Sarah Palin Courts Controversy with 'Game Change' and FOX News

By Sam Brand Posted Jan 12th 2010 12:27AM

Attractive. Straightforward. Controversial.

Sarah Palin was made for TV.

And that's just where you'll find her now that she's signed a multi-year deal to appear as a regular contributor on Fox News. "It's wonderful to be part of a place that so values fair and balanced news," Palin said in a statement on Monday, the same day she was called out as an under-qualified, poorly chosen VP candidate in the political tell-all 'Game Change.'

Palin "couldn't explain why North and South Korea were separate nations and she did not know what the Federal Reserve did," write authors John Heilemann and Mark Halperin in the book which was released on Monday.

"She also said she believed Saddam Hussein attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001."

Her international ignorance didn't keep her from getting the TV job we all knew she would one day take. You might just say it is what made her a compelling TV candidate in the first place.

"Gov. Palin has captivated everyone on both sides of the political spectrum, and we are excited to add her dynamic voice to the Fox News lineup," Bill Shine, Fox News executive vice president of programming, said in a statement.

Palin announced the multi-year deal just two days after shooting down the scathing account of the 2008 campaign depicted in 'Game Change.'

"The Governor's descriptions of these events are found in her book, 'Going Rogue,'" Palin's spokeswoman said, referring to her best-selling 2009 memoir. "Her descriptions are accurate. She was there. These reporters were not."

The reporters, Heileman and Halperin, were accurate in describing an unflattering quote out of Senator Harry Reid. The Senate Majority Leader admitted to calling America a country that's ready to elect a "'light-skinned' African American 'with no Negro dialect,'" and apologized.

You won't see any apologies out of Palin's camp. No admissions, or even mentions of the alleged freak-out prior to the devastating interview with Katie Couric in Sept. 2008.

"As they were about to set off to meet Couric, Palin announced 'I hate this makeup' – smearing it off her face, messing up her hair, complaining she looked fat," Heilemann and Halperin write.

And why would Palin confirm or deny that anecdote. It's inconsequential. In fact, you might just call it a real American tale, and call Palin a real American woman. Certainly, that's what Fox sees in her. The network, after all, announced she'll be host of "Real American Stories," "a series exploring inspirational real-life tales of overcoming adversity throughout the American landscape."

In other words, she'll be reporting on the same hard-hit communities she once memorably called "the pro-America areas of this great nation."

She apologized for the statement a week later.

Don't expect any apologies when Sarah Palin makes her first appearance as part of the Fox News team on the 'The O'Reilly Factor' on Tuesday night.

Tags: fox news, game change, harry reid, katie couric, sarah palin

Comments

(44)

Tuesday 12 January

By Anth

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I'm happy for her. Palin belongs on the FOX network with the rest of her narrow minded friends. Isn't amazing what 15 minutes of fame can do for you.

By Steve and Lori

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You are right - we should all be broad-minded like Harry Reid. Or Obama. I won't defend right-wing idealogues but don't be disingenuous - those on the left are just as narrow in their thinking.

By tim

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yes,obama turned his 15 minutes of fame into a trip to the whitehouse,with the help of the broad and open minds of his freinds matthews,olbermann and madcow at msnbc.

By lislejoh

Hey stupid....Fox is the fair and balanced network. Talking about Rangels' tax problems, Obamas' openess on healthcare.

Remember she is attacked so much because you lefty libs FEAR her.

Hey bub, heres my advice and my pity for you cause.....you cant fix stupid!

Wednesday 13 January

By John

Now Right Wingers are calling Liberals narrow minded, lol I can't believe it. They should look up the words meaning in the dictionary, oh but what Neocon or Right Wing tea party person reads

By Snookhookr

It's probably too late to warn you not to read the above article. Mr Brand has typed up a hit piece with very little truth in it. Palin Derangement Syndrome strikes again.
Mr Brand...what is it about Sarah that makes you stinkin' liberals cover your lying keyboards in spittle? Why are you afraid of her? Is it envy? You gripe about her qualifications for executive office yet you voted for a neighborhood trouble maker with 0 executive experience. You say she's stupid yet you voted for a vice president with 0 executive who makes imbecillic gaffs almost on a daily basis.
Democrats....How's that hopey/changy thing workin' out for you? Was your vote for the used care salesman everything you'd think it'd be?

By JohnSSDriver

So you think Sara 'Baracuda' is a viable political advocate? Just proves you cant fix stupid. By the way, how'd that BUSH thing work out for ya?

yes mr. driver, that bush thing worked out pretty bad,but this obama thing is going to be another disaster.have you noticed how every time he screws something up,they try to spin it with their pat line-but bush was worse than we are-thats a pretty low bar they've set for their mistakes.

By Dave

well said!

By Nicole

The fact that you actually think that everyone who does not like Sarah Palin is, by definition, a "liberal" speaks to your narrow-mindedness and limited ability to reason. I am a moderate Republican who considers Mrs. Palin to be a prime example of the dumbing-down of my party. She is the main reason why John McCain lost the election, and you ultra-right wing conservatives can't see the damage you do in promoting her.

Wednesday 17 February

By tanclan4

Nicole,
You haven't done your homework!
Sarah Palin is the one who lessened the gap between Obama and McCain!
She was the one who excited the base and why people came out in droves to see her speak!
I would rather have her in the White House right now than the Harvard grad who is bankrupting our country and ruining our security! But, he gives a good speech.

By Poppa T.

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In my opinion Miss Sarah Palin is much better off working for Fox News than she would be running for public office. Now all her fans can see her every move upon the Fox News Network...

Barack Obama and his cronies are driving our country to bankruptcy! Sarah Palin would be better as President!

By Mik's $ Toy

Mrs. WA-silliness is just what Fox news needs. She will show her ignorance and stupidity in front of the far right and they will see why she isn't presidential material.

As for Fox News being 'fair and balanced' it is only fair and balanced for the far right, not mainstream America.

Mrs. WA-silliness needs to stay in Alaska, make her kids her FIRST priority, and cook moose stew for the former "First Dude" so her special needs child gets what he will need and her daughters wont do a "Bristol" on her!

By ann

You only took 1 paragraph to show your ignorance and stupidity. Take a look in the mirror at ignorance. This woman is out there working to support that special needs child and her first dude. Even if you do not agree with her views you have to respect her for getting out there and teaching real women that you can do anything.

OH, I ALMOST FORGOT:

I WONDER WHAT IS GOING THROUGH THE CELEB WANNABE'S MIND NOW SHE HAS A PART TIME JOB? COULD IT BE:

YOU BETCHA! I CAN SEE RUSSIA FROM MY KITCHEN WINDOW!

I DON'T KNOW WHAT BUSH'S FORIEGN POLICY IS EITHER.

IS KOREA A COUNTRY? WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE IS A NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA?

mik-- i've got a strong feeling that your toy is your right hand!

By carrieokie

My sympathy to the FOX staffers who will have to work with her.
(If you are in the minority of people who are undecided about Palin, read some Alaskan blogs to get a feel for the real Sarah Palin).

By Mike

"It's wonderful to be part of a place that so values fair and balanced news." Boy, she IS dumb, isn't she?

By Pedro

"It's wonderful to be part of a place that so values fair and balanced news,"..........unfortunately, they try to create the news, not just report it, she will do great as she is so dellusional and many people just want to believe whatever she says.

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