Posted by
The Valletta Papers on Thursday, September 04, 2008 11:57:29 PM
Governor Sarah Palin’s Wednesday night speech was a triumph. Even the liberal drive-by media considered it a smashing success. The Wall Street Journal headlined: Gov. Palin Makes Her Case. The Washington Post declared: Palin Comes Out Fighting.And, even The New York Times exclaimed Palin Assails Critics and Electrifies Party.
One would be naïve, however, to believe that many in the main-stream media were in any way convinced by Governor Palin. If anything, the Obama-obsessed press were upset that this little-known Alaskan moose-hunter was evidently poaching on the path of what was supposed to be a coronation parade.
A quick review of liberal and leftist news-outlets reveals serious concerns from the established elites. Liberal pundits at The New Republic, for example, were “alarmed” at the strength of Palin’s speech. Senate-Majority Leader Harry Reid’s spokesman denounced Governor Palin’s speech as "shrill and sarcastic." Many Democrat leaders, including official sources from the Obama Camp, were quick to point out that Governor Palin used a speechwriter [a shocking revelation] – and worse, one previously employed by President Bush!
Much of the liberal criticism seemed predictable. Gloria Steinem, for example, referred to Sarah Palin as nothing but a Phyllis Schlafly, only younger. On the less-predictable fringe, CNN reported that community organizers were highly offended by her speech. And even more odd, but just as ideologically partisan, Lauren Beckham Falcone hated Palin’s hair – considers it 20 years out of date, much like her policies.
Do not assume that the liberals and the left will sit around wringing their hands in anxious concern over this new Republican gunslinger. Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter has already given the challenge. A gunfight is in order, but it will likely not be a duel of honor. The press has a responsibility, claims Alter, to show the public what Palin really is. She must be “forced to submit to real interviews with real questions that show whether her real-life experience is any preparation for assuming high office.” He considers this as much a test of the media as it is of Palin. In other words, Governor Palin better load up, because the media is planning an ambush.