Palin & World Leaders (Cont’d)
EmailFrom Kate Snow — in midtown Manhattan:
Well, here’s what I can tell you so far about Governor Sarah Palin’s meeting with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. Her hair was pulled up in a bun. That’s all I know. Several journalists were waiting for Palin to arrive at the front entrance of the Intercontinental Hotel in midtown Manhattan but she snuck in a side entrance. Reporters– save for one producer from CNN who was let in for a few minutes– were not allowed to enter the hotel. We have been promised a pool report, which will cover those minutes that our camera and producer were allowed in the room. After we figured out we’d missed our shot and she was already inside the building we ran around to the side and awaited her exit, hoping maybe we could shout a question about how the meeting had gone. As we set up to get the shot from across the street- the only place we were allowed to be- a police cruiser pulled up and blocked our view of the entrance, followed by a large blue US Secret Service expedition. He told me he was "under orders". We moved to a spot further from the door but with a clearer view. And Palin emerged. Too far away to hear our shouted questions. Flanked by her foreign policy advisor Steve Beguin. Once inside the car, she looked down, appearing to study notes. She is on her way now to meet with the Colombian President. All these meetings in a row might be considered baptism by fire for someone who had never before met with any foreign head of state and only recently obtained a US passport. But she can draw a crowd without saying a word. "Who’s here? Palin? Baby, now we’re talkin," said a man passing by her motorcade.
Then comes the "pool report" from a CNN producer:
The press pool (still and TV cameras only, plus this producer) entered into Karzai’s sizeable suite at the Intercontinental shortly after noon. One handler, who did not appear to be with the campaign but rather with Karzai’s entourage, repeatedly said "No writers," and he tried to keep this pooler from entering the room when he saw my notebook. However, Chris Edwards, Palin’s deputy chief of staff, allowed me to pass. Palin was seated in a large chair a few feet from Karzai, with a table in between them. From the view of the pool cameras, Palin sat on the left, and Karzai to the right. Seated slightly behind Palin were 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 unintelligible as the noise from the clicking cameras drowned them out.
This was the only exchange that was heard:
"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.
At this point, the pool was hustled out the room and down to the hotel lobby. Pool was in the room for a grand total of 29 seconds.
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Palin as a VP pick is really a comedy now.
Now, America is a laughing stock to the whole world.
Can’t we deserve better than this woman?
Posted by: zen | September 23, 2008, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
America, here is your next Vice President, potentially next president! Imagine! She’s going to continue spreading democracy around the world? This is getting ridiculous!
Posted by: D | September 23, 2008, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
Geeze McCain will call this a sucessful foreign exchange, what a joke a f ing joke.
Posted by: depravedmaniac | September 23, 2008, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
Hopefully Karzai realizes that he is being used…
and says something.
anything seeing how our own Vice Presidential nominee
can’t…
because she is a moron.
Posted by: dl (the real one) | September 23, 2008, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
I’ll say it again; You are just Paper Tigers.
You covered her and given her press and still have gained nothing.
How does it feel to be used so easily and effectively?
Posted by: Thinking | September 23, 2008, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
WHAT A JOKE
Posted by: YEA BUDDY | September 23, 2008, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
Well, by her use of negative adverbs and adjectives. This reporters opinoionated news is not worth reading. To even suggest that Sarah Palin snuck in to her meeting is offensive. If these scum bag reporter didn’t have their political agenda’s to perform, maybe people would not treat them like they had the plague.
Posted by: john jacobs | September 23, 2008, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
Karzai knew there was no point intalking about anything outside his kid.
He knew he was being used to fool the American people.
Posted by: dl (the real one) | September 23, 2008, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
did they exchange family photographs?! Inquiring minds want to know!
The late-night comedy shows are going to have a blast with this.
Posted by: Truth17 | September 23, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
JOhn Jacobs
SHE DID SNEAK INTO HER MEETING duh.
she took the side door. duh.
and asking her real questions they are never allowed to ask…is attacking her?
only if she is an idiot…
so I guess yeah it would be attacking her…because she IS an idiot.
as much as she has been taught to memorize cliff notes on how to rule the world.
Posted by: dl (the real one) | September 23, 2008, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
By the way I wish you people would take the monkey face boy. You know the sixty-five percent white guy off your front page. He makes me want to puke when I see it. Put an American hero up there, not a Muslim dictator.
Posted by: john jacobs | September 23, 2008, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
well, well. charles gibson, do YOU know the meaning of the bush doctrine?
not according to the originator of this phrase, charles krauthammer. in your pursuit of a “gotcha” moment you actually showed your own ignorance. Ms. Palin acted very cool under the fog of your question, and i hope you can show the same class and admit to your mistake on the air. i won’t hold my breath.
Posted by: jmap54 | September 23, 2008, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
In what respect, Charlie?
Posted by: Teebob2000 | September 23, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
Is Palin meeting with any of our European allies? Or, is she meeting only with leaders from countries that hold little/no leverage with the US? Is Karzai going to say ‘no’ to a meeting with Palin? Would Sasha?
More importantly, did Karzai and Palin exchange family pictures? Or, schedule a play date!
Posted by: Truth17 | September 23, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
Oh ZEN. You are so negative. Like Barrack has any exp. Give me a break. She has taken the country by storm and you and all the other libs are worried. Serves you right.
Posted by: Dennis | September 23, 2008, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
“He is the only one we have” remarked Karzai.
Palin rolls her eyes. “Oh, that’s nothing. You don’t know how crazy life gets until you’ve had a few more!”
Next!
Posted by: Truth17 | September 23, 2008, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
Obama no experience.
Palin Experience……
Hmmmm. Who do you want to be President? Go PALIN!!!!
Posted by: Joe V | September 23, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
If I were meeting a world leader, I would not have to ask him his only child’s name.
Posted by: hang | September 23, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
That’s it, yipeee.. Palin has international experience now, she can see Russia from her house and she knows Karzai’s kids name. It’s all over demoncRats, Palin is a foreign policy expert. Why do we allow this farce to continue, she’s an idiot plain and simple.
Posted by: Bob Lees | September 23, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
And we still are talking about Governor Palin. As hard as Obama has tried to change the focus back to him, he can’t even get this one right. Poor poor Obama.
Posted by: Kitty | September 23, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
kate snow, did they hire you off of the street because you were a liberal? Learn to paragraph omgosh
Posted by: david | September 23, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm
Bothers you guys to no end that they have decided you aren’t worth letting in on this doesn’t it? Try being a little more fair in your reporting and maybe then people will actually look at you as valid. Until then, expect to be brushed aside.
Posted by: david | September 23, 2008, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
Palin won’t cook up a phony deal with a world leader like Obama did. After all, the shallow one tried to cook a deal with Iraq so that the troops would stay until after he’s elected so he could take credit for the withdrawal.
Obama – choice of those who can’t handle complexity!
Posted by: dl | September 23, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
john jacobs: “To even suggest that Sarah Palin snuck in to her meeting is offensive.”
It’s a fact that she abruptly took a non-standard route into the meeting.
If she’s such a wilting flower that she can’t handle the press, I don’t want her anywhere near the White House. Period. She’s looking worse than Carter at his most simpering at this point. If she can’t handle a pool reporter, can you imagine what Putin would do to her?
Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
Karzai is a former CIA informant, and that’s why he leads Afganistan today: he was installed by the Bush administration. I’m sure he’s happy to do anything to help the Republicans.
Posted by: tina | September 23, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
tina — in all your wisdom, who would you have put in charge?
Posted by: dl | September 23, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
If this is a sample of the “crumbs” they are going to continue to throw our way, thanks but no thanks. I think the media should quit “covering” her until she can speak on her own. We still don’t know anything about her!
Posted by: imo | September 23, 2008, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Kitty,
I am sure Obama doesn’t mind Palin being made a fool of by the media. The more the McCain campaign tries to shield Palin, the more the press goes after her. Do you think it is a coincidence Obama moving ahead of McCain coincided with Palin’s popularity dropping to the lowest out of the four candidates?
Posted by: Mack | September 23, 2008, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
What is Sarah and the republicans afraid of shielding her from the media? What really gets me is that the McCain/Palin campaign thinks that just by taking Sarah and shooting photos of her and world leaders that will qualify her as being READY to lead. The american people are not stupid…we recognize that this is just a photo-op with Palin. She can’t cram in two days like a high school exam. SHAME ON THE REPUBLICANS for thinking very little about the American people.
Posted by: sandra | September 23, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
She owes the Press Corps nothing. You all need to hang your heads in shame. None of the MSM deserve the time of day from this great lady.
Posted by: s.b. | September 23, 2008, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
tina
Who would you have put in charge, Ms. know-it-all?
Posted by: dl | September 23, 2008, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
O yeah foreign policy experience has to do with talking about one’s children – this is laughable – and just goes to show you how the mcsame camp will do in washington – no disclosure, no transparency, no discussion – sounds like another GW Bush administartion to me….
Posted by: jozy | September 23, 2008, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm
And how did you wear your hair today?? And Senator Biden, how did he wear his hair today, and Senator Obama. . .his hair. . .you are ridiculous and you should be ashamed of yourself! You have cheapened this election, its no wonder the press gets not respect anymore. . leave it to a woman to treat another woman this way.
Posted by: Margaret | September 23, 2008, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Republcanism is for those who can’t handle reality – this is sooooo educating – the NO TALK EXPRESS is trying to Bu$$sh1t it’s way to washington……TOOT TOOOT
I can see Russia from my house!
Posted by: jozy | September 23, 2008, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
Wow, what a hockey mom conversation!
Posted by: chris | September 23, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Isn’t it interesting that all the “foreign dignitaries” she’s meeting are on our payroll. Of course they’ll meet her. 29 seconds of talking about the kids is better than loosing 10 billion a month in American taxpayer money. Once they realize what a ditz Palin is, they know that if they can help get McCain elected, it’ll mean even more American taxpayer money flowing their way. Oh…and they probably feel sorry for America’s middle class carrying the load….NOT
Posted by: algwriter | September 23, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Since the Mccain camp wants no coverage I think thats what you should give them NONE!Why do you allow yourselfs to be used. Now thats a news story.She cant talk for herself, she is being pumped with info and at the debate that has already been set up so she cant say much, she will shock and awe with her performance How wonderful she will be.Just like a movie script.
You people should do your jobs and there is no news with Palin she is just a front. Report that
Posted by: jomo | September 23, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
algwriter
I see you socialists have completely forgotten to mention America’s ‘lower class’. I suppose it’s because they don’t offer up much campaign money are are, therefore trash to be set aside.
Posted by: dl | September 23, 2008, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
This is all so obviously staged and phony. Palin will not meet with the press, she has specially arranged meetings with a few select heads of state, but no one really knows what was discussed or what happened. This is a sham and the American public should be outraged. All the rightwingers claiming Palin has experience and Obama does not should consider this: Did Obama HIDE from the press the way Palin has?
Posted by: jon in maryland | September 23, 2008, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
jon in maryland
Yes Obama did hide and yes he is hiding. When was the last time he allowed reporters to ask questions? Come on now, be honest!
Posted by: dl | September 23, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
Would all those critical posters here, who have met President Hamid Karzai in person and exchanged ANY words with him, kindly raise your hands?
Ah, I thought so.
Posted by: Yavo Lem | September 23, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
LoL! The McCain Camp continue to lie and distort the everything! They snuck her in just like they pulled her into the election after a short meeting without vetting her completely.
Posted by: KMMT2 | September 23, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
It’s really comical to read the remarks from all the self-acclaimed officials who have responded. I challenge any of you to compare your limited experience in government with Governor Palin. Until you have served your government as she has voluntarily done you have absolutely no room to comment. As for taking on the task of motherhood. Just remember your own mother’s and the influence that they had on you and who you are today.
Posted by: Mama5 | September 23, 2008, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
All joking aside, if McCain’s campaign is concerned about Palin being exposed to reporters, what does that say for his judgment in selecting her as his running mate? Biden may put his foot in his mouth sometimes, but at least he’s out there trying to communicate and trying to put himself out there so that we can judge his character. This business of hiding Palin is scary stuff.
Posted by: hang | September 23, 2008, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
I think the media should protest this nonsense. Oh that’s what they want….that’s how they play the game.
I don’t want to hear her again anyway. Hell my teenagers are smarter then she is…What a dimwit….
Posted by: KMMT2 | September 23, 2008, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
Why are the news media ignorning Joe Biden – when we see all this news of Sarah Palin, it’s because the media have decided to cover her to the exclusion of what’s going on with Biden. Biden has a campaign plane and campaign stops. But, Sarah Palin is “man bites dog” news and is the amusement park attraction. It’s PR catnip.
Posted by: Nina Forman | September 23, 2008, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
dl
He answered questions with 60 minutes this week. He and McCain both. Biden did interviews for CNN Revealed. Palin refused to be interviewed. She has done 2 interviews. One w/ Hannity which doesn’t really count. Biden 83 who knows how many obama has done.
Posted by: tskware | September 23, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
How is it possible that the media is allowing this sham to continue? When is someone/anyone gonna grill McCain on why he won’t let us (you) talk to her?
Posted by: David | September 23, 2008, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
She should be sent back to Alaska as fast as she can get there she is the laughing stock of the world not just this country the world .McCain should be proud of the jerk he picked to ride her skirt tails.Meeting with these poeple for 2 minutes gives them the right to say she knows and has meet them..Sad day for this nation….
Posted by: indp voter | September 23, 2008, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
According to Real Clear Politics, the Electoral College maps, with no toss-up states, tell an interesting story, at least to me. By date below:
July 27, 2008 Obama 322 McCain 216
Aug 10, 2008 Obama 309 McCain 229
Aug 24, 2008 Obama 273 McCain 265
Sep. 7, 2008 Obama 273 McCain 265
Sep. 14, 2008 Obama 273 McCain 265
Sep. 21, 2008 Obama 273 McCain 265
Looks liked someone has lost a lot of steam and like someone has gained a lot, but that now it is a standoff. I guess we will see some change after the first debate.
Posted by: Yavo Lem | September 23, 2008, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
Yavo – If Palin were President, she would not have met with him either.
Posted by: jenny | September 23, 2008, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Yavo – If Palin were President, she would not have met with him either.
Posted by: jenny
==========================================
Ah, a hypothetical. And why would this be so, if I may be so bold as to ask?
Posted by: Yavo Lem | September 23, 2008, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
If she can’t face reporters, how is she going to deal with Russia?
Posted by: jozy | September 23, 2008, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
If she can’t face reporters, how is she going to deal with Russia?
Posted by: jozy
==========================================
Hypothetically, in that case, she would most likely say one of two things: da or nyet.
Posted by: Yavo Lem | September 23, 2008, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
As a “Limey”, may I comment that just like Mrs. (now Baroness) Margaret Thatcher, Sarah Palin has shaken the ruling “liberal” elite, – in the U.S.A. this time. And naturally her evangelical Christianity could only offend this “elite”. However, I dare to suggest that Sarah Palin may very well find little difficulty in talking to Putin, as they both speak their mind.
Posted by: Michael Chilton | September 23, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Yes folks that smell is the smell of fear … and the smell of all the rabid leftwingnuts in the MSM defecating in their shorts.
PRICELESS
Posted by: Iben | September 23, 2008, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
Listen, you guys should be really scared. This idiot may be in charge. Please we need help!!!!!!! Not photo ops. Remember, she said she is willing to go to war with Russia, Russia. For the sake of my Kids, you guys go vote and tell your friends, we may all not like Obama, but at least he has substance, He is not WAR WAR WAR.
Posted by: Cornell | September 23, 2008, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
Michael – my concern is whether or not Mrs Palin or for that matter Mr McCain will be able to locate Georgia on a map. My fear is that they will not be able to do so and Atlanta Georgia the state capitol ,will be carpet bombed instead of what ever the capitol of Georgia is.
Posted by: jenny | September 23, 2008, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
Yavo – McCain etal has said that they would never talk with countries harboring terrirists. He has said that many times.
Posted by: jenny | September 23, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
I have nothing against Sara Butt the following.
1. Obviusly her handlers will not allow her to answer questions, yet she is ready to lead.
2. She is willing to go to war with Russia over Georgia. Nuclear will probably be involved.
3. We all know that she is scripted, yet when she is attacked everyone else is at fault.
4. Why can’t McCain travel without her. Are they Siamese Twins. Vintriloquist and the Dummy.
5. Come on you guys know McCain is doing and saying anything,.
6. Lets put race aside! WE NEED HELP!!
Posted by: Cooney | September 23, 2008, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
Sarah Palin: Soccer Mom without an agenda. Shake up Washington, Thanks but no thanks, No more good oh boys!! Maverick! Come on America!!! For you guys who can remember, a Maverick is an old obolete car. This is what should be asked to McCain, we sent our sons and daughters to Iraq and they shed blood, yet they won’t give us a price break on the oil, they won’t help us in our time of need.They have a surplus. Yes the surge worked.
Posted by: victor | September 23, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Is this a Saturday Night Live routine or reality? It’s getting hard to tell the difference…
Posted by: obamamama | September 23, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
APpalinG! Funny it has Sarah’s name written all over it! She make a snarky remark about the staging background on the DNC as being a Hollywoood prop well…if she’s not the empty back lot, I don’t know what is.
Posted by: Jane | September 23, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
Yavo – McCain etal has said that they would never talk with countries harboring terrirists. He has said that many times.
Posted by: jenny
==========================================
Yes, it is ironic isn’t it, when you realize that that includes France, the UK, Germany, Italy and most of the world, including the good old US of A.
By the way, it is ‘terrorists’, not ‘terrirists’.
Posted by: Yavo Lem | September 23, 2008, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
“my concern is whether or not Mrs Palin or for that matter Mr McCain will be able to locate Georgia on a map. My fear is that they will not be able to do so and Atlanta Georgia the state capitol ,will be carpet bombed”
And your point is? Ok, they have to not do collateral damage to Buckhead, but otherwise, as long as they hit CNN first, I’m ok with this. Well, ok, not Cheetah III either. Gotta save the culture for the next generation.
Posted by: len | September 23, 2008, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm
jenny:
Of course, Sen. Obama has clean hands, right? Except for William Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn, and numerous others, like Edward Said, Antonin Rezko, Rashid Khalidi, Ali Abunimah, Imam Hassan Qazwini, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Rev. Pfleger.
As they say, “Politics makes for strange bedfellows”. However, to my mind (and in my opinion), some are a lot more dangerous than others.
Posted by: Yavo Lem | September 23, 2008, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
This is like watching a train wreck.
THIS is the BEST VP the GOP can come up with?? This is the most prepared person to step into the Presidency in case McCain were to die?
Thanks but no thanks.
Posted by: Barbara | September 23, 2008, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE??? You crazy, crazy people are defending a woman you don’t even know because she made a lame crack about lipstick and dragged her kid up on stage!
THIS IS NOT A JOKE! This is NOT how you choose the leaders of the free world! Our economy is tanking. People are losing their jobs, their homes, their life savings. And THIS is how you pick our next vice-president?!
Every single one of you should be marked with a giant lipstick X on your forehead, and if god forbid McCain wins and continues to drag our country into wars and debt and lower and lower standards of living, YOU should all be held responsible!!
Shame on you for not taking your job as voters more seriously, and for allowing yourselves to be swayed by such nonsense!!!! If Palin can’t complete one single unscripted sentence, how in the WORLD is she prepared to be VP?
LIES & PROPAGANDA – that is all you get with McCain and Palin.
Posted by: shstl | September 23, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm
Palin, I beg you for the sake of the Country, please go home and take care of your kids. And while you are there, study, think, read, speak to learned individuals and then when you have a handle on things, when your baby is situated, maybe just maybe, then you will be ready to take on the role the magnitude of the Vice Presidency.
Posted by: JJ | September 24, 2008, 10:29 am 10:29 am