As I suspected would happen, my previous post about Sarah Palin, which referenced the article in Vanity Fair by Michael Joseph Gross, has garnered quite a bit of attention. A lot of comments have been made on the post itself and I have received comments in another venue, asking me why I would even join in the attack on the former governor of Alaska. Some of those who have read the post evidently believe the Vanity Fair article is nothing but a hit piece on Sarah Palin, citing the fact that all of the sources Gross quoted are anonymous. That is a reasonable citation and one that I accept. I am still of the opinion that Palin is not presidential material, but I am willing to concede that the article by Gross may very well be a bunch of hokey.
In the first paragraph of the earlier post, I tried to make it clear that it was not meant to be an attack piece. There are simply far too many questions surrounding Palin for my taste and I felt some of them should be asked again. If she can not stand up to scrutiny, then so be it. I did not intend to be unfair about the entire matter and in light of that, I want to give equal time to a swift and decisive rebuttal of the article’s content and the author, by Dr. Gina Loudon. She states, unequivocally, that Gross did talk to her backstage at the St. Louis event he described in his article and that the boy with Down Syndrome was not Trig Palin, but rather her own son, Samuel. Here is part of her article, from Big Journalism.
Sarah Palin doesn’t need me, or anyone else to defend her. She is strong, self assured, and she has heard all of this unoriginal slime before now. The only thing new in his story is the new depth of utter disregard for professionalism in journalism. Here is an excerpt:
“When …Piper Palin turns around, she sees her parents thronged by admirers, and the crowd rolling toward her and the baby, her brother Trig, born with Down syndrome in 2008. Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd, bend down and give a moment to the children; a woman, perhaps a nanny, whisks the boy away; and Todd hands Sarah her speech and walks her to the stage.”
Unfortunately for Mr. Gross, it happens that I shared the stage with Sarah Palin at that event. I announced my BUYcott of Arizona that day, and I remember it well.
As I stood backstage with the Palins I remember a reporter asking me if I were “Trig’s Nanny” with a hint of something I didn’t trust in his eyes. I coldly retorted, “no, I am Samuel’s mother.” He looked confused, and had more questions to follow. In his VF story, he said that no one is willing to speak about Sarah “on the record” unless they are paid by her, or afraid. I was one of the people you interviewed Mr. Gross. I am not paid, or afraid. But since you opted not to print what I told you, here is the rest of the story.
As you will learn by reading the entire rebuttal or by listening to the interview I have included below, the boy in question was not Sarah Palin’s child, but Samuel, Dr. Loudon’s own son who has Down Syndrome. Trig Palin wasn’t even at the event in St. Louis. This story is giving every indication of being at least partially untrue. It just goes to show that we have to be very careful as bloggers to write the truth, as much as lies within us. We bear a responsibility to do that, both to ourselves and to our readers.
Good catch! Palin is more than qualified to run as President. But I’m afraid America has been too gullible for it’s own good. Research, people, research! We can do it!
Hehehehee! I just love it when the “drive by” media gets caught in a lie with its little, vindictive pants on fire…
Nevertheless, I still stand my assertion that she is not my choice for president. It seems that I am in the middle on this issue. I don’t think she is the “savior” of the party but I definitely don’t think she is the parties downfall either. I like her very much as a conservative leader, but I have other people I have my eye on for the presidency. I would have no difficulty voting for her in the general election, but I will, most likely, vote for someone else in the primary.
I am of the same opinion. Sarah Palin is not my choice for president and certainly is not the savior of the GOP. However, if she wins the nomination, I will vote for her.
Concerning the media, it is a little funny that they got caught on this, but I bear some of that guilt. To be fair about it, I probably should not have included the quotes from the Vanity Fair article in my original post. I would take them down, but that would make it seem like I am trying to hide something, which I am not.
I also stand by my assertation that Sarah Palin should not be the Republican nominee for president. I think it was Matt in your last post that stated she would be best served as head of the RNC, if it wasn’t Matt I apologize in advance for the mistake. After reading that idea, I have to agree with it, I think she would be well suited as the head of the RNC. We know that she would be a much better fundraiser and promoter for the Republicans than is Michael Steele.
Actually, it was Harry who first mentioned it. Matt and Mark seconded the motion, as well as T Christopher. No need to apologize. The comments stacked up on the article.
The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. If I am not mistaken, Harry is working on a post that will lay out the case for replacing Steele with Palin. Be looking for it soon.
I will have to check it out!
I’ll look forward to that post. It just makes sense. She energizes the right, and freaks out the left. What better place for her than going around the country and firing folks up. I really can’t see a downside to it.
The media and far left for some reason are absolutely terrified of this woman. It seems they are willing to pull out all the dirty tricks to break her down or at sway public opinion. It really makes one think as to why they are so afraid of her; perhaps her influence. I just can’t pin the tail on that donkey.
I still believe she has a role to play in rebuilding the Republican Party, just not as the nomination for President.
Thanks for the update Larry. I do have a bit of issue with my log in. I’ll shoot you an email to explain.
I think the fear of her on the far left, the left, and the middle is that she could actually be elected president. And that I find an absolutely terrifying idea. As little as many of you think of Barack Obama as president I beleive she would make him look like the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have done my research WhitU4ever and Sarah Palin is not capable of running this country.
Great job Larry… thank you for being as accurate as humanly possible.
I came to this article first, and after reading your first paragraph, went to the original article at Political Realities. It is my hope Sarah does head the RNC. She will be the under thumb of the party, and there will be many ways she would have to capitulate and work contrary to her own instincts. I think her free spirit would be tamped down.
I also am not enthused about Sarah for president, but I would gladly vote for her if she becomes the candidate. I would like to see her in a Cabinet position, under a true conservative president – or continue to be a high-profile speaker, where she can say exactly what she thinks.
Very interesting audio, LD. Loudon is great.
Thanks, Maggie. The more I hear about Sarah at the RNC, the more it appeals to me
Well, I’m in the minority here. Sarah Palin is a warrior. I will thankfully vote for her in the primary, if I have opportunity to do so. I’m not a blind follower; I’ve read all the dirt, all the hit pieces, all the rebuttals, all of it…since she first appeared on the scene. Months before McCain picked her, I thought she sounded smart, sharp, strong, and a leader the first time I read about her in my “Alaska” magazine, about their first woman governor, and what she was doing. Nothing has changed my mind about that, and over the months I’ve only become more certain about her.
I don’t think there’s always ‘fire’ where there’s ‘smoke.’ Palin is the single biggest and most serious threat to the radical left that they’ve seen in years. They will do anything to destroy her in the eyes of the American people. Blatant lying about her? They don’t think twice about it.
Again, my opinion and deeply-held belief, and I thank you for allowing me to express it here.
I meant to reply to you earlier, CP and totally forgot about it. I just wanted to say that your opinion is always welcome here, even if you do not agree with me or one of the other authors. I appreciate you taking the time to express it in such a clear manner.
And as far as all that money she’s earning, I’m thrilled for her. She and Todd are going to need a lot of money, with children to help through college, and with Trig. Trig will need life-long care and support. The Palins strike me as sensible people, who know that they need to make sure he is provided for, without placing undo hardship on their other children.