anyone criticizes the media (Palin, Joe the Plumber, etc.), the media viciously retaliates? Tell me how many news stories were put-downs of Palin (and all other media critics) when they could have been using that time to invesitgate and analyze ... the financial collapse, the success of the surge, violence in other parts of the world. All of those stories are passing by, because the media considers it more important to justify themselves and attack their critics.
Right or wrong....
January 15, 2009 - 17:59 ET by superconThe constant barrage of negative media does have an impact that is difficult to overcome.If Gov. Palin has a desire to enter into national politics again she will have to learn how to manage her media coverage better.
It's pretty clear that the media has no intention of showing her an ounce of fairness or respect and they openly mock her.If she cannot develop an effective way to neutralize that then her national hopes are over.She will be too radioactive.
Because with a name like Obama... you know it has to be good.
The solution to Palin’s problem
January 15, 2009 - 18:13 ET by needleThe solution to Palin’s problem lies in the over-the-top bias by the Media, which is actually getting worse practically everyday.
Eventually it will be so ridiculous that it will become a very bad joke for all except the most hopeless Liberal chauvinists. It will become like Pravda became in the waning days of the Soviet Union. At the current rate Sarah Palin should be able to do just fine by 2012.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Keep in mind.....
January 15, 2009 - 18:28 ET by superconthat the newspaper with the nation's largest circulation is the National Enquirer. Their are millions and millionsof people who take their news only from the MSM and they vote.The uneducated or the low income and the elderly and illegal alien voters do not take the time to learn more about a candidate.They fall for the glib marketing and the nightly sound bites and don't even pay attention until at least September.They are easily led.
Gov.Palin needs a way to get her message out and not just the interpretation or filtering of her message from hostile media. If she can't do that then she is toast.
Because with a name like Obama... you know it has to be good.
she's doing just fine -
January 15, 2009 - 18:48 ET by TruthMongershe's doing just fine - screw the MSM - it's a fast sinking ship
congrats to all the new U.S presidents - and press secretary obama
I disagree my good friend.
January 15, 2009 - 19:36 ET by superconshe's doing just fine
She does well in a controlled environment but she has not yet developed the skills necessary for a hostile interview.
How could she not have expected Katie or Gibson to try and embarrass her with gotcha questions....?Anyone who comes here knew that would happen.She has to defend herself more effectively.
It's completely true that Hillary or Obama could not have survived the same treatment from some media but they will not ever be treated to or go near media that will do that. Gov.Palin does not have that luxury.
For her to be a viable candidate she will have to show herself to be competent,confident,knowledgeable and an effective manager with a grasp of national and international issues.Like it or not,Sarah Palin must learn to walk the gauntlet of hissing and sneering pundits and opinion vendors.She has to stop with the complaining and be able to put her critcs on the defense.You just can't ignore bad press.It has to be answered or they get the last word.
Because with a name like Obama... you know it has to be good.
Supercon: When you submit
January 15, 2009 - 21:23 ET by BDSupercon:
When you submit to an interview, you surrender the initiative to the interviewer. All conservativs suffer this far more than Liberals and during the election period in which all stops were pulled out to murder the character of the Republican candidates, with far more venom being heaped on the more conservative of the team.
WHat does this mean? It does not matter WHO the conservative is, they will run interviews until they get the target to make a mistake - then hyper focus on it like Couric did.
THey would have done the same to Ronald Reagan, GHW Bush, anyone.
No standards at all
January 15, 2009 - 18:03 ET by needleNBC NEWS GRAPHIC: “Unleashed: New Attacks From Sarah Palin”)
N[othing]
B[ut]
C[r*p]
gives us the constant outrages of Keith Olbermann and then calls the mild mannered Palin “unleashed.”
I don’t think NBC has a double standard; it has no standards at all.
BARBARA WALTERS: Why she [Palin] still makes it [the preferential treatment of Caroline Kennedy, in stark contrast to Palin’ treatment by the media] a class issue is something that especially right now, and when we all want to work together [and skewer Palin] -- I find disturbing.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
back at em ad nauseum
January 15, 2009 - 18:52 ET by TruthMongerUNLEASHED: Continued vicious attacks on Sarah Palin
congrats to all the new U.S presidents - and press secretary obama
Gov. Palin has a right to be offended
January 15, 2009 - 18:03 ET by nkviking75Sane people would understand that Gov. Palin would be offended by these personal and incredible (in the literal sense of that word, "lacking credibility") attacks on her family and herself. I think she expects attacks aimed at her, but using her 18 year old daughter is inexcusable.
Welcome to the era of unity, you racist!
We want to work together?
January 15, 2009 - 18:24 ET by SaluteOh yeah, now that the dimwits of America have voted a socialist into the WH we now all want to work together. Nevermind Walters and her MSM pals have stabbed the POTUS in the back for 8 years and have berated the U.S. troops that have kept them safe in their make believe world and their families have not suffered death and destruction, now we need to stick together? Hey Babs, if you werea twee what type of twee would you be? Good grief.
I yam what I yam....Popeye.
sorry
January 15, 2009 - 18:28 ET by jdlybrandnewsisblues
Sorry I posted the twee comment after you. I'm glad someone else remembers that stupid interview.
Baba Wawa...Stupid interview... but then I repeat myself. The two are mutually inclusive.
Time to go pee on a
January 15, 2009 - 18:55 ET by Clear thinkerTime to go pee on a twee.
Woeful Future For Military?
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Baba Wawa
January 15, 2009 - 18:25 ET by jdlybrandnewsisblues
What's disturbing is the fact that Baba Wawa has no journalistic integrity. She is a complete buffoon. Example: when interviewing Katherine Hepburn (a communist sympathizer) years ago she asked; "If you were a twee (tree), what kind of twee would you be?". Now that's crack journalism. I spit in her general direction!
I agree with NorthCoaster
January 15, 2009 - 18:44 ET by katiejaneThe continuing need by the media and Palin-haters to trash the woman is rather sick. Why should they care if Gov Palin speaks out about how she feels she was treated unfairly? The election is over - their guy won.
You keep reading how they think it terrible that she doesn't just shut up and go away, even when she's speaking to Conservative pundits - like they would watch those shows anyway?
Good point! The vast
January 15, 2009 - 18:49 ET by Clear thinkerGood point!
The vast majority of them have no clue what Sarah said, they just heard she did an interview, so it must be bad. Cause it's Sarah! She could have come out and said she loves liberals and they would still hate her. Well I have the perfect slogan for Sarah if and when she decides to run again... "Liberals Suck".
Woeful Future For Military?
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Maybe if they new "how much
January 15, 2009 - 19:18 ET by the strugglerMaybe if they new "how much is too much" their ratings wouldn't suck and their newspapers wouldn't be broke
Well the msm are just
January 15, 2009 - 19:49 ET by bigtimerWell the msm are just getting ready to do battle with Glenn Beck and his debut show next week on Fox...Palin is going to be his guest (one of his guests, don't know how many others.)
I LMAO when I read that.
I don't agree with her about everything at all...but as far as getting the msm's panties in a wad...it is precious...actually priceless anymore.
"You've gone beyond the law"... Sen. Kerry~ Head of Foreign Relations Committee to Hillary at Sec.of State confirmation hearings~1-13-09
Those on the Right Don't Have a Chance for Positive Media
January 15, 2009 - 20:00 ET by Rush Fancoverage with the leftist media unless they are a RINO like John McCain, who will bash his own party so he can score with his fellow Democrats. McCain will turn out to be one of Obama's biggest supporters.
On the positive side, we wouldn't need NewsBusters if the media were fair and balanced. (What would I do late at night when my wife is asleep, and I'm still up and about? Thank goodness for NewsBusters.)
Gov. Palin is being treated and will be treated in the future by the media (with the exception of FoxNews) just like President Bush - with disdain. Do you really believe that the MSM is that much different than the writers posting at the leftist The Huffington Post ?
NBC/MSNBC is the reason I don't buy anything made by GE.
GOOD NEWS: TVNewser is reporting that Gov. Sarah Palin will be Glen Beck's first guest when his show premieres on FoxNews Monday at 5pmET.
----------------------------------------------------
"There is no longer a media in this country. There is simply an established propaganda arm for the Democrat Party and any and all who relate to it in any way, elected and unelected." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Evening
January 15, 2009 - 20:03 ET by bigtimerEvening RF...
ROFL....talk about timing and GMTA....look at my post right above you...(depending on how you have your settings set)
"You've gone beyond the law"... Sen. Kerry~ Head of Foreign Relations Committee to Hillary at Sec.of State confirmation hearings~1-13-09
Hello bt
January 15, 2009 - 22:45 ET by Rush FanThat's funny. I didn't see your post when I posted mine. It just goes to show that smart minds think alike.
I'm looking forward to Glenn Beck's new show. I rarely watched him when he was on CNN. One more conservative on FoxNews is a good thing.
Never put off till tomorrow
what you can avoid all together.
---------------------------------------------------
Republicans will continue to lose until we go back to our core conservative principles
OT: Chris Matthews delivers response to Bush's farewell address
January 15, 2009 - 20:24 ET by krendlerJust watched Chris Matthews deliver a response to Bush's farewell address that would make the DNC and Daily Kos proud. Oh, I forgot: It's his job to do that.
One of the most disgraceful things I've ever watched on either network or cable tv, all as Keith Olbermann sat there grunting in agreement.
kren...I posted my
January 15, 2009 - 20:34 ET by bigtimerkren...
I posted my thoughts right afterwords real quick on OT as I am in the middle of things here...but I wouldn't even bring myself to wreck my day to listen to his Fare-well speech on msnbc...let alone those two leftist clowns.
"You've gone beyond the law"... Sen. Kerry~ Head of Foreign Relations Committee to Hillary at Sec.of State confirmation hearings~1-13-09
Remember that scathing (and
January 15, 2009 - 21:58 ET by RR GOPRemember that scathing (and ooooh so delightful) speech she gave at the RNC? She blasphemed against their man-God and they aren't done with their revenge.
Darn right they're afraid of her. But, a lot of it is irrational fear. She's just not someone who sounds like she's going to do the Lib free handout thing. But, there again with these Republican 'leaders' nowadays, who knows? They might all be RINOs...but for now I'll easily accept her as an outsider who does harbor Conservative (and sane) values. None but the Marxists should really be discouraged by her. But....it is those Marxists and hangers-on (Liberals) that control the Dem party, the media, etc.
I hope Governor Palin starts pulling things together this year, though in the face of the MSM, it's going to be difficult. I also hope she doesn't give up, but if she senses a repeat of this last election in 2012 then why should she waste her time?
Another thing, all of these 'Republicans' and 'Conservatives' out there bashing her would make me wonder why she would waste her time. In short, I don't think the national Republican Party deserves her.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Funny how a Govenor, from
January 15, 2009 - 21:59 ET by TN MomFunny how a Govenor, from far-away Alaska has the MSM Attack Machine shaking in their wee little chairs.
Hey NBC: Step up to the Grown-Ups table and try to play fair for a change....
The Attack on Sarah Palin . . . .
January 16, 2009 - 02:00 ET by DoktorFranken. . . . . Day 103.
Expect at least two attacks every day until the next Presidential Election Day in 2012 - or until she quits politics.
If she wins in 2012 expect that current Leftist chant for ''Unity'' to disappear faster than a Kennedy at a Chappaquiddick bridge.
On target
January 16, 2009 - 07:37 ET by jsteve2xIt is said that most of the flak is experienced when you are over the target. Sarah Palin is over the target (next Presidential Election). Expect the MSM to continue their misinformation campaign about Palin. This can be a tool to help her. Four years is not a long time. Band together. Explain to your friends and family. Point them to this site. Simple things which repeated over this short time can have positive results. Take heart.
Sarah Threatens Liberals
January 16, 2009 - 13:32 ET by Tom PaineIf Sarah Palin is truly as inconsequential as the mainstream media would have us believe, why do they continue to bash her over 2 months after the election. In 2004, we conservatives knew that John Kerry was inconsequential, but we never said another word about him after Election Day
Liberals are afraid of Sarah Palin because they know she has the power to inspire and unite the 57 million of us who didn’t vote for Barry. As we go through the dark days of the upcoming 4 years, the true conservative message will resonate very forcefully and Sarah Palin is poised to lead the movement.