Washington (CNN) - Todd Palin released a scathing statement late Wednesday about author Joe McGinniss, whose new book about former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has grabbed internet and tabloid headlines, as well as received harsh criticism from The New York Times.
In a statement distributed to members of the media, Palin's husband said the book "is full of disgusting lies, innuendo and smears."
"This is a man who has been relentlessly stalking my family to the point of moving in right next door to us to harass us and spy on us to satisfy his creepy obsession with my wife," Palin said. "His book is full of disgusting lies, innuendo, and smears. Even The New York Times called this book 'dated, petty,' and that it 'chases caustic, unsubstantiated gossip.'"
McGinniss' book, "The Rogue," is set for publication next week and is the latest work from the bestselling author who first rose to national prominence with "The Selling of the President 1968," which described the marketing of Richard Nixon during the 1968 campaign. He subsequently wrote a crime trilogy and two controversial books about the Kennedy family.
In early 2010 McGinniss moved to Wasilla, Alaska to begin research for a book about the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee and rented the house immediately next door to the Palins.
His arrival was met with criticism from the Palin clan and national media.
When asked about McGinniss' presence in Alaska, Palin, who is considering a bid for the White House in 2012, told Fox News "Some people just need to get a life."
"Bless his heart, he needs to get a life," she said.
But in an interview with NBC News that aired Thursday, McGinniss said it was happenstance that the Palins' neighbor was renting her house.
He said he wanted to write the book because Palin is a "phenomenon," and the negative reaction he received was yet another example of Palin's temperament.
"She overreacts. She has no modulation in her responses to stress," McGinniss told NBC. "In other words, she freaks out."
Although McGinniss said Palin instructed those closest to her not to speak with the author, he interviewed people in Alaska who he said knew the couple and used his months of research in "The Rogue."
McGinniss' book has not been made available to CNN for reporting and it has not yet been released in stores. However, the Times and NBC read the book and reported on the more salacious storylines in the over 300 page hardback, much of which received tough critiques from the news organizations.
"Although most of 'The Rogue' is dated, petty and easily available to anyone with Internet access, Mr. McGinniss used his time in Alaska to chase caustic, unsubstantiated gossip about the Palins, often from unnamed sources like 'one resident' and 'a friend,'" the Times wrote in a review published Wednesday.
In the interview with NBC News, McGinniss said Sarah and Todd used cocaine in the past, a claim that has not been verified.
When asked by NBC how he substantiated the claim, McGinniss said "well you talk to somebody who snorted it with her."
"You talk to many of Todd's friends who describe him as having been on the end of the straw frequently in his youth," McGinniss said. "I'm not saying Todd and Sarah Palin today abuse cocaine or even use it, but there is no question they both did at one point in their lives."
According to NBC News, McGinniss alleged in the book that Palin had an affair with Todd's former business partner Brad Hanson.
Hanson denied that charge in a statement Thursday.
"This is the same old story that went around in 2008," he said. "It is a complete and outright lie. Todd and Sarah Palin have been good friends for many years, and in fact we still own property together. We sold a former joint business venture for business reasons, nothing more. These attacks are shameful and those making them seem to be out only to destroy good people and make money doing so."
McGinniss also wrote, as reported by NBC, that Palin had a sexual encounter with former NBA star Glen Rice in 1987, before she was married to Todd.
The New York Times wrote that the book also rehashes "conspiracy theories," including that she may not be the mother of her youngest son, Trig.
"It is perhaps the most blistering assessment of her character possible that many Wasillans who'd known Sarah from high school onward told me that even if she had not faked the entire story of her pregnancy and Trig's birth, it was something she was eminently capable of doing," McGinniss wrote in the book, according to the Times.
The Times came to this conclusion in their review: "There is one area, and only one, in which 'The Rogue' is dead-on. Mr. McGinniss knows how publicity works. He appreciates, not to say emulates, the way members of the Palin family cash in on celebrity and contradict themselves without penalty."
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Did anybody really expect anything different from that McGinnis maggot?
In Arkansas they have hillbillys.
In Alaska they have snowbillys.
Same clan, just add snow.
The book says she likes pot, coke and big black men. I wonder how the non-racist Tea Party is going to handle that. This is better than christmas!
Does the McGinniss book have citations that back up his claims? Does he offer verifiable evidence for what he is writing?
If so, then it is probably true. If not, then it is just McGinniss' opinion
Those crazy Palins, Where are your threats of lawsuits? Where is good ol van fleabag and are you going to ask your sarapac members for more money now? What a loser family, she is a true coward who will not answer questions but will attack without mercy. Adios grifter, take you retarded family with you.
Well, it looks to me like Sarah and Todd Palin have some problem of "turning the other cheek"! Sarah the Prophet will have to get out her torn and worn Bible and re-read that chapter!!
Glen Rice did you sleep with Sarah Palin?
spin it and spin it more.....................hehehehe
If he keeps repeating "she used cocaine and sleeps with black men" everyone will began to believe it as they did about the President and all the lies she helped spread. So I'll say it aloud as many times as I can.
Now we all understand why she goes after the prez. She wants some of that as well but can't or Michelle will stomp her thin behind.
There are two key words missing from the denial in this article. The only two words anyone in the public really fares about: Glen Rice.
She likes the dark meat!
And it is all true.
I don't know if some of the more salacious parts of the book are true – but – Todd & Sarah Palin have lied before.
I hope the Palins moved their trailer when they found out this guy was next door.
If it is false she can sue, if she doesnt then she just doesnt want to have to own up to any of the stories.
The Palins would know all about disgusting lies, innuendos, and smears.
The truth hurts!
Why is the left so afraid of this woman? They bend over backward to slander and seek to discredit her.
I am not a big Palin fan, but she is not what the media seeks to portray her to be.
Lies? And HER recent book wasn't more of the same?
Oh lord, the liars are accusing others of lying. Typical Palin, Bagger, and Republican reactions.
Some people cannot accept the truth. The Palins live in their own fanasy world.
Lies, innuendo, mis-statements, all tactics that Sarah Plain herself is a deft practioner of. It is ironic how they take on meaning when she is on the receiving end of them. Maybe Sarah will learn to be a little more discretionary going forward when it comes to exercising them for her own purposes. Somehow I doubt it.
"Bless his heart, he needs to get a life..."
Well, at least he has a real job.
I believe this story without a doubt. Sarah Palin is so fake, so is the rest of her family. Pretty soon, the truth will come out, just watch this space. One night stand with a basket baller, huh? surprised? NOPE!
Poor palin I am so sorry..