Palin threatens lawsuit over book
(CNN) - One week after the release of a controversial book on Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor threatened to sue the book's author for including what her lawyer called a "series of lies and rumors presented as fact."
The book, "The Rogue," by Joe McGinniss, has received widespread attention since McGinniss moved in next door to Palin to begin writing in 2010.
Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House and publisher of the book, stood by the title and McGinniss.
"We are confident that the reporting in THE ROGUE is solid, reliable, and well-substantiated," said spokesman Stuart Applebaum in an email on Wednesday.
Shortly before the book hit shelves last week, Palin's husband, Todd, lashed out at McGinniss, saying the author had been "relentlessly" stalking his family and filled the book with "lies, innuendo and smears."
In a letter sent to the book's publisher, Crown Publishing Group, Palin's lawyer said Monday both McGinniss and Crown knowingly published false information and "defamed the Palins."
McGinniss has staunchly defended the title.
"Believe me, I'm so sick of Sarah Palin right now, that after this couple (of) weeks is over, I hope to never hear her name again," McGinniss said last week on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight."
McGinniss said that he had originally set out to write a book about Alaska, when Palin was picked as the 2008 vice presidential running mate for Sen. John McCain
"That made her synonymous with Alaska," McGinniss said. "My book about Alaska became a book about Sarah Palin."
The book has received criticism from a number of news outlets, including The New York Times, which said the book "chases caustic, unsubstantiated gossip."
It has also been hit with harsh reviews over its use of anonymous sources for stories about Palin’s past.
But McGinniss stands by the book's accuracy.
"Sarah Palin has lived an outrageous life," McGinniss said on CNN's "American Morning" last week. "All I did was talk to people about it, and they documented it for me. When I was comfortable with the veracity of what I heard, I put it into the book. There were a lot of things that I wasn't comfortable with, that I didn't put them in."
- CNN's Peter Hamby contributed to this report.
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Did she slept with black man?!?! Sick sick... sick...
Well.. she is another sample of how republicans think.. Theye are so self rigtheous and hypocrites. They say that suing is not proper but they are the first ones that they want sue others for what they say is all lies. What about the lies she spread about President Obama? I don't have enough words to show how much I despise this woman. She is no different than Cheney.. a parasite! But, even parasites have a role in nature... Palin and Cheny are no different than Hitler or Osama Bin Lden or Papa Duvalier or Pinochet or Idi Amin..
This woman is the typical greedy republican.. She lied to people from Alaska.. She got elected to be a Goverbnor and she quit because she saw that she could make more money selling lies.
I feel sorry for their children.. who I am sure are a reflection of what their parents are.. a couple with no principles or integrity..
To win she has to prove damages. McGinness is helping her make money by keeping her otherwise worthless name in the media. She should pay him.
He's gonna lose the law suit.
So, if she wins the lawsuit will she accept a small punitive damages award, or does the tort reform her and her followers so vehemently support only extend to medical malpractice cases?
I am an unemployed, dirty, gay-lovin' commie-socialist Liberal who wants to see the USA crumble into dust so that I can make the hard working, wealthy, innovative, patriotic, and religious people of this country pay for my health insurance so I can abuse drugs while burning an American flag. Lucky for you, Sarah Palin is goin's to take back the country and save you from me. All us Liberals are very afraid of her because she can kill us with sunlight. All this because I disagree with the Tea Party and am not wealthy enough to be a Republican.
Wow, it must be true if she is suing as anyone who knows that it is a lie wouldn't care. John McCain ought to be proud to given American such an imbecille.
All hateful comments about Sarah Palin aside, McGinniss is 'so sick of Sarah Palin right now and he hopes to never hear her name again'? Gee, who made the decision to move in as her neighbor, observe her every move, and write a book about her? McGinniss, you brought all this on yourself.
So it must all be true what's in the book.
Kin ah Kall ya Joe? Yew Betcha.
And the whirlwind of stupidity just keeps on a spinnin'...
Um, Sarah, it's called FICTION.
Go ahead Sarah sue. Come on do it. I dare ya. Let's see ya do it.
She's been threatening to sue this guy since the day he rented the house next door to her. It's all for show, because she knows what he is saying is true.
She keeps talking about it and that is all. Going to court might just bring up some witlessness that gave the writer all the info in the book. No way she will take the risk.
PWT (Palin White Trash) — You go Joe!
Poor, poor $arah
Next she will threaten to sue Levi Johnston for the revelations in his book that she had a cougar crush on him. This headline is a desperate measure. With the revelations of Cocaine use and the affair with a Black athlete seen as anathema to the Evangelicals, her cash flow from book sales ans speaking fees must be taking a hit. Her greatest fear is to become irrelevant. For most of us the dingbat was that long ago. Anyone who would ask for people's vote and gain the highest office in the state, only to quit before the term is even half up to escape ethics charges so numerous she was overwhelmed, does not deserve to be taken seriously by anyone.
I do hope she goes to court and it gets televised.
Can't wait for this drama to unfold.... you lying birther Sarah!!
come on sarah, follow through on something for once in your life. we all know why you will not sue. some or all of the book is true. you will probibly wimp out and say, i would rather just put it behind me and take the high road. most of america knows who and what you and todd are. prove us wrong
She's spent her entire political career name-calling, and now she's upset that a book about her recounts tales her neighbors are telling about her?
Ever heard the expression "tough luck"?
Please stop posting Palin stories on the political pages, CNN. She should be tucked away with all of the other reality-show losers on the entertainment page.
Todd should be mad at Sarah, not Joe.
Ironic, isn't it? It's always the right wing freaks who scream about tort reform and nonsense lawsuits that threaten legal action for telling the truth.
I hope Sarah Palin goes forward with a lawsuit. She is a breath of fresh air in a room full of corruption and back stabbing power mongers. God Bless her and her family. I share her views and religious beliefs. I don't believe the lies coming from the lefty media.