Palin avoids the press, but Obama’s running mate isn’t talking either

Today, the press finally had enough of Sarah Palin’s refusal to address them. While holding meetings with numerous foreign dignitaries, Palin’s staff refused to let editorial press into the meetings, though one “pool” camera was given permission. The campaign was hoping for the nice pictures of the meet-and-greet, without having to face any questioning. Unfortunately for Palin, virtually every news agency refuses to provide a camera without an editorial presence also being allowed in the door. After a brief standoff, the Palin team backed down and allowed a member of CNN’s editorial press into the meeting… for 30 seconds. The entire story from that lengthy stay is chronicled here.

McCain/Palin and the media

I will attempt to be brief, because I want you to read this. In an election that continues to focus on personality and gossip rather than issues, the Republican Party has poisoned the well and in doing so, has harmed every voter in this country.

Senator John McCain’s subtle jabs at the media have been gaining steam over the summer. At the Republican National Convention last week, they were no longer subtle, rather, an entire party lashing out against what they believe is a biased news media.

This was compounded upon the introduction of Governor Sarah Palin as McCain’s running mate. Palin has the country in a tizzy, but she is not being made available to the press, we are told because of their favoring of Barack Obama. All the media would do is trick her and make her look bad, because they are “in the tank” for Obama, they tell us.

They criticize the media for traveling to Alaska to try to find out more about one of America’s biggest newsmakers, saying that they are trying to dig up dirt on a poor innocent woman. What exactly should journalists do? They are denied access to a woman running for vice president of our nation; they have to be able to find some information about her to inform the public other than controlled speeches and campaign events.

Thursday is the seventh anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, something the Republicans have oft been accused of using to scare people into voting for them, suggesting that only the GOP can keep America safe. Over the past few months, the Republicans have found their new campaign of fear… fear of the media.