McCain camp tries to keep reporters out of Palin meetings
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/23/art.palinkarzai1.ap.jpg caption="The media was allowed to observe Palin and Karzai for less than 30 seconds."](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.
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.