
(CNN) – Sarah Palin channeled her history as a television reporter, politician, mother and cultural phenomenon into a new role on Tuesday morning when she became a temporary member of the self-dubbed "lamestream media" through a guest hosting gig on NBC's "Today."
The former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee talked politics with host Matt Lauer, defended Jessica Simpson's recent weight gain and dubbed Tori Spelling an "inspiration."
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Looking forward to the 2012 presidential election, Palin offered some advice to the eventual GOP nominee's choice for the No. 2 spot on the party's ticket.
"Don't play it safe and do just what the GOP establishment expects them to do and that is to get somebody kinda just going along to get along, not wiling to go rogue and shake it up and say that we need relentless and we need sudden reform of our government to put it back on the side of the people," Palin told Lauer.
She also said her party "doesn't know what's coming," and predicted the Republican ticket will be clobbered by the media, whether or not the eventual choice has experience on the national stage.
"They don't know what's going to hit them in terms of double standards being applied to them in the positions that they hold and the records that they are running on," Palin said.
Palin managed to make fun of herself throughout the morning and was seen surrounded by stacks of newspapers, a reference to her 2008 interview with Katie Couric when she failed to name any newspapers she read. She sat in Lauer's dressing room during a tease writing on her hand, which conjured memories of a 2010 appearance when she was seen glancing at notes written on her palm.
Weighing in on cultural affairs as part of a panel, Palin said Oprah represents what "makes America great" and is "showing the grits it takes to succeed."
When asked about the ridicule surrounding singer Simpson's weight gain during her first pregnancy, Palin said it is "none of anybody else's business," adding she would have wanted to punch anyone in the neck who mocked her during her pregnancies.
Although she gave a thumbs down to Ashton Kutcher playing Steve Jobs in a potential biopic because she is not a fan of people being paid to play real individuals, as actress Julianne Moore was to play Palin recently in HBO's "Game Change, she gave a thumbs up to Tina Fey.
"Tina Fey was good," Palin said of her famous impersonation. "Tina Fey's been pretty clever."
During a segment with Tori Spelling, Palin, a mother of five, said the actress was an "inspiration" given her role as a mother and career woman. She also encouraged her to have more children. Spelling is currently pregnant with her fourth child.
"Only four? Keep going. The more the merrier," Palin said.
At the end of the show Palin acknowledged she had a "great morning."
"You guys are awesome, thank you," she added.
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I already found ths woman do be a complete numbskull, but after watching Game Change, I had my feelings confirmed.
She isn't important enough to mock. Just another whispy breeze in the compost.
Sarah Palin is an opportunist and she's very smart. Some people may not think so but if you look at this way it's a perfect move to do a moring talk show. This is because she now can use the moring show to view her politicial views and help get her people who she wants to get elected and convince people that Obama is not right for country. Plus at the bizzilions of dollars she is getting paid. She dosen't have to run for office with all the money she is getting paid. I know I wouldn't. There's a gender gap here a lot of viewers are between the age of 45 to 60 and most of them are women. The women are a very important in a Presidental election, and Sarah Palin know this. All she is doing is taking her agenda and politician views and using one of the most powerful medias to get her message acroos. Don't sell this women short.
The hillbilly grifter from Alaska sells out again! This time for a few bucks to her supposed hated 'lamestream media'. Is there anything this family won't do for a buck?
Couldn't watch the today show today something about the show today made me nauseous
Turkey-neck must need some plastic surgery money!
Well, there ya go! Palin finds Tori Spelling an inspiration as a working mother and career woman. Nevermind the fact that Spelling has access to millions of dollars and can afford all the trappings. Most female leaders would say they find people such as Coretta Scott-King, Golda Meir or Indira Gandhi as inspirational but not Palin.
Well there's certainly a lot to mock there! Just another good example of her hypocrisy. She slams "lame stream" media, yet doesn't mind whoring herself to make a few bucks.
Everybody should have at least 19 children, because the duggars said all of the people in the world can fit in Jacksonville, FL.
Hope her sweaty palms don't smudge her hand notes. Too messy on her pricey wardrobe.
Eagle Eye made absolutely no sense.
The woman is a disgusting media hog. Disliked her as governor, dispised her as vice-presidential candidate, and loathe and detest her activities ever since.
Is Today Show trying to boost its ratings today with Palin? Of course! I switched to GMA early last year after guest after guest of right wing conservatives kept showing up on Today. Palin showing up to co-host clinches my decision that it was the right thing to do!
"Palin plays anchor, mocks herself"
None of us is surprised.
I guess it's better than being mocked by everyone with 1/2 a brain!
The hypocrisy just doesn
The Quitta from Wasilla isn't qualified to run a kindergarten and cost John McCain the 2008 election.
So the GOP should do in 2012 what it did in 2008 and "go rogue and shake it up" with the VP pick. We saw what happened last time when they picked a totally unknown and unqualified candidate for VP. How'd that fail-y, quit-y thing work out?
Palin is an IDIOT.
ahhh, my clown has opened her mouth again. Joy, joy, joy
MSNBC viewers are not happy Palin was on The Today Show. Many of them say they will watch GMA. How ironic that the lies MSNBC has told about Palin, and believed by their viewers, are costing NBC viewers. Classic blunder.
"Palin plays anchor, mocks herself"
I'm pretty sure Jabberwocky Barbie's been making a mockery of herself for years now. I'm filing this one between "the pope wears a funny hat" and " bears pewp in the woods."
Unlike the Obama's this one more beautiful, smart woman. She does and will have my vote if she ever runs again.
bassman
MSNBC viewers are not happy Palin was on The Today Show. Many of them say they will watch GMA. How ironic that the lies MSNBC has told about Palin, and believed by their viewers, are costing NBC viewers. Classic blunder.
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Love the spin. Don't you? "MSNBC viewers are not happy ...." I guess you are referring to the "Morning Joe" viewers. Because we all know that you are just making up something that sounds good, and plant false ideas and misinformation into people's heads. It is what conservatives do.
I don't think liberals would be upset about Palin appearing on NBC, not at all. Conservatives would be worried about it though, as they should be.
Sarah Palin rocks 30 Rock...
...and the PDS sufferers get all wee weed up.
Too funny..:)
Oh look, it's everyone's favorite 1/2 term gov'na pal-ing around with the lamestream media–which she constantly blames for her own weaknesses–going all if-you-can't -beat-em-join-em-rogue. $arah proving once again, she'll get in bed with anyone for the right price.