Former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift was diplomatic, but her message was clear: because Sarah Palin remains doubtful of getting a fair shake from the MSM, she wants to take her message directly to the American people. Swift, speaking on behalf of the McCain-Palin campaign, made the remark in response to a question from this NewsBuster during the course of a conference call this afternoon.
Swift took the question after making opening remarks in which she said that Governor Palin won last night's debate in part because she was able to connect with Americans as "a person from the middle class who [expressed] the real anxieties that families have about our economy right now." After suggesting that Senator Biden didn't connect as well, Swift added that Biden made a significant number of incorrect statements "that kept the fact-checkers busy."
It was then that NewsBusters had the opportunity to pose its question. Listen to audio here.
NEWSBUSTERS: Governor Swift, it was just a month ago tomorrow that you were interviewed by Brian Williams [screencap from interview] and he asked you a question that was much in vogue at the time, along the lines: should Gov. Palin be doing this given that she has several children? And I think you responded to that. And then we saw the wave of questions as to whether the Governor was sufficiently conversant with the issues, and presumably last night's performance has put those questions behind her. Is it possible to anticipate the next wave of mainstream media attacks or lines against the governor, and are you already anticipating the response to that?
JANE SWIFT: I think it's pretty clear that Governor Palin demonstrated that she's ready to be John McCain's vice-president. In last night's debate she had a clear command of the issues and I think she actually, in a very appropriate way, expressed her desire to talk directly to the American people, not through the filter of the mainstream media who can edit her comments. And perhaps she doesn't have confidence that they're going to convey what she truly believes in her heart nor will they accurately convey her experience.
You know, I would hope as the mother of three daughters [Swift was the first person to give birth while serving as a governor] that we have put many of the gender issues to rest. I'm skeptical that we have because some of those stereotypes seem so resistant to being handled. But I think what she did do is that she talked about issues, and her experience, and how she would take her experience both as a mother as well as a governor and use it to improve the lives of families across the country. So I'm very hopeful, although I wouldn't place good money on it, that we can stick to a debate about the issues, because I do think Governor Palin answers strongly all of those who questioned her ability to do this job.
As for putting money on the MSM giving Sarah Palin a fair shot, I'd say the odds are approximately equal to those of the Brady-less New England Patriots winning the Super Bowl.
