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Sarah Palin's 10 Most Awkward Media Moments
If the soon-to-be-former Alaska governor’s rambling resignation speech made some viewers wince, it was probably not the first time. Here’s a look back at the soon-to-be-former governor’s most cringe-inducing moments. And yes—we included the turkey.
#10 Palin Reflects on Wonders of America as Turkey Gets Decapitated
There’s a rather large line between awkward and gruesome, but on Nov. 21, 2008, Palin managed to cross both. Irony lost on no one: Moments before this interview, Palin had just pardoned a turkey.
#9 Palin Presents Alaska’s Proximity to Russia as a Foreign-Policy Credential
What’s especially interesting in retrospect is Katie Couric’s unwillingness—out of sympathy, one could imagine—to let Palin’s bumbling of this question pass quickly. Couric takes Palin’s we’re-close-to-Russia-and-that’s-important claim seriously, following up with “have you been involved with any negotiations, for example with the Russians?” Priceless.
#8 Palin Bobs Her Head to Gangsta Beat as Dems, Independents Cringe
It’s a bit discomfiting to recall how important a late-night comedy/variety show was to the 2008 election. Or perhaps that’s part of what makes it all bearable and occasionally fun. Wanting to take control of Saturday Night Live’s pitch-perfect mockery of her, Palin decided to appear in this skit, which features a moose being shot and the governor trying to look hip while dancing in her chair. Bad idea.
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BasPos
Somehow, I think Tim Russert missed the best/worst example of the perils of our video age. This small collection of idiocy should educate a whole new generation of political "wannabees."
There are so many, and "10" is such an inadequate number. The debates and the various genera of the stump speech(es) should have a rogue's gallery as well.
Also, those moments when she wowed her base have a place here - right up with the Nurnburg rallies.
Redhead5050
Good grief! What an ignorant person.
Meghanisgreat
Amen ! The most ignorant I have ever in my life came across. She was running for the vice presidency of the United States ?!?
Ozone69
Do we ever get to see Joe Biden's 10 most awkward media moments. I know there' more than 10 but the media wouldn't dare broach it because he is a Democrat. My favorite was when being interviewed by Katie Couric, he claimed that FDR got on TV in 1929 as President and talked about the Great Depression. This is the man who voted against the Alaskan pipeline in 1972. Very smart Joe.
Spasticula
Joe is really dumb... but I never doubt he knows something about policy. Just because your side has someone as ignorant as Palin doesn't mean we have one too. I have no idea what she is competent at; not interviews, not policy, not PR, not reading... She's only good at being vindictive and crying "victim."
VMickey
Why can't we never stay on subject. Palin is not predident material, no matter how many Dem you will like to call out. Just admit that Palin is not ready and move on. The truth will set you free!!
Who-Knew
The reason the media isn't highlighting Biden's moments is that he is NOT quitting his job in a hail of words, like palin has done. In journalism, just because one person makes a themselves look like a moron, the press isn't responsible to try making someone else with whom you find disagreement look equally the fool.
Instead of whining about Biden, how about really evaluating the stupidity that IS palin?? If you opened your eyes, you may even learn something. So, if/when Biden does something as stupid, understand that he will be held to the exact standard. Unlike fox, MOST press outlets don't care from what side of the political spectrum they find stupidity. Stupidity in all forms helps the press sell their products. And, selling products is why the press is in business. Or, don't you understand free-enterprise?
missbike
Don't be fooled by the Senators' mouth running; He's a pretty sly old pol to have lasted inside the Beltway for so many years. At his debate with Sarah he pulled a trick that made her jump like she'd been hit with a cattle prod and start running her mouth so fast through the ventriloquist dummy speech she'd been prepped for she almost lost it. Didn't you all see it? His crying?
It's tricky to be a gentleman and almost get your idiot opponent to lose it on TV when you have to stay completely mild mannered. As for the gaffes- how much of that happens in private? Very little I bet. And how many of them manipulate people's heads? Politicians have some dirty tricks we've never imagined. I saw my grandaddy work some that I don't completely understand to this day, but he ruled with an iron fist. Don't underestimate Joe.
That poor woman. So far in over her head and not a clue! Life must be hard for the pathologically narcissistic like Ms Palin.
winston1
Ref Townhall.com As the MSM says "Joe Will Be Joe".
Senator Joe Biden lied at least 14 times during the vice presidential debate according to those counting at John McCain's presidential headquarters.
Tucker Bounds, a spokesman from GOP presidential candidate John McCain's campaign said in a statement, "Joe Biden graduated from his trademark verbal gaffe to outright lie in tonight's debate."
McCain's blogger-in-chief Michael Goldfarb chronicled the 14 lies HERE.
On the foreign policy front, Biden challenged Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin when she said Barack Obama's pledge to meet with any foreign leaders, including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, without precondition "goes beyond naivete and goes beyond poor judgment."
Biden lectured Palin, "That's just simply not true about Barack Obama. He did not say he'd sit down with Ahmadinejad." During the YouTube Democratic primary debate last July Obama was asked if he would meet the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, and North Korea without "precondition" during his first year in office.
"I would," he replied.
Biden appeared to attack Obama for making that very statement in August 2007. While Biden was challenging Obama for the Democratic nomination for president Biden said he would not support such a pledge. "Would I make a blanket commitment to meet unconditionally with the leaders of each of those countries within the first year I was elected president?" he said in an appearance at the National Press Club. "Absolutely positively no."
Five of the lies Biden told were related to tax and energy votes. During the debate Biden adamantly claimed McCain voted the same way as Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama did on a vote to raise taxes on those making $42,000 a year. The legislative record shows McCain was not present in the Senate for either of those votes and is recorded as "not voting."
The RNC also takes issue with Biden's assessment Palin supports a "windfall profits tax" and Biden's claim McCain voted against alternative energy 23 times. The independent Factcheck.org has previously stated when Obama and other Democrats made similar charges about the 23 votes "they're overstating the case."
The other lies detailed by Goldfarb were related to Biden's characterization of McCain's healthcare plan, stances on bank deregulation and the $700 billion financial bailout that recently passed the Senate
AlwaysOptimistic
So many in such a short period of time. That may be part of the problem. Sarah was on the national stage for such a short time, yet we have a plethora of "bad moments". Oh well, we will see where this all goes with time.
TonyMacaroni
Hopefully to the RNC! Sarah as a presidential candidate would be a wonderful gift from God!
I can just see it happening... and afterwards, what's left of the GOP will move to Alaska, ha!
rickjr82
These are all probably just cut creatively, you can actually hear at the start of the hockey game they are cheering right before the part where they say her name.
bgeasyas123
Ummmm.....ok!? your point here would be what? the fans cheered for the ceremonial puck dropping until they heard her name and see her make her way to the ice. If there's any point to make about that clip, it would be about flyer's fans, and the fact that they assualted a santa clause at a home game once.
rickjr82
Just another Liberal attack on Christmas. I just can't wait until they try to ban Martin Luther's birthday (I'm for indulgences and yet still celebrate it).
cookiecrumb
OMG Palin is priceless! She was made for Fox News - she'd make a great roving weather girl - the new Al Rokker. That Alaska governorship was just standing in teh way of the new America's Sweetheart...
gavottes
As I read all of the bashings as well as praise for Palin, I realize no matter what, she and her family need our support.
God forbid it's an illness that is prompting this resignation.
Whether it is Sarah or another member of her family.
Then all the mean-spirited shots at Palin will look awfully, well, mean.
She is NOT qualified to lead our nation in public office, but she is a human being, no matter how misguided and self-absorbed.
rickjr82
She would look pretty bad blaming the "full- court press" then.
helloricko
There's no question that there was an illness that prompted her resignation. There are a number of psychosis that manifest in illusions of grandeur and a complete inability to recognize one's limitations.
Perhaps, when the health care bill is passed, she'll have an opportunity to seek some overdue help.
dcbooknurse
The one thing that always struck me about 'Turkeygate' is that the film crew must have been in on it. The way the shot is framed, with Palin off to the side with lots of room left for the decapitation scene, just screams set-up. But how is it that none of her people noticed the set-up or found a better place for the interview. For all of her supposed political savvy this was a glaring mistake.
crymeariver
Set-up?
1) It's the politician that directs the media as to the LOCATION of the interview. It was up to Palin or her "people" to direct the press.
2) Palin looked over her shoulders and saw what was happening and she could also HEAR the blades going off. She is simply comfortable with killing animals, it's normal to her and not a big deal. I'm sure it's probably not a big deal in Alaska they kill animals for food all the time, it's mostly the lower 48 that had a problem with it.
bryanlevi
Though I think Palin is a scourge & a sing of the times (in the worst way,) I also think it is really stupid & smug to criticize rural qualities that politicians have. You would have to be one seriously smug & disconnected journalist or commentator to not realize that lots of people in America live in rural areas & really celebrate the rural lifestyle, loving it with all their heart.
How exactly do you think your turkey gets to your dinner plate anyway?
p.s. The way this turkey was raised & killed is sure a hell of a lot better & more humane that the factory farmed turkey & other food animals we eat in this country.
bryanlevi
Typo: sing should be sign.
mikefromArlington
Holy cow what an idiot. And I thought Dubya was dumb. This lady is by far the most ignorant person ever to run for a national office.
auggiesdad
You can't compare Palin's statements with Biden's. Biden has been around for almost 40 years and Palin has far surpassed his dumbest moments. The biggest difference is that Biden knows he makes mistakes and laughs at himself. Palin is too dumb to know she's making a fool of herself, and then blames all the "meanies" on the Left for "misquoting" her. In less than 1 year on the public radar, Palin has made more blunders and ohmygoddidshesaythat moments than even W made. In fact, she makes W look relatively intelligent. (I said "relatively.")
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This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
MrsDolly
My favorite is when Katie Couric asked her magazines she regularly read before she was tapped for V.P.
"Any of them all of them that has been placed before me [when I get my hair done at the Wasilla Beauty Shoppe. ['People', 'Entertainment Weekly', 'Glamour', 'Guns & Ammo'] All of them."
TonyMacaroni
Sarah, Sarah, Sarah...
Idiot, idiot, idiot...
Brummbaer
Not making excuses (sort of) for President Obama but I assume when he referred to 57 states he was including American territories such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Or maybe he really can't count. Who really knows?
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