A recent CBS report by Scott Conroy and director of political coverage Steve Chaggaris is typical of the hyperbole to which the Old Media is prone when "reporting" (by that you can read dramatizing) Sarah Palin's political doings.
This report is not as chock full of it as some others that have utilized over-the-top phrases and rhetoric to beat down Palin, but there are a few here that ring typical of the sort of backdoor slams that the Old Media constantly over use in its Palin coverage.
We start with the opening line:
In a fiery speech that felt more like a partisan campaign rally than a formal transfer of power, outgoing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin reflected upon her administration's most significant achievements and shared her vision for the country's future. But the address was most notable for Palin's remarkably blunt swipes at her favorite nemesis: the media.
What does "felt more like a partisan campaign rally" as opposed to a "formal transfer of power" mean, anyway? It is a colorful way of intimating that Palin overstepped herself at the ceremony, of course. It's a way to slam her as gauche without directly saying so.
The last line is also a perfect example of the nonsense we get from the Old Media where it concerns Palin. The CBS pair wrote, "But the address was most notable for Palin's remarkably blunt swipes at her favorite nemesis: the media." Yet, this supposed notability of Palin’s "blunt swipes" at the press is belied further in the story where it maintains that Palin's swipes at the media have become "close to a daily ritual."
So, the question in my mind is this: how can the swipes she took at the ceremony be "notable" if, according to CBS, she's been doing this since her stint as the GOP vp nominee over six months ago? In fact, there can't be much "notable" about it if it has become so entirely ubiquitous.
Naturally, the reason they use the "notable" rhetoric is to convey to the reader that Palin's behavior is something to raise an eyebrow about. This is just one of the tactics the media uses against her, an effort that is becoming "close to a daily ritual" -- if I may steal a quote.
And speaking of the "daily ritual" business, the CBS piece says the following:
Palin's relationship with the press deteriorated further during her vice presidential campaign, and upon her return to Alaska, she has made her condemnations of the media something close to a daily ritual.
Something "close" to a daily ritual? My guess is that you won't even be able to find daily public comments on any subject from Palin since she ran for vp, much less a daily attack on the press. It may have been frequent, even common that Palin slapped the press in her public comments and statements, but a "daily ritual"? That is simply hyperbole. She has not daily swiped at the press.
The CBS report also ignores the history of the press of attacking her children and seems to imply that the only example of it was when Late Night host David Letterman recently made a sexual "joke" about her youngest child, Piper.
Her now several weeks old public feud with David Letterman over the late-night comedian's failed joke about one of her daughters was apparently still smarting, as she leaned forward into the microphone and added angrily, "One other thing for the media, our new governor has a very nice family, too, so leave his kids alone."
This minimizes Palin's hurt feelings over the constant media attacks on her children as a mere spat with some TV show host. But Palin has over the past half year suffered constant media attacks on son Trig and daughter Bristol as well as her husband and other family members. It all serves as an understandable impetus for her suspicion and anger at the media. But did the CBS pair note this history to show why Palin's suspicions might be justified? Not at all, the better to make her seem shrill and out-of-control, naturally.
In the end, this CBS piece serves as a great example of the loaded rhetoric that the Old Media use against Palin as they report the news. It shows the sneaky language they use to minimize, belittle, pester, and scoff at Governor Palin, for sure.
(Photo credit: fitsnews.com)



















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CBS: The Courikrite Blathering Station
July 27, 2009 - 11:51 ET by Paul Atreidesaren't they the people worried over what newspapers that Sarah reads but not too worried about what life-altering legislation that Congress and the President read?
or legislation that they
July 27, 2009 - 12:02 ET by Chris Normanor legislation that they don't read - but you probably meant that.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
"Excuuuse Me for defending myself!"
July 27, 2009 - 11:56 ET by lgeubank"The tiger is an evil animal -- when attacked, she defends herself."
CBS & the others.
July 27, 2009 - 12:01 ET by blazermaniacCBS and the rest of the pathetic state run media, are very afraid of Sarah Palin. And that is AWESOME!
You are exactly right.
July 27, 2009 - 12:08 ET by mattmYou are exactly right. And why are they afraid of her? Simple, she bursts the elitist bubble. She is a plain-spoken woman of the people.
Elitists hate that, because elitists, on both sides of the aisle, are in in for themselves and for power, but if the people have the power, as the Founders intended it, the elitists are finished.
The thing is, I'm not that
July 27, 2009 - 12:07 ET by Chris NormanThe thing is, I'm not that huge of a fan of Palin to begin with, I'm sure there are many other conservatives at the state level I don't know now, but would like even better if I was exposed to them. It's just that she looked so energetic and real next to McCain. However, the more the media engage in trying to destroy her, the more I (and a lot of other people) will defend her - beyond what effort we would normally make.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Don't blame me. I VOTED FOR PALIN!
July 27, 2009 - 12:12 ET by Jayke... and I have the video to PROVE it.
"Palin was recently spotted
July 27, 2009 - 12:16 ET by goldbar"Palin was recently spotted in a Cessna with a high powered rifle trying to shoot Wolf Blitzer".
My heart goes out to Sara
July 27, 2009 - 12:18 ET by nwahsThe cross she must bear for us all.
"These are the times that try men's souls"
"One other thing for the media, our new governor has a very nice family, too, so leave his kids alone. "
Yup, two P's in a pod ;)
Why not Jeb Bush?
Shawn.. YOU try MY
July 27, 2009 - 12:41 ET by rimskyShawn.. YOU try MY soul.
How dare she?
July 27, 2009 - 12:51 ET by jdlybrandWe have seen how the State Run Media has barraged the good Governer with attacks on her intelligence, looks, family and values; yet when she delivers a glancing blow at them, they cry foul with utter contempt. Screw them and their 'Holier-Than- Thou attitudes. They're nothing more than a bunch of buzzards feeding on dead carcasses.
Meanwhile, the country goes to hell in Obama's handbasket and they think he's cool.
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
Sarah Palin's relationship with the corrupt, Obama-licking SCM..
July 27, 2009 - 13:26 ET by R D Helm...doesn't matter in the least.
After all, these creeps have been trying their best to destroy her ever since McRino picked her as his VP, then refused to stand up for her whilst the anti-American press savaged her constantly.
What matters is her relationship with [real] Amurricans, something the Obama-lovers in the press, and among the general population, aren't, and wouldn't know if they were to be run over by one.
-Dave
NBC "
July 27, 2009 - 14:15 ET by jessieHNBC " our top story- Palin rides a 4 wheeler." ABC " our top story- Palin goes fishing." CBS " our top story-Palin goes to the bathroom." This is the kind of stories these hacks call news.
The reason the MSM can not stop talking about Sarah Palin . . .
July 27, 2009 - 19:02 ET by Free StinkerThe reason the MSM can not stop talking about Sarah Palin . . .
"Professional politicians and political journalists don't waste energy on political corpses. They reserve their energy -- positive or negative -- for viable politicians." --Tony Blankley