Video: Vanity Fair author defends Palin hit piece
posted at 8:09 pm on June 30, 2009 by Allahpundit
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You knew there was going to be a thread on it; the only question was whether it’d be a regular post or the quote of the day. Now, pop quiz: Which rock-ribbed Republican not long ago called Todd Purdum, the author of the VF hatchet job, a “scumbag” and said this about his reporting?
“[He's] sleazy,” he said referring to Purdum. “He’s a really dishonest reporter. And one of our guys talked to him . . . And I haven’t read [the article]. There’s just five or six blatant lies in there. But he’s a real slimy guy”…
Answer here. If you’re looking for a takedown of the VF piece, Jim Geraghty has got you covered. My own reaction was simply that, for all its length and use of anonymous insiders, it failed to advance the ball much. The stories about Palin not getting along with McCain staffers or not being ready for the intense primetime of a national campaign are old hat by now. A more useful piece would have focused on what she’s doing to rehabilitate her image and how her weaknesses might spoil a bid in 2012. (Purdum touches on that but most of the piece is a rehash.) The chief virtue of the finished product is that it’s driven some Palin fans to such extreme exasperation that they’re now outing his sources while driving her critics to such extreme derangement that they’re doubling down on Trig trutherism.
I actually do hope she runs. The more I think about it, the more fascinating a Romney/Palin showdown in the primaries seems. She’ll have evangelicals and talk radio on her side; he’ll have moderates and, in all likelihood, superior organization. You can imagine Iowa breaking for her, New Hampshire breaking for him, and then war in South Carolina and Florida. Daily traffic for Hot Air in covering it: Two million hits or bust. Exit question: What do we think of the much-publicized photos in Runner’s World today? If there’s a woman in America who’s had five kids that looks better than she does, I’d like to meet her. But if it’s gravitas that she needs to cement herself as a serious challenger to The One, I can’t imagine that a check-me-out photo helps.
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So much Sarah-hate there…sure has to mean something…
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 8:11 PM
***Face Palm***
Knucklehead on June 30, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Palin’s runner photos up against Obama’s man boobs and hoop shooting photos… She’ll win that one easily.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Man, when Bill Clinton calls you a “sleazy….slimy….scumbag”. you know you’re in the gutter.
aquaviva on June 30, 2009 at 8:12 PM
“Reporting” being the key word. In quotes, yes.
Sir Loin on June 30, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Palin’s runner photos up against Obama in a dork helmet on a bicycle… She’ll win that one easily.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Honestly, I hope she doesn’t run. Not because I don’t think she’s smart enough or a good enough leader…it’s just the circus like atmosphere that surrounds her because of all the PDSers. It’s sad, but true. I don’t think the Republicans will be able to gain anything against Obama in 2012 unless there is a candidate that can be taken seriously by everybody.
Queasy on June 30, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Palin’s runner photos up against any photo of Obama with a world leader… She’ll win that one easily, with gravitas to spare.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Palin’s PAC sends out appeal as reporting deadline looms
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1120012.html
Donate!
TimeTraveler on June 30, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Worthy of a second look……….?
Seven Percent Solution on June 30, 2009 at 8:14 PM
OF COURSE he was interviewed on MSNBC.
nickj116 on June 30, 2009 at 8:14 PM
That guy has a purdy mouth. I do not think I will hear savvy politician and Barack Obama in the same sentence again
400lb Gorilla on June 30, 2009 at 8:14 PM
http://www.sarahpac.com
TimeTraveler on June 30, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Sarah spanking Pantywaste? No…
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:15 PM
The “One” is the same dude that ran around repeating the words “hope and change” every campaign stop, right?
Yeah, he is really a strong president..
joey24007 on June 30, 2009 at 8:15 PM
it just figures when they start getting bitter
she rubs her AMAZING body in their face
leaving Hill snarling and Madame Botox asking how many surgeries it will take to have that body…
alexraye on June 30, 2009 at 8:15 PM
That`s my president!
Yeah, I don`t want to hear anyone from the SRM about how this is un-presidential and disqualifies her. MAN BOOBS, DAMNIT, WE HAD TO SEE MAN BOOBS!
ThePrez on June 30, 2009 at 8:15 PM
+ 1000
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 8:16 PM
I read the piece. It was embarassing for the author. Not a single new piece of information was offered, but he managed to really insult women with one sexist stereotype after another.
She suffered from post-partum depression according to those oh, so anonymous McCain aides. Yep, we know. It’s all hormonal.
Strike one.
Then he latched onto the “she shopped till she dropped” tidbit.
Strike two.
Finally, he fell back on the usual. “She’s crazy!” Oh, he used narcissism as the label. Pulllllleeeeeaaase!
Strike three. He’s OUT!
The McCain campaign is really revealing a great story, though. It’s becoming very obvious that they are a bunch of sexist jerks. No wonder she was mishandled.
The author scammed his employer for a trip to Alaska and, as one poster earlier said on different blog, apparently spent all the time salmon fishing.
AnninCA on June 30, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Oh, they are so afraid of this woman…
d1carter on June 30, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Palin photos up against Obama sissy boy photos on his bike in his thilly thing outfit and helmet. ROFLMAO
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:20 PM
The Runners World article and photos are making Governor Soulmate wish he was still viable to make a 2012 ticket with her.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 8:20 PM
It’s all trig’s fault!!!
He is the reason why she is crazy!!!!
TimeTraveler on June 30, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Not to be all paranoid, but this isn’t a Trufferism moment is it?
Can we just turn on the TV and see plenty of women that are beautiful even after having children? we don’t even have to go out and meet them.
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:20 PM
They juuuust can’t let her go…..
Makes me smile.
katy on June 30, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Sarah is awesome. PDS is unbelievable. The MSM does not get it: the more they attack her, the stronger Sarah becomes. She’ll fight back and galvanize the base to her side as well as the PUMAS and blue dog democrats.
I don’t see Mitt becoming such a beacon of republicanism. He is more of the George H.W. Bush type. The boring type.
Sarah is more of a Reagan conservative.
jencab on June 30, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Looks like that, can hunt, fish, ride snowmobiles, govern a state as big & wild as Alaska. Now THAT is Presidential material that the world can respect.
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:21 PM
He couldn’t have spent much time in Alaska since he has a full time job being his wife’s designated driver.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 8:22 PM
No more VP crapola for Sarah. Run as President. Beat the weak worm.
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:22 PM
There is a hidden gem in this hit piece. Although I was very busy wrapping up the end of the month/quarter for my company today, I read the whole thing.
In there, they talked about how Sarah inspired volunteers to take her from the Mayor position and to take on the entrenched corruptocrats at the state level. They created a movement that propelled her into office.
She did the same thing at the national level. She inspired millions to vote for her and get excited about her presence on an very uninspiring ticket. I believe sincerely that Sarah will bring politics back to a more personal level. She is going to get millions of the “silent majority” who relate to her out there pounding the pavement in 2012.
Obama did that in a phony way. His charismatic messages, propelled by Soros’ money and huge ability to rake in a never before seen amount of cash on the internet (many feel that a lot came from overseas due to how loose the standards were on his website), propelled him into office. He was the perfect storm for 2008. Young, energetic, good speaker, unprecedented fund raiser, and basically sweeping out an 8 year incumbency the nation had grown tired of. Of course the September timely meltdown helped. I think buyer’s remorse is going to be set in by 2012 and his volunteer army is going to smaller in size with more sitting on the sidelines, similar to how McCain had millions on the sidelines in 2008.
Sarah will be in the exact sweet spot as all of Obama’s policies spiral this country down the tubes, both economically, as well as attempting to shred our constitution. People are going to fight for their country to take it back, whereas they never were involved before.
Watch the cuda and her army of millions take the stage as never before in 2012.
karenhasfreedom on June 30, 2009 at 8:22 PM
As always Allah, your political instincts are infallible. Infallibly wrong. But hey, you have to know something to be wrong every time. If you were guessing you’d be about 50/50.
In spite of that, there’s nobody I’d rather have on the blog. Perverse, ain’t it?
Immolate on June 30, 2009 at 8:23 PM
I’m still waiting for Hillary to get some photos in America Shakes Cankles… Heck, when is Obama going to submit his Op-Ed about Obamacare to Wheezing Joggers that Prefer to Golf?
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:25 PM
But, that would be journalism.
BacaDog on June 30, 2009 at 8:25 PM
WTF? I leave for a long weekend and I come back to find Allah actually giving kudos to Sarah? Did I miss something….Exit question, Allah. If you weren’t chubby chasing maverick’s daughter or going for the stupid factor chasing Kirsten Powers, would you realize that Sarah could be a contender for 2012?
A head of lettuce would do better than the joke we have in the WH right now…..
HornetSting on June 30, 2009 at 8:26 PM
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 8:11 PM
you are correct, it’s called FEAR….
SHARPTOOTH on June 30, 2009 at 8:27 PM
LOOK AT THIS GUY….I mean c’mon….can you say Chester the Molestor…..give this guy a 5 year old boy and watch the sparks fly….
L O S E R !
SDarchitect on June 30, 2009 at 8:27 PM
wow is this where we genuflect?
Stephen M on June 30, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Yay! I can’t wait…
…oh, I’m doing month/quarter/year end…ick.
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 8:28 PM
I don’t care what little world one lives in,
but its obvious,that the ongoing Lefty war
on Governor Sarah Palin,is deliberate,calculated,
and is only beginning!!
Okay,the war on Sarah has been ongoing for almost
a year.I’ll up it to,starting to pick up steam!
The Liberal Left,for their own twisted and sick
political reasons,HATE,DESPISE,and are absolutely
SCARED TO DEATH OF THIS REPUBLICAN WOMEN!!!!!!!!
And they damn well should be!!!
canopfor on June 30, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Well, to be fair to Obama, I’d like to meet someone that looks as good as him after sh*tting on 50 states.
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Stop dissing heads of lettuce by comparing them to Obama.
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:28 PM
she is MILFalicious, do two ways about it! ;-)
homesickamerican on June 30, 2009 at 8:28 PM
While are watching the Democrats destroy America-who has time for Palin B.S. stories??
In 2012, will the America we know and love still be here- that is the real story.
Not having McCain/Palin in office today is AMERICA’S LOSS, and we are all going to $$$PAY$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for generations to come.
djn on June 30, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Hey….doesn’t look like you chilled on your long weekend….be nice. :P
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 8:29 PM
that’s no two ways…
homesickamerican on June 30, 2009 at 8:29 PM
He’s a sssssssssqqqqqqqquuuuuuuiiiiiiiisssssssshhhhhhhh….
Seven Percent Solution on June 30, 2009 at 8:30 PM
As CRUDE as that is, it IS accurate!!
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:30 PM
McCain is another PLUTOCRAT RINO who needs to be served up a pink slip
hamradio on June 30, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Get ready to get smashed on like I was the other day. I don’t want her to run either, and everyone basically called me an idiot. I didn’t say anything negative about her personally, but just that I think she should wait until 2016, so she can become as knowledgeable as possible on as many subjects as possible.
nickj116 on June 30, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Well, to be fair to Obama, I’d like to meet someone that looks as good as him after sh*tting on 50 states.
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:28 p.m.
57 states in oboobi’s world.
SHARPTOOTH on June 30, 2009 at 8:31 PM
I think a more interesting piece would be on how McCain is playing off of the criticism to avoid the real obvious question, which is why HE blew it with moderates. She did her part. She brought in the base.
He is the one who failed to get out his side of the party to vote.
AnninCA on June 30, 2009 at 8:31 PM
um…yeah…sure that’s what you meant…I believe you…
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 8:31 PM
How many states?? 57, 58 60??
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Oh that’s right… wow, he must be stretched or dehydrated…
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Nothing beats experience like….experience. She’ll get valuable experience throwing her hat in the ring.
Hillary was more well-informed than all the candidates put together, and that didn’t matter a bit.
AnninCA on June 30, 2009 at 8:32 PM
A head of lettuce….
HornetSting on June 30,2009 at 8:26PM.
HornetSting: I hope you found R@R,and bliss this weekend!:)
Btw,isn’t the main food of Fence Post Turtles,
like Obama,lettuce!! hehe:)
canopfor on June 30, 2009 at 8:32 PM
At the rate Obama is ruining the country, we don’t HAVE until 2016
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:32 PM
nickj116 on June 30, 2009 at 8:30 PM
look at what’s in the WH now… where are you getting knowledgeable from?
SHARPTOOTH on June 30, 2009 at 8:33 PM
I can’t imagine it hurts either. That picture is extremely tasteful and in a running magazine showing the legs is part of the deal. Had that picture run in a fishing or hunting magazine then it is inappropriate, but as published? Gold.
Theworldisnotenough on June 30, 2009 at 8:34 PM
But the GOP doesn’t have Super Delegates, which is part of the reason Hillary got smacked around.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Allah, you had me until this point. If that photo is what’s standing in the way of Palin and the White House, she has little to worry about. By the way, Obama really looked serious and presidential in those photos where he’s walking around without his shirt on and his man boobs are flopping about.
Erich66 on June 30, 2009 at 8:34 PM
hillary was more informed than mccain, mitt, or fred?
not EVEN.
homesickamerican on June 30, 2009 at 8:34 PM
He probably eats at Burger King alot.
SouthernGent on June 30, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Palin will have plenty of gravitas when gas is $4+/gallon again. If gold goes through the roof then she is in the spotlight again because Alaska has alot of the yellow metal.
Theworldisnotenough on June 30, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Why cant SP do something for herself without it being anal’ized through a political lens. Photo’s are great, publication is non political, and she is a runner. Come on AP she is too Real to be that calculating all the time.
Amadeus on June 30, 2009 at 8:37 PM
How many states??
Jeff from WI on 30,2009 at 8:31PM.
Jeff from WI: With the coup,I think
that’ll make 61 States!!!:)
canopfor on June 30, 2009 at 8:37 PM
That’s 57 states, upstater. And, sorry, Jeff, as chairperson of the lettuce association, pleas accept my heartfelt apologies to your lettuce friends.
And, chill out? Camping. Our tent was destroyed in a ferocious thunderstorm, I have second degree burns on my back from a suntan lotion malfunction, and I managed to break my pinky toe……
the hornet is angrier than ever!
HornetSting on June 30, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Agreed. It’s not like she had pictures of her playing in the surf in Hawaii showing off her toned pecs. No one could get away with that kind of silliness and be president.
rihar on June 30, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Definitely better informed that McCain, Mitt or Fred. Well, Mitt is great on business/economics. Fred? *blink*
And McCain was a disaster on economics, but excellent on national defense.
No, she was the best, policy-wise.
AnninCA on June 30, 2009 at 8:38 PM
The good news is…..Is this it? Is this all they can dig up on her?
It’s already getting old and stale.
AnninCA on June 30, 2009 at 8:39 PM
I agree. Hillary was the best at leftist policy stated in a way that seemed somewhat reasonable to mindless Independents.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Yeah, and Hillary is doing such a bang up job with NoKo and Iran…..can’t wait to have nuked pineapple at MY fourth of July picnic!
HornetSting on June 30, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Do you really think “Gravitas” is what is needed to beat Obama? The man who is losing popularity daily and he’s only been in office for 6 months? we have 3 and a half years before the next presidential election. I sincerely hope that the left and Obama himself spend the entire time demonizing the govenor of Alaska and ignoring everything else…please.
Mord on June 30, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Isn’t it hard to believe that Hillary and Palin are BOTH the same sex!
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:43 PM
I just saw Sarah’s picture in that runner’s magazine. WOW, just oh WOW. Trim, shapely, gorgeous. Makes me want to switch teams, (just kidding). But no one would guess her age or that she had 5 kids with that figure. She is just awesome. Is there anything this woman can not do?
karenhasfreedom on June 30, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Ouch…girlfriend, you are due a spa weekend…
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 8:43 PM
You mean Kate Gosselin’s reverse mullet, bikini body, and 8 kids don’t do it for you?? Wha??
/sarc
Fly_in_Ointment on June 30, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Nothing new (the Vanity Fair piece).
WONDER WOMAN EXISTS AND HER NAME IS SARAH PALIN. (Wow is all I can say about those pictures.)
RedRobin145 on June 30, 2009 at 8:44 PM
You have to look at these things as opportunities. You might actually like the taste of nuked pineapple juice.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Isn’t it hard to imagine that Hillary popped out 1 and Palin popped out 5?
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Will Romney suddenly be the “moderate” in 2012? Well, he’s already been the leftist and hard core conservative.
V15J on June 30, 2009 at 8:45 PM
Obama’s going to have to put her on the Obamacare program to make her more “healthy” like his wheezing self.
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Is that you, Joe?
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Since when did “outing” cowardly, and most likely lying, anonymous sources a bad thing? Shouldn’t people be held accountable for what they say?
Capitalist Infidel on June 30, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Done!
SouthernGent on June 30, 2009 at 8:47 PM
If that nancyboy was really working out, rather than just going through the motions, he would have actual muscle on his arms and legs instead of the toothpicks he has now, no man boobs and no flab on his belly.
I remember some sychophant during the campaign who met him immediately after a workout marvelled at the fact that he wasn’t sweating.
That’s because he wasn’t working out.
Sarah, on the other hand, is toned and firm. Woof! Todd Palin is a lucky man.
single stack on June 30, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Oh what a great stategy for the Hatefilled Left. Mock and create a circus atmosphere around our best candidates so concerned Republicans who don’t want the “show” will not vote for them and we will never win another election. Sounds stupid to me.
The fact that she is constantly attacked is making a lot of people take another look at Palin. They wonder why this election, which ended 8 months ago, still has elitist Republicans and the Hatefilled Left attacking her. They know that she resonates with us ordinary hard working, God fearing, family loving, conservative Americans.
Wait to see the army of volunteeers and supporters she raises if she ever decides to run. No matter how much people push Romney, who has been very vocal lately, you don’t see the Left’s minions attacking and mocking him.
CCRWM on June 30, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Heh…he only thinks he’s hot…
…btw…it’s all self delusion…
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 8:48 PM
People who buy “Vanity Fair” magazine with the cover story about the dreamboat corpse Heath Ledger. Yep, that’s a vote you want. Perez Hilton readers.
Marcus on June 30, 2009 at 8:48 PM
So AllahPundit says Bill Kristol is an ‘extreme’ Sarah Palin Fan.
Making friends everywhere.
Amadeus on June 30, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Oh and her photos in Runner’s magazine are really motivating me to start running again…We’re the same age and she is in better shape :(
CCRWM on June 30, 2009 at 8:49 PM
In this video,notice that the Liberal talking points
are fed off of Republican statements,or rumours of what
McCain handlers had to say,it is the only thing,that
their using!!
Pathetic,to say the least!
Liberals,do you not have any original material of
your own,besides the hear say,or rumours,coming out
of Team McCain camp!!
canopfor on June 30, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Could you imagine how many hits Hot Air would get if all the writers were even moderately conservative? 3 million? 4 million? Maybe even 5 million?
Capitalist Infidel on June 30, 2009 at 8:49 PM
The lefty hags hate her b/c she failed to murder her offspring (well, at least some of them dammit, if only to prove she is in control of her womb)
The lefty men hate her b/c they can’t have her & they are stuck w/their barren self loathing hags pumped up with liquor and botox….
Wow, I just convinced myself to donate to sarahpac – BE RIGHT BACK
Ris4victory on June 30, 2009 at 8:50 PM
LOL..not exactly your smartest readers out there.
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:50 PM
No doubt!
HornetSting on June 30, 2009 at 8:50 PM
They’ve inspired Allahpundit to have granola and a Power Bar for dinner.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 8:51 PM
AP normally does a much better job, but his analysis today has really missed the mark.
Amadeus on June 30, 2009 at 8:52 PM
You could call it a national health care plan that the state doesn’t force on you…
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 8:52 PM
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