Sex sells, even during a presidential election. But that doesn't mean journalists have to be happy about it.
CNBC's "Squawk Box" co-host Joe Kernen took a moment during a panel discussion September 2 to take a shot at the onslaught of coverage over presumptive vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's daughter's pregnancy.
You know as a member of the media I'm just kind of embarrassed with the media. The media says, "Yeah it shouldn't matter, it's not going to matter, we're not going to cover it" and then they put it on the cover of every paper.
Earlier in the broadcast Kernen told chief Washington correspondent John Harwood he did not think the family incidence was as big a deal as the media was making it out to be:
Felt a little bit like the guy in Casablanca, shocked, you know: teen sex in Alaska, John. Probably not that much of a shocker I guess, right? Not a whole lot. I guess bowling, yeah, It's a little lonely probably up there, right, John? ... I don't understand everybody at the same time saying that this is not going to be a big deal ... the press is going to be responsible about this, Barack Obama please don't make anything of this, but then it's the cover of every paper like it, you know, like matters.
CNBC conducted the most recent interview with Palin before it was announced she would be on the GOP ticket with presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain. A few of the business network's staff have also jumped to Palin's defense amid negative media coverage.
CNBC's August 29 "Squawk on the Street" featured "Closing Bell" host Maria Bartiromo and "Kudlow & Company" host Larry Kudlow analyzing Republican presidential nominee McCain's decision to pick Palin as his running mate.
Bartiromo, who scored to most current interview with Palin after interviewing the governor for an upcoming CNBC special on energy, called her a "terrific choice."
—Paul Detrick is a research analyst at the Business & Media Institute.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
That's what you get when
September 2, 2008 - 11:24 ET by NewsbusterbrownThat's what you get when you pick a clearly inexperienced candidate who flaunts her family and sex as her only assets blah, blah, blah...
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
Saw the Bartiromo (Sophia
September 2, 2008 - 11:34 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarSaw the Bartiromo (Sophia Loren eyes) interview and was impressed. Wednesday's speech by Palin is going to be a big moment in this campaign. Lots of folks will be watching to see how she is handling the current slams plus they want to see "Who is Sarah Palin?"
Actually, we need to thank the Liberal Media for really playing up Palin. The ratings for Wednesday' speech will be through the roof.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
Bogey Joe
September 2, 2008 - 11:49 ET by acumenKeeping with Kernan's Casablanca theme:
You know, Joe, I have many a friend in media, but somehow, just because you despise them, you are the only one I trust.
Even my liberal brother was
September 2, 2008 - 11:50 ET by Chris NormanEven my liberal brother was getting mad at CNN yesterday for continuously saying that this story was off-limits while talking about it over and over again. It seems that CNN has made it a mission to destroy Sarah Palin.
McNotObama '08
Chris - My liberal neighbor who was a tepid Obama supporter
September 2, 2008 - 11:57 ET by Dee BunkIs turning the corner because of this. She was for Hillary and then very reluctantly for Obama and now she's really disgusted.
Can somebody please explain
September 2, 2008 - 12:02 ET by lotrCan somebody please explain what's the big brouhaha over this? Is it because they can't believe such a young attractive woman (Sarah) is already a grandmother? Is it because it is too juicy for the gossipers posing as reporters that the girl had sex and <gasp> did not have the abortion to cover it up? Is it gloating along the lines of: "See, we (the Democrats and the media) told you so! Teenagers are gonna have sex like rabbits so let's get those condom dispensers in the schools next to the soda fountains!"
It's pathetic, and comes over as grasping at straws to destroy this hated female pro-life Republican who dares to presume she could be the first woman VP.
Bingo!
September 3, 2008 - 06:01 ET by NorthCoasterI think you just won the prize . It's everything that you've said plus jealousy over not having any 2008 candidates better than an empty suit propped up by propaganda and an old leftist fool. (They blocked out Hillary).
So, why did Obama answer "present" over 90% of the time in Illinois? Oh yea, if you don't take a position, you cant be locked in by it later.
No fair NorthCoaster
September 3, 2008 - 06:12 ET by Cool ArrowHow did you know the answer to the question was all of the above?
There wasn't a bubble for that answer and Mika broke the tip of my #2 pencil.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Envy, anger and murder
September 3, 2008 - 10:18 ET by lotrThe LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
-- Gen. 4:4-8 (emphasis mine)
I've been hoping for a
September 2, 2008 - 12:03 ET by ForeverOnTheRightI've been hoping for a "Wellstone funeral moment", I'd love to see the Left shoot themselves in the foot and loose votes in November as a result.
Wellstone
September 3, 2008 - 06:18 ET by Cool ArrowMy favorite moment, as I posted back in April.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Palin took away BHO's Bounce...MSM is tryin to get it back
September 2, 2008 - 12:07 ET by JayTeePretty shameless isn't it ?
Palin robbed the MSM's candidate of choice....Jindal -Gustav robbed the MSM of Bush bashing....So, CHILD ABUSE was all the MSM HAD LEFT.
This is Big coverage by MSM...dispicable.
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised