Vanity: Fox News Says Palin Did Not Know Africa Was Continent, Not Country

Fox News | 11/05/08 | vanity

[SalukiLawyer]

Carl Cameron just said McCain campaign shocked to discover Sarah Palin did not realize Africa was a continent, believing instead that it was a country. She did not know the countries in NAFTA. She refused offered preparation for the Couric interview and threw temper tantrums over adverse press.

Wow. Dumping on Sarah in a big way. Shep asked how on Earth the McCain camp could have ended up picking such a dope (not exact words, but sense of what he said).

They did point out she seemed to help the polling numbers.

I knew this was going to be the template, but I was surprised at the level of nastiness on Fox News. Looks like elements of the McCain campaign is determined to make her the scapegoat for the loss. (Couldn't have been anything about the man at the top of the ticket.)

Fox News: Palin didn't know Africa was a continent You Tube

[SalukiLawyer]

I don’t recall Rush criticizing Sarah Palin for not being conservative enough. Ever. Do you?

[kabar]

This is what you wrote newbie, Had Governor Palin stayed low-key in Alaska, done her job well and straightened out Alaska for two terms and come out of nowhere, she would have done well. By picking her out before she had time to mature, she’s damaged goods as the bottom half of a losing ticket, Another conservative Kerriganed.

Palin did not have to stay in Alaska for another 8 years [two terms] before coming on to the national scene nor is she "damaged goods," because she was on a losing ticket. If anything, her reputation was enhanced by her performance. You seem to be pushing the MSM/Dem propaganda about Palin. They are trying to destroy her in much the same way they did against Joe the Plumber.

You seem, newbie, to believe that Palin was not ready for prime time and that she is now damaged goods. I don't have a reading comprehension problem. I can smell a rat who is pushing this crap. Of course it is an attack on Palin and her future political viability.

[donna]

“We haven’t been on the ballot since 1994,” he said, noting that if Republicans wanted to win elections, they should not put so-called “moderates” on the ballot.”

- Rush Limbaugh

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

What you said, and the fact that your conservative has to be a real conservative. RINOs don’t advance conservatism. Heck it’s nearly impossible to roll back liberal legislation with real conservatives. Reagan couldn’t get rid of the Department of Education!

[publius_in_abq]

Oops..I just posted an article on this too. I was skeptical of the report as well until I considered the Couric interview:

1. Palin couldn’t name a single magazine that she reads. She could have just said Newsweek or the Time, or referred to some obscure local paper. But she froze like a deer on an absolutely innocuous question.
2. Palin had weeks to come up with a decent answer on being close to Russia and foreign policy. But again, she froze and gave some canned nonsensical response. Weeks of ridicule then ensued on something that could have been a strong asset for her.

I’m a big Palin fan, but that interview (even though COuric was rather obnoxious) gave me doubts about her smarts.

[SalukiLawyer]

Palin got a crash course in how to run for president. That kind of experience is invaluable. She is undoubtedly polarizing, but so what? That's a good thing. She out-shone the top of the ticket like a sun to candles and has four years to work on her prospects, including writing a book or two. She made such an impression a grass-roots campaign would practically grow itself.

I can see her in two or three years cast in "older and wiser" role in which she acknowledges that she had some stumbles then goes on to impress the nation with a more thoughtful campaign of her own.

She is far, far from damaged goods and the rift stories are probably more helpful than harmful in the long run since it further distances her from an unpleasant, failed campaign.

[SalukiLawyer]

He was clearly talking about McCain. Golly.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

LOL, that commercial was just on. Perfect.

[SalukiLawyer]

I don't read any magazines regularly, either, except for Salvo. What do you recommend? People? Newsweek? Magazines are for the doctor's office and bathroom. I spend hours reading every day, though. There's this thing called the internets for starters... :-)

I was more concerned that she could not name supreme court decisions she disagreed with, but then again, I'm a lawyer, and tend to follow that sort of thing more closely. I also did not like her advocacy of extending NATO into Russia's living room, but that's the GOP line.

I think she was ambushed by national media and performed like a green trooper by falling back on her "training," or in her case some canned phrases. Yes, the performance did not look impressive, but under the circumstances I am not willing to judge her by the worst public moment of her life.

I got the impression she has genuine convictions and is not an ordinary pol. I would trust her to do the right thing. Facts can be learned and otherwise managed with help from staff. What you do with facts comes from character, and I think that's what people sensed in Sarah Palin.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Blah blah blah. Your opinion and mine mean nothing for 2012. I like Jindal too. Let them run against each other in the primary and may the best candidate win. Other than that this is all blather.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

The US has been reliably center-right by about 60% for the last forty years. Rush quoted this statistic and I’ve seen it elsewhere including FR. What’s changed is the Republican Party’s commitment to conservatism and its principles. Run as a real conservative and you will win in most places.

McCain had long since lost his credibility (McCain-Feingold, shamnesty, etc.) as a conservative and that’s why he lost. Sarah was added to the ticket but it was too late to regain any credibility. After all, McCain would be sitting in the chair, not Sarah.

[curling]

Looks like quite a few “moderates” got whacked this time around. Takes a few thumps on their thick skulls.

[donna]

What is conservative about this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2126495/posts?page=276#276

[SalukiLawyer]

Why don't you list current politicians that pass your conservative purity test so I'll have a better idea of what you are driving at. I'll check it out in a.m.

Goodnight, folks.

[Tammy8]

I saw the questions and didn’t take it the same way you did. I read interviews with people that knew her in Alaska and several of the people said she read anything and everything she could get her hands on. Her sister said she read newspapers from cover to cover as a child growing up. I am like this so I related to that.

I think the reason she froze like that when asked what she read is because she knew she would be judged by so many for whatever she said. I think it was a moment where she was not sure of which reading material might be “acceptable.” I can relate because I have two favorite topics- history and pretty graphic murder mysteries. When people ask me what I read- I always consider who is asking before answering. If she had said Time or Newsweek Katie would have been satisfied- but I am sure many conservatives would wonder why she would read that trash.

Her answer on proximity to Russia and foreign policy was actually a very long answer that was edited to make her look like an idiot. Her entire answer was a good one. She probably should have given more thought to giving a shorter answer.

She was on the chopping block within literally seconds of her nomination. I have never seen anyone under such scrutiny. I think that and paranoia about it from the McCain campaign made her skitterish in interviews. If she wants to play this game again she will need to become more polished I admit- but then again if she is the candidate then I think she will interview better. She will be the main candidate and not have to worry about causing problems for someone up the ticket.

I think as a conservative running with a RINO she had to walk a fine line and if she is the candidate she can be more herself.

I could be wrong- but this is my opinion.

[river rat]

McCain has always had difficulty identifying the enemy or recognizing his “allies”.....

- McCain teamed with Kerry to whitewash Communist Vietnam final “report” on the status of MIAs and POWs known to have been captured but not repatriated.

- McCain defended Kerry and attacked the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth....as the SBVFT were unmasking Kerry as a phony SOB and traitorous bastard...

- etc, etc, etc......

The conservative base of the Republican party simply stayed home this time....

[the808bass]

Romney couldn’t connect because he’s not a conservative, at least on the social front. Jindal is both an economic and social conservative. OK, last comment on Jindal, I promise... Palin, Jindal, and the other GOP Governors are meeting in Miami next week for their annual meeting. I predict that this will be the beginning of the Jindal introduction to the rest of the country — conservatives and folks out there are yearning for conservative leadership. I betcha that the media will talk up Jindal big-time next week. I’m confident that because he’s a social AND economic conservative, Jindal will connect with GOP voters. Welcome to 2012!

Ok, Bobby. We get it. You're going to run in 2012. Good luck.

Now go hire a proper PR person.

[personalaccts]

You are the only one.

[WilliamReading]

I don’t doubt Shepard Smith is gay, but Carl Cameron is straight as an arrow. Carl kept the story quiet until the election was over, and then spilled the beans. That is what ethical reporting is all about.

Shep Smith makes about $7.5 million at Fox , Carl I bet makes about $1.7 million, I am guessing.

[Cacique]

Regrettable as it is they will have four years to destroy her and will likely succeed.