The outpatients are out in force...

"I pledge to not blindly believe any more blatant lies or rampant speculation without performing due diligence by fact checking with multiple reputable sources to make up my own mind."

If you don't mind, I'm gonna post that email you received. That's awesome.

Why is it that is it PAINFUL to listen to the actual segments of the Palin/Couric interview, and yet so enjoyable to hear the SNL version?? (And might I point out to the right that SNL wasn't showing Katie Couric in the best light either.... they did a pretty good job of making fun of both parties.)

Palin couldn't even name a news magazine that she reads.... court decisions are WAY beyond her!

What horrified me was that I heard the SNL version first. When I saw the actual interview, I was astounded that they didn't have to stray very far from what was really said. It's a parody in and of itself.

I suppose I should be outraged or offended or something like that about this petition, but mostly I'm just annoyed that whoever wrote it didn't realize that the word they wanted was "biased" (adjective), not "bias" (noun, transitive verb).

Elizabeth,

I wouldnt waste outrage on it. I'm going with bemused amusement.

In fairness to Palin, I occasionally have amoment in high-stress situations where, if someone springs a question on me that I wasnt expecting, I just get vapor-lock...but then, I'm under no illusions that I am qualified for the vice-presidency...and she seems to have a LOT of those moments.

She stuck to the script pretty good in the dabate, though. She didn't screw up big time...but mostly she gave "Miss America" answers.

OK, here's an alternative point of view:

While there is no doubt that Pailin has not dropped the ball in some interviews, there is also no doubt that major news networks ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN are biased in their reporting. Even Democrats and liberals have to admit that.

The "media elite" is so infatuated with Obama, that they would not acknowledge Palin doing something successful or right.

So, has Palin messed up some? Absolutely. No doubt about it. But has the media been biased? No doubt about it. One would have to be living under a rock to think otherwise.

(Just for the record, I'm not "endorsing" any candidate or party. This is just my observation of the media's handling of this matter. As for my vote, I'm still thinking about what to do.)

** Correction on my previous comment. **

First sentence, second paragraph SHOULD READ, "...Palin HAS dropped the ball in some interviews"

David,

Hi, and thanks for your perspective.

I really think that Sarah Palin has been treated with kid gloves compared to the other candidates.

It wasn't that long ago that Obama was getting a thorough drubbing in the press over statements that his pastor made from the pulpit, but Sarah Palin has had no questions from the press at all about her relationship with Pastor Muthee, or the support that her congragation gives to him and funding for his witchunting in Kenya, for instance.

She has been pressed very little on the issues, and has had very little ongoing coverage of the scandels from her governorship...they have been merely mentioned and dropped, despite the wealth of information avaiable on the web.

Most of the coverage I have seen calls her a "rockstar", and talks about how 'folksy' she is...which was a winning combination for Bush, and the press is doing everything they can to promote her in the same way, which we KNOW works to get the general public on your side.

the occasional criticism is fairly mild except for Cafferty and Olberman, and generally is limited to complaining about a lack of access to her...which isn't really all that big of a deal, it didn't hurt Bush.

The fact that she has not done well when interviewed isn't the fault of the press. Don't think for a minute that Poutin or Ahmadinijad would be above tryinig to throw her or goad her with "gothchas". It's part of the international political game to rattle your opponant.

If Catie Couric can rattle your cage, Putin wouldn't even have to say "boo".

Hey Teresa -

Thanks for your response.

I guess it's fair to say that we see this one quite differently, but that's o.k. with me. I fully respect your opinion and I appreciate the way in which you express it.

It was a pleasure to visit your blog for some discussion, and I look forward to further chats with you.

Take care, my friend, and have a nice day!

David