Video: Vanity Fair author defends Palin hit piece
posted at 8:09 pm on June 30, 2009 by Allahpundit
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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The runner article is pretty good, actually.
AnninCA on June 30, 2009 at 8:53 PM
honestly, I disagree about NH going for Romney.
a major portion of the republicans here despise MA.. and no matter what else romney is, he is a MA politician to us.
last time I heard the statistics for NH we have almost as many guns here per person as alaska. there are also a lot of hunters and gun owners here who will go for Palin just for those reasons. add into that everyone up here who rides ATV’s/motorcycles/snomobiles or goes fishing….call it the “one of us” factor. this is an easy string to pull in a campaign, and will resonate in the rural north as well as the south.
romney is nominally a gun owner. I think he has gone on record as having a .22 rifle. he has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of knowledge of the laws that cover firearms…at the same time that he has defended those laws. he does not have a reputation as an outdoorsman, and in a campaign that can be used as a wedge against him..a lack of connection with real people.
I know the romney supporters won’t like me for this..my advice..get him to a range! get him out fishing! show him shopping for himself in a regular store. you’ve got a few years to build up his “regular guy” rep….get to it!
warhorse_03826 on June 30, 2009 at 8:56 PM
If Palin were a Democrat, she would have been God’s gift to the party. That being said, she also would have been a better candidate running with Romney than McCain.
The only thing I can think is that her “Q” factor must be really, really high for the liberals to be attacking her as they are. Can anyone believe how the whole liberal establishment is throwing all caution to the wind and just coming up with hit piece after hit piece, defending Letterman, and dragging down the reputation of some decent publications with their printing the hit pieces.
We just may have to give Sarah a second look for 2012!!!
bflat879 on June 30, 2009 at 8:56 PM
There were words??
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Dude, her daughters were the ones who had the babies, including themselves.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on June 30, 2009 at 8:57 PM
CCRWM on June 30, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Good point, we all know which candidate the left most definatly does not want to see, Sarah Palin.
The fact that the left hates her guts should have no effect whatsoever on a conservative’s opinion of SP. Issues and electability are the standard. McCain had the electability but he was far to squishy on everything but defense. I want to see Palin give it a shot (pun intended) for 2012. I think there are alot of Americans who voted for “change” who may want to see a little bit more “change” after the Obama show gets into the re-run stage.
Mord on June 30, 2009 at 8:59 PM
yup, and she was really nice about McCain again. I would not mind seeing her take a well-placed shot at him. Ah well, that would be unwise.
AnninCA on June 30, 2009 at 8:59 PM
As much as it pains me to say this..
I would get behind a Palin/Cheney (if she could get some marketable experience) ticket. Now there are two gals that could clean this mess we have right up!
HoustonRight on June 30, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Amazing Body
alexraye on June 30,2009 at 8:15PM.
alexraye: SarahCuda is fit,and unlike Obama,she will go the
distance!
Those legs,aren’t just from running,squats,leg ups
leg raises,leg press’s are apparent as well in her
tone!!
Leggs Diamond is an apt term!!:)
canopfor on June 30, 2009 at 9:01 PM
At the ratrd things are going….The is only 15 words that Sarah needs to say in order to get elected in 2012.
Are you better off today then you were 4 years ago?
There you go again.
The Republications/RINOs in House/Senate will need to prove themselves by 2010 because I cant support them in anyway.
F15Mech on June 30, 2009 at 9:02 PM
ratrd = rate
F15Mech on June 30, 2009 at 9:03 PM
If I told you, I’d probably be banned from HotAir for life.
Jim-Rose on June 30, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Current short list of succession.
Obama – Biden – Pelosi
I would prefer:
Mickey Mouse – Goofy – Bozo the Clown
It’s an empty arguement. Biden is the idiot that the left accusses Palin of being. Obama is the empty suit we always knew he was. And Pelosi, God love her because no one else possibly could is Pelosi.
Would Palin have quadrupled the national debt? Ridiculed for Gitmo resolutions by foriegn leaders? Allow North Korea to run amok? Sat still for 50 minutes of U.S. hate speech from a two bit dictator from South America?
Maybe someday we will get the chance to find out.
Hog Wild on June 30, 2009 at 9:07 PM
After all the fawning over Barry and Michelle looks, i think it’s a stinging reality check.
What do you believe , sycophantic media or your lying eyes.
the_nile on June 30, 2009 at 9:07 PM
For those people who claim that Sarah Palin is not experienced or seasoned enough yet to be POTUS here is a news flash for you: the job’s not up for discussion until 2012. Folks it only the middle of June 2009.
And by the way Tiger Woods wasn’t ready to win 4 majors in a row in 1997 but give him 2-3 years he was.
Give Sarah Palin 2-3 she’ll be ready to sweep Obama out of the White House and the Democrats out of Congress.
technopeasant on June 30, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Dude, her daughters were the ones who had the babies, including themselves.
ROTFL!!
Jim-Rose on June 30, 2009 at 9:09 PM
It’s frankly insulting that people still bring up the lack of experience factor with Palin when they had no issues with a junior first-term Senator with zero executive experience(unless you could the disastrous Annenberg Challenge) ascending to the Presidency. And let’s not forget how no one ever dared question John Edwards’ qualifications back in 2004.
And can we please stop pretending Romney has a snowball’s chance in hell against Palin in the primaries. Like I keep saying, if she wants the nomination in 2012, it’s hers. The key is to keep a balanced budget in Alaska and continue to study up on foreign policy. If she accomplishes that, the next election will be a cakewalk.
Doughboy on June 30, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Some seem to think she’s going to have problems against Obama, but the guy ran on pie in the sky promises. Those promises will or will not come to fruition by then. And I have a feeling hopenchange will go out the window. The only real challenge will be the media, not Obama.
2010 will tell the tale. If the Republicans take over, and Obama keeps going the way he’s going 2012 is going to be a lock. Because the real test will be how he works with the opposition.
xax on June 30, 2009 at 9:14 PM
If anybody is including my post in the Palin not having enough experience they’re wrong. I wish Liz Cheney would run for public office as I think they would make a great team.
HoustonRight on June 30, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Whatever makes the opposition froth most, vote for.
profitsbeard on June 30, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Love those pics of her from Runner’s World…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrBx6mAWYPU
And by the way, isn’t this writer married to that boozebag Dee Dee Myers?? No wonder he’s so twisted.
D2Boston on June 30, 2009 at 9:16 PM
There was some “Republican strategist” on O’Reilly tonight named Dyck who was blaming Palin for defending herself against all the unfair attacks against her. Dyck is exactly wht is wrong with the elitist Republicans in the party. W took it for 8 years and it got him not one bit of good will and the idiot label follows him around. Palin should not let that happen to her and she has a lot of good bloggers refuting that stuff for her daily. We need to fight for our good candidates
CCRWM on June 30, 2009 at 9:17 PM
There is a direct correlation between the number of “hit” pieces on Sarah and fear level by the libs.
HoustonRight on June 30, 2009 at 9:19 PM
I didn’t notice any words. Are you SURE?
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Dee Dee Meyers. No there’s 5 miles of bad road.
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 9:21 PM
No=Now
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 9:22 PM
So has there been any word of Mr. Schmidt’s reaction to Mr. Kristol’s article?
Cindy Munford on June 30, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Any of you guys ever listen to Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio? I think he’s got it right about Vanity Fair: they’ll do a profile of Anderson Cooper, but they won’t do one on Bill O’Reilly. But then Bill O’Reilly kicks Cooper’s butt in the ratings.
Vanity Fair is such an elitist publication that it makes the Harvard Law Review look like Country Music Weekly in comparison.
radjah shelduck on June 30, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Vanity Fair? I thought it was a chick magazine like Cosmo
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 9:27 PM
She will crush Romney in both of those two states. By a lot. Romney’s performance was atrocious in both of them last time around and there is no reason that will change.
doug1981 on June 30, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Obama is a smoker. Tells us about self control. Actually it tells us hiw worldview on pollution. Whatever, palin will have more to clean house in 4 years. It is easier to keep a house clean than clean a filthy one. Obama is polluting the planet on so many levels.
seven on June 30, 2009 at 9:32 PM
The editor is a known Bush-hater. I can’t remember which publication it was but he wrote pretty much what Chris Matthews said about it being his job to make sure Obama succeeds. Interestingly enough, their parent company has shut down three or four magazines in the last six months and ad revenue for VF is down about 35%. They are hurting. Hence the article about Sarah Palin. She sells magazines, while they sell their soul to tell lies.
sherry on June 30, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Noted this in the headlines, but Purdum is full of crap about vp candidates not offering speeches as well. They aren’t always in the same location, but sometimes they are. Perhaps the clearest example of what Palin anticipated with McCain came from the POTUS campaign 4 years before theirs: John Edwards actually offered a speech introduced Kerry, who conceded to Bush/Cheney. Here’s a pretty good takedown on this point.
http://vip.politickerny.com/4298/palin-wasnt-just-being-diva
I’m sure many more of his points are similarly well off the mark.
cs89 on June 30, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Romney vs. Palin will be high political drama! I like drama!
terryannonline on June 30, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Excellent point, my friend…
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Jeff – please don’t use Hillary and sex in the same sentence again.
massrighty on June 30, 2009 at 9:38 PM
No, no, they tackle serious issues… like those of Goracle and George Cloon-Loon.
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Wow, that serious..LOL
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 9:40 PM
For me: Heavy reliance on ‘anonymous sources‘ in a story = ‘you made up some of it.’
ConScribe on June 30, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I got one sentence for you intolerant person…
“Hillary likes to wrap her cankles with Bacon…”
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Hey, someone hit that at least once some drunken night.
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I guess Olbermann has a new parroting douchebag to constantly give air time to.
Speedwagon82 on June 30, 2009 at 9:41 PM
How do you think that drunken night came into existence…
“Funnel!!!”
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Don’t be a dick Allah. We have long memories.
RobCon on June 30, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Excellent advice.
massrighty on June 30, 2009 at 9:43 PM
How do you think that drunken night came into existence…
“Funnel!!!”
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:42 PM
lol
Jeff from WI on June 30, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Well, you gotta replace the douches frequently when you douche several times a day…
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Isn’t that in his nature?
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:43 PM
I thought it was a stroke mag like Swank.
RobCon on June 30, 2009 at 9:44 PM
From tonight’s grapevine. How can anything be “devastating” when the only name used is Gov. Palin’s and she wasn’t interviewed. I guess since that book by Anonymous was such a big hit in the Clinton years it’s okay to have unnamed sources, but shouldn’t you at least have one person with some guts?
Cindy Munford on June 30, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Thanks Upstater – now I have to tear the “everything’s better with bacon” poster off my wall.
massrighty on June 30, 2009 at 9:45 PM
This Guy doesn’t get IT.
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZGJiMTYyMzU3ZmE3NDIxNGI2ZjU1N2VhMWQxODE3ODU=
There are people who thrive on challenge and adversity they love being in the fight. This guy in this article treats Palin like just another housewife. The woman has accomplished alot the biggest achievement of late is scaring the hell out of the LEFT. Senator James Webb wrote a book called “Born Fighting” there are folks who don’t look at something being too difficult so not worth taking on. Nobody would be getting born if that were the case,and this comment would be moot.
It does make me wonder about Beta Males and Metrosexuals. Who really don’t get strong women. Governor Palin has the support. Does anyone recall what she did for McCain’s campaign coffers….Maybe this guy who wrote this post should try listening to Helen Reddy’s “I am Woman” a couple of times :)
Dr Evil on June 30, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Not fair to Swank!
massrighty on June 30, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Well, If I had to be with her, I’d rather nibble at Bacon than look into her eyes… So, yes, everything is better with Bacon.
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:46 PM
You’re right – and thanks for saving my poster.
massrighty on June 30, 2009 at 9:47 PM
He’s a faker…
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 9:48 PM
fakers => dicks…
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:49 PM
I’m undecided 2012 Republican primary voter:
Romney and Palin fans……..Persuade me!
terryannonline on June 30, 2009 at 9:49 PM
fakers => d!cks…
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:49 PM
My wife has had five kids, and… well, I love my wife very much.
(Just kidding, hon. Don’t cut off my allowance.)
SailorDave on June 30, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Mitt had a huge Evangelical following, & many in talk radios were pulling for him.
jgapinoy on June 30, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Republicans don’t like SP…. at all…. the two strategists on Fox News tonight (one on Oreilly and one on Hannity) think she’s toast.. although at least the one on Hannity defended her against this ridiculous article, she ended up basically saying her career is dead.
Being that I basically hate the GOP these days, including their brilliant strategists that have led us to such resounding victories of late… I’m pretty happy with this development.
BPD on June 30, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Romney would not have a chance against Palin. Sarah would win a rout.
Norwegian on June 30, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Here’s a suggestion… wait until 2011 and see what each has to say.
BPD on June 30, 2009 at 9:53 PM
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZGJiMTYyMzU3ZmE3NDIxNGI2ZjU1N2VhMWQxODE3ODU=
Palin may run for president in 2012, which could very well be a mistake. Her current public reputation and support is probably just enough to win the GOP nomination and then generate similar electoral college results as 2008. As a GOP strategist put it to me a few months ago, “The perception of Sarah Palin will change when the reality of Sarah Palin changes.”
I find my toddler son exhausting; I can only imagine a life running a state while caring for a son with Down syndrome and a son in Iraq and a daughter who is a new mother in the sharp glare of the public spotlight and a grandson and another daughter suddenly appearing in David Letterman’s routine. This may not be the right time for another go-round in a multi-year process in which vast swaths of the political world will aim to see her torn down to nothing. She’s 45 years old; it’s not like the window is closing.
But it’s her call, and time will tell.
****************
She’s a mom, she’ll be worn down, give me a freakin break. What is this wishful thinking?
Dr Evil on June 30, 2009 at 9:53 PM
As did Huck, Paul, and McCain…
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 9:55 PM
I know, I’m just being silly :)
terryannonline on June 30, 2009 at 9:57 PM
me too!
CCRWM on June 30, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Oh, baby…double post???
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 9:59 PM
I’m confused: Bill Clinton is a “rock-ribbed Republican”?
PeterPotamus on June 30, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Who is dead is Sanford. Jindal’s speech was awful. Pawlenty is a bore. Romney couldn’t beat McCain.
So why they are trashing Palin is sort of strange self-sabotaging behavior. But then what else is new?
AnninCA on June 30, 2009 at 9:59 PM
S
That made no sense to me either…
CCRWM on June 30, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Me too! I missed the pics earlier when I read the article but having now seen them . . . wow! She’s got a couple years on me and five more kids than I have and she would still kick my ass. She is definitely inspiration to hit the road.
NoLeftTurn on June 30, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Yeah, the first one didn’t make it… ;)
Upstater85 on June 30, 2009 at 10:02 PM
No worries…I’ll willing give you a twofer….
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Whoa! A twofer? MadCon is going to be jealous!
HornetSting on June 30, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Aren’t we supposed to be the serious party? The Democrat base would vote for George Clooney if he was nominated. I’d like to think we are not as moronic as they are.
Speedwagon82 on June 30, 2009 at 10:04 PM
The man is a discussing pig. If I ever see that creep on the street after I am done given him my two cents the creep will think twice about bad mouthing another woman every again. I wonder what kind of woman can be married to a pig like that.
oldyeller on June 30, 2009 at 10:04 PM
You know what I like about us conservative women? We love other conservative women’s good looks, we rejoice in their successes and we don’t resent a woman more beautiful or more fit woman than us….we admire and want to emulate… I’m proud to be in the same party as Sarah Palin :)
CCRWM on June 30, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Conservative women make cogent point, argue with reason and logic, and look damn hot.
massrighty on June 30, 2009 at 10:08 PM
point = points.
Must.Use.Preview.
massrighty on June 30, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Yes…yes…
CCRWM on June 30, 2009 at 10:11 PM
PeterPotamus on June 30, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Sarcasm.
Of course, Clinton was also the “first black president,” so maybe he is all things to all people. Or is that Obama?
cs89 on June 30, 2009 at 10:11 PM
It seems to me that if anyone’s image needs rehabilitating it is the running dog news media that spew their venom through foaming lips. Sarah Palin has been nothing but exemplary in her reaction to the endless assaults on her in the media and in court before and especially after the election.
davo on June 30, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Mad Con has a fiance…he is basically neutered..he’ll weep and move on….
Upstater85 is the hot dude at the moment…
ladyingray on June 30, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Course you would, AP. Keep on dreamin’.
OneGyT on June 30, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Todd Purdum is worth about maybe 2 out of his alloted 15 minutes of fame. Anything after that is considered overtime for this no-name hack.
pilamaye on June 30, 2009 at 10:21 PM
If the situation in the country is felt to be serious enough to cancel Obama, the stupid stuff won’t matter at all. The Republican nomination will be a huge prize to the power hungry, who include a lot more people than the name at the top – though a huge burden to the winner and his or her supporters. In that case it could be major fight, and a lot of casual assumptions may go out the window. Things could get uglier than they’ve been in 50 years, if not worse, and may stay that way for a while. Good thing to have a sizeable army of loyal supporters in such a situation, by the way.
No one will care about Runner’s World spreads from 2009, tales out of school, or what some demented comic or even more demented blogger or tabloid-level magazine writer said.
On the other hand, if things are seen as more or less OK or even just a bit worse than OK – basically back to pre-2008 “normal” – then the Republican nomination will attract second tier candidates, gossip and other pointless trivia will dominate, and if Romney or some other boring old stalwart wants to ride off into the sunset, let him.
CK MacLeod on June 30, 2009 at 10:23 PM
We, of the serious party, have Governor Soulmate telling his tales of love and woe. We had Foley chasing boy pages around the Capitol. We have party switchers because they didn’t get invited to the Teacher of the Year party. We have toe tapping in the men’s bathroom in the MN airport. We have Grahmnesty telling voters to shut up. We have open primaries. We have loads of corrupt party members and people doing double speak on issues.
We are not the serious party. We are the other party. We are the not as bad party. We are the faux serious party.
myrenovations on June 30, 2009 at 10:25 PM
LOL, war? No way. The whole South would be Palin country.
ddrintn on June 30, 2009 at 10:26 PM
The GOP strategist that was on BOR was associate spokeswomen for Bush/Cheney. I would guess it was the 04 election.
The other on one Hannity’s Great American Panel was some one named Hanraty and she was real raty.
Clyde5445 on June 30, 2009 at 10:27 PM
publicized photos in Runner’s World – When I saw the photos I said “Oh shit” unbelievable. I think the photos were a message to the liberal haters, yea you have it right, I am 45, the mother of five and hot and you can kiss my f…a##. Plus now lots of runners have Palin on the back of the brain. Its like with the red shoes, Gov. Palin wears the red shoes because she knows it drives the left nuts.
oldyeller on June 30, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I thought we were only allowed to talk about “Michelle’s toned arms” now..
I think a lot of liberal heads would explode if you put Sarah and Olde Scowley Face side by side for a photo shoot.
bullseye on June 30, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I just don’t understand where you get this stuff sometimes.
Jim Treacher on June 30, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Karan Hanraty’s husband worked for Romney.
oldyeller on June 30, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Karen Hanraty’s husband is a big Romney backer.
oldyeller on June 30, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Doesn’t hurt.
ddrintn on June 30, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Let me see if I have this right…
10,000-word article by national political reporter with 20 years experience = “hit piece”
Running blog entry with cheesecake photos = awesome journalism!
I love this place!
benny shakar on June 30, 2009 at 10:33 PM
LOL, I think Michelle’s head would explode. Or else she’d give Palin the evil eye like she did Carla Bruni.
ddrintn on June 30, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Now that blame Bush has worn out its effectiveness, the Libs have turned to an even less effective attack: Blame Palin. But the Left has exposed a vicious sexist streak that will not go away. This will come back to bit them.
They also don’t realize that the loose-fitting feminism has a corrollary in the not-so-subtle racism that lives on the Left (not to mention the anti-Semitism).
The Left is on thin ice when it goes after Palin.
How long before Vanity Fair goes under?
EMD on June 30, 2009 at 10:35 PM
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