by Jsn
This is something I can't let pass--not without taking notice. Sarah Palin has just made her most blatant lie yet. It's one that the average television viewer can catch. And most tellingly, it's a lie that exposes not just mendacity, but a compulsion to lie.
In a transparent attempt to shore up her feminist appeal, she's changed her story on how she accepted the offer to run for vice-president.
Which one is it, Sarah? The problem with lying isn't so much putting the lies out there. It's in sticking to them.
- Jsn's diary :: ::
Here's what she said to Sean Hannity today, in an interview with so many softballs it must have felt like a relaxing massage. This is from the Time magazine excerpt:
On her family’s reaction to be picked as the VP nominee:
“It was a time of asking the girls to vote on it, anyway. And they voted unanimously, yes. Didn’t bother asking my son because, you know, he’s going to be off doing his thing anyway, so he wouldn’t be so impacted by, at least, the campaign period here. So ask the girls what they thought and they’re like, absolutely. Let’s do this, mom.”
As Andrew Sullivan helpfully points out, this is a direct contradiction to her now-famous interview with Charlie Gibson:
PALIN: I didn't hesitate, no.
GIBSON: Didn't that take some hubris?
PALIN: I -- I answered him yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink. So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate.
Oooooph. I imagine the same handlers that threw Carly Fiorina under the bus are wishing they could manage another tactical banishment right about now. But that's just not possible, is it? She HAS to make at least a few appearances--and even in near-scripted situations she's letting her reality-disconnect slip.
Let's look at her words. FIRST she says that the accepted the job offer unhesitatingly, "without blinking". NOW she says it took some deliberation--a vote, even--in her household. But just as revealingly, she says she only let "the girls" vote. Her son, "off doing his thing" (i.e., fighting in Iraq) was purposefully excluded from this decision-making process. Because, of course, being the son of the vice president would have NO impact on his life whatsoever, since he'd be...you know, in a foreign country and stuff.
Folks, I'd rather this latter story be true. I'm much prefer to have someone, when offered a shot at the second-highest office in the land, at least blink a bit, and ponder it over. Preferably with their family.
But if, by some perchance, this was how it really went down, why is she revealing this now? Why did she lie before? Or vice versa: why is she bothering to lie about this now?
This was the moment she entered the national consciousness--when she became, for better or worse, part of history. And she's lying about even that?
I think it's time to back off on the Dick Cheney comparisons. The esteemed governor of Alaska is nowhere in his league; at least HE made his bold moves to re-order reality behind the scenes, not in the light of day. And certainly not for no discernible reason.
With statements like these, Sarah Palin's lies leave the realm of politics and enter pathology.
UPDATE: Sullivan has a crushing refutation of this latest flight of fancy: "Here's the official tick-tock of the announcement from McCain communications director Jill Hazelbaker on August 29:"
"Later that morning, John McCain departed for Phoenix and Governor Palin departed with staff to Flagstaff, Arizona. Governor Palin, Kris Perry, Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter proceeded to the Manchester Inn and Conference Center in Middleton, Ohio. They were checked into the hotel as the Upton Family. While there, Governor Palin’s children, who had been told they were going to Ohio to celebrate their parents’ wedding anniversary, were told for the first time that their mother would be a nominee for Vice President of the United States of America."
"So did Palin ask the girls to vote on it or not? If they were told that they were on a plane to celebrate their parents' wedding anniversary, the decision had already been made, right? So Palin was lying to Hannity, right? The girls were not asked, let alone asked to vote. They were told. Or am I wrong? Is there another explanation? Maybe the full context will clear this up."
UPDATE II: Kossack The Termite pegs it:
"Sure, Mom. I mean I know you just found out I was pregnant and all, and that you and Dad forced Levi at gunpoint to make me a respectable woman but the one thing I've really felt was missing from my life at this time was national scrutiny. Please, Mom, if for no other reason than to make your eldest daughter into a national punchline, please, please accept this opportunity."
UPDATE III: Cripes, even Palin's husband puts the lie to this one. On Fox, of all places:
VAN SUSTEREN: And what did she say? What were the exact words when she said that she'd gotten picked?
TODD PALIN: Just, you know, What do you think? And I said, Of course.
VAN SUSTEREN: Now, the kids -- the kids are now cell phone-less, incommunicado. How many are with you at this point?
PALIN: Three -- four.
VAN SUSTEREN: And did anyone a little bit suspicious that something was going on?
PALIN: Yes, they were -- you know -- well, it was pretty suspicious.
VAN SUSTEREN: Didn't you say, like, what kind of anniversary...
PALIN: I said four or five times, I said, I don't want to hear any questions. Just sit back and don't ask any questions. If we go into something that's not familiar with you, don't ask any questions, like a plane or -- just be quiet.
P.S. Wow. I appreciate every click on the Recommend button. Just hope the word gets out on this.
P.P.S. And hey--now you can Digg this up by clicking here.
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