(CNN) - McCain-Palin campaign officials shifted course Tuesday after being informed by television news organizations that they would not broadcast footage of Sarah Palin’s meeting with Afghan leader Hamid Karzai Tuesday in New York - the Republican VP nominee’s first with a foreign leader - if a reporter was not allowed in to observe the pair.
CNN, which was the pool network for the event, informed the campaign of its decision. The network was then told a CNN producer would be allowed in the room to act as a media representative, just minutes before the photo op was scheduled to take place. However, print reporters and wire services were not allowed to observe the meeting, as they have been able to do at similar McCain events in the past.
The press only caught a brief glimpse of the vice presidential nominee. Palin was seated in a large chair a few feet from Karzai, with a table in between them. Seated slightly behind Palin were campaign foreign policy advisers Steve Biegun and Randy Scheunemann, who are accompanying the governor in her motorcade today.
As the pool entered, the Afghan president appeared to be telling Palin about his young son, who was born in January 2007.
Palin, her legs crossed and at one point patting her heart, was leaning in eagerly and smiling. Karzai, wearing his traditional clothes but without his trademark karakul hat, was also grinning while discussing the child. His remarks were mostly unintelligible as the noise from the clicking cameras drowned them out.
“What is his name?,” Palin asked.
“Mirwais,” Karzai responded. “Mirwais, which means, ‘The Light of the House.’”
“Oh nice,” Palin responded.
“He is the only one we have,” remarked Karzai.
After 29 seconds observing the meeting, CNN and other photographers covering the meeting were escorted out of the room.
Later, McCain-Palin press representatives chalked up the restrictions to a “mix-up, a miscommunication among staff.” The full pool — a print and wires reporter, along with a television producer — was then allowed in to observe Palin’s meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe for 15-20 seconds.
From CNN Politics
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What a joke, one meeting will not make up for the fact that she is no where near qualified to be VP. I wonder if she brought photos of Russia that she took from her house to the meeting!!
Obama/Biden '08
SURE, JUST MORE OF THE SAME HOW STUPID DOES MCCAIN AND PALIN THINK WE ARE – WHAT A SET UP
she can only be trusted for up to 15 seconds without showing how weak she truly is...
What a joke. They shouldn't publish the visuals.
Alaska Daily News – 09/22/2008
"John Harris, the Republican speaker of the Alaska House, said he had never been called by the spouse of a governor before the two calls he got from Todd Palin. One was to argue for moving the state capital to Anchorage. The other was to ask Harris to "keep an eye" on a key aide who had an affair with the wife of one of Todd"s best friends."
1. Sarah Palin has promised she has no intention of moving the Capital to Anchorage. The above quote proves she is a liar. Moving the Capital from Juneau to Anchorage would destroy thousands of Juneau families financially. Destroying Juneau families for a frivolous, self serving and greedy Capital move is apparently fine with Palin.
2. The fact that Palin"s husband (who is an illegal proxy for the Governor) wants the legislature to "keep an eye" on one of the Palin"s personal enemies speaks for itself!
What a joke....
All she can say is "Oh Nice?"...This cannot be happening..Help!!!!!!Someone wake me up. I must be dreaming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHE DOESN'T WANT ANYONE TO SEE HOW UNQUALIFIED SHE IS WITH FOREIGN AFFAIRS!
A mix up. Sure. They really think CNN, the media in general, and the American people are dumb, don't they? What an insult to our collective intelligence.
And McCain/Palin calls for "transparency". Yeah, right.
This Republican ticket is an absolute mess. Why expose this to other world leaders? This election is truly out of control.
OBAMA, the SANE choice.
Waht a joke just for pictures wow what a egotistical jerk.
The empress has no clothes... Luckily she can field dress a moose – because after all that is so useful for running the country.
???? WHAT IN THE WORLD..................I MEAN WHY CAN'T ANYONE TALK TO HER...............IS SHE THAT EMBARRASING....... I MEAN REALLY PEOPLE.........THIS IS A STORY IN ITSELF....VP CANDIDATE ON RESTRICTION CAN'T TALK TO THE PRESS............. I HOPE SHE'S SMART ENOUGH TO BE INSULTED.... OH WELL
BARACK THE VOTE PEOPLE.......................
Sarah Palin- in the words of Gertrude Stein "There is no there there."
A total creation of the Rove Propaganda Machine. Unable to campaign alone. Unwilling to speak with reporters.
NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME! UNVETTED AND UNFIT TO LEAD!
WHEN WILL THE MEDIA DO IT’S JOB ABOUT PALIN? IF YOU CAN’T SPEAK WITH HER THEN STOP DOING ANY COVERAGE ABOUT HER!!!!!
She may not be qualified to be VP. Obama is not qualified to be President. At least the lesser qualified is #2 on the Gop ticket.
Sounds similar to the time she had a photo op with the dog catcher in Wasilla.
What is the big deal with the media having to be there geez us. She isn't a media hog like Obama so they should get use to it.
This meeting was scripted and staged. Palin couldn't do it any other way.
What a show!
GO OBAMA!
that campaign is ridiculous. they pick a vp and then give the people and press no access. they are hiding her for a reason. are they afraid she'll start speaking in tongues?
This is a joke, right?? Please tell me it is.
She will have some nice pics to put in her office, but 1 meeting with several dignataries does not make for foriegn policy experience.
What a joke. I'm sure they don't want it out because it was far worse than the Gibson interview.
Palin doesn't want the world to see how stupid she really is. She will insult these leaders by being out of touch with the world and different cultures!!! She isn't ready for this and should in no way shape form or fashion be able to deny the press access to these meetings. If she isn't ready for "Prime Time" she needs to sit her butt down and shut up!
are you kidding me? that is pathetic. why is the GOP hiding sarah palin from the media and the public?
stop being sexist, republicans. she's a grown up and can defend herself. stop shielding her and make her face scrutiny
Maybe they talked about his brother's new menu at his restaurant in Chicago?
Joe Biden has done it again. Campaigning today, Biden said.
"When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on the television and didn't just talk about the princes of greed," Biden told Couric. "He said, 'Look, here's what happened.'"
First of all, the Market crashed in 1929...FDR wasn't President. And there was no TV at that time, radio but no TV. Biden is a baffoon and the libs complain about Palin. Give me a break. Biden is an accident waiting to happen. Too bad the dems didn't vet him.
Palin is a joke! This doen't count as foreign policy credentials. Why can't she answer questions from the press. This election is a joke! We have a smart intelligent presidential nominee and then we have dumb and dumber.
They didn't want CNN to record Sarah's diverse, worldly, in-depth knowledge and discussion on foreign policy? Why not?
You gotta keep your bulldog on a short leash or they'll make a big mess !
29 SECONDS!?!? Where is your outrage?
Wow! Almost a full minute of coverage of the VP candidate with world leaders! That's almost as much experience as she had in Ireland or at the Iraqi border!
That Palin sure has the experience we need to lead this country, and the McCain camp is proving it day after day by giving us unrestricted access to her!
Oh no, wait...
Palin needs everything they can give her since her foreign credentials – as touted – amount to seeing Russia from Alaska.
God forbid they should actually capture her doing or saying something, embarrasing herself and her country at the same time. What a joke and a farce.
Just say NO to Bush 44 and Caribou Barbie.
GO Obama/Biden!!!
What is McCain thinking of sending this obviously unprepared person out to meet world leaders as his representatives?
Well, if looking towards Russia from Alsaka gave her foreign relations credit, think how much 49 seconds of talking should buy.
This is totally unacceptable! If this person stands to be a heartbeat away from the presidency come January –God forbid this country elects this unqualified woman–we need to know all about her. Say what you will about Obama's lack of experience, but we've gotten to know him these past two years on the campaign trail.
Keeping Palin sequestered is unheard of! It cannot be condoned. If she is not allowed to be vetted soon by the watchdog of our democracy, the media, she must step down!!
Stop the lies. Stop the distortions about Obama's record. And most importantly, stop hiding Sarah Palin!
Later, McCain-Palin press representatives chalked up the restrictions to a “mix-up, a miscommunication among staff.”
Yeah, right. They chalked it up only after they started taking heat for trying to play censor with Caribou Barbie's photo op. If the press were not allowed in, the campaign could say that the pair talked about "matters of grave importance to the global community" when it appears that they're really just talking about Karzai's son, and probably Palin's daughter's shotgun wedding...
CNN is such a whimp.
I am sorry this is some crap man. How do we know if this women is ready to be the number 2 if they are not letting us the people of the US observe her in action. I can't take no more of this bull man. Why are they treating us like we are the kids who cannot who grown folks talk. I don't like and my vote is for Obama/Biden now
Palin only works for the GOP is she receives coverage.
DON'T COVER HER!.
If you do not receive the access WE the American people deserve to make an informed decision, DON'T COVER HER!
A start is only a star if the lights from camera's on shinning!
We have nothing to fear but the McBush/Pain.
Probably because the campaign didn't want to be embarrased by the questions Plain was aksing.
So, what's your favorite color?
Can you see Alaska from your porch?
Have you ever had killed a caribou with your bare hands?
PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go home Barbie- you ain't ready!!!!!!!!
What have they got to hide? seriously... if she is so 'wonderful' and is so 'well versed in foreign policy', why kick the press out? I'll tell ya why! Cuz she doesn't know squat that is why and they don't want it broadcast to the entire country that the most she can do is exchange recipes and talk about her offspring... THAT is WHY...
what a sham...
"What do you think about the state of world affairs, especially the conflict in the middle east?"
"I play hockey!"
Secrecy. Information control. Attitude that bounces from pompous to indignant and back again. Sounds like Bush / Republican business as usual to me.
Hilarious!
Here we go again: More secret government and more backdoor meetings. McBush is a "maverick" and agent for change? Isn't this the same way Bush conducted his government? If Palin is so qualified to be the next VP, let the public see her in action. Let her prove herself...if she can.
What's she afraid of?
the truth
John McCain owes his country more than Sarah Palin.
Ridiculous – all just for show. As if talking to these leaders about the weather and their family is going to prop up her non-existent foreign policy credentials.
She should stick with the "I can see Russia from my house" line – it highlights her unpreparedness for the position she was drafted to fill.
Wooooo, 15-20 seconds of coverage. I REALLY wish whoever was pulling the strings over at the McCain/Palin campaign would figure out that we rely on the media to help us get closer to the candidates, and that they look really, really SHADY and SNEAKY more and more each day. We don't want four more years of that!!
Wow thats cool............
AN ORDER AT MCDONALDS TAKES LONGER
The McCain camp calls it a "misunderstanding" – I call it yet another dangerous sign of a closing society
I'd rather hear about their PLAN to get us out of this mess their side has gotten us in!!!!
This has got to be a joke. We are supposed to vote for someone that has hid from the media, doesn't answer questions, choose her nterviews etc. This is absurd. This election is so important, we have a little over 40 days left and they are shielding her. This is just a slap in the face to the American People.
If AMERICA elect these two liars MccAine and Palin, AMERICA deserves what it gets.
VOTERS should be outraged.
perfect topic of discussion - what is the meaning of your child's strange name? Let me tell you mine....
If Gov.Palin is ready to lead us out of this economic mess, housing bubble, raising unemployment, wars in Iraq and Afghanisthan, health care crisis and emergence of China and Rusiis, why is she NOT READY TO ANSWER questions? As an American, how do I make judgements about her qualifications? I have watched numerous Obama interviews, even in hostile environment like FOX news and Saddleback forum. From the one interview with Charlie Gibson, I am really scared about Gov.Palin becoming VP. Isn't eight years of voting for cowboys enough? Unless, Gov.Palin subjects herself to the rigors of tough questioning, we American people should boycott the ticket too.
More question dodging. The low road express dodging the media.
Of course. The McCain camp is now hiding her in plain sight. They can show photos of her with the foreign leaders, and then lie about how informed, intelligent, and wonderful Palin is. Nothing new here.
Excuse me folks, I have a meeting with a brain surgeon this afternoon. I want to get me some doctoral experience!!!
This is really disrespectful to the intelligence of the American people. Unacceptable.
This shows how much McCain values "transparency" in government-NOT! WHAT a joke. I can't believe people would actually vote for these bozos!
Well there you have it. Just like Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev. Or George Burns and Gracie Allen.
So American public only deserves 29 seconds?
Is this what McCain means when he says transparency in government?
Thanks, but no thanks. I'm tired of being treated like an idiot by McCain and Palin.
GEE, I wonder why? Too afraid Sarah will put her foot in her mouth trying to keep all the CRIB notes that fed her straight.........Maybe you could color code or number the crib notes for her so she doesn't say the wrong things to the wrong person.........HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
WHAT A JOKE.
OBAMA-BIDEN O8
If the American people stand for this we are nuts.
This woman has to have people to monitor her, she can't meet the press unless it consists of a photo op....what the heck is wrong with this picture.
Don't fall for this, talk about an empty suit!
Amazing.
Ice breakers will be the kids. talk about them and let the leaders know your kids are so good that they know the abstain from sex to the max. Give your eldest daughter as an example, how she is the model of abstaining from sex for the rest of the world.
SOUNDS FAMILIAR!
A typical Bush tactic...keep the public out so it doesn't see how inept you are.
Not a surprise. They like to talk where they can't be heard or seen. I'm sure the neo-con back room dealing continues. Both parties do it.
THE MCCRAXY CAMPAIGN REALLY APPEARS SLEEZY, CORRUPT, SECRETIVE AND ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE. WHO WANTS THIS PERSON SECOND IN LINE TO BE PRESIDENT WHO WANT HAVE ENOUGH GUTS TO FACE QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA..
MEDIA; STOP REPORTING ON THEIR CAMPAIGN-DONT EVEN MENTION THEM IN YOUR COVERAGE. I BET THEY WILL TALK TO YOU THEN...
Sounds more like the old Soviet Union "press conferences" to me....who do they think they are kidding...like she's going to be talking about anything of any real import with Karzai. What a sham....their whole campaign is a sham....
in hiding and under investigation? wow Palin has a lot on her plate.
I met Naomi Campbell once...can i be a super model now?
oh i met Madonna while shopping...i want MY Grammy.
and i met Larry Fishburn...can i be in a movie now?
with all that's going on in the world i am surprised that Palin's handlers didnt update her on these leaders stats.
McCain=lost honor
Palin=political gimmick
their supporters=dangerous
is this what this has come down to? a photp op? wow! how easy it is to be a VP (and then possibly the POTUS) of the most powerful nation in the world. Republicans will sell their mothers to stay in power. what a joke this is. i hope none of the Americans are buying this crap.
The mccain campaign doesnt want the public to see her offering cooking ideas to world leaders. Sarah Palin is a joke and these other world leaders know this. I bet one of them comes out in the next few days bashing palin.
Obama 08
As an American I am insulted by the the fact that Republicans obviously think we are idiots.
'His remarks were mostly unintelligible as the noise from the clicking cameras drowned them out.'
Geeeee.., I wonder why they didn't want the popperazzi.., I mean major news networks, to attend their meeting!!??
Is this a woman who wants to be leader of the free world and she cannot talk to the media? Give me a break!
They got what they wanted. The photo op and nothing more. CNN, you and all the media, should pull this discussion and not give them this.
People, is this the kind of administration you want where they manipulate the media and let you only see what they want you to see?
Can we as Americans be so stupid and vote for this joke?
The media should stop covering her altogether. This is unpresidented that the American people cannot see a press conference with a candidate for Vice President of The United States of America. This is unheard of... And people are going go vote for this candidate without hearing her answer questions that we want to hear answers to; like, Who are you? The media should really cut her off and not cover her speechs either.
Enough! We want transparency now!
Welcome to the "NO TALK EXPRESS" – This is beyond shameful!
Palin could just has easily have a photo-op with Karzai's life-size cut-out and the McCain-Palin campaign would claim she is an expert on foreign affairs. Did she ask him Bin Laden's whereabout? And is MCain going to follow Bib Laden to the gate of hell. Who are you guys kidding?
Wow. Truly incredible.
Somehow Barack was able to do press conferences in Europe with foreign leaders a horde of foreign and domestic press. Took any and all questions. But she is more qualified. What a sad joke.
So while meeting with a world leader they are talking about their kids. Yes, this will solve our international problems.
Apparently Karzai doesn't take her seriously either.
Disgraceful, deceitful behavior. There's nothing else to say.
Good job CNN....way to grow a pair!!!!!
What.
Is.
She.
Afraid.
Of?
OMG we cannot elect these people into office....
So the news finally makes some effort to make a stand on revealing Palin. A sad attempt, but at least it shows that the McCain campaign can't keep her in his sleeve forever. Eventually, the idealogy, the lipstic and the persona will be washed away to reveal an empty, unqualified canidate.
Keep pushing CNN, America DESERVES to know who she really is.
Ha! ha ha ha ha this is a joke! please tell me this is a joke!
what are they scared of? common...
Wow, they talked about his child! I wonder what conversation came next that made the McCain/Palin folks shuffle the press out of the room? His favorite color?
yes friendly media only .liberal media can stay out. obama don’t need more information, the liberal media has help obama enough and if that is not enough to win the white house the media needs to do there real job. Report the news and not making up news to help obama.
Yeah right.
Sarah Pinhead is nothing more than lipstick on the John McOld pig. Can you train a tube of lipstick to regurgitate Joe Lieberman? So far so bad. Everyone is laughing at Palin. I almost feel sorry for her.
WOW barely long enough for one 30sec commercial, I doubt it was a mix up, McPlain & Failin are playing the Media for idiots
Why all this secrecy for someone who is going around stating that she wants to bring transparency to Washington, but everything she does is clouded in secrecy.....who are we hiring as our next VP a Secret Agent.....what the freeeeekkk!!
Sarah Palin is just like Dick Cheney. The evil person behind the scenes that holds the 'secret' meetings and fires and indimates people if they don't fully support their beliefs and philisphies. Voting for this lady is just as bad as voting for Dick Cheney for another 4 years.
I dont understand how anyone voting for this ticket can actully look at thiis and how they have hidden her and played games with the American People just to win an election. Just think republicans if they dont let us know the candidates on the ticket then how are we to expect to know what they are doing once in the white house? I would like someone who is voting for them to give me a good explaination.
Who cares? This is as staged as the Obama visit to the middle east and means nothing. Ask her to find his country on a map. That's the real test. Ask her a question about the history of strife in the middle east.. Ask her about the different factions in Pakistan or Iraq. That's where the real problem lies. Sure, she can be friendly with world leaders. I can do that. I'm not running to be a heartbeat away to nuclear weapons or world war.
The CNN producer was allowed to observed the Palin-Hamid meeting for only 29 seconds!! Then the full media pool was allowed to observe the Palin-Uribe meeting for 15-20 seconds!!
What kind of a democracy do we live in? Our political candidates – especially a governor unknown to most people – have a moral obligation to voters to let us observe, listen to their answers and watch as they perform activities such as meeting key foreign leaders. Shame on the Republican party for denying one of our most precious liberties – freedom of the press!
How flippin stupid does the McCain camp think the american people are....this is a joke and for the sake of their own party the republicans need to stand up and demand john to replace her on the ticket. He is making a mockery out of the whole party and the longer she avoids the press the better for democrats it is. As I predicted yesterday...the conversation would not amount to anything other than families.
These are serious times and if she is to be V.P. she needs to develop some good relationships with these people without worrying about a bunch of people scrutinizing her every move. This is not a game, though the media treats it as such. This is the future of our country and any prospective candidate, Republican or Democrat, who meets with world leaders should focus on the meeting and not a photo op.
man what a fake this is supposed to make appear to have foreign policy experience now. what a joke [palin] and she won't even take questions from the media. reminds me of g w bush ,when he ran. they kept him away from the tuff angles of the run for prez.
Are we to believe that after she meets and has 20 minute meetings with three or four foreign leaders and Bono she's going to have foreign policy experience. WOW!
How gullible or dumb do Republicans think the American people are!
God Forbid the evil media to ask questions to a completely incompetent woman who has no business as a VP candidate. This woman is a joke and speed meeting of a few of the world leaders does not give her any foreign policy credentials.
Are they afraid that Americans might think Palin's not ready to lead??? Too late, we already think that.
DISGUSTING. Smoke and mirrors, hiding the ball. WHERE'S THE TRANSPARENCY??? LIARS AND CHEATS.
And on a side note, I'm convinced at this point that the McCain campaign has outsourced their hired bloggers from India. lol
VOTE THE WASHINGTON CRIMINALS OUT OF OFFICE INTO PRISON!
NO FREAKING BAILOUT OF CRIMINAL BILLIONAIRES WITH TAX DOLLARS!
OVER OUR DEAD BODY!
Why isn't this the lead story on every news oulet in the country. Palin is running for VP of the United States of America and she won't answer questions from the media!!! She hides from them. McCain keeps telling eveyone that Palin is absolutely qualified to be president but we just have to take his word for it as she's not allowed to answer questions from the media. Who is voting for these people?
I don't understand why more people aren't offended and outraged at what the McCain-Palin camp is trying to do. It's insulting to anyone's intelligence. It's truly frightening that this race is as close as it is.
I don't understand.
This was no miscommunication. When dealing with something as important to the campaign as this, no one would have screwed anything up. Considering they were only planning on allowing this amount of coverage, talking about Karsai's youngest kid was the best topic they could cover? That was the dialogue the campaign wanted to get out? That was the most important topic of their conversation? Repubs, your VP pick is pathetic and has no business being anywhere near the White House.
I just bet they're trying to keep the journalists out! The republican ticket is a very bad joke.
Eight is more than Enough!
Why did Obama's Foreign Policy 101 trip not get this type of scrutiny? Everyone is talking about Palin's inexperience, and rightfully so, but why can't each candidate be held to the same standard? You all jump all over Palin, but Obama is the most inexperienced person to ever run for President. What a joke!
I see she still refuses to talk to the press. Why are we not surprised!!
I want to see the meeting with Bono.
I am enjoying this too much!
And to all that post Palin 2012/2016 crap...you make laugh, yet it frightens me that there are people in this country that are really that stupid. Maybe you can go back to grade school and get a do-over because somewhere, somehow your education has been flawed!
Reporters were escorted out? I thought this meeting was supposed to show the American public how well informed Palin was in Foreign Policy. The reporters surely didn't miss much, afterall, this meeting was WELL SCRIPTED AND STAGED.
They are afraid that Palin will be asked something and look like the idiot that she is.
The same reason why she hasn't had a press conference since becoming the veep pick, or done any of the morning talk shows.
Always ask yourself, if they don't want you to hear her, how good can she be????
And only a heartbeat away from leading the free world. Scary.
I have some children can I join in the conversation. Give me a break this tells me nothing. I'm getting tired of the McCain camp playing games. We need to know what she brings to the table. Give us substance.
Hey Accountant Guy. This is no different than the super-hyped rock tour Obama took to Europe. If Palin knows nothing about foreign affairs, neither does Obama; and he's the top of the ticket. How many foreign leaders did Obama meet with prior to announcing for Pres.? I bet none!
Reports have it that Karzai asked Palin if she had been to Afghanistan and her reply was "We can see it from Alaska, and we really like the poppies you grow!"
This is ridiculous! What is this .. a choreographed dance number ? If you want to show your foreign affairs credentials then do it without hiding behind the veil of advisors. If you think you can be our VP then prove it by showing confidence and leadership in meeting with these heads of state unscripted solely on your on knowledge of foreign affairs.
This looks like a sloppy circus to me.
I can’t believe they are (GOP) preparing to run the most powerful nuclear power based on a stage show!!!
No one is buying it McCain!
Be true to yourself and show some character!
This says they McCain campaign is really, really scared of what Palin might do in front of these foreign personages. They're obviously not worried about the potential to offend the foreign leaders, they just hate the idea of being caught on camera offending foreign leaders.
That is long enough for a Photo-op because she did not have anything more substantial to discuss beyond that.
....that the rest of the conversation was equally deep and issue-oriented.
Oh puh-leeze
THIS IS SUCH A JOKE...MCSHAME THINKS THAT PEOPLE ARE STUPID AND WILL FALL FOR ANYTHING... STOP INSULTING PEOPLE'S INTELLIGENCE.
No questions? The repubs are running their campaign like facists, just like the Bush Adminstration has run the country over the past eight years. What right does the press have to question them?
why give your enemies another chance to destroy you with lies, mis-quotes. these media suckers will get their chance to interview you as VP after Nov 4. remember the average person doesn't like the media, so forget their whining.
Hmm, I find it interesting that Palin is speaking so warmly to someone who said she would not sit down and talk with our enemies' leaders... wonder who's lying now?
Obama in '08!
The American people should should be pressing the media to press for more access to the woman who wants to be VP. Are we really only going to get one non-scripted view of Palin (the VP debate) before the election?
I want to know what the McCain campaign knows about Palin but wont reveal !
Oh my gosh!! Give me a friggin break. This is what you want for a President if it is necessary??
I guess the "open book" is closed and locked away for safe-keeping. This whole Republican campaign is a joke and for those who are dumb enough to fall for it, you shouldn't be allowed the right to vote.
To the Republican Party, couldn't you find a better candidate for President? You had enough of them who were more qualified than McCain.
Like putting Alan Keyes on the ticket for Senate in 2004. In my own words, "What are they thinking?"
Only negative, negative, negative comments from Dems apparently on welfare so they can sit home and criticize. While the Repubs are at work, so can't keep up on here, except a few retirees.
It is amazing how many Dems are on here, complared to repubs. Must be at least 10 to 1, if not more.
Let's give Palin a chance, why don't we? Most of the comments on here are so uneducated it is pathetic.
This is a very important time for Palin and the world leaders she is talking to. They certainly don't need all the leering reporters in there ready to pounce at a moments notice if there is a slip of the tongue from either side. Let them talk and get acquainted.....
Did she have to run out of the meeting to go use her breast pump? Oh wait, #5 really isn't her kid. Baby is at home with Bristol...Mama.
The media should boycott this airhead's in all cases, until she comes out and has a unfettered press conference.
This is an obvious attempt to cover her lies and stupidity, and the MSM is most definitely allowing it to happen.
Stop all coverage of her, or at least give a 5 second warning so I can hit the mute button, her voice is making my eardrums bleed!
Nice, so we would have a VP that could be Pres., I ask you who would be running the country, the advisors and the GOP. Too scary for me and how emberssing, the world is laughing.
Man, can anybody chill?? Geez, no wonder he unfavorable opinion has been up 8 points. But in some sense, you have to put the blame on the McCain campaign.
She can be fine but if the campaign pretends that she's so special that no one needs her, they better check themselves in the mirror. Like I said, we(Conserves) can be taken over but since they don't wanna listen, let it be...
Hey McCain~~~~ I can see a Taco Bell from my kitchen window, can I be your Foreign Policy Advisor?
Pffft, I'm so sick of this broad, Clinton should just add her to his trophy collection.
Obama/Biden '08
29 seconds??!?!? that's a waste of time! what is the purpose in going there for 30 seconds? smh
If you are a republican. How can you in good concience support a ticket where the vice president won't let you know where they stand on the economy, healthcare, Iraq, Afganistan, education, ect. Obama is right. They think you're stupid.
Can you smell a fix?
KEEP HER IN ISOLATION, JOHN.......SO THE PEOPLE DON'T DISCOVER JUST HOW CLUELESS SHE IS....WHAT A JOKE. PRESIDENT PALIN.....A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN!!!
considering many voted for obama over Clinton, it seems that stupidity is not exclusive to the republican party
Sounds like Palin's afraid of the media. Wow, I wonder if she's trying to hide something, like she is w/ her baby, with her governing practices, with her husband's subpoena, and God knows what else. Dirtiest politician I've EVER seen. She's worse than McLiar!
She is not yet the VP of the country and she is having secret meetings...What if she mistakenly become the VP...The press wont be allowed anywhere near her....
Where is TRANSPARENCY AND PRESS FREEDOM IN AMERICA!!!
I am crying in silence for this country. Really really crying. A public servant running away from the people she is suppose to be serving...?
Oh my – so this is the type of access we will be allowed McCain and Palin? Pathetic
With all that is going wrong in the world: war, terrorism, the economy, climate change, I don't need my potential VP to be cordially chatting about family. I need to see some substance, because right now I'm terrified of this woman with a only a journalism degree who has admitted that she hasn't thought much about foreign policy being a heartbeat away from the presidency.
McCain continues to think that if you deny the media access to Palin, Americans will forget how unqualified she is to be V.P.
PALIN IS A GIMMICK PEOPLE!!!
If she is "SO" qualified like the McCain camp keeps telling America, let her do more than TWO interviews. They don't allow access because they no she will be exposed as unqualified to lead. That's why she can't even go on the campaign trail by herself.
I'm not sexist for voicing concern over this GIMMICK POLITICIAN!! I wouldn't be saying this if McCain had picked Kay Bailey Hutchison as VP.
Now THAT'S foreign policy – Repub style!!!!
Is it REALLY worth reporting on?
Women want to be equal to men but do not want to be held to the same standards. Pallin, u suck. You are not the Woman I want to be the first female VP? McDonalds manager is better than you.
Wow, The Republican's are trying to make this VP look like she has foreign policy experience by having her chat with heads of states, but did you notice that their foreign policy advisers are sitting right behind her while she chats.
This is such a joke. Obviously there is something to hide. McCain is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. She is ready to be President, but she can't take questions from the media? Hello, don't you have to do that in order to be President. I know she isn't running for President, but no one told McCain. He thinks they can both be President. No minority would be able to steer clear of the media, parade their preganant teenager on stage commenting "how proud we are as parents". Only in white America!!!!!!!!!!!
why am i not surprised? mccain himself haven't had a press conference in over a month, (though i hear he's planning one today), so why should we expect that palin, who's even less capable of facing the press without a teleprompter, would want to expose her first meetings with international leaders to reporters? the risk of her showing her total ignorance in front of the whole nation is too great, gibson interview notwithstanding...
It's funny how every time McCain and Palin censor the press it is later chalked up to a "mistake" or "miscommunication among staff". That's fine if they want to use that as an excuse, but do Americans really want an administration that is obviously so challenged in maintaining communications among even their own staff, lt alone the rest of the country?
And anyone who thinks that talking to a world leader makes you have foreign policy experience is an idiot. Smoke and mirrors on the worst VP pick in U.S. history.
So two days of meetings with foreign heads make her efficient in foreign policy? She is a joke and mccain shows his true colors for picking her.
Well ; Peter I see you delete anyones blogg that is not pro- Obama . That is alright , you cannot change my vote. You cannot also make me watch CNn.
So sad, so comical, so superficial...these meetings are nothing more than playing doll with Palin. The more they think the voter can be fooled, the more the McCain/Palin campaign is floating further and deeper into la-la-land... My friends, it is bedtime for McBozo and pals.
unacceptable
This is INSANITY!!!
"Palin, her legs crossed and at one point patting her heart, was leaning in eagerly and smiling": Yay, she can seduce the heads of state of all them nasty A-rab countries! Way to report on this pointless meeting. No kidding, Gretchen.
Obama/Biden 2008
And this is supposed to give her foreign policy credentials? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hehe haw haw
IF I were Republican, I would be highly insulted that mccain thought so low of my intelligence.
mccain/palin = proven pathological liars
This brings to mind the time that Obama cancelled a trip to visit injured American soldiers in Iraq because no television cameras would be allowed to follow him around and use these brave men and women as photo opportunities. At least McCain was trying not to use this as a photo-op and treated it as a serious and important matter, which it is.
Just another photo op with no questions from the media again. I hope she had her cheat sheet with her.
This woman is an idiot she has nothing to report anyways, I bet all she all she said “Oh nice,” to everything the guy says.
She is a joke.
The media should not cover her or McCain until she stands in front of 50 reporters and does a press conference. They need to grow a spine and call there bluff and say on public tv that until the McCain campaign stops ducking the press they will not be covered. Not their foreign policy, economics, or anything else.
This really is a joke.
She is a total joke !!!!....
Don't let this woman into the White House..
Obama/Biden '08
Sarah Palin IS John McCain's Vanna White.
The McCain-Palin complete and utter contempt for Democracy, Freedom, Transparency and the Truth is truly stunning. Its starting to make Bush look like a teenager.
HAHAHA 15-20 seconds was all the reporters were allowed to observe? I wonder what these "world leaders" think of being used as pawns by the McCain camp in the American Presidential Race. What a shame.
Are they actually talking about any issues or is it all fluff? Guess we will never know.
Anyone planning on voting for this ticket should really question their reasoning for not allowing the press to talk to this woman.
People have to be crazy to vote for someone they don't know. What is it McCain campaign is afraid of. The American people are not stupid
Don't want to expose her to the media, but of course she will be ready to lead on day one. Does that mean she'll be ready to talk to the media on day one or lead the country? I seriously doubt she'll be ready for either. If she's found guilty of the allegations against her in Alaska, she may be sent to jail anyway. Wishful thinking, but anything is possible, I guess.
Sarah Palin has more guts, common sense, and connection with THE PEOPLE than either of your sorry Obama National Party candidates will ever have. This is why you're so afraid. PUMA.
Heck, I had lunch in a Russian Tea Room last week, that makes me qualified to be John McCain's Foreign Policy Advisor.
she is just there to talk for five minutes with each one,one photo and an autograph....mccain campaign looks so desperate to make up miss wasila
What a farce. She should be back in Alaska, and not pretending she has what it takes to run the country. She knows she's not ready, and the rest of the country knows it too.
Obama/Biden 08
Okay, and this is considered "foreign policy experience?" This country is in lots of trouble if we allow the Republicans back into the White House. Look at where we are - the financial system on the verge of collapsing; two wars; record number of foreclosures and job losses - the list goes on and on. And, by the way, Palin has instructed her staff to ignore subpoenas. What do you think would happen to you or me if we did such a thing? The word is "contempt." People, wake up - we cannot allow this election to be "stolen" again!
This woman has no business in the political arena. Shame on McCain to select such a weak person to represent this country.
More & more secrecy from the McCain campaign, just like Bush! Silence & stonewalling, same as the present adminstration. Is it any surprise since McCain voted with his party 90% of the time? And they try to sell "reform" as their platform? Please, step off.
Of course McCain is keeping her away from the media.
He is only allowing Palin to have photo-ops for the simple reason that he knows she has no experience and is perhaps the most unqualified poltician in America to be a nominee for VP.
After her interview with Charlie Gibson of ABC, it is no wonder that they want to keep her from answering any tough questions. She knows nothing. Even in the photo-ops with these world leaders she looks more like she should be bringing them coffee than pretending to be taken seriously for the possibility of becoming VP, and perhpas even president.
The saddest part of all is that the race is so close. The simple fact that Obama is not ahead by 20 points or more in every state, when the country is in such terrible shape, proves the ignorance and apathy of the American people.
mclame campaign doesn't want any evidence of the mistakes she might make, so no reporters allowed!!
Palin for president of the wasilla PTA!
Mccain for president of panama!
So if this is Palin's first time meeting these leaders, arent Obama and her tied??
What a joke! At least she was PICKEd for VP, not actually RUNNING for President without experience...hysterical!
I'll take McCain-Palin ticket any day compared to Obama/??? oh yeah Obama/Biden.
Thank you, television news organizations, for standing up and refusing to broadcast propaganda provided by the campaign!
Now Palin has as much foriegn policy experience as BO.
This woman is a joke.
What a farce. She should be back in Alaska, and not pretending she has what it takes to run the country. She knows she's not ready, and the rest of the country knows it too.
Obama/Biden 08
Will the McCain campaign EVER let her stand on her own two feet? MY LORD! She could be the VP! Is there a precedent for this?
Never in the American history has a candidate be it presidential or the Vice ever ever been blocked from taking questions from the press. She is simply clueless. i cannot trust Mcsame and Palin.
Obama/Biden '08
YES WE CAN
SCRIPTED AND STAGED.
Vote OBAMA the SANE choice.
The campaign didn't want reporters or cameras to witness Palin continually looking over shouler to ask her advisers, "Who's this, now?"
More secrecy from the McCain campaign.
Thanks, but no thanks.
Eight is enough!
Can you blame the McCain people for not wanting coverage of her saying NOTHING! What can she possibly say? She has no experience to relate, no authority to negotiate or deal, and can't even make promises for the future is McCain is elected because there own;t be anyone there to arbitrate the discussion.
Palin is the non-story of the day- again.
let;s discuss our children...now that is foreign policy experince...this is a joke...she is a joke and McCain is joke....but the sad part is that they a pulling the woll over America's eyes.....
WAKE UP AND SEE THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE.....
yes the McCain camp wants to keep Palin as far away from reporters as possible.....only want her to speak from a prepared script. We all saw how utterly incompetent, unqualified and incapable she is during the ABC news Charlie Gibson interview. Can't blame them.
Either the Republicans know that Palin is going to look really bad or they don't want Americans to see who she really is. Isn't it more than a little odd that she doesn't speak in front of cameras or media?
The woman is meeting with heads of state as a representative of the USA. Why aren't people allowed to see and hear her speak?
Obviously Republicans are afraid that Americans will find out just how incompetent she is. If they thought she could speak intelligibly they wouldn't ban the media.
What's the point of these meetings anyway?
We're supposed to be impressed by 49 seconds of her sitting down with leaders – WITH HER OWN ADVISORS THERE TO WHISPER IN HER EAR?!?! Wow, I can't believe the disdain these people have for the American electorate!
"What is the name of your kid"?
That was the only sentence Sarah Palin can comprehend. Karzai realized this fact too.
Todd Palin for president.
Because McCain is already over the hill. I guess the intelligent can figure it out.
The greatest threat Palin faces, is just herself. Keep on talking Palin. Continue self destructing slowly but surely. I wonder what those leaders will be thinking of as they leave the U.S. "she confirmed to me that she can actually see Russia from Alaska". Self destruction continues........
This is very scary!! This woman is a heart beat away from being the President of the United States. If she didn't speak to reporters in Wasilla, Alaska, that's their business. But, when she won't take questions as the VP candidate, that's OUR business!!
She probably was telling him she was keeping an eye on Russia from her front porch...She is just to light weight to be VP esp next to an old man like McCain
All this from the folks who pride themselves on being 'transparent'. Sure, I see it!!
Showing her legs to the President of a Muslim Nation is a Cultural Faux Pas. They whip women in Afghanistan for doing that.
Good grief. Obama didn't allow any press access during his meetings overseas. I don't remember you folks whining about that back then.
But why? The more they keep Palin away from the public and inside of this special bubble, the more I wonder why. What are they hiding?
The networks and the press should boycot the McCain campaign. They want their cake and eat it to. Too bad you guys have no nerve.
Another convenient "mix-up". Anybody wanna wager if anything of any substance was discussed?
They couldn't have anyone in there because no one wants to see a VP candidate get laughed at by a world leader.
John already has a fist lady. He doesn't need another one to sit down and have cookies and tea.
Obama/Biden 08
OMG! Please keep her away! Tell her there are Wolves on the loose in Alaska or a Polar Bear Cub she can club to death.
She is scary enough to start WWIII....why are they hiding from the media/??? Hmmmm.
HOW TO END YOUR CAMPAIGN IN 29 SECONDS!
Clearly the McCain camp was afraid of overwhelming the world with Palin's vast intelligence and experience.
Don't you know that the VP is to be SEEN, not heard. Geez people.
What a joke, McCain and Palin are two dumb idiots. I can't believe they expect us to believe this woman some how has foreign policy experience because she talked with a guy in her country that was from another country. I met hundreds of Indians, Chinese, and Russias in college am I a foreign policy expert now! Geez, what a joke!
WHAT A JOKE! Photo ops (check)...
The longer this campaign goes on the more I can't stand McCain!
Oh, sure, just a little "mix up"! Whoopsie! Just like the mix up where:
-Palin failed to respond to a subpoena
-Palin refused to cooperate in the Troopergate investigation
-Palin said she ad-libbed a speech because the teleprompter broke, but a McCain aide said that no such thing happened
-Palin told congress, "Thanks, but no thanks..." for that bridge she wanted
Etc., etc., etc.
Well, whoopsie, just call me another Registered Independent White Woman Voter for Obama/Biden!
Just something else the republicans wants to hide from us. American People deserve better than McCain and Palin. With all thats going on with the economy and people saying she hasn't got foreign experience and they want to hide this from the American people. What a bunch of Crock. I am so tired of the republicans bring down the country hiding things. I'm not wanting another four years of this Mess again
HAHAHAHA!!! "Oh nice" she says. So that was like, Hockey Mom meets actual International Political Figure for the 1st time and she talked to him like they were out moose shooting. And what's with these guys having the nerve to bar CNN from the room? As if we don't already know she has nothing of importance to discuss with these world leaders. Banning the media from our so-called next Vice President is certainly not the way to gain votes.
In what respect, Charlie?
Palin's not qualified for being on the bottom of the ticket having a few meetings with world leaders ? Why then should Obama be considered qualified for being ON THE TOP OF THE TICKET for going over to Europe for a week or so having the same type of meetings ? Are you really absolutely sure that there's no sexism going on here with the way that people are thinking ? Really though....if a man does these things he's qualified but if a female does the same she's not ?
So when world leaders meet...wouldn't they pretty much talk about the same things we all do in the first few minutes: family, children, home town, etc.
CNN...YOU'VE BEEN HAD!!!!! AND YET YOU STILL RUN THE STORY. YOU THE MCLYANS JUST WHAT THEY WANTED...COVERAGE WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY!!!!! NEXT TIME DON'T BE SO GULLIBLE
What business is it of the press? Have they been invited to Obama's meetings with his European admirers?
What are they hiding?!?!?!?! This is going to be Bush/Cheney allllll over again!!!!!
THIS A COMPLETE JOKE! THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS FALLING APART AND THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN IS MAKING A MOCKERY OF THE ELECTION. VOTERS ARE FOOLISH IF THEY FALL FOR THE CRAP THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN IS FEEDING US.
Do we really care–she has nothing to say because she has no knowledge of anything .all the wheels are off on the slow express bus now .
"What's his name?" "That's nice."
Wow, Gov Sarah is getting lots of foreign policy experience today!
Obama/Biden '08
Why should the press be allowed into those meetings? They didn't get to sit in on the Lord High Obama's meetings during his extremely premature victory lap, nor was there any questioning as to why they were excluded
and YES I am comparing Obama to Stalin and Lenin. All marxist community street thugs. deal with it. and I do know Russian history and the comparison is very valid.
Believe me the Republican Party will ensure that the media craft their reporting of the meeting carefully.....the media is being controlled by...they have to be nice to the dimwit or they are subject to being replaced. She is a puppet.....disgrace to all the intelligent woman in the US. How in the world did she hold an office in Alaska is just unbelievable. She just opens her month without attacking and you get the real thing...Just Plain dumb! Shame on the McCain camp for choosing and not vetting her.
She now cooperates will cooperate with a separate probe run by people she can get rid of...This lady is spooky!
What a total disgrace....and the McCain camp is allowed to get away with this crap. What are we being reduced to? Shame! Shame! on all who has fallen for this game..
World leaders talking about their children. How cute. So why did Karzai feel that was the subject he should speak of to get to know Sarah? Would he have spoke of the same subject had it been Hillary or Condi Rice? I doubt it. It's a slap in Palin's face that says "what else is there to talk about with you?"
Nice set up McCain/Palin camp. They didn't want anyone asking questions. It's almost like they are hiding something. I guess now that they discussed kids names, she has some foriegn policy experience. Why isn't she meeting with the President of Iran? Oh that's right, she cannot resolve the Bush Doctrine with The President of Iran because she does not know what the Bush Doctrine is! Nice photo op, Bert and Ernie. Palin sucks!
Yes We Can!
Obama/Biden 08
What?????
OMG, this is rediculous.
Talk about sensorship... I cannot believe that the American People continue to allow the republicans to continue to shut the media out. It is the most effect way for the People to see the candidates in any election. How are we suppose to make any objective, substantive and educated conclusions about the policies and stances and ideologies of them without it?????
This whole thing stinks to High heaven!!!
I have so little respect for John McCain and Sarah Palin... They talk about transparency, but they are about as transparent as a piece of solid steel.
Really? I mean, seriously?
The show puppet was on display for the media for 15-20 seconds.... laughable. "patting her heart" comical. I was very interested in her, now that I know more about her, I might have to vote for Obama/Biden, as this republican gov. is not ready to be a heartbeat away.
Does the McCain camp think that they are doing anything goood here? She meets with these people, yes, but they try to limit the actually content of the meeting. What are they affraid of? I'm sure it's not a lack of conficance in their VP pick, right?
I've never seen a VP pick get "handled" this much before. It is obvious the McCain camp does not have confidance in her.
"The restrictions have been due to a “mix-up, a miscommunication among staff.”"
Oh I feel so much better. It's not the case that the McCain campaign is shielding Sarah Palin from the press. It's just that they are utterly incompetent
Palin:
"Ya know, I've never been anywhere except Kuwait, Mexico and Canada."
This may be the first time that I've seen on the national political stage where a candidate or elected official is deemed so risky that coverage is cut down instead of seeked to enhance the person's message.
Regardles of how one leans in this election, we should be entitled to hear her views and evaluate her ability to engage in a discussion.
Why such secrecy? Why does any access have time limitations. I guess you can look only to take a picture for her photo op. I really do not trust her. I am trying to like her but she is holding something back. So many lies..I still want to know about the trooper..I have questions about her honesty.
I am a republican..leaning heavily towards Obama.
Why expose the world to this out-of-control campaign? This ticket is an absolute mess.
OBAMA/BIDEN
Evita probaly asked the Afghan leader,
"I can see Russia from my house.. can you?"
CNN I do not know who you are trying to kid with that electoral board of yours and with your latest polls. You are the only ones that has the statistics for Obama that way. I got a lot of respect for John King and Lou Dobbs( the only ones for CNN) I do not think unless he was forced to do this to keep his job would King put such a stupid board up.
I agree with TeSap. McCain, Rove et. all must think Palin is a complete fool and she can only be trusted with a stump script.
Media - You all need to highlight for DAYS the lengths the McCain Camp is going to just so no journalist will ask her a real question...
Would anyone hire a plumber if that plumber refused to answer questions? NO WAY!!!!
Why is she avoiding the press?
Come On America .... Is this train the VP week .. so America you tell me that in the middle of a world crisis we can train VP's as we go along.. Give me a break....And it does seems like sometimes Obama is running against his own party like the comment that Biden and yesterday and that comment Bill Clinton made ...that okay because Obama is healthy and young he will be President ..Go Obama .....so Palin now has her Foreign Politics on her resume ........She did not even know there names....duhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Why won't they allow the press to sit in on her meetings? Are they afraid of how she would actually present herself? Are they afraid that the heads of state she was meeting with would not treat her with deference? She is not looking very Presidential with all these restrictions on the reporters.
Is she going to talk about her lipstick color ?
What a farce. A total farce.
This is truly disrespectful to us, the American people. We should be involved in the processes. This GOP spoof is becoming more and more ridiculous. Come on, what do you have to hide? Obviously, something significant.
We are NOT stupid Americans!! McCain we can see right through Pelin's inability to even talk let alone run a country!!! She knows nothing about the lower 48 or does she care!!! She got a D in economics!!! Vote Obama/Biden for the survival of the United States!!!
thats ridiculous! she is a "leading energy expert" because she is from Alaska and now she has forgein experience because she had some "speed datings" with forgein leaders. laughable!
the republicans obviously conceal Sarah Palin from the media, because they know she will sink McCains campaign with her naiv, clumsy and unqualified "hockey mom" policy.
What are these guys hiding? and for how lonG? Pathetic!
Palin: "Do Be Do Be Do"
GOOD GOD!
I HATE her.
Well I guess that shows exactly how they will treat her, discuss his child what next ask her to bake a cake, I think the conversation would be quite different with Biden or even Hillary!!!!!
I cannot wait for her to meet with Bono. That should be a hoot.
So, let me get this straight. She is having these meetings which
her cohort will brag and brag about and yet no one was allowed to
see them for more t h at a minute. Im so tired of them thinking I
am stupid. Who are they fooling?
She's lame.
The public will probably buy the mix up story lie coming from McCain's group.
I can not believe that the media lets the McCain campaign get away with this. Why bother showing up for any of the meets. All they want are pictures to show that she can sit across from a foreign leader, not show her speaking to them about anything important. All this shows is how very little she know about foreign policy, or anything else for that matter. ALL SHOW NO SUBSTANCE!
If this story doesn't make people stand up and pay attention to what the McCain campaign has been trying to do to the media then nothing will. Although I enjoy the life story of Ms Palin and find it very compelling, it is obvious that she was not and is not prepared to be one heartbeat away from the presidency. My Goodness, Wake up America.
I thought it was supposed to be 15 minutes of fame, not 29 seconds.