ABC's Charlie Gibson to Interview Palin: Will He Go Easy, Like on Obama?

ABC's Charlie Gibson to Interview Palin: Will He Go Easy, Like on Obama?

By Tim Graham (Bio | Archive)
September 8, 2008 - 06:11 ET

Washington Post media reporter Howard Kurtz reported Monday morning that "hours after campaign manager Rick Davis told Fox News Sunday that Palin will not be exposed to the media's ‘circle of piranhas,’ ABC confirmed Sunday that Palin will sit down this week with anchor Charlie Gibson." He has been anything but piranha-like with Barack Obama (see here or here), so the possibility of a seriously biased contrast is there if Palin gets a Russert roasting, and is not swooned over Obama-style as a symbolic test of American progress.

Kurtz summarized the early Palin coverage with spice: "From the moment Sarah Palin stepped onto the national stage, she was mauled, minimized and manhandled by an openly skeptical media establishment." He proclaimed that all changed after her boffo speech last Wednesday night:

But after Palin's charismatic speech wowed the country, some of the same journalists began praising the Arizona senator's choice, which Newsweek's Howard Fineman described as one of "accidental brilliance." Perhaps the initial rush to judgment, based on little knowledge of the governor, was less than brilliant.

Kurtz also noted the mainstrem media outlets ignored a "thinly sourced" National Enquirer report alleging Palin had an affair until the McCain campaign denounced it as a vicious lie. But it sounds like they're doing more on the Palin adultery allegations than they did for John Edwards:

And if you think the mainstream press is ignoring the Enquirer allegations, guess again. Politico reports that numerous national journalists have gone to an Alaskan courthouse to examine the divorce file of a Palin friend -- the subject of the rumors -- after he tried to have the papers sealed. The man's ex-wife, by the way, denied to Us Weekly that any affair took place.

—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.

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If a conservative has to

September 8, 2008 - 06:39 ET by Newsbusterbrown

If a conservative has to have a interview with a liberal reporter, Gibson is not a bad choice.

“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)

I agree...Couric would

September 8, 2008 - 06:40 ET by tater

I agree...Couric would probably be Ms. Frownie the whole time and Williams, well you know where NBC stands.

www.theholyrosary.org

"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia

Palin versus MSM

September 8, 2008 - 06:51 ET by Sergeant ROCK

As long as she responds like Newt Gingrich did the other day to that reporter at the convention.

PALIN/McCain 2008

Agreed

September 8, 2008 - 08:25 ET by KC Mulville

Of course, it should help that Gibson is no fool. He knows that the possibility of a backlash is lurking over his shoulder ... not to mention the ABC News' sponsors.

I don't mind if he asks tough questions. That's his job. For me, what matters is whether he lets Palin room give answers. If he interrupts her constantly to contradict her (as Stephanopolous does all the time), then it's unfair. If his followup questions all begin, " ... but" and he lays down liberal assumptions as facts for her to dodge (like Brokaw and Couric do), then things are going to go badly, for him as well.

To use a baseball analogy, I don't mind facing a tough pitcher. Let him throw as hard and with as much curve as he can throw. But don't take the bat out of my hands. Don't call a pitch over my head a strike. Keep it fair. So long as it's fair, let Gibson throw as hard as he likes.

One point of reflection, though. Consider how much easier this whole process would have been if Russert was still around. One appearance with him, and her fitness would have faced the test. If she had done well with Russert, no one would question her again. If she had botched it with Russert, the election would be over. See how that's all changed, though. Nothing will be decided with any of the upcoming interviewers.

It's True

September 8, 2008 - 07:13 ET by dvdaughtry

The left doesn't get humor. Check out the vile spilled here.

You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

Whooo!

September 8, 2008 - 07:13 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls

If he plays the tough guy, I hope she cleans his clock!

Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.

I say "bring it on"! If any

September 8, 2008 - 07:58 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggor

I say "bring it on"! If any of the media want to get tough with Palin, they only risk further exposure to the already growing public perception that the press is biased. For me, the relationship I have with the press has been over for a long time. Every day, viewers are growing brainstems and kicking these bedwetting leftists to the curb. Besides... Palin seems to be the sort of person who could handle the "rough handling".

"We retort..... you decide."

Commentary already written

September 8, 2008 - 08:24 ET by Mica the Magnificent

The MSM/dem party already have their commentary written about the Palin interview.

I didn't hear anything new here, Brian.

She sounded just like George Bush did 7 years ago, Chris.

She had her talking points and did a good job keeping them front and center, Keith.

If you didn't hear but read her responses, it's like readng a Dick Cheney response, Katie.

It should be great fun to watch Sarah leave these nitwits...

September 8, 2008 - 08:04 ET by Thalpy

It should be great fun to watch Sarah leave these nitwits in her wake. In their case, they should be careful about what they ask for.

I HAVE A QUESTION I NEED HELP WITH

September 8, 2008 - 08:07 ET by DRM 23

Is Charles Gibson the person who saw Nancy Pelosi holding a child after she became speaker of the house and said something to the effect of....there she is taking care of America and the children of the world. If so why would he ask if Mrs. Palin could do her job as VP and a mother?

Just because Pelosi sucks at her job does not VP Palin will!!!

I don't like Chuck...

September 8, 2008 - 08:18 ET by HeavyChevy

but I will watch anyway just to see how far he would go before he sticks his foot in his mouth.

"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."

MY VISION OF PALIN vs GIBSON

September 8, 2008 - 08:24 ET by reelman46

MY VISION OF PALIN vs GIBSON

Gibson: Welcome, we are here to do some dirt digging and gotchas, you ready?
Palin: Happy to help you shame the lib-media and put forth conservative principles without a spin filter.

Gibson: Why do you aspire to become vice president?
Palin: I am running to save the country from secular socialism and Republicans from themselves.

Gibson: Who is the assistant to the associate under the secretary of Pakistan?
Palin: I will consult my 300 foreign policy advisers and get back with you.

Gibson: Do you believe in Global Warming and if so, what should be done?
Palin: Global what? Oh, the scam to cripple our economy based upon faulty models is not on my Top Ten list of issues.

Gibson: We have megamillions without “free” health care…what would you do to help these people?
Palin: Can you send my staff of 300 domestic policy advisers a list of 300 people refused health services?

Gibson: Critics say, I love that enter phrase, the country must
rescue the millions that are losing their homes…how would you do that?
Palin: Are those the millions that could not read their contracts
because they are public school grads? I think the buyers have some
responsibility also.

Gibson: How can we ever pay for the proposed McCain tax cuts?
Palin: History shows that tax cuts pay for themselves. Doesn’t your network have an economic adviser or historian?

Gibson: Are you against a woman’s “right to choose”?
Palin: Choose to stop an innocent heartbeat? Oh, now I get it. I thought you meant paper or plastic.

Gibson: Critics say you are not ready for the presidency if something should happen…what say you?
Palin: Is Obama ready? I will take my management experience over the entire socialist, I mean democrat ticket.

Gibson: Critics say you are shortchanging your 5 kids by running for national office…how do you respond?
Palin: Have you ever asked that of any female democrat governor or congresswoman? Next question.

Gibson: What are your plans to correct the decaying economy and loss of jobs?
Palin: I believe in the free market and taking advantage of the many
billion dollar gov-ment programs our taxes are paying for now.

Gibson: Critics charge you will again be busing in eskimos from the rundown igloos without even photo IDs… is that accurate?
Palin: Are those your leftover notes from the Sharpton and Kerry
interviews? Consult your 300 political notes advisers on that one.

Gibson: Why do you insist that the outdated concepts of smaller
gov-ment, more efficiency, lower taxes and traditional values be pushed
upon the voters?
Palin: The alternate is secular socialism. You know, the Hollywood and lib-media love object.

Gibson: Thanks for your time…(his overheard whisper) >>>
and I already hate you…look for my translation of your words into
weapons against you very soon.
Palin: Did I mention I have a degree in journalism? Luv ya, mean it.
(her overheard whisper) >>> Where does the media get these
clueless clowns?

Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)