Sarah Palin Blames the Media (Again), And Everyone Comes Out a Winner!

by Steve Krakauer | 11:28 pm, July 5th, 2009

» 12 comments

Palin Resigning The immediate reaction to Gov. Sarah Palin‘s unexpected announcement Friday: mass confusion by the “media elites.” The timing was less a “news dump” and more a “screw you” to her mortal enemies in the fourth estate. This time, though, even the conservatives were confused: Charles Krauthammer called it “erratic;” Hot Air’s Ed Morrissey essentially wrote her political obituary.

Oh, “gotcha” media, you just don’t understand how things are done in the “real world.”

In her speech, Palin made a passing reference to the media: “I wish you’d hear more from the media of your state’s progress and how we tackle Outside interests – daily – special interests that would stymie our state.” (Note: not sure why “Outside” is in caps, but that’s how it appears in the transcript on her Web site.)

But that was just the beginning. In a July 4 letter to Alaskans that doubled as a reaction to two days worth of media coverage of her Friday announcement, Palin turned her hunting rifle on the journos. Here’s the entire editor-needing section:

The response in the main stream media has been most predictable, ironic, and as always, detached from the lives of ordinary Americans who are sick of the “politics of personal destruction”. How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it’s about country. And though it’s honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make.

Putting aside the idea she’s quitting because of a “higher calling,” how is the mainstream media responsible for the reaction to her speech? Palin had every right to be annoyed with David Letterman, and it’s true that some in the media have taken unabashed and bizarre glee in seeing her fail. But choosing to leave office on the Friday before July 4, in a hastily thrown-together news conference (with geese loudly interrupting), left the media more confused than celebratory.

Even one of Palin’s biggest defenders in the “gotcha” media, Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren, is miffed. In a blog post Sunday, she asks, “Does Gov Palin resigning set back women?” It’s a question, and she doesn’t draw a conclusion. But if Matt Lauer, or Charlie Gibson, or the gotcha-est of them all, Katie Couric, asked the same question, Palin’s supporters would be jumping in at even the slightest implication.

At the end of the day, the media embraces the “blame the media” storylines, because it allows them to talk about the thing they love the most — themselves. We’re curious what’s up, Gov. Palin, and nobody is interested in you going away. If you went away, who would the media have to kick around?

• Rachel Sklar thinks Palin owes the media an apology.

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Alaska, Charlie Gibson, Greta Van Susteren, Katie Couric, mainstream media, Matt Lauer, MSM, Sarah Palin

Villanova

You betcha she has a right to be angry. After all, we have bloggers writing articles mocking her retarded child minutes after she resigns.
LJSearles

Remember the media wondering what they would do for material when GWB left the whitehouse? I would submit to you that the amount of material and positively exploded from the republicans since then. I see no sign of that stopping.
apparently

Palin’s mistake was believing the McCain theory that America was ready for a quirky, independent (read that renegade) and erratic administration. She now joins the ranks of Jessie Ventura and Kinky Friedman.
mgillespie

As a former Alaskan, I can tell you that Palin capitalizes “Outside” because that’s how many Alaskans view anything beyond their borders. There are two places in the world: “Alaska” and “Outside.” The term is synonymous with “The Lower 48.”
denishorgan

There is exactly zeeero chance she sues anyone. None. There is this little thing called New York Times Co. v Sullivan.

http://tinyurl.com/qwegsa
Buck44

palin should follow her own advice
Buck44

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/06/palin-perceived-whine/
BarbaraL

The odds of her suing and winning a libel suit are ludicrous given what she’d have prove. It never fails to amaze me that this woman has gotten as far as she has, but I suppose it’s only because she’s in Alaska. It enrages me that I have people in my personal life who actually take this woman seriously. Gotcha media? I wish she’d had it worse. Also, why must she always have poultry behind her in TV shots.
Buck44

maybe obama should sue palin for implying that he “obama” was paling around with terrorists.

also for the far right to now cry that palin has received horrible treatment from the media thats a joke doesn’t anyone remember the clintons? they received horrible treatment times 10 compared to palin
willjones

Everyone is speculating why Palin resigned. Some think she intends to run for President, others talk about impending legal problems, etc. But she was really clear at her press conference as to what the problems is: she is getting deeper in debt defending herself from ethics charges. By quitting, she can focus her attention on making money. A multi-million dollar book deal, six figure speaking engagements, and perhaps her own TV show are on the horizon and that is why she quit.
http://www.pinkraygun.com zombie_fairy

With the number of corrupt politicians sleeping around, there will always be someone to kick around. Granted, not all of them will be as entertaining/ infuriating as Gov. Palin (can’t top that flute performance or swimsuit competition!), but it will only be a matter of time.

Really, though. Sarah Palin isn’t exactly a mental giant and doesn’t need so-called Gotcha! Media to give her a bad image. She does that herself through her own decisions and behavior.