On Wednesday in the Chicago Sun-Times, we wrote an editorial about what a waste of time it is for voters to have reporters ask "gotcha" questions.
And what a waste of time it is for politicians to evade honest questions by using gotcha journalism as an excuse.
You can read the editorial here.
For a corollary of that strategy, check out this video from Katie Couric's interview with Sarah Palin.
Couric asks a straightforward question about what magazines Palin reads, and Palin does not give much of an answer.
At the end, Palin doesn't suggest the question is a gotcha question but rather implies it is condescending toward all residents of Alaska.
Wouldn't it just be easier to answer the question?
This blog brought to you by the Sun-Times editorial board (click on names to read bios):
Honestly, i think it is ridiculous for Sarah Palin to use "gotcha journalism" as an excuse for her lack of knowledge. She's running for vice president of the United States in a time when we need strong and intelligent leadership. The fact that she can not answer simple questions about the most important issues is more proof that she is not qualified to be in that position. I really do not buy her assumption that the media is out to get her.When asked about her stance on the bailout, she danced around it without giving her opinion. She was asked about foreign policy, and claimed that because Alaska is close to Russia, she has experience. She supports the very unpopular Iraq war, saying that the troops are on a "mission from God." How can this woman blame the media for the idiotic statements? It is flat ridiculous.
Last week there was a NPR feature on medical records provided by both candidates. McCain offered records but limited viewing to 3 hours. Obama provided an undated statement from his physician. At least McCain provided some detail w/ dates and tests. Obama provided "just words". Andrew Sullivan's posted a request for Palin's hospital records for her baby. Sullivan wants proof of whether a child has Down's Syndrome? Palin's child is not running for president. Obama is and he has not provided information about his health other than an undated statement from his doctor. Why not ask Obama for a look at his medical records? The potential leader of a nuclear nation does not have to provide medical details but a baby does. Weird.
Other governors have sad that their staff usually just put clippings on their desks so they don't always know what publications they are reading.
If I was at the grocery store and thinking about what was important at the time and some one ( especially asome one that was not in my 'box' asked me what I read I would be taken aback...what kind of dumb questions is that anyway..when you are prepared to take on the 'liberal media' you don't think about what magazines you are reading at the time...Sarah probably hasn't had time to sit and read anything
All this stuff about Sarah is just either pure jealousy and/ or
scared liberals...
Sarah Palin is a wonderful woman who loves her GOD, her family, her country and I am thanful for her!
Sarah you are terrible mother not only did not educate your children and allow for another teenage mother to have a child that we the people will pay for, but you also gave your infant son to a daughter that looks to be 6 maybe 7 to carry down a few stairs what the hell were you thinking (your are right there with Michael Jackson and Steven Erwin's stunts). I seriously was going to vote for you but I do not tolerate bad parents. Go to parenting classes before you screw another one up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and by the way I did not like the fact that you took funding from special olympics.
Regarding Obama's associates: When Obama began his career 25 years ago, I think he must have experienced racial discrimination. Sincere in wanting to make conditions in South Chicago better for whites as well as blacks, he probably accepted help from where ever he could get it.
Millions of America’s young people are responsible, moral, and good students. They do not deserve a President McCain who was 894th in a class of 899. McCain, widely known as a womanizer, married Cindy one month after he broke up his first family. Cindy, the daughter of a very rich beer distributor, confessed to drug addiction and to stealing drugs.
Our young people do not deserve a V.P. whose unmarried, pregnant teenage daughter is practically glorified by the right . Sarah Palin and John McCain have both been charged with ethics violations. They are also guilty of lying and smearing. The tabloids won’t need to find fresh material for years to come with McCain, Cindy, and Palin in the White House. Morally and academically, the Obamas are the opposite of McCain and Palin.
So, I don’t understand why so many conservative preachers and church goers will vote for these two? Both candidates oppose gay marriage and McCain has supported abortion. Obama supports the Faith-Based Initiative. This Administration and this Congress have not preserved our treasury, our international reputation nor our environment.
McCain is unstable, erratic. I have confidence in Obama’s stability, good sense and compassion.
I'll bet in all her interviews as a politician, Palin had never been asked such a stupid question and thought it was, without a doubt, a trick question and that no matter what magazine or newspaper she said, it would be ridiculed.
Maybe she can't read.