Olbermann Whiffs on Tanning, Fineman Says Media Should 'Grow A Pair' on Palin

Photo of Tim Graham.
By Tim Graham (Bio | Archive)
September 16, 2008 - 16:15 ET

Now, an update on the Palin tanning-bed "scandal." On Countdown on Monday night, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann tried to sound the alarm of elitism on the Governor's personal tanning bed – it's like an expensive John Edwards haircut, he claimed – but Newsweek's Howard Fineman played the wet blanket, telling Olbermann that in Alaska, "everybody goes to tanning beds all the time." Fineman did agree with the host that it's wrong to find sexism in the Tina Fey Palin impersonation on Saturday Night Live. Fineman said the media needs to adopt the Amy Poehler/Hillary character's motto about the media's need to get tough on the alleged media darling Palin: "Grow a pair, or I'll lend you mine." Fineman said, "That should be the advice we all follow." To the transcript:

OLBERMANN: Like it or not, the country responded to the elitist angle they were playing on Obama, and the $400 haircut on John Edwards. That stuck. What self-respecting hockey mom governator wants to get caught within 100 miles of her own tanning bed?

FINEMAN: Well, in defense of Alaska, I will say, there's a lot of night up there, and I know from spending a fair amount of time up there that everybody goes to tanning beds all the time. But not everybody has one in their own home. So It's not quite as crazy as it sounds, you could argue that she could go, like everybody else to the strip mall to the tanning bed.

OLBERMANN: But no, how about just a sun lamp, or extra lights in the house? This is a tanning bed in your own house!

FINEMAN [laughing]: As I said, tanning beds are common. Everybody goes, whether you should have one in your house at public – whether or not it's at public expense -- is another legitimate question.

OLBERMANN: Apparently, it was not [at public expense].

Keith then concluded:

OLBERMANN: Carly Fiorina used the word ‘sexism' about the Tina Fey cameo on Saturday Night Live. How much more line do they have in the reel before the fishing rod breaks off in their hands?

FINEMAN: I think it's been enough. I think Saturday Night Live has been the accidental arbiter of the media, and media coverage and I think the character of Amy Poehler playing Hillary Clinton had a pretty good line to the media. ‘Grow a pair or I'll lend you mine.' That should be the advice we all follow as we frantically try to figure out who Sarah Palin really is before Election Day.

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


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Why does Olbermann or

September 16, 2008 - 16:24 ET by suzycreamcheese

Why does Olbermann or anyone else care that Palin has a tanning bed in her home? I'm sure Olbermann, who is wealthier than I, has a bigger home packed full of stuff that I can't afford. It smacks of desperation to even bring up the tanning bed issue. This is absurd.

And the media should "grow a pair" and get tough on Palin? Haven't they been pretty vicious already?

Not even an outrageous

September 16, 2008 - 21:46 ET by motherbelt

Not even an outrageous expense.  The article says tanning beds can cost "up to $35,000."

Yes, they can, but I did a quick search on Shopzilla.com and in 30 seconds came up with half a dozen at  $2999 and at least one for $1999.  People own plasma TV's that cost more than that!

What do they care, unless she bought it with state money?

Which even Olbermann has to admit, she didn't.

Let them get tough

September 16, 2008 - 16:30 ET by ArcherB

Let them get tough(er) on Palin.  The more the media tightens their grip, the sympathetic (Sport)-Moms will slip  through their fingers.  (to poorly quote a terrible Star Wars line) 

 

They really can't win with that tactic.

 

"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary."

--Ernesto "Che" Guevara

Growing a pair....

September 16, 2008 - 16:30 ET by Prester John

...would probably be a whole new experience for Olberdork.

sorry tim, but the news today is not tanning beds

September 16, 2008 - 16:30 ET by nicholas nickleby

Hi Tim,

The news today is not about tanning beds, it seems, but about Palin's flip-flop on the Troopergate investigation--first she says she will cooperate. In fact, until August 29, Governor
Palin, and every Republican and Democrat in a Republican-led
Legislature agreed the investigation was appropriate: as Palin noted, "That being the route
they choose, so be it. I'm happy to comply, to cooperate." (KTUU.com,
July 24, 2008)

But now she's waffling, saying that she won't cooperate with the investigation. (Insert joke here about how she was for the investigation before she was against it, if you wish.)

I don't think anyone really cares about the tanning bed--sure, it's expensive, but she can apparently afford it, and hey, it gets dark in Alaska. When is the press going to ask Palin questions about her sudden flip-flop about cooperating with this investigation?

Nick

September 16, 2008 - 16:45 ET by well99

Tanning beds run around 1500.So how much did your comp run?The fact that the lead Dem on the investigation said there was a Oct surprise and is a Obama supporter might change things.

Just for you Nick

"Coghill charged that the senator,Hollis French, had "politicized" the probe by making a number of public comments in recent days, including telling ABC News that Palin had a "credibility problem" and that the investigation into the firing of public safety commissioner Walter Monegan was "likely to be damaging to the administration" and could be an "October surprise." Wrote Coghill: "The investigation appears to be lacking in fairness, neutrality and due process."

Gee I would feel I'm getting a fair shake with French's comments.I'm also shopping for beach front property in Atlanis.

 

You don't really expect NN to answer that do you?

September 16, 2008 - 17:38 ET by ironchefofmunchies

Duplicate post

You don't really expect NN to answer that do you?

September 16, 2008 - 17:37 ET by ironchefofmunchies

Cmon, of course it's no big deal that a Democrat and Obama supporter is investigating the Republican VP candidate and even publicly states he's going to pull an "October Surprise".

If NN was man enough to stand up and say "this is wrong-you can't have one political party investigating the other party's candidate during an election" then let's just let him troll on and believe that this is going to work.

 The rest of us can see that it's just the Obama campaign hiding behind surrogates to do their dirty work while hypocritically claiming "we need to come together".

 

   This is typical Chicago

September 16, 2008 - 17:42 ET by MidAmerica

   This is typical Chicago politics obama has practiced in Illinois.  He smiles for the camera while the goons go after his opponants kneecaps.

Yup

September 16, 2008 - 17:59 ET by well99

I agree with you and Iron.Obama is in Rezko's pocket but that is ok.

my bad writing in the previous post

September 16, 2008 - 21:32 ET by nicholas nickleby

Hi Well99, Ironchefofmunchies,

I wrote that previous comment poorly, and deserve the roasting I got. My point was not "Oh, Palin is clearly a criminal because she won't work with this investigation."

My point was that her flip-flop on cooperating with the investigation is more important news than anything about tanning beds. I'm not saying she did anything wrong, only that this is the conversation we (and the news-media) should be having--Troopergate is much more important than Coppergate, right?

So, if you want to have that conversation, let's do it.

First, Ironchefofmunchies, Hollis French (ex-USMCR, interestingly enough) didn't say he would deliver an October Surprise, only that it could, a statement which he later retracted, but which definitely does make his investigation look partisan.

However, your statement that the one party shouldn't investigate the other during an election should also be expanded--the person under investigation shouldn't be in charge of investigating herself, right? (Which should rule out the previous Palin plan to have a three-person Personnel Board--all gubernatorial appointees--investigate this charge.)

Now, what does that leave? In lieu of an independent investigation (and who really trusts "independents"?), a bi-partisan team, selected bipartisanly, perhaps. (Of course, French was chosen by a bi-partisan team--4 democrats and 8 republicans--and investigator Branchflower was chosen by the Legislature, not by the Democrats.)

And to prevent any "October Surprise," the investigator Branchflower has said he would complete the investigation by Oct. 10th, giving the McCain/Palin camp time to either exult in their newfound innocence or defend them from any stain. (And aren't there ways to defend her if she is found guilty in some degree--like, "Wooten threatened my family, therefore I wanted to see him disarmed." Can't she say something like that?)

Of course, the fact that they're fighting the investigation makes them look a little suspect--I mean, if there were really nothing in the emails that they're withholding, then even a tainted investigation couldn't make much of it, right? I mean, if all the emails were about Monegan's insubordination (and some of them are--Palin's admin released some emails that say just that), then they have nothing to worry about.

On the other hand, a deposition taken by Palin's lawyer has one of her aides saying that he was expressing the Gov's feelings when he asked a State Trooper official why Wooten hadn't been fired yet, which makes it seem like there is definitely something to investigate. (But again, this could just be another case of an incompetent and incorrect aide.)

Furthermore, the fact that, to avoid this ethics probe, Gov. Palin has submitted an ethics complaint against herself seems odd to me (http://www.adn.com/m...), but maybe that's just how politicians play the game: make an ethics complaint to stall or avoid an ethics investigation.

Also, although Monegan was charged with insubordination, Palin offered him another job, which frankly could go either way--if someone was really insubordinate, why would you hire them again? But if you had a personal grudge against someone for not firing your in-law, why would you hire them again?

I guess, my main point is this: there's a lot going on here, and her obstructionism doesn't help us get to the bottom of this issue. (Why only release some emails that prove your point? What do the other ones prove?) At the same time she's telling people (in a speech in Colorado) "We're going to make everything more open and more accountable," she should be willing to live up to her words. I mean, she can talk the talk--let's see her walk the walk.

Nick

September 16, 2008 - 22:44 ET by well99

You do know that ADN is a baby NYTimes right.Ok first it is her right as govenor to fire him.Her emails prove he was insubordinate.If it does go in front the board then  

"Under state law, the board must hire an independent counsel for complaints against the governor to determine whether evidence of a violation of the state ethics act exists."

"While ethics complaints are usually confidential, Palin wants the matter open."

"First, Ironchefofmunchies, Hollis French (ex-USMCR, interestingly enough) didn't say he would deliver an October Surprise, only that it could, a statement which he later retracted, but which definitely does make his investigation look partisan."

Gee how many other could of storys took hold with the msm?

These maybe.Curtesy of Factcheck.org

  • Palin did not cut funding for special needs education in Alaska by 62 percent. She didn’t cut it at all. In fact, she increased funding and signed a bill that will triple per-pupil funding over three years for special needs students with high-cost requirements.
  • She did not demand that books be banned from the Wasilla library. Some of the books on a widely circulated list were not even in print at the time. The librarian has said Palin asked a "What if?" question, but the librarian continued in her job through most of Palin's first term.
  • She was never a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a group that wants Alaskans to vote on whether they wish to secede from the United States. She’s been registered as a Republican since May 1982.
  • Palin never endorsed or supported Pat Buchanan for president. She once wore a Buchanan button as a "courtesy" when he visited Wasilla, but shortly afterward she was appointed to co-chair of the campaign of Steve Forbes in the state.
  • Palin has not pushed for teaching creationism in Alaska's schools. She has said that students should be allowed to "debate both sides" of the evolution question, but she also said creationism "doesn't have to be part of the curriculum."

If it wasnt a grudge but you feel he wasnt doing the job then you might put him in a job with less responsibility.

As a independant myself.I trust other independants.Now the press have jumped on every rumor possible.They dont research it they just print it and look stupid and in the tank for Obama.All the lies coming out against her includeing leaveing out key parts of her answer to Charlie and ABC.I can understand her haveing no trust in getting a fair hearing.If it is in the open the people will know the deal.

"If it is in the open the people will know the deal."

September 16, 2008 - 23:06 ET by nicholas nickleby

Hi Well99,

I see your point about Palin being the object of a lot of unsubstantiated rumors. 

But that is why (I believe) she shouldn't allow even the shadow of a doubt to hound her about this Monegan affair. In other words, as you said, "If it is in the open the people will know the deal"--and one way to keep it in the open is to cooperate with the bi-partisan investigation. She should just release all the files related to the case and have her people cooperate with the investigation.

Otherwise, it looks like she's got something to hide. That is, ultimately, the one thing I want to say about this: if you cooperate with an investigation that everyone thinks is hostile to you (Branchflower, the investigator, is not attached to the legislature, he's an ex-DA, I think), and you come out innocent, you come out completely vindicated. 

If you come out slightly tarnished for any reason, then you have to make the case to the people why you did what you did.

But if you don't cooperate at all--that makes it easier for people to start rumors. And that's what we want to avoid in this case--I think you'll agree, we've had enough of those!

Nick

September 17, 2008 - 00:01 ET by well99

"Her lawyer sent an "ethics disclosure" Monday night to Attorney General Talis Colberg. The governor asked that it go to the three-person Personnel Board as a complaint. While ethics complaints are usually confidential, Palin wants the matter open."

If is in the open then there can be no politics involve and if there is then everyone will see it.You have to remember also she nailed the Republican Party chief in Alaska.I sure that won her alot of friends.

what do you think?

September 17, 2008 - 01:51 ET by nicholas nickleby

Hi Well99,

Yeah, I remember--there was that Republican woman in the AK Legislature who said something like, "of course Palin's not ready to be VP, she's not ready to be Governor."

Well, let me ask you (and everyone else here who hasn't moved on to the next post): what do you think Gov. Palin should do to show that she's above reproach in this matter?

I've already expressed my belief that I think the best tactical move for her right now is to open up completely to the investigation--if, worst case scenario, they uncover proof that she used pressure to get a trooper fired, she should come back and say, "he threatened my family, I'm sorry I misused my power, but I will not apologize for protecting the people I love." In my book, whether or not something turns up in the process, she gets points for being honest. I think that would be the best way for her to minimize this damage.

The Personnel Board idea is good, but I think it has two problems: 1) the personnel board would normally be selected by the governor, I think--and I think it's a bad idea to investigate yourself: if the verdict is innocent, no one will believe it; if the verdict is guilty, well, then people might think you're hiding something really awful behind that guilty charge. 2) the timetable for this was possibly going to push back a verdict until after the election--and I think this case has to be finished before the election, because people need to know the answer before they go in to vote so that they don't believe any (worse) rumors about it.

Okay, so that's why I think cooperation with the current investigation is a better tactical choice for her. What do you guys think?

(And to connect this to a wider issue: Gov. Palin has been giving speeches for a while now, but has given very few interviews--I would think, given her strong polling, that it would be a good idea to get the American people to know her better through more appearances. Are you annoyed that the campaign is keeping her sequestered? What do you think she should do?)

Nick

September 17, 2008 - 04:56 ET by well99

The guy fired said neither her nor her husband ask him to fire the trooper.As far as the personnel board.Do you know if she appointed those three?To be honest I dont.She did ask for it to be open where normally it wouldnt be.That is pretty transparent.

As far as this:

"Yeah, I remember--there was that Republican woman in the AK Legislature who said something like, "of course Palin's not ready to be VP, she's not ready to be Governor."

I figured it was Lyda Green before even looking it up.Esp or I already knew she had a axe to grind.

Also Here is a comment from

But Anchorage Democratic state Sen. Hollis French said it's a huge mistake by McCain and "reflects very, very badly on his judgment." French said Palin's experience running the state for less than two years hasn't prepared her for this.

Oh gee this guy will definately be neutral at her hearing.Especially when he made the Oct surprise comment.

Better to get it out in the open.Anyone starts playing games and everyone will know.Just curious since the guy said neither (Palins)ask what proof of misconduct do they have.

personnel board not appointed by Palin

September 17, 2008 - 12:46 ET by nicholas nickleby

Hey Well99,

If I ever said that Palin appointed the Personnel Board, I was wrong--I was under the mistaken impression that the Board was to be formed for this particular investigation. In fact, the Board is made up of gubernatorial appointees--but all three of them were appointed by Murkowski (though one of them was re-appointed by Palin).

So, that leaves my question of the time-line--but apparently the Personnel Board has a good record of turning things around in reasonable length of time.

And with the waiver of confidentiality, almost all of the issues that had me bothered about the way Troopergate was being handled have been addressed. The only thing that still bothers me (and I might be a minority in this) is the way the McCain/Palin camp has handled this--some of McCain's top lawyers have gone up to AK to help deal with this, Palin filed an ethics charge against herself and then dismissed it, they've released some emails now that they could have released a long time ago.

Ultimately, I feel the same way I did when we began this discussion: even if your judge is hostile (and despite his Oct. surprise comment, Hollis French is a well-respected politician, chosen by a bi-partisan group), if you did nothing wrong, then you'd come out of an investigation smelling like roses. The fact that there is strong evidence supporting Palin's claim that no one spoke to Monegan about firing Wooten just makes it look like she's trying to hide something through all this stonewalling.

Nick

September 17, 2008 - 13:50 ET by well99

The problem is politics is a contact sport.When you have enemies on both sides of the isle you have to watch your six.

"On the other hand, a

September 17, 2008 - 01:54 ET by tomnkiki

"On the other hand, a deposition taken by Palin's lawyer has one of her
aides saying that he was expressing the Gov's feelings when he asked a
State Trooper official..."

And, that aide admitted saying the above without the knowledge or premission of Gov. Palin.  So, not an issue.

well nicholas nickpicky

September 16, 2008 - 18:18 ET by Gary Hall

well nicholas nickpicky.."The news today is not about tanning beds.."??  Actually it seems that Olbermann and Fineman think it is.. perhaps you should send that complaint to them, not Tim Graham. After all they were the news team talking about it - in the news.

24 hour news = a lot of garbage

September 16, 2008 - 20:43 ET by nicholas nickleby

Hi Gary,

I'm sure I'm not alone in the sentiment that a lot of what gets talked about as "news" isn't really worth the name. And you're right, I should tell Olbermann that the tanning bed is not the issue--these newsmongers are really frustrating in their search for a story that will be simple to tell, so they go to this ridiculous personal stuff.

That said, there is a lot of news out there for Tim to look at--CNN has an article on this new twist in Troopergate on their website, as does MSNBC. I think Tim could do a nice job analyzing liberal media bias in those articles which are marginally more important.

However, that said, I'll return to agreeing with you: Tim can look at whatever news he wants--although I wish that he looked at more important stories, I wish even more that the news-media paid more attention to more important stories.

NN - the FFN

September 16, 2008 - 21:16 ET by Gary Hall

The focus here is noting the bias in the news by the media. The effort is to encourage the media to cover the news fully and fairly, i.e., the FFN. (;~> gary

you're right

September 16, 2008 - 21:41 ET by nicholas nickleby

Gary, you're right. I shouldn't have called Tim out (I really didn't mean to, and apologize to him if it seemed that I was) for something that isn't his fault--the craziness of the news-networks!

Nicholas -

September 16, 2008 - 22:40 ET by Gary Hall

Wow. OK, I'm retiring now. (;~> gary

heh

September 16, 2008 - 22:49 ET by nicholas nickleby

heh, well, I like to keep people on their toes, by, you know occasionally being wrong :)

Wow Nick

September 16, 2008 - 22:58 ET by well99

Today was a banner day for you.J/K...maybe

Get your talking points mixed up?

September 17, 2008 - 13:51 ET by CobraMan

Did you get your talking points mixed up? The "troopergate" report is slated for early release, around Oct. 10, so it looks like Sarah has been cooperating fully, just as she promised.

 

Obama: My job is above my pay grade

$400 haircuts - not to impress his wife, that's for sure

September 16, 2008 - 16:31 ET by Gary Hall

OLBERMANN: Like it or not, the country responded to the elitist angle they were playing on Obama, and the $400 haircut on John Edwards. That stuck.

Well, it would have stuck a little deeper, and would have saved the country from Edwards' run for President, had the MSM reported that the $400 haircuts were intended to impress someone other than his wife.

When I lived in NY, my

September 16, 2008 - 16:32 ET by marpel

When I lived in NY, my husband bought me a tanning bed so it would help with the depression I felt after several months without sunshine. This Texas girl needs sun as often as possible. It was also cheaper than flying back to Texas every couple of months. So, I can relate to the need for a tanning bed.

KO's opinions are the ramblings of a mentally ill mind, so it doesn't matter what he thinks. "Nut job" isn't even the right description for him.

I can't wait until I tell

September 16, 2008 - 16:44 ET by Clear thinker

I can't wait until I tell my step-Daughter about this. I'll bet she had no idea that because she has a tanning bed in her basement, she's now considered an elitist. BTW... She also Bow Hunts Deer all by herself. Damned elitist!

Sarah Palin - Joe Lieberman - Hate Fest 2008

 

 

Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/  

Do these things influence how people view the candidates?

September 16, 2008 - 16:52 ET by kj.444

How does this affect who people will vote for, and who they think is best for the job of our president.

 Take our survey and help us find out...

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/jginges2

And the survey says...

September 16, 2008 - 16:58 ET by Clear thinker

And the survey says... Palin by a landslide!

Sarah Palin - Joe Lieberman - Hate Fest 2008

 

 

 

Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/  

Mr. Metro-Sexual

September 16, 2008 - 17:11 ET by Solrac7

Funny to hear this crap coming from an obvious metro-sexual. Haven't you noticed that he is always “highly made up” and looking tanned himself although a bit ghastly? I will betcha he has a tanning bed that he uses at home. Goes along with his make-up table with all of the fancy gadgets and high dollar lotions and potions to ever maintain his youthful and contrived glow. Like Waylon Jennings and the other old guys said “You’re still gonna die”.

OLBERMANN: ............

September 16, 2008 - 17:23 ET by MidAmerica

OLBERMANN: ............ What self-respecting hockey mom governator wants to get caught within 100 miles of her own tanning bed?

   I'm really don't know what angle he's trying to pull here.  Is he trying to claim it's embarrassing to own a tanning bed?  Is he just being a 'provocateur' or is he so out of touch with normal people that he really believes this nonsense.

What's with the new

September 16, 2008 - 17:36 ET by Chris Norman

What's with the new glasses? Is he now "Clark Olbermann" before turning into "Special Comment Man"? 

McNotObama '08

BATH-TUB-BOY...

September 16, 2008 - 18:22 ET by danybhoy

So Olbermann wants the MSM "to grow a pair"? I'm thinking Palin should call the bluff of this beat-off & just sort of drop into BSNBC, & give BathTubBoy a 15 minute interview. I want to see if this @-hole can actually conduct himself in a dignified, professional manner, & Palin should have it recorded on the side to prevent Olby & BSNBC from chopping up the interview like her interview with Charlie Gibson. I don't think BathTubBoy could handle it, since this is a man(I can't prove otherwise, but I have my doubts)who NEVER, EVER, haves ANYONE who has an opinion that he does not agree with. So to have the 1 person who has the power to destroy the hopes & dreams of the liberal/progressive/marxist/demacrat left take on this @-hole in his yard, could be the finishing move that could destroy the Obama campaign, Keith Olbermann, & BSNBC.

BTW, Olby's new glasses? The ain't new, they look like a pair of Ashleigh Banfield's old eyewear that she forgot to take with her when she left BSNBC years ago.

 

 

"...it's still We The People, Right?"  Megadeth 

The whole schtick

September 16, 2008 - 19:06 ET by Chris Norman

The whole schtick of Olberman's show is that he never has anyone on who disagrees with him or his warped point of view. This allows him to get away with his outrageous behavior and comments - unchecked.  

McNotObama '08

Next Thing You Know...

September 16, 2008 - 18:33 ET by azholmes

These "elite's" will be buying home exercise equipment, maybe even fruit juicing machines, when will it stop???

 

 

McNotObama2008.com


Kweef Olberwoman

September 16, 2008 - 18:36 ET by JohnJDunbar

This is an obvious sign that Olberwoman is suffering from "Palin envy"  That is when a buffoon like him has followed all the left wing dogma, attended an Ivy league school, dated ugly butch looking women, and tries to act like an intellectual. How is it possible that some "Woman from Alaska", that likes guns, hunting, and has five children can be seen by about fifty times his nightly audience as the new look of politics. Well Kweef, it is because you are a loser. A complete failure.

 

And growing a couple is more likely to happen to that  Dude that is on after KweeF.. Rachel Madcow.

MADCOW...

September 16, 2008 - 18:58 ET by danybhoy

If Madcow has the old doctors that used to oversee the East German women's swimming team that pumped them with so much male testosterone that at least 1 former (1976)olympic swimmer had to undergo a sex change operation, with many of that team having numerous health issues due to the roids.

All kidding aside, Rachel Maddow looks like a 12 year old boy, & is 1 of the bigger lightweights on BSNBC, & that's saying something.

 

"...it's still We The People, Right?"  Megadeth 

"...has followed all the

September 17, 2008 - 01:59 ET by tomnkiki

"...has followed all the left wing dogma, attended an Ivy league school,
dated ugly butch looking women, and tries to act like an intellectual."

Wow!  What a dead-on description of Obamassiah of The Obamination.  I am seriously impressed.  However, you did leave out the drinking and drugging, but I guess that just naturally goes along with the rest of the behavior.  ;-)

Has there been any scrutiny

September 16, 2008 - 19:16 ET by greval

Has there been any scrutiny of the Obama since his "debut" at the Democratic National Convention four year ago?  I think not.  These Obama sycophants will try to frame (pun intended) Palin in the way they view her, in the most negative way possible.

Get ready for the October and November Surprises even up to the eleventh hour before election day.

The Tanning Bed

September 16, 2008 - 19:42 ET by Dirjj

I was going to comment that Governer Palin may not be the only one who uses the tanning bed. She does have 2 teenage daughters. Not sure if they use it, or how safe they are, but I'd assume that in the long run, it's probably more cost efficient to buy one, than to have 3 people go to the strip mall weekly to use one.

Also, in looking at where they lived, how close would the nearest tanning bed be anyway? Has anyone looked into the prevalence of people in Alaska owning tanning beds?

ab

Actually, using a tanning

September 17, 2008 - 02:04 ET by tomnkiki

Actually, using a tanning bed, especially in northern climates can help combat SAD(Seasonal Affective Disorder).  At the gym(I'm such an elitist for having a gym membership), one of the owner's uses it regularly during the winter to help her combat those "winter blues" a.k.a SAD.  If she doesn't use it, she gets really depressed.  Of course, where I live, we have a TON of cloudy(and depressing) days, when compared with Seattle, Buffalo and Boston, only Seattle had more cloudy days.

One question I do have, though, does the tanning bed(UV lights) help us to synthesize Vitamin D, as do the UV rays of the sun.  If so, that is actually a health benefit, as long as you don't overdo it, and Gov. Palin doesn't look like she does.   FYI, people in colder, northern climes have higher rates of Ricketts(bowing of the legs due to Vit. D deficiency) than those in the South do where it's warmer and people can be outside more year round.

Sunkist Olbermann

September 17, 2008 - 08:22 ET by SickofLibs

The tanning issue is pretty funny coming from a guy who apparently thinks he looks good with orange skin.

Ah, if they could only slip an investigator into Palin's kitchen; I'm sure there are some pretty unusual and incriminating appliances in them Alaskan cabinets. 

»→ Stupid Olberman

September 17, 2008 - 08:50 ET by Cool Arrow

Does Olbermann not realize a tanning bed may be as good a purchase in Alaska, where sunlight is scarce for a few months out of the year as a swimming pool may be in the South?  

"Us white folk will take care of you" - Barbara Walters

Frantically trying to figure out?

September 17, 2008 - 11:03 ET by Edfromva

FINEMAN: I think the character of Amy Poehler playing Hillary Clinton had a pretty good line to the media. ‘Grow a pair or I'll lend you mine.' That should be the advice we all follow as we frantically try to figure out who Sarah Palin really is before Election Day.

My response to Fineman: Why is NOBODY trying to frantically trying to figure out who OBAMA really is before Election Day?