Newsweek: Palin Slimed by Internet Rumors

[DarrinS]

Sliming Palin
False Internet claims and rumors fly about McCain's running mate.

By Brooks Jackson, Jess Henig, Emi Kolawole, Joe Miller and Lori Robertson | factcheck.org
Sep 8, 2008 | Updated: 6:55 p.m. ET Sep 8, 2008


Summary
We've been flooded for the past few days with queries about dubious Internet postings and mass e-mail messages making claims about McCain's running mate, Gov. Palin. We find that many are completely false, or misleading.

Palin did not cut funding for special needs education in Alaska by 62 percent. She didn't cut it at all. In fact, she tripled per-pupil funding over just three years.


She did not demand that books be banned from the Wasilla library. Some of the books on a widely circulated list were not even in print at the time. The librarian has said Palin asked a "What if?" question, but the librarian continued in her job through most of Palin's first term.

She was never a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a group that wants Alaskans to vote on whether they wish to secede from the United States. She's been registered as a Republican since May 1982.

Palin never endorsed or supported Pat Buchanan for president. She once wore a Buchanan button as a "courtesy" when he visited Wasilla, but shortly afterward she was appointed to co-chair of the campaign of Steve Forbes in the state.

Palin has not pushed for teaching creationism in Alaska's schools. She has said that students should be allowed to "debate both sides" of the evolution question, but she also said creationism "doesn't have to be part of the curriculum."

We'll be looking into other charges in an e-mail by a woman named Anne Kilkenny for a future story. For more explanation of the bullet points above, please read the Analysis.


http://www.newsweek.com/id/157986/page/1

[Findog]

As has Obama. It ain't right in either case. Obama's supporters need to self-censor, since this kind of stuff only backfires on Dems, not Republicans. There is a good case to make against her on the issues and her public record in Alaska. Get out of her bedrooms and closets.

[whottt]

I don't see how Obama's being slimed...

Most of the stuff being printed about him actually happened...

That is his Reverend.
He did go to that Church for 20 years.
He is friends with Ayers.
He did just say my Muslim Faith.


Where is the deception there?



Most of the stuff being printed about Palin is outright lies.


More importantly...Obama wasn't slimed the instant he was injected into the Presidential Race...this stuff is the result of a near 2 year campaign.

Palin's been around for 2 weeks...

You guys want as much negativity surrounding her as is humanly possible...whether it's true or not.


You aren't interested in the truth at all in fact...you just want to slime the Republican. That is all you care about...and it's obvious to everyone but yourselves.

[DarrinS]

I don't see how Obama's being slimed...

Most of the stuff being printed about him actually happened...


Most of the stuff being printed about Palin is outright lies.



Or, some stuff you can get from Obama himself.

Here's Obama a few years ago saying he's unqualified to be president.

5BnLozS-TnM&eurl

[boutons_]

Has Newsweek exposed Palin's and Old McSame's repeated lies about her support for the bridge, and the jet not sold on eBay?

[101A]

There is a good case to make against her on the issues and her public record in Alaska.

Good Luck.

Her approval rating in Alaska is 84%. The people who know her best, like her most. I'm thinking the more the press digs out in Alaska, thinking they see something that ain't there, the more they are going to be disappointed that she is who she says she is.

Giving a major network 2 full days of access, with nothing off limits should uncover some of these smoking guns all of Palin's opponents just KNOW must be there.

Good luck with that.

[101A]

Has Newsweek exposed Palin's and Old McSame's repeated lies about her support for the bridge, and the jet not sold on eBay?

She put it on Ebay; it was big news; she also had a broker market it; he got the state more money than the auction could raise.

The horror.

If the bridge is the best you've got.....we'll see how that works out.

[whottt]

I still don't see how her fucking the US Government out of that Bridge Money is a bad thing...

There was nothing illegal about what she did.

She was supposed to do what was best for the people of Alaska...and damned if she didn't do it. I want someone who is going to do what is best for America in the Whitehouse.



The better question is why did our Congress let her do it?




Why did Joe Biden and Obama let her do it...were they not paying attention?

[Findog]

Good Luck.

Her approval rating in Alaska is 84%.

Relevance? Alaska is not representative of nation as a whole, it has less people than Charlotte, North Carolina. I bet John McCain is real popular in Scottsdale, Arizona. I bet Joe Biden is real popular in Wilimington, Delaware. I bet Obama is popular in Springfield, Illinois.


The people who know her best, like her most. I'm thinking the more the press digs out in Alaska, thinking they see something that ain't there, the more they are going to be disappointed that she is who she says she is.

She's a right-wing ideologue. Her greatest benefit to McCain is going to be to turn pink states (Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia) dark red. There's about 8 states that have usually been rock-solid red that Obama has been competitive in. I think she shuts the door on that. She's been a national political figure for all of 12 days now, the media has a vested interest in making this a horse race. The McCain camp can't keep her away from totally scripted situations forever. I think that the more exposure America has to her, the more she will be seen as a partisan figure and she will do nothing other than help consolidate McCain's base.

The election is going to hinge on Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia. Palin doesn't change that. McCain's post-convention bounce doesn't change that.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Her approval rating in Alaska is 84%.

Just out of curiosity, what was Bush's approval rating as governor?

Anyone know?

[Findog]

I don't see how Obama's being slimed...

You didn't get the email?

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/08/20/obama_emails/index.html

You're biased, so that's how you "don't see" anything. You want McCain to win and you think he will, that's fine, the polling supports that this will be a close race either way. But you've got blinders on.




You aren't interested in the truth at all in fact...you just want to slime the Republican. That is all you care about...and it's obvious to everyone but yourselves.

Who is "you"? I want the Dems and Obama to stay away from her family and personal life. They can paint her in a negative light and mute some of her appeal by focusing on her record as governor and mayor.

[Findog]

Just out of curiosity, what was Bush's approval rating as governor?

Anyone know?

What a shock! National Political Figure is popular in her home state. News at 11!

Obama should just concede right now.

[Anti.Hero]

Any takers on when Palin's Husband gets with Cindy? according to the AP!

[TheMadHatter]

There is nothing funnier than seeing Republicans trying to defend their own slime

[DarrinS]

Any takers on when Palin's Husband gets with Cindy? according to the AP!


I think you misread the story. He said he likes to go hunting for cougars.

[TheMadHatter]

And nobody from Obama's camp has said ONE WORD about Palin's family issues.

That has all been the media, and quite frankly they do the same thing to any high profile person.

[Findog]

I also find it interesting that McCain and Palin have been pretty much appearing together. Usually the Prez and Veep split up to cover twice as much ground. That she is appearing with him and the GOP is starting to get bigger crowds makes me think that McCain is in danger of peaking too soon, like Gore in 2000. Before the debates, Gore was winning the election. After the debates, his lead slipped away.

Ultimately, Obama is going to keep all of Kerry's states, and he's going to turn Iowa and New Mexico red. After that, he needs to get 6 EVs from a pool of 74 available EVs in Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia.

[Findog]

And nobody from Obama's camp has said ONE WORD about Palin's family issues.

That has all been the media, and quite frankly they do the same thing to any high profile person.

Yeah, but the blogs aren't restraining themselves, and I worry about undecideds not making that distinction. It's not about being fair, it's about perception equaling reality.

[DarrinS]

And nobody from Obama's camp has said ONE WORD about Palin's family issues.

That has all been the media, and quite frankly they do the same thing to any high profile person.


Let's end this once and for all. THERE IS NO BIAS IN THE MEDIA

http://www.shallownation.com/images/barack-obama-michelle-obama-us-weekly-magazine.jpg

http://www.usmagazine.com/files/cov-b_9.jpg

[RandomGuy]

As has Obama. It ain't right in either case. Obama's supporters need to self-censor, since this kind of stuff only backfires on Dems, not Republicans. There is a good case to make against her on the issues and her public record in Alaska. Get out of her bedrooms and closets.


I heard she was a muslim sleeper agent. :lol

j/k

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

US Weekly?

:lol

[101A]

I also find it interesting that McCain and Palin have been pretty much appearing together. Usually the Prez and Veep split up to cover twice as much ground. That she is appearing with him and the GOP is starting to get bigger crowds makes me think that McCain is in danger of peaking too soon, like Gore in 2000. Before the debates, Gore was winning the election. After the debates, his lead slipped away.

Ultimately, Obama is going to keep all of Kerry's states, and he's going to turn Iowa and New Mexico red. After that, he needs to get 6 EVs from a pool of 74 available EVs in Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia.

Don't be so sure.

Pennsylvania and Michigan are in play. Either of those fall: lights out.

[Findog]

Don't be so sure.

Pennsylvania and Michigan are in play. Either of those fall: lights out.

Indiana, North Dakota, Montana and Virginia are just as vulnerable to turning blue. My guess: None of these states switch.

[101A]

Relevance? Alaska is not representative of nation as a whole, it has less people than Charlotte, North Carolina. I bet John McCain is real popular in Scottsdale, Arizona. I bet Joe Biden is real popular in Wilimington, Delaware. I bet Obama is popular in Springfield, Illinois.



The point is that if she was scandal ridden, and had done lots of crappy stuff (which is what the original question (hope) posted was) that her approval rating wouldn't be THAT high.

[101A]

Indiana, North Dakota, Montana and Virginia are just as vulnerable to turning blue. My guess: None of these states switch.

I live in Western PA; trust me, Palin is playing well here. It might not be enough to overwhelm Philly, but Scott hasn't started traveling from union hall to union hall, yet.

The Dems didn't do themselves ANY favors by putting the 98th and 100th most conservative senators on their ballot, trust me.

[Findog]

The point is that if she was scandal ridden, and had done lots of crappy stuff (which is what the original question (hope) posted was) that her approval rating wouldn't be THAT high.

Alaska also elected Ted Stevens repeatedly. I wouldn't put much stock in the ability of Alaskans to confer moral legitimacy on their politicians.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

The point is that if she was scandal ridden, and had done lots of crappy stuff (which is what the original question (hope) posted was) that her approval rating wouldn't be THAT high.

See Kwame Kilpatrick.

[Findog]

I live in Western PA; trust me, Palin is playing well here. It might not be enough to overwhelm Philly, but Scott hasn't started traveling from union hall to union hall, yet.

The Dems didn't do themselves ANY favors by putting the 98th and 100th most conservative senators on their ballot, trust me.

Maybe not, but given the state of the economy in a rust-belt state, Pennsylvania is not going red.

[Wild Cobra]

She's a right-wing ideologue.

I think you summed it up right here.

You lefties are so biggoted, you take any slader against her as fact, rather than fact check.