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Palin's Right, the Press Does Stink ...

... for labeling her horrible debate performance success

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 7, 2008 12:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sarah Palin doesn’t like the mainstream media, and after watching its reaction to her debate performance, neither does Richard Cohen of the Washington Post. Palin ignored questions, lied, and invented new powers for the vice president, but somehow the media wound up praising her anyway. “I could quote the hosannas of some of my colleagues,” writes Cohen, “but I spare them the infamy that will surely follow them to their graves.”

What mattered to these observers wasn’t what Palin said, but how she said it, with "that manic good cheer" sure to win over hockey moms everywhere. The media, in effect “adopted the ethic of the political consultant: what works, works.” Whereas, say, Hillary Clinton would have been lambasted for that vapid performance, the media graded Palin “on a curve suitable for a parrot.” If anyone flunked this, it’s them.

Sarah Palin speaks to the crowd during a rally at Chaifetz Hall of Saint Louis University after the Vice Presidential debate Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, in St. Louis.
Sarah Palin speaks to the crowd during a rally at Chaifetz Hall of Saint Louis University after the Vice Presidential debate Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, in St. Louis.   (AP Photo/Kyle Ericson)
Sarah Palin winks as she speaks during her vice presidential debate against Joe Biden at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008.
Sarah Palin winks as she speaks during her vice presidential debate against Joe Biden at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Columnists, bloggers, talk-show hosts and digital lamplighters have adopted the ethic of the political consultant: what works, works. - Richard Cohen

Things have changed. Might used to make right. Now a wink does. - Richard Cohen

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