A five-page article by Ryan Lizza detailing, in depth, how Biden became the pick, and the conversations he and Obama had about Biden’s role in the administration.
I can’t possibly imagine a story longer than, oh, a sentence or two, about how Sarah Palin got picked and what her potential role would be.
Update: Here’s the New Yorker article on Palin. Basically, just a lot of conservative pundits on a couple of cruises who saw little starbursts when tney met her at the mansion. I need to subscribe to the New Yorker – just to read people like David Sedaris more often – for gems like this on “undecided voters” (via):
To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”
To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.
Barbara
Actually, the New Yorker has a comparable article for how, ultimately, Sarah Palin was viewed as a potential pick for VP and it’s quite illuminating.
rob!
McCain: "I want Lieberman."
RNC: "No Jews."
McCain: (sighs) "Ok, fine–give me the craziest base pick you’ve got."
RNC: "Ok, Rep. Michelle Bachmann."
McCain: "Whoa! Not that crazy! Who’s after that?"
RNC: "Oh, there’s this totally bat-shit crazy chick from up North. She doesn’t know her ass from a succesionist group, but she’s really hot."
McCain: "Bring ‘er in!"
Comrade Jake
Speaking of Mooselini, apparently she’s set to do an interview with CNN this evening, and then one tomorrow with Brian Williams on NBC. No, that is actually not a joke. I’m sort of stunned myself.
I guess they want to see if they can’t do something about her overwhelming negatives, but given that she still doesn’t seem to understand what the VP does, I sense an EPIC FAIL coming on.
dmsilev
Companion piece, on the selection of Palin, can be read here.
Really, this says it all:
She really embodies what happens when you let the right-wing blogosphere decide things for you.
-dms
Punchy
The prob is, those media figs are under immense pressure to "not pull a Katie" and make her look foolish. They’re almost required to softball everything.
This is why an open press confy, where the reporters are somewhat anonymous, would be so deadly. Brian Bills? Not so much.
dmsilev
More cringe-worthy moments:
Careful, Fred, Rich Lowry might think you’re going to take his little starburst away from him.
OK, I give up. Can somebody *please* start a Playboy For Conservatives to give these folks some …release?
-dms
Comrade Jake
@Punchy:
Where’s the pressure coming from? That Couric interview generated ridiculous ratings and press for CBS.
You might be right, and they might treat her with kid gloves. I certainly don’t have much faith in these asshats, but I don’t think we’ll necessarily see another Hannity pillow talk either.
Michael D.
@dmsilev: Thanks! Totally missed that one.
Comrade Scrutinizer
If Couric and Gibson had been asking hardball questions, maybe. But those two interviews were not hard journalism interviews. How much more softball can you get than "What papers do you read?" and "What SCOTUS decisions do you not agree with?"
Jeez, they could ask her to name the other 50 states, and she wouldn’t get more than 40.
The problem isn’t that she was asked hard questions; the problem is that she is exquisitely, stupidly ill-informed.
Jamey
Now it can be told: I knew about Biden in mid-July. I work for the imprint that published his autobio, A Promise Worth Keeping. (Which, BTW, is awesome.) Hardest part was not letting on that I knew.
Ash Can
The flipside to this, however, is that this is exactly how we saw Charles Gibson and Katie Couric in the first place. We figured they couldn’t possibly ask Palin questions that would be tough enough and direct enough. As it turned out, they didn’t have to. Palin crashed and burned even on their softballs (as she did yesterday on a third-grader’s question).
I agree that an open press conference would be great. But I’m also confident that "friendly fire" can be very illuminating as well.
Stuck in the Funhouse
Wingnut Pheromones. The scent of unmitigated disaster.
Comrade Jake
@Comrade Scrutinizer:
With the exception that Couric followed-up and pressed her. Same for Gibson, to some extent. The Couric interview would have been much different had Katie allowed her BS to go unchallenged.
A lot of these folks don’t really "interview" people. They just set the pins and allow any asshat to keep throwing gutterballs, one after another.
SamFromUtah
@Comrade Scrutinizer: Jeez, they could ask her to name the other 50 states, and she wouldn’t get more than 40….
…seconds of dead air after naming only four states before the interviewer moves along.
bluespapa
Maybe you can’t imagine more than a sentence or two in the selection of Palin, but they sure have blathered volumes about how brilliant and out of the box it was, patting themselves on the backs nine ways to Tuesday, without anyone bothering to pick up a Wasilla newspaper or make a phone call.
As far as her upcoming media exposures, this is what I’m guessing: 1. Couldn’t possibly hurt more. 2. Sarah’s gonna slip her leash if they don’t let her one of these days. 3. (and I think this is the big one) they keep hearing that Joe the Plumber has done more interviews than Palin.
Punchy
@Comrade Jake: No, I mean the questions wont be questions per se, more Jim Rome-type statements of questions.
Example:
Real journalist Q: Please elaborate what specific things you’d propose to fix America’s economy, and how you plan to fund them
Brian Bills Q: Obama has said he plans to raise taxes, and you’re against that, so, really, why is Obama’s plan so socialist in nature and harmful to America’s needs?
RJ Q: Could you please elaborate on your views of public vs. private education, with respect to charter schools and the funding of such?
Brian Bills Q: I’ve read you went to 6 colleges in 5 years, and as this doesn’t seem to be relevant to your position, doesn’t this seem a little childish by the Left to keep bringing this up?
RJ Q: How do you defend the accusations by your fans who scream insulting and borderline threatening things about Obama?
BB Q: Liberals seem incensed that McCain supporters are so vocal; do you think it’s a jealousy thing with the Left, or are they simply just a bunch of fucking pussies?
Ect.
Michael D.
@Jamey: Er, the book was titled “Promises to Keep”
Stuck in the Funhouse
OT
Obama now up 9 points in THE Gallup Daily Expanded. The most pertinent version, IMO. The Trend line towards Obama is what’s telling.
THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR MCCAIN!
Jeff
Brian Williams is a regular on the Daily Show. I would hope this means he would try to make her look foolish. But, you never know.
Dave
@Punchy:
Look at it from the other side. Do you want to be the anchor who wasn’t as hard-hitting as Katie Couric? That’s a career-killer.
cleek
@Stuck in the Funhouse: "Wingnut Pheromones. The scent of unmitigated disaster."
or …. rotting fish ?
Joshau Norton
You mean the same Brian Williams who wrote this about a POS Peggy Noonan article?
"On the other hand, one sparkling piece of journalism (which touched on a lot of themes frequent readers of this space will recognize) was by Peggy Noonan in this weekend’s Wall Street Journal. Curl up with this one and give it the quality time it deserves. I’ll say it again: Peggy is doing the work of her career and must be considered an early favorite for next cycle’s Pulitzer for commentary."
Yeah, good luck with that one….
Stuck in the Funhouse
Aw Si. It’s a disease, and the only apparent cure is embalming fluid.
Comrade Jake
@Joshau Norton:
Any chance at all that’s snark? I mean, "sparkling piece of journalism"? Really? If it’s not snark, he’s pushing the douchebag envelope at about Mach 4.
raff
A wee error in phrasing. As per Barbara, I think the story of the Palin pick would be an interesting story that could easily cover 5 pages.
However, the actual interview process/conversations between McCain & Palin would barely fill a page. Obama, by contrast had meaningful, substantive conversations with Biden & gave his decision much thought & deliberation.
McCain, on the other hand, seems to have opted for the speed-dating approach to picking his running mate:
McCain: So, tell me a bit about yourself.
Palin: Well, good golly, let me tell you…
McCain: Uh, yeah, that’s great. My people tell me you’ll bolster my ‘maverick’ cred & bring the religious nut-jobs on board.
Palin: Fer shure, uh-huh!
McCain: Welcome to ‘Team Straight Talk’!
Rick James
I bet there’s some slash fic over at the NRO offices that’s longer than one or two lines.
Joshau Norton
No, I’m afraid it wasn’t a snark. This is the same Brian Williams who never addressed the explosive NYT investigative piece about the so-called "independent" military analysts who were told what to say by the White House.
A lot of them were on his show and he knew damned well what was going on.
Quaker in a Basement
On the other hand, I can imagine a really fascinating book about the dynamics inside the campaign since she was chosen.
Loneoak
OT: A friend of mine is making these awesome Obama fundraising T-shirts that any Star Wars nerds in the house will dig. For a $5 donation, you get the shirt for $10.
MikeJ
How could you ask questions that are more of a softball than, "what newspapers do you read?"
Will it really matter how easy they try to go on her?
Atanarjuat
The jealousy shown by you America Last dead-enders is palpable. Sarah Palin has reinvigorated the Republican base and energized the conservative GOTV effort (which is legitimately structured, unlike Nobama’s ACORN voter fraud scam). Moreover, while it was understandable that any woman who’d aspire for higher office would encounter sexist hurdles along the way, who would have imagined that the so-called tolerant and inclusive left would have put on the crassest display of misogyny that even makes what Hillary Clinton endured pale by comparison?
I guess no one should be surprised, given the long history of hypocritical liberal positions.
Lyin’ Biden with his Cheshire cat grin, on the other hand, shows just how desperate Nobama was to deflect attention away from his lack of experience in so many areas. It’s embarrassing.
Even more embarrassing is how even Lyin’ Biden admits that should Nobama get elected, he’ll be immediately tested by a foreign policy crisis and will likely be found wanting.
Now that’s VP support you can believe in, lefties!
Country First.
Dennis - SGMM
I’m hoping that the appalling notion of having Palin a feeble heartbeat from the presidency will be enough to bring out the journalist in both interviewers.
tripletee
@dmsilev:
I don’t think the wetsuit advertising market is big enough to support such a venture.
Comrade Jake
@Atanarjuat:
Huh? Biden said that when they try to test Obama, they’ll discover he has a spine made of steel. I know that probably comes as a surprise to you, since you have a dick made of cheese.
BTW, have you discovered how to give yourself a blowjob yet? Can’t quite reach can you? Try harder!
Athenawise
Atanarjuat, I think you made a mistake in your post @ 31:
Country Last.
There. Fixed it.
jake 4 that 1
I am reminded of a joke to which the punchline is: "The one with the biggest tits."
Stuck in the Funhouse
@Atanarjuat:
LA times
Maybe they’ll let Mr, Jacoby out of jail on work release to finish structuring the GOP GOTV effort.
Michael D.
@Comrade Jake:
…speaking of lyin’.
Comrade Jake
OT, but the interview with the current Mayor of Wasilla on TDS is high comedy. Sully has the goods.
You can almost see the smoke come out of her ears when they ask her to describe her job.
Dennis - SGMM
Mike Dukakis must be very relieved to have had the title of "Worst Campaign Ever" taken from him by John McCain.
Michael D.
@Dennis – SGMM: Dennis: I’m with John on this one. I still don’t think McCain is in the loss column. And if he does win, he’ll be regarded (by the base) as a brilliant strategist.
I desperately hope Obama wins; I’m not as confident, perhaps, as most.
Joshau Norton
Well, she’s getting better. Now she thinks the VP runs the Senate. At least she’s figured out what room to go into. Knowing what actually happens in there is still a toss-up, tho.
Atanarjuat
In Joe Biden’s own words, Michael D:
Yeah, that’s very reassuring. Nobama’s going to need HELP. He can’t do this thing on his own, oh, no, he’s going to lean heavily on a crutch composed of everyone far more experienced than he is, and the lack of experience will tell.
He will certainly be found wanting without all this crucial HELP. So you’re right, maybe I shouldn’t have added "Lyin’" to Biden, since, for once, he’s told the unvarnished truth.
Country First.
Stuck in the Funhouse
Obama now up 53% to Mccains 39% in Pews new likely voter survey. Mccain says; Obama has me right where I want him.
Cris v.3.1
I liked "grenade chuckers" better
Coincidentally, Hillary Clinton’s intellect makes Sarah Palin’s pale by comparison.
John PM
"Jeez, they could ask her to name the other 50 states, and she wouldn’t get more than 40."
No exactly. "Real America" only has about 25 or 30 states, so she could probably manage to remember at least 20.
greynoldsct00
OT, but worth looking at. As Atrios would say
poll porn
greynoldsct00
I finally successfully posted a link! Much easier with Firefox than IE.
Stuck in the Funhouse
@Atanarjuat:
Oh Fiddlesticks, I’m watching a visibly panicked Heather Wilson on Matthews right now trying to spin this horseshit into and issue. If recent history is any indicator of what Mccain might do in a crisis as President, it would be to suspend his Presidency and fly off to boat with Anne Hathaway.
Cris v.3.1
@greynoldsct00: Polls showing Obama widening his lead are simply false. I have Atanarjuat’s word on this.
tripletee
@Atanarjuat:
I think you’re misunderstanding, Atarijaguar. What Biden is saying is that Obama is going to need an army of drones to stand up for him and defend his every decision. You know, like Commander Codpiece has had for the last 8 years.
Dave
I want one of these interviews to ask what she meant by pro-America areas. Also, does she realize the only involvement the VP has with the Senate is as tie-breaker. And at least one question about the abuse of power finding (and the other pending abuse of power charges). And explain how Obama is a socialist.
My prediction: total softball questions with little to no follow-up. Similar to the joke debate where Gwen Ifill didn’t have the guts to say:
As moderator of this debate my job is to keep you on topic. if you don’t answer the questions I will redirect you and cut you off if necessary.
JL
Pat Buchanen is trying to defend Palin on HardBall. He said that she was talking to a second grader when she said that she could determine Senate policy. Chris Mathews responded that she sounds like a second grader.
Napoleon
Awesome!
dbrown
After Nov 4th when Obama is electrd, McInsane can declare that he and the repubics have Obama right were they want him – in the White House.
Stuck in the Funhouse
Obama’s new [url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Obama_Erratic.html]erratc ad[/url] ad
GET OFF MY LAWN!!!
Soylent Green
You can’t make this stuff up.
Comparing the two New Yorker stories is instructive. Obama chose Biden to help him govern the nation, drawing on his understanding of policy, the workings of Congress, and his long experience. McCain didn’t choose Palin at all; she was pushed by advisors who wanted to spark the right-wing base, saw her story as being marketable, and wanted to fuck her.
Stuck in the Funhouse
Let’s try that again "Erratic" ad
Comrade Stuck
Obama’s new "erratic" ad
GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
jake 4 that 1
@JL: "Palin thinks it’s OK to lie to children," isn’t the best response the SpinTronic3000(TM) has ever spat out.
Neither is it the worst.
flavortext
@Atanarjuat:
Ah, the essence of the
RepublicanNationalist Party. This election is going to be so good.Punchy
now that I think about it, it wud b kool 2 c Obama n Palin go 1-on-1 in hoops, winnah takes the Preznitsee…..
Comrade Jake
@JL:
That is full of win.
ComradeJ. Michael Neal
My mother has a new t-shirt, good for those of you in Michigan (State fans excepted). On the front, it has MO’BAMA. On the back, it has filled in check boxes for Gore ’00, Kerry ’04, and Obama ’08 in a column for Michigan, and filled in check boxes for Bush ’00, and Bush ’04 and a ? for McCain in a column for Ohio.
Tag Line: Because Ohio is never right.
Todd
As a centrist who took his time to decide this year, this insulting discourse makes me sad. This place used to provide a platform for a serious discussion. Now it is worthless. I guess that the propaganda blogs (right and left) must get the traffic.
I’m sorry to have seen this blog gravitate towards the cesspool, and I don’t mean left. Left is fine. But seriously, if your analysis goes as deep as McCain offers a shit sandwich, you have no standing to make fun of anyone.
Snark Based Reality
Is this actually airing? I’m not a fan of it and don’t understand why Obama needs it…
Snark Based Reality
On the other hand I just remembered recent events…
Fuck McCain. Own him hard.
The Moar You Know
@Todd: Your "concern" is duly noted.
The Moar You Know
@Atanarjuat: Weak. 3/10.
Stick with the accusations of homosexuality, it’s more convincing.
Punchy
Clearly Todd is concerned.
Cris v.3.1
Michael, how dare you quote David Sedaris! From that cesspool publication The New Yorker, no less!
Jimmm (aka, Jamey)
Yeh, realized that about 1/2 hour after I logged off. How embarrassing. Surely, Michael, you’ve stepped in a lot of shit hereabouts–and then put your foot in your mouth, so I appreciate the do-over….
Point is, it’s our book–Random House Trade Paperbacks, popularly priced and available wherever fine books are sold–and it’s really good. It’s not an as-told-to; Joe wrote it (please hold your plagarism gags). Let’s everybody buy a copy or six and show that so-and-so Sarah Palin who’s the real American. C’mon, who’s with me?!?
Back in July, we moved up the pub date of the trade paperback reissue, to coincide with a mysterious "possible announcement." I pledged my silence. I first worked with Biden’s memoir last Winter. I came away with a sincere admiration for the guy. Barack chose wisely.
Soylent Green
Concerned centrist is concerned.
Fer crissakes what do you want us to do? Have a thoughtful discussion of Palin’s readiness to serve as president? Consider meaningfully whether Obama is a terrorist? Evaluate rationally whether Republican deregulation of finance had anything to do with the meltdown? More to the point, nobody is paying us to help you make decisions. Go watch TV or something.
Atanarjuat
The Moar You Know
What wasn’t convincing were all the denials and Victim(tm) Card pulling. All I can say is that the hit dog yelps, and boy, was CJ yelping loudly.
Meanwhile, you guys just better hope that Lyin’ Biden doesn’t trip over his own tongue some more while Nobama’s surfing in Hawaii. Everyone knew that fraud from Delaware is a gaffe machine, and he’s increasingly become a liability and an embarrassment (which is good from my own perspective).
Country First.
tripletee
@Todd:
David Broder just saw starbursts shooting out of his TV.
If you find the quality of discourse here offensive, you should go start a centrist blog. Seriously, we’re going to need someone to point and laugh at once Palin slinks back to Alaska.
libarbarian
Don’t underestimate Palin.
She has real potential, thought whether or not she exploits it is another matter.
Its simple. Her strengths are largely innate while her weaknesses can largely be fixed through education. Plus she already has a committed fan base, which always helps.
She has 4 to 8 years to learn "Econ for Conservatives" and "Foreign Policy for Conservatives" and then come back and at least sound as intelligent as most other Republican politicians. I think she has the chance of winning over independents if she does this.
Plus, remember, odds are that we’re going to be blaming an Obama administration for something or other in 4 to 8 years. Shit happens. God knows WTF else is coming to screw us all and, right or wrong, Americans tend to blame the party in power. If the Dems fuck up and take the heat – especially if they get tarred with "corruption" – a more educated Palin might charm her way into higher office.
libarbarian
Atanarjuat has a point.
Damn right I’m worried that there is a charming politician who seems to be riding a wave of enthusiasm from some of the most bitter haters on the mainstream right.
DonkeyKong
I’ll have the plate of shit with glass in it if the chicken was cooked by a gay commie muslim terrorist…………
Comrade Jake
@Atanarjuat:
You’re fucking clueless.