@Gary Dale Cearley, I hate to be put in a position to defend her, though as a former Alaskan (something I used to be proud of) we always would refer to the Lower 48 instead of the contiguous 48... likely it's because people like Palin couldn't pronounce "contiguous" but either way she was actually, for the first time, using a real, widely used, Alaska colloquialism.

At the end she twices refers to the "lower forty-eight" (states)... There are forty-nine states to the South of Alaska. Unless she is assuming that the tip of Maine juts up above the lowest point of Alaska. But this is not the case either.

Damn! Needs to learn so geography as well!

Actually, the point is not about the geography but rather that if she were running for a high profile office this gaffe would get her. It would make the rounds with Letterman and Leno and be a distraction. Folks would point to that as proof of her lack of intellect much as they have done with all other presidents since Warren Harding used words such as "bloviate" and "normalcy".

All I can say is she better develop a thicker skin if she plans to campaign for President in 2012. She's so used to people fawning all over her, she just can't stand the least bit of criticism and attacks the critics rather than look into herself to see if, perhaps, they may be right. Remember all of the nasty things she said about President-elect Obama? Karma is a bitch, init?

Palin doesn't need a media trainer. She needs a psychologist to explore why she feels the need to be the center of attention in every situation (narcissism) -- and why, perhaps due to her evangelism, she feels so threatened by the slightest whiff of intellectualism.

Having been in TV journalism, nothing that she faced during the campaign should have come as a shock to her.

The problem is that, once she stepped out of her role as a cheerleader for McCain, she really had nothing of value to say to anyone -- which is why she rambled incessantly (i.e., as a way to control the conversation vs. imparting any useful or ground-breaking information).

Couric: You've said, quote, "John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?

Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie - that, that's paramount. That's more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.

Couric: But he's been in Congress for 26 years. He's been chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee. And he has almost always sided with less regulation, not more.

Palin: He's also known as the maverick though, taking shots from his own party, and certainly taking shots from the other party. Trying to get people to understand what he's been talking about - the need to reform government.

Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you've said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?

Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.

Couric: I'm just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you.

...or not. My vote's for "not" hoping that she remains a one-hit wonder.
Please.Let's save the help for someone who deserves it.

Well, at least her makeup was good for this "interview" (softballs from the friendly right can hardly be called an "real" interview) unlike how she looked when she got back to Alaska. I guess she got the makeup pro back. I especially like her shade of lipstick. Unfortunately for her, it does nothing to cover up the fact that she is a whiny hypocrit. Wasn't she the one who slammed Hillary for complaining that the press was sexist? Now, poor ole Sarah is a victim of, not only sexism, but class warfare. Hey, isn't the right the one who started it, by putting down so-called elitists? My my my. If you can't take the heat...

Sarah Palin is not dumb or stupid, but she is woefully ignorant about all the things a world leader must know and understand. It is not possible to give someone PR training to make up for a lifetime of what appears to be a general disinterest in serious and focused education. Unfortunately, Sarah Palin doesn't know what she doesn't know. I agree that she hasn't been well treated in all sectors. However, I would start that criticism first with John McCain who named someone completely unprepared for the role in an effort to infuse his campaign with much-needed energy. We elect all our leaders in this country with one exception: the vice president. That person is selected by a very tiny group and then added to the ticket for which we vote, yet that person has the clear potential to lead our country. However good the PR training is, it cannot change a candidate so unready to be a world leader as is Sarah Palin.

Please stop sending me this trash!

Got a quick question for Margaret and all the other Palin apologists:

Where is the "persecution" if the words used to indict a source's intellect, credibility and core messages emanated from that source's own mouth?

I agree with those who didn't see much wrong with this performance, while I do think she flubbed some of the earlier interviews.

Having done years of media interviews, I can barely imagine a media situation with higher stakes than those during the campaign. And let's be realistic. Had she not been "so cocky," as someone termed it -- had she tried to allow for some uncertainty or need for further preparation, imagine the blaring headlines that would have come out of that type of media environment: "Palin admits she's not ready!" or "Palin admits mistakes."
Every national Repub. has to have that in the back of their mind since the Daily News burned Gerald Ford with their "Drop Dead" headline decades ago.

She has her personal obstacles to overcome, but she certainly has not received a fair shake and doesn't deserve the ridicule and derision that continues to flow her way.

Palin's own words are what got her into trouble! Katie Couric's questions were easy, if not totally predictable. First she needs to learn how to talk, then a PR person can give her some media training. I suppose its good to have someone in the spotlight that's "not so canned and polished" but I personally wanted a VP that was polished and poised, which she clearly is not.

It was outrageous that Palin couldn't answer the newspaper question. As a j-school grad, I was appalled. I was further incensed that, as a person seeking a seat on the national stage, she hadn't a clue about the Bush Doctrine. The reporter (was it CBS or ABC?) was critized for that question, but to me it showed just how badly Palin's cluelessness was/is.

Michael, In this case you're being extremely unfair to Palin. She stated her case pretty well from a media training standpoint. Her problem is simply that the media (and many on this thread) hates everything she stands for whether she articulates it well or not. In this case, she articulated it pretty well.

Bran,

Palin says "bloggers, anonymous bloggers especially..."

I might agree with you if she hadn't said "especially." Yes, anonymous bloggers are the focus of her indictment, but she clearly does not preclude named bloggers from her critique.

Perhaps she meant to say "bloggers, anonymous bloggers ACTUALLY" but she didn't.

As for the MOTHER grizzly, I apologize, that was an unintentional error on my part.

2 of the comments in this article are misleading. The quotes from SP should read...

ANONYMOUS bloggers aren't credible news sources

and

The MOTHER grizzly rises up in me...

the article is a bit misleading. I didn't vote for McCain/Palin but it certainly wasn't because of her lack of media training.

Well-spoken and down-to-earth? You must be kidding. I don't think she's stupid, but ill-informed, ill-advised and out of touch. Take another look, Margaret. She blames everyone but herself for her showing.

Sarah Palin doesn't think she needs media training because she has a journalism degree and was once, briefly, a TV reporter/anchor. However, people with that kind of background usually need MORE media training because they need to retrain their though processes in order to become advocates for their organization, their cause, or their candidacy.

I can speak from experience, because I used to be a TV anchor before going into PR. It's very, very different on the other side of the microphone.

Wasn’t it just a short while ago that some in the Democratic party were discrediting bloggers during the Kerry vs. Bush campaign? Believe they said bloggers were not ‘legitimate’ news sources. Also agree that many things (like Trigg’s birth) should have been checked carefully and reported correctly.
Regarding the clip on The View. Show a similar clip to any Mom, of someone making fun of her family in a similar situation…then stand back as you will probably get a big ear full. It was a low blow, one that we should be ashamed of, if we truly want to be a more tolerant society.
I don’t think Palin was qualified to be VP (and didn’t vote for her), but I didn't interpret the video like some who are ripping her. But that’s not a surprise to me. The comments on this blog remind me of a sports blog with (Florida, USC, Utah, or Texas) fans debating who is the best football team of the ‘09 season. In sports or politics it all depends on your perspective. Sadly I think the same could be said about the media. I believe that was Palin’s message.

Perhaps it is true that the media don't like her--I find her a very hard person to like. Regardless, I agree that she desperately needs a media trainer if she wants to remain in national politics. All savvey PR pros know that perception is reality in the tough world of those in the public image.

The more I watched her during the campaign, the more she scared me as possible VP and President. I was very concerned about her lack of knowledge about the world outside of small town America--face it--the total population in Alaska in smaller than many cities in America and her issues are radically different than most states. I felt she was way too cocky--claiming she was ready to be VP when she knows so little about the rest of America--let alone the world. Also, she takes no responsibility for any weaknesses she has or errors she made. I also dissagree that she would be popular as Obama's VP candidate--he was also the target of a lot of negative accusations in the social media, but he overcame that. She should be asking why he got elected in the face of huge obstacles and she didn't. I think that soul searching (along with the media training and education about US and world issues) would make her a much candidate in the future,

This is one of those tacky reality TV shows you hate to love (like Real Housewives). The poor thing doesn't even know what she doesn't know. If she is the sharpest political operator in Alaska, it really is the last frontier is so many sad ways.

If people can't stay on topic and focus on the points, it's really too bad for this blog and this organization.
It certainly makes a professional who's focused on learning best practices want to look elsewhere for their information.

To Margaret, I agree that most conversation regarding Palin has lapsed from intelligent discourse to -- to use a favorite Ragan term -- snarkiness. However, to label her "persecuted" and suggest that her frequent defensiveness and unpreparedness did not warrant concern is dubitable when acknowleging the post for which she was being considered. To be next in line for the most powerful position on the planet, she has got to be able to articulate clearly, to demonstrate cool under volcanic pressure, to have some degree of knowledge about a vast variety of topics (if not deep understanding of several), and, most of all, to inspire confidence. To me, she illustrated none of these things, and stumbling through or dismissing some basic interview questions indicates that the uncertainty of her readiness for national office may run deeper than "polishing."

Anonymous, homework, eh ... Me thinks the pot is trying to see black. Where did I say bloggers ARE credible news sources?

But, since you ask, I think some bloggers are credible news sources depending on the topic. More importantly, given the quickly changing media landscape Palin is picking a fight with a vocal pack (bloggers, credible or not) whose influence is only growing.

But, as another anonymous commenter wisely pointed out, Palin is the anti-media candidate. I'm just not to sure that is a wise position.

Paula and Margaret, I'm with you.

Bloggers ARE NOT credible news sources. They're sources of analysis (and it's usually worth what you pay). Not many bloggers do original reporting. Do your homework, Michael. Your bias is showing.

Is it possible to laugh and cry at the same time?

Just when I think the madness might be finally over, there's more of the same. And no, Katie Couric didn't cause it, she just uncovered it.

I hope 2012 doesn't bring any more of the, like, wow, you know, madness.

Oh, my. Now I understand why it was so difficult for her to get a journalism degree.

She also needs to look up "fact" in the dictionary.

Most leaders need media training, but I believe Palin operates under a different paradigm. If she actually submits to media handlers (as she did too often in the campaign), she will fail to reach her audience and her potential.

Yes, Palin might marginally improve her coverage by being more sensitive to media shibboleths and pretenses. But this ignores the fact she is positioned squarely against the media. Palin's following believes that the supposedly objective liberal press betrayed and continues to betray their trust. As a result, Palin now succeeds as the embodiment of a rebellion against the mainstream media.

Her lack of sophistication only proves to her audience she's genuine. If you don't hear your own indignation in her words, you're just on the other side of the uprising.

She may never be president, but the press should fear Palin. She has already embarrassed them and could do far more damage.

Who's Sarah Palin?

I am amazed at how criticized and persecuted Sarah Palin is on the national stage. She does not come across as stupid in this video. She is well-spoken and down-to-earth.

Yes, I would agree that she does need more media training. However, isn't it refreshing once in awhile to see someone show isn't perfectly canned and polished.

I do agree that she should not lump all reporters in one box; however, she does bring some valid points forward about the news business.

Margaret

This very sad attempt to keep her in the news so that the infamous "base" that she excited can hopefully gain some traction so that her 2012 canidacy will be justified or-worse-she lands a reality show staring her and the host of characters that have popped out of the Wassila cabbage patch since she was name the republican veep candidate.

However, whoever is doing her PR severely underestimated how weary the world is of her regressive, narrow minded and uninformed view of the world and her genuine fake winky small town charm. It is also a shame that no one has required her to go to speech comm 101 before they let her in front of another camera. The more she talks the more you feel you are watching a train wreck happen before you eyes that you simply can't look away from. Regardless of my political views (I'm a Democrat), I hate to see anyone on camera embarrassing themselves with such hacky behavior.

And to think this person could have been elected VP. Yikes!

Love this, but that headline falls into "Sky is blue" category at this point, doesn't it?

Paula, I guess it's my liberal media bias. Let's agree to disagree then.

I just watched the entire video and have to differ on a few points, Michael! I didn't think she came across quite as badly as you do.

Credible sources: I AGREE with what she said, that reporters quoting bloggers (anon or otherwise) should research bloggers' claims and not simply quote them. They should make sure the blogger's claim is substantiated. Am I wrong?

She didn't called reporters lazy but said that they should do their homework - and then specifically referred to the reported rumor still out there that her baby son is someone elses, not hers. Pretty easy to check the birth records and hospital admission record, review photos.

She said "The grizzly rises up in me hearing things like that" in response to a SNL clip implying that she'd forced her daughter to get married for the campaign. I'd be pissed off if it was my family, and an unplanned family situation which would have been tough to go through was painted like this.

So I didn't interpret the video the same way you did...

Anyway, I think it's too late for her now in national government. She's basically been labelled as white trash and stupid, so everything she does will be painted in that light.

Some of her smart ideas like reducing government and getting rid of unneeded bureacracy will be unfairly tainted if she's the spokesperson for them.

PS: I didn't vote for her

...and USA Today was the name of Katie Couric's first TV show.

Until McCain picked her, Palin thought new york times was the time of day on the east coast.

I think Janet has the right idea ...

Doesn't she realize that the very people she is attacking are the ones who will be covering her second--and I hope failed--attempt at national office? I know Americans have short memories, but this stuff exists on the web for a long time if not forever.

I'd go ape shit if my boss started ripping our trade press, or any press, in a web video.

I wish this woman would shut up. I am sick to death of her.

“Of course, I read newspapers. I read publications. I spend a lot of time, of course, reading our local papers, the highly-circulated publications here in X because that’s my job is to know the business of X and our communities but also USA Today, yes, and New York Times.”

Michael, you never knew you had so much in common with Sarah Palin.