Andrew Sullivan: The Filter That Protects Palin From Scrutiny (The Ne Plus Ultra of PDS)

The Atlantic ^ | April 21, 2010 | Andrew Sullivan

[2ndDivisionVet]

Here's a revealing glimpse into how a delusional, incompetent, pathological liar has managed never to hold a real press conference and yet remains a credible public figure. She avoids the filters - i.e. skeptical journalists - and deploys one simple propaganda tool:

(Requests to interview Palin for this article, specifically about her experiences in the 2008 campaign, were turned down. Her former communications aide Meghan Stapleton explained that "with her Fox exclusivity, we are denying requests for articles and stories right now.")

The reason I banged on and on about Palin's bizarre story about her fifth campaign prop during the campaign was not because I wanted to invade someone's privacy, or engage in loony conspiracy theories. The reason is simply that this story raised legitimate questions of fact, and that the press decided that it would never ask the relevant questions, and indeed ostracize and ridicule those who did.

Palin managed to sail through the campaign without any real scrutiny on a crucial matter of credibility, when proving her case would have been as easy as a simple fax of a readily available extract from what must have been voluminous medical records. But not even the McCain campaign asked for such evidence. And the press utterly bailed. Now, she is able to use one powerful propaganda outlet, press-restricted buck-raking speeches, and a book of magical realism to continue this creepy, unaccountable celebrified campaign.

The problem here is not really Palin. Every delusional, ignorant nutcase should have a chance to get away with running for national office.(continued)

[mkjessup]

This article has nothing to do with 0bama. And if Sarah Palin is going to be presented as the Great Conservative Heroine, and if all conservatives are expected to join in lockstep and follow her, then questions will be asked, and those questions will be legitimate, naysayers and deniers notwithstanding.

[mkjessup]

OK Arthur, how about Sarah Palin going on the record to state that she “shares John McCain’s vision for America”?

Q - Is John McCain a conservative?
Q - Would his ‘vision’ for America be conservative?
Q - Would this make anyone ‘sharing’ his vision conservative or not?

Back to you Arthur.

[DCPatriot]

Hell hath no fury like an old carpet muncher.

[Arrowhead1952]

The reason is simply that this story raised legitimate questions of fact, and that the press decided that it would never ask the relevant questions, and indeed ostracize and ridicule those who did.

Hey Andrew, do you think the state run media ever vetted zero? Who was the first reporter to question his statement that he had campaigned in "all 57 states, but may have missed one or two".

That may have been a legitimate question to axe the anointed idiot who now occupies the WH.

FWIW andrew, you can go eff yourself.

[unseen1]

Yeah, so Palin was blindsided by just how thuggish leftwing lawyers can be when a Chicago thug airdrops them. She should have realized what few Americans realized when Obama tricked people into voting for him? That’s a huge over-reach. Petty twist.

I’m willing to forgive a poor road mistake, and I’m certainly willing to forgive a little naivitee about leftist lawyer-thugs. Live and learn. Now she knows better than most.

It was NOT Palin’s reforms that got her. The previous state legistrature before Palin changed the law as it releated to the Governor. To allow citizens to air the complaints with no repercussions.

[McGruff]

Requests to interview Palin for this article, specifically about her experiences in the 2008 campaign, were turned down

Well that explains alot.

Man up Andrew.

[JApost]

Then why post it? Is little karl rove mittwipe matt rhoades paying you to post these articles slandering Palin? Palin has no conservative media entity supporting her. None. They are all staffed with little pastey-faced betas that sneer, scoff or make snide insults when her name is brought up or when they write about her. Fox news, WSJ, weekly standard, NRO, hotair, all in the tank for mitt romney.

[unseen1]

legitimate?

Which question was legitimate.

I see no legitimate questions in this piece just DNC talking points loosely based on half truths.

[unseen1]

why would Palin grant an interview to the head of the Trig birther squad?

that would be like bush granting an interview to daily kos.

[andy58-in-nh]

I think you might be on to something with regard to Mr. Sullivan, whose writing once used to contain more than a hint of rationality, and which today, sadly, resembles nothing so much as the handwritten diary of an obsessive-compulsive recluse. By contrast, I found Quin Hillyer's piece about Sarah Palin in The American Spectator to be fair and balanced, even if I disagreed with some of its conclusions.

Out of necessity, a reporter must make judgments about their subject when confronted with a pattern of behavior, even in the light of competing or contradictory information. I feel Mr. Hillyer did so faithfully in his article as opposed to Sullivan, who can no longer even claim the pretense of objectivity. Were I to make a judgment about the latter in light of his own behavior, it would tend, as you suggest toward blaming the inferior quality of Mr. Sullivan's most recent demonstrations not on diminished skills, but rather on diminished capacity.

[Clyde5445]

Quin Hillyer’s article was totally debunked. It was a hit piece.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2496691/posts

Here is Quin Hillyer’s article being dissected and proven false here at FR.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2495965/posts

[verga]

My only concern is borders. If she’s clear that her plan for “path to citizenship” is nothing like amnesty, then I say: “Run baby run!”

I agree that this is an issue and it is a good sized one, but there are otehrs taht are even bigger. She is Pro-Life, Strong on Second ammendment, Strong on National defense, Fiscally responsible, and actually has lead a town and a state.

We will never find the perfect candidate, but people like Sarah, Mike Pence, Tom Coburn, etc... Need our support for supporting so many of the "Right" issues.

[mkjessup]

I see no legitimate questions in this piece just DNC talking points loosely based on half truths.

Which 'half truths' are you referring to?

[rob777]

if I did not know better I would guess that this guy is a closet Sarah Palin supporter. This is one of the most irrational rants that I have seen and could only serve to inspire sympathy for Sarah from any same person.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I understand frustration with her. Sorry for being snarky earlier. [Just frustrated.]

There’s a lot more to Sarah than McStain. He chose her because she is so unlike him. She balanced his ticket:

Sarah Palin: Institutionalizing Crony Capitalism
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2498745/posts
[While McStain took Sachs money, she criticizes Sachs cronyism.]

Sarah Palin’s ‘Christian Nation’ Remarks Spark Debate
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2497154/posts

Sarah Palin asks: Mr. President, Is a Strong America a Problem?
http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/04/sarah-palin-mr-president-is-a-strong-america-a-problem

Palin to RNC: Take me off fundraiser( RNC is trying to trade on her name )
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2484320/posts

Sarah Palin: Stall, Baby, Stall!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2484272/posts
Palin regarding Obama and drilling: Behind the rhetoric lie new drilling bans and leasing delays; soon to follow are burdensome new environmental regulations. Instead of “drill, baby, drill,” the more you look into this the more you realize it’s “stall, baby, stall.” [snip]

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

So the article’s take on reforms biting her was B.S.? [I wouldn’t be surprised.]

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

“I agree that this is an issue and it is a good sized one, but there are others that are even bigger.”

I trust her on all the other big issues. So there we go. She’s vetted, she’s tested, and she’s learning a LOT about mass communication right now. If she wants it, and if she’s strong enough on borders, I’m with her.

The reason I emphasize borders is multiple — nuclear terrorism, a stealth voter base [universal voter], and the danger of balkanization. It might not be the biggest, but it’s a CRUCIAL issue. We would be desperate indeed if forced to keep our front door wide open for another four years after g00se-egg.

[2ndDivisionVet]

If you weren't such a newbie, I'd be mad, but as it is you're more to be pitied than censured. I have publicly pledged to raise a minimum of $2 million dollars for Governor Sarah Palin, so no, some Mittster is not “paying” me to post articles here. I wanted to show just how irrational she's making the Left, which tells me that she should be our nominee in 2012.

[x]

Requests to interview Palin for this article, specifically about her experiences in the 2008 campaign, were turned down.

Gee, I wonder why ...

[unseen1]

yes the law that Got Palin was from the late 1990’s. Palin reforms from 2006-07